I’ve always loved the suspended in-between of the time between Christmas and New Year’s. It feels like these days exist on a different plane, temporary untethered to capitalist routine, or at least a little less so. As usual, I want to take a moment to reflect on the year and it has certainly been one.
It was a year where unions and workers more broadly were tested and proved stronger than spineless institutions. It was a year of art and performance, with highlights including collaborations with Laura Ortman and Bertha Vanayshun. It was a year of discovering (and loving) Pittsburgh for the first time, restful trips heading north of the city including a summer weekend in Maine. It was a year of dog walks and trying to ride the ferry any chance I had. It was a year of clouds. Of a genocide of a genocide of a genocide. Of a new mayor.
Amidst the continued heartbreak and betrayal of Covid-denial, one of the highlights of the year has been seeing the ways a rich Covid-conscious performance ecosystem has blossomed. This summer, I co-organized the first Outer Listening party with my friends Mars, Ana, Dre, and Saar; and attended (on my birthday!) the first Positive Deviance event. Since then, I’ve attended, co-organized, and performed at masked parties at Come Forever, Abrons Arts Center, Judson Memorial Church, and last night at Recess fundraising for A.I.R. NYC—all of which have been joyful and transformative. I’m excited to continue co-creating these kinds of spaces—starting late January in Beacon (details below!).
Spotify Wrapped was not a thing for me this year, not only because I’ve unsubscribed (and you should too), but because most of the music I listened to was at home on my record player. I’ve finished cataloging my 12” collection (including all of the Barbra) and are moving on to 45s in 2026.
Some favorite releases from this year:
Rosalia, LUX
Bad Bunny, DeBí TiRAR MáS FOToS
Lily Allen, West End Girl
Saya Gray, SAYA
Boys Go to Jupiter, Meet Me After Practice
Bunny White, The Higher the Hair, the Closer to God
Silvana Estrada, Vendrán Suaves Lluvias
Tame Impala, Deadbeat
Natalia Lafourcade, Cancionera
This year, some of my favorite reading experiences have been alongside others. From the second year of the Long Poem Support Group, to my Love in a Fucked Up World bookclub, to the People’s Saturday School Book Club. Some of my favorite books this year:
Octavia E. Butler, Parable of the Sower
Bryan Washington, Palaver
A.R. Ammons, Tape Turn for the Year
Joey Yearous-Algozin, A Feeling Called Heaven
Of course, the poems! I’m ever-grateful to Emily’s Google Docs (see my post about September Sonnets here), this year’s exquisites readings, workshops, and anthology, and continuing to be part of the board of No, Dear Magazine where I was proud to be on the team that published three first chapbooks in a series called Record/Record.
Going into 2026, I am taking lessons so vividly illustrated by Octavia in the Parable: that change is everything, that practice is everything, that preparedness is everything. Let us all practice being prepared for all the change that will continue to shape us this coming year.
Upcoming
The first party I’m DJing in 2026 is with Celebrate 845 in Beacon (and streamed!). Save the date!
and save the date for our upcoming exquisites workshops starting the first Thursday in February!
I also switched from Spotify to Qobuz, though try to listen to my records too :))
Whoa you’ve cataloged all your 12” records!!!! That’s so cool and impressive!