The city of Starkville and Mississippi State University’s campus will host a variety of events this weekend. Three MSU athletic teams will play on campus this weekend with a blackout game against the University of Massachusetts Minuteman, a softball doubleheader and a women’s basketball game against the Arkansas Fort-Smith Lions.
Aside from MSU sports, a geology lecture will be given in Hilbun Hall as part of the celebration of Mississippi’s bicentennial and Internationally acclaimed dance group Ailey II and “southerndelic funk” band Tesheva will both perform in the area.
Geology and Paleontology Lecture
What: To celebrate Mississippi’s Bicentennial, Darrel Schmitz, professor of geosciences, and George Phillips, the curator of paleontology at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science in Jackson, will lead a discussion on important fossil finds in Mississippi. Schmitz and Phillips will also discuss economic geology. Sandwiches and snacks will be available for attendees.
When: 12 p.m. Friday, in Hilbun Hall, room 300. The event is free to the public.
Women’s Basketball vs. Arkansas Fort-Smith
What: The Mississippi State University Bulldogs will take on the Arkansas Fort-Smith Lions in women’s basketball. 
When: 6 p.m. Friday in Humphrey Coliseum. Admission is free for full-time MSU students.
Ailey II Performance
What: Ailey II, a New York-based dance company, will perform on campus as part of the MSU 2017-18 Lyceum Series. The group was created in 1974 by choreographer Alvin Ailey and is led by Troy Powell.
When: 7 p.m. Friday, in Bettersworth Auditorium in Lee Hall.
Football vs. University of Massachusetts
What: MSU will face the University of Massachusetts Minutemen’s football team on Saturday. The game is a “blackout” and all fans are encouraged to wear black.
When: 11 a.m. Saturday at Davis Wade Stadium.
Tesheva Concert
What: Tesheva will perform at Moe’s Original Bar-B-Que in downtown Starkville on Friday. The self-described “southerndelic funk” band performs in Starkville frequently.
When: 9:30 p.m. Saturday at Moe’s Original Bar-B-Que. There is no cover charge.
Softball Doubleheader
What: The Mississippi State softball team will face the University of Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles in a doubleheader on Sunday.
When: 2 and 4 p.m. Sunday at Nusz Park. Admission is free for all.