Galentine's Day: A Gastronomic Love Letter to SASS/A Safe Place

Last Tuesday evening, at 7 o'clock, a wonderful group of diners, male and female, gathered in the upstairs space at Moxy Restaurant on Penhallow Street to enjoy a meal, performances, and raise money for Sexual Assault Support Services (SASS) and A Safe Place. We dubbed it "Galentine's Day: A Gastronomic Love Letter to SASS/A Safe Place" The event was sponsored by Lady Pickwick's and we could not be more thrilled with the response. Only five days after beginning to spread the word, we were over-sold for the evening! The time itself was lovely. Chef Matt Louis of Moxy presented dish after mouth-watering dish to the guests, many of whom were first-time visitors of this amazing North American tapas experience. Such special dishes as duck egg, fried goat cheese balls on fresh greens, caviar, and homemade espresso crumble with homemade ice cream delighted diners as the evening passed. All locally sourced and made completely from scratch, I believe it safe to say that it was the first time that many Love Letter attendees had ever enjoyed such a dining experience.

Between the final course and dessert, there was another special treat prepared for our guests. Three lovely ladies from the cast of Back Alley Productions' "The Vagina Monologues" presented their pieces in performances that ranged from the heartbreaking to the hilarious. These three monologues were so excellent that they tempted the palate of everyone as mere teasers for the main event, V-Day Portsmouth and Back Alley Productions' presentation of Eve Ensler's "The Vagina Monologues" at the Music Hall on February 21st. This is the tenth and final year of this stirring production and the first time it has been presented in the beautiful and historic Music Hall. The proceeds for that event, just as the proceeds for Galentine's Day, will go to support SASS and A Safe Place. It is certain to sell out, so buy your tickets now!

Pickwickians Knate Higgins and Thistle Jones welcome guests to Galentine's Day

Perhaps the most wonderful part of this particular evening was how the community rallied to support it coming to be. Aside from the overwhelming response from our kind dinner guests, so many wonderful sponsors offered their fine product and services so that the maximum amount of funds raised could go directly to SASS and A Safe Place. These sponsors included Moxy, Dole & Bailey, Seaport Fish, New Hampshire Mushroom Company, Emergence Farm, and woman-owned New England Uncorked and Throwback Brewery. 

Sexual Assault Support Services (SASS) and A Safe Place are local women's charities that focus on serving and empowering victims of sexual violence and domestic abuse. Both have served the Seacoast with incredible energy for over thirty years and merged this winter to bring even greater quality assistance to the Seacoast. They do incredible and important work and we were honored to host Galentine's Day in their honor. You can read more about what their work at:

SASS

A Safe Place

and support them further by attending The Vagina Monologues for V-Day Portsmouth on February 21st at the Music Hall! The Pickwickians will be there and we simply can't wait to see you. Keep an eye on our facebook and this space for more exciting events, like our Love Magick workshop at the end of this month!