Welcome to the Sugary Scoop, my free weekly 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!

Thursday 🍬 5.15

5:30pm (Dumbo) - Come Make Dumplings With Us - We’re partnering w/ Akin, New York Asian Arts Festival and celebrated chef Christine Wong in recognition of AAPI month! ​​Roll up your sleeves and dive into the delicious world of dumplings in this immersive, hands-on class perfect for food lovers of all skill levels! Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned home cook, you’ll learn how to make dumpling wrappers from scratch (yes, it’s easier than you think!), try your hand at traditional folding techniques, and explore different cooking methods. RSVP HERE

Use code “sugaryaapi” for preferred pricing

_{(Social Battery Level: Medium Extrovert - Crowd Size 20-40)}

Sunday 🍬 6.1

1:00pm (UES) - Zombie Tag V: Xtinction Protocol - The Sugary Community and Children’s Games in Serious Places presents another installment of our wildly popular game of irreverent plague-ridden pandemonium.

​Traverse the halls of the MET and try to survive. Once patient zero enters...it's only a matter of time.

​We wish you luck… RSVP HERE

_{(Social Battery Level: Very High Extrovert - Crowd Size 150-300)}

NOTABLE NYC EVENTS FROM FRIENDS

Monday 🍬 5.12

5:00pm (Union Square): METro Gala by Superline - Join us in Union Square as we gather on the plaza, show off our SUPERLINE swagger, get swarmed by the paparazzi, enjoy food and drinks and dance with the Subway stars. Then descend into the depths of NYC’s underground magic. After 9PM, we’ll be hopping aboard select lines for a roving, mobile red carpet Very Important Passenger experience. RSVP HERE

6:00pm (Flatiron): Warhol's Muses by Laurence Leamer with Eric Shiner by Rizzoli Bookstore - Captivating, vivid portraits of the fascinating women exploited by Andy Warhol—written by the premier biographer of America’s entitled rich. Laurence Leamer brilliantly evokes the Sixties, its wildness, but also its seediness and pathos. RSVP HERE

Tuesday 🍬 5.13

5:30pm (Hudson Yards): Hudson Yards Reading Party Takeover by Reading Rhythms - ​​You are invited to experience this free unique reading party with live music centered around social connection. Bring a book of your choice to experience silent reading periods and meet new people through facilitated group discussions, where it’s encouraged to share ideas and literary themes. RSVP HERE

6:00pm (Williamsburg): OOO Tech Kickoff Party by Andrew Yeung - ​​Join us for our rooftop tech mixer. ​​Held at a massive, iconic venue, this mixer will be one for the books.​​Expect stunning sunset views, new conversations and connections, and a party to set the tone for the summer of 2025. RSVP HERE

6:00pm (Soho): AI After Hours by Shopify NY x General Assembly - ​​You’re invited to a night of AI hosted by Shopify NY and General Assembly. We’ll kick things off with drinks and networking, followed by an interactive AI Prompt Writing Workshop led by General Assembly’s expert instructors. RSVP HERE

Wednesday 🍬 5.14

6:00pm (Flatiron): DESIGN& Shaping the Future by iF Design - A cross-disciplinary panel of design leaders will explore the key forces shaping the future, from resilient supply chains to sustainable innovation and human-machine collaboration. RSVP HERE

7:00pm (Williamsburg): The Great Curious Cocktail Party ‘25 by Club Curious (Sober Event) - We’re throwing our biggest one yet and you're invited! A one-night only celebration hosted by Curious Elixirs with party legends Matinee Social Club, burlesque queen Pearls Daily, and Joe’s Pub artist Olivia K. RSVP HERE

7:00pm (Meatpacking): Latihan Experience by Beyond Sight - A blindfolded, moving meditation where music, touch, energy, and presence guide you back to yourself. RSVP HERE

Thursday 🍬 5.15

6:00pm (Flatiron): Language Exchange Mixer by Borderless - ​​A language mixer event to bring people together from across different cultures to build friendships, spread culture, and cultivate community. RSVP HERE

7:00pm (Bushwick): Roundtable Discussion by Secret Riso Club - ​​Join Zamme Projects (CDMX) and Secret Riso Club for a roundtable discussion on building community through art and design. RSVP HERE

