Block Party - Mary Kang Photography

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Mary is based in Austin and NYC
E: marykang23@gmail.com

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Block Party for NYT

"New Yorkers, we live on top of one another, so it’s only natural that sometimes we spill out onto the concrete. It happens especially during the sweltering summer spells, when even the apartment walls seem to sweat.
There are very few backyards in the city, so to avoid walking up flights, a steamy basement or balmy bedrooms, we hug the block.
Across all five boroughs New Yorkers set out on their streets with lawn chairs, pools, bouncy castles and tables full of food, to enjoy the summer together. Throughout the day there is a cacophony of familiar music, the laughter of children playing and the sizzling sound of meat on a grill. No cars are allowed.
According to a New York Times article from 1923, this tradition of gathering on stoops and visiting with neighbors goes back as far as the 1860s. By the middle of the 20th century, the custom had blossomed into a full-on celebration. This is the New York City block party." - Intro texts by Sandra E. Garcia.
More contexts at https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/09/15/nyregion/block-parties-nyc.html

Children play with inflatable bounce house at the block party hosted by The Shiloh Baptist Church of Jamaica in Queens, New York.

"New Yorkers, we live on top of one another, so it’s only natural that sometimes we spill out onto the concrete. It happens especially during the sweltering summer spells, when even the apartment walls seem to sweat.
There are very few backyards in the city, so to avoid walking up flights, a steamy basement or balmy bedrooms, we hug the block.
Across all five boroughs New Yorkers set out on their streets with lawn chairs, pools, bouncy castles and tables full of food, to enjoy the summer together. Throughout the day there is a cacophony of familiar music, the laughter of children playing and the sizzling sound of meat on a grill. No cars are allowed.
According to a New York Times article from 1923, this tradition of gathering on stoops and visiting with neighbors goes back as far as the 1860s. By the middle of the 20th century, the custom had blossomed into a full-on celebration. This is the New York City block party." - Intro texts by Sandra E. Garcia.
More contexts at https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/09/15/nyregion/block-parties-nyc.html

Tiffany Moreau looks out for her kid playing inside the inflatable bounce house at the block party hosted by The Shiloh Baptist Church of Jamaica in Queens, New York. Moreau mentions that she loves to see the community gather together.

Isaac Walters, 5, plays Cornhole at the block party hosted by The Shiloh Baptist Church of Jamaica in Queens, New York.

Joy Ligon and Nicole Holloway serve hotdogs and hamburgers to the attendees at the block party hosted by The Shiloh Baptist Church of Jamaica in Queens, New York.

Roy Owens cook friend chicken and port for the block party in Laurelton neighborhood in Queens, New York hosted by Sudan Deane. Owens has been part of the block party for four years now and he enjoys seeing family gather and enjoying beautiful day together.

Kiana Betancourt dances during the block party in Laurelton neighborhood in Queens, New York hosted by Sudan Deane. Betancourt is part of Berean Drumline that marched during the block party.

Conrad Chad Maitre dances during the block party in Laurelton neighborhood in Queens, New York hosted by Sudan Deane.

Malaysia Smith, 7, reaches out to her mom after getting off the trackless train from OnTimeEntertainment during the block party in Laurelton neighborhood in Queens, New York hosted by Sudan Deane.

Cislyn Ricketts helps her granddaughter McKenzie Robinson, 3, get on a ride on the trackless train from OnTimeEntertainment during the block party in Laurelton neighborhood in Queens, New York hosted by Sudan Deane.

Community in a Laurelton neighborhood gathers to enjoy time together during a block party hosted by Block Association president Sudan Deane in Queens, New York.

Laurelton neighborhood resident Rodger Carew during the block party in Queens, New York hosted by Sudan Deane.

Normando Nelson dances during the block party in Laurelton neighborhood in Queens, New York hosted by Sudan Deane. Nelson loves to see old and young people in the community become one during the block party.

Joshua Dorcent, 13, plays basketball during the block party in Laurelton neighborhood in Queens, New York hosted by Sudan Deane.

Racquel Jones with her nephew Mason Roland, 5 months, during the block party in Laurelton neighborhood in Queens, New York hosted by Sudan Deane.

Benjamin Burton, 7, plays with inflatable obstacle course from ItsMyParty NYC during the block party in Laurelton neighborhood in Queens, New York hosted by Sudan Deane.

Isaac Walters, 5, plays Cornhole at the block party hosted by The Shiloh Baptist Church of Jamaica in Queens, New York.

The Berean Community Drumline marches during the block party in Laurelton neighborhood in Queens, New York hosted by Sudan Deane.

Sudan Deane is the coordinator behind the block party in Laurelton neighborhood in Queens, New York. Deane started the block party in 2014 with the goal of getting the neighbors in Laurelton to get to know each other, show up for each other, have fun, show love to one another, and have unity in the community. Deane mentions that "home is where the community is."

Sudan Deane takes pictures while The Berean Drumline marches at the block party.