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!

Thursday 🍬 3.20

6:00pm (Tribeca): The SUGARY Community Town Hall - We invite you to join our first Town Hall of the year!

Come be a part of building the vibrant Sugary community together! Guests are welcome!

Find out what we are working on, provide feedback on the question we have for the community and offer up your thoughts as to ways in which to positively enrich our community. 

RSVP HERE  

Friday 🍬 3.21

1:00pm (Noho): Unsent Letter Mailbox Pop-Up - The Unsent Letter Mailbox is open and drops this Friday at Washington Square Park!

The Unsent Letter Mailbox is a social invitation to get something off your chest anonymously.

​​Off of the prompt, " I want you to know this/that..." you can write to anyone or anything. Could be to friends, family, God, a gerbil.

​​Equal parts catharsis and voyeurism through prose, the idea is to celebrate the power of anonymous storytelling and bask in the perspectives of emotions and life experiences as told through the eyes of New Yorkers.

VOLUNTEERS WELCOMED FOR THIS EVENT.

_{PLEASE RSVP IF YOU ARE FREE AND SELECT “VOLUNTEER” IN THE QUESTIONS SECTION}

RSVP HERE 

Wednesday 🍬 3.26

11:00am (Tribeca): Rising Tide Collective (Round 2) - A 90-Minute Creative Problem-Solving Session for NYC Community Leaders & Creators hosted by DK & Sugary.

Rising Tide Collective brings together 8 carefully selected NYC creators and community leaders for an intense 1.5 hours of problem-solving and immediate action. Unlike traditional networking events, you'll walk away with concrete solutions and progress on your projects.

RSVP HERE  

NOTABLE NYC EVENTS FROM FRIENDS

Monday 🍬 3.17

6:00pm (Alphabet City): Third Place Bar Presents: St. Patrick’s Day AF - ​Join us for a Sober(Curious) Saint Patrick’s Day celebration at Hekate, the OG sober bar in the East Village! 🍀 Let’s turn the booziest of all holidays into a fun hangover-free hangout to celebrate community and connection... and you'll be in bed before 10pm!

RSVP HERE 

6:30pm (Brooklyn Heights): Center for Brooklyn History Presents: What to Save? Landmarks for a New New York - Join us as we explore the past, present, and future of historic preservation with two Beyond Architecture essayists, architect Vishaan Chakrabarti and landscape architect Lisa Switkin, whose contributions to transforming the city include projects like the High Line and the conversion of Brooklyn’s Domino Sugar Factory. 

RSVP HERE 

Tuesday 🍬 3.18

6:00pm (Manhattan): Net Zero Insights Presents: NYC Climate Tech Mixer - Net Zero Insights is bringing together the top minds in NYC climate tech—Exclusively for investors, founders, and industry leaders—for an evening of meaningful connections and inspiring conversations.

RSVP HERE 

6:30pm (Dumbo): Kinlia Presents: NYC Community Builders Gathering - As community builders and event organizers we are passionate about bringing people together. That's what drive us. Yet, we face obstacles. Let's share, discuss, and brainstorm, and build a community of community builders and event organizers!

RSVP HERE 

7:00pm (Union Square): NASA Space Apps NYC Presents: Exploring Space Data & Exploring Cool Things - ​This year, the Space Apps NYC Organizers are bringing together planetary scientists, data scientists, and technologists for a series of events for those interested in Space, Technology, and Open data.

​This is an info session + workshop meant to gather interest for NASA's Space Apps Hackathon that will take place in the Fall 2025.

RSVP HERE 

Wednesday 🍬 3.19

6:00pm (Midtown East): Affordable Art Fair Presents: Affordable Art Fair NYC 2025 Private Preview Viewing Day - We're celebrating our 37th edition of the Affordable Art Fair in NYC this Spring so join us at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Chelsea from March 20 – 23, 2025 with our Private View opening on Wednesday, March 19!

RSVP HERE 

6:00pm (Noho): NYU Presents: What Does Decolonization Look Like? - In advance of “Composing While Black” at NYU Skirball, join a panel of scholars and artists to explore the innovations of Afrodiasporic sound, intersections of Blackness and performance, and the radical forms of resistance these embodied practices offer in our reading, listening and organizing. 

RSVP HERE 

7:00pm (Midtown East): Rich Yee Presents: The March Board Games Celebration - ✨ inviting you to our march board game night ✨ you should come to game night if you are: 🎲 interested in board games 🥰 chill with new and old friends 🥂 looking to have a fun wednesday evening

RSVP HERE 

7:00pm (East Williamsburg): Blush + Bounce Haircare Presents: The Launch Party - We’re thrilled to soon share our product with you, and since the moment is almost here, we want to celebrate together! Join us for the BLUSH + BOUNCE HAIRCARE Launch Party!🥳

RSVP HERE 

Friday 🍬 3.21

11:00am (UES): The MET Presents: Juilliard Historical Performance Chamber Music Series - Listen to advanced students from Juilliard's Historical Performance department perform historical music on period instruments. Engage in conversation that explores connections with the Museum’s collection.

