I moved to Bed-Stuy 11 years ago. I’m married with Emily, raising two kids here (3 and 6), and this neighborhood isn’t a backdrop — it’s home.
My background spans media and marketing, international touring as a manager, and running a vinyl record label during the revival of analog culture. Since 2000, I’ve curated over 600 events across Copenhagen, Berlin, Gothenburg, and Brooklyn.
Today I work as a freelance Creative Strategist while running a few independent projects on the side. I lead Vortex Of Mayhem, a local product studio and clothing brand focused on culture and storytelling. I also maintain two nerdy, heartfelt hobby projects born from years away from Scandinavia — small creative engines that help me stay connected to friends and networks back home. Tape Lore is an art affirmation club producing cassette tapes and digital publications. Hyper Tenzion is a private dojo of sorts — an invitation-only creative playground where collaborators experiment with sound, photography, code, and small games.
The Vision
Tadpole becomes a cultural living room — intimate, intentional, rooted in Bed-Stuy.
Programming Pillars
1) Artist Residencies: “Curated by…”
Twice monthly (or weekly), a local musician/songwriter curates a short residency (2–4 events within a month).
- Performance with friends and collaborators
- Context + story: how they built their circle
- Wrap with practical insight: songwriting, touring, production, friendship
2) DJ Workshop → Performance Series
Local DJs and event producers host beginner workshops, then participants perform a short set for friends and supporters.
- Paid workshop session (accessible, not intimidating)
- Follow-up night: participants open for local DJs
- Low-volume, vibe-forward celebration of skills + community
3) Poetry & Reading Series (Bed-Stuy Edition)
Monthly curated night with an open mic component — poetry, stories, scripts, readings.
- Open mic slots as “openers”
- Featured curated readers (“the pros”)
- Intimate, neighborhood-rooted version of a Brooklyn reading series
4) Intimate Showcase Nights (Festival / Touring Tie-Ins)
Shows that don’t rely on loud volume — curated experiences with room for conversation.
- Stripped-down sets, listening sessions, Q&A
- Festival tie-ins (e.g., New Colossus) or “before/after” travel shows
- Tap into a wide network for high-quality acts
5) Co-Op Pop-Up Market
A creator market for Bed-Stuy and surrounding builders — apparel, art, zines, small-batch goods.
- Vendor tables (fee or % model)
- Low-key DJ / acoustic sets in parallel
- Optional activation: live vinyl cutting for local music
6) Networking Mixers (Film / Music / Tech)
Brooklyn-rooted mixers that don’t feel like Manhattan after-work networking.
- Curated invites + sponsor opportunities
- Drink ticket packages (prepay access)
- Light structure: short talks / introductions / spotlights
What I Bring to the Table
- Deep local trust + reach: I know many Bed-Stuy businesses and neighbors across different communities — and they know me.
- 600+ curated events: Experience building rhythm, turnout, and repeat culture.
- Tour manager perspective: I understand artist care, flow, and backstage realities.
- Vinyl label founder: I think in cultural momentum and long-term community building.
- 15+ years brand strategy: I combine storytelling with operational clarity.
- Project management discipline: Vision translated into structured execution.
- European social sensitivity: Respectful, open, inclusive hosting style.
- Multi-disciplinary direction: Music, photography, design — full-spectrum experience shaping.
- International creative network: Local roots + global collaborators.
- Long-term Bed-Stuy commitment: I’m raising my family here — I care about sustainability.
Pilot Phase
I propose a 3–6 month pilot phase with a focused calendar, clear production structure, measurable goals, and a deliberate commitment to diverse voices and perspectives.
This gives us runway to test formats, build consistent attendance across communities, ensure inclusive representation in programming, and evaluate long-term sustainability before scaling — with the long-term vision of shaping it into a true “living room” for Bed-Stuy: a welcoming, cross-generational space where neighbors, artists, families, and local businesses feel equally at home.
Creative Strategist / Producer
Vortex Of Mayhem • Tape Lore • Hyper Tenzion