10:00pm (Park Slope): We Fix U by Dina Hashem & Matt Koff - ​​Comedians Dina Hashem and Matt Koff (Comedy Cellar regulars, Daily Show writers) present an evening of standup comedy and affordable therapy. You are broken. We will fix you. RSVP HERE

Friday 🍬 5.16

11:00am (Tribeca): Opening Day by Mmuseumm - Tribeca’s most-bang-per-square-foot art space on Cortlandt Alley is back for 2025. The Mmuseumm is “a public service dedicated to exploring the modern world and the human condition” operating in what was once an elevator shaft.  NO RSVP REQUIRED

6:00pm (Flatiron): Art& Community by Neuehouse - Join us for a thought-provoking panel discussion on how art and artists catalyze community transformation.  RSVP HERE

6:00pm (Tribeca): All About 25 Opening Reception by James Cohan Gallery - An exhibition celebrating the gallery’s twenty-fifth anniversary, All About 25 features the work of artists who have shaped the gallery’s past, present, and future. Many of the paintings, sculptures and installations made specifically for the exhibition symbolically tie to the number 25.  NO RSVP REQUIRED

7:00pm (Meatpacking): Sounds at DIMES by ThespyHouse - Join us for an elevated lineup of soulful voices and genre-bending sounds, followed by mingling and a live DJ set to carry the night forward. RSVP HERE

Use code “sugary” for preferred pricing

Saturday 🍬 5.17

11:00am (New York, NY): Brutalist Architecture Tour by aci-d trip - Let’s marvel at the oppressive beauty of brutalist buildings, from iconic landmarks to hidden gems. Our journey begins in Tribeca, where we’ll stroll along the west side, ending at Washington Square Park. Along the way, we’ll explore architectural wonders such as the AT&T Long Lines Building and the Salt Shed. RSVP HERE

2:00pm (Dumbo): "Believe" - Cher | One-Day Choir by Gaia Collective - Gaia Music Collective's One-Day Choir series is an opportunity to sing in a choir for one day only. A celebration of song and the connective power of singing in harmony. An opportunity to build community, make some new friends, and raise our powerfully diverse voices as one. No auditions. No commitment. No judgment or need for perfection. RSVP HERE

3:00pm (Brooklyn, NY): Boundless by Hollis Taggart - Hollis Taggart Gallery to open a second location, Hollis Taggart Downtown, at 109 Norfolk Street on the Lower East Side. The inaugural exhibition, Boundless, will feature 10 artists who embrace abstraction. NO RSVP NEEDED

6:00pm (LES): A Volcanic Season Closing by Hot Situations - Hotness blooms in the month of May, we gather to supercharge during spring’s creative transformation through dance, art, and the abundance of vibrant community. DJs, visual installations, music, interactive experiences & community hang-out areas with our fam from all over the world.  RSVP HERE

Use code “SUGARY” for preferred pricing

Sunday 🍬 5.18

2:00pm (Prospect Heights): Pop-Up Performances: Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra by Brooklyn Museum - Drop by to hear music selections performed by members of the Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra, the Museum’s orchestra in residence. RSVP HERE

3:00pm (Williamsburg): Pop-Up Activation by Randwiches + Mama Lam's - Join us for a special AAPI month collaboration with chef Jenn de la Vega and Mama Lam's. Enjoy a limited edition menu featuring Mama Lam's satay pastes and hot sauces in nachos, hot dogs, and cookies. RSVP HERE

5:00pm (Dumbo): Spring Post-Eid Park Potluck NYC 2025 by Tolu, Iqra & Ahmad - Bringing the fam out for our annual picnic Hosting these since 2021, welcome to our fourth year of potlucks & picnics for the Muslim community in NYC. RSVP HERE

6:00pm (Downtown Brooklyn): Sound Mind Festival by Sound Mind Center - Join us as we bring together artists and forward-thinking organizations to create community, foster dialogue, and catalyze social change for mental health during a crucial time. RSVP HERE

Monday 🍬 5.19

6:00pm (New York, NY): The Henna Hearth by Izma Anwar - Explore and expand narratives through the mystical medium of henna. Around this (metaphorical) fireplace, we will learn how to create basic-to-advanced henna designs while learning about its origins, and how it transcends time, religions, and cultures. RSVP HERE

