Over the course of the summer, the series presented New Yorkers with more than 135 free programs filled with entertainment, fitness and music in Union Square park every Thursday.
This year’s Citi Summer in the Square offered a sweat-inducing mix of fitness classes each Thursday morning and evening, a rotating, live interactive performance for children, new dueling performance shows featuring beat boxers, DJs, dancers and more, live jazz performances by students from The New School, and two “Throwback Thursday” movie nights in August — “The Karate Kid” on August 3rd,and “Back to the Future” a week later.
The program was presented by Union Square Partnership and had a lot of great sponsors including of course Citibank, as well as Con Edison, Paragon Sports and NYU, to name a few. Check out the full list here.
We can’t wait to see what they come up with next year!
An entrepreneur that is focused on social good, Sterling McDavid is the CEO and Founder of The Starling Project, a charitable home product line that helps provide solar energy to rural communities in need around the world. She is also the Chair of National Development on UNICEF’s Next Generation Steering Committee and an active member of the MD Anderson Cancer Center Junior Board. And as if those activities were not enough, the former Goldman Sachs staffer is also the CEO and Founder of the real estate development firm Sterling McDavid LLC and one of the owners of the New York restaurants Hunt & Fish Club and Rogue & Canon.
In support of the release of The Starling Project’s recent Candle Collection — the non-profit has already raised over $100,000 for UNICEF since forming in December 2015 — Downtown caught up with Sterling for some Q&A. More info on The Starling Project can be found at www.StarlingProject.org, while Sterling herself is on Instagram as @SterlingMcDavid.
Your name is Sterling, yet your company is The Starling Project. Why the difference in naming? Do people ever get confused?
Sterling McDavid: It’s funny because we definitely knew we would get this question when we named the company “Starling” rather than “Sterling.” The truth is we wanted to get asked this question! We loved that “Starling” was a play on my name, but most importantly, we loved the meaning bigger behind Starling.
A Starling is a bird that is absolutely stunning, but Starlings have a unique pulsating dance they do when they come together. Thousands of them will gather, rise and spin in the sky, and together they are even more beautiful than they are individually. The name “Starling” represents the transformative power and energy each of us has when we come together. Each person that purchases a candle is contributing to a community that is making an impact on another community, and although we are all powerful on our own, we are much more powerful when we come together to give back.
Where did the idea for The Starling Project come from?
SM: After going to Vietnam with UNICEF in June 2013, I knew from what I had seen in poverty stricken areas of Vietnam that I needed to change my career. Immediately upon returning to New York, I informed my team at Goldman Sachs that I would be leaving. At the time, I did not knew exactly what I would do, but I knew I wanted to start a social good company that gives back.
Given that I am originally from Texas, where energy is a topic of conversation constantly, and that I had been exposed to some energy-efficient solutions to problems in Vietnam, I thought that it was likely I would focus my efforts on clean energy solutions, but I didn’t know in what way. When I left Goldman, I ultimately decided to go back to school to study interior architecture and design at Parsons School of Design. I ended up taking a job in Paris with the wonderful architecture firm Projectiles where my focus was building a spa resort. We thought of every detail imaginable for the resort including what fragrance would fill it.
It was during the research for this project that I came up with the idea to do a candle line. It was perfect! Candles give off light and light goes hand in hand with solar energy. When I shared the news with the UNICEF team, they loved it. From there I spent time narrowing down UNICEF projects to give to, and then The Starling Project was officially born.
Sterling McDavid / Photo: Camille Colin Photographe
What makes these candles different from other candles? For example, are the contents sourced from fair trade providers etc.?
SM: Starling candles are unique because we source the glass, wax and cotton wick from U.S. businesses. It was really important to me to source from the United States to support American business. We also make sure that the natural essential oils we source are free from human trafficking. Additionally, the candles are unique because of the combinations of fragrances. We purposely try to combine scents that aren’t typically thought of together to create something that is not only original, but that also really is a new experience for ones sense of smell.
How did you decide to partner with UNICEF?
SM: UNICEF is my passion so the decision was easy for me. I am Chair of National Development on UNICEF’s Next Generation Steering Committee. I have been a junior board member for over five years now, and after visiting Vietnam with UNICEF for the first time, it became clear to me that it is one of the most amazing organizations in the world. UNICEF is saving children’s lives every day and they are innovative and thoughtful about how they do it and that really impressed me. I knew after my first field visit to Vietnam that I would have a life-long relationship with the organization.
