Posts categorized as Events

On New Year’s Day, I was invited to a cute craft party at my friend Carolin Wood’s home. We spent the afternoon sewing patches for a Rockaway community quilt—chatting and snacking. What fun! Carolin Wood and her creative partner, Rachel Krieger-Garone, are the co-founders of Benevolent Objects, a small business creating beautifully unique aprons from vintage materials. By the end of the afternoon, there was talk of organizing something bigger—an event that could fit more community sewers and crafters. Now they’ve secured a winter location for the next sew gathering, […]

The Beach 91st Street Community Garden is organizing a Food Drive again this holiday season. 100% of donated food andmonetary gifts will go directly to the St. Rose of Lima Food Pantry. Here are the important details: What the pantry needs most: Non-perishables and canned goods with self-opening tabs • Microwaveable/boil-water meals (soups, instant noodles, oatmeal, Chef Boyardee), baby food, small bottle beverages, instant coffee, protein drinks • Travel-sized toiletries: hand warmers, band-aids, hand sanitizer, hand cream, wipes, gum, chapstick, feminine products, tissues, combs, etc. Drop-off before Nov. 17: There […]

The faces of the children when the potato piñata exploded were worth everything! I’m happy no one got clocked on the head with a potato. Yes, I put small fingerling potatoes in the piñata, along with, obviously, a bunch of chocolate, Twizzlers, gummy bears, and potato stickers. And then there was the edible potato diorama, brought by Tom, complete with bear and wolf figures drinking from a serene BBQ sauce river. Herbs from the Beach 91st Street Community completed the culinary piece, bringing color and texture to the landscape. At […]

The unexpected outcome of helping to organize the Food Drive for the Beach 91st St.Community Garden was how much I learned about the food and hygiene needs of people in Rockaway – our community members. When the project started, I called the rectory to confirm that St. Rose of Lima was accepting food pantry donations. Father Rodriguez said, “Absolutely, yes.” I began naively listing items I thought we should collect. I can’t believe I said cat food, soooo embarrassing. The Father politely thanked me but added, “We need on-the-go foods.” I paused, taken aback thinking in my […]

As the off-season settles in, Others on Beach 97th and the boardwalk invites us back for a second year of community dining, whale-gazing, hot coffees in cold wetsuits, a place to walk to when you feel weird inside, a spot to fall in love, a place to cry, and a space for creative gatherings and music listening. Others is a collaboration between the culinary talents of Washed Up Cafe (@washedup.nyc) and Brothers (@brothersrockaway), bringing Rockaway folks bold coffees, breakfast burritos loaded with tater tots, creamy ricotta toast with sweet carrot toppings, warm pesto […]

Suspended Banana and Other Fruit Over the summer, I’ve made many jello sculptures and performed unmoldings! My most successful thus far was a clear vegan fruit jello for a 70’s themed event. What made it stand out? It held together! I’ve been doubling my recipe, which strengthens the carrageenan—the thickening agent derived from red seaweed I often use. It tasted decent! I’ll take “ok,” considering my past attempts were… well, kind of gross. On the aesthetic side, this sculpture was set in a bundt pan for a very retro 70’s […]

Singer-songwriter Ryan Thomas. Photo by Alec Kugler. This Sunday, September 24th, don’t miss the party at Connolly’s as they close out the season with a record release show for my talented and “lonely no more” friend, Ryan Thomas, who performs under the name, Nobody & All His Friends. The show starts at 4pm and I promise it will be a super cool time, in space and sound. Things get wonderful early evening with performances by Vera Kahn, Tini Vessel and Sangwich & Sons. I’d like to share a bit about Ryan, his […]

I made a new friend at Seany Pizza. Juliana Rodas is a self-starting entrepreneur who’s hardworking, energetic, kind, and a lot of fun to be around. In my first few weeks, Juliana helped me navigate the POS register – without judgment, sigh – I’m 20 years her senior. I had a hunch that working at Seany’s would open the gate to meet new people, like Juliana in my community that I otherwise wouldn’t cross paths with. It’s so wonderful! Photo courtesy of IG @for.the.love.of.bread During our hours crafting pies at Pizza World, I’ve gotten […]

I didn’t know what Meddle Juice was when I first heard about it through the Rockaway internet grapevine this past winter. All I knew was that I needed to show up at this newish venue called the Rose Den on Beach 116th Street – on a Monday night. And so I did. And so it all became clear. Meddle Juice was the secret ingredient to creative survival I needed to immerse my senses in, to sustain my being through the cold, lingering Rockaway winter. To keep the beat flourishing, Meddle Juice creator, […]

Domingo World, a monthly event held at Edgemere Farm showcasing live music, performances, and visual art exhibits, will commence on Sunday, June 2nd, running from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Now in its second year, this series is curated by musician Giovanni Fernandez-Kincade and artist  m i c c a. Domingo World brings together the diverse people of Rockaway and mainland visitors who share a passion for the arts and community. This Sunday the featured musicians are Agua de Gio, Vera Kahn and Jeff Tobias. There will be a performance of “Green Man” by Luxury Bones, and an art installation, “When Triangles Becomes […]