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

Mark Haynes remained at the Strawberry Alley stage to record performances until roughly 2:30pm. At which point he left to capture videos of other areas of the festival.

Paige King at Hodgepodge assists one of her customers

In the mean time I covered the action on Franklin Street, including a visit to Paige King at Hodgepodge. She reported doing good business during the three day run of Rivers and Spires. Leaving Hodgepodge my next destination was to check in with Linda Cain at Visions Metaphysical Boutique. She also reported doing exceptional business. They were busy doing Tarot Readings for people passing by.

Turner McCullough Jr headed towards the International Streetfest with the intention of catching Flutist JJ Kent’s show. I followed shortly thereafter. In spite of becoming distracted by various photographic opportunities I arrived just in time.

I have seen JJ Kent perform during last years IOC International Festival, the 2008 Rivers and Spires, and at the NCC Powwow. I have enjoyed his performance every single time. His flute playing is very ethereal. Today he played as he told the parable of the thin Chief and the fat Chief.

We returned to Strawberry Alley to catch the outstanding Northeast High School Exit One Show Choir perform. Their show consisted dance acts and show tunes from throughout the history of Broadway. They are leaving soon to perform in Branson, Missouri. If you get the chance to catch one of their shows, the I highly recommend you do so. This stunning choir never ceases to amaze!

Once their show was done, I headed towards the International Streetfest. I still wanted to check out the Jezzebellies Belly Dance Troupe, the Baize School of Karate demonstration, and to see the ever colorful Ballet Folklorico Viva Panama dancers perform at the Courthouse Stage.

The Jezzebellies are also frequent performers at area festivals. Their dances and the sound of the bells they wear help to entice the audience, male or female. The Baize students were in fine form. After capturing some photographs of their demonstration I turned my attention to the Folklorico dancers. Some of the best pictures I have taken have been of their performances. They are also one of the performers I always look forward to seeing.

Ballet Folklorico Viva Panama Dancers

Reporter Turner McCullough Jr had headed to the Jazz’N Wine area, so I followed him there. Located next to Trinity Episcopal Church, 16 wineries had gathered to offer samples of their best vintages. Turner was quite taken with several Beachaven Vintages including their Riesling. As he spent some time in Germany, this was not surprising.

Citrus and honey aromas lead into green apple, lemon, and nectarine flavors. Off-dry like a German Rhine wine. Rich and Flavorful! Excellent with spicy cuisine!

The Beachaven Riesling has won several awards, including the Double Gold Medal at the Florida State Fair International this year. It also won the Bronze Medal at the Indy International in 2008.

The Beachaven Winery Booth

Christopher McConnell of Legacy Caviar

Since I seldom drink, I did not expect to do much more than take photographs while I was at the Jazz’N Wine area. Instead I found myself trying a bit of some great Pork Loin cooked by the Chef mart and HGTV Hosts.

I was then treated to some wonderful caviar sold by the Clarksville company, Legacy Caviar. Spokesman Christopher McConnell was very entertaining as he discussed the merits of their product. Their caviar is salty with a butter like accent flavor, I quite enjoyed the taste. The caviar topped delicious Sushi provided by Kohana Japanese Restaurant.

The band Rodeo Pony started playing and upon hearing their sirens call, I was lured in their direction.  This all woman band played heart stirring country music featuring two of my favorite instruments the Banjo and Fiddle. After taking a few moments to listen and snag a couple of photographs I headed out of the area.

Passing through the Teen Zone I headed to pay my first visit to the Third Street stage. The band Hometown was playing. They had a nice mix of young and old clustered around the stage area listening to their performance.

Heading back to Franklin Street I moved down towards the Public Square stage. It was approaching 6 p.m. By this time I had taken nearly 800 photos, and with my energy fading fast I realized that that I had gone as far as I could for one day, I would have to miss John Michael Montgomery’s performance. So I tracked down Turner and we headed home for the evening.

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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.

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Here are some of the many sights and sounds from Friday at the 2009 Rivers and Spires Festival.

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Schedule of Events

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.

