Topic: Rivers and Spires

Rivers and Spires reaches new heights

By Bill Larson | April 19, 2009 |

This years Rivers and Spires exceeded all expectations. The execution of the festival was flawless. The City, County, the Clarksville-Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau along with the organizers, sponsors, and volunteers all deserve a round of applause, and our thanks!

The streets are densely packed for the final day of Rivers and Spires

The third day of Rivers and Spires dawned clear and sunny. As the day rolled by, the clouds rolled in. Luckily the rain held off for most of the evening as was expected. However just before the 9:00 p.m. John Michael Montgomery concert festival goers suffered through a sudden downpour.

The Clarksville Online crew arrived between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., and promptly divided our efforts. Our videographer Mark Haynes went off to record the acts at the Strawberry Alley Stage with his high definition video camera. Reporter Turner McCullough Jr. disappeared in the direction of the International Streetfest, while I meandered throughout capturing images of people enjoying the festivities.

Around 11:30 we gathered together to watch the MCES Honor Choir perform. Their performance was an auditory treat. It was clear that the students had put a lot of work towards preparing for this performance, and their efforts paid off.

The Montgomery Central Honor Choir performs

«Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure | No Comments

Sights and Sounds from Rivers and Spires on Friday

April 18, 2009 |

A view down Franklin Street towards Public Square Stage

Great weather is the first thing most people would come up with if you asked them about the second day of Rivers and Spires. This showed in a great turnout for the Friday afternoon and evening acts. Bad weather was expected, but according to the National Weather Service has pushed off until Saturday night, hopefully long after everyone is home and snug in bed for the evening.

There were simply too many acts to provide details of each one individually as we did in the story about Thursday evenings shows, but there were some highlights to point out including The Groovefellas, Sgt.1st Class Jamie Buckley, and the WannaBeatles.

We also would like to provide a special thank you to Local Businesswoman Deborah S. Evans (Attorney at Law) for allowing Clarksville Online to utilize her offices balcony to acquire some unique photographs.

The events continue on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 9:45 p.m. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: News | No Comments

Thursday evening Rivers and Spires kickoff promises incredible weekend

April 17, 2009 |

Laying of the wreath

Rivers and Spires kicked off today with a wreath laying and symbolic re-lighting of the eternal flame. The flame honors our soldiers serving over seas and lights the path for them to return home. This annual remembrance kicks off three days of food, fun, entertainment, and shopping in historic downtown Clarksville, TN.

The award winning festival is organized by the City of Clarksville, Montgomery County Tennessee, and the Clarksville-Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau, and is co-sponsored by many area businesses. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure | No Comments

First Night: Something to think about…

By Christine Anne Piesyk | January 1, 2009 |

As the city welcomes in the new year and another year of growth and development, I also wondered if they might consider a trend that is gaining strength exponentially in many other “cities on the grow” — a First Night celebration. Family friendly.  Multicultural. Affordable.

If frigid northern and east coast cities can do it and find a faithful turnout even when in snow and sometimes subzero cold, Clarksville, with its ability to organize events such as Rivers and Spires and Riverfest, should be able to pull this off with equal flair.

What’s a “First Night” celebration?

First night’s are multi-venue events of performance, music, games, and of course, food. These events often begin at noon with a children’s parade and shows geared for the youngest city residents (puppet shows, or a puppet- or mask-making class, storytelling, magic shows, etc). Adult events could be a one-act play, performances by dance or music groups, book readings, and more. A restaurant might host a small band or jazz combo, or perhaps a vocalist. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure, Opinion | No Comments

Unlit flame on July 4th a symptom, could it be Clarksville just does not care?

By Turner McCullough Jr. | July 6, 2008 |

The Pillar of Cloud, Pillar of Fire  aka the Eternal Flame was conspicuously AWOL on July 4th! Our Eternal Flame seems to spend most of its time unlit. What does this signify about our dedication to “Supporting Our Troops!”

