Kitchen Party—The phrase evokes a feeling of warmth, community, family fun, and celebration. The kitchen as a gathering space is a recurring theme throughout cultures (which makes sense, since that is where the snacks live, and is often the warmest room in the house), but what is it about Canadian—specifically Newfoundlander—kitchen parties that have captured our hearts and attention?

_{Folklore students at a party at Émile Benoit’s house. Port-au-Port Peninsula, Newfoundland March 10–14, 1990. Unknown photographer. Accession MUNFLA 2010-086/91-048 from Memorial University of Newfoundland Digital Archives Initiative.} 

The tradition of Newfoundland kitchen parties dates to Irish and Scottish settler groups hosting cèilidhs (Scottish)/céilís (Irish) (pronounced “KAY-lees”), which are casual gatherings that involve singing, dancing, storytelling, playing instruments, and sharing food with friends and neighbors. 

Newfoundland kitchen parties share many of these traditional aspects of their ancestral social gatherings, including a decidedly Celtic musical influence. Over the years, newer traditions like “kissing the cod” and “screech-ins” (named for the high-proof “Screech” rum imported from Jamaica that became a traditional Newfoundlander drink) have become a stalwart part of the celebratory shenanigans. Today’s kitchen parties feature more modern foods such as fried bologna, which are served alongside more customary offerings like fried cod tongues and toutons, a traditional Newfoundland dish made from fried, leftover bread dough often served with molasses. 

When director Brandon Ivie was contemplating how to approach the 10-year anniversary staging of Come From Away at Seattle Rep (based on a true story set in the Newfoundland town of Gander), he wanted to focus on the theme of community coming together. During his research, Ivie discovered this celebrated Newfoundland pastime.  

_{Four women at a kitchen party in Glenburnie. Mary Ann Raike playing accordion, Amelia Tuff with guitar, Lucy Butt (front left), and Winnie Parsons. Unknown photographer. Item 606_BBHAC606 from Memorial University of Newfoundland Digital Archives Initiative.}

In adopting the kitchen party as inspiration for his direction, Ivie found a way to embrace (in his own words) “…the core of Come From Away: a community throwing its arms open to strangers, welcoming them in with kindness and compassion showing we are stronger unified than divided…” Through this lens, Ivie’s vision for this restaging promises to show “…how the best of humanity can be found by connecting across cultures, identities, and beliefs to acknowledge our collective responsibility to each other.”  

As part of Seattle Rep’s treasured community, I hope that you, too, will embrace the chance to gather together with us all, enjoy a joyful song and dance or two, nibble at some delicious tidbits from our Concessions, and—who knows? You might even get a chance to kiss the cod before the curtain falls.

See this inspiration on stage yourself—get your tickets to Come From Away today! Playing through January 4, 2026 at Seattle Rep.

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