The Gardener at the Gardens THIS SUNDAY!
whoops.... this one's late by a day! honestly surprised that it's taken me this long into my newsletter to get off track ... but I guess that means my adhd meds and current organizational system are working for me!! Me forgetting yesterday was for good reason though, as I was celebrating my best friend Elliot's graduation for completing his Master's in Library Science!!
This past week also marked four years since I graduated from NYU. Which means I've been out of college for as long as I was in college, which is quite wild to think about. Listening to commencement speeches always makes me daydream about what I would say if I was ever invited to speak at one, and this week I've been thinking about how strange it is that we've created a culture where we're expected to decide what to do with our lives at 18 when we start college or 21 when we leave college, and how approaching 26 most of the things that I've figured out is that I still have so much to figure out.
I started my bachelor's degree having chosen to study music education as a back up plan for what I actually wanted to do, and then when midway through I changed my major to be more aligned with what I wanted to do, I still was too afraid to take the full leap. These days I look back on that time with more grace, more understanding that I didn't have the emotional tool set at that age to be that vulnerable in admitting exactly what I wanted. There's a lot of joy to be found in the figuring out process that we rob ourselves of because of the tremendous pressure and urgency that is thrust upon us by how our society is structured. If you're graduating from anything this season, that's my advice to you- to lean into the joy and wonder of the journey of self discovery and ease off the pressure to have a deadline to have it "all figured out".
one of my favorite photos from my graduation that encapsulates how lost I felt that week <3 much love to that version of myself
Anyway, onto a few announcements!!!
THE GARDENER AT THE GARDENS THIS WEEKEND!!!
Counting down the days til I'm performing amongst the peonies!!!!! If you want to enjoy the gorgeously warm weather this weekend with wine samples, local vendors, presentations, and live music, I hope to see you there!!!!
May 22, 2022
12 – 4 p.m. (my set is from 12-1pm!)
21+ Event Only
Sip and savor spring during this wine lover’s weekend, featuring wineries from the Hudson Valley, Brooklyn, and Long Island. Enjoy samples, live music, and a variety of crafts and games. Tickets may be purchased at www.nybg.org. Tickets include a souvenir glass for wine sampling from 12-4 p.m., in addition to daytime All-Garden Pass entry to the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory and NYBG's outdoor gardens and collections from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Photo by NYBG
Mark Your Calendars:
Free Music Friday Livestream with the American Folk Art Museum- Friday, June 10th at 6pm EST. Eventbrite link here.
Porch Stomp Festival on Governor's Island- Saturday, June 18th, 11am-4pm EST (My set is on the Nick Horner Family Stage at 4pm!)
Make Music New York- Tuesday, June 21st (set times and locations TBA)
(((PS- as busy as my June is looking so far, please book me for your pride events xoxoxoxo!!)))
Logging back on
It's the conclusion of my full digital detox, and I've been cautiously returning to social media and streaming! Honestly, if I didn't have events to promote, I would stay logged off of socials for another month or two (I've decided I'm not redownloading TikTok until at least June and just slowly returning to Insta and FB first). It's much easier now though to recognize that there's so much I'd rather be doing than scrolling, and easier to be more intentional about what I'm seeking out when I open an app. Currently, I download the IG app to post, scroll for a few minutes, and then delete the app until the next time that I have to post, so that the option to boredom scroll on my phone doesn't even exist for me. Hoping that it sticks and that I remember the happiness I feel when I'm not plugged in 24/7.
Art I've been enjoying lately:
Tell Me That It's Over, the latest Wallows album, has been really putting me into the mood for summer with it's indie dance rock coming of age vibes
Zane Lowe is one of the best music interviewers in my opinion, and I really enjoyed his recent conversation with Harry Styles about his upcoming album Harry's House (which I am absolutely staying up tonight to listen to as it drops).
I've finally jumped onto the Stardew Valley train and it is just as delightful as the hype promised. I love a video game that just lets me do little tasks. And those community center sprites!! What a joy.
Summer is showing her glorious colors on the horizon and I am so excited for adventure- each May I make a little Summer Bucket List for the year and this one is starting to take shape. Much to look forward to! What's on your summer to do list this year??
I'm glad you're here.
From my roots to my stems,
Em