Vineyard Theatre celebrated their 40th Anniversary with a red carpeted fundraising gala that honored Tony winning actor, Billy Crudup. Funds raised from the event, held in the Edison Ballroom in NYC on Feb. 13, will support the theatre’s upcoming season; including their Fair Pay Initiative and the “Good Neighbor” ticket program which offers free and affordable theatre tickets to thousands of local theatre goers.
Casita Maria’s Fiesta! was held for the first time since the pandemic in New York City’s Plaza Hotel on October 11. The event honored Latino groundbreakers such as Puerto Rican Postwar and Contemporary artist Tony Bechara, chairman of the NBCUniversal New Group, Cesar Conde; and immigration rights leader Gaby Pacheco.
“Since 1934, Casita Maria has served as a beacon of hope and safe haven for thousands of families to celebrate the unique, powerful, and rich culture of the Bronx and New York City communities of color,” Pacheco asserted while doting on the organization that taught her ballet in the early 2000s. Since, Pacheco has been advocating on behalf of immigrants and gained national recognition for her work to pass the DREAM Act; which works to grant immigrant students legal status and eventually, U.S. citizenship.
As the son of immigrants, Cesar Conde took to the stage with gratitude for both Casita Maria and his parents. “They always taught us, the one thing in life that no one could ever take away from you is your education,” Conde recalled. “The work that Casita Maria is doing in educating and empowering our youth and opening up all those opportunities in life for them, that is the work that is priceless,” he marveled. Tony Bechara expressed the same sentiment noting, “I want to thank Casita Maria because many, many years ago, waves of compatriots of mine from Puerto Rico were arriving here in New York looking for a better life. New York being the beacon of hope. There was no one to help them. Casita Maria filled that void. They were the first to do it.”
Located in the South Bronx, Casita Maria has taken on the responsibility of exposing Latino youth to the opportunities many of their parents and grandparents sought via immigration. Fostering a community of innovative young professionals for decades, Casita Maria celebrates their consistent wins with Fiesta! The fundraiser enables the organization to continue serving over 1,000 students every year while being an anchor within the community.
To learn more about Casita Maria and for ways to get involved, visit https://www.casitamaria.org
Alberta Distillers announced the return of the famous Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye on October 12. A call for celebration, on October 20, the brand hosted an exclusive tasting with a twist: a fitting for custom jeans by FITTED Underground.
Made from 100% Canadian Prairie rye grains and brewed in glacier-fed spring waters from the Rocky Mountains, the elixer took the U.S. by storm in 2020. Since, the brand’s Cask Strength Rye has received serval awards including Double Gold at both the 2020 and 2021 SIP Awards and the San Francisco World Spirits Competitions.
The award winning booze was sampled in two drinks the evening of the 20th on the rooftop at Sunset Park’s Brooklyn Grange. A rustic “Old Fashion” with Angostura Bitters, and a light “Rosemary’s Baby” with organic cider. In between sampling, guests received the opportunity to customize their fantasy jeans down to the logo on the buttons. A simple, but luxurious process. Through the customization of jeans, guests were also receiving a sneak peak of the whisky making process; which like jeans, requires patience and great craftsmanship.
This holiday season, treat yourself or the whisky lover you know to a bottle of Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye while they’re still in stock.
NYC based LGBTQ+ film festival, NewFest, teamed up with Netflix to create the New Voices Filmmakers Grant. Four recipients, Blanche Akonchong, Livia Huang, Rodney Llaverias and Nyla Moon, were honored at Nitehawk Cinema in Brooklyn on October 17.
Winners of $25,000 each and a year of mentorship, the filmmakers gathered for a panel to discuss their films and journey’s thus far.
Blanche Akonchong directed “Mercury Afrograde,” a film depicting a family’s struggle when their secrets are revealed during mercury retrograde. “I edited it, colored it, I composed the music,” Akonchong told the Knockturnal. “I literally spent the whole first quarter of the pandemic just working on it. It was my catharsis.” The film received NewFest’s Emerging Black LGBTQ+ Director Award in 2020. Blanche is an actor, writer, director and musician who hails from Riverdale, Georgia with Cameroonian roots.
New York native filmmaker and actor, Nyla Moon, created “How Not to Date While Trans.” “I realized that there wasn’t a lot of stories by trans women about the trans experience,” Moon noted. “This is such a fun film and it’s like a love story to the trans community because everyone always talks about our experiences but they don’t listen to us, so I wanted to create this story so people could understand what it’s like actually dating as a trans person.” With this accomplishment, Moon continues to produce and act in more original works.