Tuesday 🍬 5.20

7:00pm (Tribeca): Wingwoman Workshop: Where to Meet People IRL by Met Through Friends - Join for an intimate and strategic workshop to help you build a tailored game plan for meeting people IRL. RSVP HERE

Use code “SUGARY” for preferred pricing

Wednesday 🍬 5.21

7:00pm (Greenpoint): Becoming and Belonging, Navigating Identity in Digital and Physical Spaces by Cabbage House - The cabbage Salon is a space for curious minds, deep discussions, and unexpected connections. Each gathering brings people together to engage with big ideas—guided by a speaker, and shaped by the thoughts, experiences, and perspectives of everyone in the room. RSVP HERE

Thursday 🍬 5.22

7:00pm (Midtown East): Kevin Nguyen: Mỹ Documents by NYPL - The features editor at The Verge satirizes American xenophobia, political dysfunction, and our tech-culture industrial complex. RSVP HERE

Friday 🍬 5.23

9:00am (Tribeca): Beyond the Connection: Building Meaningful Connections Across Your Network by Sway and Beyond Nice - Connection is currency. So how do we create more of it - intentionally, meaningfully, and with staying power? ​Join us for Beyond the Connection, a collaborative morning experience where creative thinkers, community builders, and curious minds come together to talk about what it really means to connect - and why it matters more than ever. RSVP HERE

Sunday 🍬 5.25

3:00pm (FiDi): The Movement Speakeasy by Ryan Daniel Beck - The Movement Speakeasy is an opportunity for people to reimagine their relationship to movement, focused on longevity. Guests will learn how to move in a fully sustainable, non-abusive, and pleasurable way. RSVP HERE

Two weeks ago, we mentioned that DK and I are cooking up the first-ever NY-Community Week, landing October 13–17, 2025. Since then, we’ve had a solid wave of volunteers step up.

Now, we’re extending the invite to communities who want in on the action.

We’re assembling a citywide celebration of what makes New York actually feel like New York: real connection. Not LinkedIn “thought leadership.” Not VC panel fatigue. Just people showing up for each other - IRL.

Here’s the vision:
We’re curating a slate of events across NYC — salons, rooftop debates, workshops, idea marketplaces — all culminating in a marquee closing ceremony. And we want your community to host something that reflects who you are.

Whether you're an underground arts collective, a wellness pop-up, a cultural space hosting film screenings, a poetry night with a cult following, or a crew obsessed with food, books, or healing, this is your moment to plug into something bigger.

Your role? Host a meaningful event sometime that week. You handle your event. We’ll handle the amplification — through our 19k+ Sugary subscriber base, press pushes, and the NY-Community Week platform. No fees. No red tape. Just real community.

If any of these ring true, we should talk:

• You believe in face-to-face as the highest bandwidth

• You see curated chaos as a feature, not a bug

• You’re building something deeper than clout-chasing

This isn’t a campaign. It’s a cultural moment.
Use the form below to raise your hand.

THE SUGARY EFFECT

Life and Mistrust

This past weekend, I met up with a friend along with her cousins who were visiting from abroad and exploring everything NyC for a week.

When asked the requisite question about some amazing things to check out during their time here, I obviously reflected on some of the most amazing experiences I had the pleasure of enjoying in my recent memory.

One of my offerings was to encourage them to check out Life and Trust, the celebrated followup immersive production from the team behind Sleep No More.  

As the tourists sat transfixed and slack jawed by my beaming endorsement of the production, my friend went online to book the tickets so that they could hopefully snag tickets to this popular production while her cousines were still in town.

As I was in the middle of gushing over the lavish sets, the incredible choreography  and amazing storyline I heard something out of the corner of ear…

“It says the show is CLOSED.”

“Wait what?!”, I exasperated with disbelief.

