☀️ March Newsletter
A couple days ago, a stranger sat with me for a couple hours and described The Tea Stand as "a venue to witness human decency." As we watch sick humans commit unspeakable atrocities with our money here and abroad, such venues feel precious. I hope you have such a place, and if you don't, come by The Tea Stand or check out our Resource Hub here. We all need such places, especially now.
Today's newsletter topics:
🌀 Join the Brew Crew
🛒 Marketplace is OPEN!
🌱 Spring Equinox
But first, our March calendar:
RSVP for upcoming events:
🔎 The Ramble: Explorations (RSVP)
March 8 – Bushwick – 12pm
🫖 Tea Talk on Childhood (RSVP)
March 11 – Bushwick – 7pm
🌱 Wild Tea Workshop (RSVP)
March 15 – Forest Park – 2pm
Volunteer & takeover opportunities:
🥬 Distro with Riders4Rights
March 14 – BedStuy – 10:30am
🪂 Tea Stand Takeover
March 14 – BedStuy – 1pm
Housekeeping:
- Members now have 15% off at Raazi Tea & Brooklyn Tea. We now offer discounts at 10 local businesses & tea shops – see the full list here.
- Interested in hosting a Silent Sanctuary in your apartment? Reply to this email! More info about Silent Sanctuary here.
🌀 Brew Crew submissions close March 8
Perpetual Brew – our commitment to serving free tea in Maria Hernandez Park every single day of April – is right around the corner.
Preparations, illustrations, and collaborations are well underway, but it's not too late to be a part of this magical month!
Apply to join our "Brew Crew" here. Submissions close March 8. We only have a couple spots left!
The Brew Crew is a group of neighbors, artists, and curious folks who will be participating in Perpetual Brew by 1) serving tea in the park and/or 2) contributing to the zine we're making about Perpetual Brew.
So far, Brew Crew projects include a 30-day audio podcast, an urban ecology field journal, a photo collage, and more.
In many ways, Perpetual Brew – and The Tea Stand in general – is simply creating a space for people to "use" as they please. It can be a meeting place, a resting place, a place where anything (and nothing) can happen. And by setting up 30 days in a row, it can also be "used" as a scaffolding for artistic experimentation.
If you've ever wanted an opportunity to chat with strangers, make art in/about public spaces, do some kind of weird anthropological study, or otherwise engage with Bushwick in a unique way... you should apply to the Brew Crew.
We only have a few spots left and applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis. We'd love for you to be a part of what could be the last Perpetual Brew.
Once more, here is the form to apply to the Brew Crew.
If you would like to support Perpetual Brew in some other capacity other than the Brew Crew, we'll be asking for help in the following ways:
- Bagging tea
- Running local errands
- Providing relief to tea servers
- Zine production (design, translation, collating)
Join our volunteer group chat here to help with tasks like these!
And of course, simply visiting The Tea Stand is a great way to support. Come by Maria Hernandez Park any day of April from 12-6pm for some free tea!
We'll be officially announcing Perpetual Brew toward the end of the month. Truly cannot wait to spend all of April sipping tea in the park with y'all 🌀
🛒 The Tea Stand Marketplace
WOOOOOOO our online marketplace is officially open!!
As of now, we have the following goods for sale:
All of these goodies were made in collaboration with local artists who have graciously volunteered their time & talents. Special shoutout to Val Yang for designing the washi tape and illustrating the mixtape cover art!
We are happy to ship anywhere in the US, but please allow up to 1 month for fulfillment. For those based in NYC, we can arrange a local pickup for your order if you prefer.
(Steepers – we can also ship your order along with your Tea Boxes, just select "Local Pickup" and I'll be in touch.)
We intend the Marketplace to function as a platform to get good things & physical media out in the world, help raise funds for The Tea Stand, and support local artists. Don't fret, this is NOT a step toward commercialization :)
For all of the products currently available, all the proceeds will go directly to The Tea Stand, but we're also keen on having the Marketplace being a place for local makers and organizers to use as needed.
If you're looking for a platform to sell some goodies to support yourself or raise funds for a cause, please reach out and let's talk!
Check out the Marketplace here!
🌱 Here comes spring...
As I write this, I'm floating along the arctic terrain also known as the Hudson River / Mahicantuck, imagining hills of green where snow-sprinkled mountains currently reside.
As the snow around us melts away, I can feel spring approaching. Maybe it's the longer days, or the 60° day in the forecast, or something in my bones. Or maybe it's the fattening buds on the sassafras trees, a tell-tale sign of spring's nearing, as local herbalist Serena Kleeman showed me on our recent walk in Forest Park.
In commemoration of the upcoming spring equinox on March 20, we will be sending out Tea Boxes to Steepers – members who contribute $9+ per month to help sustain this project.
This batch of Tea Boxes contains:
- 2 tea bags of Pisces "Astrolotea" formulated by The Ridge
- 2 tea bags of Golden Flower Anxi Oolong
- 2 tea bags of Tulsi (aka Holy Basil)
- Postcard illustrated by Olioli Buika (IT'S SO CUTE!!!)
If you'd like to receive a Tea Box, you can sign up as a Steeper here. We set aside 5 boxes each batch for new Steepers.
Steepers receive a Tea Box every solstice & equinox for a total of 4 boxes per year.
We'll also be hosting a virtual Town Hall (youtube livestream) open to all of our members on March 17, a few days before the equinox.
During these seasonal Town Halls, I share seasonal reflections, financial updates, community happenings, upcoming projects, and more. I also set aside time for Q&A and community input.
Members – you'll be receiving an email with a link to the Town Hall in a couple weeks. Samplers – if you'd like to attend the Town Hall, you can sign up here. I'd love to see you there and hear what's on your mind.
While balmy days and verdant streets are still a ways away, now is a great time to notice the subtle indications of seasonal transition – in our bodies and our environment. Slow down, brew some tea, and savor it all.
If you're curious to learn more about the early signs of spring, I recommend grabbing a copy of The Other Alamanac here. This reimagined almanac features seasonal "phenology calendars" and so many urban ecology insights specific to NYC. Members receive 20% off (discount code here – you must be signed-in).
Enjoy the final days of winter!!!
Thanks to...
Vasilisa and Josh for becoming members.
Cammie, Ashley, Andrew, and Victoria for donating tea.
You, for reading! If you wanna read more, check out our library here.
Hope to share tea with you soon.
Keep Steeping,
Miles 🍵
Member discussion