Working on the development of their first feature film while living between the Dominican Republic and Bogota, filmmaker Rodney Llaverias won the New Fest prize for “The Two-Headed Calf.” In the film, the protagonist comes to terms with their sexuality; a monumental event for most audiences don’t get to see from the queer point of view. “I really wanted to tell this story,” Llaverias admitted on the panel. “I had a very late flourishing when it came to my sexuality (…) I was really tapping into my past, my past traumas; I really wanted to talk about my relationship with my father and what that meant for me.”
“More Happiness,” by Livia Huang also explored parental relationships. “I think we all have evolving relationships with our mothers,” Huang said. “I just had these conversations that I couldn’t really let go of, and ‘More Happiness’ has this conversation with a real mother and daughter pair interspersed with the protagonist’s past memories about the past love affair with her ex girlfriend.” Huang, a Baltimore bred director, created the film as a thesis for Brooklyn College, two years ago.
Creating safe havens for queer communities since 1988, New Fest also dedicated the evening to celebrating thriving artists including Big Mouth’s Brandon Kyle Goodman, Wendell & Wild’s Sam Zelaya and Dead End: Paranormal Park’s; Zach Barack.
Four spirits were the highlight of the Lobos 1707 Tequila Tasting and Pairing on October 26 in NYC. Hosted by Founder, Diego Osorio, the evening was dedicated to appreciating the Lobos 1707 Joven, Mezcal Artesanal, Reposado and Extra Añejo expressions as both beverages and ingredients via cocktails and tasty h’ordeuvres. While entertaining guests in the Lobos Headquarters, Diego was able to explain how the brand came to be.
“Everything goes back to a story,” Diego explained to the Knockturnal. “The story told is my great-great-grandfather went from Spain to Mexico with some sherry wine barrels, drank them, filled them up with agave liquor; and then realized it tasted a lot better.” Often used to age whiskeys and bourbons, Diego’s family decided to partner sherry and Tequila. Each expression contains this special ingredient, also known as Pedro Ximenez, despite their contrasting flavors.
What started out as a creative outlet and something for friends to enjoy, turned into a company thriving in partnership with Lebron James. “We’re building something to stay,” Osorio asserted. “I think other brands are trying to capitalize and make just a moment, and sell something. We want to make something that’s here to stay.”
Check out Lobos 1707 for the next Taco Tuesday or gathering with friends. Like the company slogan says, “Protect your pack. Drink responsibly.”
Chef Jonghun Won brought a taste of Europe to Midtown Manhattan in the form of cafe and bakery, Pavé. After leaving his home in South Korea to open Jungsik New York and New Jersey’s La Tabatiere, Chef Won teamed up with partner, Jin Ahn, to create the rustic Pavé which opened its doors on September 21. Taking pride in their daily baked bread, Pavé also offers coffee’s and teas to accompany specialty seasonal sandwiches and pastries.
The Knockturnal was invited to a Pavé tasting on October 12. Starting off with the Burrata salad, the sweetness of the marinated tomatoes complimented by the crunchy pistachios definitely woke the taste buds. Next was the savory Croque Monsieur. This ham and cheese sandwich mixes Gruyère and Béchamel with spicy Dijon mustard on a warm and soft sourdough bread. Just as savory, was the Country Pâté which is topped with tart cornichon pickles on a firm, but doughy baguette. Similar to a Sicilian slice, the Chorizo-Zucchini Focaccia is a delicious mix of sausage, mozzarella, basil and of course; thinly sliced zucchini.
For desert, we indulged in a few pastries. To start we had a fluffy brioche slice filled with a passionfruit sauce, the perfect sugar kick for anyone with a sweet tooth. Next up was the Green Tea Scone which was full of white chocolate that was flavorful but not overpowering; a great pair for tea. Lastly, it was only right to close off on a classic chocolate chip cookie that was crunchy in all the right places.
Check out Pavé on Tuesdays-Fridays from 8am-3pm to unwind the Parisian way, in a tranquil space while wafting the smell of bread baking from opening to closing.
Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi brought a celebration of Black love to New York on September 28 to commemorate the premiere of his new Netflix animated series, “ENTERGALACTIC.”
With help from love connector, Bumble, and Netflix’s Strong Black Lead team; the festivities kicked off with a Black Love Brunch hosted by ENTERGALATIC star, Teyana Taylor. Kid Cudi, who voices the shows artistic protagonist “Jabari,” was in attendance alongside his co-star Jessica Williams; who voices Jabari’s love interest, a photographer named “Meadow.” Williams, no stranger to the rom-com genre, is also know for her role in HBO’s Love Life. Going from “Mia,” to “Meadow,” Williams described ENTERGALACTIC in two words: “Juicy and funny.” “Juicyfunny,” she exclaimed in a brief interview, making the two words one.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 28: Kid Cudi and Jessica Williams attend the Entergalactic Brunch to celebrate Black love at CATCH Steak on September 28, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for Netflix)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 28: Guests attend the Entergalactic Brunch to celebrate Black love at CATCH Steak on September 28, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for Netflix)
Executive producers Kenya Barris, Karina Manashill, and Ian Edelman were also in attendance during the brunch held at Catch Steak. DJ couple, DJ Mos and DJ Kiss, set the tone for a dance filled afternoon before the showing of a never before seen ENTERGALATIC trailer; a little tease before the premier.
