This Week events in South Mississippi: Feb. 22-28

TODAY

Red Cross blood drive: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast campus, Long Beach. Details: 1-800-733-2767.

Red Cross blood drive: 1-6 p.m., Edgewater Mall, 2600 Beach Blvd., Biloxi. Details: 1-800-733-2767.

Jackson County Utility Authority meeting: 4 p.m., Authority's Witchen Administration Building, 1225 Jackson Ave., Pascagoula.

Bienville Toastmasters: 6:30 p.m., Boomtown Biloxi Casino, second floor, welcome center. Learn presentation and leadership skills. Details: 235-5046.

Stroke and back pain course: 6:30 p.m., University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast campus, Long Beach. Designed for ages 50 and older. No education requirements to join. Details: usm.edu/olli.

TUESDAY

Harrison County Development Commission meeting: 8:15 a.m., 12281 Intraplex Parkway, Gulfport. Details: 896-5020.

West Jackson County Utility District meeting: 9 a.m., District Office, 7312 Rose Farm Road, Ocean Springs. Details: 872-3898.

Floral Design Techniques course: 9 a.m., University of Southern Mississippi, Gulf Park, Long Beach. With Rachel Bond. Designed for ages 50 and older. No education requirements to join. Details: usm.edu/olli.

How to Have a Firewise Home program: 9 a.m. registration and 9:30 a.m. begins, Orange Grove Community Center, 14416 Dedeaux Road, Gulfport. Details: 831-1647.

Art Talk on Cezanne course: 6:30 p.m., University of Southern Mississippi, Gulf Park, Long Beach. Designed for ages 50 and older. No education requirements to join. Details: usm.edu/olli.

Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce annual meeting: 11:30 a.m. doors open and noon, program begins, Beau Rivage Resort and Casino, Biloxi. Speaker: Eric Brown. Details: 604-0014.

Social Security Benefits program: 2 p.m., St. Martin Public Library, 15004 LeMoyne Blvd. Led by Sal Crespo, certified financial planner. Details: 392-3250.

Board of Trustees meeting: 3 p.m., Orange Grove Library, 12135 Old Highway 49, Gulfport.

Basket-making workshop: 4 p.m., Lucedale-George County Public Library, 507 Oak St. Designed for ages 15 and older. Supplies furnished. Details: 601-947-2123.

Movement Disorder Exercise Group: 4-5 p.m., Singing River Health System, second floor conference room, Neuroscience Center, 3603 Bienville Blvd., Suite 202, Ocean Springs. Details: 818-1207.

College Ready program: 5:30 p.m., Pascagoula Public Library, 3214 Pascagoula St. Led by Sheri Stanford of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Details: 769-3060.

Special Black History Month program: 6 p.m., Pascagoula Public Library, 3214 Pascagoula St. Features genealogist Anne Anderson presenting "The Middle Caste in a White Man's Country -- Documenting Free People of Color. Pascagoula Public Library Genealogy and Local History Department. Refreshments. Details: 769-3078.

Loud in the Library: 6 p.m., Orange Grove Public Library, 12135 Old Highway 49, Gulfport. Presented by Gulfport High School jazz band. Light refreshments. Details: 832-6924.

"Anansi and His Six Sons": 6 p.m., Ina Thompson Moss Point Library, 4119 Bellview St. Designed for all. Refreshments. Details: 475-7462.

American Legion Post 33 meeting: 6 p.m., 1126 Judge Sekul Ave., Biloxi. Details: 374-9774.

Science Cafe: 6-7:30 p.m., Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Dining Hall, 703 E. Beach Drive, Ocean Springs. Features Alyson Deary, post-doctoral researcher presenting discussion on why larval fish eat what they do. Refreshments. Details: 872-4213.

BNI informational meeting: 8:30 a.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 2703 Denny Ave., Pascagoula. Details: 251-533-6613.

WEDNESDAY

Crane tours: 8 a.m. Feb. 24, and 27, Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR, 7200 Crane Lane, Gautier. Available by reservations. Details: 497-6322 Ext. 101.

