Welcome to the Sugary Scoop, my free biweekly newsletter where we help you see and experience the magic of NYC that I love so much through curated events, experiences, artists, and community stories.

Let’s get to this week’s Scoop!

Tuesday 🍬 2.18

7:00 PM (Chelsea) - Unsent Letter Project Presents: Love Unspoken - In honor of Valentine’s month, Unarthodox and The Unsent Letter Mailbox are coming together to create an intimate, multi-sensory experience exploring the unexplored, often misunderstood aspects of love. Coinciding with the Unsent Letter Mailbox’s first anniversary, Love Unspoken will be a night of anonymous letters, live storytelling, immersive art, and music. Through this unique collaboration, guests will engage in an unforgettable creative journey that invites them to reflect on love and its role in shaping our humanity.

RSVP HERE

_{(Social Batter Level: Medium Ambivert - Crowd Size 50-60)}

NOTABLE NYC EVENTS FROM FRIENDS

Wednesday 🍬 2.19

5:30pm (Manhattan): Firstgen Presents: Immigration, Visas and Entrepraneurship Under The New Administration - ​​FirstGen is hosting a seminar on immigration policy changes under the new administration and the last minute regulation changes from the previous administration.

​New policy guidelines will be introduced in the first few weeks of the administration, which will have a significant impact on many tech workers and entrepreneurs in the NYC ecosystem.

​We'll be hearing from a deep expert on the topic, Jonathan Grode, who leads the US practice at Green and Spiegel, an immigration focused law firm.

RSVP HERE  

6:30pm (Herald Square): Christians in Tech Presents: Christian Singles Game Night - Ready to meet other single Christians*inTech—without the awkward small talk?

​Join us for a relaxed evening of social board games, great conversation, and hopefully new connections that turn into something special

RSVP HERE  

6:30pm (Chinatown): The Feels Presents: Session 46, A Mindful Singles Event in NYC - The Feels' mixes time to meet and connect casually, with a 90 min facilitated portion. the format was built in partnership with Columbia University; it blends positive psychology, mindfulness, non violent communication + somatic awareness practices.

We believe that when you feel grounded + good in your body, an openness is available - and that space is ideal for connecting to others. We'll guide you to that place.

Data shows that 70% of all attendees walk out with the contact info for someone they're excited about + that 'the feels' is 2x more effective than a typical singles event.

***UPDATE*** All Women’s Tickets are SOLD OUT, Only Men’s tickets remain.

For the Sugary Community, use Code ”SUGARY” for a discounted ticket.

RSVP HERE  

7:00pm (Williamsburg): Human Experience Production Presents: (Launch Event) Memoir of the Human Body) - In celebration of Human Experience Production Launch, we invite you to the first of the two-fold experiential curations, where performance art converges with mindful immersion practices unfolding the holistic experience of witnessing art.

For the Sugary Community, use Code ”MEMOIR” for a discounted ticket.

RSVP HERE  

Thursday 🍬 2.20

6:00pm (Soho): 57 Presents: Circles - Ever wished there was a more natural way to meet interesting people in our community? That's why we created 57 Circles – where genuine connections happen over great food, without the awkward bill-splitting of traditional group dinners. 

Each circle consists of 6-8 people who share common ground but bring their own unique perspectives. 

RSVP HERE  

Friday 🍬 2.21

6:00pm (Soho): Shopify Presents: 10 Years of holiCHIC From Passion to Profit - Join us at Shopify NY for an exclusive panel with the holiCHIC team and gain invaluable insights into their journey of building a self-funded business into a thriving 7-figure brand.

RSVP HERE  

Tuesday 🍬 2.25

10:00am (Tribeca): Fabrik Presents: Built By Builder Series - Built by Builders is Fabrik’s signature event series designed to celebrate and spotlight the inspiring individuals building and nurturing communities. Each session features an intimate, interview-style fireside chat with a leading community builder, offering insights into their journey, successes, and challenges. Moderated by the Fabrik team, these conversations provide a unique perspective from two dynamic community leaders.

