What we’re about
This is a group of neighbors who regularly get together for potluck dinners and other events.
Anybody who lives in Tempe (and bordering neighborhoods) is welcome to join.
These free events are usually held in private homes. But not always. For example, we met at Bosa Donuts for a potluck dinner on National Doughnut Day. Sometimes events are held in public places such as parks, event venues, apartment building commons areas, restaurants, city-owned facilities, synagogues, mosques, churches, etc.
Each month there is one big "anchor event." We encourage EVERYONE to come to the anchor events.
This is a neighborhood initiative, not affiliated with any government, church, business, etc. Just neighbors who enjoy meeting new people and sharing meals.
The number of people at each event varies, depending on if it is a neighborhood-specific (or block-specific) event, or a general event.
Many of our events are potlucks, but not all. Individual members of the group schedule some non-potluck events, such as dinners/lunches/breakfasts at restaurants, book club, birthday parties, watch parties, sports, etc.
One group member taught an "introduction to pickleball" class. After she did that for multiple sessions, we added free weekly indoor pickleball to our calendar.
Everybody in the group is welcome to plan and schedule events. We like to support each other and help each other achieve their goals and dreams by coming together.
Photos from recent events:
https://www.potluckdinner.org/photos/
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Reading Global: Making Paradise: Art, Modernity, Myth of the French RivieraTempe Public Library, Tempe, AZ
Reading Global Book Club: Making Paradise: Art, Modernity, and the Myth of the French Riviera
Free event. Free parking.
Hosted by Shelley Stephenson and Keith Brown
The Book: Making Paradise: Art, Modernity, and the Myth of the French Riviera, by Kenneth E. Silver
Detailed handout with discussion questions, additional links and background:
https://www.potluckdinner.org/misc/Beaulieu_TSC_Reading_Global_april_2025.pdfCity Information: Midway between Nice and Monte Carlo, Beaulieu-sur-Mer has about 5,000 year-round residents. It became Tempe's 6th Sister City in 1997. Burke Files serves as country director.
Author Bio: Kenneth Silver is a historian of modern art, who taught for many years at New York University before retiring in Fall 2024. For his work to make French art known internationally, he was made a Chevalier of the Order of Arts & Letters by the French government in spring 2010.
Historical Background: The creation of the Riviera myth
Tracing art and artists from the 1880s through 2000, Silver identifies France's Mediterranean coast as a "dream space for the twentieth century”. The "myth" he alludes to is the idea of the Riviera as a timeless, unspoiled paradise where artists, writers, and the wealthy elite could escape the pressures of industrialized modernity and find inspiration in the sun-drenched landscape. He lays out how art, literature, and tourism turned 150 miles of coastline into a place of artist freedom, sensual pleasure, and escape from industrialized modernity.Reading Global Book Club: Tempe Public Library's Reading Global Book Club reads fiction and non-fiction books focusing on Tempe's Sister Cities. Each book is either written by an author from one of Tempe's Sister Cities, or focuses on those cities, and each book club meeting will include discussions led by individuals with deep experience in the diverse and compelling histories and cultures of these communities. The club meets once per month. All Reading Global Book Club meetings are held at the Tempe Public Library, 6:00pm-7:30pm.
What If I Have Not Read the Book? We find that most attendees at our book club meetings are excited about reading these books and come to the meetings having read all or part of the books. But everybody is welcome at the book club meetings, even if they haven't read the book! We have great discussions, great guests, etc., and everyone can enjoy and participate, regardless of how much they read.
- Ladies Game Day at Native Grill & WingsNative Grill & Wings - Dobson, Mesa, AZ
If you enjoy games OR great conversation OR meeting nice neighbors, join the fun, welcoming women who get together each week to play board games and card games. You can order breakfast/brunch/lunch at the same time.
Ladies Game Day events have been scheduled since October 2023. About 8 to 12 ladies get together each time.
Games! The event's organizers will have several games to choose from. You may also bring your own game.
New people are always made to feel welcome. One of the main reasons these events are organized is so that neighbors who don't already know each other can meet and make new friends.
In the past, these events have lasted 3 to 4 hours. Please come and stay the whole time, or come for only part of the time, as you prefer.
What to bring? You do not need to bring anything. This event takes place at a restaurant. This is not a potluck event. Guests will purchase their own food and drinks if they want any.
Location: The restaurant's website states: "Native Grill & Wings is a beloved wings franchise in the Southwest, especially in the Phoenix area where it started in the late 1970s. Native was the first to bring Buffalo-style wings to the Southwest and have won over generations of customers with great food and a family-friendly sports bar ambiance." More: https://nativegrillandwings.com/
If you have any questions, feel free to contact event host Johnye (JP) directly: 480-540-5309
