JackBlog

JackBlog

2018 Crossroads Film Festival Winners

By Amber Helsel | April 16, 2018

On Sunday, April 16, Crossroads Film Society announced the winners of the 2018 festival. Congratulations to all of the filmmakers! Here is the list:

Award for Best Feature Narrative—”Chasing the Blues”
Award for Best Short Narrative—”Recall”
Award for Best Feature Documentary—”Mississippi Madam: The Life of Nellie Jackson”
Award for Best Short Documentary—”Holt Collier”
Award for Best Experimental Film—”Reconstructing Reality”
Award for Best Animated Film—”Basket (Tokri)”
Award for Best Student Film—”Citizen”
Adam Ford Youth Filmmaking Award—”Minor Setback, Major Comeback: Supporting Black Dollars and Businesses in Jackson, Mississippi”
Award for Best Music Video— “Manna” by King Woman
Award for Most Transformative Film—”The Real Thing”
Programmers’ Choice Award—”Retaliation (Vindicte)”
The Ruma Award for Most Promising Mississippi Filmmaker—Mississippi Youth Media Project
Audience Choice Award—”How They Got Over”
Audience Choice Award (Music Video)—”Till I Cross Your Mind” by Young Valley 

“Lagniappe Awards” (Honorable Mention)

The Lagniappe Award is an Honorable Mention for filmmaking achievement, for content, and/or for sheer fun. The only criteria are that a programmer must nominate the film, and it must not have won in another category. Lagniappe Award winning films receive a certificate of merit and special Crossroads laurels. Continue Reading

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Jackson Zoo Board Votes to Move Zoo Out of West Jackson

By Arielle Dreher | March 27, 2018

Today, the Jackson Zoo Board voted to begin looking for a “more optimal location” for the zoo within the city of Jackson, a press release from the zoo says. The board acted on recommendations from a task force, comprised of zoo board members, business and city leaders, that spent months reviewing several feasibility studies. The task force recommended that the zoo “investigate the adaptation of 25 acres at the LeFleur’s Bluff State Park into a new zoological and family attraction.” The zoo has its challenges, and rumors of a potential move circulated last fall. Zoo Executive Director Beth Poff had a master plan to renovate and fix the west Jackson location where the zoo is now, but that plan would cost $100 million. Continue Reading

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Ruth’s Chris to Close

By Amber Helsel | March 26, 2018

Cooper Restaurants Inc., which owns Ruth’s Chris Steak House at Renaissance at Highland Colony Park, announced on Monday, March 26, that the restaurant will close. Here is a press release, verbatim:
RIDGELAND, MS, March 26, 2018 —Cooper Restaurants Inc. announced today the closure of the Ridgeland, Mississippi Ruth’s Chris Steak House location. The restaurant, located at 1000 Highland Colony Parkway was one of two Ruth’s Chris Steak House franchises operated by Cooper Restaurants. The restaurant opened its doors in July of 2008 and has been a cornerstone of the Renaissance Center at Colony Park. “We are honored by the support that we have received in Ridgeland, Mississippi over the past 10 years. Continue Reading

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What to Do, March 19-23 Edition

By Amber Helsel | March 19, 2018

Jackson has lots of stuff to do, as evident from our calendar. Here are a few events you could attend this week. Cabaret at Duling Hall—The Eclectic Guitar

Tonight, March 19, Local musician Barry Leach will perform original solo guitar pieces, as well as known songs. The event is at Duling Hall (622 Duling Ave.) at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25.  

Ideas on Tap: “Emerging Mississippi” in Arts & Culture

During Mississippi Humanities Council’s next Ideas on Tap, panelists such as Ginger Williams Cook, Phillip “DJ Young Venom” Rollins and moderator Garrad Lee will discuss young Mississippians in arts and culture. Continue Reading

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UPDATE: Spencer Buys Out ‘Panther’ Screenings in Mississippi

By Micah Smith | February 14, 2018

UPDATE: Octavia Spencer announced the screenings for underprivileged youth on Instagram, with showings at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. at Cinemark Pearl and XD (411 Riverwind Drive) on Feb. 17. She also shared that “The Help” director Tate Taylor and producer John Norris purchased a 2:30 p.m. at United Artists Natchez Mall 4 (350 John R. Junkin Drive, Natchez) on the same day. All screenings are first come first served. Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer’s response to Marvel Studio’s latest superhero film, “Black Panther,” stands out even amid praise from other celebrities at early screenings. Continue Reading

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Fondren After 5 Begins in April

By Amber Helsel | February 1, 2018

For this year, the first Fondren After 5 has been pushed back to April 5. In a statement to area businesses and restaurants, Fondren Renaissance Foundation Executive Director Jim Wilkirson said that due to unseasonably cold weather and ongoing construction to sidewalks in the neighborhood, the event will begin later than usual this year. “Some area businesses may elect to start earlier than this date, and some may be open this month, but we will not officially publicize the event as a neighborhood until our kickoff on April 5.” Events for FA5 will center around three areas: Duling Avenue, State Street and Rainbow Plaza. The plan is to have Duling Avenue blocked off each month, activities in Rainbow Plaza from Hops & Habanas to Cups, and Sneaky Beans serving as the anchor for the State Street area, though these plans may change due to construction. Continue Reading