RSVP HERE  

6:30pm (Williamsburg): Storefront for Art & Architecture & Cooper Union Presents: Tumbados Symposium - Celebrating artist Guadalupe Rosales and a decade of her ongoing archive project titled Veteranas and Rucas. This dynamic event including poetry, performance, panel discussions, and live music, is organized as part of her year-long public artwork with Lokey Calderon on Storefront’s facade. Tumbados engages with lowrider culture and its role within the built environment in creating and shaping spaces for Latin@/x public life.

RSVP HERE  

6:30pm (Tribeca): Creator Economy Presents: Creators and Co. Snowball Soiree - Join us for an exclusive Snowball Soirée, bringing together NYC’s top creators, marketers, and brands for an evening of meaningful connections and industry insights.

​Whether you’re building, collaborating, or just looking to meet the industry’s finest, this is the room to be in.

RSVP HERE  

Wednesday 🍬 2.26

6:00pm (Carroll Gardens): Local Roots Presents: The Great Veggie Reveal Party - Celebrate Local Roots' 14-year journey as we mark the end of the Local Roots Harvest Club, and get an exciting sneak peek into our future! Enjoy complimentary seasonal bites, a martini cocktail making demonstration by Quincy, raffles, and complimentary martinis, all while supporting the next chapter of our community-focused, sustainable food movement.

RSVP HERE  

6:30pm (Manhattan): Andrew Yeung, Notion & Jelly Jelly Presents: Winter tech Mixer - Join our must-attend event for founders, investors, and tech professionals shaping the future. Hosted at an iconic, massive venue in the heart of Manhattan, this tech party will be one for the books.

​Co-hosted by Andrew Yeung, Iqram Magdon-Ismail (Co-founder of Venmo and Jelly Jelly), and our friends at Notion.

​Expect an evening of connection, new conversations, bold ideas, and a party that sets the tone for 2025 in tech. Iqram will also be making the debut for his brand new startup, Jelly Jelly during this event.

RSVP HERE  

Thursday 🍬 2.27

6:00pm (Tribeca): Community and Tightknit Presents: Community Builder Night - ​Join us for our third Community Builder Night, co-hosted with Led By Community and Tightknit! This night is designed for community builders to network and exchange ideas with fellow change-makers.

RSVP HERE  

Sunday 🍬 3.2

3:00pm (Dumbo): Rosie Von Lila Presents: The Splendid Afternoon Tea (A Benefit for Fellow Human) - Please join us Sunday, March 2 for this supremely intimate, incredible afternoon tea occasion. If you haven’t joined us for tea before, you are in for a luxurious treat.  With just about a dozen people, this event is great for introverts and extroverts alike! And it’s for a good cause… this is a delicious benefit for our theatre arts project on human flourishing.

Use Code “sugary” for a 20% discount

RSVP HERE  

Tuesday 🍬 3.4

5:00pm (LES): Music Managers Forum Presents: New Colossus Festival x MMF-US NY Mixer - New Colossus Festival and Music Managers Forum-US (MMF-US) are teaming up to celebrate the festival's opening night with a mixer. Join us for an evening of music, networking, and fun as we kick off the festival!

RSVP HERE  

So a few weeks back DK and I posted a creative community mastermind that was attended by about 40 or so people.

The event was a huge success and that meant there needed to be a follow up to that moment in order to build upon what was started.

So I got to thinking that whereas the community mastermind was an all day affair, creating an event that was more of a focused sprint in which tangible progress and support was felt, would be a nice counterpoint to the whole process.

At the time I had a working title called Radical Velocity…DK hated that name and so we are renaming it to Rising Tide Collective but the purpose of the event is to “help driven community leaders and creators make real progress on their projects through high-impact group problem-solving.

Like…actual progress.  I’m talking actual intros made, resources shared, ideation contributed, etc…all within the time span of the session itself.  

