MMNS Events

Birdsong & Bluegrass

For more information please contact the Visitor Information Specialist at 601-576-6000 or by email at nicole.smith@mmns.ms.gov

Good food, good music, and birdsong: what a great way to enjoy spring! Join us for the 4th annual Birdsong and Bluegrass event.

Click here to download the complete passport and schedule.

Enjoy a beautiful evening at MDWFP’s Mississippi Museum of Natural Science during “Birdsong & Bluegrass” on Saturday, April 27, 2019 from 4 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., rain or shine. Bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket to enjoy the outdoor music. Music and activities may be moved indoors depending on the weather. 

Listen to bluegrass music, take a guided nature walk, enjoy local art, and experience a spectacular live birds of prey program with Freedom Ranch Outreach Education! The event is part of the museum’s celebration of International Migratory Bird Day - which highlights the importance of international efforts to conserve birds.

Alan Sibley and the Magnolia Ramblers, Harmony & Grits, and the Bill Ellison, Temperance Babcock, and Jeff Perkins trio will entertain visitors with classic folk and traditional bluegrass throughout the evening. Ellison will also emcee the event.

Food will be available for purchase from the Pig-n-Pint, CrunchTime Concessions, and Cups.

Painted Faces by Emily Schmidt will be here with face painting and glitter tattoos for $6 (not included with admission).

Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi who attend will meet requirements toward their IMBD patch and Cub Scouts will meet requirements for the Naturalist Badge!  

Admission for Non-Members is $10 for adults, $6 for youth ages 3 - 18, ages under 3 are free.

Admission for Mississippi Museum of Natural Science Foundation Members is $8 for adults, $4 for youth ages 3 - 18, ages under 3 are free.

Animals and activities subject to change.

FREEDOM RANCH OUTREACH EDUCATION:

2019 MUSICIANS:

Bill Ellison, Temperance Babcock, and Jeff Perkins

Bill Ellison, Temperance Babcock, and Jeff Perkins built their distinctive sound on the classic combination of fiddle, bass, and acoustic guitar. Their vocal harmonies and instrumental arrangements cover the musical spectrum from Bill Monroe to the Everly Brothers to Old Crow Medicine Show.  

Birdsong & Bluegrass is especially pleased to announce that Ellison will be the MC for the this year’s event, in addition to performing.

Ellison has been a mainstay in Mississippi’s acoustic music scene both as a performer and as host of Mississippi Public Broadcasting’s “Grassroots”. Babcock, a classically trained violinist and former member of the Mississippi Symphony, has studied under Felicia Moye and has recorded with members of Ricky Skaggs’s band Kentucky Thunder.  Bill and Temperance are joined by well-known bassist and vocalist Jeff Perkins.    

Alan Sibley and the Magnolia Ramblers

Alan has won multiple awards in his home state of Mississippi from the Magnolia State Bluegrass Association. He is a four time recipient of the Male Vocalist of the Year Award and an eight time recipient of the Mandolin Player of the Year Award. His band was also voted MSBA Band of the Year in 2014, 2016 and 2017. Alan is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, and host of The Bluegrass Trail, a nationally televised music series on RFD-TV.

He began his career in Bluegrass music playing mandolin  and travelling the country with the Legendary First Family of Bluegrass Gospel “The Sullivan Family” in 2001 at the young age of fifteen. Eventually, Alan formed his own band. With musical roots deep in Bluegrass and Gospel music, Alan Sibley & The Magnolia Ramblers have performed across the United States since 2008

Harmony & Grits

Harmony & Grits are known for tight four part harmony arrangements of bluegrass and gospel songs. Whether they're performing Old Time, Country, or Folk, the Grits have a well-rounded repertoire. As the "Grits" would say, "we like them all, but we prefer to do them Southern Style!". Band members have been featured on Mississippi Roads, Grassroots radio, the Mississippi Opry, and the 1st Annual Rankin County FunFest (which they organized).   

2019 ARTISTS:

Allen Winters’ eye for detail brings to life Mississippi wildlife in an engaging way that feels both familiar and inspiring. He is self -taught artist, engraver, and wood carver whose work has been featured with Ducks Unlimited, Disney World in Orlando, Florida, and The National Wild Turkey Federation.

Elaine Maisel of Feathermore creates fascinating painted feather art that is the perfect blend of art and nature. Not only will you appreciate her artistic skill, but you may learn about feather anatomy when you meet her. Elaine has been with Birdsong and Bluegrass since it first started four years ago, and each year she brings something new and exciting to the event. 

R.P. Funderburk’s interest in birds, after working for many years as a carpenter doing home repairs and remodeling, led him into making birdhouses for his yard. His handcrafted, functional birdhouses are made from recycled materials and found objects. We are so pleased Mr. Funderburk is returning to exhibit at Birdsong.

Sarah Rick is a practiced scissor artist. Considered a ‘rare breed’ of art, Ms. Rick uses nature as an inspiration for the silhouettes that she crafts. When possible, Ms. Rick teaches visitors the basics of scissor art and encourages them to produce their own works of art during events.

PHOTOS FROM PAST BIRDSONG & BLUEGRASS EVENTS: