By Shona Babayemi

Chattanooga is like Nashville’s laid-back and cooler cousin, nestled along the Tennessee River and surrounded by mountains. Chattanooga exudes an understated charm that is really quite brilliant! After a couple of weeks in cities dominated by cars, we were much relieved to be able to walk around and feel our feet on the ground! With Lookout Mountain standing strong in our backdrop and a fresh autumnal breeze in the air, being excited to explore Chattanooga is an understatement. Who better to be our tour guide than Bob Boyer?

UTC’s Fine Arts Center is a stunning trio of performance spaces and galleries nestled amongst a sea of auburn trees. I would say it is the University of Tennessee’s beating heart. Mr. Boyer is the Director of Performances at the centre, and oversees a great number of artists and performers. I had the pleasure of hitting up Uncle Larry’s for some catfish and super sweet sweet tea and I got to know Bob a little better. We spoke about the upcoming election, gentrification, mental health, immigration, photography, race, gender, family, accessibility, legacy and the greatness of the humble hushpuppy. (Deep fried cornbread bites for those yet to discover.) I am sure we would have brought the world to rights if we had the time but, a wonderful class awaits. Wonderful students and professors who filled our performances with friendly faces and laughs aplenty.

With a pit stop at Channel 9 News to promote the show and the fabulous work AFTLS do, myself and Sarah put our very best TV faces on to interview for The Daily Refresh.

“CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Today on the show, Josh talked to Sarah Finigan and Shona Babayemi, who are Actors From The London Stage, about how AFTLS was founded in 1975 and how they bring Shakespeare’s plays to life and what can we expect when we see the show on stage this weekend.”

A week that flew by all too quickly but awaits our home away from home, Notre Dame! Off to South Bend we go. Can’t wait.