Link Centre

West of Shake Rag Presents “Mister Murdery”!
2018-09-08 19:30 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Black Box Theatre
Find out WHODUNNIT?? this Saturday night at the Link Centre. The Baron has died and there’s a horrible crime (which will undoubtedly be goofy) that’s been committed. The problem is, it’s someone who’s at the party!
Join us for a night full of live improvised comedy at Baron Burnt Sienna’s Manor. Family friendly this round so you can bring the whole gang.

Adult Painting Class: Playful Abstract Portraits
2018-09-01 10:00 - 12:00
This is a two-hour adults-only class where participants will create their own playful abstract portrait similar to the ones in the video images. Students will use 8×10 heavy-weight, mixed-media paper, acrylic paint, ink, stamps, and markers to create their work. The cost is $25 per participant. This fee includes all supplies. Minimum participation of 10 adults is required for class to meet. Students in grades 10-12 are welcome to attend as an adult. Students in grades 6-9 are welcome to attend with a paying adult participant.
Buy Tickets HERE.

Singer/songwriter showcase with Clint Jordan and Mississippi Chris Sharp
2018-08-18 19:30 - 21:30 | Concert Hall
A Mississippi Songwriter Showcase

featuring Mississippi Chris Sharp and Clint Jordan
with opening act Luke Fisher
Link Centre Concert Hall
7:30pm, Saturday, August 18, 2018

Tickets: $12 in advance, $15 at the door
Buy Tickets HERE.

Live at the Link: Clay Mills, The Story Behind His Hit Songs
2018-08-11 10:00 - 16:00 | Concert Hall
Clay Mills – Multi-Platinum, Two-Time Grammy-Nominated, Hit Songwriter, Record Producer, and Publisher – will perform his Stories Behind his Hit Songs in Tupelo, MS
Saturday, August 11, 2018, at 10am.
Join us for Clay Mills at Live at the Link!
Main Event: At 10AM, enjoy Clay’s Story Behind his Hit Songs performance!
Buy Tickets HERE.
Following Clay’s performance, we’ll have a short Q&A to answer your online question submissions. After a lunch break, we’ll offer a Songwriting Mentoring Session with Clay for those who are interested. And we’ll wrap up the day with an opportunity for you to pitch your best song to Clay.
See website below for full details.
An incredible experience not to be missed! If you are a veteran songwriter, new to songwriting, or wish to become a recording artist – or if you simply love good music – come to Live at the Link to hear and learn about the craft of songwriting from Clay Mills. A hit song can change a career!
Link Centre , Concert Hall, 1800 Main St Tupelo, MS 38801
$10 online or $15 at the door.
Tickets are for entry into any or all of the days activities. Each person will need a ticket to get through the door.
Buy tickets HERE.
Full Event Detail Here: http://www.link-centre.org/live-at-the-link/

Thacker Mountain Radio Hour, Pre-Show Dinner and then Performance
2018-08-04 18:00 - 22:00
Performance is FREE and Open to the Public!
Before the FREE live performance and recording of the Thacker Mountain Radio Hour, enjoy a pre-show dinner Tex-Mex style in the Link Centre Reception Hall. Dinner tickets are $25 each and include one free beverage and seating in a reserved section of the Concert Hall for the show.
Dinner is 6:00-7:15PM. Tickets for dinner are available HERE.
This TMRH will feature Oxford Poet Derrick Harriell and music by Marcus “Mookie” Cartwright and Hannah Gill & The Hours. The show is hosted by Jim Dees and The Yalobushwhackers. This concert is FREE and open to the public.
Following the radio recording, Marcus Cartwright and Hannah Gill & The Hours will each perform additional brief sets. The Link Centre Concert Hall is located at 1800 West Main Street.
For more information call 662-690-4011. For tickets, click HERE.