The evening’s entertainment started with the Can Creation Challenge at 4:30p.m. This event challenges local teams to put together sculptures based on a theme with the winning team picking a local charity to benefit from their $500 prize. Afterwards the building materials were donated to a local food bank.

Following that at 5:15 p.m. ten faculty members from APSU got to perform in a talent competition which was judged by their students.

Josh LaCount Band

Afterward the Josh LaCount Band took the stage. The band projects solid vocals, and does great things with a guitar. The band is on MySpace, Their music is available on iTunes, and you can view their music videos on Youtube.

Check out the video to Josh’s song Way down.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Andy Grammer

Andy Grammer

They were followed by Andy Grammer a young man with quite a vocal repertory. His warmth and personality draw you into the sphere that his music creates and you feel at once welcome and comfortable with his expressions and sound. He utilizes a music style that combines beat box, mouth trumpeting and vocals. His performance drew strongly from his album- “Andy Grammer Live- Soft lights on Bright Colors.” As Andy tells it, “I think from the second I start beat boxing and mouth trumpeting its clear this is going to be done a little differently!” And he doesn’t disappoint.

An iTunes reviewer had this to say:

“Andy takes pride in tackling the issues we all face in life and singing about them with “brutal honesty.” His lyrics are deep, clean, and meaningful; his sound is positive and encouraging. If you liked John Mayer in his early career, then you will love Andy.”

His EP album is available on iTunes, but to get his newest album “Soft lights on bright colors” like I just did you will have to go and visit his web site. You can also watch his videos on Youtube.

Here’s his video Second Hand Smoke

Click here to view the embedded video.

Jason Reeves

Jason Reeves

Folk singer Jason Reeves closed out the night. When you listen to Jason sing you can tell he puts his heart and soul into his music. He draws you into his music and his world. Jason has four albums available for purchase on iTunes. Each of his songs is easily capable of standing alone, you can’t say that for many artists. His MySpace page is exceptionally well designed.

In case you missed him, check out this Jason Reeves and Colbie Caillat video titled Permanent

Click here to view the embedded video.

All the acts on the opening night of the 2009 Rivers and Spires deserve a spot in your music collection, so go and check them out!

The festivities continue tomorrow at 5:30pm

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Upcoming Schedule

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.

Each performance runs 40-45 minutes longs, and at least three to four shows run at any one time, so that one show missed can be regained on a second of third run-through. Individuals and families who have bought the low cost one-ticket-for-all-venues WALK from site to site, using a map and schedule of locations.  Locals restaurants stay open until at least 11 p.m., offering  something free (hot chocolate, cool punch, cookies and such) along with their paid menu.

In my favorite First Night city, as many as a dozen churches, dozens of restaurants, theatres  and public spaces stayed open until 11 p.m. or midnight. My favorite First Night was spent with thousands of other people running from site to site along snow covered streets, bundled up to brave a midnight low temperature of zero degrees. The shows and the hot mulled cider were worth it.

These events usually end with the dropping of a ball at midnight, and sometimes with a fireworks display in the background.

Clarksville has several unique venues that could accomodate this kind of family-friendly entertainment: the downtown district with its restaurants, the Roxy theater’s two performance spaces and its many church spaces; the APSU campus, Strawberry Alley — which seems to be designed for such events; and  with its Christmas on the Cumberland Display (accessed from downtown by a non-stop CTA trolley shuttle to event locations and parking lots/areas outside the district). Utilize downtown church parking lots for additional parking.

My best First Night (back when I could walk longer and a bit further) encompassed more than four city blocks and began with my viewing the children’s parade down “Main Street” from a college art site where they had made masks to wear. It continued with a scene from The Nutcracker played on a small theatre stage, followed by Jazz in a local church, a vocal quintet doing “Broadway” show tunes, a young modern dance troupe, a session of salsa dancing, more music, a reading in abistro, and a pause to eat at one of many unique ethnic restaurants in that community (the choices included restaurants serving pizza, burgers, Greek dishes, Asian cuisine, vegetarian menus  — all price ranges and styles, some restaurants serving up food at odd locations such as community center or public hall). It ended with that crystal “glitter ball” dropping down from the roof of the city’s tallest building, as fireworks went off from another central location.The event ran the length of its downtown “Musante Mile,” a Main Street business district named for the visionary who redveoloped that once-dying downtown district into a Mecca of small locally owned retail, theatre, and restaurant businesses. Its downtown looked a lot like Franklin Street but with twice the width of that street.

