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Every inch of the venue was filled with fiery competitors, spanning across many different age ranges. In the pit of the stage, the contestants competed, but in the end, Joshua Pena and Isis Granda ended up winning the cyphers. The winners will head to the National Finals in Orlando for workshops and panels on August 20th. Tune in live to see the national finals happening this weekend in Orlando below. The B-girls final will take place Saturday, August 21 and the B-boys finals will take place, Sunday August 22.

Culture

A Quarter Pound of Erotic Fanfiction with Dream Baby Press

“It’s storytelling with some of our favorite intellectual properties and characters, but in a totally new and incredible light,” Roif said. Special guests in the audience included internet personality Blizzy McGuire, and in a twist that was almost absurd enough to be natural — Austin Butler and Kaia Gerber.

The event saw readers pour their hearts out in the name of this decidedly playful strain of wordplay. The lineup included Mackenzie Thomas, Sophia Anne Caruso, Jon Burgerman, Starr himself, Greta Kline, and to top it off, RHONY star Leah McSweeney.

Starr and Roif, the duo behind the bright electricity of the Press’s operation, are hellbent on rewriting the ecosystem of public readings. Past events have unfolded at such venues as a FiDi boxing ring (complete with uproarious jeers and shouts), Peter Pan Donuts (a child was led out by an unprepared parent), and the hallowed ground of a Penn Station Sbarro (no explanation necessary).

From the clanks and shouts of normal dinner service downstairs, to the cheers and uncontrollable laughter on the third floor performance space, the night was marked by an interwoven symphony of sound. “I loved hearing the world of Burger King in the background — ‘Number Three!’ and all that being called out during the reading,” McGuire said.

I loved hearing the world of Burger King in the background — ‘Number Three!’ and all that being called out during the reading.

Zack Roif, Matt Starr (left); Sophia Anne Caruso, Leah McSweeney (top right); Ivy Wolk, Mackenzie T (bottom right)

Fanfiction, Starr and Roif explained, is typically read in isolation, perhaps in one’s bed late at night or in a private setting. To take it completely out of place and into the lived environment completely changes the context – into one of humor and humanity. “We had a similar event at Tara Downs gallery, and it was so sweet. It felt like we were at camp, sitting around a fire listening to the horniest, funniest stories,” Starr said.

Both are seasoned veterans in major public performances and campaigns. Starr, serving as the gallery director at Trotter & Scholer in the Lower East Side, has an impressive portfolio. His projects include a senior-citizen-casted version of Annie Hall and a widely-lauded escapade over two summers as "Amazon Boy" — a uniformed delivery man with 50 Amazon boxes strapped to his chest. Meanwhile, Roif, an accomplished artist and creative director, has made a significant impact through campaigns for major brands such as Mattel, Mercedes-Benz, and Merch Aid — a COVID-era artist merchandise project. Additionally, he is the co-creator of "Hellvetica”, a deliciously tricky typeface designed with colleague Matthew Woodward, which has been provoking conversations among designers worldwide since its launch.

With a portfolio of whimsical projects firmly rooted in rigorous disciplines, the rise of Dream Baby Press unfolds as a thrilling yet natural narrative. It takes something historically formal, such as the literary reading, and reproduces it in a democratic manner that captivates sold-out audiences, sparks elated joy, and fosters continued conversation far beyond the night’s hijinks.

For the latest event, Starr and Roiff worked hand-in-hand with the Burger King team at the Tribeca location. “We were in a really incredible text thread with the managers, who kept sending us periodic decor updates. It was so sweet; they were all so proud and excited to host us.” Starr said.

“There’s nothing quite like being in a group chat with your local Burger King,” Roif added.

The Burger King team shared that this was the first event of its kind hosted on the premises. With the floodgates now open, they are willing to consider hosting any other events pitched their way.

“One of our goals is to put on a show, and make literature entertaining and exciting,” Starr said. “We want to be the WWE of literature.” With all eyes on Dream Baby, a match shrouded in drama and literary whimsy has certainly just begun. Let the starting bell ring.

Office pulled the night’s readers for a special edition of Dream Baby’s Love/Hate lists. See below:

Leah McSweeney

Loves: Cooking meatballs

Hates: Women cosplaying as Princess Di

Mackenzie Thomas

Loves: Dogs that look like me

Hates: The way pants feel

Sophia Anne Caruso

Loves: Thinking hard or not thinking at all

Hates: The pressure to be one palatable version of myself for the algorithm

Jon Burgerman

Loves: Painting and panting

Hates: Bugs in the bath

Matt Starr

Loves: Time Square after 10pm

Hates: The fact that there hasn’t been a good new rom com in years

Greta Kline / Frankie Cosmos

Loves: Dioramas

Hates: Diarrhea

Ivy Wolk

Loves: Diflucan

Hates: Men asking me if I’m a comic when we are at a comedy related event. Why else would I be there, I’m not the maid

Culture

Fanelli's Pride and Joy: Mary Fadrowski

November 27, 2023

Situated in Downtown Manhattan since 1847, Fanelli Cafe, known mononymously as Fanelli’s, is a bastion of old New York treasured by locals and tourists alike. What began as a modest grocery store transformed over the years into a bustling saloon, a speakeasy during Prohibition, and ultimately, the beloved neighborhood tavern it is today. The true magic of Fanelli’s resides not in the classic red-checkered tablecloths or old-timey interior, but in the camaraderie and conversations that flow freely within its corners. Well past 10 pm, the outdoor seats are often packed with a motley crew of patrons sharing cigarettes and shriek-laughing over tables littered with empty glasses.

If you’ve stopped by on a Thursday or weekend evening, you’ve likely crossed paths with Mary Fadrowski, a cheery presence with sparkly blond hair, black square-rimmed glasses, and an effortlessly Bohemian-chic sense of style. Born in Long Island, Mary has known Sasha Noe, Fanelli’s current owner, since the 90s; she started bartending there in 2017 and has been a fixture at the cafe ever since. With a background in theater and film, she has a natural love for meeting people and sharing stories, a hunger she satisfies in her work at the bar. She has two films in post-production, one about an Antiguan family’s tragic legacy and another that follows the God-fearing wife of a Russian orthodox priest who fell in love with a Hells Angel. She is also a wardrobe stylist with an extensive vintage collection, which explains all of her great fits.

interview SAHIR AHMED
photography MITCHELL CONNELL

[Originally published in office magazine Issue 20, Fall-Winter 2023. Order your copy here]

Whether you’re a long-time regular or a Fanelli’s newcomer, Mary’s warm demeanor makes every visitor feel like they own the place. Over the years, she has carved out her own indelible legacy, shining as brightly as the institution itself — a true star of the downtown scene.

What is your ideal office?

A space with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the Hudson. The golden hour on that side of town is majestic and constant fuel for the imagination.

What was your favorite book growing up? 

The Secret Garden. It's so precious.

Which weather phenomenon best embodies your personality?

The eye of a storm. I'm perfectly calm unless I step outside the center.

What is the last thing you learned from a piece of music?

That, depending on the phase of the moon, the same song can make me laugh or cry.

What is the strangest conversation you’ve overheard at Fanelli’s?

A group of young guys were talking about buttholes and one of them kept insisting he had a really small one. "In your dreams," his friend quipped loudly. The laughter was contagious.

Do you have a favorite word in the English language?

Abundance. It just sounds so damn nice.

What is the weirdest compliment you’ve ever received?

A man at the bar told me that I had a neck like a swan. I asked if that was a good thing. He shrugged and said, “If you like swans.”

Is there a question you don’t like being asked?

Any questions regarding my accent. It doesn't dictate where I’m from but rather it's a culmination of all my travels and everyone I've ever met. I'm like a sponge in that regard.

If you could have a dinner party with any three people, who would you invite and what would you talk about?

My three wisemen: John Cassavetes, Werner Herzog and Fassbinder. I would get them drunk on wine and trick them into helping me wrap up the documentary that I have been unable to finish.

Where, or how do you feel at home?

Wrapped between two big familiar hairy arms.

How do you deal with failure?

I don't accept it.

Culture

A Sprinkle of Brittany Byrd

November 25, 2023

Brittany Byrd is not just an LA homebody but a dynamic creative force, a stylist, a fashion icon, an artist, a gallerist, and, at her core, a spiritual individual. Byrd is the visionary founder and operator of "Byrd Museum," a distinctive art and event space in Los Angeles crafted to function as a "safe haven for young POC and LGBTQ artists in LA." For Byrd, success emerged from the crucible of rejection. At 29 years old, her journey took an unexpected turn when a New York art curator dismissed her, citing that she was "not Black enough." This rejection became the catalyst for the inception of Byrd Museum, a testament to her resilience and commitment to inclusivity.

office sat down with Brittany to discuss her creative journey, sources of inspiration, and understanding how she navigates the world.

Words & Interview by Sarah Hersom
Photography by Jarrod Anderson
Talent Brittany Byrd
Creative Production & Styling by EJ Ellison
Assistant Stylist Toriano Lockhart

Hi Brittany!

What´s up!

In front of me on my computer screen is Brittany Byrd, seated near a large window that allows the Los Angeles sunlight into her living room. Her long locks in brown and dark blonde nuances frame her face in a half-up-half down hairstyle. Green plants are in the background and around her. A humble smile is displayed on her face as she begins to tell me about her travels for show season.

I´m a homebody by nature. Coming off of fashion month and everything I´m just now getting back in the pace of my insular life, my super personal life. I do yoga every day, meditation is really big for me. I´m in the process of setting up my house because I moved here like three months ago, but I never got to set it up because as soon as I got the keys, I was on road.

You mentioned that you traveled a lot recently. Tell me about that. Where did you go?

