From Tupelo Community Theatre:

Tupelo Community Theatre Season Tickets are on sale now!  Current members have until August 24th to renew.  The five show season includes Moonlight and Magnolias September 27-29, Miracle on 34th Street December 6-8, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee January 31-February 2, To Kill a Mockingbird March 21-23, Bye Bye Birdie May 2-4.  The five show package begins at $55.  For more information or to  order call the TCT Box Office at 844-1935.

The BancorpSouth Arena's Coliseum Commission met today, and there's plenty of news to go around. Let's start with the biggest, shall we?

• On the arena's possible facelift:
  
  The arena's fiscal year begins in October, so it's time to approve a new budget. Director Todd Hunt proposed a budget today that included dipping into the arena's $2.5 million capital fund to pay for a $1.8 million facelift.
  
  He said the outside of the arena is made out of EIFS (exterior insulation finishing system), a Styrofoam-like material. It was first put on the building when it was built 20 years ago, and it needs work. There are actually places within the building, he said, where you can see cracks in the EIFS.
  
  Simply resurfacing the entire building in EIFS would cost $1.1 million. Hunt proposed spending a bit more and giving the entire building a facelift to look like the rest of downtown Tupelo.
  
  "We don't match anything else nearby, except the Auto Museum," Hunt said. "We stick out because it looks like a 20-year-old building."
  
  The McCarty Company developed new design concepts, which Hunt presented at the Commission meeting, which show what the arena's facelift would look like. The building would still be covered in EIFS, but it would lose its gray/green color scheme in favor of "warm" shades like tan, burgandy and a limestone-like finish. The lobby and other areas of the interior would get a fresh paint job, too. The gray walls of the main arena would be repainted to reflect the exterior color scheme. The EIFS would hold up better, too, with proper maintenence.
  
  As far as the "BancorpSouth Arena" sign, Hunt said the bank is repsonsible for putting the sign up/taking it down, so they're working with them on that.
  
  The facelift would take six months to complete, and Hunt said the company is willing to work with the arena around its schedule. The arena won't have to shut down during the renovation. The arena turns 20 in October 2013, so the work would be completed in time for a celebration.
  
  As far as the money's concerned, the arena has taken care of many things lately that needed fixing/replacing (for example, one of their chiller units will be rebuilt in the coming weeks – that kind of thing). So they're hoping there aren't any major repairs needed in the next couple of years that can't be covered by insurance, while they rebuild their capital fund.
  
  "This is the time to do it," said commissioner Scott Reed.
  
  The commission approved the budget, but it goes before the city next week, where they'll have to approve it.
  
  If the city gives the go-ahead, I'l write more about this facelift in the Journal – and will include photos of the design proposals – so stay tuned.

Other news!

• Director Hunt took two recent trips: one to Ft. Lauderdale for the Venue Connect conference, which is for venue managers, where he met with other directors and promoters.
  
  The second trip was to Memphis, where he took a few commissioners with him to see the Elvis 35th anniversary concert show. They went to see if it would be a good event to bring to Tupelo.
  
  The show basically features concert footage of Elvis from '72 and '74, while members of his bands at those shows play live. Hunt said there was one hologram-like moment, while most of the time it was concert footage.
  
  Words like "surreal," "interesting" and "fun" were used to describe the event – but Reed said it drew a huge crowd, and Elvis, dead for 35 years, received not one, not two, but three standing ovations.
  
  The tickets are a bit pricey, however: cheapest were $65; most expensive were $300. The arena is considering it for another Elvis birth/death anniversary.
  
  
• With six weeks left in its fiscal year, the arena has had 251,339 through its doors – that makes it its second most succesful year to date, and it's on track to be a record year. In fact, the arena has seen more than 200,000 at the building per year for the last five years, despite the recession. The arena typically hosts nine concerts in one year, and this year they've had 11, including Down on Main. There aren't any more concerts on the schedule for the rest of this fiscal year, which again ends Oct. 1.
  
  
• Other attendance notes:
  
  The recent WWE Supershow was the highest-selling non-televised wrestling event the arena has ever had, with 4,665 in the building. Based on those numbers, they hope to bring the WWE crew back in.
  
