I know a bank where the wild thyme blows,
Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows,
Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine,
With sweet musk-roses and with eglantine.
― William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Secret Summer at the Foundry got as close to an Elizabethan forest of delights as you can in modern day NYC.

Earlier this August, I took a 20 minute cab ride from my place in Brooklyn into seemingly another world. I’ve had photo-shoots at the Foundry before, so I thought I was privy to the magic of this location, but Highlife Productions and Rapt Affairs really took it to the next level this summer afternoon as they transformed the space into a festival of food, cocktails and revelry for the inaugural, Secret Summer NYC event. As I munched on delicious grilled cheese and deliciously sauteed clams from The Morris Food Truck, I was treated to flying aerialists, ragtime by the Ida Blue Band and spontaneous performances from the Shrunken Shakespeare company. Is that couple arguing? Ah no, it’s just Demetrius and Helena.* After a few of those craft cocktails, especially a tequila one with cornmilk and cocoa powder, I was even flirting with Demetrius!

I can’t wait until the holiday party. Check out my day at Secret Summer below!

video by Miles Soboleski

*These actors are pretty incredible at staying in character. I thought Demetrius might have been flirting with me over a cocktail (it didn’t really register when he asked my name an introduced himself as Demetrius) but when he sauntered away in Demetrius’ rogue fashion and said he was off to find “Hermia” it dawned on me.