Live Audio Stories Scouting the Smoke Shops of NYC

Join the Audio makers from the Pod Pod for "A Joint Venture" a night of dispensing documentaries and scouting the Smoke Shops of NYC! We invite you to join us for an exuberant night of live audio storytelling that explores the city’s recent proliferation of corner smoke shops. You might have noticed this vibrant, but not-quite-legal phenomenon whose future is being thrown into question by the recent launch of NYC’s first regulated cannabis storefronts. We’ve been working with the 12 intrepid members of UnionDocs podcasting laboratory, the Pod Pod, to map the contours of what seems to be a historic hinge point for legal weed, assembling a patchwork of neighborhood testimonies to sketch an ecosystem in flux. Join us for the world premiere of five different stories, entry points that attempt understand this current moment, addressing some burning and sticky questions like: What happens when your apartment is accidentally put on the map as a dispensary? Or what is the recommended daily dose for a member at a smoke lounge? What do the neighbors think?? And perhaps most importantly, how is that governmental promise that those harmed by the war on drugs would be the first to benefit from the budding industry actually coming along? Plus some fun games and a chance to join the conversation. You may be asking, who’s the Pod Pod anyway? In April, we invited twelve audio makers to come together in partnership with Gilded Audio, to create a supportive space to do some deep listening and creative podcasting with some support from some amazing folks from the wider audio community. This work happened alongside weekly group listening sessions, with generous and constructive feedback, BBQs, happy hours, and a roster of inspiring guests.. Each participant is pursuing their own exciting independent podcast project. Collectively, they have researched and explored this local phenomenon for this one-time only event. on stories within this theme. Come on out to listen to the stories they have found. We’ll have groovy vibes provided by Toronto’s own DJ Stewart Innes to keep the night moving through and some special surprises. The event will also be livestreamed for those whose interest is piqued outside NYC. You can register to stream over on our Member’s channel. Doors open at 7:00, show starts ~7:30 with celebratory festivities and music ‘til late.