Original Artwork by Local Artists
2018-07-26 17:30 - 19:30 | Art Link Studios
Original Artwork by Local Artists

New Abstract Paintings by Glenn Payne!
Join us on Thursday July 26th for a viewing of Artwork by Art Link Studios artists Elizabeth Sword, Glenn Payne, Amanda Cody, Amanda Koonlaba, and Mary Art Contrary! Several works will be shown for the very first time publicly. We’ll also have older works to share and we invite you to check out our studio spaces? Open and free to all! Link Centre: 1800 West Main St., Tupelo, MS.
Are you an artist looking for a space to work in? Come see what we have available and talk to us! July 26th. 5:30-7:30pm.
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/260199874756749/

Abstract Texture #5
36 x 24″ Oil on Canvas

Abstract Texture #4
36 x 24″ Oil on Canvas

An Abstract Journey
This particular set of paintings has placed me on a path that’s as unique as it is refreshing. For years I’ve struggled with abstraction in my Art. I’ve always been deeply connected to representational imagery, but a part of me has continued to want to dive into nonrepresentational work. Each attempt ended in one form of failure or another until I had an idea.
I decided to try to blend the two. This new adventure sent me around the city as I looked for interesting subjects in their natural environments. It might be the bark of a tree, blades of grass, or paint weathered by the sun. I’d walk, observe, and wait. Waiting until something demanded to be seen, and when it spoke up I’d snap a photo. Back in my studio, at the Link Centre, I’d load the images onto my laptop and zoom in as far as I could. Basically, I was cheating. I got to hold onto my love of representational form, meaning something that is an actual object I can look at in front of me. At the same time, I was able to zoom in so far that it began to look like a collection of abstract shapes.
It’s very simple but it was a tiny breakthrough after years of struggling. These pieces are a result of that journey. I’m fond of them and the process, and I look forward to continuing the exploration between what’s there and what lies deeper.
– Glenn Payne

Éilís Crean Trio: Traditional Irish Music
2018-07-21 19:30 - 21:30 | Concert Hall
Éilís Crean Trio: Traditional Irish Music. A trio of Irish musicians on fiddle, guitar, and uilleann pipes that play and preserve the the East Galway Irish Music Tradition (EGIMT).
Saturday July 21, 2018, 7:30PM
Link Centre, Concert Hall
Ticket: $15 in advance; $18 at the door. $8 for students.

Special Additional Program:
Irish Music Workshops in fiddle, guitar, percussion, and keyboard

$20/person
Saturday afternoon, 2-4 pm
Advance registration required
For more info: 662.231.2493
Workshops Information:
Éilís Crean
The Éilís Crean trio features music from the iconic Irish musician and composer Eddie Kelly. All 21 of his compositions were made available for the first time in July 2017 when the album Searbh Siúcra was released.
Éilís Crean’s workshop event is for all level of fiddle-players who would like to learn more about traditional Irish music and the East Galway Irish Music Tradition. It is also suitable for musicians on any instrument that would like to learn an Eddie Kelly piece of music. The workshop will be an inclusive event and can be tailored to all levels of expertise. For more information before the event, please feel free to send an email to Eilis@theirishgift.com.
John Mock
This workshop can be a mixture of instruments, bodhrán (Irish drum) or any percussive instrument, guitar or concertina. All tunes and accompaniment will be based on tunes from the Searbh Siúcra album. For more information before the event, please feel free to send an email to Eilis@theirishgift.com.
Éamonn Dillon
This workshop covers the Irish bagpipes (uilleann pipes) and whistles.
Éamonn can also teach an Eddie Kelly composition on any instrument if a student would like to spend time with him. He will share stories of growing up in Belfast, Ireland and how he got into the music.

