08 Aug

The Voice of The River in Cambridge

August 6th, 2025

THE VOICE OF THE RIVER spoke in Cambridge this week in a few locations. We paraded on Main Street, we sang on the Main Street Bridge that crosses the Grand River – the Ancient Mariners paddling in the water below, and we performed at the beautiful Mill Races Amphitheatre – the Grand River rushing right beside us. Dylan portrayed Absalom Shade on the Main Street with power and hilarity with assistance from the Cambridge Community Theatre (in costume circa 1830) and the Cambridge Uke Band played a couple of Water Songs to great applause. The Idea Exchange/Cambridge Public Library and the two fine tuners of life who work there, Shannon Markle (who we call Shannon ReMARKABLE) and Pam Berry, were hosts extraordinaire – in laughter and joyous tears. They have been with us the whole time. THANK YOU! The amazing Grand River Quilt was also on full display for two days at the Old Post Office. Bringing people and their stories and songs together in peace and creativity no matter the age or background, culture, has been one of the great envelopers that has happened over the past three years.

Pete Smith

VOTR team presenting the Community Quilt
Audience members at the Amphitheatre
Coproducer Peter Muir wears the Galt Collegiate tower made by Jenn Addesso’s drama students
Images from the VOTR parade
Images from the VOTR parade
Images from the VOTR parade
Cambridge Community Players in the parade with Lisa’s wonderful Beaver made with bark, wire and burlap
The Cambridge Ukulele Band playing water songs to the crowds delight
Artist Grace Loney’s large Dragonfly on full display during the Main Street Parade
the Ancient Mariners paddling in the Grand River
Red Winged Blackbird made from garbage by Artist Lisa from Forest and Folkart in Paris Ontario
The Cambridge Ukulele Band playing water songs to the crowds delight