We’re also reformatting our newsletter. A few events we like, more analysis (think of it like a mini Ground News), and still highlighting one of our own upcoming events. Should have the new format in the next week or so! We’re trying to bring you more value than just cool political events to do in NYC. Let us know what you think.

We’re running it back again. Our second UNMUTED monthly happy hour. This time…..and for the first time….in BROOKLYN. If you want to meet other people who like chatting politics without taking it personally, and are otherwise intelligent, this is the place to be! At the Silver Light Tavern, where they have generously offered us some space for the occasion.

Upcoming UNMUTED Events
Thursday, 5/17: An UNMUTED Happy Hour (link)

Thursday, 5/14: An UNMUTED Forum: Beyond the Yard Signs (link)

Tuesday, 6/2: An UNMUTED Dialogue: Lock Up AI? (link)

The events I’ve got my eye on in the next two weeks. Check them out!

🗓 Monday, May 4
•7:00 PM – Lloyd Blankfein with Hortense le Gentil: Streetwise, From Brooklyn to Boardroom
Subject: Finance / Memoir / Power / American Dream
Where: New York Public Library, Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street
Who: NYPL
What: The former Goldman Sachs CEO, a kid from the Linden Houses in East New York who became the most powerful man on Wall Street, tells his story in conversation with executive coach Hortense le Gentil (what a great way to rep your brand honestly). Whether you think Blankfein is a capitalist hero or a symbol of everything wrong with finance, the dude is a pretty important part of recent American history (especially re 2008) Free. NYPL Live event. RSVP required.

🔗 🗓 Tuesday, May 5
Happy Cinco de Mayo! 🇲🇽
•6:00 PM – The U.S. Constitution with Melissa Murray
Subject: Law / Democracy / Civic Education
Where: Kimmel Center, NYU, 60 Washington Square South
Who: NYU
What: NYU Law professor Melissa Murray, co-author of "The Trump Indictments" and one of the sharpest constitutional law minds in the country, breaks down the document that everyone has opinions about and almost nobody has actually read. Michael Waldman of the Brennan Center moderates. Given the political persuasion of law professors and the Brennan Center - my Kalshi bet would say that Murray will say everything Trump has ever done is illegal and he should be in jail forever. I tend to show away from events like this - “political opinions dressed up as legal fact”, but your mileage will vary. Free.

🗓 Wednesday, May 6
•6:30 PM – The Great Global Transformation: The United States, China, and the Remaking of the World Economic Order
Subject: Geopolitics / Economics / U.S.-China Relations / Policy
Where: CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue (also livestreamed)
Who: Stone Center on Socio-Economic Inequality, CUNY Graduate Center
What: Economist Branko Milanovic, who invented the "elephant curve" to explain why globalization left the Western middle class behind, launches his new book with a murderers' row of panelists: Adam Tooze (Columbia historian, author of Crashed and Shutdown), Daniel Markovits (Yale Law, "The Meritocracy Trap"), and Qin Gao (Columbia social policy). Moderated by Janet Gornick. I really want to go to this and I’m SO mad it’s sold out. There is a livestream though… Free, hybrid, open to the public.

🗓 Thursday, May 7
•6:00 PM – John Feal and the Fight for 9/11 Responders
Subject: Civic Advocacy / 9/11 / Public Health / Politics
Where: 9/11 Memorial & Museum, 180 Greenwich Street
Who: 9/11 Memorial & Museum
What: John Feal, the demolition supervisor who lost half his foot at Ground Zero and then spent years dragging Congress kicking and screaming into funding the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund, in conversation with retired FDNY firefighter Michael O'Connell, Georgetown Law's Rupa Bhattacharyya, and Northwell Health's Dr. Jacqueline Moline. Moderated by Museum President Beth Hillman. This is the real story of what happened AFTER the towers fell: the fight for healthcare, recognition, and justice that's still going on. If you've ever wondered why it took Jon Stewart yelling at Congress to get first responders covered, these are the people who were in the room. Free with museum admission.

🗓 Friday, May 8
Ed’s birthday. Nothing else happening in the city.

🗓 Saturday, May 9
•11:00 AM – Japan Parade & Street Fair
Subject: Culture / Community / International Relations
Where: Central Park West (81st to 67th Street parade route) and 72nd Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue (street fair)
Who: Japan Parade NYC
What: The 5th annual Japan Parade takes over Central Park West with taiko drums, karate demos, sword-fighting, folk dance, and a street fair packed with Japanese food and art. Grand Marshal this year is manga artist Acky Bright. Opening ceremony at 12:30, parade kicks off at 1:00. Whether you're into Japanese culture or just want to see Central Park West shut down for something that isn't a protest or a marathon, this is one of the best free cultural festivals of the spring, I went last year and really enjoyed it :) Free.

That’s it for this week. Let us know if there are events to highlight in upcoming weeks!

Show up, think deeper, and as always, stay UNMUTED!

The UNMUTED Team