The New Yorkers Podcast

New Yorkers Celebrate Pride On the High Line! -With Alan van Capelle

In this episode, Kelly is joined by Alan van Capelle!  He is the executive director of Friends of the High Line, the former deputy comptroller for the City of New York, and the chief architect of New York’s historic marriage equality bill.  Kelly asks Alan where he's from. Alan talks about growing up on Long Island and realizing that he was gay. He talks about pretending to be Miss America while hearing his parents argue about him playing Soccer! Alan then talks a bit about his twin sister, and is surprised to learn that Kelly is a twin as well!  Alan talks about his journey through college: how he wanted to be an opera singer, and then worked in medical unions, and later decided to go into community organizing and politics. He then tells the story about how he went from speaking at the first openly gay state representatives' inauguration to being the executive director of the Pride Agenda! Kelly and Alan talk about political activism, and Kelly describes the time he took a bus trip up to Washington, D.C. in 1993 to be a part of the march on Washington. He tells us about how their trip was almost canceled because of threats from the KKK. He describes the tension as they took the trip, and talks about how transformative of an experience it was.  Alan then talks about the importance of joy in hard times. As Executive Director of the High Line, It's important to him that in this fight against fascism, we center joy, and he hopes that people can find that on the High Line this pride.  Kelly asks Alan about the events that are going on this summer.  Alan talks about Musical Theater Piano Karaoke on Mondays, and how everyone has been super excited for that. He talks about the plant sale that they held, where people had the chance to buy one of a kind plants that are not available anywhere else. He talks about the Zesty world party for Queer People of Color, and the Salsa dance parties that are held in July.  Kelly then gets personal with Alan as he asks him about his family life. Alan talks about the process of how he and his partner adopted their two kids. He talks about the pressures of raising a family as a gay couple, as well as some of the challenges that he and his kids face navigating the world as a queer family.  Finally, Kelly asks Alan about the fight for marriage equality. Alan talks about the process that he and his colleagues went through in order to get it passed. How they had to pass smaller legislation surrounding it in order to set the precedent for marriage equality.  He talks about how he became friends with his political enemies and how that was crucial in nullifying them and getting them on his side. He and Kelly talk about the importance of continuing to talk to people you may disagree with.  Then Kelly asks Alan what his favorite neighborhoods are, where he likes to go to eat, and where his favorite place to go for views of the city is. Alan talks about where to go to see the best eye candy, makes a controversial restaurant take, and talks about his favorite section of the High Line. But above all else; Alan van Capelle is a New Yorker.  Kelly's Social Media @NewYorkCityKopp Follow the High Line and for more information about their events:  https://www.thehighline.org [https://www.thehighline.org] @Highlinenyc Jae's Social Media @Studiojae170

New York City During the Revolutionary War! -With Peter Aigner

In this episode, Kelly is joined by NYC Historian Peter Aigner! He is the director of the Gotham Center for New York City History, and the co-founder of “Echos of Revolution: NYC,” A new immersive walking tour experience that uses geolocation to put you in the world of historic New York. Join them, as Peter talks to Kelly about the process of obtaining his PHD. Peter talks about why he decided to pursue higher education, and talks a bit about the history of the study of history and why it was important for him in his family. Peter talks about his family's chocolate shop and how it's been around for 100 years! He talks about the legacy of the shop and being a part of it while he was growing up.  Kelly and Peter talk about some important figures and time periods in NYC history. Peter talks about how we are currently in the second Gilded Age and makes comparisons to the first one. Peter talks about Daniel Patrick Moynihan and the book that he's writing about him: what his legacy was, how he was a scholar, as well as his influence on modern politics. They also talk a bit about the history of transportation in America and the significance of the Highway Act. Kelly asks Peter about Echoes of Revolution. Peter talks about the inspiration behind the project. He talks about how he got involved with Niantic and Ubisoft, bringing them together to revolutionize the tour business. Peter talks about how the app works and what people will get from using it. He talks about the process of designing the tours and how they wanted the experience to work, and how being in person enhances the experience for the users.  Kelly asks Peter about New York City during the time of the revolution. Peter talks about how many people lived in the city at the time, what percentage of them were revolutionaries, loyalists, or in between. Peter talks about what the city limits were at that time, and how New York was impacted by the battles, the invasion, and the fires. He talks about why New York was such an important city during the Revolutionary Era and how it was left out of the conversation nationally.  Finally, Kelly asks Peter some quickfire questions about his favorite historical spots, his favorite historical figures who came from New York City, and what NYC means to him in one word.  But above all else; Peter Aigner is a New Yorker! Kelly's Social Media @NewYorkCityKopp Peter's Social Media  @gothamcenternychistory Jae's Social Media @Studiojae170

Vietnamese Coffee in New York City! -With Kim Lee

In this episode; Kelly is joined by: Kim Lee! She is the owner and founder of Kawaii Coffee, and an immigrant from Vietnam.  Kim recently opened her coffee shop in the west village, which had been a dream of hers for a while. After attending business school and working in midtown at a nail salon, she decided her next step was to run her own business. Kelly asks Kim about moving from Vietnam to the United States. How the culture differs, what was hard to adjust to, what was more similar than you might think, and what it's like starting over in a completely new country. Kim talks about the coffee culture in Vietnam. She tells us how life is much slower there: people go to their favorite coffee shops at around 7 in the morning and wait two full hours for it to drip while they are there! She talks about how they use condensed milk as a sweetener, and the different reasons Vietnamese people go out for coffee. Kelly asks Kim what parts of that culture she hoped to bring with her to New York. Kelly asks Kim about Vietnamese culture in New York. They talk about the food, different events, and how Kim can contribute to that culture.  Finally, Kelly asks Kim some quick fire questions about coffee, culture, and where she likes to live. But above all else; Kim Lee is a New Yorker. Kelly's Social Media @NewYorkCityKopp Kim's Social Media  @Kawaiicafe203 You can find her shop here: 117 Christopher St, New York, NY 10014 Jae's Social Media @Studiojae170

New Yorkers Build This City! -With Jim Somoza

With me today, I have Jim Somoza! He is the Managing Director at Industry City.  Join them on this episode where they go back in time. Jim tells us what it was like growing up in New York in the 70s and 80s. He talks about how his dad moved to an apartment on the upper west side, overlooking central park. He tells us how he would spend his afternoons in the parks, and weekends in the west village with his best friend. He talks about going to the arcades in Times Square, as well as other games they made up to entertain themselves.  Jim then talks about his time as a Real Estate Lawyer. How when he started his practice, it was very difficult to find work. But after sticking with it, even through the crash of the late 90s, he was able to find work and also met people that would bring him to his next career shift in working on Chelsea Market. Kelly asks Jim about the history of Chelsea market: How it got started, what it was like to work there, and he tells us about its founders' vision and what he wanted Chelsea Market to be. Kelly also asks him about a famous sweet treat that was invented at Chelsea Market, and Jim tells us a little known fact about it.  Jim then talks about his time developing Industry City. He talks about how the proposal came to him. He tells us what Industry City used to be and how it used to function. He talks about how large it is in comparison to Chelsea Market and even the Empire State building. He then tells us what his strategy was in order to get not only retailers in the space, but also offices and patrons. Jim talks about the community aspect of Industry City, and what he hopes people will get from it when they come for a visit.  But above all else; Jim Somoza is a New Yorker. Kelly's Social Media @NewYorkCityKopp Jim's Social Media and Industry City @Jim_Somoza @IndustryCity Jae's Social Media @Studiojae170

Thriller NYC! -With Zombie Papas: Jorge and Todd

In this episode, Kelly is joined by Zombie Papas Jorge and Todd, the organizers of Thriller NYC!  Join them as they introduce themselves. Jorge tells us how he came to New York, and what it was like moving here. Todd on the otherhand, talks about being third generation from Brooklyn. They tell us about how they met, as well as their costume wedding. They talk about how they found Thriller NYC and how long they've been involved with it.  Jorge talks about the founding of thriller in the west village Halloween parade. He talks about the first time it was done and what it was like when it first started. He talks about how he initially joined another thriller group because Thriller NYC was full. Todd talks about how Jorge invited him to join thriller one year, but not in the way that he had wanted to.  Kelly asks about the process of putting together something so massive. Todd talks about the process of how people get tickets and join the group. He goes over what the rehearsals look like as well as what the time table is like to put on something like that. They both talk about what people are getting out of their ticket. They talk about how it is important for them to form a safe community, and they emphasise moving your body in community, and the healing power that it can have. Jorge and Todd thank Kelly for his viral video of the performance, and they talk about how that helped them get put back on the map and continue post Covid. They also talk about what it feels like to put together this massive project every year, and the cultural impact that it has on the world. They talk about their trip to South Africa and how Thriller even has an impact there.  Finally, Kelly asks them some quick fire questions about the dance, the halloween parade, the costumes, and where to eat after.  But, above all else; Jorge and Todd are New Yorkers.  Kelly's Social Media @NewYorkCityKopp Join Thriller NYC! https://www.thrillernyc.com/ [https://andrewfisherwriter.com/] @Thrillernyc Donate to the village Halloween parade! https://halloween-nyc.com/donate/ [https://halloween-nyc.com/donate/]  Jae's Social Media @Studiojae170