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 🍬 2.4

6:00 PM (Tribeca) - Sugary's Member Mixer - Join us for our first community gathering of the year. Come mingle with fellow members, meet prospective new members and enjoy an evening of good company.

Light snacks & refreshments will be provided.

RSVP HERE

_{(Social Battery Level: Medium Extrovert - Crowd Size 50)}

Sunday 🍬 2.09

5:30 PM (Astor Place) - Sugary's Super Bowl LIX Watch Party - Why Host or Stay Home? Watch the Super Bowl with Us Instead!

Skip the hassle of hosting and avoid another boring Super Bowl at home—join us at Sugar Mouse for the ultimate Super Bowl watch party!

For a fraction of what you'd pay anywhere else in NYC, you’ll get: Catered game-day eats, flowing beer and wine, desserts, fun betting games, and your own private section with massive screens to catch every play.

Early Bird Pricing Extended until Monday 2/3: $30

General Admission: $45 (starting 2/4)

RSVP HERE (Limited to 50 tickets)

_{(Social Battery Level: High Ambivert - Crowd Size 50)}

Sunday 🍬 2.10

6:30 PM (Tribeca) - Unsent Letter Project Presents: The Write to Read Salon VII - Join us for our first Write to Read salon of the year! If you’ve never joined us before, come experience a salon that has caught the attention of Secret NYC and NBC Nightly News in recent times. Embrace the power of anonymous storytelling capped off with a signature musical performance from a local artist.

RSVP HERE

_{(Social Battery Level: Medium Ambivert - Crowd Size 30-40)}

NOTABLE NYC EVENTS FROM FRIENDS

Tuesday 🍬 2.4

7:00pm (East Village): Borderless Presents: Lunar New Year Night - What better way to kick off BORDERLESS’ first cultural holiday themed party than the holiday I'm most familiar with: Lunar New Year! Around the world more than 1.5 billion people celebrate Lunar New Year in all sorts of variations, and I'm inviting you to take part in a slice of that right here in NYC. Expect dumplings, noodles, red envelopes, games and much more! Red and gold theme - traditional outfits for bonus clout (no you don't have to be Asian to wear them)

RSVP HERE  

Wednesday 🍬 2.5

7:30pm (Bushwick): Lightning Society Presents: Community Potluck - Join Lightning Society for our bi-monthly Wednesday community potluck! We'll be coming together to share food, drinks, and connection, so bring a favorite dish and be ready to meet some wonderful people.

RSVP HERE  

Thursday 🍬 2.6

5:30pm (Flatiron): Foreign Founders Presents: Immigration Hackathon Pitch Night - Join us on February 6th where 15+ pitches by teams building Finance, Health, Language and Legal solutions for immigrants and first-gen Americans.

​This event represents what we're all about - coming together, collaborating, solving tough problems, and showcasing our creativity!

RSVP HERE

7:00pm (LES): Tête-à-Tech Presents: Storing Energy is the Hard Part: Keep it Simple with Heat - Join Riad El Soufi (Product Manager at Rondo) and Noah Landow (Founder and CEO at Macktez) for a conversation about one of the rarely discussed challenges and opportunities in decarbonization: industrial heat or electric thermal energy storage (ETES).

During this engaging conversation, we will explore the critical role of industrial heat in global greenhouse gas emissions and the need for innovative decarbonization strategies, discuss the technical and economic complexities of transitioning away from fossil fuels in these large scale industrial processes, and learn about the role of thermal batteries in decarbonizing industrial heat and their potential impact on a global scale.

RSVP HERE  

Friday 🍬 2.7

8:00pm (Meatpacking): Studio 69 Presents: Etherea! - Join us for a one of a kind night of creation, connection, and joy between humans and AI at Studio 69, a cultural portal at the site of the historic restaurant Florent in New York’s Meatpacking District. Bring instruments to jam, snacks and drinks to share, and any spare fluff/furniture you’d like to contribute to this liminal space.

RSVP HERE  

Saturday 🍬 2.8

9:30am (Chinatown): Dumplings & Dreams: A Lunar Wellness Day - ​The Suamora family invites you to embrace a day of connection, intention, and nourishment for your body, mind, stomach, and soul. Celebrate the New Year and Lunar New Year with us as we blend cultural traditions, mindful practices, and heartfelt community.