Free w/ Museum Admission (Which is Free if You’re a NY State Resident)

RSVP HERE 

7:30pm (UES): 92NY Presents: Wild Up: Darkness Sounding Night 1- Los Angeles-based music collective Wild Up breaks their acclaimed Darkness Sounding festival out of LA for the first time, premiering it in New York City on 92NY’s stages.

Use Code “WILDUP50” for Half Off Admission.

RSVP HERE 

Saturday 🍬 3.22

9:00am (Meatpacking District): FRC North America Presents: Founders Running Club NYC - Founders Running Club (FRC) brings founders, investors, tech, creative people and startup enthusiasts together for weekly easy runs and networking. Choose your pace or follow a pacer—pets, friends, family, are welcome.

RSVP HERE 

7:30pm (UES): 92NY Presents: Wild Up: Darkness Sounding Night 2 - See above.

Use Code “WILDUP50” for Half Off Admission.

RSVP HERE 

9:00pm (Midtown): 57 Presents: 57 Records Label Launch Party - After a winter of creative incubation, 57 emerges with its most anticipated event of the year - the birth of 57 RECORDS, unveiled in one of NYC’s most impressive immersive venues: HERO NYC. 

RSVP HERE 

Sunday 🍬 3.23

2:30pm (Williamsburg): Maximum New York Presents: So you want to do abundance politics? You want to do it, and you're saying that? I will tell you, and then you have no excuse after that! - ​How do you achieve political outcomes in New York City? What is this "abundance politics" thing people keep talking about? ​How can you, and how can we, create a more abundant future for New York City?

RSVP HERE  

Tuesday 🍬 3.25

5:00pm (Union Square): Antler Presents: AAPI Female Tech Founders & Investors Powerhouse with Antler & Microsoft for Startups - Join us for a special mixer celebrating AAPI female investors and founders.

RSVP HERE  

Thursday 🍬 3.27

6:30pm (Tribeca): Books Light the Fire Presents: Creative Joy Date - Acrylic Pouring (DIY Canvas Art) - Our Creative Joy Dates are where creativity is nurtured through games, activities, and arts and crafts. These sessions are more than just fun and games—they're opportunities to reconnect with your inner child and practice self-care by tapping into your authentic core.

Use Code “PLAY5” for a discount

RSVP HERE 

Saturday 🍬 3.29

10:00pm (Bushwick): Cosmic Connections Presents: Cosmic Circus - Another world lurks within this glowing tent - a swirling scene of wonder and whimsy. Where music and motion perform an entrancing dance late into the night. A mystical carnival of fun, creativity, and connection.

Use Code “COSMICSUGARY” for a discount

RSVP HERE  

Sunday 🍬 3.30

6:30pm (Williamsburg): Ken Litton Presents: Soulful Sundays: creative performances + community conversation - Join us for a night of comedy, poetry, music, and spoken word. Soulful Sundays is NYC’s first discussion-based variety show featuring stand-up, poetry, music, and character performances where, after each act, the audience will be invited to mingle and share honest reactions with each other.

Mention “SUGARY” at the door for a complimentary ticket for a glass of win or NA drink of your choice

RSVP HERE

Last year we pulled off 53 events.

And while they were all successful, the key phrase there is “pulled off”.

The experience of executing 53 events was a sensation akin to frantically treading water in a Herculean effort not to drown.

While that sensation alone was manageable despite the intensity, it didn’t exactly leave much room to think through some of the more ambitious concepts I have swirling around in my head.

Anytime I wanted to meditate on some creative concept I dreamt up or even start the logistical steps towards really getting things into place, it’d inevitably be interrupted by the “next event” that needed to be executed just so we could maintain the pace we set out for ourselves.

That was no bueno in my book.

And so one of the things I said for this year that I wanted to implement was organizing around our events that particularly resonated with people and planning out a series of them so that we can better see the road ahead.  

More than that though, I have some brilliant moments to share with y’all and I’m coming to accept the fact that these moments just need room to breathe in order for them to manifest.

So going forward, I’m gonna take more time for myself so that I can actually focus on some of these more elaborate concepts so that we can make it a reality sooner than later.

This may mean that some months will have fewer events than our previous year’s pacing, but I honestly think it’ll be worth it in the end.

Ultimately the goal is to end up with a blockbuster year of events that feel more special while also reserving the time necessary to invest in some moonshot ideas that could become game changers.

I believe this is the right approach and can’t wait to bring some incredible moments to life for your enjoyment.

THE SUGARY EFFECT

The Soundtrack to Black Dignity

This past week I had the rare privilege of attending the memorial and celebration of life for legendary icon singer and songwriter Roberta Flack (I.e. Killing Me Softly, First Time I Ever Saw Your Face, etc…)

My artist Nia Drummond closed out the memorial service delivering a beautiful aria in tribute to Roberta’s life and all around me, I could see living proof of the breath of Roberta’s reach, and the impact that she had had on so many through her artistry.

Throughout the evening, tributes came in from the likes of Dionne Warwick, India Arié, Yoko Ono, Alicia Keys, and so many more on the impact that Roberta’s gift had on them. 

Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean showed up unannounced to offer their acknowledgement to the woman who gave their careers a whole other trajectory and Stevie Wonder made sure the world could see that he was present and dedicated a song to his dear old friend.

Yet the most unforgettable moment of the evening came by way of the eulogy given by Reverend Al Sharpton. (Click HERE for the complete recording.)

I’ve heard plenty of sermons by plenty of preachers…never have I experienced a more stirring and affecting paean as the reverend delivered that day for Ms. Flack.

Simply put, she made a difference.

But how did she make a difference and more importantly why did this artist make a difference?

Reverend Al offered testimony to his claim and here are some of the points he offered that resonated deeply with me: 

She never let her stardom get in the way of her commitment - Roberta was PRESENT.  She wasn't just about getting a hit or getting fame and fortune. She always showed up for the causes she believed in and she always answered the call when asked even into her final years when she was physically debilitated.  She was humble in the rarest of ways…consistently. To those she knew and loved, she was just Roberta from North Carolina and she would be there if you needed her. Her platform was merely a tool for her to be more effective in her support.

She gave us “the soundtrack to black dignity” - In the era that Ms. Flack grew up in and even into the modern era into which she lived her final days, Roberta was a beacon to counterculture.  The popularization of blaxploitation films and mainstream songs that would debase black women would sit in stark contrast to the songs Roberta wrote about that sought to elevate and never embarrass her people.

It’s what you do when you get the world’s attention that matters not merely the act of getting it. - This is about legacy, but not in the sense of ego or a false sense of immortality.  It’s about what you stand for, in artistry and in advocacy which in Roberta’s case complemented each other sublimely..her lyrics transformed us as a people.  In Roberta’s case, the definition of leading by example.  In Roberta’s case, a role model of such pristine example that a Lauryn Hill could sprout up and carry forth the banner of Flack’s evergreen anthem for a new generation to connect with. 

All these points had me reflecting on the gallery of artists I’ve represented in the past. Like I mentioned in my previous entry, genius is just par for the course if you don’t have that as a base, not much worth really discussing. However, it’s what you do with that genius that truly defines you as an icon.

If I were to look at it objectively, Jon Batiste would be the furthest along this journey among the artists I have represented.  And on the surface it may seem like he’s already there with the countless accolades and acclaim he’s already amassed, but I will reserve my thoughts on the matter for now because even an artist as celebrated as Jon still has a long long way to go in the shadow of Roberta…and there is still much yet to be seen.

I’ve always said that Jon could be the ultimate bridge for generations to rediscover jazz and revitalize a dying art form. Simultaneously, with the projection of such a joyful expression, Jon has the potential to utilize music to heal the injured spirit of our collective society in a way few artists can.  

Let’s see if I am right.

As for my own journey, I left the memorial reaffirmed in my effort to continue supporting the artists that I believe could manifest real impact.  

Art remains unique in its ability to affect positive change and to be an agent for that change is a solemn duty and I remain in its humble service.

Sugary 🍬

PAST EVENTS

March 11th - Built By Builders: Sugary Community - So about 40 of you came out to hear DK and I chat about our community and share some of our personal anecdotes from the journey. It was a candid and thrilling experience to share our thoughts and it was even more fascinating to see how many people resonated with the “Odd Couple” dynamic DK and I had even beyond the stories…might be something there…

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

THE SWEET & SALTY

Streeteasy Subway Ads are My Roman Empire

You’ve seen them. You definitely have.

Whether it’s on an uptown F train or sitting on a bench at Fulton St. station, the ubiquitous ads simultaneously advertise StreetEasy’s services while also providing hilariously witty thoughts on the NYC living experience, the good, the bad and the ugly in a way that really “gets” the city.

The ads are more than just funny, they’re hyper clever and well informed with just the right amount of snark to match the vibe of the city.

I remember the last campaign StreetEasy did that was a series of ads that compared finding an apartment in NYC to an epic odyssey worthy of depiction in the style of museum worthy renaissance art.

Classic. Pun intended.

Earlier this week, I was returning from a business trip from Philly and the first thing I run into when I get back into the city and board a subway train is the latest campaign from StreetEasy which depicts a series of FORMER New Yorkers who made the “right decision” to move out of New York for the suburbs, only to regret their choice wholeheartedly.  

One ad had a sad couple at a table eating New York “style” pizza in a drab living room in some nameless suburb with the caption, 

“We Said New York or Nowhere, And Then We Chose Nowhere.

Never Become a Former New Yorker.”

The New Yorker in me was just giddy. I’ve always said New York City is a town where you get out what you put in, so if you decide to bow out entirely, well…let’s just say you’re gonna be missing out.

And these are just the latest two campaigns. As far as I can remember, StreetEasy has been turning out brilliant subway campaign after brilliant subway campaign for years, and I gotta be honest that I look forward to them. 

Every. Single. Time. 

These ads definitely add to my journey wherever I’m going in the city and showcases advertising done right when it really gets a target audience and a target market to the point where it feels like it is a part of the very DNA of the city. 

The next series which will assuredly come around later this year…

…and I can’t wait.

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