Oh, the things you’ve taught me, the relationships you’ve blessed me with, the memories we’ve made and, most of all, who I am because of you!

I could never fully repay you, New York, so I’ll write about you instead.

Dear New York City, I’m so glad that we met.

My name is Rhea Prendergast, and I’m a 22-year-old Jamaican ‘producer’ living in New York, fuelled by people, the media and entertainment industries, and what happens when the two converge. For adult purposes I suppose I should state that I am also a New York University grad (’22) with a BA in Global Liberal Studies with a concentration in Art, Text, and Media and a Minor in Dance Performance.

I write ‘producer’ in quotations because for ‘work’, I make many things (or make many things possible). It’s hard to put this into a singular job title so I’ve been writing producer in the occupation field of my Customs/Immigration forms for a year now, and it seems to be working.

On the daily, I am community experience manager and event producer at Studio 368 — a production studio, community hub, content agency and creative experiential space at the intersection of SoHo, Tribeca and Chinatown. I bring the visions of artists of various kinds to life through experiences (e.g. musicians, film-makers, visual artists, spoken word poets, etc). I also work on commercial shoots and manage everything from brand relationships, to production schedules, to the studio aux.

When I’m not working in-studio, I’m pouring into NYC’s live entertainment scene with a specific mission to push the Jamaican, and by extension Caribbean, agenda globally, at the utmost quality. I produce my events, partner with different venues and entertainment brands on theirs and collaborate with various companies like Adidas or Red Bull as a global ambassador for Caribbean culture.

Lover of music, culture and community.

Summer in New York City is my favourite time of the year. It’s a time for love, the people dem, rooftop drink-ups, long walks, music festivals/stage shows, block parties and BBQs. Here’s my guide to three days in NYC.

Wednesday

If you didn’t know, Wednesdays are the new Fridays. I’m unsure why, but Wednesdays are in, especially in the summer. This mid-week gem also hosts one of my most prized possessions, No Long Talk.

No Long Talk (NLT) is a movement I started in September 2022 dedicated to preserving authentic Jamaican entertainment culture in New York City. As the traditional ‘no long talk’ saying goes, the experience speaks for itself: minimal explanation, maximum enjoyment. NLT takes over the world-renowned Miss Lily’s 7A Rum Bar and Cafe every Wednesday, showcasing DJs and musicians pushing grassroots Caribbean sounds globally. We’ve got love from musical ambassadors such as Protoje, Silent Addy, DJ Private Ryan, New York legends like Shyne and Ghanaian stars like Eugy. No Long Talk is a family vibe, big on community and comfort.

Here’s the rundown of my Wednesdays

After clocking out of the Studio at 6:00 pm, I take the J train home and prepare for the night. My DJs (Khalil and Sounds of Reality- Jamaicans born and raised in Flatbush, Brooklyn) meet me an hour before to have dinner and to talk about how we want the night to flow, and then at 9:00 pm, we kick things off. Throughout the night, I’ll see friends, party regulars and a few new faces: all of varying ages, nationalities and relationships to the culture. The Dancehall dance crew that comes out every Wednesday performs new routines without fail: from the traditional steps to those just brewing back home. This pattern continues into the music. Indeed, there are the ‘OG’ records that have to play in the dance, ie the Beenies, the Bountys, the Shabbas. However, I also ask that my DJs create an opportunity for the crowd to get familiar with the sounds coming out of the islands presently, as the ‘Now’ is also a part of our history. Plus, many Caribbean musicians, producers and songwriters are young people I know personally doing amazing work, so I’d like to highlight that. Of course, the rum will also be ever-flowing, and my photographer ShoShots will be there to capture the No Long Talk energy spectacularly. We’ll wrap by 2:00 am, and I’ll usually leave feeling pretty fulfilled–like I’ve just taken care of one of my weekly moral responsibilities. I have a feeling that the crowd feels the same.

Saturday

Saturdays are my bask-in-the-sunshine days, the days I’m so happy to live in a walkable city. I’ll start my morning with a stop at my neighbourhood bagel shop for a Bacon, Egg and Cheese on a Plain with Scallion Cream Cheese (Go Light), and then the day could take many different turns. In one world, it could look like sitting in the D’USSÉ lounge at Rolling Loud, watching Future and A$AP Rocky perform, linking up with my Everyday Ppl family for one of their international day parties (Shout out Maine and mOma!), or tapping into the Brooklyn street fair and getting to experience pieces of the different cultures that make this place so unique.

In another world, it could look like going thrifting in Dumbo, eating at KazuNori- The Original Hand Roll Bar–-one of my favourite restaurants in the city- and then trying to find ways to convince my roommates that we should host yet another evening cook up and drink up on our roof.

Life’s what you make it.

Sunday

Sundays are my glory and good food days.

I usually roll out of bed at around 10:00 am and make my way to Omar’s for his Ackee and Saltfish Plantain Boat, or if I’m feeling a little more peckish- I’ll order a Hellshire-style lobster (imported straight from home), with festival and plantain. Omar’s Kitchen and Rum Bar has been such a particular part of my small-island-girl-big-city-love story. A five-minute walk from my East Village apartment, the Nouveau Caribbean restaurant is a delicious, all-out exploration that blends a Caribbean twang with an urban New York twist. It’s saved my life on countless occasions: from cheerful pick-me-ups from the staff who have become my family, to those much-needed meals after long work days (or an epic night out), to something as simple as getting to have my favourite soda from home – a cold D&G Kola Champagne – on request. Chef

Omar, who has become a great friend of mine, is inspired by his Jamaican roots and global travels and has created the perfect blend of fantastic food, that ‘welcome home’ atmosphere and a great musical selection. Sometimes with a live DJ in-house, you can hear a combination of the newest Dancehall, Reggae and Soca records blended with foundational old-school gems that you can’t help but sing along to. Omar’s is a must-visit and an integral part of my Summer Sundays. Tell dem Rhea sent you!

Summers here are extraordinary; there is so much to do and see. Far Rockaway Beach isn’t anything quite like an Ochi or a Negril, but I’ve grown to love the things that make this place what it is rather than focusing on what it’s not. Of course, I miss home; there is nowhere else in the world like Jamaica. But, I must say, New York City, I’m so glad we met.

PHOTO CREDITS

@_yuriyy

@shoshots

@dutty_the_french

@kazunorisushi

Rhea’s Black Book

No Long Talk

Instagra @nol0ngtalk

Omar Kitchen and Rum Bar

29 A Clinton Street

New York. New York

Miss Lily’s 7A Cafe

109 Avenue A,

New York, NY 10009

KazuNori: The Original Hand Roll Bar

15 West 28th Street

New York, NY 10001

Getting There

Caribbean Airlines flies five weekly flights from Kingston to JFK. Enjoy a state-of-the-art travel

experience on the airline’s 737-8 aircraft with more leg room, Caribbean View entertainment and

signature hospitality. Book now at caribbean-airlines.com.