Saturday
Things I didn’t know existed when I planned this trip: SantaCon. Things I discover exist when waiting for the train back to New York wondering why it is so packed, and why so many people are dressed up like Santa? SantaCon.
It takes me almost three hours to get back into the city, and when I finally do get on a train am one of several people precariously perched on the steps leading to the upper level. It’s cozy, to say the least. Not expecting it to take this long, my plan on rolling out of bed that morning had been to grab breakfast when I got back to NYC. By this point, not having had dinner the night before, I’m incredibly hungry, exhausted as this 5 hours of sleep life isn’t for me, and still have interview prep to do – but also want to spend time with the friend who is hosting me here in New York!
Food winds up being a devoured sandwich in the corner of the office building lobby I’m meeting my friend at, and I’m introduced to some of her friends at the doll meetup we’re attending – it’s really cool, and people are generous with their time when it comes to answering my various questions about this hobby I know nothing about. I head back to her place early, take a wrong turn coming out of the subway (because of course I do) and wind up at a health food shop I never would have found otherwise so, really, it was the right way for me to go!
Some food and one shower later, I completely pass out – interview has been moved to tomorrow morning, continuing the pattern of “me running to fit interviews in before leaving a country,” which this time I’m convinced will be fine as it isn’t snowing in New York! Nothing could possibly happen here that would result in me being delayed! Right. I was tempting fate with that one.
New York winds up being my favourite setup by far. There might not be a lot of room, or a place to sit, and we might get mistaken for coat check a few times, but being right by the door and getting to see everyone coming in – the outfits are incredible – and seeing friends reuniting at The Red Party – is a great experience. Being by the door is also nice because it’s bringing a breeze into this very packed space.
This is also the show where I chat with the most people! Is this in part because the stage part of the venue is separated from the bar/merch area by a very effective set of doors, which means not needing to yell at full volume to be heard? Quite possibly, yes. Whatever the reason(s) are, I appreciated the chance to get to chat with various New Yorkers about their city, scene, and truly anything else people wanted to share. One person, as it turned out, had come straight from working at SantaCon which is how I found out it’s an annual pub crawl where people dress up in Santa Claus costumes. Another was Chiara from Painters, a New Wave/Alternative/Post Punk band with a kick of Metal. She was lovely, and I found out also runs Fae and Phantom, a New Jersey based hair salon and vintage clothing shop which occassionally hosts themed events like fairy tea parties.
Night’s end sees me waiting for my Uber maybe 12 feet from the venue and it’s somewhere around 4am. When a fight breaks out just outside the venue, I appreciate how quickly friends of the people involved step in to try and de-escalate things and think that’s working until someone yells “knife!” at which point I’m hoping I’m not about to be a witness to anything. Thankfully, I’m not, and though it takes a bit of time their friends manage to separate the pair and go their separate ways. All’s well that doesn’t end in someone getting seriously injured.
While that is going on, I’m approached by a friendly guy who asks if I know what’s going on (I do not), and then starts telling me about his night like we’re old friends. I don’t know this yet, but strangers coming up and telling me half their life story is something that’s going to become a pattern. He asks what I’d gotten up to, I tell him about the show and he mentions that he lives on the block if I wanted to keep talking and listen – my friends will be the fist people to tell you that I am completely oblivious to signals like this, but even I went “mmmm, nooo that’s fine thanks but you have a great night.”
Creeping into my friend’s place at nearly 5am, I find myself being incredibly grateful that she’s a late riser. Part two of my interview with Jonathan has now been moved to “sometime later” as he’s sick, which means I don’t need to get up and be a person before rushing to catch the train bringing me to Dove who, coincidentally, was also visiting a friend in New York that weekend. We planned to meet up so we could drive back home together.
This may be the end of my time doing merch, but little do I know it won’t be the last time and is just the start of something bigger…
Want to keep up with Urban Heat? Check them out on TikTok , or find them on Instagram!
That’s all for this week! Until next time, stay cozy, and if you want to join your companions around the cauldron, signup for email updates below!
The Cozy Cauldron 