Dinner No. 17 — Create Dinners

The theme was Tumbleweed: “a structural part of the above-ground anatomy of a number of species of plants. It is a diaspore that once it is mature, and dry, detaches from its root or stem and rolls due to the force of the wind.”

It was somewhat fitting for the time of year, spring—a time of shedding, renewal, and growth. The idea of uprooting and becoming itinerant, of movement—underscored the tone of the evening. After a long winter within shuttered doors, the magnetism of openness and detaching from the familiar to forge new connections was in the air.

The space was spare yet luscious, with gorgeous magic hour light to frame an exquisitely designed and put-together table. 99 Scott Studio in Bushwick was the perfect corner of the city for 16 women from all walks of life and thriving creative paths to come together.

Sipping pineapple fizz cocktails, mixed with June Shine's Midnight Painkiller Hard Kombucha (and some ginger-infused fizzies for the non-drinkers among us), the group noshed on a cheese board with a standout sumptuous pimento and various chiles, talking of subway woes (this is New York, after all), hometowns (some came from Chicago to join us!) and passion projects. Kate Pauley took dreamy individual portraits of each guest, along with candid shots as we mingled.

The dinner itself, by Gretchen Brinson and Kathryn Gaines, was Southwestern-inspired, formidable and hearty, including hatch green chili roast pork shoulder, beans with poblanos and herbs, fry bread, and a crispy cabbage, corn, and cactus salad. And wine. Plenty of wine.

What would a get-to-know-you meal be without a reading of poetry and some probing questions? After a recital of original work by Bryn Bottalico, who evoked the freedom of the untamed and at-times unorthodox tumbleweed (“Beautiful, destructive, intense—a walking wildfire”), each woman had the opportunity to answer discussion questions written by Miyuko Ashida.

Two of the most popular: “What is something you’ve fought hard for in your life?” and “Tumbleweeds are known to detach themselves once grown and move across the land. Do you have any experiences where you left your comfort zone and dove into the vast of the unknown?” The former had us embracing self-love, peace with oneself, and a defining and cultivated spirit of fearlessness, while the latter brought up stories of risks taken, cross-country moves, international moves, businesses started, and careers changed.

Aly Rumel had curated a lovely art board inspired by the evening’s theme, and the group admired the unique textures and colors of the group’s contributions. We briefly went around and discussed the personal significance of each item, learning just a little bit more about one another in the process.

As the sun set, into the garden guests went, for music by Gabrielle Macafee, who strummed her guitar and wowed us with her powerful yet ethereal voice (Nancy Sinatra, Amy Winehouse and Lady Gaga were amongst the musical selections). We swayed along to the familiar tunes while gorging on a decadent dark chocolate ancho chili cake with a hint of lightness from orange sabayon.