Digital camera classes: 9 a.m.-noon Using Your Digital Camera, 1-4 p.m. Editing Digital Photos with Picasa, Pass Christian Public Library, 111 Hiern Ave. Class size limited. Details: 452-4596.

Red Cross blood drive: 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Keesler Federal Credit Union, 13083A Seaway Road, Gulfport. Details: 1-800-733-2767.

Blood drive: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 24 and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 25, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Jefferson Davis campus gymnasium, Gulfport. Donations aid four patients at Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital in Jackson. Details: 601-528-8993.

VA Vet Center outreach: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Wal-Mart Supercenter, 4253 Denny Ave., Pascagoula. Details: 850-912-2380.

Lenten Luncheon Series: Noon, First United Methodist Church in Gulfport. Speaker: Joel Smith, District Attorney for Harrison, Hancock and Stone counties. Lunch provided. Details: 863-0047.

Lenten Soup Suppers: 5:30 p.m. soup supper and 6:30 p.m. worship, Wednesdays, Christus Victor Lutheran Church, 2755 Bienville Blvd., Ocean Springs. Service of Healing. Details: 875-2446.

"The Piano Lesson": 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24-27 and 2 p.m. Feb. 28, Center Stage Theatre, 2670 Rue Palafox, Biloxi. Cost: $18 general admission and $15 seniors, student and military. Details: 388-6258 or centerstagebiloxi.org.

Community yoga: 7:45 p.m., River Rock Yoga, 2429 W. Commerce St., Ocean Springs. Cost: $5 donation. Proceeds benefit Jackson County Animal Shelter.

THURSDAY

Creative Economy Workshop: 9 a.m. onsite registration, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. program, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Perkinston campus. Cost: $10. SpeakerS: Representatives of Mississippi Arts Commission Main Street Association. Lunch provided. Details: 601-550-5699.

Peace Corps for All Ages course: 6:30 p.m., University of Southern Mississippi, Gulf Park, Long Beach. With Grant Matthews. Provided by Osher Lifelong Institute and designed for adults 50 and older who have a passion for learning. No education requirements to join. Details: usm.edu/olli.

Red Cross blood drive: 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Virginia College, 920 Cedar Lake Road, Biloxi. Details: 1-800-733-2767.

Lunch and Learn: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Feb. 25-26, Mary C. O'Keefe, Cultural Center, 1600 Government St., Ocean Springs. Features chef Cheri Hiers. Details: 818-2878.

"Perspective 360" opening reception: 5-8 p.m., Negrotto's Gallery, 2645 Executive Place, Biloxi. Features contemporary dialogue about history, culture and themes pertaining to personal narratives about race, gender and social issues. Details: 388-8822.

Architecture of the Gulf Coast -- Past, Present, Lost and Forgotten: 6 p.m., Ocean Springs Municipal Library, 525 Dewey Ave. Led by Madison and Mark Talley of TALLstudio Architecture. Registration suggested. Details: 875-1193.

Science Cafe: 6 p.m., University of Southern Mississippi, Gulf Park, Long Beach. Theme: Building Bird-Friendly Communities. Features Erin Parker, education and outreach manager at Pascagoula River Audubon Center in Moss Point. Details: 214-3467.

Millsaps on the Move: 6-8 p.m., Alumni meeting, Salute' Italian Restaurant, 1712 15th St., Gulfport. Details: 601-974-1002.

Cash Flow Projections for your Business Plan: 6-8 p.m., The Innovation Center, 1636 Popp's Ferry Road, Suite 207, Biloxi. Details: 396-8661.

Pianist performance: 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church, Gulfport. Recording artist and pianist John Nilsen will perform folk, jazz and classical-influenced arrangements of hymns, spirituals and more. Details: 493-4102.

"The Odd Couple": 7 p.m. Feb. 25-27 and 2:30 p.m. Feb. 28, The Randolph Center, 315 Clarke Ave., Pass Christian. Cost: $13. Details: 452-3315 or The Purple Pelican in Pass Christian.

