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grace duah

EventsFeatured

Kamyiis Mclean Hosts A “Summer Garden Party” to Remember

by Olympia Dalley
written by Olympia Dalley

The summer heat couldn’t dampen the immaculate vibes at the much-anticipated Summer Garden Party, hosted by Kamyiis Mclean in collaboration with Tres Generaciones Tequila and Open Bar Hospitality. Set in the heart of Brooklyn, this intimate event brought together a mix of influencers, editors, talented creatives, and industry professionals for a day of networking, dancing, and pure summer fun.

Kamyiis Mclean at Summer Garden PArty

Host, Kamyiis Mclean

 

Summer Garden Party set up

Tres Generaciones Tequila x Open Bar Hospitality

Kamyiis, known for capturing stunning visuals for major magazines and brands, set the stage for the unforgettable Summer Garden Party with his creative vision.  His incredible photography work has been featured in prestigious publications like VOGUE, HuffPost, BET, and i-D Magazine. As the sun kissed the summer garden setting, attendees mingled, laughed, and enjoyed signature Tres Generaciones cocktails in a live manifestation of Kamyiis’ vision come to life.

 

Joy Sunday at Summer Garden Party

Actress, Joy Sunday

Summer Garden PArty

Founder of Open Bar Hospitality, Lisa Lindo

Collaborating with Kamyiis, Open Bar Hospitality added its magic touch to bring Kamyiis’ first Summer Garden Party. Open Bar Hospitality, one of New York’s premier staffing agencies and bar caterers, elevated the Garden Party to new heights. Founded by Lisa Lindo and her mixologist husband, who boast event planning experience in the fashion and entertainment industry, their dedication to excellent service and fabulous cocktails is apparent. Adding a touch of sophistication and spirit, Tres Generaciones Tequila stepped in, showcasing their legacy and finely-crafted spirits. Paying homage to the three Dons who revolutionized tequila, each sip of Tres Generaciones Tequila was an ode to their enduring heritage.

SUmmer Garden PArty guest

NYC Influencer, Ash Forde

DJ Jeremy kept the atmosphere buzzing with his signature deep house mix, setting the stage for carefree dancing and joyous celebration. Thanks to DJ Jeremy’s curated heart-pumping medley, the party’s energy was infectious, leaving all attendees with unforgettable memories to cherish. The guest list boasted notable faces, including American actresses Joy Sunday and Grace Duah, alongside an impressive lineup of NYC-based influencers like Tiffany M Battle, Kelly Augustine, Ash Forde, Travis Harrison, Isaiah Hernandez, and many others.

SUmmer Garden PartyOlympia Dalley

American Actress Grace Duah (center)

In the heart of Brooklyn, dreams were realized, connections were forged, and creativity blossomed. The Summer Garden Party was an extraordinary success, leaving a trail of smiles, laughter, and inspiration that will echo in the hearts of all who attended. Kamyiis expressed excitement for the future, teasing that the Summer Garden Party would become a sought-after series of events. Attendees couldn’t agree more, eagerly anticipating more opportunities to experience the magic and camaraderie of this whimsical summer garden gathering.

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Gossip Girl Seasons 2 on HBO Max
EntertainmentEventsTheaterTV

Evan Mock, Emily Alyn Lind, Savannah Lee Smith and More Attend Gossip Girl Season 2 Screening Hosted by NewFest and HBO

by Ben Schmidt
written by Ben Schmidt

HBO Max’s Gossip Girl, a reboot of the classic mid-2000s teen drama, has already made bright stars of its cast and is enjoying strong support among fans after a celebrated first season. Now T’V’s favorite all-knowing, riddle-loving narrator (the talented Kristen Bell) returns for the second season, along with much of the cast.

In order to celebrate the premiere, Human By Orientation (HBO’s own LGBTQIA+ organization), and NYC’s legendary NewFest (the city’s preeminent queer film festival for over 35 years) traded the Upper East Side for Brooklyn to host a show-stopping advance screening at the Nighthawk Cinema in South Slope. Guests were treated to a pre-show drink and popcorn before having a chance to enjoy the first episode of the second season.

Throwing audiences directly into the magic and chaos of Gossip Girl’s world, the first episode is a brash and fast-moving dive into the rarified (and often, very white) world of debutante balls. Even without having seen the first season, character building is strong and addicting- you want to know everyone. While watching the first season can help enjoy the story more its not a requirement in order to enjoy the episode.

Just one episode will have you indulging in modern slang, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it jokes, and satisfying references to NYC life that are the definition of if you know, you know. It’s always nice to see your city celebrated on the big screen and NYC has always been a bit of a plot point for Gossip Girl, given some of its unique cultural norms and tendencies.

Particularly refreshing is how candid the show is about queer life, where all kinds of relationships are normalized in a healthy way rather than fetishized as rare phenomenons. For example, the topic of a three-way relationship is interesting not because of the arrangement itself, but because viewers are let in on the emotional struggle of the participants. It’s refreshing and serious, but playful and real: a complicated relationship handled with the humor and care.

A post-screening Q&A, moderated by Them editor Michael Cuby, featured Gossip Girl director Joshua Safran and cast members including Emily Alyn Lind, Evan Mock, Savannah Lee Smith, and Grace Duah (who nearly steals the entire first episode with her chameleon-like presence of comforting chaos). The Q&A revealed some clues about the next season, especially around how viewers will learn more about the families of many of the characters. We’re also introduced to a returning teacher who seems to be as meddling as Gossip Girl themself.

After the screening, guests and stars alike descended upon the cinema’s bar for a roaring afterparty featuring custom cocktails, a photo backdrop, passed snacks, and an absolutely blowout DJ set by Kenni Javon.

Gossip Girl Season 2 is now streaming on HBO Max, with new episodes weekly. Stream it here.

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