Spring Fling Street Closings

Street Closings for 31st Annual Spring Fling Festival

The following streets will be closed after midnight Thursday (April 30th) until Sunday (May 3rd) around 9 p.m.

Church Street - from St. John Street to Kennedy Street
Main Street – from Daniel Morgan Avenue to Converse Street
Broad Street - from Daniel Morgan Avenue to Converse Street
Dunbar Street – from Magnolia Street to Liberty Street
Liberty Street – from Kennedy Parking Garage to Dunbar Street

*Converse Street will be closed from Broad to Dunbar Street on Friday at 2 p.m.

All streets will reopen as quickly as possible after the festival ends on Sunday and the streets are cleared of all activities. Questions concerning street closures? Sgt. Lee Raines at 864-809-8225

Spartanburg Regional Classic - This Friday!

Spartanburg Regional Classic Forecasts Ground Lightning for USA CRITS Speed Week

By Joan Thomas


Atlanta, Ga. (April 29, 2009)–The Spartanburg Regional Classic is coming up fast in the USA CRITS Speed Week series. On Friday, some of the best racers in the world of cycling will wheel their bikes to the starting line in an annual showdown of speed, power and tactics.

In the women’s field, last year’s winner Tina Pic (Colavita/Sutter Home p/b Cooking Light) will arrive in Spartanburg psyched from her win Sunday at the Historic Roswell Criterium in Roswell, Ga. She will be joined by Erica Allar and Kelly Benjamin the formidable teammates who help to keep her in contention. Their rivals, Team Tibco, Vanderkitten Racing and Team Type 1 will work hard to keep Team Colavita off the winners’ rostrum. Brooke Miller (Tibco) won the famed Athens Twilight on Saturday, and took second place in Roswell the next day, behind Pic. It’s likely the two sprinters will go wheel to wheel again in Spartanburg, so it’s a rivalry to watch.

In the men’s line-up, stiff competition can emerge from anywhere when teams like Kelly Benefits, Fly V Australia, Kenda Pro Cycling, Champion Porsche, Jittery Joe’s, Texas Roadhouse, Myogenesis, OUCH, Richmond Pro Cycling, and Team Mountain Khakis mix it up. Tom Soladay (Mtn Khakis) won the Historic Roswell Criterium Sunday, his first big win, and now he is primed to fight for even more victories after reaching that important milestone early in his career. Twilight winner, Heath Blackgrove, and his Team Hotel San Jose squad, will be in the hunt too.



For more information about the Spartanburg Regional Classic please visit http://www.biketownspartanburg.org/
or http://www.biketownspartanburg.org/5th-annual-spartanburg-regional-classic/


About USA CRITS

USA CRITS National Criterium Series has been developed to feature a brand of cycling unique to the United States—the criterium. Criteriums are historically run on short laps, through city streets. Riders accumulate points throughout the year awarded through start points; laps led; first, middle, and end sprint point laps; and the final order of finish. Criteriums offer spectators the opportunity to watch Olympians and world and national champions, up-close, as they ride at top speed. This has made the criterium format the most spectator-friendly form of cycling entertainment. Events on the USA CRITS series reflect the ideals that have made criterium racing an American legacy: challenging courses that showcase arts and entertainment districts; a large and energized base of spectators; broad community support; and strong marketing opportunities for sponsors. For more information, visit http://www.usacrits.com/.

Open Mic Night - May 9, 2009

TK Gregg Recreation Center Presents Open Mice night for all ages on May 9, 2009 at 7 p.m. For more info, to sign up for the slam and for slam rules, call 864-596-3720

Friday Lunchtime Bike Ride Starts Tomorrow!

Friday Lunchtime Bike Ride

Fridays at Noon; Back by 1 p.m.

What: Friday Lunchtime Bike Rides, now in its 4th year running; leisurely ride, usually 6 to 10 miles long, open to anyone

When: Meet at Noon; Back by 1:00 p.m.

Where: Meet at Mary Black Foundation office at 349 East Main Street, next to the Inn on Main. We gather at the plaza behind their building, then follow a route that goes along the Rail Trail, into Duncan Park, and we take 2 or 3 loops around the Duncan Park neighborhood/lake, then return along the Rail Trail (number of loops is up to you – or you can even sit in the park for a breather).

