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The founders of the East Dallas Social Club like to compare their club to a classic martini: mostly fun with a little advocacy.
Aside from being enchanted by the idea of cocktail advocacy (feels like something we’ve been doing without knowing it), we’re also drawn to the fun part.
A Big Easy Transplant
The longer answer to the purpose of this social club, however, is a bit more nuanced. The idea originates from clubs popularized by Black communities in New Orleans, where mutual aid is parlayed as a social event. Historically, these groups were established as, according to the East Dallas Social Club website, “formal structures to be neighborly and fight against oppression and racism – they would help someone in need cover costs, advocate for community needs, and throw community social events.”
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Cofounders Christa Camp and John Hiers II met in New Orleans in 2016, where they were introduced to the idea. They’ve brought the concept to Dallas, partnering with the local hospitality industry, including the lovely East Dallas bar, Saint Valentine.
“We originally wanted to call it the East Dallas Social Aid and Pleasure Club as the original name,” says Camp, “but it’s just too long. We wanted to kind of bring that same vibe of stuff that’s really fun and engaging, but also has a good-cause bent to it.”
Here is a quick Q&A with Camp, who explains a bit more about the project.
What’s the purpose of the East Dallas Social Club?
East Dallas Social Club is a neighborhood nonprofit that curates good vibes for good causes. What we try to do at every event is largely have fun. We go to a bar or a restaurant and introduce members to a local organization that they likely just wouldn’t know about otherwise.
What types of events do you host, and how often?
We have quarterly events that we consider marquee. We always host a Mardi Gras event, a crawfish boil and a Labor Day event that pays homage to New York City, since that’s where John is from. And then some sort of holiday event.
Who can come to these events?
Anyone. People just casually get together. The average event typically has between 50 and 100 people.
Is there an official membership?
We’re launching real memberships this year for the first time, which will provide access to additional member-specific events and gatherings.
What type of nonprofits do you help?
The East Dallas Social Club has a specific interest in microlocal charities and mutual aid. We only partner with local organizations that provide direct services to people and have annual operating expenses of less than $1,000,000. This ensures that the small amount of good we can do hopefully has an outsized impact. We are also especially interested in mutual aid.
What’s the mutual aid aspect refer to?
Mutual aid in the form of “social aid and pleasure clubs” has a distinct racial and geographic origin. I want to explicitly name and acknowledge that the concept was developed and has been maintained for centuries in primarily communities of color, and is incredibly common in New Orleans, supporting community members in making ends meet while also fighting against systems of oppression and inequity. They also host second lines and parades around the city, marrying both social impact and fun. Our attempt to build a similar structure in East Dallas is truly out of reverence for that tradition and love for the Crescent City itself.
How can someone get involved?
Our next meet-up is Sunday, Nov. 30, at Saint Valentine’s in East Dallas from 7 to 11 p.m. This event will benefit Trigger’s Toys. Bring a new toy in exchange for a loteria card. We’ll play for two hours, then from 9 to 11, there will be a DJ and raffle prizes.
See more details below.
