Posted: Thursday, August 27, 2009 10:36 am

MTSU Convocation
MTSU welcomes its newest freshmen class with convocation at 2 p.m. Sunday in Murphy Center.

Author Michael Gates Gill is the guest speaker, who wrote the summer reading choice of How Starbuck’s Saved My Life.

But before Gill addresses the freshmen class, he’ll speak about his book at 7 p.m. Saturday at Linebaugh Library.

Gill had all the trappings of success — money, possessions, a prestigious job — and then lost it all. How Starbucks Saved My Life is the story of how he was redeemed by a job at Starbucks.

Gill focuses on the lessons learned and the value of hard work. Seating is limited; reservations are required.

Tickets are $10 per person. Reservations are now being taken at the Linebaugh Circulation Desk. The Friends of Linebaugh Library and MTSU sponsor this program.

Go Blue
The MTSU Rutherford County Alumni Chapter’s annual Pigskin Pre-Game will be held from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday to kickoff the football season.

The event will be held at Marymont Mansion in Marymont Springs, 1140 Rucker Lane in Murfreesboro.

Tickets for the event will be $35. The ticket price includes food, entertainment by Danny Lowe, beverages, door prizes and more. On-site parking will be available.

Call 1-800-533-6878 for more information.


MLT
Murfreesboro Little Theatre stages the sci-fi classic Little Shop of Horrors at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday in the little house on Ewing Street.

Tickets are available online at mltarts.com/Tickets.html.

Center for the Arts
The Center for the Arts presents I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change directed by Matt Smith, beginning Friday and running through Sept. 6.

In a theatrical age of mammoth spectacles and brooding musical dramas, I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE is a rollicking throwback to a nearly extinct theatrical genre: the musical comedy revue.
 
The show explores the trials and tribulations of being single, dating, marriage, loss and heartbreak.

Some of the satire includes what it means to be a part of the crazed, hopeless single scene; cold feet and the pre-wedding realization; the in-laws; the 30 years of marriage, etc.

Show times are Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm.and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and students, but is not recommended for children under 13 years old.

Reserve tickets calling 615-904-2787 or visiting www.boroarts.org.

The Center for the Arts is located at 110 W. College St., one block off the historic Murfreesboro Square. For more information, visit our website at www.BoroArts.org or call us at 615-904-2787.

Arts Center of Cannon County
The Arts Center of Cannon County stages the musical Man Of Constant Sorrow this weekend with shows at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

From the author of “Keep on the Sunny Side: the Songs and Stories of the Carter Family”, Man of Constant Sorrow reveals the struggle of Ralph Stanley and his older brother Carter, to find an audience for their music at a time when bluegrass and mountain music were being rapidly replaced by country and rock. 

This funny and touching story contains some of the great original, classic, and traditional songs like: Man of Constant Sorrow, O Death, Rank Stranger, Amazing Grace, How Mountain Girls Can Love, White Dove, Angel Band and a host of other Stanley Brothers' songs that will have you singing' along and flat-footing in the aisles.

For information or to reserve tickets, call 615-563-ARTS (2787) or visit www.artscenterofcc.com.

Plant and nature classes
Linebaugh Library's holds a new Plant & Nature class about gardening with allergies presented by Linda Lindquist from 10-11 a.m. Saturday.

The classes are being coordinated by Emily Arnold, who has a degree in ornamental horticulture and landscape design, with 30 years of experience working with plants and flowers.

The class is free and open to the public; please bring a pen and paper.

This program is being presented in conjunction with One Book of Rutherford County, www.onebookcommunityread.blogspot.com.

The Master Gardeners will also hold Brown Bag 2009: Turf Management Field Day on Saturday at Lane Agri-Park located, 315 John R. Rice Blvd.

Classes begin at 11:30 a.m. and conclude around 12:30 p.m.

There is no charge for those attending Brown Bag sessions. You are welcome to bring a lunch and eat during the meeting.

The Celebration
The 71st annual Tennessee Walking Horse Celebration takes Shelbyville by storm starting this weekend and running through Sept. 5.

Started in 1939 with 100 supporters, the Celebration now has a 30,000 seat outdoor stadium and a 4,500 seat indoor arena.

For more information, call 931-684-5915 or visit www.twhnc.com.