  The recent Jeremy Camp show underperformed, bringing in 1,117. Hunt said he was surprised, as most Christian shows are usally very well-attended.
  
  Most of the folks who attended the Professional Bull Riders show were walk-ups, and it was very successful, with 3,565 in attendance.

Star & Micey performs at the Hi-Tone in Memphis

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BY SHEENA BARNETT

Daily Journal

OXFORD – Paste Magazine has crowned Star & Micey as the No. 1 Tennessee Band You Should Listen to Now.

The magazine is going through each state, cataloging the best of the best in music, and Memphis soul-folk-pop trio Star & Micey scored the top spot. Band members Joshua Crosby, Nick Redmond and Geoff Smith are honored, to say the least.

“I remember scrolling and I thought, OK, I’m looking for 10, looking for 9, come on, 6 – and I keep scrolling down, and we got No. 1. I just didn’t see that coming,” Crosby said.

The good news just keeps coming or Star & Micey.

The band will release its new EP, “I Can’t Wait,” in October on the legendary Ardent Music label. “I Can’t Wait” was recorded at Sweet Tea in Oxford with Dennis Herring, who’s worked with the likes of Elvis Costello, Buddy Guy and the Counting Crows.

“It’s the hardest we’ve ever worked in the studio as Star & Micey,” Crosby said.

The band tried to capture its infectious, super-energetic folk pop sound on record.

“We stepped out of the way and let Dennis have more of the producer role,” Crosby said.

Star & Micey always welcomes extra musicians to play at its live shows, so sometimes the trio can grow into a four-piece, five-piece or even six-piece band. Jeremy Stanfill, who’ll also open the show, is joining them for the Proud Larry’s show on Saturday.

Star & Micey is in a good place: appreciating accolades, ready to release new music and eager for the stage.

“It’s exciting and a relief, to have something new to offer people,” Smith said about “I Can’t Wait.” “It’s our first time to play Proud Larry’s, so we’re really excited.”

After all, the stage is where Star & Micey thrives.

“I prefer being out on the road,” Crosby said. “You don’t realize how much you wanna go back out until you’re home for about two days.”

• On stage

Who: Star & Micey

When: 9:45 p.m. Saturday

Where: Proud Larry’s, Oxford

Cost: $7

Info: proudlarrys.com

Can’t make it to this show? Star & Micey will perform at 9:30 p.m. Aug. 23 at Rick’s Cafe in Starkville. William & Mary and Sipsy Fires open. Tickets are $5 before the show and $8 after it starts. Check rickscafe.net for more.

"Graceland" by Paul Simon

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Just a friendly reminder that Album Club meets today at 6 p.m. at the Link Centre.

Album Club is something I started more than two years ago. It's like a book club, but with music: we pick one record a month, give it a listen and then get together to discuss it.

Some months we all bring an album to share, but most months we try to pick just one record. This month's is "Graceland" by Paul Simon (no, we didn't plan the Graceland/Elvis death date connection; it just happened).

We try to choose albums that are brand new, albums we wouldn't typically listen to or albums we've always wanted to hear but haven't. Past selections include "Rumours" by Fleetwood Mac; "Boys & Girls" by the Alabama Shakes; "Mellon Collie & the Infinite Sadness" by the Smashing Pumpkins; "Let's Stay Together" by Al Green; "Thriller" by Michael Jackson; and "London Calling" by the Clash. We've also had more educational months, where Album Club members or guests presented info on Christian and Muslim hardcore punk or an in-depth look at their favorite artist.

Album Club is completely free. We have lots of food and lots of good music talk, so anyone who loves music is welcome.

Come on down tonight to the Link Centre and help us dissect Paul Simon's "Graceland."

ps. Album Club is on Facebook! Just search for North Mississippi Album Club.

Nicki Minaj at a European stop on the Pink Friday tour

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You know Nicki Minaj's Pepsi commercial? It sort of happened to me this weekend.

In the commercial, a couple drinks Pepsi and goes on adventures, like hitting a fashion cat walk. At the end, they're at a Nicki Minaj show, and time stops during her performance of her hit "Moment 4 Life." The couple runs up to the stage and time starts again.

