Ever stared dreamily at your barista, wondering what he does when he is not grinding your beans, thinking how you’d like him to really grind your beans? What about that cute server you’ve been building up the courage to talk to, instead of just saying “check please?” Well, let fate tempt you next Monday, when Strange Matter will play host to the second annual Food Fight battle of the bands. Local restaurants have been called upon to form bands and fight for the title of Most Badass Restaurant in Richmond (I made that award up, but it will be true).
Dreamed up by Tyler Dawkins (co-founder of Studio Two Three) and Frank Bucalo, (owner of Quickness RVA), Food Fight pits bands made up of current workers at local restaurants to help raise money for Girls Rock! RVA
Girls Rock! organizes empowering musical summer camps for young girls, promoting a space for positive self-expression in the oft-male dominated music world. “Last year at the Food Fight event we raised about $1000, and we’re hoping to raise more this year,” says Bucalo. “Whatever we raise from this year will go towards the 2014 Girls Rock! camp”
Following up from the success of last year’s inaugural Food Fight, Dawkins and Bucalo approached over 60 restaurants to create a band for the competition. Nine bands have entered this year’s competition. They are from such establishments as Lamplighter Roasting Co., Franklin Inn, Black Sheep (who took second place last year) and Proper Pie Co. The winning band/restaurant will go home with a bona fide trophy and bragging rights for a year. “We’re also thinking maybe if the winning team knows anyone who wants to go to Girls Rock camp, we can help send that girl to next year’s camp," says Bucalo.
Bucalo also plans to tape the night and distribute the evidence of this city’s raw talent. “We’re hoping to at least make an audio recording, and release a cassette tape or CD-R or digital download of the whole show.”
Apart from raising money for an awesome cause, Bucalo hopes Food Fight will become a staple on Richmond’s cultural calendar, continue growing in size and help build community spirit. “We hope to do [Food Fight] as an annual thing and we hope it keeps growing and growing,” says Bucalo. “it would eventually be cool to do a whole day kinda thing, or a weekend festival, promoting our community”.
And what about the fate of those bands who form purely for the competition? Bucalo says he hopes they will continue to play, harnessing the creative talent of Richmond’s food industry. “I hope this inspires people who are working together to play music together more,” says Bucalo. “Or, if that band doesn’t continue, it inspires them to do something else, or maybe even some cross-restaurant bands come along. The main idea is just to recognize the fact most of the cool restaurants here in Richmond are run by creative people.”
So, come to Strange Matter, located at 929 W. Grace St, at 9pm on Monday, September 30, and cheer on your favorite cooks, coffee makers, and servers. You’ll be helping the community, the musical world--and maybe even your love life.