RSVP HERE  

Sunday 🍬 2.9

4:00pm (Bushwick): Enthiosita Presents: The Art of Infusion - Whether you practiced Dry January or not, we hope you'll join us for a two hour mocktail and tea crafting workshop in Bushwick where you'll learn how to craft delicious and refreshing mocktails and custom teas designed for the effects you need and want.

Handcrafted mocktails will be for sale and you'll take home a reusable, silicon tea bag along with three teas you craft yourself along with a worksheet with everything we'll cover during the workshop.

RSVP HERE  

So you’re gonna notice something a bit different this newsletter…towards the end…so I suggest you scroll all the way down.

Long story short, in an effort to constantly improve what we offer here in the newsletter a couple editions back, we took a poll to find out which sections of the newsletter you were most responsive to… and consequently, which section you were the least responsive to.

Well, the results are in and unsurprisingly, it seems the community really enjoys ”The Sugary Effect” and “Events” sections the most.

And as far as the least, it ends up being the Artist Spotlight. I admit, that is a bit of a bummer because that is the area where I come from and I have enjoyed singling out some of the best up and coming musical and visual artists I have come across that I believe are destined for greater things.  From here on out, the artist Spotlight will only live on in my IG stories as I encounter talent that I believe are worthy of being identified.

However, the majority has spoken and so we are replacing this section with a new offering:

The Sweet 🍭 and Salty 🧂

This is going to be a new section where I offer various hot takes that I have on a variety of topics around connection, community and culture. These thoughts are meant to be brief and perhaps a bit more controversial. Depending on the nature of it, I may even expand upon it in a future Sugary Effect.

Either way, it is an opportunity for me to share more of my musings with you all and I invite you to share your thoughts and feedback with me.

So, let’s give this a go, and I hope you enjoy this new addition to the newsletter. 

Scroll down to read my first salty take 😉 

THE SUGARY EFFECT

PS I Like You

Given it’s almost Valentine’s Day I thought I’d share an appropriate little amuse bouche for the occasion.

Most of you reading this know me at a point in my life where I haven’t really been dating. 

Though it may be hard to fathom, there was ACTUALLY a time when I wasn’t solely just about “community” and actually concerned myself with the notion of a significant other.

This current state of relational celibacy results from a rationale that I’ve conjured in my own head that I need to have certain things “in place” before I jump back into dating.

This assertion when shared candidly in my wider community has drawn a deep division line among my friends akin to a civil war. And while no muskets have yet been drawn, half of them, applaud my decision while the other half disagree profoundly with my choice. The debate has become quite fervent on both sides of this topic over the years.

For the friends that approve of my decision, they credit my sense of concern for the well-being of my prospective partner and the acknowledgment that the practical realities of dating in modern times requires a fair amount of resources and planning if you’re not in a relationship to be entirely self-serving. Those that praise me for this choice, typically do so around the notions of responsibility and maturity.

For those that DON’T approve of my rationale, the implication is that I am projecting my insecurities and that I don’t know what I don’t know and by not putting myself out there, I deny the possibility of finding someone who might have no need for my “resources” at all but is desperately seeking the emotional availability and attentive affection I tend to offer in spades to those I care for and have been told is a far rarer commodity.

Perspective in this case has then become a sort of interchangeable lens to look at something as I refine my own understanding of the situation.

Regardless of where you stand on this topic, I did agree on one thing I’d do for myself in the New Year…

If I’m feelin’ it, I’m sayin’ it.

Period. Full stop.

Regardless of whether I’m ready to date this year or not, at the very least I’ll make a commitment to tap back into my instinctual roots and feel at liberty and vulnerability to express my feelings when it comes to romantic love with the same level of boldness and enthusiasm that I currently do for the thousands of platonic relationships that I generate every year.

I mean why not? The worst that can happen is the feeling is NOT mutual and then I’m just onto the next which for me is a near everyday occurrence.

Well wouldn’t you know it…no sooner had I made this pact with myself, I got my first opportunity this month.

And it came in the form of a remarkable woman that I had met last year through one of the many communities I’m a part of. We just have that kind of effortless chemistry. 

