Ghosts and Gulyas.

Get it? GHOUL-ash?

Last night we had an inaugural event with a new organization in Pittsburgh called "Pittsburgh Ghost Tours". I'm excited about working with them, and I think the work we do together has great potential. It went like this.

For last night's event, we started with appetizers at the bar for their guests and then moved on to a family style dinner. After dinner, their storyteller, conveniently also named Melanie, told an hour's worth of stories about the seamier, scarier side of our fair city. She started with stories we had told her about Gypsy Cafe's own ghosty guests and then went on to tell tales from all over the city and out into the tri-state.

It was the first event and kind of a dry run with friends in attendance, but I think this will be great. The cafe is a perfect spot for stuff like this. We've got our little stage and our parlor-like atmosphere and not a bad spot in the room for sight and sound. And, as mentioned, we've got our own ghosts!

We punted with the family-style service--and I really liked the outcome. Family style compels people to make connections in a very human way. You're passing plates and sharing food, and the concept of willingly sharing, in my mind, had to be a pretty big marker in the development of society. The side effect of this is that when sharing, those instant connections you've made with strangers establish instant empathy. Now you find yourself in a room full of people you feel comfortable being scared with!

The next event is coming up quickly, on Wednesday the 24th June at 7:30. This will be a different take on things since the cafe will be open vs closed for a private event. We're offering a special prix fixe menu with appetizer, salad, and choice of entree, so the feel will be much more "dinner and a show". The idea is to see what format works best, closed for an event vs open with entertainment. Tickets are $30 for dinner and show. (Call for reservations! 412.381.4977!)

I'm especially excited about the potentials of the private events. We can bring in Tarot and mediums and really build up the atmosphere. Stay tuned for info on those--they may be invite-only!