06/28/2026
There are growing pains as we navigate all the changes in leadership. Mistakes have been made and repair is imminent. But this little love letter to the staff, and broader community reminds us of how important we all are to and for eachother. Sharing with permission some post-party thoughts from one of the new producers who has been to Unabashed since it's inaugural year, and on staff for the past 2.
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Reflecting on what was created for the Play Party, I keep coming back to one thing: community.
What we built wasn't just an event. It was a space where people could arrive exactly as they are, be seen, be celebrated, and leave a little more connected than when they came. Those kinds of spaces don't happen by accident, they grow because of the care, creativity, generosity, and commitment that each of you brought and that each community member and attendee offered by existing within the space.
I've been thinking about forests lately, and how trees survive. While they appear to stand alone, beneath the surface their roots are deeply connected through vast underground networks. Older trees share nutrients with younger ones. Healthy trees support those that are struggling. Together they create a resilient ecosystem, protecting one another through storms, drought, and change. A forest thrives not because every tree is independent, but because they are inherently interconnected.
That feels so much like this community.
Each human brought something different and contributed to creating something stronger than any one could have built alone. We held each other up, filled in the gaps, shared the work, the laughter, the ideas, and the joy. In doing so, a celebration wasn’t just what was held, we strengthened the roots of a community that will continue to nourish people long after the music stops and the decorations come down.
Thank you for your time, your hearts, your trust, and your willingness to show up for one another. I'm so grateful to be rooted alongside each of you, and I can't wait to see what continues to grow from the seeds we planted together. ❤️🔥
