The Southern Cultural Heritage Center will host a kids creative writing workshop on March 18, during the Vicksburg Warren School District’s intercession week.

The session will be presented by Irene Graham and will run from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost is $35 per person for ages 10-14. Students must bring lunch.

The workshop will focus on developing imagination and creativity while the participant is guided through the basic elements of story writing using right brain and left brain learning techniques.

Registration is required, and space is limited to 20. Call 601-631-2997 or e-mail info@southernculture.org.

For more details on the workshop and instructor, visit www.thecreativewritersworkshop.com.

Symphony’s fall concert set for Dec. 7 in Jackson

The Mississippi Youth Symphony Orchestra will present its fall concert at 3 p.m. Dec. 7.

The event wil be at F.D. Hall Music Center at Jackson State University. Admission is free.

The MYSO includes youths from Vicksburg.

For details call MYSO president Fulvia Subauste at 601-954-1399.

Belzoni’s Wister Gardens plans holiday gathering

Wister Gardens in Belzoni will host its annual Christmas Open House and Winter Wonderland of Lights from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Friday.

The countdown to lights will begin at 6. Santa will be on hand for photos, and refreshments will be served. Admission is free.

The lights will remain on display nightly from 6 until 9 through Jan. 2.

For information, call 662-247-3025 or visit www.wistergardens.com.

Southern Miss dance troupe to perform this weekend

The University of Southern Mississippi’s Repertory Dance Company will present its Studio 115 Dance Concert, featuring ballet and modern dance.

Shows will be at 7:30 nightly Thursday through Saturday in Studio 115 of the Theatre and Dance Building on the Hattiesburg campus. Tickets are $5 per person at the door.

The dance company performs annually, presenting original choreography by faculty, students and guest artists. Dancers are selected for the company by audition.

For information, call 601-266-4994 or visit www.usm.edu/arts.

Mississippi Chorus opens new season

The Mississippi Chorus’ first program of the 2008-09 season, Ralph Vaughan Williams’ ‘Hodie,’ will be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday at Wesley Chapel in Jackson.

Joining the nearly 100-voice chorus will be featured soloists soprano Mary Ann Kyle, tenor Ronald Laitano and baritone James Martin. The Mississippi Girlchoir will provide the treble voice choir. The piece will be accompanied by orchestra.

‘Hodie,’ the first offering in The Three Kings Concert Series, is a cantata in 16 movements. It was composed between 1953 and 1954, and is Williams’ last major choral-orchestral composition.

Tickets are $18, with discounts for seniors and students. Season tickets are $50. Order online at www.mschorus.org or by phone at 601-278-3351.

The Mississippi Chorus is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1989.