It’s something that Clarksville, with its downtown business district perched at the top of a hill, with the river as its backdrop, and its businesses, could format to highlight some of the city’s most unique and interesting features.

At least, it’s something to think about. A family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration.

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?

The Eternal Flame was kept lit for the entire run of ‘Rivers and Spires.” Every day and night it was there. But the flame ceased burning a mere three days following the close of that festival. It stayed that way until two weeks before Memorial Day.

But strangely the flame was once again unlit for the entire Memorial Day weekend. As the Vietnam Veterans Association held their candlelight vigil on Public Square that Sunday, the absence of that flame was conspicuously felt as the names of Tennessee’s MIA were called off. Apparently their sacrifice did not warrant the flame. It was only veterans and MIA service members, after all.

All of last week, workmen were busy installing a new eight or new nine foot diameter water fountain on Public Square. (This is not the fountain that is still planned for location on Legion street). It became functional last Thursday. Thursday night the water was freely flowing, and the interior lights were shining brightly. It is admittedly a lovely sight. Too bad the Eternal Flame couldn’t have been blessed with the same good fortune. It has remained unremarked in the darkness at the other end of Public Square. while the fountain has remained fully functional every day and night since it was turned on.

Recent coverage on Clarksville Online has highlighted the glaring failure of many local government and business entities to properly illuminate our national flag during the hours of darkness. Once again our own City Hall is in violation with two towering flag poles, front and rear, each over thirty feet tall. Neither of which are properly illuminated at night. Perhaps there is a pattern at work here; one of a blatant disregard for our nation’s flag, and for a memorial honoring our serving soldier’s and military fallen.

Despite all our public officials pretty speeches and their placing big yellow ribbons on the sides of our city’s buildings, could it be that deep inside we really just don’t care? Maybe Clarksville’s true claim to the title of “Tennessee’s Top Spot” is for our elected officials disrespect for our nation and the sacrifice of it’s soldiers. You be the judge.

We at Clarksville Online have tried over and over again to get our elected officials to do something about keeping the flame lit, with no luck. If each of you take a moment to email or call our elected officials and tell them to light the flame, and keep it lit! Perhaps at long last they will get the message! Light the flame already! Because if not we will hold them to account the next time they are up for re-election!

We offer this final collection of Rivers and Spires photos for your enjoyment.

All photos by Bill Larson/Clarksville Online

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.

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.”

An impressive ceremony was held at the Pillar of Clouds, Pillar of Fire monument,with a color guard and numerous city and Fort Campbell officials present.

Thursday evening was also designated APSU night, one of the main highlights was the fact that DJ $crilla was to present a song written for Austin Peay State University. He was chosen last fall by the Govs Programming Council to write an original song for APSU. He has written songs for other universities, including George Washington University, Louisiana State University and Vanderbilt University. $crilla also performed other original songs written in honor of various Greek organizations. University President Tim Hall attended the performance.

Austin Peay State University was also one of the signature sponsors Rivers and Spires this year. Many of the volunteers are APSU students, faculty and staff.

Also performing Thursday night was singer/songwriter Josh Phiffer, who grew up in a musical home immersed in his parents love of music. Now 21, Josh brings this history to the stage. His rich musical heritage and wide range of influences is evident in his melodic songwriting, his tasty, adept guitar playing and on-stage presence. He has an uncanny knack for putting the audience at ease and welcoming them into his world. Over the past year, Josh has been touring around the U.S., playing over 150 shows, opening for such bands as Rookie of the Year, This Day, and Age, Making April, Foreverinmotion, Long Since Forgotten, All the Day Holiday, Get Your Guns and A Plea for Purging..

