Local Event Premier Host
Twenty Dollar Dinners: ABBA Is (Still) The Bomb
Sat, October 20, 2018 (6:00 PM - 9:30 PM)
Cost: $20
ABBA soared to the top of the charts with their first hit "Waterloo" in 1974. I was a mere freshman in high school, confused about life, the universe and everything, and not really interested in pop music. I was too consumed with existential angst and being a teenager. ABBA didn't know about my developmental crisis and yet they continued to accumulate the hits with "SOS," "Knowing Me Knowing You," "Dancing Queen," "Take a Chance on Me," and many more. The Swedish pop band's music was infectious and fun to dance to during the days of disco, or so some tell me. I was too busy navel-gazing.
Existentialists sometimes become nihilists, and nihilists don't dance, much less go to discos. So I still didn't have a clue about ABBA, even though my existential crisis and my brief nihilistic career ended during the late 80s--just in time for me to pursue a social work degree in my attempt to save the world from nihilistic, angst-ridden teenagers. But I was still clueless (and some say I still am). Even when the movie "Mamma Mia" came out in 2008 and there was a bit of an ABBA renaissance, I didn't snap to it. Fast forward to earlier this decade--after about 2010--and all of a sudden, I was in a full-blown love affair with ABBA. I don't know what happened--maybe menopause. You can call me a late bloomer and a closet disco denizen, but there it is. I'm now a blithering romantic, apparently trying to be a teenager again. AND I LOVE ABBA!!
Now that you know more about my social and psychological development than you ever wanted to, you can be prepared to avoid or attend our upcoming Twenty Dollar Dinner in the month of October. Mr. Voluptuous and I invite you to join us on Saturday, October 20th for a fun night of ABBA music and a buffet of 70's party fare. We're starting at 6 p.m. for this BYOB event and here's what I'm planning to serve:
Harvey Wallbanger Punch (the smash hit 70s cocktail of vodka, o.j. and Galliano L'Autentico)
Cocktail Meatballs (just like your Aunt Edna used to make--miniature one-bite beef meatballs in a chili sauce and cranberry sauce gravy)
Miniature Shrimp Cocktails (these are just plain cute in their little retro champagne coupes: baby cocktail shrimp layered with shredded lettuce, radish slices and baby peas with plenty of delicious creamy cocktail sauce at the bottom; please eat with a dainty fork and pinky extended)
Sweet and Savory Pineapple Cheese Ball (it's the real deal: cream cheese, crushed pineapple, green onion, green pepper and seasoning, all rolled in chopped pecans and served with an assortment of classic 70s crackers, natch)
Salad Skewers with Green Goddess Dressing (this was the de rigueur edible centerpiece if you hosted a party in the 70s)
Miniature Quiche Lorraine (because quiche was soooo popular...and it tastes good)
Ambrosia Fruit Salad (I make mine with maraschino cherries and mandarin oranges, don't you?)
Frosted Fudge Brownies (because chocolate is never out of style)
And...wait for it...TAB with lemon wedges
If you really want to get into it (and since Halloween is right around the corner), we invite you to dig out those lamé-covered platforms, put on your best disco duds and disco down with us (weather permitting). If there is enough interest, we can also watch the original "Mamma Mia" movie on the big screen and have a sing-a-long. Just watching and listening to Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Meryl Streep sing and act is a lot of fun!
So please join us and bring your friends. Everything mentioned above is yours for a suggested donation of $20 per person. Seating is limited, but if the weather forecast looks cooperative, we could host a bigger group with some outdoor seating. You can RSVP to this email or call 512-55 EAT 44 before Thursday, October 18th to reserve your seats.
You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life,
The Dancing Queen, aka Vindaloo Tiramisu