Everyone attending helps and everyone in return gets help, simple as that.

We’re gonna be launching our pilot version of the concept in the coming weeks and obviously priority will be given to those community leaders and creators that attended our mastermind, though this is also an open call to the greater community.

So if you feel something like this resonates with you, fill out the form below, and perhaps we will extend you an invitation as we prepare to launch this series and help communities to strengthen their efforts through focused support via a spirit of collaboration.

https://lu.ma/bol3tpnn

THE SUGARY EFFECT

Changing of the Guard

Ring Ring*

Me: “Hello?”

Friend: “6pm tomorrow. Are you free?”

Me: “Yeah I think so why?”

Friend: “A friend is gonna be hosting an amazing party and you need to be in that room.”

Me: “Um yeah sure. Who’s gonna be there?”

Friend: “Don’t know but trust me, whoever shows up, you’re gonna want to meet them.

Me: “Ok. See you tomorrow then and thank you….”

click

This conversation and many more like it happened in the years in which I was just getting started and knew relatively few people in the city. 

I have often spoke of my older friend Reza, who hosted these amazing salons and not only invited me to join but used his own social capital to introduce me to people in the room without reservation.

Beyond that, there was also a retinue of dedicated older friends who opened doors for me by quite literally opening doors for me into rooms that I never knew I needed to be in…until I was in them.  

It’s a critical reason I believe in less gate keeping and more gate smashing. 

I remain grateful that I had folks that thought enough of me to include me on the invite list for some of these rather special gatherings.

Fast-forward to the present…

Ring Ring*

Sofia: “Hello?”

Me: “6pm tomorrow. Are you free?”

Sofia: “Yeah I think so why?”

Me: “A friend is gonna be hosting an amazing party and you need to be in that room.”

Sofia: “Um yeah sure. Who’s gonna be there?”

Me: “Don’t know but trust me, whoever shows up, you’re gonna want to meet them.

Sofia: “Ok. See you tomorrow then and thank you….”

click

Oh how the tables have turned…

My friend Jamie was hosting an intimate gathering in the west village and I had a feeling it was gonna be special so I invited my younger friend Sofia to come and join us.

As the evening proceeded, people began showing up and I would drop little notes in her ear about this person or that person that came in the door and encouraged her to chat with everyone, all the while doing my best to make as many intros as I could for her.

Not that she really needed it because Sofia took to the evening like a duck to water and pretty soon was knee-deep in several amazing conversations.

There, in that modest space, Sofia was surrounded by a rogue’s gallery of fascinating people. Whether it was artists or authors, pundits or producers, she was not only listening in, but she was holding her own and contributing to the discussion. Girl was holding court!

As the dialogue concluded and the phones came out to exchange contact details, I knew that this moment would lead to some amazing connections for her.

There was a moment in which I leaned against the marble kitchen banquet and observed this entire scene play out and couldn’t help but have a small twinge of pride.

And in that very moment, there was an odd point of realization, that in fact I had become that which I had relied on when I first started out.  

The roles had reversed. 

I had become a version of Reza to Sofia, the close older friend that orchestrated the opportunity because I cared and because it mattered.

What a funny turn of events…

What’s fascinating is it just kinda snuck up on me. The transition was so seamless, I barely noticed it until I was in the moment.  Like a newly minted father tucking in his shirt permanently, wearing ill fitted khakis and a penchant for new balance sneakers, I had become that which I had experienced all those years ago.

Now…I realize the risk of sounding a tad patronizing at this moment, but I think the story is worth the risk, and in a bit of a twist, I asked Sofia to reflect on the moment and offer her thoughts for this piece.

A bit of reciprocity if you will.

In this way, she’ll capture this moment from her perspective which is still fresh in her mind and heart in a way that I can’t…because the last time I felt that first sensation was nearly about a decade ago.

