Scenic Roots

"Scenic Roots" offers conversations that matter in the heart of Chattanooga and the Tennessee Valley.From the mountains to the river, our conversations are rooted deep within every corner of our community - reflecting who we are, who we were and who we can become.We engage with the news that affects our community, behind and beyond the headlines. We build bridges that span from creators and innovators to storytellers and the outdoors. We focus on our challenges as many communities in one - as we celebrate what inspires us. We resonate with countless voices - in words and spaces, sounds and songs.We are "Scenic Roots."Ray Bassett hosts and produces "Scenic Roots" at WUTC.

“A Speck of Light” For Mental Health In Downtown Chattanooga

WUTC

Published March 14, 2022 at 3:24 PM EDT

Next week, music, poetry and spoken word will flow together here in Chattanooga to raise awareness of - and advocacy for - mental health.

The program - titled, “A Speck of Light” - will be held next Monday, March 21st, starting at 7:30 PM - in the sanctuary of First-Centenary United Methodist Church near our campus, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

The free event, open to the public, is sponsored by UTC and CHI Memorial Hospital, in partnership with several organizations on campus and in the community.

We spoke with a few of the people involved in this program:

- Jonathan McNair is the Ruth S. Holmberg Professor of American Music here at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

- Erika Roberts is a poet and creative strategist here in Chattanooga.

- Ally Allerton is Assistant Professor of Music at UTC and director of the UTC Women’s Chorale.

- Chyela Rowe is arts therapies and wellbeing program coordinator at CHI Memorial in Chattanooga.

The music that intersperses this conversation is excerpted from Jonathan McNair's "Having It Out with Melancholy" - which will be performed at "A Speck of Light."