The NYC Collectives Prioritising Play For Positive Change

Making connections with likeminded people is seemingly much harder as you get into adulthood, and is often neglected when economic and time constraints are also factored in.

Sometimes, it’s easy to forget to simply have fun and gather for gathering’s sake, which is why we created Assemble, a partnership that we’ve launched with Hinge's social impact initiative One More Hour. In October, we’ll be hosting a one-day event that will bring together eight groups from across New York City with the shared interest of building community and trying new stuff,  together.

So much of how we view hobbies today is focused on learning something new or adding a skill to our CV. We often need reminders that we can do things purely for fun. These groups aim to shift this mindset by emphasising the importance of existing freely in a city where it’s easy to get lost in the mix, and become caught up in the motions of daily life.

Get a feel for some of these clubs below, and find collectives in your city through our clubs directory.

AZN AMERICANA

AZN AMERICANA is a group founded in 2023 by Gabby Nguyen and Connie Chweh in an effort to create a fun space for Asian women and femmes in New York City. They tell us, “We had both been in AAPI advocacy spaces before and felt like existing spaces were primarily dedicated to fighting major injustices or for business networking. These are important and we're glad they exist, but there were not many spaces for Asian women and femmes to just exist and have fun.”

Much of the emphasis on fun, they say, is in part due to their cultural upbringing. “For Asian Americans, many of us have experienced an immense amount of pressure to follow traditional paths to success (see: doctor, lawyer, straight As in school, etc). We are also one of the ethnic groups in the US that is least likely to ask for support when it comes to mental health. Add the gender aspect to already existing pressures within Asian American communities, and for Gabby and Connie, creating a space where fun was not only allowed but encouraged was of utmost importance. They say, “We sometimes put fun and joy on the backburner, but with AZN AMERICANA, we wanted to make ‘having fun’ one of our core values to show that it should be a priority and something that Asian women and femmes feel like they should have permission to do.”

With New York City being such a melting pot of cultures, Gabby and Connie have found that sharing their cultural experience with others has been surprisingly easy, and would recommend starting conversations to build connections. “NYC has this perception of being standoff-ish, but someone once said NYC is a ‘flirty’ city, which is very accurate — not in the romantic sense but that people generally are open to connecting, hearing your life story and sharing theirs,” they say. For those who prefer to connect digitally, all is not lost. “If you're looking for something specific, honestly search on instagram,” they suggest.

“There is always something going on, and there is something for everyone here. That's why we love NYC. That's also where we post a lot of the events we host for AZN AMERICANA.”

Find AZN AMERICANA Upstairs at Assemble on 5th October & read their guide to NYC’s Asian-owned culinary gems here.

Angelito Collective

Another collective highlighting the importance of connecting with your local community is Angelito, a multidisciplinary trans artist collective. Founded by Demíyah and Angel, they show that even the simple act of gathering can be radical, which they emphasise by documenting their events. “Since the inception of Angelito we developed a strong intuition that we were in the midst of building a legacy that would extend beyond our lifetime,” they say. “Our work serves as a means to preserve our history and create agency of our own storytelling.”

Along with preserving their legacy, the documentation of their gatherings makes it easier for people to connect with the collective. “Living in Detroit, my community was relatively small. I found a sense of security at home, living with three other trans women, as we actively worked to grow our community and seek out safe, affirming spaces,” says Divine, who recently joined the collective. “When I moved to New York, I quickly discovered a much larger, more expansive community that welcomed me with open arms. Unlike in Detroit, I didn’t have to search long or hard to find that support, which was such a refreshing change.”

For Demíyah, the simple act of “being well” in today’s society is something that she felt that she and her trans siblings were excluded from and with so many queer spaces being centred around nightlife, she’s made wellness a key part of the Angelito experience. “The wellness industry as a whole is in servitude to white-cis bodies. The queer and trans community have a history of being predominantly subjected to nightlife spaces to heal and congregate,” she tells us. “In most cases this has led to issues of addiction and escapism as a means to combat societal oppression. It is important to acknowledge that there is an inaccessibility to wellness spaces due to the fact that wellness has become a privilege in our world today.”

Find Angelito Collective at The Atrium at Assemble on 5th October and get to know their favourite spots for inclusive parties and late-night snacks here.

Treetop Journeys

Wellness is an essential part of the Treetop Journeys experience too.  A collective founded by Jacob Willner, they offer an alternative to fast paced city life in the form of camping trips and retreats. With many people’s social exposure today either being online or in a crowded room, Treetop Journeys aims to show that community can also be built when you switch off. “A typical Treetop camper is someone looking to disconnect, meet new people, and leave their phone off for a little while,” Jacob tells us.

The act of disconnecting may seem that it’s at odds with community building; however, in a city that’s so busy, taking the time to pause and explore beyond what can often be perceived as a bubble can lead to more fruitful results. As Jacob tells us, finding the time for new activities isn’t so easy. “I think it's one of the most difficult things to do, and that’s exactly why it’s so important. New York is a city that keeps you constantly moving. In those rare moments of free time, it’s hard to push yourself out of your comfort zone to try something new. There’s a fear that if it goes horribly wrong, those precious seconds are lost.” The constant feeling that you may be running out of time is hard to shake off but Jacob advises that the best way to get the most out of the city is to try and push through the noise. “It’s these new activities and experiences that make living in NYC so exciting,” he says, “there are countless people living parallel lives whom you may never meet unless you break out of your routine once in a while”.

Find Treetop Journeys Upstairs at Assemble on 5th October and discover their top spots for reconnecting with the great outdoors here.

No Routine

Along with resting and disconnecting, another thing that often gets neglected when living in a major city is being playful. This is where No Routine comes in, a collective that seeks to build community through fitness, nostalgia and joy, and bring a dose of summer camp to the city. Founded by G, Malcolm and Smiley, they do this in the form of playground games such as dodgeball and laser tag, to lessen the competitive pressure that often comes along with physical activities. “No Routine is all about fun and play, not just fitness,” they tell us. “We noticed a lot of run clubs focus on goals and competition, we prioritise having a good time with activities that remind us of childhood.”

For No Routine, there’s no shame in feeling like a little kid in the big city. “Kids games are just plain fun! They take us back to simpler times and help us let loose,” they say. “In a busy city like New York it’s a great way to relieve stress and make exercise feel like a fun adventure instead of a chore. It also removes social barriers or cool kid energy because it takes us back to a time where we’re just kids on a field throwing balls around.”

For those who are looking to try new hobbies, the activities that No Routine hosts, such as balloon volleyball and battle cones, are easy to get involved with. For them, it’s the taking part that counts rather than the winning, something often forgotten in adulthood. They tell us, “In a fast-paced city, it’s easy to get caught up in work and forget about play. Rediscovering the joy of sports helps us find balance, connect with others, and remember that fitness can be enjoyable and fun. It's about letting go of adult worries and being open to joy, laughter, and new experiences. It reminds us that it’s okay to be a little goofy and enjoy life!”

Find No Routine in The Nursery at Assemble on 5th October and discover the spots that fuel their fun here.