So what did I do this weekend? I ran up to the stage while Minaj sang "Moment 4 Life." Almost just like the commercial, minus the Pepsi and the freeze frame.

I went to see Nicki Minaj last week in Birmingham with a big group of friends. Minaj's new album, "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded," is easily my favorite album of 2012, so I've been super excited about this "Pink Friday" tour for a long time.

2 Chainz opened the show and was terrific, performing hits from his mixtapes and a few songs from his upcoming album, "Based on a T.R.U. Story."

Minaj started her show in a dungeon-like setting with her song "Roman's Revenge," one of my favorite songs. She breezed through so many songs I love, like "Did It On 'Em," "Beez in the Trap" and "I Am Your Leader."

Let me pause here to say we didn't exactly have the best seats. Then again, the Boutwell Auditorium is pretty small (roughly 6,000 seats compared to the BancorpSouth Arena's 10,000-ish seats) so really there isn't a bad seat in the house. But we were in the nosiest nosebleed seats, and what breaks my heart is the auditorium was only maybe half-full. What's up with that, B'ham?

Anyway, as Minaj was ending "Right By My Side" and starting "Moment 4 Life," an auditorium official came through and handed us all tickets, saying all of us up there were now given upgraded seats. We could go anywhere in the building. I grabbed my best friend Spencer and yelled, "DOWNSTAIRS!"

I'm sure the auditorium has an elevator but we never found it, so we climbed down SO MANY flights of stairs, and all the while Spencer is squealing in excitement and I can hear Minaj singing "Moment 4 Life." It was kind of an incredible moment.

Just as she wrapped up the song, we made it to the floor and ran up as far as we could – basically about a third of the floor back. Not bad, considering where we were! And her fans are hands down the nicest I've ever encountered. There we were, late-comers to the floor, but everyone down there let us stand and dance by them. They were too busy having fun, just like we were.

The rest of her set included more of my favorite songs, like "Pound the Alarm," "Starships," "Come on a Cone" and "Super Bass." Minaj danced, had several costume changes - she basically had a blast on stage.

She also talked to her fans – mostly female – telling them the most important thing they could do is get an education, and they should never rely on a partner for money.

One of my favorite moments was when Minaj performed her verse from Kanye West's "Monster" – probably my favorite Minaj moment ever – completely a capella. It was powerful. When she got to the line, "50k for a verse/no album out," she stopped. "Let me try that again," she said, and changed the line to "100k for a verse/two albums out," and the crowd went wild.

Minaj plowed through more than 20 songs in a little over an hour, and sometimes I almost wished she slowed down a minute so we could really take in everything we were experiencing. Still, I had so much fun. She brought one of my favorite albums to life, and I got to have a "Moment 4 Life" with my best friends. To quote Ms. Minaj herself, "No, I'm not lucky/I'm blessed, yes."

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 In addition to its regular auditions, the hit TV show “American Idol” is embarking on its “American Idol Small Town Audition Bus Tour” next month.

The mobile audition bus will hit 10 cities, including Clarksdale. Specific dates and locations have not been announced.

All “American Idol” auditioners must be between 15-28 and be a legal U.S. citizen or permanent resident who is eligible to work full time in the U.S.

The 12th season of “American Idol” begins in January.

For more information on the different ways to audition for the show, visit americanidol.com.

A Touch of Harmony on the American Queen.

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A Touch of Harmony – also known as the Lane Chapel Quintet – recently performed R&B and Motown favorites for sold-out crowds on the American Queen. The riverboat cruised up and down the Mississippi River at the end of June.

The Lane Chapel Quintet is celebrating the release of its latest CD, “Greatest Hits, Vol. 1.”

The CD is $15 and available through the group’s Facebook page, at Reed’s bookstore or by calling Rob Barnes at (662) 346-9315.

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The GumTree Museum of Art is hosting "Night at the Museum" – a night of movies, food, games, art and more.

The evening includes a viewing of the Ben Stiller comedy "Night at the Museum," food, games, art and more.

The "Night at the Museum" is 6:30-11:30 p.m. Friday at the GumTree Museum, and kids in kindergarten-5th grade are welcome.

Cost is $40/first child and $10/each additional sibling. No peanut products will

Space is limited, so call (662) 844-2787 or email kstafford@gumtreemuseum.org to reserve a spot.

