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Sometimes, the universe just seems to align itself in perfect order for a set of events to come about. For organizers of the Iron Mountain Market, that’s the way it seemed when they realized that July 4 was going to fall on a Saturday, a natural market day, and then that it also happened to be the market’s monthly Yard Sale Day. “We got to thinking about it,” explained organizer Rhonda Belcher, “and we thought….hey….why not just make one huge day of it! We can even watch the fireworks from the market at the train depot!” So…the event has turned into a “Block Party”. “We just felt this was the perfect time for neighbors and friends to visit with one

It’s going to be a day full of music, beauty pageants, and fireworks next Saturday as the Ripley County Chamber of Commerce sponsors its annual Fourth of July Celebration at Doniphan’s Riverfront Park. Music is going to take center stage at this event following the pageant, and will include Black River Blues Bad, Nashville entertainer Scott Shipley, Bad JJ, and Jayen Andrews, who was the winner of the Billy Yates Hearts for the Arts Scholarship. Darin Stevens of the Black River Blues Band says the “Red, White and Blues” entertainment program is a dream of his that has been several years in the making. “Thirty years ago, the band I was playing I opened the Fourth of July Show at

So what is the verdict on this past weekend’s Music on Main event? Well….the temperatures were hot, but so was the music. “There were times when the street was so full, you could hardly walk through,” said event-organizer Randy Bailey. “The kids were having a blast in the Kids’ Zone, and folks gathered around for the Stars on Main Karaoke, and the two music stages looked and sounded great. We hosted a lot of very gifted local and regional bands.” Bailey said the event brought together the perfect mix of culture, music and vendors. Asked if weather hurt attendance, both from having to be rescheduled from its May date, and then Saturday’s hot and humid weather, Bailey said he didn’t

A room full of people were on hand Friday night at the Black River Gallery Ballroom to enjoy an evening of jazz, and to celebrate the birth of Poplar Bluff’s first public radio station. Jazz enthusiasts not only had the chance to hear a style of music they don’t frequently get to enjoy in Poplar Bluff, but more importantly, it gave them the opportunity to connect with one another, and plan for the growth of a new musical and arts and entertainment community in Poplar Bluff. Lead vocalist for the Black River Jazz Orchestra was Judi Richardson-Rockwell, who is not only a singer of jazz, but a lover of it. “It was just so nice to be able to come

It’s going to be a big weekend for Poplar Bluff, with all kinds of music-centered activities occurring as Music On Main takes center stage in downtown Poplar Bluff on Saturday. But even before Saturday, the weekend will get started with a Night of Jazz for Poplar Bluff’s new Black River Public Radio Station, beginning at 7 p.m. The event will be held at downtown’s Black River Gallery Ballroom. Tickets are just $25 and will feature food from local restauranteurs, beverages from Luecke Distributors, and most importantly, jazz from the Black River Jazz Orchestra, which will feature area musicians including Dan Jackson, Ryan Humphrey, Pete Parysek, and jazz vocalist Judy Richardson-Rockwell. The evening’s events will also include a silent auction with