My beloved supper club crew. A group of humans who could pull me out of the foulest of moods with nothing more than a group chat notification and a loosely formed plan. Truly, elite behavior.

We’re big fans of an intentional gathering. Not just a “what are you up to tonight?” kind of vibe—but a theme, a dress code, and a rotating host who brings it all to life. It’s giving dinner party meets main character energy, and honestly, everyone deserves friends who commit to the bit.

Now, our latest outing? A slight plot twist. No themed costumes. No over-the-top tablescapes. Just us, a plan, and a night that somehow turned into one of our best yet.

We kicked things off at Caribou Restaurant + Wine Bar—and if you haven’t been… I’m not mad, just confused. A Thunder Bay staple with a cozy, elevated feel, menus full of local goodness, and a wine list that could make even the most casual sipper feel like a sommelier. Every single time I’ve gone, it’s been a 10/10 across the board—cocktails, service, food, vibes. No notes.

We rolled in for a very chic 5:00 PM dinner (because yes, we are thriving and also… aging gracefully). And listen, when you tell a restaurant you’ve got a hard out at 7:00, you hope for efficiency—but what we got was effortless perfection. Never rushed, never waiting. Just the kind of service that makes you want to hug your server and write a glowing review immediately after.

Pro tip: order the crème framboise. I’m not saying it’ll change your life… but I’m also not not saying that.

From there, we strutted our way over to the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium for Vaudeville Baby—a collaboration between the wildly talented Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra and the equally brilliant Badanai Theatre Company.

Now, if you’re unfamiliar with Vaudeville, imagine a delightfully chaotic variety show—comedy, music, theatre—all rolled into one campy, clever, laugh-out-loud experience. And let me tell you… if you missed it? I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you missed everything. Laughter, joy, jaw-dropping talent, and at least one moment that will forever alter how I view Ritz crackers. (If you know, you know. If you don’t… I’m so sorry.)

There is something ridiculously special about watching local talent absolutely shine—especially in a space that celebrates it so well. The symphony? Unreal. Badanai? Hilarious and heartfelt. The Auditorium crew? Unexpected icons. It was one of those nights where you sit back and think, “Wow. We are so lucky to have this in our city.”

And because we are nothing if not committed to a full evening, we wrapped it all up at a friend’s place—cocktails flowing, laughter echoing, the kind of conversations that bounce from ridiculous to heartfelt in under 30 seconds.

Here’s the thing about nights like this: they’re never really about the schedule. It’s not just dinner, or a show, or drinks. It’s about choosing to show up—for your people, your community, and yourself.

You ate incredible local food.

You supported local artists.

You laughed until your stomach hurt.

You made memories that will absolutely resurface at the most inappropriate times.

That’s a win. Every single time.

So, consider this your sign. Text the group chat. Pick a date. Make a plan (or don’t, honestly—sometimes the magic is in the chaos). Look up what’s happening around you and lean into it.

Because your community? It’s pretty rad.

And it’s just waiting for you to join in.