Fourth annual Ritz on River has 1920s theme

Published 9:41 am Friday, March 10, 2017

: Party-goers listen as the LA Legacy Jazz Orchestra performs in 2015 during the second annual Ritz on the River at the Vicksburg Convention Center. (File/The Vicksburg Post)

The Vicksburg Convention Center and VenuWorks of Vicksburg is celebrating its 20th year of operation.

To help keep the year-long party going, this year’s fourth annual Ritz on the River event will give a nod to the VCC’s two decades with a roaring ’20s theme.

“And we are asking that everyone dress up in 1920s-style fashion,” sales manager for the VCC Elyce Curry said.

The “party” will be held July 13 at the VCC, and the Downtown Band out of Nashville, will provide the entertainment.

“The Downtown Band was voted as one of the top 10 live bands in the U.S.,” Curry said, and has opened for well-known musicians that include Elton John, Sting, Robin Thicke, Seal, Lana Del Rey, Enrique Iglesias and Tom Jones.

The 10-piece band’s repertoire includes all the classic eras, top 40, Motown, Disco and jazz.

Curry said it has always been the VCC’s aim to bring in quality entertainment, and the Downtown Band will be no exception.

The official caterer of the VCC, Palmertree Catering will be preparing the meal for the evening, which will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets for the dinner and show are $50 per person, in advance only.

“We are also pushing our general admission tickets to reach further into the community,” Curry said.

“Ritz on the River is for everyone, and we think this year’s event will be a great way for everyone to dress up and have fun,” she said.

General admission tickets, which are for the show, only are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. The show begins at 8 p.m.

For those interested in corporate sponsorships, tables of 10 can be reserved for $500.

The City of Vicksburg is also partnering with the VCC to offer give-a-ways for the sponsored tables.

Curry would not reveal what the gifts would be, but promised it would be something fun.

Mutual Credit Union will once again be sponsoring the event, Curry said.

“Without their help, we could not offer something on this scale.”

And as also in the past, a portion of the proceeds from Ritz on the River will go towards a Vicksburg non-profit organization.

Mutual Credit Union chose to donate this year’s proceeds to the Junior Auxiliary of Vicksburg.

Tickets will go on sale April 10 and are available at ticketmasater.com, the VCC box office, or by calling 800-745-3000.

For more information, call 601-630-2929.

About Terri Cowart Frazier

Terri Frazier was born in Cleveland. Shortly afterward, the family moved to Vicksburg. She is a part-time reporter at The Vicksburg Post and is the editor of the Vicksburg Living Magazine, which has been awarded First Place by the Mississippi Press Association. She has also been the recipient of a First Place award in the MPA’s Better Newspaper Contest’s editorial division for the “Best Feature Story.”

Terri graduated from Warren Central High School and Mississippi State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations.

Prior to coming to work at The Post a little more than 10 years ago, she did some freelancing at the Jackson Free Press. But for most of her life, she enjoyed being a full-time stay at home mom.

Terri is a member of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church. She is a lifetime member of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary and is a past member of the Sampler Antique Club and Town and Country Garden Club. She is married to Dr. Walter Frazier.

“From staying informed with local governmental issues to hearing the stories of its people, a hometown newspaper is vital to a community. I have felt privileged to be part of a dedicated team at The Post throughout my tenure and hope that with theirs and with local support, I will be able to continue to grow and hone in on my skills as I help share the stories in Vicksburg. When asked what I like most about my job, my answer is always ‘the people.’

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