The pictures below don’t even begin to capture what the 2nd Annual Evening Under the Stars truly was. This gathering was originally conceived by Timothy Grae and myself just last year. The first event was already a powerful statement in and of itself, especially considering its underlying theme “Don’t get our BLACK ASSES locked up.” And yet, even under those very real limitations, we pulled off something beautiful. We created an evening picnic in Central Park, on the Upper East Side, attended by approximately 150 people, mostly people of color, with nothing more than word of mouth. No permits. No advertising. Just trust and intention.
There were no major issues, aside from a quiet patrol car parked discreetly at the bottom of the hill, something I was not even aware of until the very end. When the night ended peacefully, it left us stunned and affirmed. “Hey, they didn’t lock us up. Oh, it’s ON for next year.” That moment of relief and quiet defiance became the seed for what would become the second installment.
For reasons personal to me, I chose to step back from co-producing the second year. I placed my full confidence in Timothy Grae and the capable hands of Grae Enterprises to carry the vision forward. What I witnessed when I came up over that hill, the same hill we discovered during an early evening location stroll last year that led us to Cherry Hill, took my breath away.
There were nearly twice as many people as the year before. The setup was so thoughtfully executed that it could easily rival any high end outdoor event I have either produced or attended. The presentation, the vibe, the care, it was all there, and it was undeniable.
The beauty of Evening Under the Stars cannot be fully explained in photos or even in words. It is a feeling. It is a communion. It is the kind of magic that only those who were present can truly understand. But trust me when I say this, you do not want to miss next year.
Evening Under the Stars Pictures
GVG
~we’re the warriors they write epics about~
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