a few weeks ago, i searched for "potlucks" as an activity category on facebook. it was mainly on a whim to see how many people in the social networking sphere liked them too. it was kind of late at night, and i had just missed a my neighborhood's monthly potluck. to my surprise, it was there. and i proudly displayed "potluck"ing as a personal "like" on my profile page.
i really think that potlucks are what we need more of in our society. i am amazed at how sitting around a table and breaking bread together really forms community. food helps us cross social divides to strengthen groups around common goals like ridding our city of crime and blight (read about our neighborhood gatherings). friendships and potlucks are best when they are combined with activities. like shape note singing (the annual old harp thanksgiving singing is just around the corner).
and amazing free performances by local musicians. take this event tonight for example. relix variety theater is hosting abigail washburn (and special guests- we hear its cruz contreras tonight, but we imagine there will be more). the evening will begin with a potluck before the show begins.
mrs. lo and i saw abigail perform in a similar setting this past spring at the glowing body on central. at that time she was practicing songs for an upcoming recording session. mrs. lo and i raved about the evening for weeks to our friends outside knoxville because of how unique it was to listen to songs almost being written in our midst.
in the middle of the show, she told a quick aside about how she loves potlucks, especially when folks bring good vegetarian dishes (this was no different at the glowing body). lo and behold, however, a box of kfc chicken showed up much to her surprise. and she loved it!
so, mosey on down to my neck of the woods in Old North Knoxville tonight. if you miss it, abigail will be there for the next two wednesdays as the artist in residency performing songs from her soon-to-be-released album. (oh yeah, her hubby is bela fleck)
it's not too late to pick up a box of kfc and make our guests feel welcome to knoxville again!
Relix Variety Theater
1208 N. Central Street
8pm (show starts) 7pm (potluck)
p.s. she'll also be there on Nov. 10 and 17 in case you miss her.
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
an ode to the neighborhood potluck, fried chicken, and music
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5 comments:
That sounds like a lot of fun. I love potlucks too, because they make me nostalgic for gatherings with my huge Catholic family back in Memphis. I need to make a better effort to go to the neighborhood potlucks too.
I'm going next week for sure!
MG and Lo, tell me if you ever go to ONK potlucks. I'll go with you.
Lo, good post. There is a lot of food eating and free music playing out there to be had, that's for sure.
this is a great post, Lo. I love your sentiments about food bringing us together.
B- soup's on the menu for the next ONK potluck (monday) but i can't make it. i guess it is pretty fortunate that we all share a love of food together. let's practice eating together more, in wigshop style!
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