Hi again, my lovely readers!

Our New Yorker of the Week today is Sofia. She’s 27, lives in Manhattan, and is looking for friendship and love.

Interested? Reach out to [email protected]. And if you want to be super cool and get involved in the newsletter yourself, you can:

• Submit yourself to be a New Yorker of the Week

• Share events that you think should be featured (for free)

• Purchase an ad to promote your business

Now, onto the goodness:

How would someone who loves you describe you?

Hah this was an uncomfortable-but-fun question to ask my close friends!

Their take:

"Sofia is full of energy and life. She turns what others may view as mundane activities into meaningful joys. She's authentically herself, comfortable in her own skin, and goes after what she wants (because nothing else will do). Her biggest joy is sharing her love for walking with others...your step count will go up if you befriend her"

What sorts of things do you want to do with your friends?

Anything active (biking, running, lifting), learning something new via tour/class/exhibit, very long walks, bakery hopping (going 50/50 on 3 different pastries so we can maximize taste-testing), hosting joint dinner parties, helping each other clarify our opinions via friendly debate, running errands (big fan of productive hangouts vs "catching up over coffee")

What's something that people might not guess about you?

I'm Argentinian (not Russian, as commonly guessed) and grew up "embassy-style" in the US - speaking Spanish, dancing on major holidays, and experiencing meals as 4-hour rituals.

Are you looking for love? Tell me about the type of person you're looking for!

Yes! My friends joke that my type is "gym bro on the outside, nerd on the inside." I'm drawn to passionate, ambitious men with an active lifestyle who are either from a similar international background or have lived abroad. But really, the litmus test comes down to interesting conversation. Can we talk for 6 hours straight and have it feel like 10 minutes?

Anything else that the Joy List community can help you with?

Two things I'm currently on the lookout for:

1.) An affordable video editor who knows how to storytell, especially when it comes to sports and travel content. Who's someone you've enjoyed working with?

2.) Small sports/lifestyle/food brands interested in partnering on my urban walking adventures or group walks (@apex_ped on IG and Luma)

The Mingle Games: Meet People Over Games

The Mingle Games, Round 01. Thursday, Aug 27 at New York Distilling Co. in Brooklyn. Our app seats you at a game station, then rotates you to a new table every round. Color dots on your name tag show what you're open to: friendship, networking, or romance. Dumplings, craft beer, and cocktails available all night. Come solo or bring friends. Play games. Leave with new people. 120 seats.

Gatherings

Double check details before you go, and contact the organizers with questions! The Joy List does not run these events.

Tuesday, August 11: Sunset walk & sorrel tasting

A 2.5-mile sunset walk across the Brooklyn Bridge ending at Fabrik Tribeca for a sorrel tasting and light bites. Sorrel (caffeine and alcohol free) is a refreshing sweet drink made of Hibiscus and spices. Come ready to walk, chat, and take in the beauty of an August evening stroll with good food & drinks waiting for you at the end...doesn't get any more perfect than that :)

$15, 6:45pm, Cadman Plaza, Brooklyn. Info here.

Tuesday, August 11: LADY CHURCH

A gathering for any woman who's ever stayed too long in something that gave her too little. LADY CHURCH is your invitation to come home to yourself. Equal parts writing workshop + soul revival, we open with movement, then transition into a communal experience of writing letters to ourselves from the spirit of unconditional love. This is a space where vulnerability is met with "girl, same," as we experience the transformation of tapping into deep compassion for ourselves + each other.

$45, 7:30pm, Bon Studio, 199 N. 8th St Unit 3, Brooklyn, NY 11211. Info here.

Wednesday, August 12: AIGA NY presents Group Hang: The Design Swap Meet

We've partnered with our friends at The Landing, Industry City for a casual meetup for creatives who've been quietly hoarding the good stuff— vintage type specimen books, limited-run posters, studio zines, rare art prints, Pantone swatch sets, packaging ephemera, pin collections, and anything else that lives on your desk or shelf. Bring up to five items. Swap what you're ready to let go of. Go home with something that inspires you just as much or more!

$10, 5–7pm, The Landing (237 36th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11232). Info here.

Wednesday, August 12: WHAT HAPPENS TO HUMANITY WHEN EVERYTHING BECOMES INTELLIGENT?

Welcome to an evening for women who want to become active participants in the AI revolution—not passive observers of it.

​Together with a Cornell Tech AI professor, the founder of an AI-native company, and an AI strategist working with global brands, we'll explore what the future could look like, what leading futurists are predicting, and how this transformation is already reshaping business, leadership, and society.

$25. 6 to 8 pm. Brainstation. Info here.

Friday, August 14: Kinky Carnival

Step into a maze of absurdly sexy stations and gloriously unhinged games designed to spark laughter, curiosity, and connection. The evening features BDSM Twister, Strip Poker, kissing contests, tarot readings, connection games, vendors with sexy treats, and plenty of opportunities to win sexy prizes.

Sliding scale $30-$80, 7pm-10pm, 96 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10006. Info here.

Sunday, August 16: Crossing Borders: Coffee, Cacao & Unexpected Paths

Join us for a neighborhood walk built around craft cacao, specialty coffee, and genuine conversation. We'll trace how ideas are born at the intersection of different worlds, using cacao, coffee, and personal journeys as our lens, with tastings at local shops along the way. A selection of tastings is included in the price, with additional tastings available for purchase.

$30, 10:30am-1:30pm, 1 E 1st St, New York, NY 10003. Info here.

Sunday, August 16: Re:source Practice

Come resource yourself in community! We'll drop into our bodies with some juicy, intuitive movement, go on a full breathwork journey with a closing soundscape meditation, and we'll end with facilitated authentic relating to connect with others. The perfect Sunday end of week reset. Reforesters Laboratory in Williamsburg 🌲

$35 (PWYC tix available), 5:30-7pm, Reforesters (147 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn). Info here.

Sunday, August 16: Fantasy Lab

An elegant evening of cocktails, conversation, and sex education exploring fantasy, desire, and communication. Whether you're wondering "What am I into?" or looking to deepen desires you already know, this intimate workshop is for you. Enjoy a complimentary handcrafted cocktail as we explore the psychology of fantasy, uncover what truly drives desire, and learn practical tools to build, communicate, and bring your fantasies to life.

Sliding Scale $50-$80 (Cocktail included), 7pm, Flower Cat, 162 Noble Street. Info here.

That's it for this edition. Sending hugs.

Stay cool,

Jillian