ALANA NORRIS•The Vicksburg Post

GOOD FOOD GOES WITH GOOD MUSIC: T’Beaux’s Blues Le Roux cater the lunch of red beans and

rice at this year’s first Classics in the Courtyard noon Friday in the courtyard of the Southern Cultural Heritage Center,

 

Cool breezes, bright sun and jazzy music greeted the people of Vicksburg midday Friday during the community lunch called Classics in the Courtyard.

Classics in the Courtyard is a weekly concert series held at noon on four consecutive Fridays with a catered lunch in the courtyard of the Southern Cultural Heritage Center, 1302 Adams Street.

Friday’s concert kicked off the series.

“I enjoy the music and the fresh air,” Elizabeth Croisdale said.

Osgood & Blaque entertained the crowd with jazz and blues selections. T’Beaux’s Blues Le Roux catered the lunch of red beans and rice. The concerts are free and meal tickets are $10.

Bob and Elizabeth Croisdale have come every week for a few years. The entire atmosphere keeps they coming back for more.

“The music and the food and also the camaraderie. There are so many people here that I know from the Rotary club and church,” Bob Croisdale said. “We’ll be back next week.”

Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation executive director Stacey Massey told the restaurant to prepare for 120 people, a number higher than the amount of reservations they actually took, but Friday they had a grand total of 130 people show up for lunch. Food ran low, but no one seemed to leave hungry.

Many spectators brought their own food or listened to the music without buying lunch. Round tables set up in the center’s courtyard and benches set up around the perimeter provided ample seating under the trees for the close to 150 in attendance. Massey thought this might have been one of the biggest crowds they have had in a while.

Maria Signa, member of the SCHF board, was enjoying listening to the music Friday with her May & Company coworker Barbara Hickman. They come out every year.

“The music is always good,” Signa said. “There’s always a good turnout here.”

Signa will sing with Ralph Miller on the final Friday of the series. Three more lunches will be held this fall season on the next three consecutive Fridays.

“The weather we hope will continue to cooperate,” Massey said. “We lucked out with a beautiful day today. We hope we will have three more just like this.”

Anyone who would like to buy a lunch needs to make a reservation by 5p.m. the Thursday before the show. Reservations allow the catering restaurant to know how much food to make and it insures your meal. Those who make reservations will be served first and can pay the day of the show. Any extra food they may have will be available for the last minute crowd.

“Come out, have lunch with us and enjoy the music,” Massey said.

The upcoming shows will feature classic blues, rock and originals by Lee H. Abraham & the Boone Brothers and food from Goldie’s Express Friday, Oct. 23.

The following Friday, Oct. 30 will highlight classic blues, rock, pop and originals by Patrick Smith Band and food provided by Palmertree Catering. The final Friday will be Nov. 6 with classic pop and country music by Maria Signa & Ralph Miller with food from Martin’s at Midtown.

For more information or to make reservations, call 601-631-2997 or email info@southernculture.org.