“Yeah it says the show is closed, look.”, as my friend thrust the phone in my face.  On it, the website with the words…

“The theatrical run of Life And Trust officially came to an end on April 19th, 2025…”

I mean, how could that be? Like seriously.  The production opened on August 1st, 2024…less than a year open and suddenly shuttered…

And on Easter Sunday no less…

I had to dive deeper into this mystery.  As I scoured the Internet and went down the rabbit hole for further information, two very disturbing points became clear:

1.  Whatever happened, it was serious and was kept strictly under wraps. No reputable publication or Reddit forum that covered this industry or the specific topic seemed to have a handle on exactly what happened, only loose theories and informed hypotheses.

2. The entire cast and crew were caught completely off guard and only learned hours before the rest of the public received the announcement as they were set to perform.

It was so shocking that I was tempted to reach out immediately to the founding team who I have a long established collaborative friendship with for answers…

…but I reconsidered.  

If the messaging had been so controlled up until this point, the chances of little ol’ me getting additional tea on the situation was next to nil and even if I managed to get something, I probably couldn’t share it anyways.

Ultimately, I’m sure eventually the whole story will begin to come out in drips and drabs. 

However, I couldn’t help but feel a profound sense of loss.  

For those of you that never got the chance to experience this masterpiece, it was 6 floors of a former bank, more than 100,000 square feet converted into its own bespoke universe.  

The sheer commitment, skill and love that went into this effort was staggering which ran in concert with the behemoth cost which was to the believable tune of multi millions citing multiple sources familiar with the production.

All that for a 9 month run.

I talk often about the challenge of great art to merely exist in this world let alone thrive.

It’s not easy to create something from nothing and have it be a thing that inspires our lives in a multitude of ways.

In many ways, whether you actually got to see the production or not, the failure of Life and Trust is a loss for the city, not just the loss of a singular production.

And immediately my heart goes out to the artists and crew.  

Can you imagine if you’re one of these artists who has worked months, even years to bring something of this magnitude to life…and then to have it snatched away from you in an instant.

Well you don’t have to imagine.  As it turns out I reached out personally to as many of the cast and crew as I could and miraculously, I heard back from Kai Liebenstein and Aaron Dalla Villa, two members of the L&T Cast and Crew as well as organizers of a fund to support those affected by this unceremonious dismissal: 

When Life & Trust abruptly closed, over 100 cast and crew were left without answers — told to pack up and leave, with no proper warning. In the immediate aftermath, it was the community — fans, friends, and supporters — who stepped up first with their own donation efforts.

We were deeply moved by what had already begun, and felt called to help carry it forward — to centralize those efforts and create one place of support for everyone impacted.

But we’re not done. There are still people we haven’t reached. If this show meant something to you — if this community meant something to you — please consider giving what you can. Every contribution brings someone closer to stability and healing.

Team Life & Mistrust

Organizers Kai Liebenstein & Aaron Dalla Villa

As the message implies, for those of you that can, the cast and crew of Life and Trust have set up a GoFundMe which you can access HERE.

2/3 of the total ask has already been raised. But it didn’t come from the production company or a government bailout or anything of the sort. You know where it came from?

The community.

This is what community actually looks like.

Not the buzzword kind — the real kind you can touch and feel. The kind that shows up when the spotlight’s been dimmed, the encores have expired, and the curtain has closed. It’s the kind that says: you gave us something unforgettable, and now we want to show you the love.

Through people. Through Fans. Through Friends. Through Perfect Strangers.

Customers may be first through the door, but it’s community that are there when the doors shutter…

That’s what real connection inspires.

So if this show meant anything to you — even as a story you never got to see live — this is your cue, because you can be a part of this story even now.

The show may be over, but the people who made it still exist and they still matter.

Support them. Share this. Show up.

That’s the kind of city — and community — we should all be proud to belong to.

Are you a Sugary Member yet? Join the 175+ member community that gets you access to member-only events, special event perks, discounts and more

PAST EVENTS

Apr. 30th - In Good Company Spring Edition - About 70 have you joined us at a gorgeous home to be curious and open to fascinating new people.  One of our most popular series did not disappoint and everyone seemed to have made multiple connections that evening. To make things even more incredible, we partnered with Matchbox to implement an AI powered matchmaking moment for everyone in the middle of the event.  It turned out to be a huge hit, and we’ll definitely be working with matchbox in the future to create more opportunities for meaningful connection.

