Bloomsday pays homage to James Joyce's novel "Ulysses."More Info
If you goThe Honest Pint is at 35 Patten Parkway and can be reached at 468-4192, or visit thehonestpint.com.
The Honest Pint is hosting its 2016 Bloomsday celebration Sunday, June 19 from 6-10 p.m.
Celebrated mainly in Dublin, Ireland, on June 16 of each year, Bloomsday commemorates writer James Joyce and his novel "Ulysses," the entirety of which takes place June 16, 1904. Because the date conflicts with Riverbend this year, the Chattanooga event was scheduled for June 19, said event organizer Bill Lee.
The event features music performed by Lee's band, the Red Rogues, which performs at the venue the first Sunday of each month, and the Molly Maguires, also a monthly fixture at the Honest Pint for the restaurant's standing Sunday night Celtic music shows. Their performances will include songs referenced in "Ulysses" or related to James Joyce, such as "The Croppy Boy," "Love's Old Sweet Song" and "Finnegans Wake."
"The Honest Pint has had Bloomsday for the past few years, but it's been more music-focused," Lee said, explaining that the 2016 event has been expanded to include dramatic readings, a costume contest and a special menu with a "Ulysses" theme. "We're trying to reach out to people interested in literature and the theme-costume or cosplay crowd.
"It transcends a number of different interest areas."
Lee said his interest in Bloomsday was piqued when he experienced its celebration while visiting Dublin three years ago. Drawing its name from "Ulysses" protagonist Leopold Bloom, Bloomsday celebrations typically include a reliving of the events of the novel, often in period dress.
In that vein, the Honest Pint will be handing out awards to the attendees donning the top male and female Edwardian period costumes, as well as to the best James Joyce look-alike.
Veteran actors Tim Newland and Judy Lamance from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's Department of Theatre and Speech will be portraying characters from the book. UTC Honors English student Reid Elsea will provide an introductory orientation to the novel, and the event will also feature dramatic readings from UTC English professor James Arnett and student Patrick Bevin.
On the menu will be special offerings such as a gorgonzola sandwich, similar to that served at Davy Byrnes, a Dublin pub mentioned in the novel.
"Even if you've never read the book, you can still come to just have fun and enjoy the music and the food," said Lee. "It will be entertaining in ways that are engaging, and it might pique people's interest in Irish literature and get people into the Honest Pint as an entertainment venue, not necessarily just to listen to music."
The event is open to all ages. Admission is $5 per person, or free for people who come in Edwardian period dress or those attempting their best James Joyce impressions.
Email Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com