Dinner and a Movie Club

For a night fit for the gods, let's reach back to Greek and Roman mythology for inspiration. Cover a low table in the living room (in view of the TV) with a white cloth that's been trimmed in a pattern (large swirls, a Grecian block pattern, or Roman numerals ) in gold paint. As an alternative, stamp a fancy design with a pre-cut sponge or attach ribbon in a Grecian pattern. Set cushions about the floor for guests to lounge on. Grapevines, oil-burning lamps, and ivy vine garland will add an instant Greek feel to the room! You can use gold plastic plates and flatware. You can also find plastic goblets and wine glasses for a sumptuous feel. Try A Party Source for supplies. Now let's talk costumes: Togas! Togas! Togas! Dress up as your favorite mythical God, Goddess, or Hero. Here are simple instructions on how to make and wear a toga. The lineup of the evening is up to you, but I think lounging around and eating while being entertained is appropriate for the theme.

Hollywood has glamorized the cocktail party as celebrities stood around in swanky smoke filled rooms with dim lights casting shadows with the sound of ice cubes clinking in glasses. This is the atmosphere we want for a night dedicated to Film Noir. For this occasion, we're going to create our own 1950's nightclub. We'll serve cocktails and hors d'oeuvres as a prelude to the movie with a dessert and coffee buffet as a finishing touch after the show. Set up the cocktail bar and munchies buffet in a separate room (i.e. the kitchen or the dining room) from the viewing room. Drape all the furniture in the viewing room in black or red satin cloth. Use red light bulbs in lamps around both rooms to keep the lighting low and sexy. We'll need
martini glasses for the drinks and simple plates in black or white. As far as costumes are concerned, thrift stores are the best places to find vintage clothing, fedora hats, and costume jewelry.

For tonight, we're taking the party outside. Picture this. The soft musical tones of an organ wafting on the evening breeze. The crisp canvas flaps of a white tent part to grant entrance. As you step inside, lawn chairs placed in rows to face a large blank screen. Above the screen hangs our iconic all-American symbol of worship - a baseball diamond. You have entered the "Church of Baseball" in a tent revival flair as inspired by the opening speech of Susan Sarandon in "Bull Durham." And of course after our "church" session will be our potluck dinner buffet.

Supplies we'll need for the evening are: 1)a tent (check your local yellow pages for rentals), 2)a large screen and projector (you can find a projector to borrow or rent and use a large white sheet if you can't find a screen), and 3)everybody is in charge of bringing their own lawn chair and favorite beer.

As for costumes, everyone wears a baseball jersey, of course. The catch - you have to create your own fictional team and put it on the shirt, name and mascot.

If you have to keep the party inside, clear out you viewing room of furniture and lay down a green sheet or fabric or rug to represent the green grass of outer field. Get creative with your space.

Who you invite to join your club is certainly up to you, but keep in mind, you'll want to make sure they share your open enthusiasm for food and movies. You probably don't want to invite more people than can fit comfortably in your living room or around your dining table. Everyone will contribute in some capacity, either hosting, cooking, or cleaning. Set a budget for each meeting and agreed upon by everyone. Costs to keep in mind: Food, movie rental, decorations, and possibly, parting gifts.

Solo Nights: Sometimes you'll find that 's just you. Nothing wrong with that. I tend to move around... frequently, and when I arrive to a new city, I don't know anyone, but that doesn't stop me from planning a "Dinner and Movie Night." As I get to know people I add them to the festivities.

Date Nights: Want to spice up a dinner for two? Add a movie and a romantic setting. Any of these themes would work for a night of two, and some will be specifically designed for a romantic escapade for you and your other.

When to have "Club" night? Once a month, once a week? It really depends on how often you want to get together. Limitations of time and money may dictate that answer. Put it to a vote and see where everyone stands on the issue.

Rotate each month who will play host to the festivities. Hosting duties include the use of their living room, sending out invitations (www.evite.com) and delegating cooking assignments.

Who cooks? The host can either do all the cooking and everyone contributes financially or the menu can be divided up amongst everyone in an organized potluck situation. It really depends on the host and what she wants to do. If it's not a potluck situation then everyone needs to put money into a pool for the food and amenities.

Which comes first... the Meal or the Movie? I think the answer to this question lies entirely in the movie selection. Some movies (served with appetizer and cocktails) will work better as an opening act for the food and conversation that will headline the evening. Other films (served with dessert and after-dinner drinks) will complete the evening like a dramatic third act. And still other movies are best viewed hand-in-hand with the entire meal like a well choreographed dance. It really all comes down to your preference.

Staging (set dressing): Simple or Elaborate? Creating an atmosphere conducive to the other elements of the night can prove to be fun and provide a unique energy to any movie-watching, food-savoring event. Set the table and set the stage - immerse yourself in the story by dressing the set of your evening.

To Costume or Not To Costume? If you want to go whole hog with the event, then get dressed for it. Find a costume to enhance the mood of the evening. Become someone else - play a character from the theme. Have fun.

Cleaning Etiquette: It's really simple. If you participate at all (eat any of the food and watch any of the movie), then you help the host clean up because next time it will be your turn to host and you'll be ever so grateful for the help.

Should you gift the parting? A parting gift is a major rule in "xenia", the Ancient Greek concept of hospitality. The parting gift from host to guest was to show the host's honor at receiving the guest. It could also be used to leave the participants with something with which to remember the evening. Something small and inexpensive but theme oriented would suffice, but this idea of a gift, of course, is completely optional.