In the first of a new series, current and former Cambridge students that have settled in new cities write about their cultural experiences. 

Dear Varsity,

Moving to the Lower East Side with my best friend, we decided to plan the best ways to infiltrate the art scene here. We needed endlessly fantastical wardrobes (check); charming British accents (half check – turns out the flabby vowels of northern Lancashire aren’t the most seductive to the ear); and an ability to swindle our way into expensive places for free (check– ripped boob-covering fish nets and lime green lipstick work well!).

With our fabulousness in excess, we hit the Meat Packing district’s Milk Studios for an opening.

But what did I learn from this experience at Milk? Am I changed by it? Can you ever be friends with an ex? Do I sound like Queen Carrie Bradshaw yet? In my almost-month in the Big Apple I have realised a few things about the art scene here: I haven’t met any artists or creatives who are just doing ‘one thing’. Everyone is filming, photographing, modelling, writing, working on their latte art skills, all while learning the words to Cher’s new album.

Everyone seems to want to help you. “ You’re not drunk yet? Your boss is an ass? Give me your number and I’ll find you a new boss, and give me your hand and I’ll put a Lychee Martini in it.”

Everything is in flux. People seem to be constantly striving to do something new. All forms of creativity seem totally diverse, fascinating and constantly shifting. Throwing oneself into as many situations as possible is the best way to feed your glittering dreams of creativity that seemed so accessible in the wondrous Cambridge.

Tom xx