Who: Open to all ability levels; no one left behind; pace and distance based on preference of the group; promoted by Mary Black Foundation and Partners for Active Living

Why?: Until you’ve tried it, you won’t really understand – but this is the perfect way to break up the workday, refresh yourself and clear your head – AND to get in some exercise that you would otherwise have to do at painfully early morning hours, or during the “rush-hour” at the gym, post-5 o’clock. Give it a try, see what you think. We like it.

The Fine Print: BYObike; HELMETS required for all riders; lycra, snazzy-shoes, or fancy gear NOT required; changing rooms generously made available by the Mary Black Foundation; this ride is SHINE only. Beginning May 1st: Both mountain bikes and road bikes will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at no cost, courtesy of Spartanburg County Parks & Recreation Commission.

Also be sure to check out the upcoming Bike Month calendar, starting off with the Spartanburg Regional Classic next Friday at 6pm downtown!

Photo Credit

"20 in 09" Designers Exhibit in downtown Spartanburg.

Visit the “20 in 09” exhibit from University of South Carolina Upstate in downtown Spartanburg at 151 West Main Street near the clock tower. The exhibit runs until May 1st and features a variety of works includes photography, Web design, graphic and package design, painting and more. Upon visiting the exhibit you will see work from:

Jason Koontz of Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Robin Whitaker of Taylors, S.C.
Megan Radich of Easley, S.C.
Keith Ball of Spartanburg, S.C,
Letizia Cammarota of Greenville, S.C.
Heather Hudson of Greer, S.C.
Whitney Williams of Greenville, S.C.
Ashton Nix of Boiling Springs, S.C.
Logan Jenkins of Honea Path, S.C.
Tou Lea of Spartanburg, S.C.
Lauren Brucke of Pickens, S.C.
Vanessa Marie Martinez of Spartanburg, S.C.
Paola Schemainda of Medellin, Colombia
Tyler Greenlee of Simpsonville, S.C.
James Risher of Gifford, SC
Laura Buchanan of Sylva, N.C.
Cliff Connor of Wareplace, S.C.
Scott Kittel of Simpsonville, S.C.
Josh Phillips of Woodruff, S.C.
Kristen Shannon of Greenville, S.C.

For more information, contact Jane Nodine, professor of art and gallery director, at jnodine@uscupstate.edu or (864) 503-5838.

Photo Credit

An Evening with Groucho!

An Evening with Groucho

Event Time(s) Thursday, April 23rd at 8:00 pm
CostStimulate Your Funny Bone:

Buy One Ticket; Get One Free!
$23 and $19. $2 discounts for seniors and active military
Location David Reid Theatre in the Chapman Cultural Center
Presented By Chapman Cultural Center

Award-winning actor/director/playwright Frank Ferrante recreates his PBS, New York and London acclaimed portrayal of legendary comedian Groucho Marx in this fast paced 90 minutes of hilarity. The two-act comedy consists of the best Groucho one-liners, anecdotes and songs including "Hooray For Captain Spalding," and "Lydia, the Tattooed Lady."

The audience literally becomes part of the show as Ferrante ad-libs his way throughout the performance in grand Groucho style. Accompanied by his onstage pianist, Jim Furmston, Ferrante portrays the young Groucho of stage and film and reacquaints us with the likes of brothers Harpo, Chico, Zeppo and Gummo, Charlie Chaplin, W.C. Fields, Greta Garbo, Marx foil, Margaret Dumont and MGM's Louis B. Mayer. A show perfect for all ages!

Go Green @ Your Library on April 20th

Lunch and Learn

Spartanburg County Public Library

April 20, 2009

12:00 - 1:30

Jerry Allen, director of Hub City Farmers Market presenting community gardens info, food salvage and the importance of buying food locally. For more information call 864-596-3500 ext. 1247.

3 Free Events in Downtown Spartanburg Tonight!

Tonight in Downtown Spartanburg

**All events are FREE to the public**

ArtCycle exhibit opens at 5:30 p.m. with a "Meet and Greet" for the public on Morgan Square.

