The Perfect Long-Fete-Weekend.

It was just supposed to be a laid-back, easy weekend. You know– walks in the park, rooftop sunsets, street festivals, brunch and the like. The typical NYC-weekend trip. But, somehow, my getaway weekends always transform into fete weekends. Hey, I don’t pick the fetes. The fetes always seem to pick me.

Mind you, there’s so much to do in NYC (not just Manhattan), but in all 5 boroughs, all spilling over with diversity, attractions and culture. There is always something to do.

Lately, I’ve been focused on getting the most out of my long weekends especially when the budget is (repeat after me) NOT there for carnival-hopping. I think the ingredients to a perfect long-fete-weekend is balance. Get your brunches, picnics, long walks in and strategically place a fete in there or two, or three and you’re good. The only bad thing about this particular weekend was the horribly over priced drinks; either that or I’ve been in Florida for too long. Anyways lets cut to the recap.

Straight off the jumbo jet…

SSS Camo Fete

I love a fete where the dress code is simple. The people are vibesy from the door; wining from the line outside. There is a clear expectation that you are here — to fete. I always sneak in a pic or two. 

Scorch & Ice Box Memorial Saturday Beach Party

Scorch is famous for their rules (pre-fete), beautiful people and the venues always seem to be spot on. There were definitely no fashion-flops (of course) but what I loved the most was the vibes –which can make or break any party and we definitely had it made. 

Candy Coated Memories

Can I say how much I appreciate a new spin/concept on a fete? I can pelt waist anywhere like the best of them; but as I get older and more experienced (fete-wise); my eyes go big when I see something shiny and spanking new. Where else can you get a mix of music from different eras, across genres where you can wine down low but also get a little 2-step in with a partner. I decided to attempt a Rizzo-meets-Sandy-Grease-lightning-va-va-voom if you will to get my 50’s on and let me tell you; memories were definitely made. 

Fete after fete after fete; don’t you do anything else? (says my conscience to myself)

 So, in my opinion, there is so much more to life than carnival but finding a “high” like it is almost damn near impossible (I’ve tried numerous times). So like the true definition of a junkie–I find myself drawn to fetes throughout the year just to fill that void. If you have no idea what I’m talking about; I think the carnival Doctor summed up tabanca here in the links below:

HOW TO SELF-MEDICATE WHEN YOU HAVE CARNIVAL TABANCA

HOW TO HAVE BEHAVIOR WHEN YOUVE HAD NO BEHAVIOR | TABANCA STRATEGIES

CARNIVAL TABANCA : FOR THOSE OF US WHO DID NOT DO JAMAICA CARNIVAL | THE STRUGGLE IS REAL 

The struggle is indeed real. 

Insert balance here :
BAM Dance Africa festival -“DanceAfrica’s beloved baazar… featuring more than 150 vendors from around the world, offering African, Caribbean and African-American food, crafts and fashion held on the outskirts of the Brooklyn Academy of Music.” -bam.org

Dance Africa, (in a nutshell) was everything. Talk about abundance and overflow of culture; there are literally no words to describe it. We literally spent a whole day exploring and taking in the different vendors selling products like art, clothing, music and food from all over the African Diaspora. From traditional African face painting, hula hoops, beautiful African garb, Authentic Caribbean and African cuisine right down to some good ol’ southern comfort food; it was L I F E. I love people-watching and can I say how proud I am to be of African descent; seeing so many shades of melanin and women proud of their natural beauty/hair was absolutely inspiring. This was the offset to a hectic fete weekend; the calm after the storm, so to speak. 

Brunch/Lunch
Some of my girl squad and I met up for “bff time” in Chelsea and with their recommendation we tried Burger & Lobster. Imagine a restaurant with literally two options on the menu: Burger or Lobster. Great for people who have a hard time making up their minds (like me). 

Bae and I got a little brunch in as well at Peaches Restaurant in Bed-Stuy and it was just what the doctor ordered after a long weekend of pelting waist non-stop. 

Walks in the Park

I think my favorite park in NY is Fort Greene Park; it’s just peaceful, not too big to get lost in but big enough to explore and just chill out and enjoy the breeze. 

If you’re ever looking for more balance during your fete weekends; I love TimeOut New York or Time Out (check availability in your city) for varied entertainment like outdoor screened movies, street festivals, museum exhibitions, best places to brunch, lunch or have a little din-din. 

God bless the long summer weekends and the fetes that seem to pop up (oh, so conveniently). 

Cheers to the freaking weekend,
Crista S. 
Photo Credit: www.nitelifeentertainmentbuzz.com ; Kyle Chase; Scotch Krew Affiliation (@scotchkrew); Ministry of Appreciation (@moaaproved)

Til next time,