Jackson Free Press

This evening, begin your weekend with a 3D history lesson as the Raymond Fall Pilgrimage kicks off "Presence with the Past" at the Raymond Cemetery (Port Gibson St., Raymond) at 6:30 p.m. Strolling through, you will see local actors depicting well-known Raymond residents who have passed on. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children 10 and under. Later, put on your best outfit, leave the kids with a babysitter and go to First Friday at the Marriott Hotel (200 E. Amite St.) at 9 p.m. for cocktails and conversation. DJ Fuyal will spin hits, and J. Holiday performs. Admission is $10. If you would rather spend time enjoying the cool autumn air, go to Salsa Mississippi's "Salsa on the Water" Latin dance party at the Marina Club at Lost Rabbit (147 Republic St., Suite 101, Madison) at 9 p.m. The event includes dancing on the boardwalk, beef and veggie burgers and beverages. If you don't know how to salsa, come an hour early for a free lesson. Admission is $10. Where's the best place to begin your weekend planning? The JFP Best Bets page, of course.

Saturday, get up early at 8 a.m. and go bird watching with the Jackson Audubon Society at Mayes Lake (115 Lakeland Terrace). Bring binoculars, water, insect repellent, a snack and $3 to pay the car entrance fee. If you don't have binoculars, call 601-956-7444 and ask an Audubon Society member to loan you a pair. At noon, enjoy music by Grady Champion, Eddie Cotton, Dazz Band and many others at the Canton Blues & Soul Festival at the Canton Multi-purpose Complex (501 Soldiers Colony Road, Canton,). Admission is $25, and children under 5 get in free. At 7 p.m., stop by The Commons at Eudora Welty's Birthplace (719 N Congress St.) for "An Evening on the Porch," a fundraiser for Front Porch Dance which includes food, a cash bar and music by Lazy Jane and Zydeco Machine. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. If you'll be hanging out with the girls instead, check out the "Ladies Night Out" concert at the Jackson Convention Complex (105 E. Pascagoula St.) at 8 p.m. and swoon as Ginuwine, Avant and Jagged Edge perform live. Tickets are $42.75-$53 and are available at Ticketmaster, BeBop and the Coliseum Box Office. Want more choices? Head to the JFP Events Calendar for complete listings.

Sunday, put on your walking shoes and go to the Walk for Diabetes at Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance (1401 Livingston Lane). Check-in is at 1 p.m., and the walk begins at 2 p.m. Donate a minimum of $20; and proceeds benefit the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi's Camp Kandu program. If you want to dance instead of walk, there will be plenty of Irish dancing at the Mostly Monthly Ceili at Fenian's (901 E. Fortification St.) from 2-5 p.m. Admission is free, which leaves you with enough cash to purchase something from Fenian's menu. Hungry for more? Peruse the JFP Restaurant Listings and the Menu Guide for more dining options.

Is something missing? To make sure your event is listed on the JFP calendars, send the information to [e-mail missing] or [e-mail missing], or add your event yourself. It's easy!