That evening, the red carpet was rolled out for cast, crew and various VIPS before the series premiere held at New York’s Paris Theatre. More cast mates, including Ty Dolla $ign, and executive producers such as Dennis Cummings and Fletcher Moules came out to celebrate with Vagina macaroons (a nod to an ENTERGALACTIC episode), drinks, mini bowls of pasta and more at Nebula NYC.
The Tyler Twins – Netflix Entergalactic 9/28/22
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 28: (L-R) Kenya Barris, Jessica Williams and Scott Mescudi attend the Entergalactic Premiere at the Paris Theatre on September 28, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for Netflix)
ENTERGALACTIC premieres on Netflix on Friday, September 30. Filled with music, fashion and art, the series captures the euphoric feeling of being high (via weed) and falling in love; all while serving as a love letter to New York City.
During NYFW, on the 11th to be specific, three panelist sat with moderator Claire Stern to discuss “New Faces of Indonesian Fashion.” Panelists included designer Vivi Zubedi, self proclaimed “Fashion business enthusiast,” Pasoari Widiastuti, and Parsons Dean; Ben Barry, PhD.
Each dove into the importance of bringing culture and heritage to fashion as a start to appreciating others and understanding their history. Dr. Barry made it a point to emphasize the importance of these creations as they aim to “reclaim knowledge that colonialism worked to erase.”
The talk itself served as an introduction on how Indonesian culture can influence the fashion industry, and how it already has. Widiastuti explained the role religion plays in shaping Indonesian fashion. Being that Islam is the largest practiced religion in the region, modesty is important for both men and women. “We limit showing the skin. It still looks sexy but there are certain rules, we want to respect others,” Zubedi asserted. Providing perfect examples of this tastefulness were six Indonesian designers that showed up and showed out during the “Indonesia Now” show.
During the show, 60 looks were debuted on the runway. Designers and brands included Alleria Batik, Coreta Louise, Heaven Lights, Sesedon by Kimberly Tandra, Spous by Priyo Octaviano and Vivi Zubedi.
Five designers brought a crowd to the 69th floor of the World Trade Center for the Nolcha Show’s S/S 2023 NYFW Runway Show held on September 13.The brands included Mauricio Alpizar, The Tailory, Maya Seyferth, Kaiane Designs and Høst & Vår.
While Mauricio Alpizar debuted an “Animal Kingdom” collection full of vibrant colors, bold prints and graphics; The Tailory remained grounded in chic and edgy, clinging to the simplicity and sophistication of black in both formal and street wear genderless pieces.
Giving a nod to her home base, Zürich, Maya Seyferth created an elegant line solely based on the flower of the Alps, aka Edelweiss. The Kaiane Designs team also drew inspiration from their home, Saudi Arabia, as they created loose and silky nude garments perfect for Middle Eastern desserts or date night. 
Host & Vår channeled seasonal transitions through their “Flowers From My Garden” collection; creating bright and floral pieces complete with shy frills and puffs for an extra girlish flare.
Although each collection conveys their own messages, they all share one important value: sustainability. Each brand remains dedicated to preserving the Earth while creating fashion. Be sure to keep an eye out for these trailblazers who are ensuring a guilt free shopping experience.
In a light and upbeat runway experience, designer Gita Omri showed Fashion Week what it means to be body positive. Having both curvy and slim models walk down the runway side by side sporting the same attire showed the versatility and beauty of each piece on different canvases.
The show, held on Fifth Avenue on September 9, showcased Gita Omri’s Spring 2023 collection. Filled with flowy silks, sequins, frills and bright colors; the line ranges from comfortable and appropriate office wear to prefect for summer dresses and evening attire (especially for vacation). Each piece comes in sizes 0-30 for all women to enjoy.
Gita Omri Brown is a new Israeli-American designer based in New York who made her NYFW debut for her SS23 collection titled “Resilience”. Her size inclusive, luxury womenswear collection is available for women of all sizes, 0-30. “Not plus, not minus…just womenswear,” this is what her body positive, luxury collection stands for. Gita says, “We all deserve to look and feel our best regardless of our race, nationality, or SIZE. Dignity has no size tag and fashion should reflect that. Our mission is to reintroduce fashion as a tool to enhance one’s confidence and self-esteem. With my label I seek to empower women to present themselves to the world in their true form with pride, acceptance, and authenticity.”