Detroit’s ‘Vinyl Tastings’ is partnering with Universal Music Group to film a TV pilot to highlight the dinner series, according to a representative for the Dutch-American music corporation.
Since 2022, chefs Amber Beckem and Jermond Booze have curated monthly six-course dinners inspired by music albums. A live DJ spins in front of the diners as they enjoy the meal.
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Universal Music Group caught wind of the unique event last year and, liking what they saw, began working on a partnership to make the event more widely known, according to Beckem. Sometime this year Polygram Entertainment/Universal Music Group and Vinyl Tastings plan to release a promotional video for a new TV show about the dinner series.
“We’re filming the very beginning processes of what the show could possibly turn into,” Beckem said. “Sort of like a pilot, so we’re going to take this pilot and shop it to other networks who would be interested in making this a full production.”
Craig Bankey, of Mainstage PR, the firm representing the music group, confirmed UMG and its partner Polygram Entertainment are filming a “proof-of-concept sizzle reel” featuring the pop-ups.
With national TV awareness, the partnership could also open up opportunities for the chefs to host Vinyl Tastings in other cities, Beckem said. She said the partnership is very much in the beginning stages and that TV production is new to her and Booze.
“We’re just really learning and excited to see where we can take this,” Beckem said.
The dinners are inspired by albums made by artists from all over the country and the courses are inspired by word plays on songs, or influenced by where the artist is from.
In November, BridgeDetroit attended a sold-out Vinyl Tasting inspired by rapper Lil Wayne’s “Tha Carter III” album and Wayne’s Louisiana background. The dinner featured blackened yams with barbecue sauce, Cornish hens, rice grits and a chicory-coffee dessert, among other courses.
The next dinner on Mar. 24 will be inspired by Marvin Gaye’s “I Want You” album and focus more on Detroit, Beckem said, where filming for the pilot will take place.
“We thought this would be a really nice pilot, or sizzle reel, because Marvin Gaye is a Motown legend,” Beckem said. “It will be more centrally focused on Detroit and our history and our music.”
The dinner will be held at The Norwood, 6531 Woodward Ave. Tickets for the six-course dinner are $95 with wine pairings and $75 without, and can be purchased online. Vegan options will be available as well.