Biography
Éilís Crean
Born in Ballintubber, Co. Roscommon, Ireland. Éilís grew up in a house where traditional Irish music was cultivated, cherished and appreciated. She plays fiddle and was taught by the highly esteemed and legendary Eddie Kelly. Her childhood years saw many hours with Eddie, teasing through the artful arrangement of his notes during the weekly lessons and she is now, one of only six fiddle-players world-wide that plays the East Galway Irish Music Tradition.
Through the years, Éilís has competed and won prizes and accolades at various competitions and events throughout Ireland, Great Britain and the USA. In 2014 she released her debut album called The Lonesome Fiddler which was the first album of it’s kind to showcase the East Galway Irish Music Tradition (EGIMT) as interpreted by Eddie Kelly. John Doyle, Kevin Crawford, Dermot Byrne and Kenny Malone were guest artists on the album which was received to critical acclaim throughout Ireland and the USA and further afield.
In July 2017 Crean released her second album Searbh Siúcra which features twenty-one Eddie Kelly compositions that have never been circulated before. This album is set to provide an inestimable contribution to the world of traditional Irish music, specifically the East Galway Irish Music Tradition. Guest artists on this album include John Doyle, Mike McGoldrick, Kevin Burke and John Regan from the world of Irish music. It also brings together many Nashville musicians who have a deep understanding and passion of Irish music; celebrated artists such as Jeff Taylor and John Mock have come together to celebrate the music of Eddie Kelly.
John Mock
John Mock is no stranger to Irish music, being the resident guitar-player for Maura O’Connell for over twenty years. Widely sought after as a composer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist, John has worked with such notable artists as the Dixie Chicks, James Taylor, Dolly Parton, Nanci Griffith, Maura O’Connell, Sylvia, Kathy Mattea, and Mark O’Connor. John’s credits as composer and featured soloist include performances with the Nashville Chamber Orchestra, the Nexus Chamber Orchestra, the Nashville Philharmonic, the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, and the National Orchestra of Ireland. He has also worked extensively across the country as a solo performer.
John features on the Searbh Siúcra album playing an array of instruments such as guitar, bouzouki, mandolin, harmonium and a variety of percussive instruments.
Éamonn Dillon
Born in Born in West Belfast, Northern Ireland, uilleann piper and whistle player Éamonn Dillon has toured and recorded both as a solo artist and with a varied group of performers, touring shows and bands.
Working between the US, Canada and Europe, his music has been featured on several film and television programs around the world. He has performed and recorded as a featured artist in both traditional, theatrical and mixed genre ensembles, including Needfire, John McDermott, (The Irish Tenors,) Celtic Bridge, King James, Sarah Packiam and Paloma Faith amongst others.
He first learned the tin whistle from his father, and Tara Diamond, before getting his first set of uilleann pipes, made by the great master Seán McAloon, who mentored him when he was starting out on his musical journey.

Buy tickets HERE.

WordCamp 2018
2018-07-09 10:00 - 2018-07-13 15:00
WordCamp: Theatre & Spoken Word
July 9th – 13th, 10AM-3PM.
10am – 3pm Monday through Friday
Ages 11-17

WordCamp presents a one-week summer experience for youth ages 11-17, exploring writing and performance for theatre and spoken word. Lead by artist Asia Rainey, WordCampers will learn fundamentals of theatre and spoken word, gain performance confidence and tools, and create their own projects! Space is limited to 20 WordCampers, with two additional spaces available by scholarship. WordCamp cost is $100 per child for the week-long session.

IMPORTANT: If you/your child would like to be considered for a scholarship to WordCamp, please email the child’s name, age, grade, school name, and a paragraph stating (1) why the child is interested in WordCamp (2) what their artistic passions are to asiarainey@gmail.com.

Please submit your application below, INCLUDING those submitting consideration for a scholarship, for each potential WordCamper. All applicants will be notified if accepted by no later than May 28th with details about WordCamp. Thank you!

← Back Thank you for your response. ✨

Child's Name(required)

Child's Age(required)

Child's Grade Level (2018/2019)(required)

Child's School(required)

Child's Artistic Interests(required)

Parent's Name(required)

Parent's Phone Number(required)

Parent's Email Address(required)

Physical Address(required)

What do we need to know about your child's interest in WordCamp?(required)

Allergies and physical/mental health concerns?

I will be submitting an email to request a scholarship.

My child would only be able to attend WordCamp with a scholarship.

Submit

Δ

Monthly Music Mix - The Blackwood Quartet
2018-06-30 19:30 - 21:30 | Concert Hall
Buy tickets HERE.

