This is a photo that was taken on June 21st, 2026 in Bed-Stuy at Dear Friends Bookstore (Backyard Patio).

There's nothing quite like an outdoor concert during the summer to encapsulate the spirit of the season. Be it on a rooftop, a public park or in a backyard, it literally is the perfect sun down vibes. In this particular image I took it at my friend Alex Brunson's show. He had partnered with the now shuttered Dear Friends bookstore in Bed Stuy and together with his band they decided to host an EP release party and also to serve as one of the final send-off concerts for this popular neighborhood haunt. I just remember going there with a friend, knowing no one else, and when the time came a sparse backyard became quickly populated with folks from all walks of NYC life. There was no fuss. Everyone found their spot on the floor or makeshift seat around the edges of the backyard. Some folks brought snacks while others focused on their drink of choice. As the music began it was clear that everyone was locked in, sharing in this sonic homage to a Sunday well spent.

Now I have gone to literally hundreds of these types of gatherings in my 25 years here in New York and I'll tell you…it never gets old. There's so much talent out there, along with new spaces / neighborhoods to explore and people to meet. When you have that kind of confluence, it's literally the best kind of blessing.

As summer begins to wrap up in the city, we can all consider ourselves lucky to have just one more moment to share some harmony with each other before all the jackets come on and we turn our attention towards other activities.

If you have any amazing photos you’ve taken or that you’ve come across, that you think are simply incredible representations of community and culture in NYC, please send them my way [email protected] (when sending, please include photo credit as well as the location in NYC where this was taken and when as well as a brief description no more than a paragraph long of what’s happening in the photo and why it inspires you.)

Critical Thinking Club

If there’s one thing New Yorkers certainly don't suffer from a shortage of…is that they’re chock full of opinions.

But knowing how to disagree with someone in a thoughtful curious sort of way without immediately polarizing into opposing corners is a different skill entirely.

That's what Critical Thinking Club is all about.  Conceived by host Ken Litton, the community serves as “a place for New Yorkers to argue clearly and calmly.”

Rather than approaching disagreement as something to avoid or approach it from the typical competitive angles, the club treats it as a skill that can actually bring people closer together.

Better listening, examining one’s own assumptions, and the ability to articulate differing viewpoints is the name of the game here, and if you happen to change your mind on something it’s, treated with acceptance rather than fueling the insecurities that come with a win/lose spirit of dialogue.

Each gathering typically tackles a single provocative question, as an example, an upcoming gathering asks whether two adults can remain platonic friends when there's potential for romantic attraction and puts two comedians on opposing sides of the debate to spice things up further.

A philosophy professor moderates, occasionally stopping the action when a particular line of reasoning goes off the rails or a logical fallacy sneaks in, turning mistakes into opportunities to understand HOW we think rather than simply WHAT we think.

After the “programmatic” portion, the audience gets involved. Guests break into intimate groups of four to six for guided conversations where they're encouraged to test the same critical-thinking skills themselves: separating personal experience from broader evidence, spotting hidden assumptions, genuinely considering an opposing argument, and expressing disagreement without distancing or insulting the person sitting across from them.

The evening eventually gives way to socializing and an after-party, reinforcing that disagreeing with someone doesn't mean you can't grab a drink together afterward and perhaps even laugh about what just happened.

There's something refreshingly countercultural about the whole thing.

At a time when nuance in less palatable than the broad strokes of right and wrong Critical Thinking Club contradicts the theory that disagreement is necessarily synonymous with conflict…

…but rather curiosity and empathy. 

Fabrik is a home for communities and where everyone has a place to belong. With spaces designed to feel more like your living room than your office, Fabrik’s 'third spaces' are vibrant hubs where you can come together in real life, explore interests, forge meaningful connections, and enjoy a sense of community.

Sign-up here to experience a free trial at Fabrik.

Weekly events at Fabrik HERE

Thank you for taking the time to read to the end!

I hope you found something inspiring and meaningful in my content and until next time, explore the possibilities of NYC.

-Sugary

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PS. Don’t be shy and hit reply and tell me how you’re doing!