W3 Book Club-“The Essex Serpent”

by Teri Popp and Laura Chin, Tastemakers in Residence

W3 Book Club Celebrates a Member’s Milestone Birthday In Steampunk Style!

Sometimes our parties are so over-the-top that we form committees, have planning sessions, and divide up the work. We’re including our work on this book club meeting in the event you’d like to host just such a party.

Book: “The Essex Serpent” by Sarah Perry
Theme: Steampunk
Attire: Victorian Period Dress with a Technology Twist (Google search “Steampunk” in “images” for ideas for clothing, technology gadgets, hats, tights, decorations, etc—use old Victorian clothing pinned up and modified to show some leg)

Colors: Black, Burgundy, and Brown with a highlight color of Blue

Committees Formed: Decor, Food, Cake, Beverage, Gift, Music

Menu Served at Party:
++Cora’s Dinner Party (Foods from “The Essex Serpent,” Section III, June, 2)
Appetizers:
Cheese Platter with Crackers, Dried Fruit, Nuts

First Course:
Soup
Main Entree:
Cloved Ham, Salmon with Lemon Curd, Capons with Thyme, Pearl Potatoes, Asparagus with Hollandaise, Sliced Tomatoes, Oranges, Grapes

Dessert:
Sugar Soaked Strawberries

Signature Drink:
A Bramble

Beverages:
Red and White Wine, Champagne for Birthday Toast, Coffee

Fossil Scavenger Hunt Based on the Book for the Birthday Girl to Find Her Gift
—Write poem for clues (4 total)
—Birthday girl to search through clues to find gift
—Done after dinner
—Place four clues, in poem form, in four different places in the space where book club is held

Program/Timeline:
Day 1–Decor committee arrive for set up
Day 2–
5:00 pm-Committees arrive
6:15 pm-Car picks up birthday girl
6:30-7:15 pm-Birthday girl arrives—Reception with appetizers, signature drinks, champagne and background music
6:15-9:15 pm-Dinner with Victorian period background music
7:15 pm-Dinner
8:30-8:45 pm-Dance portion (based on dance that occurred in “The Essex Serpent”, ending with Happy Birthday Song
8:45-9:00 pm-Birthday Girl’s Fossil Hunt (to find her gift!!)
9:00 pm-Birthday Toast with Champagne and Cake and other desserts
9:15-10:00 pm-Book Discussion
10:00 pm-2:00 pm-Party!!!!