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Aireus

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Here to brew somethin’ new.
Welcome to Event Horizon.
The Black Hole in the movie @interstellarmovie was the most realistic render of a Black Hole to ever be produced, up until the official images of the Messier 87 were generated.

Christopher Nolan worked hand in hand with Kip Thorne to ensure of the accuracy of the science that was being depicted in Interstellar.
A singularity is the point of a black hole where our understanding of the laws of physics break down completely.

In coffee, a singularity happens under similar circumstances. Ever tamped incorrectly just to produce a channeled espresso that tastes like heaven?

We respect the laws, and the science of coffee, but we know that to create something incredible, you have to go beyond what you’ve learned.
The most memorable brews have been the ones that have left me verbally saying, 'What the fuck?'

It's these same coffees that have warped my understanding of the way coffee can be brewed and extracted, akin to the way Black Holes warp space-time. By following brewing methods and extraction ratios that contradict the 'laws' of coffee, we reach a singularity. At this point, the laws of our horizon (or understanding) of said laws appear to break.

At Event Horizon, we want every drink to give you that ‘What the fuck?’ experience.
The first simulated image of a black hole.
Broaden your Horizon at Event Horizon 🚀

In the future, Event Horizon seeks to develop a physical location that offers ‘pop-up’ coffee programs. These programs would rotate throughout the year, with each program offering a different perspective on coffee through the eyes of the program manager and their team of baristas.

But that’s a dream that’s light-years away. In the present, Event Horizon exists to give a virtual demonstration of this proof-of-concept by utilizing the platform @glittercatbarista has offered.
What is space, and how do you define it?

How much energy should be put into creating spaces—within spaces that generally would not accept you or others like you?

Should the effort even be considered, or is it better to apply your time and effort into developing a space of your own?

Is there a line to be drawn between establishing unique spaces and fulfilling a niche that has already been filled? Have we created the USB dilemma in coffee, or are we simply hyper-curating spaces in order to provide the environment that best suits our individual preferences?
(see relevant @xkcd )

Asking the questions because I don’t have the answer(s).

How can inclusivity be expanded into something more than another alternative?

Welcome to Event Horizon.
This account has been temporarily taken over by @eventhorizon.cafe for an undisclosed duration.

Event Horizon is pop-up coffee experience that utilizes the journeys of individual baristas to highlight often underrepresented (but perfectly extracted!), sides of coffee.

Any questions, comments or concerns can be raised through email or phone, both of which will be posted shortly.
How do you define blackness?

Dictionaries define black as the absence of light, with light being synonymous with purity in most of the literature we consume through mainstream media.

It’s within these recent years that we’ve been more active in breaking the psychological conditioning that gave us the audacity to associate our existence with something impure or unwanted.

Culture is a rainbow of blackness.
Welcome to Event Horizon.
In no particular order:

Thank you @cry.stal.ize and thank you @keenan.hadley words cannot describe the benefits you have brought into my life. Without your guidance and the light you bring, I might be lost amongst the ocean of stars.

Thank you @mrs_espresso , you’ve sent me endless samples and my palate has grown because of it. Your advice on navigating the coffee industry has given me hope for the future.

Thank you @jimseven and the community you’ve developed. Thank you to every member that took the time to vote, and I’m ecstatic that I was able to introduce Glitter Cat to so many of you. Also, Hunge > Bripe, just sayin’.

Thank you @marzachan for telling me to apply to Glitter Cat, and having confidence in my ability to succeed, even when at times, I felt I wouldn’t. Also thank you for your fire ass Tanzania and Burundi roasts as well as the multitude of other samples you’ve gifted me.

Thank you @gillybrewbar for allowing me to be part of the Gilly Gang and giving me hope for the future of the coffee industry. Furthermore, thank you for allowing me to utilize the space to make my vision come true.

Thank you @gyst_jake for the late night FTs that allowed for us to procure this drink initially.

Thank you @ethandarla for your advice when it came to handling my mental health and the inability for me to recognize my own talents. Also thank you because you give the best hugs, even when the ones I return are half-assed.