The Blackwood Family is the first family of Gospel Music, winning over 9 Grammy Awards, 27 Dove Awards, and have sold over 60 million albums. They have performed in over 47 countries, and have been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Millions were privileged to hear The Blackwood Brothers sing in The Johnny Cash movie, “I Walk The Line”. Mr. Bill Gaither was quoted saying, “The Blackwood name is the best known name in Gospel Music world wide.” Hear songs such as How Great Thou Art, He Touched Me, Sweet Sweet Spirit and many other great Gospel Songs.
Elvis Presley loved The Blackwood’s. Elvis idolized The Blackwood family and wanted to sing with them. Elvis was given that opportunity after the crash that killed RW Blackwood, but Elvis had already signed a contract with Sun Records and was unable to sing with the Blackwood Brothers Quartet. Even though his life took a different turn he never stopped loving Gospel Music or the Blackwood Family. Elvis insisted on the Blackwood Brothers Quartet singing at his mother’s funeral. Join the Blackwood Quartet for this once in a lifetime Blessing and experience that will change your life. The Blackwood’s are carrying on this great tradition of Gospel Music Celebration!
Buy tickets HERE.
For more Info contact:
Ron Blackwood
Direct line 254-773-8466
ronblackwoodmc@aol.com
www.blackwoodartist.com
Blackwood Quartet EP BIO document June MMM promo

LINK FEST - Food, Arts, and Music
2018-06-22 - 2018-06-23
Produced by Link Centre, LinkFest is a new annual two-day festival on June 22-23, 2018. LinkFest will feature an array of musical events, multidisciplinary arts showcases and workshops, community entrepreneurs, and celebrations of delicious cuisine. Held throughout the Link Centre campus, LinkFest will offer a full weekend of arts events and immersion, a unique community opportunity to get to know our many partners and the social/arts services they offer, and an interactive introduction to our campus and its multiple event and work spaces. LinkFest will present activities and showcases for all ages, reflecting the diverse demographics of Tupelo and surrounding areas.
LinkFest will present:
• Live Music Shows: Friday, June 22nd presents a fun-filled evening of delicious New Orleans cuisine and live music with an open dance floor! Saturday, June 23rd, LinkFest offers its finale music event in the Concert Hall with two back-to-back performances: from the famous Big Easy family of musicians, Ms. Charmaine Neville, and Mississippi’s own Breaking Grass.
• Interactive Workshops (FREE & Open to the Public): Facilitated by arts/crafts/business professionals, sessions will offer insight on the creation and business of different art and craft forms (acting, music, spoken word, crafts). Click here for details.
• Live Cooking Demonstrations: In our Reception Hall, LinkFest presents the opportunity to learn how to prepare special cuisines and will promote healthy meal preparation.
As a yearly fundraising tool, LinkFest will support Link Centre’s mission to identify and attract partners to offer transformative arts, education, and social service experiences that inspire and improve the health and well being of the community. To present our inaugural Festival, we are seeking vital community partnerships and sponsorship to support areas such as our music and arts showcases, culinary presentations, and workshops.

Click here for tickets! 🙂

Be a part of making LINKFEST happen!
Join us in launching Link Centre’s first annual LinkFest, a celebration of local food, arts, and music. Help Link Centre host a myriad of fun, interactive, and hands on activities for all. Invest your time and invest in the community. You will also receive a LinkFest t-shirt as your reward. Volunteer HERE!

Monthly Music Mix - The Éilís Crean Trio
2018-06-21 19:30 - 21:30 | Concert Hall
The Éilís Crean Trio (Éilís Crean, John Mock, Becca Darling)

7:30 p.m. in the Concert Hall.
Tickets are $12/advance, $15/door, $8/students.

Traditional Irish music contains within it the DNA of a culture, especially the older Irish music styles like the East Galway Irish Music Tradition. The notes that we use and the way we use those are more than mere transmitters of sound. They speak of traditions, ways of thinking, approaches to the world and an understanding of our place in it. And they give voice to the inchoate memories of those who came before us but have been rendered silent by time.

Enjoy a sample of Traditional Irish music:

Sessions Open Mic at Link Centre
2018-06-15 19:00 - 21:00, 2018-05-11 19:00 - 21:00 | Black Box Theatre
Sessions Open Mic at Link Centre
Sessions Open Mic welcomes all spoken word artists, singers, musicians, comedians…come out and show us your talent! It’s a great night out with friends, for meeting new people, or date night. Doors (and open mic list) opens at 6:30pm, and show starts at 7pm. Admission: $7 for audience members, $5 if you sign the list to share!

Strangers Make You Smile Show
2018-05-25 19:30 - 20:45 | Black Box Theatre
Do you like Plays? Do you like Improv? Then join us this Friday night at the Link Centre for an improvised play about…….ok, we have no idea what it’ll be about. That’s where you come in! We need your suggestion to get things started. After that we’ll make it all up on the spot! Maybe you’ll laugh, maybe you’ll cry, maybe you’ll eat so much free popcorn you’ll collapse in your seat. Either way you and your crew will have a blast. 😉
Starts at 7:30pm. Family friendly this round so bring the whole clan if you want. See you at the Black Box Theater!

