Jackson Free Press

E&L Barbeque (1111 Bailey Ave.) has partnered with Next Level Experience, an event space located inside the former Belk at the Metrocenter Mall, to open a second E&L location in the venue's restaurant section.

Next Level has 3,000 square feet of space and features a stage, two bars and a VIP area. The restaurant section, which E&L will now fill, includes a sit-down dining area and a rentable space for parties and private events.

E&L will bring its full menu to Next Level along with new additions such as Cajun shrimp or chicken alfredo pasta, loaded nachos, salads and dark-meat jerk chicken, with plans to add handmade burgers to the menu in the future. The new location will also feature live music from local blues and soul bands every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

"After 30 years in business at our current location, we've been looking to open a second location where we could try some new things," Elise Ros, sales and catering manager for E&L Barbeque, said. "Next Level approached us a month ago asking us to cater an event for them, and afterward they asked if we'd like to rent out their restaurant space and stay on with them. We started operations last week and are planning to throw a grand opening barbecue party in the parking lot this August, just in time for football season."

Next Level Experience (3645 Metro Drive) is part of a new development on the upper south level of the Metrocenter Mall that also includes restaurant Eme's and the Soul Sensation Lounge.

For more information, call 769-447-4417 or visit nextleveljxn.com.

New Tenants Coming to The District

The District at Eastover (1250 Eastover Drive), a multi-use development in northeast Jackson, recently announced Fine & Dandy restaurant and Beckham Custom Jewelry Co. as the latest tenants opening in The District. Beckham Custom Jewelry will open in July, and Fine & Dandy will open this fall.

Jackson native Ray-Scott Miller is the owner of Fine & Dandy, which will be located in the center of The District and will feature outdoor patio seating next to The District Green, which is the development's outdoor common space. The menu will include burgers, snacks, cocktails and more.

Brian Beckham, who is the owner and designer for Beckham Custom Jewelry Co., is relocating his business to The District from its current location on Interstate 55 in Jackson, which opened in 2013. Beckham designs, manufactures, repairs and services custom jewelry in the store. The new space will include a showroom, work studio and two consultation rooms.

Other tenants at The District include BankPlus, Origin Bank, Results Physiotherapy and Mexican restaurant Cantina Laredo, which will host private events throughout the summer before its grand opening in August. Orange Theory Fitness and Freshii restaurant will also begin construction on their new locations at The District in the next few weeks.

The District plans to announce more dining and retail stores opening at the development throughout the summer. For more information, call 601-914-0800 or visit districtateastover.com.

Mississippi Film and Video Alliance Expands Grant Program

Mississippi Film and Video Alliance, which is a nonprofit organization that supports local film and television projects, recently received a grant from the Mississippi Film Office to expand its Emerging Mississippi Filmmakers Grant Program.

The program is open to filmmakers throughout the state and will grant funds up to $2,500 for Mississippi-made films. With the recent Mississippi Film Office donation, MFVA has expanded the program to include submission waivers from film festivals throughout the state, including the Oxford Film Festival, Crossroads Film Festival, the Grenada Afterglow Film Festival, Sun & Sand Film Festival, Rails to Reels Film Festival, Festival South Film Expo, Clarksdale Film Festival and It's About You Film Festival.

MFVA's grant program has been in place for 15 years and has funded more than 50 projects since its creation. Grants are available for working and emerging Mississippi filmmakers who are legal residents in the state and are 18 years of age or older. Filmmakers have one year to complete their film after receiving the grant.

Filmmakers must submit applications and supporting material for their project on or before Aug. 1. MFVA is also accepting digital applications. For more information, visit msfilmandvideoalliance.org/grant.