She was in town visiting and despite her short stay we did manage to share a moment alone at an anonymous cafe.

After an obligatory round of catch up we meandered through a number of topics, one of them being her own frustrations with dating and how she hadn’t really found anyone that she was interested in who also felt the same about her.

It was in this moment, that I recognized this was in fact THE moment. And so I looked at her straight in the eyes and I told her she was in fact wrong…

…because I liked her.

Once the floodgates opened, everything else from that point was much easier.

I told her that I found her very attractive, that it would be an absolute privilege to be dating someone like her and assuming the feeling was mutual perhaps that might be something worth exploring.

It was a liberating feeling even despite the momentary apprehension leading up to my testament. Come what may, I put it out into the world and in and of itself, It was a small victory that was worth acknowledging.

You wanna know the amazing thing about this though?…

…turns out she felt the same.  

It was honestly such a sweet moment to savor for the both of us.

She did wonder openly though why I never took it any further when we had initially met, especially when we had shared some light moments of intimacy on her last visit.  Given that fact, she thought perhaps I didn’t actually want to pursue it instead opting to friend zone her.

I explained to her that it was only because A) I was really hyper focused on trying to build what I was building and B) she was geographically far from me, not for my lack of interest.

My general calculus was that if we were able to maintain a nice connection, perhaps down the line there’d be an opportunity to explore something more than the platonic.

The context was something she could appreciate, though the obvious question she telegraphed to me in that moment was, “what now?”

When you are gifted these moments (especially a second time), try not to miss the mark…

I leaned in and gently responded that I thought it would be the loveliest idea if she would be open to me treating her to a fantastic dinner and spending some more time with her when she next visited.

Our journey together filtered down into one single moment on bated breath…

Would this turn out positive?

What will happen from this point on? 

Did my new resolution jump the gu…

“I’d love that.”, she said…

Well, how ‘bout that…

Pardon me now while I pinch myself a bit…

Sugary 🍬

PAST EVENTS

Jan. 25th Creative Community Mastermind - About 40 of you joined us for a full day of workshopping as we brought community leaders together to discuss best practices, share resources and it was a pretty incredible day of sharing and collaboration.

Coummunity leaders were asked to break out into small groups and work through their challenges in a hybrid journaling/collaborative discussion format. What became abundantly clear was one specific thing:

Community leaders feel like they walk a lonely path.

There’s a seemingly universal sensation of a lack of support and you could feel that in the room.

It brought me joy to find that throughout the day, real progress was seemingly made and new alliances formed while enjoying a pristine spread provided by The Perry Club and a special tea experience provided by NOAH Wellness, plus special personal brand portraits by Adam Ninyo.

Feedback has been universally positive for the gathering and so If you’d be interested in the next one (and there will be a next one) please let us know by filling out the application form HERE.

THE SWEET & SALTY

Less Gatekeeping, More Gate Smashing.

Salty Hot Take: Let’s face it, most "exclusivity" today isn't protecting quality - it’s sustaining mediocrity. The truly revolutionary communities I've seen are the ones throwing their doors wide open while staying true to their values (The famous LOFT party started by the late David Mancuso comes to mind).

Don't get me wrong - I get why gatekeeping started. Back in the day, it was about trust and safety. Like making sure if you were providing an introduction to someone, it was someone who was lightly vetted at the very least, or the person attending a yoga class was actually there to learn yoga, or ensuring the chef preparing your sushi isn't just someone who watched Jiro Dreams of Sushi once. That’s cool…

…and necessary.

What’s definitely a pet peeve of mine is watching good people get blocked because they didn't know the "right" people or fit into some herd mentality mold of who “deserves” to be included. Meanwhile, mediocrity gets waved through because they had the connections.

It’s giving elitism vibes.

I truly believe that if there was a more open spirit of inclusion, the better aspects of humanity would blossom and usher in a renaissance of the social scene. I’m hopefuly though perhaps not that optimistic because we as humans aren’t anything if we aren’t predictable in our patterns.

Prove me wrong or tell me I'm preaching - I want to hear your thoughts and stories on how you’ve been affected by gatekeeping or your observations when it happens in front of you, good and bad.

Reply back with your hottest gatekeeping takes ;)

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 and NBC Nightly News.

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