Let Stranger Are You Smiling make you laugh with a one time only one-act play based on your suggestion!

Stranger, Are You Smiling is a two-person long-form improv team started in Tupelo, Mississippi. Casey Dillard and Glenn Payne explore slice of life scenes based on audience suggestion. Laughter often follows.

NSAI - Songwriter Get-Together
2018-05-21 18:30 - 20:30 | Choir Room
Meetings consist of reviewing a lesson on the craft of songwriting or a music business related subject. We then host a feedback session where participants share a song with the group. Members should bring a song to share and lyric sheets for the group.
– – –
This month we will meet a week early since so many people are out of town on the 28th.

Secret Art Show
2018-05-12 19:40 - 22:40
Secret Art Show
7:37 P.M., in the Reception Hall of the Link Centre! Join us after the Gum Tree Festival! We’d love to see ya!

West of Shake Rag presents the “May Day Mayday Show!”
2018-05-12 19:30 - 21:15 | Black Box Theatre
Mayday! Mayday! Out of control, live comedy this Saturday, May 12th at Link Centre as West of Shake Rag celebrates the oncoming summer! Tickets are just $5 so grab some friends and join West of Shake Rag with hosts Kristyn and Marley!
West of Shake Rag presents the “May Day Mayday Show!”

Secret Art Show
2018-04-14 20:44 - 22:44
@secret_art_show #secretartshow #secretarttupelo
#bringyourfiends

Monthly Music Mix: VERSES
2018-04-14 19:30 - 21:30 | Concert Hall
Monthly Music Mix: VERSES
A Night of Spoken Word Poetry and Music Celebrating the Legacy of African American Writers
Written and Directed by Asia Rainey, featuring Karega Ani (Houston, TX), Voice Porter (Birmingham, AL) with special guest Autumn Bankhead
Link Centre Concert Hall
7:30pm, Saturday, April 14, 2018
Tickets: $12 in advance, $15 at the door
Special $8 student tickets available

Sessions Open Mic featuring artist/producer Karega Ani (Houston, TX)
2018-04-06 19:00 - 21:00 | Black Box Theatre
Sessions Open Mic featuring artist/producer Karega Ani (Houston, TX), happening Friday, April 6th!! #savethedate #spokenword #music #community #grownfolks #ShareYourTalent#arts #LinkCentre #MyTupelo #ShareMe

Sessions Open Mic, your monthly place for spoken word and music, presents a special feature by artist Karega Ani! Traveling from Texas, Karega is a multi-talented artist (poet, designer, jeweler, composer…) and dynamic performer! Don’t miss this opportunity to discover his work featured along with our awesome community of artists! Black Box Theatre – Link Centre….1800 West Main St. in Tupelo! Free Popcorn – $7 entry.

Rev. Michael Dowd
2018-03-31 | Reception Hall
Southern Progressive Alliance for Exploring Religion / SPAFER
presents
Ecology as the Heart of Theology
Rev. Michael Dowd is a bestselling eco-theologian and pro-science ‘evangelist’ whose work has been featured in The New York Times, LA Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Newsweek, Discover, and on television nationally. His book, Thank God for Evolution, was endorsed by 6 Nobel Prize-winning scientists, noted skeptics, and by religious leaders across the spectrum. Michael and his science writer, evolutionary educator, and fellow climate activist wife, Connie Barlow, have spoken to some 2,500 religious and secular groups across North America since 2002. Michael has delivered two TEDx talks and a program at the United Nations. He has also conducted two acclaimed online conversation series: “The Advent of Evolutionary Christianity” and “The Future Is Calling Us to Greatness.” Michael’s message, grounded in an ecological interpretation of Big History, always centers on fidelity to the future and how to stay sane, sober, and inspired to act locally and become ever more resilient in chaotic and contracting times. Recent sermons can be found here and here, longer programs here. His main volunteer work is recording “deep sustainability scripture”.

Poster PDF
Tickets: $10. Available at the door as well as in advance at www.spafer.org.

