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This story originally appeared in the Jackson Free Press. It was added to the Mississippi Free Press website in 2025.
Note that any opinions expressed in legacy Jackson Free Press stories do not reflect a position of the Mississippi Free Press or necessarily of its staff and board members.

What a sun-filled and crisp Friday, fellow Jacksonians! I hope you had a productive week so you can relax just a little today—just a little bit, now.

We’ve also survived January 2021 and what a journey it’s been! Are we still on task with crushing our new year goals? What are you focusing on this upcoming month?

Whatever your goals are, be kind and patient with yourself and treat yourself to some fresh air and sun this weekend. If you need some help filling up some free time, check out my picks. Be safe out there!

Guy Torry—Jan. 29-30, 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. at Chuckles Comedy House (6479 Ridgewood Court Drive)

Actor, comedian and writer Guy Torry performs at the local comedy club. $20 general admission, $35 VIP; call 769-257-5467; email ; For more information, visit here.

Blind Dog Otis—Jan. 29, 8 p.m. at Martin’s Restaurant & Bar (214 S. State St.)

The local psychedelic blues band performs at the downtown bar and music venue. Free admission, food and drink prices vary; call 601-354-9712; Find it on Facebook.

Junior League Jumble—Jan. 30, 6 a.m.-noon, 1-3 p.m. (6240A Old Canton Road)

The women’s service organization holds their annual rummage sale benefitting more than 30 community projects and initiatives in the Jackson metro area. The Peek & Purchase event offers a head start on the bargain hunting with early access from 6-8 a.m. for $10. General admission shopping begins at 8 a.m. and costs $5. The half-price sale offers free admission and runs from 1-3 p.m. $5 gen. adm., $10 early adm. (6-8 a.m.), free 1-3 p.m.; email jumblechair@jljackson.org; For more information, visit here.

Bearing Witness: A Conversation With William Ferris—Jan. 30, 11 a.m.-noon at Two Mississippi Museums (222 North St.)

The Two Mississippi Museums marks the opening of the new special exhibition “I Am A Man: Civil Rights Photographs in the American South, 1960-1970” with the virtual conversation between William Ferris, curator of the exhibit, and Pamela Junior, director of the Two Mississippi Museums. The program is streamed live from the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum Facebook page. Viewers are encouraged to participate in the Q&A through the Facebook chat. Free online event; call 601-576-6946; email therron@mdah.ms.gov; Find it on Facebook.

Wesley Walker TRIO—Jan. 30, 10 p.m. at Shuckers Oyster Bar (116 Conestoga Road, Ridgeland)

The central Mississippi country artist performs at the local oyster bar, on the patio. Price TBA; call 601-850-1906; email wesleywalkermusic@gmail.com; Find it on Facebook.

Chakra Balancing in the Salt Cave with Shari Crook—Feb. 1, 6-8:15 p.m. at Soul Synergy Center (5490 Castlewoods Court, Suite D, Flowood)

The Flowood center offers the session featuring guided meditation, Reiki Energy clearing and the use of Reiki charged crystals to balance chakra energies. $55 fee; call 601-992-7721; email soulsynergycenter@gmail.com; Find it on Facebook.

Jonathan Yargates Band—Feb. 5, 8 p.m. at Martin’s Restaurant & Bar (214 S. State St.)

The Jackson-based band performs live at the local bar and music venue. $10 admission, food and drink prices vary; call 601-354-9712; Find it on Facebook.

This editorial does not necessarily reflect the views of the Jackson Free Press.

Azia Wiggins, deputy editor of the Mississippi Free Press, uses her experiences as a perpetual student, intellectual, hard worker, creative, and relationship builder to unite Mississippians through story telling by shedding light on what’s happening on the ground with everyday citizens. Please send story tips to Azia at azia@mississippifreepress.org, including MFP Voices essay ideas or submissions up to 1,200 words. Azia is also coordinating editor of the “Black Women, Systemic Barriers and COVID-19 Project” collaboration between the Mississippi Free Press and the Jackson Advocate, a project funded by the Solutions Journalism Network. Please write her directly about the project and related solutions circles, and tell her if you’d like to sign on as a sponsor of the project.