Experience the magic of Pinocchio!
Experience the Magic of Pinocchio at the Roxy Regional Theatre, in Historic downtown Clarksville, for three performances only: January 17, 24 and 31, at 2 p.m.
We all know the story: Geppetto carves a puppet named Pinocchio! However, Pinocchio must earn the right to be a real boy by proving that he is brave, truthful, and unselfish. Joining the Cat and the Fox on a hilarious journey, learning life lessons along the way, he risks his own life to save Geppetto, who has been swallowed by a whale! [Read more]
Video contest lets teens explore road safety
High School students compete to direct next teen safe driving ad in Project Orange Video Contest
NASHVILLE – The road to stardom now has a shortcut for Tennessee high school students. The Tennessee Department of Transportation is looking for the director of their next ad on teen safe driving in work zones and they want a Tennessee high school student to create it.
The first ever Between the Barrels Project Orange Video contest begins Monday, January 5, 2009 and is open to all Tennessee High School Students. Teens who write, shoot, and edit a 25 second public service announcement on teen safe driving in work zones and submit it to TDOT by March 1, 2009 could see their ad played on television stations across the state, receive a free set of Bridgestone tires and receive a $500 prize.
“Work zones can be particularly dangerous, even deadly, places for teens,” said Christin Hayes, Between the Barrels Statewide Coordinator. “The Project Orange Video Contest not only gives Tennessee students the opportunity to see their work showcased statewide, it also provides them the chance to possibly save the life of a fellow Tennessee student.” [Read more]
ArtWalk launches 2009 season
The first ArtWalk of 2009 steps off Thursday, January 8, at 5 p.m. in historic downtown Clarksville.
Visions Metaphysical Boutique will host three artists this month. Deborah Chandler who specializes in landscapes in oil; Afton Chandler who works in acrylics for her modern, expressive works; and Amanda Harrison, who also works in acrylics. Patrons will also find the works of Judy Lewis on display at Rogate’s Boutique.
Many businesses will remain open late in support of Art Walk.
DAC hosts “Les Chauvres Clarksville”
The Downtown Artists Cooperative will host a group show, “Les Fauves Clarksville”, which will hang in the DAC Gallery, 96 Franklin Street, Historic Downtown Clarksville, from January 8th-31st.
An opening reception will be held Thursday night, January 8th, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. [Read more]
Politics high on this writer’s book list
This year I read a lot of books, or least a lot of books for me. A couple stand out in my mind, and so I thought I would share them with you.
“The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11″ (2006), by Lawrence Wright
This book is tireless in its details; but do not let that discourage you from giving it a read. The book is rather short at 373 pages; however, it is heavily noted and very user friendly. It contains a 10 page glossary of principal characters with brief descriptions of their importance; which is a invaluable resource in helping the reader keep track of the multitude of players with similar names.
Like most other histories of Muslim fundamentalism (such as the BBC video series “Power of Nightmares”), Wright starts with the story of Sayyid Qutb. Qutb was an Egyptian writer and Muslim that traveled through America in the late 1940’s. His experiences and perceptions, started the generational snowball that led to 9/11. [Read more]
A children’s tale for Christmas Eve
Merry Christmas from the staff of Discover Clarksville.
As Christmas Eve settles over us, families gather and children, well, children have their eyes on the skies for that hoped-for glimpse of St. Nick, the reindeer, and the sleigh filled with delights to be found under Christmas trees the following morning.
For that perfect video rendering of that bedtime story on Christmas Eve, we turn to William Goldstein’s whimsical version of Clement C. Moore’s classic poem (the text follows). Goldstein’s sets the poem for Orchestra, Chorus and Narrator. [Read more]
Clarksville artist unveils “Rugby Gates” in Memphis
Two large columns serve as the gateway into Rugby Gates, a public art project in Memphis designed by Gregg Schlanger. (Photo by Greg Schlanger)
In the last two years, Gregg Schlanger, professor of art at Austin Peay State University, has processed 75,000 pounds of Memphis mud to make 7,000 bricks for a community-based public art project he was commissioned to build.
And after countless trips to Memphis for research, meetings and hard labor, the effort – which proved to be a true example of community involvement – is complete.
At 3 p.m., Dec. 13 in Memphis, a dedication ceremony will unveil Rugby Gates, a series of brick gateways along a main road in the Rugby neighborhood of Memphis. Schlanger will be among Memphis dignitaries and local residents to attend the event.Rugby Gates marks a neighborhood where the original brickyards of Memphis were located. The project was commissioned by The Urban Art Commission, which administers the public art program for the city of Memphis. The concept for the project developed following several meetings with city officials, neighborhood organizers, local schools and extensive research on the history of the area. [Read more]
‘Christmas on the Cumberland’ sets Clarksville aglow!
Mayor Piper with Cori Marrott, the winner of the Christmas on the Cumberland Poster contest.
Christmas on the Cumberland is not just a city event but a regional attraction that is now open and free to the public.
The City of Clarksville unwrapped its 2008 Christmas gift to the city and the region with the lighting of Christmas on the Cumberland, a holiday light display that is a top attraction not just to local residents but the region.
On a brisk and cold eve, a substantial crowd gathered, bundled in coats, scarfs, hats and mittens — a far cry from the 2007 event and its exceptionally temperatures that could have given Santa heat stroke under all that velvet suiting and flowing cape. [Read more]
The Snowman: Perrennial Enchantment
This review ran in Clarksville Online on Nov. 29, 2006. But as my granddaughter and I unpacked my collection of snowmen for the coming holiday, my carefully wrapped musical plush Snowman emerged, to the delight of both of us. Everything else was dropped as we sat in the living room, puling the cord that triggered a music box version of the film’s hit song: Walking in the Air. As a Christmas gift idea for the child all of us, and a reminder of just how good animation can be, I reprint this review, with an updated video clip. Enjoy.
I can’t recall how many copies of The Snowman I’ve bought over the years, but it’s been quite a few. I usually end up giving them away to children who watch and are captivated by its’ magic. And then I buy another copy.
To the uninitiated, The Snowman is a delightful, animated short film about a young boy, James, who builds a snowman that springs to life as midnight chimes. It has only a few lines of introduction at the beginning; the remainder of the film is a symphonic soundtrack that follows their adventures, first as Snowman explores James’ world, putting on pants with suspenders, trying on hats, discovering a music box and the dangerous warmth of a fire. James and his fantasy creation dance across the floor of the house before heading outside, where the he and Snowman, in his mossy green hat and scarf embark on a journey north, racing through the forest and flying through the sky to a magical gathering of snow people in the far, far north. [Read more]
NEHS Choir in the spotlight!
NEHS teacher Debbie Wilson conducts the NEHS choir
Beginning with a holiday concert on December 4, the North East High School’s choirs have been in the spotlight. On Saturday, December 6, they performed at both Governor’s Square Mall and on the steps of the County Courthouse downtown prior to the annual Jaycees Christmas Parade.
In full formal attire, the vocalists make a dramatic and stunning appearance: young woman in striking black and white gowns, young men in tuxedos — a far cry from the usual school attire. Under the direction of teacher Debbie Wilson, four groups, beginning choir, concert choir, SSA (a women’s choir) and the Exit I Choir presented a broad selection of traditional Christmas music, including Latin Hymns, and culminating with a vibrant rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus. [Read more]