North Mississippi Symphony Orchestra
2018-03-24 19:30 - 21:30
Revolutionary: Beethoven and Ginastera – Andreas Klein, Piano
Open to the Public
Hosted by North Mississippi Symphony Orchestra

Sat, March 24, 2018
7:30 PM – 9:30 PM CDT

Although Beethoven and Ginastera were born centuries and continents apart, both were caught up in the political upheaval of their respective times, and both are distinguished by the revolutionary nature of their work. The NMSO performs Ginastera’s extraordinary orchestral showpiece where each instrument of the orchestra is featured. Dynamic pianist Andreas Klein performs the elegant and exciting Piano Concerto No. 4 of Beethoven. The works will be introduced by Maestri Byess and Klein in an entertaining discussion and exploration of the composers and their work.

Tickets: here

Facebook Event Page: here

Actors' Bash Acting Workshop
2018-03-24
Actor’s Bash Acting Workshop
Open to the Public
Hosted by Dead Leaf Productions

The Actor’s Bash is a workshop in which we invite actors, writers and directors to come together. We’ll group up and have a director grab some actors and perform a writer’s scene. We’ll switch up in various arrangements and do multiple scenes/groupings. This will give the directors a chance to sample the stories and potential actors for casting whatever may be their next film. Obviously it gives the writers and actors the same benefit weighing in on the directors. (Led by Writer/Director/Actor Glenn Payne)
We have a group critique after every scene in which we discuss what decisions worked well and which could have potentially been more successful. Held at the Link Centre in Tupelo. Ages 16 and up. $15 per person attending (cash only please – tickets available at the door the day of the event).
You can be a beginner or a seasoned veteran, all are welcome!

Monthly Music Mix - Damein Wash, Mississippi Soul Singer
2018-03-17 19:30 - 22:30 | Concert Hall
Hailing from culturally rich Oxford, MS, Wash has spent a lifetime of musical training in the church. With the addition of classical training
(pursuing Master’s of Music Theory from Ole Miss), there is really nothing this troubadour can’t sing from gospel to blues to jazz to rock n roll to soul to funk. Wash is an avid performer taking Mississippi music to large cities across the United States. Wash writes scores for television and film including arranging and conducting Deep South Gospel for Sony’s Moonshine Recording which was featured on Starz’s American Gods. In recent work, Wash directed a concert of protest songs for Oxford’s Burns Belfry Museum, performed a Mississippi Gospel Blues concert in Marnay Sur Seine, France and Marburg, Germany and assembled a Mississippi soul singer tribute for the Governor’s Bicentennial Celebration. At the Link Centre, Wash will perform Soul Mississippi, a collection of originals. Get ready to be knocked to your knees.

Music Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3uQBd2MRBHW5vWSyoNwfxHCO9bjyD_jP

Oxford Magazine article:
http://oxfordmag.com/gospel-according-damein/

Tupelo Comedy Arts Festival
2018-03-09 - 2018-03-10 | Black Box Theatre
West of Shake Rag presents the 2018 Tupelo Comedy Arts Festival!

Open to the Public; all are welcome!
Hosted by West of Shake Rag

The Tupelo Comedy Arts Festival returns to the Link Centre for the 2018 edition! You get two HUGE nights of live comedy! We’ll have visiting Stand-up Comedians and Improvisers from all over the southeast.
Tickets are just $5 per night. Both events start at 7:00pm. Adult content so leave the kiddos at home. Grab some friends and come join in on the biggest party of the year! All at the Link Centre in Tupelo, MS!

March 9th at 7PM – Stand Up
March 10th at 7PM – Improv featuring West Of Shake Rag & guests from across the Southeast.

Secret Art Show
2018-03-03 20:05 - 22:00

NMSO - Triumph: The Indomitable Spirit of Schumann & Dvorak
2018-02-24 18:30 - 22:00

Heart Society - A beautiful mix of rock, jazz, soul, R&B.
2018-02-17 18:30 - 22:00
A beautiful mix of rock, jazz, soul, R&B.

West of Shake Rag
2018-02-10 19:30 - 22:00
Improv Comedy

Journey
2018-02-10 18:30 - 23:00
An evening of visual art, dance & spoken work featuring Dance Exchange’s “Still Crossing”.
