Sometimes being on a mailing list can actually be a good thing. I've been subscribed to the Atlanta Underground Market email for several months now, and when the Feast Noir event popped into my inbox, I was intrigued. Atlanta residents must be hankering for one-of-a-kind events, because the event was "sold out" almost immediately. I heard from several sources that there was a wait list of over 800 people. I was lucky and signed up early with my friend Shannon at one of the vegan tables.
The premise as explained on the website goes something like this:
"Everything will be brought in by you, the participants: tables, chairs, decorations, dishes, food. And you will take everything with you, when you leave, so that the place is left the same way that you found it.
Wear black!
Have that little black dress in your closet that you've been meaning to wear again? This is the opportunity
This is participatory - that means, we expect you to be part of everything and do all you can do to help your tablemates bring in the necessary items, to make this event larger than the sum of it's parts
No store bought dishes. Everything has to have been made from scratch. Be creative, have fun, try cooking something new.
Expect to meet new people! We will group you in the order that you sign up in and there's no switching around after, you might not be on the same table with your friends. More new friends to make and everyone is in the same situation ;-).."
Sound simple? Well, Shannon and I volunteered to be table captains. It took about 20 email exchanges to get everything planned out for our table, but in the end, it was well worth the effort. We had a great group of people, despite two participants dropping out. The food was excellent, and it was a phenomenal experience.
To learn about future events like this, check out the
Atlanta Underground Market site.