Thank you for every @glittercatbarista that has participated, especially the ATL Cats!!!

Thank you @michellenotmeesh / @thechocolatebarista for being an incredible inspiration for those up and coming in this industry.

Thank you @soul.chai for giving me a platform to speak my (potentially) hot-takes on while also supporting me through Glitter Cat!

Thank you @angelinaalvaa for repping Black Spaces, and having your team vote in the second round while also offering me a space to utilize for round 3.

Thank you @notcaffeinatedenough @cxffeeblack @blkcoffee4life and many others for being content creators, brand representatives and an overall inspiration for people that look like us.
WE MADE IT TO ROUND 3!

What is Black Spaces?

It's a drink, a collaborative art piece, and a critique of many black people's experiences within the coffee industry. While this drink does cater to my people—the feeling of being ostracized by your own people is a trauma that many individuals, especially those from marginalized communities can relate with.

When I first started building Black Spaces, I had a blueprint of an idea. I wanted a tall, layered drink that looked blackity-black but held the entire universe within its structured layers.

I also wished to develop a performative piece to go along with the drink, but I wanted to produce the music, write the lyrics and even handle the visuals—I wanted to do everything and be an Auteur.

"Auteur: An auteur is an artist, usually a film director, who applies a highly centralized and subjective control to many aspects of a collaborative creative work."

I used to think to be an Auteur was the end goal for any artist. To have control inhibits a sense of safety and a sense of pride regarding your work. But through building this drink, I understand that relinquishing creative control to those you love and trust is perhaps the most extraordinary form of freedom an artist can have.

Just a couple of days before the deadline, I reached out to Alicia Adams and Jake King with an idea—and from that idea, we (let's be honest; they) created the drink of our dreams. Pulling inspiration from our nostalgia of both childhood and prior work experiences, we drafted the first solid idea of 'Black Spaces".

However, our idea was rough around the edges and still needed refinement.

—

I'll never be able to thank Crystal and Keenan for their emotional and physical support. The three of us spent the entirety of Christmas Eve inside Gilly Brew Bar, crafting and perfecting the drink through consistent trial and error, taking in notes from the many outside sources that aided in making this experience everything it was.

After one shattered glass, eight Cometeer pods, and seven ice-cream sandwiches later, the three of us brought the vision to life.

We'd created our drink, Black Spaces.

Welcome to the Event Horizon.

📸: @keenan.hadley
As I enter the second round of the Digi2tion, while simultaneously preparing myself for @nkgpace interviews, I've come to understand what it means to be a Glitter Cat. To be a Glitter Cat is no small feat, yet all the same, the barrier for entry is open to anyone willing to apply themselves and be uncomfortable with trying new things.

That being said, Glitter Cat isn't a title that's given to you based upon your popularity or your accomplishments throughout the industry. Theoretically, you could win every competition on the globe, but that wouldn't solidify your position as a Glitter Cat, which makes for some interesting conversation. But, that makes me wonder, is a Glitter Cat something you are, or something you become?

We all have some Glitter inside of us, and in my opinion, a Glitter Cat is an idea and a representation of the morals and character you bring with you into spaces you create or choose to exist in. To be a Glitter Cat means ultimately being yourself, which is as simple as it is difficult. In my experience, Glitter Cat has humbled me and brought me closer to the Atlanta coffee scene--which is new territory for this California boy.

Being a Glitter Cat has forced me to take an intense look at myself, my morals, and how I represent myself and others like me in spaces that generally don't permit people that look or act like me. On the other hand, Glitter Cat has pushed me forward in a direction I've been shy about, which is writing, music, music production, and how all of this blends into storytelling.

I doubt, if not for Glitter Cat, I would've never posted the melodic musings that find themselves looping inside my mind. It's something so small, and some might find it minor, but it's a significant step for me when it comes to being truthful with myself and the expression of art I choose to represent me.

Thanks for that,
@glittercatbarista
mylinks