A group of us attended a dinner and Live show the other night. Had I really paid attention to a few things, I would have been better prepared for the evening.

While waiting for some of the group to arrive, I noticed a couple dragging a rolling suitcase behind them and another in the group with a reusable grocery bag bulging at the seams. ‘They must be performers’ I thought to myself. I also spied a few people carrying bottles of water as they entered the venue. The information we were given said; dinner and show. Did I miss something?

The doors were opened and we were invited in. One of the ladies from our group was there so we banded together. We were instructed to go through a different door as we were considered family and friends and therefore instructed  to sign our names on the appropriate ‘cast member’s’ sheet. Our table number was designated as, table 10.

We were the first to arrive so we picked seats facing the stage. 6 of the 8 seats would be facing the stage but the last two would need to turn their chairs around for the show. The rest of the group began to arrive and choose their seats.

Our table number was called to get in line to pick up our dinner plates. We chatted with others in the line as we waited our turn. We neared the area where the plates were being distributed and one of the ladies asked “Is that chicken or fish?”

“Well, it’s breaded so it can be anything,” I answered.

We were handed our plates. The plates were of the styrofoam variety. You know the ones with the divisions so that none of the food touches any of the other food. The chicken or fish piece shared it’s section with the roll. The green beans had their own section and the mashed potatoes and gravy were in their own little pool.

We returned to our seats. The temperature of the meal varied from Warm and been sitting for awhile. Now, I’m not going to say that the chicken was of the ‘rubber chicken’ variety but it was a tad DRY. One had to carefully plan the bites of chicken so that it could be mixed with the mashed potatoes and gravy. The next alternative to the gravy-potato mixture would be the beans. Dipping the chicken into the beans provided a modicum of moisture. Suddenly, a bottle of BBQ sauce appeared on the table. That helped when the mashed potatoes and beans ran out with a morsel or two of chicken left.

Looking around at the other tables, I noticed the couple I had seen earlier with the rolling suitcase. They had Wine and wine glasses on their table as well as hors d’oeuvres and bottled water. What??? I had indeed missed something. BYOB. These people were hardcore seasoned ‘dinner and a show’ attendees. They had their act together. They knew to BYOB and anything else they might fancy during the evening.

A friend sitting at another table did not see the BYOB memo nor had any of her fellow diners. She was offering to buy a glass of wine from the well supplied table nearby.

Our table was regulated to the complimentary drinks: Punch, sweet tea or unsweetened tea. Oh, but wait, one of our very astute table mates had seen the memo and produced a very nice bottle of red wine which was graciously shared.

My advice to myself and others is . . . on your next foray into Dinner and a Show; Read carefully. If you see BYOB anywhere in the information, pack your insulated cooler and enjoy the evening. You might include some extra gravy for the ‘banquet chicken’ too.