Old Blues at the Old School: 7-9 p.m., Mary C. O'Keefe Cultural Center, 1600 Government St., Ocean Springs. Cost: $10. Details: 818-2878.

FRIDAY

Fried fish dinners: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Fridays through March 18, St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church, 3521 19th St., Gulfport. Cost: $9. Delivery available for 10 or more dinners.

Lenten seafood dinners: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Fridays through March 18 at Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church, Biloxi. Cost: $7 per plate. Details: 435-0007.

Lenten fish fry (buffet style): 4-7 p.m. Fridays until March 18, St. Ann's Catholic Church, Mississippi 53, Lizana. Cost: $13 adults and $7 children.

Fry-Day Lenten Fish Fry: 4-7 p.m. Fridays until March 18, St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Gulfport. Cost: $8. Proceeds benefit Presentation Hall kitchen. Details: 864-2272.

Monsignor Leech Council 4472 Knights of Columbus annual Lenten Fish Fry: 4:30-7 p.m., St. Vincent de Paul cafeteria, Long Beach. Cost: $10 per plate and $6 children plate. Details: 343-6794 or 493-5740.

Lenten seafood dinners: 5-7 p.m. Fridays through March 18 at Blessed Seelos Catholic Church, 360 Lameuse St., Biloxi. Cost: $6 per plate. Details: 860-5077.

Ocean Springs Elks Lodge 2501 dinner: 5-7:30 p.m., 2501 Beachview Drive, Ocean Springs. Choose between baked haddock or fried catfish. Cost: $10 adults, $5 ages 5-12.

Lenten seafood dinners: 5-8 p.m. Fridays through March 18, Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 2090 Pass Road, Biloxi. Cost: $7 adults, $4 children. Details: 388-3887.

Friday Night Dinners: 6-8 p.m. Feb. 19, and 26, French Club of Biloxi, 182 Howard Ave. Cost: $10 per plate. Live entertainment. Details: 436-6472.

Dermatology and Mohs Surgery course: 6:30 p.m., University of Southern Mississippi, Gulf Park, Long Beach. Designed for ages 50 and older who have a passion for learning. No education requirements to join. Details: usm.edu/olli.

Country-fried steak dinner: 6-8 p.m., VFW Post 6731, 4321 W. Gay Road, D'Iberville. Details: 392-1152.

"Aladdin Jr.": 7 p.m. Feb. 26-27, 2 p.m. Feb. 28, 7 p.m. March 4-5 and 2 p.m. March 6, Gulfport Little Theatre, 2600 13th Ave. Cost: $15 general admission, $12 seniors, military and $10 students with ID and children. Details: gulfportlittletheatre.net or 864-7983.

Friday night dinner and dance: 7:30 p.m., Amour Danzar Ballroom, 9355 County Farm Road, Gulfport. Casual dress. Cost: $10 dance and $6 dinner. Details: 324-3730.

"Big River -- The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn": 8 p.m. Feb. 26-7 and 2 p.m. Feb. 28, Biloxi Saenger Theatre, 170 Reynoir St. Cost: $25 general admission; $20 students, seniors, military and groups. Details: 800-838-3006.

SATURDAY

Long Beach Farmers Market: 8:30 a.m.-noon, downtown. Features local produce, artisan breads, honey, dairy, eggs and meat. Live acoustic music. Now accepting EBT. Details: 234-8732.

11th annual Youth Symphony Gulf Coast Solo and Ensemble Judging: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Mary C. O'Keefe Cultural Center, Ocean Springs. Designed for ages 9-18. Non-youth symphony members are welcome. Fees: $20 solo, $18 each student for duet, trio, quartet, sextet, septet and octet. Details: 818-2878.

Tree Giveaway: 9 a.m.-noon, Biloxi Hiller Park Garden, Hiller Drive. Donations accepted. Details: 388-2622.

BBQ Throwdown: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., D'Iberville Civic Center, Automall Parkway. Barbecue Competitor Alliance-sanctioned event, competing $10,000 in cash and prizes. Cost: $150 team registration, $75 backyard division and $10 for ages up to 15. Live entertainment. Presented by city of D'Iberville and the Gateway Group. Details: 257-9734.

