Feel the Bern Monday, Dinner at West End UMC in Progressive Nashville

Another long but non-lucrative week behind the Uber wheel. Thank goodness I can find comfort in the knowledge that Music City has its first woman mayor: In case you missed it, despite polls saying the contest was neck and neck, last Thursday’s runoff election gave progressive Megan Barry a decisive 10 percentage point victory over the muscle man beloved by the Fox News crowd, rival David Fox. Barry’s crowded party at the Nashville Farmers’ Market was optimistically rowdy almost from the moment it began (and the food, catered by Bacon and Caviar, was divine), but even event goers were surprised — happily so, of course — when Fox offered a concession speech less than two hours after polls closed. Also victorious were the five new Metro Council at-large members: John Cooper, Erica Gilmore, Bob Mendes, Jim Shulman, and Sharon Hurt. (Sad that Lonnell Matthews Jr. did not make the cut, but I predict he will do much for Nashville in the future.) The Barry administration starts Sept. 25.

So yeah, between the election, the Sept. 11 anniversary, the debut of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, way too much football, and the end of this year’s Live on the Green events, last week was a busy one. In comparison, this week should be quieter, but there is a midweek visit from the activist Nuns on the Bus, the African Street Festival on Friday and Saturday, and Americana Music Festival and Conference goodness throughout. On to the events…

MONDAY, SEPT. 14

• Nashville’s Nonviolent Communication training group meets the second and fourth Monday of each month, which means tonight is the night.  Everyone is invited to come and learn skills on dealing with others through peaceful means. The group will gather in the red Morgan House behind the Unitarian Universalist Church, 1808 Woodmont Blvd, 37215. Admission is free. For more info, contact Diane Allison at sparky_allison@hotmail.com or Pete Kopcsak at greatcr@gmail.com.
• Bernie Sanders supporter? Get involved with his revolutionary campaign for the presidency: Nashville for Bernie holds its twice-monthly organizing meeting at 7 pm at what’s being called the Nashville 4 Bernie Club House, 1200 49th Ave. N, 37209. For details and to RSVP, head to the Bernie 2016 website.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 15

• Can’t find anything political or activist in nature happening, but Loren Kate and Allan Caswell play the Bluebird Cafe at 6 pm,  a double bill of Best Coast and Lovely Bad Things kicks off at 9 pm at Exit/In, and JD Souther plays City Winery at 10 pm as part of the sprawling Americana Music Festival at 10 pm (sold out, but there is a wait list and there are many more artists and venues to enjoy; this annual music conference is simply a cool, cool time).

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 16

• Love the name: Nuns on the Bus. More importantly, love what these sisters of mercy do. The nuns, representing Catholic social justice group NETWORK, travel the nation to educate, organize, and lobby for economic and social transformation. On Wednesday, the nuns conduct a Town Hall at the Vanderbilt Divinity School Reading Room, 411 21st Ave. S, 37240, at 7 pm (RSVP here) Wednesday. On Thursday at 10 am, the sisters visit Thistle Farms-Magdalene, 5122 Charlotte Pike, 37209 (RSVP here).
• West End United Methodist Church hosts its weekly Wednesday Night Dinner at 5 pm. The event, catered by Martha Stamps and held in the church’s McWhirter Hall, is designed to bring people together for fellowship and community. Admission is $5 for kids between three and 10 years old and $10 for anyone older than 10. RSVPs are required for the dinner (yes, you may make a standing reservation if you plan to attend each week) by Monday at 5 pm — click here or call Kirk Clark at 615-321-8500 to reserve seats.
• Do you have something to say? Whatever you wish to communicate, speak freely at A Night of Free Speech. Hosted by Honest Lewis, the uncensored night of spoken word welcomes all styles and subjects from those who wish to speak. Speakers get five to seven minutes to have their say, and slots are scheduled on a first-come basis. The event runs from 7-9 pm, and early sign-in starts at 6:30 pm.  Speak out at 404 Bar and Grill, 404 Elysian Fields Road, 37211.