QUEER LUNAR NEW YEAR
2019
KNOCKDOWN CENTER QUEENS, NY
Photos by Mary Kang and Marielle Sales
I co-produced the QLNY party at Knockdown Center with YJC. Yoon Naw and I spent a great deal of time meditating on the intention and vision. It always starts with a feeling so intention was to make folks to feel like they were coming home to a family celebration. The vision was to transform KDC into an extension of our living room — a warm, loving place that had held us through times of joy and despair. It was imperative that the vibe be correct so we literally brought furniture and items we loved from our own homes into KDC to tune the energy of the space!
The altar was really the sacred heart of the party tho. Yoon and I drew out the design together, made an entire presentation for it, rented a uhaul and carried these 12’x5’ wooden walls into KDC! This is what happens when two sag’s have an idea lmao.
We took special care to honor the contributions that our queer ancestors made for us by making it grand in size and beautiful in arrangement thanks to Kat Tom and everyone who helped build it with deep gratitude, reverence, and respect. Over the course of the night folks were invited to write intentions for the new year that was ceremoniously burned at the end of the night.
All night I watched people enjoy, celebrate, dance, kiss, cry. Its this stuff that really makes my heart explode. I only have love and gratitude to everyone who made that QLNY possible!
