Last night, I had the privilege of attending the Heroes, Heart & Hope Gala, an annual event hosted by the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) in New York City.
I’m excited to share the incredible ‘Flavors of Mexico‘ event with New York City and its distinguished people of influence. Over the course of three days, the Knickerbocker Hotel transported guests to the heart of Mexican culture, bringing the vibrant tastes and innovative mixology techniques of Mexico City to the St. Cloud Rooftop.
This summer in New York City has been a whirlwind of cultural discovery, especially thanks to The Knockturnal, which has taken me from event to event, uncovering hidden gems that remind me why this city is such a creative powerhouse. One of those gems? UNTITLED at 3 Freeman Alley.
The Knockturnal had the pleasure of attending National Spritz Day festivities at Rose Lane on Thursday, August 1st.
The buzz in the air was palpable this past Saturday, August 10th, as The Knockturnal had the pleasure of attending the grand opening of Louis Stancil Acting Studios in the heart of Times Square.
The Knockturnal attended the 2024 Nova Frontier Film Festival at the historic Billie Holiday Theatre. Now in its sixth year, this festival continues to spotlight thought-provoking films and art from the Global African Diaspora, the Middle East, and Latin America, highlighting independent filmmakers of color from around the globe.
Held from July 19-21, the curated program featured acclaimed films, panels, conversations, and performances. This year’s theme, “Dispossession,” showcased notable works, including
“I Promise You Paradise“
A gripping tale of a 17-year-old African migrant in Egypt racing to save his loved ones after a violent incident.
“Dancing On The Edge of the Volcano“
A documentary on the Beirut port explosion of 2020, illustrating the resilience of a film crew amidst chaos.
“DAMMI“
An exploration of identity and reconciliation by Yann Mounir Demange, starring Riz Ahmed.
“Banel & Adama“
Senegal’s entry for the 2024 Oscars, depicting a young couple’s struggle against tradition and family pressures. The New York Times described it as “a love story suffused in beauty and mystery that draws you in right from the start.”
The festival’s focus on “Dispossession” offered a profound exploration of loss and resilience, addressing issues such as forced migration, economic marginalization, climate change, political conflicts, cultural erasure, exile, and systemic oppression.
One standout film was “Caribbean Queen,” which explored the journey to acceptance and the right to be free and open. It portrayed the nuanced experiences of characters from homophobic individuals to mentors and chosen family, resonating deeply with the queer community. The panel discussed the story of Jonty, an inspirational figure whose legacy as a trailblazer emphasizes the importance of continuing conversations around acceptance and freedom.
To understand art is to understand the people and these movies have shown humanity in a way that resonates I personally am proud to stand with the LBQTIA community when we stop seeing people as people we stop seeing the art that we all bring to the world. The exposure to different stories and causes is allowing even myself as human to resonate deeply with others.
For more information, on how to support or learn about the films visit Nova Frontier Film Festival
(https://www.novafrontierfilmfestival.)
As a man about this town I’ll be the first to tell you NYC’s nightlife has a new star: Vintage Green, the newest rooftop bar located at 303 Lexington Avenue atop The Shelburne Sonesta New York. On Tuesday, July 23, the much-anticipated launch party pulled out all the stops, offering guests a night to remember.
On Wednesday, June 26th, Cobble Fish kicked off the summer with an unforgettable party at their stunning waterfront spot on Pier 16 at the South Street Seaport.
As a burgeoning writer, I was deeply honored to attend the 2024 Native Son Awards, an event that celebrates the outstanding achievements of Black gay and queer men during Pride Month.
On Wednesday, June 12th, I had the pleasure of attending the opening of AFURI Ramen + Dumpling in Williamsburg. From the moment I entered, the warmth and kindness of the staff stood out, enhancing the entire guest experience—a rarity in New York.