And there’s something to first sensations…

So here’s how the evening went, in her own words…

Sofia’s Reflection

I walked 2 miles from deep Chelsea toward Greenwich village, making my way past a snow-covered streetscape. I had gotten a call from Gary around 2 pm asking whether I had plans later that evening — I didn’t. He told me to be there at six and look for a door that faced sideways instead of out into the street. “Be there,” he said. “There’s someone I want you to meet.”

I was unfashionably early, the first to arrive, and made small talk with our host’s partner while we set up the cheese and charcuterie boards. I watched people come through the door at fifteen minute intervals — First Sugary, then two behavioral scientists, a podcast producer, an actress, an author and two investors. Our host for the night, we’ll call him Gentle Giant (GG) — had curated his evening masterfully.

GG introduced us to the concept of “techno-neutralism,” which stands in contrast with “techo-optimism,” a theory marking the current mood in Silicon Valley and now Washington. By that — he emphasized investing in equal parts culture and technology to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems.

I have always theoretically understood the fact of our interdependence. But being in that room, I felt that no breakthrough is ever achieved in isolation.

Throughout the night — there were moments of feeling inadequate. What could I possibly contribute to a group of people who had already accomplished so much? The impostor syndrome competed with a sense of ease — I knew I could hold myself with grace. I had gained privileged access to a way of being in conversation with other competing narratives.

Sugary had opened the doors — or floodgates rather — to a wealth of knowledge, and insight that I didn’t even know I needed.

I read a book by Steven Johnson a few years back titled “Where Good Ideas Come From” where he unpacks historically significant discoveries like Darwin’s theory of evolution (I promise I’m going somewhere with this.) Darwin was not sitting home alone, pondering the origin of species. He kept a journal on board The Beagle — where he joined geologists, anthropologists, astronomers and zoologists to embark on a voyage from Rio to Mauritius.

Johnsons uses the term "liquid networks" to describe environments where ideas flow between people. Spots like London’s coffee houses, or the famous “Café de Deux Magots” served as hotspots where artists and intellectuals would meet and (metaphorically) throw paint at the wall.

If this city has taught me one important lesson; it’s to show up. As newcomers with big dreams — our duty is to be in the right place at the right time. We have to meet people that can shape, mold and point to a new direction. And Sugary, absolutely knows where those people are…

PAST EVENTS

Feb. 4th Member Mixer - About 60 of you came out to out first member mixer of the year. It was a chance for members to catch up with each other but also a chance for a select group of new members to explore the Sugary community through the lens of its current members. I got a chance to talk about the community a bit and it was great to reaffirm the values and vision of the community and happily discover that we gained quite a few new members that night.

Feb. 9th Super Bowl LIX Watch Party - Well, I did bet on the Chiefs so apart from the game, we had a full house of about 50 folks come through with an epic spread as impressive if not more than the game itself. People ate and drank themselves silly as we watched the blowout…both Eagles and Kendrick. It was yet another epic reminder of the power of how sports can really drive the notion of community. 

Feb. 10th Write to Read Salon 7 - Our first salon of the year! About 20 of you came out to partake in an evening of deep reflection and exposition. The Kelly Clarkson show came to tape the whole affair and I took over the reins for the first time in hosting the salon directly while Sofia watched on with pride. It was a unique perspective for me and reaffirmed how special these salons are in getting people quite literally to step in someone else’s shoes.

Feb. 13th Lunar New Year Potluck - About 30 came out to our amazing potluck to close out the Lunar New Year festivities for 2025. And oh man did y’all deliver. SO much good food and great company. I was making dumplings and wontons all night for folks and it was just nice to see how a simple potluck when done well can be such a satisfying moment for the community.

THE SWEET & SALTY

Ye or nay?…Nay…definitely NAY.

Look, here’s the thing regarding Kanye from my perspective. 

Never liked. 

Never followed. 

Never will follow.

Is he a genius? Sure he is, but since when does genius become the universal exonerator for narcissistic indulgent pathology? 

If genius can be the unilateral pardon for our most egregious tendencies, then the question becomes are we as a society collectively ready to take accountability for the consequences that result from the selfish machinations of the unrestrained, brilliant as they may be.

