They say it’s a Party In the U.S.A., but these days feel more like a never-ending hangover. It’s easy to lose sleep getting mired in the text messages and transcribed phonecalls of hideous men, and to exhaust yourself trying to survive the latest thing they got away with. But since dwelling on the bad will kill you, and life is for the living, we turned off the news, put down our phones, shook off the Cheeto dust and did what we always do – hit the streets in search of the sparks of joy we knew must be hiding amongst the rubble.

Its always darkest before dawn. So we until see the sun again, you can find us in the club Noddin’ our heads, like yeah...in Brooklyn, USA.
 

Disco Tehran
By Mohamed Abo El Wafa

Disco Tehran is not just a party – it’s a dreamy, multicultural time machine that takes you back to the 1970’s and beyond. Founded by two New York-based Iranian artists, Disco Tehran is a novel concept, described by The New York Times as “a performance project and party that combines live music and D.J. sets, in New York.” Filmmaker Mohamed Abo El Wafa recently documented this carefully-curated, wordly gathering and it’s loyal, colorful party-going community in his short film, Disco Tehran, produced for BRIC TV.

God Bless His Taste in Music
by Shirin Barghi & Emily Boghossian 

Our producer Shirin Barghi sat down with Wafa to talk about the film, why he made it, and the transcendent power of home.

The Summit
By Shirine Saad & Khyriel Palmer

In the early 2000s, Tabu, Jeff Mendoza and Sadiq Bellamy bonded over their love for soul, house and disco music and launched an all-day dance jam in a park in Brooklyn. The free outdoor dance party, which they appropriately called Soul Summit, grew out of New York’s underground club scene and developed a cult following as a celebration of the borough’s vibrant diversity, and musical legacy. Fans came from around the world to take part in the Sunday ritual of dancing, drumming, and dressing up. In the years since, the party has traveled the world, bringing together revelers from every generation and background. Producer Shirine Saad joined the celebration to tell the story of this party for the people.

Born And Bred In My Island
By Dan Rosato

While any Brooklynite whosever crossed Eastern Parkway is likely familiar with it’s annual West Indian Day Parade, the real party starts hours before the first float hits the road. In the pre-dawn hours leading up to Labor Day, an all-night bashment dances its way through the heart of Brooklyn, carrying on its back a tradition as old as the freedom it exults. Though recent incidents of violence have left an indelible stain on Brooklyn’s Jouvert celebration, revelers still show up in droves to take in the songs, sensations and sound of home. Producer Dan Rosato crashed the party to find out how that sound traveled from 1880s Trinidad to modern day Brooklyn.

COUNTERBALANCE
By Irina Khokhlova

Brooklyn Dancesport Club is the training ground for some of the top ballroom dancers in the world as they prepare for elite competitions like the New York Dance Festival. Filmmaker Irina Khoklova tells the story of one husband and wife dance team from the club- their meteoric rise, abrupt fall, and gradual return to competition- and the way in which their emotional and physical synchronicity play equally vital roles.

Our Outside House
By Sydney Baloue

To an outsider scrolling around on instagram, the New York nightlife party-sphere may seem more inclusive than ever. But behind each carefully curated photo grid, is a world of joy sweat and tears. A world that clears the way for self-expression, but can’t necessarily guarantee safety. In recent years, the relationship between QTPOC partygoers and the security hired to monitor events specifically catered to them, has been tested time and time again. Producer Sydney Baloue hit the scene to find out how venues and party planners can work together to reimagine safety for marginalized communities.

Brooklyn, USA is produced by Sachar Mathias, Emily Boghossian, Shirin Barghi, Khyriel Palmer, Sasha Whittle and Charlie Hoxie. We’re tackling everything from gun violence to cooperative economics this season and we want to hear from you. If you want in, send us tips, pitches, thoughts, ideas, self-destructing messages, or just regular normal emails and check out our pitch page for more information.