Dining with the Dead is an interactive dinner at The Tavern on Main. It gives people the chance to explore the supernatural in one of the most haunted buildings in the region, with two experienced investigators, while enjoying a good meal. Thomas D’Agostino and Arlene Nicholson have been hosting the event since 2007. Before that, they would hold investigations, with an incident giving them the idea.
“During one investigation, someone with us left a video camera running in the dining room that filmed the famous ‘tavern ghost.’ We decided to try an interactive paranormal dinner/ investigation event where our guests would also experience being the investigators for the night. In March 2007, we brought the idea to the tavern, and they worked with us to get it going. It has been a fantastic event ever since, as there is always something paranormal happening there.”
Dining with the Dead allows the patrons to join in and become investigators. Taking place on days that the restaurant is closed, attendees will have the place to themselves, along with the chance to walk away with some prizes. Though The Tavern could pack the place, they choose to keep seating limited to give investigators an intimate experience. They are given a pamphlet detailing the tavern’s history and haunts and a description of the equipment that will be used during the investigation. There is a presentation showcasing pictures, video, and ghost voices (EVP) taken from the tavern.
“After dinner, we go over the equipment and break into three groups. An investigator will be in each room with equipment for the attendees to use. Each group will then investigate the three areas of the tavern, switching out until all three groups have investigated each area. We then review the evidence and send it out to all who investigated that evening.”
This presentation is different from others D’Agostino and Nicholson host, because it gives everyone the chance to be an investigator for the night. It is interactive instead of a lecture, and there is a great chance of discovering something paranormal. It uses equipment that runs the gauntlet from the arcane to the latest technology.
“We use everything from pendulums, dowsing rods, and tarot cards to REMpods, spirit boxes, SLS cameras, grids, motion-activated equipment, Envoys, and fluxes. You name it, we most likely have it.”
D’Agostino and Nicholson are thorough and ensure that every detail is in place for the investigation. “We encourage the investigators attending to be incredibly interactive. One or more of them may be a catalyst that brings out the permanent residents of the tavern. We always emphasize that despite all the equipment we have for use that night, YOU are the most important ‘piece of equipment’ there. You may have the energy level or aura that can communicate with the tavern’s ghosts.”
D’Agostino and Nicholson are thrilled to be hosting events at Tavern on Main. They’ve been familiar with the tavern for many years and even had their wedding there in 2002. They filmed a PBS documentary and an episode of Dark Echoes Paranormal there, which are currently available on Amazon Prime and Paraflixx respectively.
“The owners are completely into the fact that it is so haunted and love hosting events,” they add. “They really embrace the antiquity of the place and the spirits that still remain there. The tavern is one of the most haunted places in the region, and rarely a week goes by without someone contacting us with a story or experience they had there. The food is fantastic, too.”
Each Dining with the Dead experience is unique. The paranormal is unpredictable and investigators will capture something different. There have been photos showing strange anomalies. It is also common to hear EVP and actual real-time spirit box voices.
“Many unexplained things have happened, from actual voices heard to items being moved in front of the investigators,” they say when asked about some of the spookier moments. “Trays have been knocked out of the server’s hands in front of the people, and footsteps are heard running across the floor. At one event, a washboard flew off the wall, across the table, and hit an investigator in the head. Once a tablecloth was lifted up in front of one of the groups, spilling everything on the table to the floor.”
Dining with the Dead is October 20, 27 and 28 at Tavern on Main at 6:30 pm. Space is limited. Call 401-710-9788 for reservations. Visit diningwiththedead1031.com for more information.