Ladies let me repeat that this is a dinner, and everyone is expected to eat. Unfortunately Tim (owner of Vapiano) can't allow us to use his restaurant as a place to gather and just talk. Please take a second and view the menu (see the link below). Please see if there is anything you would be interested in eating. We hope to see a huge turnout. If you have any question, we can be reached at [masked]

You can view the menu here. http://www.vapianointernational.com/vapiano/menu/menu-nyc/antipasti/list.html

If you have never attended one of our Meet ups,and want to know what they are like.

Click here http://www.darkerthanbrown.com/2011/06/new-york-natural-hair-meetup.html

FAQ

Do I have to wear my natural hair out to attend the meet up? No silly, we aren't like that. You can come with your wigs, weaves, braid extensions or any other form of protective style you chose to wear. We trust you are natural under there. lol

Do I need a ticket for this meet up? Is there anything I need to print? All you need to bring is your lovely self. Nothing is required, just RSVP yes and then show up. Once the computer say yes, your good! :)

How long do the meet ups last? Two and a half hours.

Do I have to spend money at the meet up? Yes! Vapiano is a restaurant. Once I make a reservation for you, the owner expects every seat that is filled to be a paying customer. The place is relatively inexpensive, to be safe plan to spend a minimum of $25.

How is the bill handled at the meet ups? At Vapiano each attendee is given a plastic card. When you buy drinks or food you hand the card to your server, and then at the end of the event you pay the balance that is on your card and your card only. This way you only pay for what you ate and drink. It's another reason, I don't want to lose this place.

I'd really like to attend, but there are no more spots left. What do I do? Keep checking back! The week of the meet up, members will change their RSVP. The actual day of the event more ladies will change their RSVP. Trust me it never fails!

How are the giveaways handled? To encourage you all to be on time. We typically put the names of the first 30 women to arrive in a raffle.

Will you be having a product swap? Yes! If you have a product that you'd like to swap, feel free to bring it. The plan is to put all ladies with a products to swap at the same table, so you all can swap while you eat and talk.

Why can't I bring a guest (+1)? Too many Darker Than Brown members want to come, but spaces are being filled by a "guest". If you know someone, and she would like to attend a meet up, simply have her join the group. It only takes a few minutes.

Can I sell stuff(earrings,hair products,t shirts..etc) at the Meet up? NO! These monthly meet ups are held in a restaurant, so I can't give permission for someone to sell stuff.

Why is Nneka such a pain in the butt about attendance? Too often in the past members RSVP, and just don't bother to show up. Others cancel the day of, or the last two days. Which always upsets the owner of the venue. Tim is upset because instead of depending on me to fill the top of his restaurant, he could have given those seats to someone else. When I tell Tim 50 women are coming, and 1 or 2 don't show up it's no big deal. However for 10 or more to not show up, Tim is looking at the fact that he just lost some real money. In the future, he won't be so willing to take a reservation without us putting down a couple hundred dollars to reserve the tables. We don't have that type of money, unless I have all the members pay dues. That really isn't an option, I like that our group is free. I do understand that in life unexpected things come up, and in those cases we totally understand.

What happens if I don't show up or cancel within the last 48 hours? Ok here comes the big one! Let me explain no one has or will be removed from the group. If you can't follow through with your RSVP (for whatever reason). You will be prevented from RSVPing for the next 2 official Darker Than Brown monthly meet ups! If you RSVP yes, I will change it to no. However, the day of the meet up, feel free to visit the group page and check if you see a seat available. If so see you there!!! Contact me via email! What you will be blocked from doing is RSVPing ahead of time! Again I apologize if anyone feels I am being unreasonable, but I will not take a advance RSVP from you until 2 meet ups have passed.

How is attendance taken? Do I have to sign in when I arrive? When you arrived you will see a table with name tags. Go to the table and give the person your "meet up.com member name". If your member name is Mrs. T, but you tell her Tiffany. She will write you a new name tags, but Mrs. T will be marked as a no show when I take attendance. Every name tag left on the table at the end of the night, are marked as no shows and will be blocked from advance RSVPing for two months.