What’s ahead for The Starling Project besides the new fall candle scents?
SM: We are working on various surprise collaborations for the holidays that we are excited about and we are also focusing on creating even more candle scents to add to our collection. It seems like we are mixing new combinations every day, but not every scent is a winner, so we definitely take our time to create the perfect combinations.
Aside from your charity work, you are known to be a co-owner of Hunt & Fish Club. What’s coming up for that establishment?
SM: Hunt & Fish Club has been such a wonderful project! There really is not a more beautiful and well-run restaurant in New York City, in my opinion. We are constantly working to keep things exciting and we have an incredible staff that really takes it all to a whole other level. At this point, we are really striving every day to make it better than the day before and I am proud to say the restaurant is always filled with guests like Demi Levato and the Kardashians.
Hunt & Fish Club
Do you have other projects that you are involved with besides The Starling Project and Hunt & Fish Club?
SM: I do! I am an interior architect and designer. Currently, I am working on building a house in Aspen, Colorado. I have been working on it for 2.5 years, but am thrilled to say it will be complete this December!
What do you like to do in your free time when not working?
SM: I practice yoga nearly every day and am often caught hiking or in a Barry’s Bootcamp class. I also love art and architecture, so you may catch me at a museum or art show!
Having lived all over the world, what is it that keeps you a New Yorker?
SM: It’s funny because I was born and raised in Texas, but I truly have always been a New Yorker! I spent my childhood hopping between New York and Texas, and told my parents from the time I was eight years old that I was going to move to New York as soon as I could. I did exactly that! It is the fast pace, diversity, innovation and excitement that keep me a New Yorker. And, of course, the food! I truly couldn’t live without the variety of options at this point!
Do you have a favorite restaurant in New York?
SM: Other than Hunt & Fish Club, I would have to say it is a tie between Locanda Verde and Osteria Morini! I am a big fan of Italian food and I think there are few chefs who can do it better than Andrew Carmellini and Michael White.
Finally, Sterling, any last words for the kids?
SM: Go out everyday with the goal to be kind and loving to anyone you cross paths with! People always ask me how they can make an impact without having to contribute a large amount financially. I really believe every kind act is crucial to making this world a better place for everyone. Of course, you can also buy a Starling candle to give back as well. (laughs)
In just seven years, Best Coast has released three acclaimed studio albums, over a dozen music videos, and a handful of EPs. The latest release from the Los Angeles band, 2015’s California Nights, was the group’s first for Harvest Records, a subsidiary of the Capitol Music Group. On the Billboard charts, California Nights reached #3 on the Independent Albums chart, #4 on the Top Alternative Albums chart, and #5 on the Top Rock Albums chart. Hit singles like “Heaven Sent” and “Feeling Ok” took off just as “Up All Night” and “Boyfriend” had on prior releases.
Still touring in support of California Nights, Best Coast — whose founding members are vocalist/guitarist Bethany Cosentino and multi-instrumentalist Bobb Bruno — returns to New York City on Aug. 13. Playing alongside The Go-Go’s and Kaya Stewart at Central Park Summerstage, the show is part of the “farewell” tour for The Go-Go’s. Writing for the next Best Coast release has already begun.
Downtown caught up with Bethany, who had attended college in New York, for some Q&A. Best Coast — whose touring lineup also includes guitarist Joe Bautista, bassist Brett Mielke and drummer Brady Miller — keeps a website at www.bestcoast.net. On Facebook and Twitter, the band can be followed via @BestCoast, while its account is @Best_Coast on Instagram.
Photo by Janell Shirtcliff
Where was the first gig you ever played in New York? What do you remember about it?
Bethany Cosentino: I don’t remember where it was, but it was in Williamsburg like near the water at some really small DIY space. It was during CMJ 2009 and we flew to NY to play a couple of shows and do some press. It was just me and Bobb and a mini disc with our drum parts on it — so basically in the beginning, we were just a hip-hop band. (laughs) I remember it was really crowded and we were the last band to play and soooo many people watched us. I had no idea what was happening because we’d been a band for like a month and already we were playing this huge — to us at the time — New York City show. I just remember thinking like, “Whoa, this is really happening?”