That which can be genius can also be sinister. They aren’t mutually exclusive and both can be true at the same time..oftentimes they are. Especially with Ye’s latest “merch” offering during the Super Bowl, it’s worth noting that many at the time and even in modern times as a historical reference considered Joseph Goebbels to be a genius philologist…

Let’s try not to imagine a world where we embraced his charismatic oratory villany.

Then there are the apologists that cite Ye’s professional and personal abuse of his past to which I say just because you were hurt doesn’t mean you use your platform to sow divisive and hurtful ideas with the possibility of exponential amplification. 

At the end of the day there are so many other exceptional artists that are working towards elevating our consciousness through their gifts and that’s who exactly I plan to get behind. 

Am I wrong?

Support for the Unsent Letter Project!

The Unsent Letter Mailbox is a grassroots storytelling movement creating anonymous spaces for vulnerability and radical honesty in New York City.

Over the past six months, we’ve hosted 18 park installations, 6 sold-out salons, we've seen countless people in public, and received over 700 unsent letters capturing the full spectrum of human emotion and has captured the attention of press outlets such as Secret NYC, NBC Nightly News and the Kelly Clarkson Show.

We’re thrilled to launch our pilot Curator Program, inviting like-minded folk to host anonymous gatherings in their communities. If you're keen, fill out this form!

Join The Unsent Letter Mailbox as a Social Media Intern!

We’re looking for a passionate Social Media Intern with a knack for visual storytelling to help us grow our community and bring our unsent letter archive to life. In this role, you’ll collaborate with Sofia to:

• Edit short-form videos using CapCut.

• Design compelling graphics with Canva.

• Manage and schedule 3 posts per week.

The ideal candidate loves storytelling, has a keen eye for visuals, and is excited to use social media to build meaningful connections.

Time Commitment: 3–4 hours weekly.

What You’ll Gain: Hands-on experience building a social media presence for a growing arts and storytelling platform, opportunities to refine your creative skills, and mentorship in crafting compelling narratives.

If this sounds like you, let’s create something impactful together! Reach out at [email protected] to apply.

Joust: The play-first social club.

From upscale game nights to immersive game shows to full-on retreats, we host all sorts of ways for fun-loving people to find their rivals. 

Start playing HERE

Connect IRL. Experience Fabrik.

Get in touch with NYC’s brightest communities and make new friends.

Fabrik is a home for communities and where everyone has a place to belong. With spaces designed to feel more like your living room than your office, Fabrik’s 'third spaces' are vibrant hubs where you can come together in real life, explore interests, forge meaningful connections, and enjoy a sense of community.

Sign-up here to experience a day pass at Fabrik.

Weekly events at Fabrik HERE

Othership offers immersive sauna and ice bath experiences that help human beings feel good now. A sanctuary for social self-care to move you from city buzz to inner calm.

Dive into the largest performance saunas in North America, experience otherworldly ice bath spaces and connect in an intimate amphitheater-style tea lounge surrounding a cozy fire place for socializing.

Expect towel-waving performances, aromatherapy, guided breathwork, visualizations, and somatic release to help you shift your state and regulate your emotions, in a world that can’t be regulated.

The founders of Othership have gifted us a New York 2 for 1 Deal. Get yours while they last!

EMPATHY PROJECT

Support the Empathy Project by purchasing any of the items from the collection. Be a part of a unique initiative that empowers seven diverse artists to create one-of-a-kind empathy-inspired t-shirts. These shirts serve as iconography tied to our identity, promoting compassion-driven societal impact. 

Each artist picked a 501(c)3 charity of their choice to donate a portion of the sales of their t-shirt design. Your purchase also empowers voices, amplifies the message of empathy, supports charities, and elevates storytelling within our communities, all while building a network for compassion-driven societal change. Join us in making a lasting impact through art and empathy.

You can check out and purchase the 7 different empathy tees HERE