Here are some highlights from today's Coliseum Commission meeting at the BancorpSouth Arena:

• The arena is still on pace for a record year in attendance. So far more than 235,000 visitors have been to the arena, which edges out last year's numbers with two months left to go in the arena's year. "It's already our third best year and only 10 months in," said director Todd Hunt.
• Four recent events that have helped the arena reach this achievement:
  
  - Father/Daughter Ball, which was sold out. The event will be at the arena again next year.
  
  - CME conference. The event went from being a North Mississippi event to a state-wide event this year, which meant more in attendance. The conference could grow to a regional event next year and will also be at the arena.
  
  - Down on Main, which moved from a soggy Fairpark to the dry arena last Thursday. Attendance was at about 1,100 for the event. The arena's crew was getting in dirt for the Professional Bull Riders event that weekend when Down on Main folks called and needed a venue. Hunt said the arena was half-full of dirt and half-full of concert for the evening, but it went well. "It looked like we'd been planning it (that way) for months," he said.
  
  - Professional Bull Riders, which drew in more than 4,300. The arena is still removing dirt from the building, but Hunt and co. were very pleased with the attendance numbers.
• Upcoming events at the BancorpSouth Arena:
  
  - Jeremy Camp concert on Friday
  
  - Nautic Star, a boat show
  
  - a United Way school supply giveaway
  
  - WWE, which will be on Aug. 10
• The Coliseum Commission approved Trane to come in and work on one of the arena's two 500-ton chillers (air conditioners). The arena has been running with just one chiller for a while, but they need the other one replaced. Trane will come in and rebuild the broken unit, which is cheaper than purchasing a new one. Both chillers are original to the building, so they're nearly 20 years old, and the life expectancy of a chiller is about 30 years, Hunt said.
• The arena's financials are healthy, but the Dierks Bentley show didn't do so well financially. As chairman Scott Reed pointed out, it's still considered a success for the city because it brought folks in to town, where they spent money at restaurants, etc. Most buildings lose money on concerts often, but for the arena to do so is an "anomaly," he said.
• Commissioner Neal McCoy suggested to the board that they look at hosting a Winter Jam-type Christian music festival/show sometime around back to school. He said lots of churches are often looking for ways to get their youth groups excited about going back to school and such an event would do that.

Dangermuffin

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UPDATE: Due to the rain, Down on Main has been moved to the BancorpSouth Arena. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with the show starting shortly after. It's still free and the Salvation Army will still be there.

TUPELO – Even when Dangermuffin isn’t promoting a new CD, the trio is usually out on the road playing gigs.

But it just so happens the South Carolina-based band is promoting a new album – its fourth, in fact, called “Olly Oxen Free.” The CD was inspired by the band’s relentless touring.

“The songs were kinda written over the past couple of years touring nationally, and inspired by meeting all sorts of good folks ,” said Dangermuffin guitarist and vocalist Dan Lotti. “It is indicative of where we are as a band, and our tour schedule.”

On stage, the band, made up of Lotti, Mike Sivilli and Steven Sandifer, bring laid-back jams. Dangermuffin plays a blend of bluegrass, rock, reggae and funk.

“Nothing is rushed with what we’re doing,” Lotti said. “It’s almost like a living room kind of atmosphere. We try to bring a lot of positive vibrations to the place.”

Even when the guys aren’t on stage, they’re having a good time while out on the road.

“We’re very into the sport of disc golf, so that’s the best. Whenever we’re sitting in a van, the best thing to do is get down and run around in the outdoors a little bit,” Lotti said. “(We take) any chance we get to see the sights and the mountains and beaches. There’s so much inspiration.”

The group loves meeting its audiences, so don’t be shy when you see them wandering around at Down on Main.

“We want to bring people together and smile and celebrate a little,” Lotti said. “We like to meet everybody, and we can’t wait to get to Tupelo.”

• Down on Main

Who: Keller Williams, Dangermuffin

When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday

Where: Fairpark

Cost: Free

Info: (662) 841-6598

• Extra: The Salvation Army will be at Down on Main this month collecting canned food and non-perishable items.

Look for my interview with Keller Williams in tomorrow's Daily Journal.