Sep 26, 2013

This Weekend ...Get An Eye Full of Paris

Eye Full of Paris Weekend - Where the Arts Converge

If you've been thinking about making a trip to Paris, Tennessee - this is the weekend to do it.

Fans of music and the visual arts have a big weekend in store September 27-28 when Eye Full of Paris Weekend takes the stage in Historic Downtown Paris. The event is sponsored by the Downtown Paris Association (DPA).

The weekend kicks off Friday with Noon on the Square when Commercial Bank will bring the music of John Austin McDaniel to the stage on the courthouse lawn. (Check out this gifted country artist at www.cdbaby.com.) Project Graduation will sell lunch hot off the grill, and the DPA will take donations for Pepsi drinks. Bring a lawn chair, come early and enjoy a great time.

Downtown’s 30+ merchants, including seven clothing boutiques, ten gift shops and four eateries will have their doors wide open with Eye Full of Paris Sales on Friday and Saturday,” said DPA President Kathy Ray. Log on www.shopmainstreets.com/states/tennessee.html to access an online tour of many of
these shops.

Saturday, September 28 the courthouse lawn becomes the crossroads of art, music and food when Arts ‘Round the Square (ARTS), sponsored by the Paris-Henry County Arts Council (PHCAC) opens at 9:00 am. Juried potters, wood carvers, fiber artists, jewelry makers, wood workers, and painters demonstrate and sell their wares throughout the day. The demonstrations have become one of the well-loved hallmarks of this event, according to PHCAC Executive Director Kat Tolley. “Our visitors like to view the creative process,” said Tolley, “even if it’s just a brief glimpse into that individual’s method.” Artists continue to be juried throughout the month. For information, log on www.phcarts.com or call 731-642-3955.

For those who would like to have a hands-on experience, a Downtown Sketch Crawl is scheduled for 10:00 am. Participants meet on the north side of the courthouse with pencil, paper or sketch pad. Everyone draws for 30 minutes then shifts to a different side of the courthouse and starts over. At noon photos are taken of the sketches for the Downtown Paris Association. The free event is open to all ages and ability levels. For more information, email Snow at joeearl.snow@gmail.com.




Children can also get in touch with their inner artist at Arts ‘Round the Square at the KidsZone, an area forinteractive children’s projects. These projects are free and help children connect their work with the professional work that is taking place around them that day.



Music is a large part of ARTS with live performances throughout the day on the lawn. These include:

  • 9:30 Henry County High School Marching Band will start the music program as they march into the downtown court square.
  • 10:15 Scott Myatt and Steve Short on stage
  • 11:00 Jamaica Me Happy Steel Drum Band from UT Martin on stage
  • 12:00 Renaissance Theatre from Bethel University on stage and on Washington Street
  • 1:00 Shepherd Family on stage
  • 1:30 Henry County High School Madrigals on stage
  • 2:15 Paris Henry County Youth Orchestra


ARTS wraps up a 4:00 pm just in time for visitors to grab a blanket or lawn chair and head to the Paris Winery on Harvey Bowden Road. The band Risky Business takes the stage at 6:00 pm for the Eye Full of Paris finale. This group features originals plus favorite Country, Southern Rock, Classic Rock and Blues tunes. Bring a picnic basket or enjoy take out from the Ruggero’s Italian Bistro during this free evening of live music and wine tasting under the stars. Visit www.ParisWinery.com or call 731-644-9500.

The DPA invites visitors stay overnight Friday and Saturday at downtown’s Home Sweet Home Bed and Breakfast or with other local innkeepers.

The historic downtown churches welcome visitors for Sunday services.

Eye Full of Paris began in June, 2006, with Paris-Henry County Art Council’s first Arts Round the Square (ARTS) held on the courthouse lawn. In 2007 the Council partnered with the Downtown Paris Association; sites and dates were expanded. That same year the event was renamed and received funding from the Tennessee River Resort Act. Find out more at www.VisitDowntownParis.com, www.TnVacation.com or call the Chamber of Commerce at 731-642-3431.

The mission of the Downtown Paris Association is to promote prosperous business
activity and community involvement while encouraging preservation of the downtown
area. Visit them online at www.visitdowntownparis.com or call DPA President Kathy
Ray at 731-653-PARIS.

Here's a recap:

  • Friday - Noon on the Square with a live band and concessions and Wildlife Art Exhibit at Lee Academy.
  • Saturday - Arts 'Round the Square from 9 am to 4 pm.  Visual artists, amazing entertainers, and great food on historic court square.  Bring the kids for free interactive kids zone.
  • Saturday - Concert in the Vineyards at Paris Winery from 6-10.  Go to https://www.pariswinery.com for more information.
  • Sunday - Downtown Churches Rejoice at First Baptist Church Christian Life Center from 12:30 - 2:30.  A wide variety of performances by musicians of all ages.  Call 731-642-5074 for more information. 

For more information visit:
https://www.phcarts.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/downtownparistn/
http://www.visitdowntownparis.com/

Come Play With Us!



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