"Dinner and a Movie” is an odd little ditty. Early versions consisted primarily of different vocalizations of its one line, “Let’s go out to dinner and see a movie.” Backing music, sighs, and the occasional scream have been added to fill it out. Fishman commented before the 5/18/91 version that “Dinner” celebrated “America’s favorite pre-nuptial ritual.”

Played fairly frequently in 1989 through 1992, its appearances have diminished since, as the band members agree that its one-joke nature has worn thin. It often served as a first set opener or was paired with “Bouncing.” 4/18/92 Palo Alto, CA is a particularly good version (an excellent soundboard of this show circulates), which precedes an incredible “Harry Hood.” The 7/11/91 and 7/15/91 versions with The Giant Country Horns are worth digesting as well. “Dinner” was resurrected for the 3/1/97 Hamburg, Germany show, but that version was not selected for inclusion on Slip, Stitch and Pass. 242 shows later, “Dinner” opened up the controversial 2nd set of 9/29/00 in Vegas. "Dinner" made one appearance in Phish 2.0 at Brooklyn's KeySpan Park on 6/17/04, presumably a nod to the fact that the show was being simulcast in movie theaters across the country. "Dinner" has only been served three times so far in 3.0, (8/13/09, 12/4/09 and 6/17/10), with all three appearances coming in the northeast.  It's hard to say if that's an aberration or a logical consequence of Phish's post-breakup touring itinerary.

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