By Karen Lyon
When was the last time you ate a really good book? Don’t nibble on your Kindle! Come to A Literary Feast, the Capitol Hill Community Foundation’s annual fundraiser, and tuck into a fabulous dinner based on a literary work. On Saturday, October 20, volunteer cooks all over Capitol Hill will host 34 simultaneous dinners. And you’re invited.
Each menu is based on a book. So you can sample the heavenly cuisine of Venice (The City of Falling Angel) or the hearty fare of Tudor England (Bring Up the Bodies). Enjoy a cozy Yorkshire dinner (All Creatures Great and Small) or a Spanish wedding feast (Don Quixote). Travel to exotic locales (Salmon Fishing in the Yemen) or stick close to home (301 East Capitol Street). Go futuristic (The Hunger Games) or retro (The Great Gatsby). There is truly something for every taste, including vegetarians.
No need to get formal. In fact, guests are encouraged to dress to the theme of the party (Cleopatra, anyone?). Also no need to read the books; you won’t be quizzed. The point is to have fun getting to know your neighbors—and, toward that end, hosts have been known to devise clever ice-breaking amusements and amazing cocktails that complement their chosen books.
Sound like fun? But wait—there’s still more. Once you’re full of good food and great conversation, join up with your other remote dinner companions to round out the evening with dessert and live music at The Hill Center. Your ticket purchase will help support the Foundation’s Grants to Neighborhood Schools, which gave more than $100,000 to projects and programs for local school children in 2011.
Seats are limited and you only have 2-1/2 more weeks, so get your tickets by October 5 at www.aliteraryfeast.org.