Spartanburg's monthly ArtWalk, 5-9 p.m. Ride the trolley and see all the art galleries in the downtown area.


Spartanburg's After Work Street Concert, Music on Main begins at 6 p.m. with Back 9 playing at the Denny's Plaza.

Meet the ArtCycle Artists

The Public is Invited to Meet and Greet of ArtCycle Artists

The City of Spartanburg will hold a meet and greet for the public to view seven ArtCycle sculptures and meet the artists behind this downtown project. The gathering and inaugural sculpture display is scheduled for Thursday, April 16th, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. at Morgan Square in downtown Spartanburg. A unique aspect to ArtCycle is the guide by cell phone program, a free audio tour to which participants can call in and learn more about each sculpture at their own pace.


As part of the Spartanburg Creative Energy campaign, Artcycle is a new initiative that will promote ten regional artists, each of whom has been commissioned to build an outdoor sculpture from recycled bicycle parts. One piece is designed by three high school students from the R. D. Anderson Applied Technology Center. The sculptures need not be made only of bicycle parts, nor need they be made of a specific percentage of bicycle parts. However, the sculptures must be made of enough bicycle parts that the viewer readily sees that a significant portion of each sculpture contain parts that were formerly from of a bicycle.

The sculptures will be on display in Spartanburg’s downtown area from May to August of this year. The project is the result of a collaboration between Spartanburg Creative Energy, Hub-Bub.com, Spartanburg Art Museum and Partners for Active Living. Artcycle celebrates the City's national designation as a Bicycle Friendly Community, which made it the first in South Carolina to receive that honor in 2007.


2009 ArtCycle Artists
Jason S. Galloway – Roebuck, SC
Sean Pace - Asheville, NC
Miles Paquin – Spartanburg, SC
Ralph Paquin - Spartanburg, SC
Sarah Perry, R. D. Anderson Applied Technology Center Student – Spartanburg, SC
Lauren Ponder -Spartanburg, SC
Cody Roberts – Spartanburg, SC
Daniel Tripp- Campobello, SC
Brandon Waddell, R. D. Anderson Applied Technology Center Student – Spartanburg, SC
Blake West, R. D. Anderson Applied Technology Center - Student – Spartanburg, SC

An ArtCycle Project in Progress

Check out this video of "Soul Train" Hub City, SC created by Lauren Ponder of Spartanburg, South Carolina. ArtCycles will be up for public viewing on April 16, 2009 until the end of the summer.

Converse College Spring Concert - April 16th

Converse College Spring Concert
Thursday, April 16th
Open to PUBLIC
Back campus/Rain or shine

Gates open at 7pm

Opening Act: Greenriver Ordinance (8pm)
Matt Nathanson (8:45-9ish)
Zac Brown Band (goes on around 10-10:15ish)

Beer Garden & Food vendors available inside gates

Anyone UNDER 16 must be accompanied by a parent

Bring camp chairs, blankets & your party spirit!

Tickets on sale NOW at Twichell Box Office for $20. To purchase tickets, call (864) 596-9725.

Junk in the Trunk 2009

Join the Junior League of Spartanburg on April 25th at the Junior League Office (East Main Street) from 7am -11am. for their “Junk in the Trunk” event. For more information visit: http://www.jlspartanburg.org/

Go Green @ Your Library

In celebration of Earth Day the Spartanburg County Library is hosting Go Green @ Your Library for 2009. This Friday begins the free “Green” Movie showings starting at 6:30 p.m. and includes free popcorn and drinks. The Spartanburg County Library is located downtown on Church Street. For more information visit their website at http://www.infodepot.org/zReaders/earthday2009.asp

April 3rd
The 11th Hour

April 10th
Wall-E

April 17th
Arctic Tale

April 24th
An Inconvenient Truth

Photo Credit

Music on Main is cancelled tonight.

Due to inclement weather, Music on Main is cancelled for tonight. Join us next Thursday for South85 starting at 6 p.m. To find out about upcoming events visit http://www.musiconmain.com/