As a way to bring the Indianapolis community together through fellowship, residents are encouraged to host their own dinner party Saturday, Nov. 8 as a part of the second annual City Suppers.
The event, hosted by the Harrison Center for the Arts, City Gallery, Indiana Humanities, Downtown Indy and Urban Times, encourages Indy residents to open their homes and welcome friends and neighbors throughout the year.
“The idea of conversation over a shared meal has been central to Indiana Humanities’ mission for several years,” said Keira Amstutz, president and CEO of Indiana Humanities. “There’s no better way to bring people together to have more substantive conversations about issues facing our communities.”
The idea for City Suppers emerged after the Harrison Center for the Arts hosted very successful Porch Parties this past summer and Indiana Humanities’ ALL-IN competition, which encourages Hoosiers to complete a variety of challenges — such as perform a random act of kindness, sharing why you love Indiana and taking a civic literacy quiz.
Joanna Taft, executive director at Harrison Center for the Arts, believes residents need to rediscover their porches, especially in urban neighborhoods where they have large structures.
“The culture of the suburbs has affected many neighborhoods. If you think of a typical suburban neighborhood, a person comes home from work, drives into their attached garage and then walks into their house without ever seeing their neighbors. They may never hang out in the front yard or front porch,” said Taft. “Porches were meant to connect with people, and it’s important for a healthy neighborhood to be connected.”
The first 60 people from Indy’s urban neighborhoods to share their experience by submitting a photo and short blog post (100–500 words) to citygallery@harrisoncenter.org will receive a $25 gift card to a locally owned restaurant as well as the opportunity to win a $250 gift certificate from the Harrison Center for the Arts. Non-urban residents are encouraged to participate as well, and prizes will be available to anyone who submits a blog post.
City Suppers may not get as much attention as Porch Parties, but it is still important, said Taft.
“A dinner party is a lot more work, because people actually have to cook and clean, but if we keep doing it, we know it will grow every year,” she noted.
Hosts will have access to “kits” that come with customizable invitations, ALL-IN conversation starters and recipe ideas. Details and registration information can be found at Eventbrite.com by searching “City Suppers 2015.” City Supper photos and blogs will be posted on the City Gallery website, Citygallery.org.
For more information, visit Citygallery.org.
