FestivalSouth opens its 17th year with Newsies

FestivalSouth, an annual music and arts festival in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, opens its 17th season on June 4, running through June 27. The event, recognized by Forbes as one of the most underrated music festivals in the U.S., kicks off with a three-day run of *Newsies*, a Broadway musical based on the 1899 Newsboy Strike, performed by the Hub City Players at Southern Miss’ Mannoni Performing Arts Center. Shows begin at 7 p.m. CT on June 4, 5, and 6, with a matinee at 1 p.m. on June 6. Other early events include Haydn in Hattiesburg chamber music performances on June 5 and 6, an art exhibition by Ellen Langford on June 6, and patriotic song celebrations on June 7. Storytelling sessions like *Anansi Stories* and creative workshops for children, including *Lines and Light* poetry and *Artie’s Adventures in Writing*, are scheduled throughout the first week. Week two features *Stars and Steps Forever!*, a one-night ballet event on June 13 celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, with CNN filming for arts coverage. Additional performances include *American Echoes*, a classical vocal recital, and *Mississippi Sounds*, featuring the Southern Chorale. A K-pop dance party and sing-along at the Historic Hattiesburg Saenger Theater rounds out the week’s offerings. The festival spans multiple venues, including the Southern Miss Gallery of Art and Design, Bennett Auditorium, and Westminster Presbyterian Church. Events blend theater, music, visual arts, and community engagement, reflecting Hattiesburg’s cultural diversity. Tickets and schedules for all performances are available through FestivalSouth’s official channels.