Wildlife Rehabilitation program: 10 a.m., Pascagoula River Audubon Center. Free. Led by Missy Dubuisson of Wild at Heart Rescue. Meet wildlife photographer Sharon Milligan.

27th Avenue Market: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, between 13th Street and 14th Street in downtown Gulfport. Features local growers, produce and artists. Details: 596-2496.

Prom closet: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Ocean Springs Senior Citizens Center, 514 Washington Ave. Women's formal attire and accessories $15 or less. Hosted by Junior Auxiliary of Biloxi-Ocean Springs.

Tullibee Submarine Veterans meeting: 11 a.m., Biloxi Yacht Club, 408 Beach Blvd.

Residential Soil Testing -- Get Ready for Spring Planting: 1-2 p.m., Crosby Arboretum, 370 Ridge Road, Picayune. Led by Pearl River County Extension Agent Eddie Smith discussing importance of soil testing and more. Cost: $5 nonmembers and free to members. Details: 601-799-2311.

Painting 101: 2-4 p.m., Ocean Springs Municipal Library, 525 Dewey Ave. Led by Glenn Edward Miller. Designed for ages 13 and older. Space limited. Details: 875-1193.

Bridal event: 2-5 p.m., Hillyer House, 920 Washington Ave., Ocean Springs. Features Lola Fleur, The Petaler Co., Anchored in Fluffy Sweetness and more. Details: 875-8065.

"Shake Hands with History" drama program: 3 p.m., Aaron Jones Family Interactive Center, Market Street. Listen to dramatic portrayal of a freed slave who came to Pascagoula, Mississippian woman crusader against lynching during post-Reconstruction period. Details: 762-8661 or 497-1344.

Mother and Son Date Night: 5-7 p.m., Salvation Army Kroc Center, 575 Division St., Biloxi. Games, dinner, crafts, dancing and more. Cost: $20 for each parent and one child. $5 for each additional child. Details and registration: 207-1218.

Gallery 782 anniversary party: 5:30-8 p.m., 782 Water St., Biloxi. Great art, food, music and raffles. Details: 435-6339.

Steak night: 6 p.m., 1178 Beach Blvd. Cost: $18 ribeyes and $20 T-bones. Live entertainment, food and fun. Details: 374-0606.

Best of the Oxford Film Festival: 6-10 p.m. Feb. 27; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and 2-6 p.m. Feb. 28, Mary C. O'Keefe Cultural Center, 1600 Government St., Ocean Springs. Cos:$5 per block of film. Details: 818-2878.

Belles and Buoys Square Dance : 8-10 p.m., Lyman Senior Citizen Center, 14592 County Farm Road, Gulfport. Caller: David Jarrard. Details: 363-2622.

SUNDAY

VFW Post 6731 breakfast: 8-11 a.m., 4321 W. Gay Road, D'Iberville. Details: 392-1152.

Fellowship Breakfast: 8 a.m.-noon, Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church, Biloxi. Cost: $7 adults and $5 children. Details: 435-0007.

Omelet breakfast: 9-11 a.m., Ocean Springs Elks Lodge, 2501 Beachview Drive. Cost: $8.

Gulf Coast Winter Classic Grand Prix: 2 p.m. Sundays through March 20, Harrison County Fairgrounds, 15321 County Farm Road, Gulfport. Free to spectators.

Fourth Sunday at Four: 4 p.m. music, 5 p.m. reception, Christ Episcopal Church, Bay St. Louis. Features The Prodigal Player presenting "The Soldier's Story" and Bonnie Vallery, visual artist. Details: 467-0106.

Walter's Night on the Red Carpet: 5-9 p.m., Walter Anderson Museum of Art, Ocean Springs. Oscar event featuring trivia, champagne and a red carpet. Cost: $20 nonmembers, $10 members. Details: 872-3164.

This story was originally published February 21, 2016 at 8:59 PM with the headline "This Week events in South Mississippi: Feb. 22-28 ."