The other day, I tried to take a nap, only to “wake up” and feel that the whole world was subtly stranger than it was before. The air tasted different, the buildings emanating an eerie sort of light. Now October arrives riding atop a flash of heat, and amid nor’easter-strewn branches I am still trying to find out what’s different. Do you feel it, too? The troubles come with us, yet still we hang out. We hang out! How precious, how special, how utterly ordinary and magnificent.

In the past weeks, between investigating the edges of buildings looking for some kind of trick, I spent some lovely time hanging out with dear friends and strangers alike. I cried at love in the cool New Hampshire air (wedding), yelled about the Salton Sea to a captive audience (infrastructure party), tossed our dining chairs to the curb (apartment refresh), partook in a conga line surrounding my apartment’s roundest lamp (corn moon). And much else in between. When times feel strange, eerie, rough, brutal, it’s always hanging out that gets me through. Now, as we move towards the new moon and back again, it’s a great time to enjoy all that hanging out has to offer — a way to move into a new season together, with shared attention, shared dancing, shared love for food and friendship. Hope to hang with you soon,

🌘 Faggots Fête Afterparty at Sugar Hill Disco: Waning Crescent (Tue Oct 6 @ 10pm). One of the things I so love about living in NYC is that you can go dancing late into any night of the week. This one promises to be particularly special, celebrating the 50 year anniversary of an iconic work of utopian queer writing. All funds end up going to Nighboat’s queer archival publishing work. $35.

🌘 PASSIONEL at The Tank: Waning Crescent (Fri Oct 9 @ 9:30pm & Sat Oct 10 @3pm). Soy’s back from Korea in part to act in this play about middle school girls and the instability of that time of life… a spooky premise if I’ve ever heard one. $23-43.

🌑 IHATEMYPHONEILOVEMYPHONE at Pete’s Candy Store: New Moon (Sat Oct 10 @ 6pm). Amalia’s back for this performance workshop that combines an interdisciplinary teach-in, ritual healing circle, and comedic theater show into one — regain control of your attention, your agency, and your somatic experience. Free.

🌑 Poetry & Produce at Index Greenpoint: New Moon (Sun Oct 11 @ 2pm). We rescheduled this event because of the storm! Come through for a slate of delicious treats, tea pairings, and a cozy afternoon of poetic reflection & creation. Open to all :). $25.

🌑 NYC Fungus Festival at The Battery: New Moon (Sun Oct 11 @ 11am). The mushroom lovers of New York are a particularly passionate bunch. There should be plenty to learn and connect on from the mycological experts to the mushroom-curious, here. Free.

🌑 October New Moon Study Circle: Technopoly at Fort Greene Park: New Moon (Sun Oct 11 @ 5pm). You've heard of the oligarchy, but Neil Postman would argue that we are instead (also?) living in a Technopoly: a society that has ceded culture to technology. Join Shrin for a Socratic discussion to unpack what Postman means, debate whether we agree, and reflect on the modern interplay between technology and culture. No prior reading required! Excerpts from Postman's 1992 text, Technopoly, will be printed out and serve as the basis for discussion. Free with RSVP.

🌒 HOW TO START A NEWSLETTER (virtual): Waxing Crescent (Thu Oct 15 @ 4pm). Get off big tech and learn more about starting an events newsletter with Nick. I, of course, am pro-events newsletter. This one has been really important in reshaping my social life after I left social media. Free.

🌒 Bright Five Presentation Party at Pete’s Candy Store: Waxing Crescent (Thur Oct 15 @ 6pm). Five presenters take five minutes to share a perspective on our relationship to technology. Facilitated by Damian, so you know it’s gonna shift your way of thinking. $5 suggested donation.

🌓 Corvid Caper at Green-Wood Cemetery: First Quarter (Sat Oct 17 @ 3pm). Join the murder for a crow-themed gathering in Green-Wood Cemetery. Bring a special trinket for the trinket swap, learn to make a quill and a biodegradable bird feeder, and explore the mystery of co-lying. Wear black. Meet at the Druid's Circle in Cedar Dell. 40.6514, -73.9906. Free.

🌖 Capture the Future in Prospect Park: Waning Gibbous (Fri Oct 30 @ 7pm). Imagine a huge game of capture the flag in Prospect Park, at night, at the start of Halloweekend… all themed around prediction markets and other spooky aspects of our current reality… and then come be a part of it. Free.

🗣️ Call for donations: Gender Affirming Surgery Fund. Any support is welcome for mulu’s upcoming gender affirming surgery. Venmo @slayn