The Mississippi River Festival

By Amanda Bahr-Evola and Stephen Kerber

Book Overview

The Mississippi River Festival began as a partnership promoting regional cooperation in the realm of the performing arts, since expanding into a festival of legendary status.

In 1969, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville initiated a remarkable performing arts series called the Mississippi River Festival. Over 12 summer seasons, between 1969 and 1980, the festival presented 353 events showcasing performers in a variety of musical genres, including classical, chamber, vocal, ragtime, blues, folk, bluegrass, barbershop, country, and rock, as well as dance and theater. During those years, more than one million visitors flocked to the spacious Gyo Obata-designed campus in the countryside near St. Louis. The Mississippi River Festival began as a partnership promoting regional cooperation in the realm of the performing arts. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville invited the St. Louis Symphony to establish residence on campus and to offer a summer season. To host the symphony, the university created an outdoor concert venue within a natural amphitheater by installing a large circus tent, a stage and acoustic shell, and a sophisticated sound system. To appeal to the widest possible audience, the university included contemporary popular musicians in the series. The audacity of the undertaking, the charm of the venue, the popularity of the artists, the excellence of the performances, and the nostalgic memory of warm summer evenings have combined to endow the festival with legendary status among those who attended.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 073854132X
• ISBN13: 9780738541327
• Release Date: November 2006
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing (SC)
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.76 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.5" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Mississippi River Festival Book

As a former employee there I was anxious to get this book and I was not disappointed when I did. LOTS of great memories rushed forth, the pictures of Skip Manley made me long to see the old man again, he always bought drinks. I wish she was still open, it was one of the best concert venues in North America and rock bands LOVED playing there as it had the only air conditioned outdoor stage in the world. Great home made food backstage for the bands too (courtesy Cindy Huckleberry and sisters.)

Bring back the memories

If you ever went to the Mississippi River Festival as a visitor, student, or worked there as an employee, you know what a special place it was. This book takes you back to that place in time from the minute you open it to the time you close it. It's filled with excellent photos showing the mant great performers, guests and other people who made it happen. If you were there, you know. If not, I'm sorry you missed out.

Memory Lane

While I purchased this book for an older sibling, I read & eyeballed through it prior to sending it to him. A deluge of fond memories engulfed me, and I reminisced happily about the many nights we spent at MRF.