From the desk of Bill Fagan...

Season's Greetings my friends, 

The nearly leafless trees and the shift in marketing modalities tells us that Thanksgiving is upon us, and with it, the fifteenth installment of Turkeyfest. Once again we will set a table and gather on the day after Thanksgiving in the spirit of gratitude and camaraderie. As always, our table will be adorned with an abundance of foods both savory and sweet. Additionally, it has been tradition to further adorn the table with thematic elements to channel and enhance our social experience. Past Turkeyfests have exhibited a wide range of themes, both concrete and abstract. The lion’s share of these ideas have come from Turkeyfest’s mastermind and master host, Micah. This year Micah has opened up the thematic influence to myself and others for whom Turkeyfest has become an invaluable institution. In turn, we would like to invite all attendees to join in the spontaneous creation of a dynamic social event. It is with warm excitement that I invite you to Turkeyfest XV: Tabula Rasa. 

ta-bu-la ra-sa:

1. a mind not yet affected by experiences, impressions, etc. 
2. anything existing undisturbed in its original pure state. 
3. a need or an opportunity to start from the beginning. 
4. a fancy-pants Latin phrase. 

From what I have gathered, Turkeyfest started with a few people coming over to Micah's house for pizza on the day after Thanksgiving, and of their own personalities and energies, a unique event materialized. In subsequent years, themes were established, but it was the personality and energy of the attendees that made the themes come alive and be entertaining. This year my friends, I believe we are ready to strip away some of the structure and see what we can create from a blank slate. The reason so many of us came together in the first place was to have the freedom to be creative within a community of equally creative kin. To express in ways that maybe we couldn't within our family gatherings. 

The canvas for creativity is abstract. One of the best vehicles for expression has traditionally been the food. Pink Stuff and Pumpkin Nog, whether eaten or not, have been delightful. Spontaneous food fun is the hallmark of the potluck supper. 

pot-luck:

1. a meal, esp. for a large group, to which participants bring various foods to be shared. 

The bones and essence of the gathering will be present. The party will be potluck, with bird and potato basics provided on sight. Side dishes, desserts, and beverages soft and hard, are requested to arrive with guests, as are ideas and intentions around making the party a party. 

Unstructured fun can sometimes be intimidating for me, so I offer my personal suggestions for ways to participate, to not be a spectator: 

• Prepare and bring a food dish that you have never before prepared, or even tasted. 
• Alanna has offered a special challenge for those inclined to bring a meat dish. Prepare for consumption the meat of an animal that you have never eaten. Do I smell lamb? mackerel? musk ox? 
• Prepare a song, poem, prayer, story, or other entertainment offering for our collective amusement. 
• Show and tell. Bring and display an object of significance to you. 
• Parlor games (chardes, 20 questions, full contact redlight/greenlight, eat poo you cat, etc.) 
• Props and costumes. 

So there you have it, an intensive, lengthy suggestion to be spontaneous. 'There is no truth that is not paradox.' Or, as the movie Clue taght us, "there is a time and place for spontaneity." 

I look forward to seeing you all at Micah's, catching up, and sharing in the fun. I had planned to be out of the country for this year's Turkeyfest, and being able to attend is a distinct silver lining in the circumstances that have kept me in the area. 

Love and Light, 
The Department of Homeland Spontaneity 

THE ESSENTIALS:

Turkeyfest XV:  Tabula Rasa 

Friday, November 26th 
6:00 PM 

At the home of
Micah Mahjoubian and Ryan Bunch 

1215 Wood Street #1 
Philadelphia, PA 19107