Preserve Route 66
Selected by The National Trust for Historic Preservation, I traveled with National Geographic along historic Route 66 to collect stories and document the highway’s unique culture and history. “Preserve Route 66” was also a national advocacy campaign to designate the historic highway a National Historic Trail by the United States Congress to help ensure the one-of-a-kind businesses and communities along the highway survive and thrive for years to come. As part of the project, I contributed “roadside” social content, editorial content for SavingPlaces.org and branded content for Polaroid and Airstream, partners of the project.
Content pieces:
“Recovering LGBT History Along Route 66”, “How the Mother Road Starts Conversations”, “Photographing Restored Roadside Landmarks”, and “Meeting Folks on the Mother Road”
Press: KY3 Springfield, Missouri News, San Diego Gay & Lesbian News, The State Journal-Register, USA Today, National Geographic, NBC Chicago, CNN, St. Louis Riverfront Times
Gay Bars That Are Gone
Started as a walking tour in 2015, Gay Bars That Are Gone is part of the annual Jane’s Walk festival honoring urban activist Jane Jacobs. What started as a simple walking tour grew into something much larger. With over 100 people joining the walk in 2017, Gay Bars That Are Gone attracted a group of New Yorkers of all generations interested in remembering and honoring gay places of the past. These are bars, clubs and discos where culture was created and history happened.
Different from a traditional walking tour, Gay Bars That Are Gone featured firsthand accounts by people who were there. Along the walk, the group “guerrilla landmarked” the space where the bar used to be. While a volunteer from the crowd was using a stencil that read “Gay Bar Was Here” on the sidewalk, others shared stories they remembered about the place we were standing in front of. These stories and voices are essential to the character and soul of New York City and the LGBT community.
Gay Bars That Are Gone was featured by The New York Times on June 21, 2018.
Additional press: Los Angeles Times, New York Observer, The Bowery Boys, The Advocate - Opinion, The Advocate - Photo Gallery, Paper Magazine
Stay tuned more information on Gay Bars That Are Gone and drop me a line if you have a story to share or an idea for the project. #GayBarsThatAreGone
People for the Pavilion (PFP) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization devoted to raising awareness of the historic value of the New York State Pavilion, and of its potential to serve as a vibrant and functional public space. PFP works to build a community around the Pavilion through public programs, events, and communications, with a focus on individuals, organizations, and institutions around Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
The New York State Pavilion is a historic structure originally built for the 1964-65 World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens. The structure was the shining star of Fair, charming millions of visitors who flocked to Queens for a two-year celebration that made it the center of the world. The Pavilion closed shortly after the Fair, and in the 50 years since, no long-term use has been found for the the ailing structure. Today, this unique and impressive historic landmark offers an opportunity to once again serve as a vibrant public space in the heart of New York's most diverse borough.
Press: Queens Chronicle, New York 1, The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, AM New York, Untapped Cities
Gay Yucatán
“Gay Yucatán” documents gay bars, restaurants and culture in Merida, Mexico and the Yucatan peninsula for English-speaking travelers. When I was traveling to the Yucatan and looking for a LGBT-friendly travel guide for the city of Merida and its surrounding areas, there was little information online. Gay Yucatán tries to capture the queer side of Merida, Mexico for the next traveler who comes along to experience this beautiful historic state.
Music for the Miller
Music for the Miller was a 2010 benefit concert and silent auction to raise funds and awareness to restore the historic Miller Theater in downtown Augusta, Georgia. Working with the Augusta Symphony, I produced a benefit concert that spoke to the building's unique history and architecture. In 2018, the Miller Theater reopened fully restored after being abandoned since 1984. The Art Moderne theater is now a concert and performance hall and recipient of the 2018 Excellence in Rehabilitation Award from The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation.