Hi there, snow bunnies!

We don’t have a New Yorker of the Week today.

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As always, you can submit your events for free here and your paid ads here.

Now, onto the good stuff:

Feeling powerless in this political climate? Time to get back to basics… AKA the constitution

Jillian from The Joy List here. I, like many of you, have been spiritually torn asunder by the chaos of our political climate. To feel a bit more in control, I’m taking a class on how local NYC politics work. And it has helped A LOT.

Want a similar opportunity yourself? Our lovely class TA, Laeo, is offering his own course on how the hell the constitution works. Some things you’ll learn include:

• How to read and interpret Supreme Court decisions

• How to parse headlines about the Supreme Court and detect BS

• How to draw a rough timeline of the American Founding

Interested? This five-week course is only $500, and sliding scale pricing is available for those who need it. Learn more here.

Gatherings

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

Tuesday, February 24: Not-So-Typical Speed Networking with Community Labs

Think “what lights you up” – less “what do you do for a living.”​Join us for the inaugural Community Labs gathering, an intentional evening focused on building connection. This first session will take the form of guided speed networking to meet others who are navigating growth across career, creativity and life. Whether you’re looking to expand your community, learn new perspectives or connect in an engaging and authentic way, this space is designed for you to show up as yourself.

Free. 7-8:30PM. 417 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY. Info here.

Tuesday, February 24: Writer's Workshop: Brooklyn Edition

Join us for a gathering where we will lead participants through creative writing prompts inspired by our favorite borough, Brooklyn. Participants will be invited to share and discuss their work. We limit guests to all women, femmes, and gender-expansive folks. We don't often get to cater our stories and voices/writing in a patriarchal context, so we're centering us here & now.

$10, 6:30 - 8:30 PM, Williamsburg. Info here.

Tuesday, February 24: Grata Wellness Guided Meditation & Journaling at Casa Cipriani

A grounding meditation and reflective journaling session to support nervous system balance and inner steadiness this winter. 

Leave feeling centered, clear, and gently recharged.

After the session, enjoy time to unwind in the sauna & steam facilities.

Note from Jillian: I’ve never been to Casa Cipriani, but this seems worth it just to explore the space!

$40. 6 to 7 PM. Casa Cipriani. Info here.

Thursday, February 26: Astoria Worker Project presents: "Imagining the Future of the Nighttime Economy: How Solidarity Economics Can Meet Our Needs"

This free, community forum brings nightlife workers and partygoers together to explore worker cooperatives as a real, practical alternative to the precarity of the current nightlife economy. Through short presentations and facilitated conversation, participants will learn the basics of cooperative and solidarity-economy models, hear directly from nightlife workers who recently completed a hands-on co-op training, and reflect collectively on what fairer, worker-led nightlife spaces could look like.

The Astoria Worker Project blends workforce development with workers’ rights education, mental health support, immigrant-focused programming, and cooperative development. As part of this work, the Astoria Worker Project recently offered “Intro to Worker Co-ops for the Nightlife Industry,” a free course combining cooperative theory with practical tools for building worker-owned businesses.

Free. 5p-8p. 100 Hinsdale Street, Brooklyn NY 11207. Info here.

Thursday, February 26: Cultural Layover: A Night in Brazil

What if you could experience Brazilian Carnival without leaving NYC?
 Join us to embark on a Cultural Layover – a journey through all five senses that immerses you in Brazilian culture through sights, sounds, tastes, storytelling, and captivating interactive samba dance and capoeira rhythmic martial arts performances. This intimate group experience in a private venue brings together people who love exploring different cultures — come with friends to make unique memories together, or come solo and make new friends!

$50. 7-9PM. 459 Grand St Brooklyn NY. Info here.

Friday, February 27: Glutes and Gains

Get your body, mind, AND finances in shape this year! Join fellow money-curious friends for a 45-minute yogilates session and breathwork, followed by 45 minutes of peer-to-peer discussion on personal investing. We’ll touch on topics like 401K vs. IRA, Roth vs. traditional accounts, savings strategies, stock picking, and more! Bring your own mat and show up as you are. All experience levels are welcome.

Free + 1230-2PM. 20 Jay St. Info here.

Friday, February 27: Oddhaus Screening and Mixer: Ultrainocencia

We showcase unique and unusual films fresh off the festival circuit that you can't watch anywhere else, and connect them with NYC audiences and boutique distributors. We invite creatives of all stripes to come and mingle with the filmmakers, distributor representatives, and each other. We have our 2nd screening coming up on Feb 27th, and we're showing the Spanish indie scifi comedy Ultrainnocence by Manuel Arija, which debuted at the Slamdance Film Festival.

$17.50, 7-11pm. Delight Factory. Info here.

Saturday, February 28: Hyggehiking Soho to Sojo

On Saturday February 28th, we'll be trekking from the bougie bustle of SoHo in Manhattan to the craggy cliffs of Edgewater NJ, passing through every park and scenic vista we can find in between. We’ll bookend our adventure with the cozy vibes of the Chai Spot tea lounge at the start and the soothing baths of Sojo spa at the end. Each hygge hike is an exploration of the green spaces throughout our city where we seek to gain a visceral understanding of its neighborhoods and local lore, meet people who can help make NYC feel like a smaller, closer-knit community, and discuss the projects, ideas, and events we're most excited about. Bring your curiosity, reliable footwear, and your friends!

Free ($20 suggested). 10am-10pm. The Chai Spot (156 Mott St.) + 15 mile hike. Info here.

Saturday, February 28: Doodles & Drinks: A Craft Night for Singles

Join us for a hands-on, laid-back, creative singles night where you can sketch, paint, and splatter your way into a new connection. Ditch the dating apps for doodles, mess making, and meeting new people who also happen to be single - make bad art together and see what sticks! Ticket includes: One complimentary drink, all art supplies, and guided creative stations.

$40. 7-10 PM. 327 Grand St. Info here.

Saturday, February 28: Sober Dance Party

Guests are welcome to enjoy a separate lounge area featuring tea, fresh fruit, and wholesome snacks, creating space for rest and socializing.

Reboot sessions are designed as safe, intentional dance spaces, free from phones, filming, drinks, or DJ-watching, so you can fully drop into the medicine of music and movement. Expect a hybrid sound experience, blending in-room speakers with Reboot’s wireless headsets and multiple music channels, inviting you to explore your own rhythm and expression.

Donation-based. 6:30 to 9:30 PM. Daya Yoga Ridgewood. Info here.

That's it for this edition. Sending hugs.

Stay cozy,

Jillian