You attended The New School for your undergraduate studies. Is there anything you miss about that era of your life?
BC: Not really, I mean of course I miss living in New York sometimes, but I always am there for work it seems. I miss spending a lot of time with my best friend who lives there — we did everything together when I was living there. But again, I still see him and talk to him all the time. I definitely don’t miss college or riding the subway everyday.
Is there ever any pressure to defend your band name when you’re on a different coast?
BC: Nah. The band name is such a tongue-in-cheek thing. Like, we are from California and we are proud of that, but I’m not actually out there being like “California is better than anywhere else in the world come fight me if you don’t agree!” I totally understand it’s not for everyone, and anyone who actually knows me knows I do really love New York.
I first learned about Best Coast when you did a co-writing session with a friend of mine, Mike Viola, yet writing credits show you as the songwriter for the band’s last two albums. Was there pressure from your record label to write with outside writers?
BC: I write all the Best Coast songs myself, but I do a lot of co-writing outside the band for other artists. It’s never a Best Coast-related songwriting session, I just work with a lot of great producers and artists to try and write shit for other people. I work with an amazing publisher named Amanda Berman who pushed me to do more co-writing for other artists because she believed in me as a songwriter. There are times it’s very awkward and I feel uncomfortable, but for the most part, I really enjoy stepping outside of myself as a writer for my own band and just working on other stuff.
Photo by Janell Shirtcliff
Do you have a favorite song on California Nights?
BC: Probably “California Nights.” I really love dreamy, heavy, blissed-out music, but it never really felt like a song of that capacity belonged on a Best Coast record. When we made this album, I just didn’t care. I wanted to explore different genres and influences so when I wrote “California Nights” and played it for Bobb and our producer Wally [Gagel] and they loved it. I was like, “OK, cool, let’s just have this one song that feels unlike any other song on the record or any other songs have ever released before.” It’s cathartic to do something different.
To me, California Nights has some moments on it that sound like they’re influenced by The Go-Go’s, who you’re touring with this summer. Do you remember the first time you ever heard The Go-Go’s?
BC: The Go-Go’s has always been a huge influence. I cited them as an influence for “Heaven Sent” on the last record. I actually said “I want this song to sound like if Drake wrote a Go-Go’s song.” (laughs) I’m not totally sure when I heard them for the first time but I was young. I feel like it may have been on VH1 or something. My dad was a fan and I think “Vacation” or “We’ve Got The Beat” is what I heard first. I very much remember the “Vacation” music video.
When I spoke with Charlotte from The Go-Go’s, she said that her daughter Astrid turned her onto Best Coast. But how did the idea to tour together come about?
BC: Yeah, Charlotte’s daughter’s band The Side Eyes is really great — Bobb is a huge fan. We got a random e-mail about a year ago just saying that our booking agent had seen the Go-Go’s manager out somewhere and it came up that they were fans of the band. Then when it came up they were planning a farewell tour, we got brought up as a support idea. Bobb and I were interested immediately. I said yes before I even knew if it would happen for sure or not.
What’s coming up for you after this tour wraps? Have you already begun writing material for your next album?
BC: I’ve been slowly working in preparation for making a new record, but I’m not totally there yet. I have a lot of ideas in my head and I’ve been writing a lot and Bobb and I worked on a demo together before we left for this tour, so when we get home we are gonna try and get back to work. But I’m not a believe in forcing yourself to do work — if you aren’t feeling creative, don’t push it. That’s how I work, at least. I have a feeling that this tour with the Go-Go’s is going to get me really inspired and prepared to get back into the mindset of making another record.
When you’re not busy with your career, how do you like to spend your free time?
BC: I mostly hang with my dog and my cat and my boyfriend at home. I live in a canyon so I do a lot of hiking and exploring. I love to workout, I’m pretty addicted. I do a lot of kickboxing, Pilates and barre method. I love cooking. I love wine. I’m pretty mellow. I don’t really like going out and partying — that was my vibe when I was younger but now I’m more of a homebody. I’m happier that way.
Over the course of the summer, the series presented New Yorkers with more than 135 free programs filled with entertainment, fitness and music in Union Square park every Thursday.
The program was presented by Union Square Partnership and had a lot of great sponsors including of course Citibank, as well as Con Edison, Paragon Sports and NYU, to name a few. Check out the full list here.
