Update: See Polk's speech at GLAAD Awards

See Patrik-Ian Polk's acceptance speech at the GLAAD Awards. Rainbow Collection captured the moment on its Web site. Scroll about halfway down the page.

Polk's film, "Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom," won for Best Film, limited release at the March 28 event in New York.

Sign of the times

Saturday's HUBFest filled downtown Hattiesburg with cover-band music, crafts for sale and tents of food vendors. After a threat of bad weather passed, it turned out to be a sunny day with a cool breeze.

Local artists reported good sales for paintings, sculpture, jewelry and pottery. Local musicians played on several stages and an occasional loose balloon escaped overhead. Babies in strollers reached out to motion at dogs in tutus. Dogs in stollers almost outnumbered the babies.

Vinyl banners told us where to get fried alligator, crawfish and funnel cakes.

One sign caught our eye. New Yokel Market at the corner of Buschman and Main was closed Saturday. This was the posted explanation.



"We say NO to the ADPFest." The Area Development Partnership puts on HUBFest each year. The New Yokel owners couldn't be reached for comment immediately.

If you weren't able to attend HUBFest, watch this video and virtually walk through one block.

Update: 'Noah's Arc' wins GLAAD award

Writer-producer-director Patrik-Ian Polk sent out this Twitter message Saturday night: "OMG we just won!"

His movie, "Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom," tied with "Shelter" to win Outstanding Film Limited Release from the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York.

Polk is a Hattiesburg native. As reported here last month, he was nominated for three NAACP Image Awards this year.

Weekend events fill city

HUBFest in downtown Hattiesburg is Saturday and includes art, music, families and friends. Also, the annual Zoo Blues bash gets underway with some great music. Crawfish dinners will be available at both events and a trolley can take you from HUBFest to Zoo Blues.

Update: Jazz-backed poetry on Hardy Street

First anniversary celebrations at Café Boheme Thursday included a poetry reading backed by jazz. The performance happened after the monthly Arts Café conversation, an open public discussion on art topics.



In this video, Paul McCall, one of the owners of the café, was pleased with the gathering.

The fun continues Friday and Saturday with dancing, more jazz and great food.

Happy 125th birtrhday, Hattiesburg

Hundreds of folks came to the Hattiesburg depot Wednesday evening for the city's 125th birthday party. The city of Hattiesburg, the Historic Hattiesburg Downtown Association and the Area Development Partnership sponsored the party. Cake and punch was served in the crowded Grand Hall.

Finger-snapping time at Café Boheme

Café Boheme will celebrate its first anniversary at the end of March with a week of poetry readings, jazz music and plant swappings.

The owners - including Dominique McCall shown here placing orchids on tables - have created an arty hangout for the Kamper-Avenues neighborhood. They've added greenspace in the back and are extending hours to accomodate more customers.

The Hardy Street coffee-shop offers a good model for any business that wants to be part of its neighborhood and enjoy the support of locals.

See Sunday's story in the Hattiesburg American.

Arts Council plans hat-making workshop

The Hattiesburg Arts Council will host a hat-making workshop March 24 at the Hattiesburg Cultural Center, said Patty Hall, director. For details, watch this video.