Originally posted in the Downtown Phoenix Journal on November 9, 2009.

Arizona State University and Downtown Phoenix have not always had the easiest of relationships, but a group of ASU students is looking to change that. They are inviting the Downtown and ASU communities to an evening of “connection through food, art and community” at the Welcome Diner on Thursday, November 12.

¬°Bienvenidos Here! is an initiative of ASU’s art and community class taught by Gregory Sale. It is intended to encourage the bridging of the ASU community with Phoenix, specifically the Garfield neighborhood, home of the Welcome Diner.

This FREE event will feature local DJs; free food, including roasted corn and hot dogs (vegetarian options available); art interventions; a showing of Gordon Matta Clark’s 1972 classic documentary, Food (based on the SoHo restaurant he co-founded that was managed and staffed by artists); and a live video feed art installation. Dinner will be served from 5:30 p.m. on and the film will be shown at 9 p.m.

The event is sponsored in part by the School of Art at ASU’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts.

The Welcome Diner is located at 924 E. Roosevelt St. (602.495.1111) (map). For more information on the event, visit the ¬°Bienvenidos Here! site and check out the documentary trailer. You can also check out its Facebook page.