New American Festival

Madison Square

September 14, 2019

What does it mean to be an American? Over the weekend, we explored this question through the lens of the inaugural New American Festival, a celebration of diversity and immigrant contributions to culture, art, food, film, comedy, fashion, and more. Bringing together cultural innovators, we heard the unique stories and perspectives of American immigrants, approaching topics such as creativity, business, authenticity and the state of our union.

Over the course of the weekend, we had hundreds of visitors join us as NeueHouse was programmed nearly to full scale, with almost every room in use equipped to either host, eat, share or stimulate. A full house take over is rare, but when given the opportunity, we relish it. During NAF, we had a broad range of different activities and discussions going on simultaneously. Our versatile space was able to accommodate a Comedy Central live comedy show, musical performance by Japanese Breakfast and a chef tasting going on at the same time.

The keynote address, delivered by Padma Lakshmi stressed the importance of finding common ground and similarities, despite the regurgitation of a rhetoric of difference. “We each bring our cultural values, work ethic, and determination.” the NYT best selling author said. She closed her impassioned speech with the hope that we use this division as an opportunity to come together and all move in the same direction.

Other guest speakers included comedian and host of the Patriot Act, Hasan Minaj. Using humor to discuss and dismantle complicated political and cultural topics, he joined our members in the library for a live Q+A, given by Vulture’s Jesse David Fox. Following life advice with humor, we then joined world renown Dr. Ruth, a Holocaust survivor who became America’s most famous sex therapist for a screening of her documentary and conversation.