Bacon, as a concept, is a double-edged sword. Think about it: pork is taboo in many major religions, whereas in places like the South, it’s practically a way of life. Dad’s Garage Theatre Company knows this all too well, pork lovers that they are, so expect plenty of it this month at their annual BaconFest.
Dad’s Garage is an ensemble comedy theater in Inman Park that has been serving up some of Atlanta’s finest improvisational and scripted comedy since 1995. The organization has risen from a small, volunteer-run company to a flourishing neighborhood theater with national and international recognition. Dad’s Garage is a nonprofit company, and BaconFest is its annual fundraiser.
The company has every intention of expanding, and later this year, fans can expect to see new online content on their website. Plans for plays are also in the works.
“I like to think of us as the South Park of real life,” said Kevin Gillese, the theater’s artistic director. “We like to be in-your-face, we like to be provocative, but at the same time we want to say it with intelligence.”
BaconFest, as described by the theater, will have bacon and the other two of the “three B’s” — beer and bands — all day. Starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday, the grounds of the theater will be packed inside and out with booths, games, contests and enough pork products to satisfy even the most carnivorous appetite.
There are three types of tickets for the event that increase in price, access to swine and activities with each degree. The most affordable pass, the “Portioned Porking” package, comes with three cups the guest can fill with beer or bacon, plus game tickets. The next level, the “Bottomless Bacon” package, includes its namesake as well as unlimited beer and games.
The most inclusive package, the “Whole Hog,” is not for the casual chef salad or BLT eater. Shell out a Benjamin for not only all the benefits of the “Bottomless Bacon” pass, but also access to a whole roasted pig from Old Fourth Ward haunt P’cheen. Also included are craft beers and different varieties of bacon.
The actors involved with Dad’s Garage will host the activities at the event, ranging from inappropriate face painting to a drunken spelling bee. A wheelchair obstacle course, eating contests and a “heavy” petting zoo will be among the other activities. Dad’s Garage has been rated Atlanta’s “Best Improv Group” by local publications for several years in a row, so prepare to laugh all day long.
Music is a perfect complement to pork. Just look at how well blues and barbecue go together. It’s no surprise then that Dad’s Garage has rooted out some of Atlanta’s finest musical talent for the event. Mike LaSage and the Stumbling Troubadours are headlining and they have seniority after playing the festival the past few years.
LaSage is confident his brand of Americana will mesh well with bacon and beer.
“Our live show has an underlying dark humor to it, so I think that’s why we fit,” he said. “My daily goal is to get both of those in my body anyway.”
LaSage has found ways to get involved in the festival beyond his music. He’s cooking up his proprietary recipe, “Mike’s Single-Wide Jalapeño Bacon,” for the “Whole Hog” guests. He’s also helping out with the roasted pig.
The rest of the lineup includes Darling Norman, Young Orchids and Cousin Dan.
The theater expects at least 500 guests to attend this rain-or-shine event, which means they’ll need a lot of pork. Fortunately, local burger bar The Vortex has risen to the challenge by donating 1,000 pounds of the stuff, which comes out to approximately two pounds of bacon per guest.
BaconFest comes from humble beginnings, starting as a party among Florida State University graduates and their friends, but its status as a huge neighborhood festival is well-deserved. No one activity takes precedence at this festival, and all its parts create something bigger than the whole. BaconFest brings Atlantans together — all the guests can put aside their differences for at least one day in the pursuit of pork.
