NATCHEZ– The 35th annual Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration (NLCC) is set for February 22-24, 2024. The 2024 NLCC theme “Rites, Rituals, and Religion in the Deep South” will explore life and death experiences in a series of presentations on religious traditions, burial rituals, cemetery history, mourning practices, and historic holidays which are all deeply embedded in the Southern Experience. This two-and-a-half-day event will feature scholars whose presentations parallel an evolving historical American narrative of the living and the dying based on both “Old World” traditions combined with a profound sense of democracy, race, and ingenuity. Most events and presentations are free of charge and will be held at the Natchez Convention Center at 211 Main Street in downtown Natchez.
The conference will kick off the morning of Thursday, February 22nd with opening remarks at 8:30 a.m. from Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson, Co-Lin President Dr. Dewayne Middleton, and Interim Vice President of the Natchez Campus Dr. Ronnie Nettles. William Winter Scholars and Vance Fellows will also be recognized during this time. The morning presentations include author and President of the Delaware State Funeral Directors Association Todd Harra, author and professor Dr. Sarah J. Purcell, and Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky, professional lecturer at George Washington University and author. A book signing will be held at 11:15 a.m.
Thursday afternoon activities resume at 1:15 p.m. with Elisabeth Grant-Gibson moderating a panel discussion with authors Alex Jennings, Dr. Olivia Clare Friedman, and Deb Wiles.
The final presentations of the day will come from author Dr. Robin Roberts at 2:00 p.m. and author Greg Melville at 3:15 p.m. A book signing will follow at 4 p.m.
Thursday’s events wrap up with two ticketed events. Tickets are $25 for a cemetery tour with the Friends of the Natchez City Cemetery to tour the 100-acre cemetery established in 1822. Tours will be at 4:15, 4:30, 4:45, and 5:00 p.m. At 6:00 p.m., experience an 1877 reenactment of Annie Stewart’s wake at Sunnyside Plantation. This is the true story of Annie Stewart, a young bride who died during her stay at Sunnyside while preparing for her wedding. Tickets are $50 and will include cocktails and a reception at Sunnyside Plantation.
A full day of activities begins Friday, February 23rd at 8:30 a.m. with the presentation to Duncan Morgan with the Thad Cochran Award of Achievement, Angie Thomas with the Richard Wright Award for Literary Excellence, and recognition of the John D. W. Guice Young Writers Competition winners.
Friday’s presentations begin at 9:30 a.m. with author and Purdue University professor emeritus Dr. Robert May. Authors Joseph McGill, Jr. and Herb Frazier will present at 10:15 a.m. with a book signing to follow.
The afternoon lineup begins at 1:00 p.m. with author Jim Wiggins, followed by a panel discussion with Dr. Charles Marsh, Dr. Robert P. Jones, Dr. Carolyn Dupont, and Dr. C.J. Rhodes moderated by Father Andy Andrews. At 2:45, author and professor Dr. Elaine Frantz Parsons will present, followed by author and Wayne State assistant professor Dr. Kidada E. Williams. A book signing will follow.
A screening event of documentary In The Bones will begin at 4:45 p.m. followed by discussion with producer and director Kelly Duane de la Vega, Mississippi Representative Robert L. Johnson III., and Natchez Police Chief Cal Green.
The final event on Friday is a ticketed event at St. Mary’s Basilica with a presentation by Father Aaron Williams, and author Emily Mallory will be signing her book following the presentation. Tickets are $35.
The 2024 NLCC concludes with “Mimosas in the Mourning” on Saturday morning at 9 a.m. Tours of three rural cemeteries will follow breakfast at Church Hill Variety. Tickets are $40.
To view the full conference agenda, purchase tickets, or learn more about the NLCC, visit www.colin.edu/nlcc.
About the Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration
The NLCC is a time-honored tradition in the State of Mississippi, with a well-deserved reputation as one of the state’s most significant annual conferences devoted to literature, history, film, and culture. Each February the NLCC chooses a new topic related to humanities in the American South and brings nationally known scholars and authors to Natchez for the award-winning conference.
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