My first stop was Milan. Diesel flew me out to attend the Glenn Martin Show, which was amazing. It rained like torrential rain, probably the whole show, and it stopped on like the last look. So I was like, this is where God and fashion link up. The overall energy of the show was insane. My next stop after that was Paris. It was my first time in Paris and it was my first Paris Fashion Week. It was like overwhelming because, I mean, your first fashion week anywhere is a lot. But it was amazing. I met Erykah Badu and made it on Vogue's best dressed list with her. She's a huge inspiration for my style. It was sick.

BRITTANY wearing JEWELRY by MATERIAL GOOD, TRENCH COAT by DAILY PAPER, SHORTS by A. ROEGE HOVE and SHOES by GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI

So after Paris you went back to LA?

I was in Paris for like two weeks, then I went to New York and tried to get my life together there, which I couldn't. So then I came back to LA.

You tried to get your life together in New York? What do you mean by that?

I´m a natural collector when it comes to clothes. I have stuff that I know I´ll never even wear. I store all of that stuff in my New York apartment. It's smaller, so it's easier to visually see everything. But it was overwhelming because I had bought a lot of clothes from Paris. So bringing the new stuff and trying to curate and organize was overwhelming. So I was like, I'ma just chill out in L.A for a little bit, and then I'm back in New York in five days. So yeah.

Explain to me why you would have clothing that you know you will never wear?

I´m a collector. I have these really sick, uh, pleats, this pleated dress by, Issey (Miyake). I have no intention of wearing it. But just to like own that period of design is important to me. I just love it, like… I love clothes.

I feel you.

Yeah [laughs]

BRITTANY wearing JEWELRY by MATERIAL GOOD, JACKET by FILIPPA K and SHOES by TELFAR

Can you tell me a little bit about Byrd Museum? I´d love to know how the idea started and what your goal is?

Byrd Museum is literally my brainchild. A lot of my work that I do that isn't influencing is rooted in community. That's what Byrd Museum is for me. It is a physical location in LA, but Byrd Museum is also wherever I am. I will throw an impromptu event. I have an amazing collection of humans in my life that I also like curate for different sectors. Whether it's art directors, set designers, DJs that's always a good formula for a party. It started because I was rejected after having my first art show in Seaport. I was rejected by a curator of maybe the Brooklyn Museum at the time, and she kind of told me, that I wasn't black enough to paint and put my art right fourth in the world. I was like, I wake up Black.

Byrd Museum started because I was rejected after having my first art show in Seaport. I was rejected by a curator of maybe the Brooklyn Museum at the time, and she kind of told me, that I wasn't black enough to paint and put my art right fourth in the world. I was like, I wake up Black.

I remember that like it was yesterday. I was sitting at the table and I kind of just like ate that. I was like, okay, I heard you. And I was like, I don't need this outward validation from the art world that was built predominantly by a white audience. I can validate myself. I don't care if I sell my work for $5 or $10. It's not about that for me. It's genuinely about creation, which will always fascinate my mind and the scientific management in which the way the artist's mind works in general. So that was the pinnacle for me to be like, I'm gonna do this shit on my own. I don't know how. I only have the knowledge that I soaked up from Parsons. In a literary sense, because you can only go so forth with art without getting your hands dirty.

BRITTANY wearing JEWELRY by MATERIAL GOOD, JACKET by TELFAR, SHOES by GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI

So what happened after that?

I purchased a building a mile away from my mother's house. It used to be a grow house for marijuana, and I reconstructed it with my family, turning it into a literal community center. A lot wasn't posted on the internet, but I would have painting classes for kids, invite my artist friends to use the space, and more. It's hard for me to showcase everything on Instagram because everything is so brand-oriented. But those who have been to Byrd Museum events know. For me, it was like this cool underground moment that is ever-evolving. Byrd Museum, for me, is about execution, a lesson I learned because running a business is really hard. There are things I've tried and failed at, but I don't believe in the word 'failure.' It's all part of the learning process.

And then there´s "Primary Market"?

Primary Market is a more sustainable, actual business plan for me. It´s a flea market for designers and creators, and it's also a car show for vintage cars. It merges this beautiful balance of car guys with girls into vintage fashion. Somebody made us an installation out of, like, hair barrettes and turned it into primary colors; that was our main backdrop. We had a prominent artist from the LA area, David Sebastian. He came and created the backdrop for people to walk in and take pictures by. We had colored G-wagons to match, all vintage from Found Objects, which is owned by a really good friend of mine in the Arts district. So, it's like taking these bits and parts of LA.

Even though I travel so much now, I'm still from LA. I never want that to not be threaded into my story. We couldn't be here without the people that made us.

BRITTANY wears JEWELRY by MATERIAL GOOD, SHOES by GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI, PANTS and GLOVES by HARBISON

What has the gender role dynamic looked like in the industries you have worked in?

Most of the industries I’ve worked in — music, fashion — are male dominated. Sometimes it can be intimidating, and that’s when I have to get in my delulu bag of “I am who I say I am.” You have to trust your voice and the process, but also speak up for yourself in these male dominated spaces. I can’t stress that enough. I used to have a problem with that, to be honest. It wasn’t always natural to me. But standing up for yourself is key, because fashion is brutal.