In support of the 2008 theme “The American Dream,” a group of artists and ne’er-do-wells created the Dust City Diner to share the kind of Playa experience we all love so much: that astonishing performance art one stumbles across just once during your Burning Man week but that stays with you forever -- and maybe even makes you see the world and your fellow travelers with a little more love.
The Dust City Diner is styled on a ‘40s American diner, complete with a quilted steel backsplash, red leather stools, neon-style sign, and chrome finishes.
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You’ll come upon her when you least expect her out in deep Playa. However, she’s a tricky old thing, and she’s never in the same spot twice….. but you’ll find her if your heart is true! Just wander until you hear the soft sounds of the Ink Spots and the Andrew Sisters and the low murmur of conversation among other night travelers, and behold! There she is, in all her neon glory, a warm oasis in the cold night with an open seat and space at the counter just for you. We’ll serve you a piping hot grilled cheese with a crisp dill pickle, a bottomless cup of coffee -- and waaaayyy too much sass from the waitresses who have clearly been spending too much time in the sun or something.
Feeding You! (and Some Artists too...)
In 2010, we were granted permission by the Burning Man organization to arrive early and feed grilled cheese to those starving artists and minions building big art in the desert. Along with feeding every traveler who wanders across our path, this has also become a meaningful part of our performance art mission.
The Dust City Diner’s grilled cheese has even been featured in Saveur!
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(feeding the Man crew...)
Helping the Old Lady
We used to raise funds through performances at events throughout the year, but as we’re all exponentially older than the Dust City Diner, we’re turning to this newfangled crowdsourcing thing so we don’t have to drag ourselves to parties at which we have to explain to truculent customers that no, we don’t do lattes with coconut milk, and yes, we did just put out our cheap cigarette in that grilled cheese you waited so long for. We know you’ll still eat it...
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We’re grateful to again have the support of Burning Man.
But we still need to raise $15,000 of your hard earned and graciously donated bucks in order to:
- Replace the brakes and axles on the trailer (safety first!)
- Feed hundreds of artists and workers -- the folks who bring you amazing art on the Playa!
- Transport the Dust City Diner from the Bay to the Playa (and pay for those speeding tickets….)
- Buy at least 120 pounds of clarified butter (yum!)
- Buy at least 200 pounds of good ol’ America-first cheese
- High performance hairnets that cover our beehives. Because you do not want hair of unknown origin with your grilled cheese...
- Health department bribe. It costs more than you think it would in Nevada, baby
You can also help by sharing information about the Dust City Diner and our campaign! And keep up with the lovely ladies on our Dust City Diner Facebook page or spankin’ new Dust City Diner Instagram account.
The Dust City Diner runs on a lot of love, a little grit, and the support of our community. Thank you!