May 7th - An Evening of Mahjong - Nearly 30 of you joined us in the spirit of AAPI month to learn the ancient art of Mahjong.  Multiple instructors were on hand to guide everyone to a level of comfortable play, and by the end all you could hear were the clacking of tiles and trash talking galore all while being fed delicacies from Chinatown to keep everyone nice and full. Special thanks to Lenny A for facilitating, the event in an instructional capacity and spreading his passion of getting more people interested in Asian culture.

THE SWEET & SALTY

Wine’d Down

You’ve all experienced it at house parties.

Everyone is having a great time and people have all brought a bottle of something to share in good company.  

As you sift through the glass jungle on the countertop without really looking you pour from the first available bottle and as you take your first sip, you realize a true crime has occurred.

Someone brought shitty wine.

This anonymous contribution has somehow infiltrated the ranks through one of the attendees, and now everyone must suffer through this rancid bottle of mass produced poison.

Most sommeliers agree that a great bottle of wine will run you between $30-$100, which means a good bottle of wine to bring for a party should be around ~$20.  While this isn’t a failsafe price point you are generally inoculated from the worst of the worst brands who wouldn’t dare charge at this price point and above.

Look, I know the economy is tough and it’s hard out there for everyone and perhaps it’s even a reflection of my age, but I just feel we all deserve a bit better for each other and I’m not asking much.

You can contribute a cocktails worth of cost towards a decent bottle that everyone can enjoy...including you. 

I’m not here proclaiming to be some wine expert, but I think it’s reasonable to say that there are some pretty obvious tells in which you can pretty much assume what you have in your hand is not gonna be great and you probably shouldn’t follow through on your purchase.  

Here are a few tips on things to avoid:

1. If it’s a box, a jug, a cylinder, a dodecahedron or other odd shaped packaging - This isn’t a casual picnic and we’re not chugging cooking wine so what are we doing here?  Stick with the original bottle shape and act like you know something.

2. Any 1 Liter bottle you can get “for a good price” - Because no you can’t. Not for anything good at least. It’s shitty wine, just much more of it…Lord have mercy.

3. Any bottles that have multiple award stickers on it - It so desperately wants you to know it’s good, it’s probably not. One award sticker, maybe. Multiple?! Yeah…now I’m suspicious. These bottles are like indie films with a million palm leaf “accolades” from insignificant film festivals that are utterly meaningless (you want the one from Cannes not the one from Cranbrook Film Festival).

4. Anything Barefoot, Chateau Diana, Sutter Home, or Yellowtail - Just don’t. Unless you want to be permanently ostracized from any social circle. Not only does it scream cheap and careless, it also shows a complete lack of consideration for the well being of others. A big screw you in the shape of a big bright screw top. 

So the next time you’re in a wine store, let’s all make an effort to be a bit better with our selections. If you spend just a little bit more paired with expert advice, we all come out winners in the end…

…and that’s something I’d toast to all day every day. 🍷 

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 year, we’ve hosted 19 park installations, 7 sold-out salons, we've seen countless people in public, and received nearly 1000 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!

The Unsent Letter Mailbox — an NYC-born art project that lives at the intersection of anonymous writing, emotional healing, and urban play — is growing FAST. We’re looking for a volunteer content collaborator who wants to grow with us.

You:

• Are emotionally fluent and creatively intuitive

• Know how to make something stop the scroll without screaming

• Love language, letters, and soft power

• Want to build something you can be proud of

We:

• Have been featured on NBC + The Kelly Clarkson Show

• Are planning scavenger hunts, secret salons, and continued urban pop-ups

• Are small, self-funded, and full of momentum

• Will give you full credit, mentorship, and future paid work if things align

This is 3-5 hours a week. Remote is cool. And vibes are everything.

If you're curious, email [email protected] or DM @unsentlettermailbox on IG! 

Call To Gather

‘Call to Gather’ champions creative play as essential for health and wellness; fostering mental, emotional, and social well-being. They believe everyone is a maker, and that its through shared creative experiences human beings build trust, collaboration, and can develop a deep sense of community.

Gather Artists are all highly experienced in their craft, providing quality creative sessions from a wide range industries for individuals to begin to explore their creative potential, heal, and connect - ultimately igniting personal and collective transformation in community.

Start your creative play HERE (use discount code: Sugary)

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