Cypher Addicts Crew, a group which is composed of APSU students also was one of the spotlighted performers of the evening.

Schedule and map

The schedule of events, performers, and a map showing the location of each of the 6 stages is available on the Rivers and Spires official web site.

Photo Gallery for Thursday

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.

Kent is a Lakota-Sioux Indian who lives with his family in the Nashville area. He has spoken at the Unitarian Universalist Clarksville Fellowship (UUFC) many times, telling stories, playing flute music or honoring us by smoking his sacred pipe. Everyone, especially the children, flock around him when he visits, hanging on his every word. We can’t seem to get enough of him. I am convinced that we are attracted to him, not just because of what he has to say, but because of his connection to the earth. I think that connection gives him an automatic love of himself and others. I didn’t realize that I wasn’t very connected to the Earth until I saw how connected he is; how much connection is possible!

When J.J., or any person, is connected to the earth, he/she is not as threatened by other people. He/she can allow others to exist, no matter how they are. If J. J. had to deal with someone who is harming others, I imagine that J.J. would point him into seeing sense, not throw him into punishment, which would not change a thing. Most important to me, J.J. or any man who is really connected to the earth, is comfortable enough in his own body to allow women to exist, in the creative and wonderful ways that they can. Women can vibrate at higher vibrations and a room full of them doing that will make a man pretty uncomfortable. Usually women slow their vibrations down so that men feel comfortable around them. But because of his earth connection, there’s no threat to J.J. if I am powerful, because he is OK with his own power. J.J. doesn’t demand that I calm down and match his slower male vibration because he is OK in his own connection to the earth.

I asked him about this ability to connect to the earth and he said: I am of the conviction that every human being needs a firm spiritual foundation in order for them to stay grounded and have a source of inner strength to cope with the stresses of modern day society. This spiritual foundation should also include a spiritual relationship with our “Sacred Mother”, the Earth, being ever mindful of the importance of helping to maintain good ecological balance and harmony with the environment. An ancestor much wiser than me once said, “We do not inherit the Earth from our forefathers, we are borrowing it from our children!

J.J.’s traditional Lakota name is Wicasa Ho’ Waste’ which means Man with a Good Voice. He carries a sacred pipe for the people. He says that approximately 25 years ago he made the choice to “Take up the Pipe” which is like the Catholic equivalent to “Entering the Priesthood”. It meant making a vow to serve the community’s spiritual needs in accordance with established Lakota spiritual traditions.

The Pipe that J.J. is tending has been miscalled by non-Indians, a Peace Pipe. J.J. says that is a misnomer. Native people refer to it as the “Sacred Pipe” and he says it is precisely that! “The pipe serves as a very sacred and holy instrument of prayer, incorporating much symbolism. According to Lakota legend a messenger from Wakan Tanka, The Great Spirit (God) came long ago to bring the first original sacred pipe to the Lakota people along with a set of teachings or principles which have since come to be known as the ‘Seven Sacred Spiritual Laws’ of the Lakotas. It was placed in the care of the Lakota spiritual leader of that time whose name was ‘Standing Hollow Horn’ and has been passed down within the same family for 19 generations. All pipes which have been properly blessed are considered extensions of the first pipe.”

J.J. has shared the seven spiritual Laws with us at UUFC. In his own words: The first of the Lakota Seven Spiritual Laws is called” Wah Wa La”, which means to “Walk quietly (go slowly, practice patience and humility)” For all of Humanity who believe in a supreme Creator, we should always remember that we as humans are as nothing when compared with our Creator and, we should take time out from our hustle and bustle life styles every now and then to “Walk Quietly” with the Creator for a little while and reflect on how we got here in the first place, and remember where we would be if we didn’t have the light of our Creator’s wisdom to shine upon our path. Chances are we would be stumbling blindly through the darkness of our own ignorance!

Contact him and hear his music at:
www.myspace.com/flutistjjkent and also www.ourstage.com/jjkent

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