As you are likely aware, the Bessie Smith Strut is on, and it’s on MLK—though it’s not exactly the same.
Following a contentious bit of wrangling after Mayor Ron Littlefield launched an effort to move the Strut to the grounds of the Riverbend Festival, the event will go on as planned on Monday, June 11. This year, however, you will pay to play, with either a Riverbend pin (which gets you in at no extra charge) or a $5 wristband (through June 9 at various locations and online at bessiesmithstrut.com) or $10 at the gate.
But if you’d like to strut for free and help out, here’s your chance. The Bessie Smith Cultural Center is coordinating the Strut and is looking to fill 300 volunteer positions. The center will conduct mandatory workshops for volunteers from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday, June 6, and Thursday, June 7. You can attend either workshop. For more information, call the Bessie Smith Cultural Center at (423) 266-8658 and ask for Lisa Hubbard.