Meet Christabel Stuart | Storyteller, Folklorist & Creative Community Leader

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christabel Stuart and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christabel, how does your business help the community?
As a writer and storyteller, I have always cared about the history behind the art. As a folklorist, I also understand that our imagination fuels a lot of those narratives as well. I think you can create thoughtful commentary rooted in education and inspiration. I like to invite people into the stories so they are invested in the outcomes. There’s no better way I know of to impact a community than to give its people a voice.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I have been a creative leader my entire life and grew up in a musical family that encouraged my love of the arts. My professional development is a tale of persistence marked by long periods of rumination and rest sprinkled with bouts of self-doubt. I believe it is ultimately a tale of redemption, reclamation and immeasurable growth as a woman living in the American South.

The stories I tell are often rooted in the history of my home state and the ways they informed everything about my upbringing from religion and politics to relationships. There are pieces of that past that I am not proud to call home but there is also a deep love for the ways women before me fought to preserve goodness for all. You cannot tell the stories of Tennessee without the acknowledgement and respect of those behind the Ratification of the 19th Amendment and Suffrage, the Civil Rights movement and the continued struggles of spirited women in the South.

We succeed as individuals because of a compassionate and connected community. That’s why I am here. That’s why I continue to write, produce and encourage others to tell their stories. The hard work doesn’t get done by walking away.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

I would begin with coffee or tea because you’re going to need it to keep up with my enthusiasm! Ugly Mugs, Retrograde, Crema Troll House Cottage and Bagelshop are favorites. The Parthenon at Centennial Park is always on the list. My love of mythology began here as a kid and having the only full sized replica in the world is something I nerd out about regularly. We are blessed with lots of outstanding parks though and Shelby Bottoms, the Bicentennial Mall, Percy Warner and Beaman are just a few of my favorites.

If we’re talking lunch, you are most certainly going to end up at the original Monell’s in Germantown. All I need to tell you is fried chicken and corn pudding come with every meal. Anything else is just a bonus in my opinion. It’s served family style but other great options for meat and three style cooking include Jay’s Family Restaurant, Swett’s, Kingdom Hall Cafe, Wendell Smith’s, Arnold’s and Elliston Soda Shop. There’s a lot of BBQ in this town but my all time favorite is Shotgun Willie’s. It’s the only choice for real Texas style brisket. Don’t even get me started on the bourbon banana pudding. It’s truly in a league of its own.

Afternoons are for enjoying Music City’s roots and it’s the best time to stroll down Broadway if you ask me. Tour the Ryman, the NMAAM (National Museum of African American Music) and hit up Fifth & Broadway for a boozy snow cone at Cotton + Snow. The Grand Ole Opry and country music are definitely big draws in our area but Nashville is full of great music representing all genres. Hit up Grimey’s, Vinyl Tap or Third Man Records and take some home with you. The absolute best way to see it all is to book a tour with Two Dollar Elvis. He’s a hoot and a holler and will drive you to all the best spots in a classic Cadillac!

Evenings typically end up closer to home for me in East Nashville or Madison where you can hit up piano karaoke at Sid Gold’s Request Room, old school karaoke at Frans, grab local brews at East Nashville Beer Works or grab a bite from local food purveyors like Five Points Pizza, Lyra, Mijo Gordito, Lockeland Table or Audrey. You can’t beat the casual vibes at Eastside Bowl, The 5 Spot or Dee’s if you’re looking for a little live music as well. If drinks are on the agenda I recommend Chopper, Pearl Diver, Martha My Dear, Tiger Bar or Red Door Saloon.

Getting out of town for a bit might include side trips Adams, TN to visit the Bell Witch Cave and hear about our most famous haunting, hikes or kayak trips on the Narrows of the Harpeth for awe inspiring natural views and a short drive out to Historical Rugby on the Cumberland Plateau to learn more about their beginnings as a Victorian Utopian colony.Tennessee is rich with cultural, historical and musical places of interest and I am always ready to show you around!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to shoutout non-profits Daybreak Arts, This Is Noteworthy, Y.E.A.H (Youth Empowerment Through Arts & Humanities), Discover Madison/Amqui Station, Historic Rugby and and Poppy + Pimento Women’s Arts Collective for continually striving to support the voices of creative women in Tennessee. The mentors, friends and fellow collaborators I have met through these organizations has truly changed my path as an artist and a human being. I love them all. 

Website: www.haintsandheroes.com, poppyandpimento.com

Instagram: @belontherun @highlandhollertn @poppyandpimento

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hauntedtourist , https://www.facebook.com/PoppyandPimento/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@poppyandpimento

Image Credits
Rachel Kohls, Lila McCann