Almost exactly one year ago, Lucy Tobias moved from New York City to Raleigh for a change of pace and to be closer to family. Lucy — now Artsplosure's Marketing Director and a Lifestyle Contributor for WRAL Out and About — was looking for an intentional space in the City of Oaks to make friends. She couldn’t find what she was looking for so she created one herself.

Lucy launched The Crowded Table Club, an event series designed to help women connect with each other, in May. Named after lyrics from a song by The Highwomen, the group is not for networking and it’s definitely not a book club or workout group. It’s for fostering friendships that last. Plus, Lucy works exclusively with local, women-owned businesses to put on the events.

“I really think that if you make the purpose of the event to just make friends, it really allows people to be vulnerable and make connections,” Lucy told RALtoday.

Last June, 50 women from the Raleigh area attended Lucy’s first event decked out in a rainbow of caftans (the theme was Caftans & Cocktails). “It was beyond what I could have expected,” Lucy said. “I saw so many people that met at the event hanging out later that week.”

This Thurs., Aug. 11 is The Crowded Table Club’s second meetup. The theme? ‘90s Nostalgia. There will be Poole'side Pies pizza, games like Girl Talk and MASH, 1990s trivia, and a beaded friendship bracelet station. Local comic Helen Wildy will perform + the winner of a fashion show (anyone can enter) will win a $100 gift card to Curate Raleigh.

Sign up, head to The Metro Suite dressed to the ‘90s nines (we’re thinking butterfly clips and jelly sandals), and get ready to make new friends.

Can’t make it to this week's meetup? Don’t fret. These events take place every five weeks. Look forward to themes like School Picture Day in September (complete with a hair stylist and makeup artist), a Halloween Party in October, and Friendsgiving in November. Check The Crowded Table Club’s Instagram for updates.