Nature Symposium

Nashville may not be strictly a college town, but there are elements about it that scream higher education - not to say that's a bad thing. In this case, it's a very good thing. Coming to Belmont University is a very green, very earthy experience. Don your rope sandals and tie a ribbon around your head, we're rushing headlong into unreserved tree-hugging. There will be trees. There will be seeds. There will be discussions about China's environmental challenges. Come on, boys and girls, there's so much fun to be had!

From September 13-21, Belmont will be holding its annual Humanities Symposium; the theme of which is "Nature and the Human Spirit." It is unclear as to whether some of the events are for students only (or, maybe, I'm just reading the information inaccurately). Nonetheless, there are a few events in particular that may be of interest if you're looking for a different kind of Nashville culture experience.

On Tuesday (the 15th) from 7:30-9pm, there will be a Folk Concert at the Curb Cafe on campus, which is on Belmont Blvd., if I'm not mistaken. Adrienne Young is the performer, who is also a graduate of the university. Her album Plow to the End of the Row (2003) was nominated for a Grammy even though she packaged seeds with the liner notes. 

There will also be an art exhibit in the Bunch Library, Leu Art Gallery through the 24th of September. It is an exhibit of Gary Monroe's entitled "Snake Handlers and Redemption." The pieces blend modernity and tradition, art and religion, and snakes and the spirit. 

On Thursday (17th) from 7-8pm, there will be a reading by poet Mary Oliver at Belmont Heights Baptist Church. She has won the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award for Poetry. She is revered as one of the most prominent American poets, and her imagery and connection to nature is a rewarding poetic experience.

credit: http://www.belmont.edu/english/humanities_symposium/index.html