As the Independence Day weekend moves on, the smoke from fireworks has dissipated and the residue from our recent fireworks show have been cleared away. The traffic jams cleared up, and we each go on our merry way. Yes, the city’s celebration was quite a sight. And as noted in previous coverage here, the Pillar of Cloud, Pillar of Fire Eternal Flame Memorial was burning bright and strong at 11:30PM on July 3rd. The flags at City Hall were still sadly un-illuminated but the eternal flame did shine for that night. Hallelujah!!!

Alas, it was too good to last. It was not burning during the daylight hours on our nation’s birthday, and when the evening of July 4th dawned upon us the flame was still NOWHERE TO BE SEEN. It was AWOL again! We took date stamped photographs to verify this.

Are our public officials really committed to keeping our pledge to light the flame, and in doing so honoring our fallen military personnel? Or is this just a “showpiece” there only to be utilized during special promotions and city events? «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure, Events, News | 1 Comment »

Looking back on Rivers & Spires 2008

By Bill Larson | April 21, 2008 |

Rivers and Spires 2008 is over, with a final day (Saturday) that remain cloudy, cool but relatively rain-free. Several thousand visitors flocked to Franklin Street and Public Square in Downtown Clarksville for the festivities, taking time to browse the booths, ride the rides, listen to the music, watch the dancers and mingle with family and friends.

We offer this final collection of Rivers and Spires photos for your enjoyment. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: News | 2 Comments

The spirit of Rivers and Spires undampened by rain, cloudy skies, cool air

By Bill Larson | April 20, 2008 |

On the second day of Rivers and Spires persistant rain hampered the turnout somewhat. People congregated in nooks and crannies, basically anywhere a dry space could be found. While some vendors, many of the rides for children, and several stages were closed there was still plenty to see and do.

Clarksville Online was on the scene, soaked to the skin, capturing many of the day events — and the people — on camera. Here is a gallery of those shots. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Events | No Comments

Military tribute launches Rivers & Spires

By Bill Larson | April 18, 2008 |

Rivers & Spires, an award-winning festival with live music, activities for the kids, and great food, returns to Clarksville for its fifth season. Rivers & Spires is staged on every street corner in historic downtown Clarksville and at Riverfront Park.

Rivers & Spires Festival orginated in 2003 as a tribute to the soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division who, at the time, were returning from a deployment. Since then, it has continued to honor the community’s heritage by paying special tribute to Fort Campbell soldiers, many of whom are are currently deployed overseas, and their families.

The 2008 event opened with a re-igniting of the eternal flame on Public Square. Before the ceremony, I was reassured by City Councilor Geno Grubs that the flame, which has been off more than on over the past year, had been snuffed by a mechnical problem, and not by a city trying to save money or “the wind blowing out the flame.” «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure, Events | No Comments

Lakota Sacred Pipe holder holds stories, music, earth-centered wisdom

By Debbie Boen | April 18, 2008 |

I learned through meditation that when I imagine a line between myself and the center of the earth, my body feels safe and can release old emotions and energy (like worry or seriousness) that I’m done with. When I am “grounded”, or imagining that connection, people also feel very comfortable around me. When I am not grounded, I am an easier target for someone to pick on me, because I’m more like a bird with no feet on the ground:I look vulnerable and unprotected. I’ve noticed that when I am practicing being grounded, people flock to me. They subconsciously are attracted to the idea of their bodies and spirit feeling safer and connected to the earth also.

J.J. Kent, the most grounded person I have ever met, teaches Lakota spiritual laws based on this connection to the Earth. J. J. uses his good voice to do public speaking and flute recordings, and on Saturday, April 19th, he will be featured speaking at Rivers and Spires in downtown Clarksville around noon. He will also speak to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Clarksville on May 11, 2008. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure, Events, Spirituality | No Comments

© 2009 Clarksville, TN Online is owned and operated by residents of Clarksville Tennessee.
» We are Hosted by Compu-Net Enterprises; In Partnership with Discover Clarksville and Discover Paris