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!

No Events This Week!

And so our podcast journey begins.

In the next week or so, DK and I plan to record our first official podcast episode.  

However, we would love your recommendations as to who you think we should have on the show.

Consider this an open call.

The theme of the podcast centers around connection and community with a focus on New York City though this city tends to be the nexus of the world. And I know that is pretty general, but there are many aspects to it. As a quick sampling of areas we plan to explore, there are those who establish and lead communities of their own, people who find and leave communities both professional and personal, the dynamics and degrees of connection within different community experiences and so on and so forth.

We want to explore community from the individual to the organizational level, the connections formed and at times broken, and how we can effectively foster greater connection through this idea of community.  

Within that context, specifically we want to explore (but not limited to):

• Communities of All Types (Interests, Professional, Cultural, Religious Etc.)

• Disruptions, Innovation and Phenomena

• Connection within Community Through Personal Experience

We already have a sizable list already formed, but if you think there is somebody that we really should talk to, please do reach out to us so that we can explore this further.

Can’t wait to build this all together with you as we explore what I believe to be one of the most important topics of our times.

THE SUGARY EFFECT

The Epistemology of Friendship, Evolved (Part 1 of 3)

Following my way too close for comfort brush with mortality last month I had some time to reflect on my own understanding of friendship, which yielded some interesting epiphanies.

One of these clarion call moments came at the realization as to just how unprepared I was for this moment.

Like literally, I had no clue. I might as well have been a toddler, trying its hand at calculus for the first time.

It was actually kind of embarrassing that I knew so little about how to actually care for myself in a responsible way…

Other than getting my ass over to the ER, I simply couldn’t manage the situation, plain and simple.

When my friend Mona stepped in to give me the actual life-saving support that I didn’t even know I needed, I marveled at the authority and the knowledge by which she navigated the space.

Her experience caring for her own elderly parents long term had prepared her for this moment in a way that was truly awe-inspiring.  

And so going through that, and witnessing her in action on my behalf, led me to a real point of self reflection:

How would I meet this moment if I was put into a similar situation?

I’ve always taken pride in being there for my friends as much as humanly possible.  

I’d be the one to get you into an event, to help you on moving day or to lend an empathetic ear…

…but what about something like this?

I mean at the time of this writing I’m 46 which means the vast majority of my good friends swing in a 10 year direction on either side.  

This means that in about 20 years or so the reality is that some of them will likely encounter a serious medical issue requiring the care of their family and/or close friends.

How I’m able to serve my close friends NEEDED to evolve.

Because all of a sudden, the guest list +1’s, professional introductions and moments of celebration will likely take a backseat to the spectre of being a health proxy and an informed advocate.

Now, I don’t expect to be nearly as well-versed as Mona (she’s clearly in another league in this regard), but I wanna be better…I think I need to be better.

So…I’ll start with doing a deeper dive into my own ailments and WebMD the shit out of it, actually pay more attention to my doctors, read up on some of the basics and binge watch the first season of The Pitt for good measure.  I’m even thinking about taking a first aid course possibly.

This to me is all part of being more aware of how our friend’s needs and priorities shift throughout life no matter what age.

I for one plan to adopt a more conscientious approach.

It’s important to be there when it matters…

…but it’s even more important to be there in a way that matters.

🍬 Sugary

PAST EVENTS

Sep. 28th: So Long To Summer BBQ - About 50 of you joined us for the final rooftop BBQ of the season as we said goodbye to summer in glorious fashion with amazing tune, fantastic tunes and always in good company. It was so good to see so many of you and there’s just simply no replacing an epic rooftop gathering in NYC.

NOTABLE NYC EVENTS, HAND-PICKED BY SUGARY

Welcome to the inaugural edition of The Sweet List—our newly standardized events newsletter built with complete with a color-coded Trust System, clear Time & Place formatting, crystal-clean social-battery icons, concise one-line value props, bite-sized “Your People” profiles, Free 🆓/Ticketed 🎟️ markers, and curated experience icons to help you zero in on the perfect vibe.

AND DON’T SAY I DIDN’T TELL YOU ABOUT…

Producer Mondays

Paul Simon once wrote, “Improvisation is too good to leave to chance.”

Luckily for us, there’s only one place you need to be late Monday nights that is dedicated towards keeping the spirit of this idea thriving in the heart of Alphabet City.

Producer Mondays, the passion project of Roots crew member Ray Angry is self described as, “an open forum for creatives that allows for both a musical and spiritual release through improvisation.”

The idea for Producer Mondays was first born at Electric Lady Studios while composing music for The Roots’s new album with Stro Elliot. Ray’s vision was to create a platform for artists who felt pressured to imitate others just to survive in today’s industry. Instead, Producer Mondays became a space for authenticity, originality and community with NuBlu 151 as its creative home.  

Every week is a live studio session, unfolding in real time for the audience. The first set kicks things off followed by the half time show featuring rising and established artists and concluding with a curated lineup from the best musicians in the room.

No matter what, you’re all but assured of an incredible sonic experience and the proof is in the pudding with the number of attendees that come out to both show love and bask in the good vibes.

Definitely take the chanc eto chekc out Producer Mondays…it’s the perfect way to jump start your week.

For Sugary newsletter readers, the first 50 who DM and follow me on IG will be granted special guest list admission to a future Producer Monday show. 

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 free trial at Fabrik.

Weekly events at Fabrik HERE

Othership

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!