Classic music ranging from folk to country and rock will be returning to the Southern Cultural Heritage Center for the 10th annual Classics in the Courtyard series.

The events will take place on Fridays Oct. 20, Oct. 27, Nov. 3 and Nov. 10 from noon to 1 p.m. and feature a wide variety of local musicians.

“People love music,” Stacey Mahoney, the executive director of the Southern Cultural Heritage Center, said. “It is a happy part of the day. You can come and get it in in the lunch hour, eat your lunch there, listen to music and head back to work. You can’t get that anywhere else.”

Attendees have the option to bring their own lunch or purchase lunch from a local restaurant. Billy’s Italian Restaurant will provide lunch for the first concert and they will be followed by Goldie’s Express, Gumbo Pot and The Anthony.

“The music is free so anyone that just wants to come and listen to the music we do have chairs and benches sitting out,” Mahoney said. “Then we have tables for eating as well. Lunch is $10 per person and reservations are required for lunch. They need to be made by 5 p.m. Thursday before each Friday event.”

The event is funded in part by Entergy and Mahoney said they bring it back year after year thanks to the incredible response they receive from the community.

“The community loves this event,” she said. “Our numbers last year, we had some record breaking weeks where had 180 people. Another week was maybe 150. That tells us people really enjoy it. We have had different groups come and enjoy it like last year we had a school group.”

The performance on Oct. 20 with feature Americana, Celtic and folk music performed by Full Circle, which includes Nicholas and Julia Blake and Joanne Ryan. The concert on Oct. 27 will feature classic blues, rock, pop and some original music by Patrick Smith. The show on Nov. 3 will feature Maria Signa and Ralph Miller playing classic pop and country.

The final performance on Nov. 10 with feature Lee H. Abraham & the Boone Brothers playing classic blues, rock and original music.

For more information or to reserve lunch call the Southern Cultural Heritage Found office at 601-631-2997.