NATCHITOCHES – A documentary created by Northwestern State University film students last year will be featured in an event Monday, Sept. 18 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of singer/songwriter Jim Croce, who performed his last concert at NSU on Sept. 20, 1973.  Shortly after the concert in Prather Coliseum, Croce and five others were killed in plane crash after takeoff from the Natchitoches airport.

“Photographs and Memories: A Salute to Jim Croce” will start at 5:30 p.m. Monday to celebrate Croce’s life and music and provide insight into his final day. The event is open to the public. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students, senior citizens and military personnel. The first 50 NSU students will be admitted for free and free pizza will be available for students.

The program will begin at 6:15 p.m. with the screening of the 18-minute short film, “The Night the Music Died,” produced last year by NSU New Media students under the direction of Professor Melody Gilbert. The student filmmakers are Zachary Desselles of Pineville, Anna Duplantis of Madisonville, Colie Plaster of Gibsonville, North Carolina, and Waylon Washington of Coushatta who were enrolled in Gilbert’s COMM 4240 class. Gilbert directed the film with Deselles, Duplantis, Plaster and Washington as producers.  David Antilley, executive director of NSU-TV, assisted with the project.

“The Night the Music Died,” reunites three NSU Current Sauce reporters, Melanie Torbett Babin, Dan McDonald and Janet Tompkins Vanhoof, who share their memories of covering the tragedy for student media.

A half-hour panel discussion, with audience participation encouraged, will wrap up the evening. People who attended the concert or had interaction with Croce and his band are encouraged to attend and share their stories.

Monday’s event is presented by the local museum support group FLASH (Friends of Louisiana Sports and History), and current FLASH members will be admitted free. Memberships, beginning at $40, can be purchased at the event.

For more information, visit the FLASH Facebook page or call the local state museum at (318) 357-2492.