NYC singer/songwriter, Shyvonne, is a blend of house, electro-soul, and hip-hop all in one glow, and she’s shaped by a DIY grind that has taken her from Afropunk to the Lincoln Center. On her "outside, inside” days, she swaps crows for a more gentle cadence that extends beyond the five boroughs and up the Hudson to enjoy nature-filled day trips. In the city, she enjoys tea service at the Morgan, horseback riding in the Bronx and a riverside walk with friends. Proof that you can keep your peace without straying far from the city’s pulse.
Okayplayer: When you want to be “outside” without being OUTSIDE, where do you go in NYC?
Shyvonne: When I really want to be outside, I always find my way to the water! I have always been a different type of New Yorker, and I treat NYC like the island she is.
My mother is from Trinidad & Tobago and my father from St Lucia, but I was born in the Bronx and have been in search of my beach ever since. So now that I don’t party like I used to, I love to plan adventures by being in nature and taking advantage of the ferry. In November, took the Seastreak Ferry from Wall Street up the Hudson River to Cold Spring (Putnam County).
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I visited the amazing Magazzino Italian Art Museum and explored the exhibits as well as the abundant outdoor space. After I checked out some of the vintage shops on Main Street, grabbed lunch and squeezed in a little hike by the water, before the 1.5-hour sunset ride back to the city. Then I hopped on the next ferry to 90th to make my way back uptown instead of the train, and that's as OUTSIDE as it gets!
Photo courtesy of Shyvonne.
Where do you go when you want to be around people, but not overwhelmed by crowds?
When I want to be around people, but not overwhelmed by the crowds, I prefer good vibes and ambience, as opposed to somewhere too mixy or having to drink. This fall, I’ve really gotten into catching up with friends over tea experiences. The Morgan Library has an afternoon tea with lots of treats, and includes the cost of admission. There’s also cute (and a bit cozier) tastings in LES at Cha&, as well as Duo. If you want to get a little dressed and splurge, The Plaza Hotel also has an entire gluten-free tea experience, which is quite rare.
Or on the weekends, Genesis House has an amazing space with a little library (no shoes allowed), traditional tea tasting in the middle, and there’s also an immersive light installation, and a car show downstairs as well.
What does your perfect NYC day look like, from morning to night?
I try to prioritize and maximize my 24 hours every day, but November is also my birth month, and I’ve been doing the most and going down my outside bucketlist! Recently, my PERFECT fall NYC day was a few weeks ago when I went to the Bronx to go horseback riding for the first time. Since I live in Harlem, it’s actually an easier, cheaper (and cuter) journey to take the Metro North a few stops up. If you purchase a city ticket, it’s only $5, so I met a friend off the train, and from there we drove to City Island Stables. There I met my horse, Olivia, and we took an hour ride along a gorgeous path of fall foliage and sunshine. After, we went to one of my favorite spots, Lobster House in City Island, for lunch. The Henny pina colada is actually a must, and you’ll be full from all the starters they cover the table with before your actual food.
Then, on my way to a quick sunset stop at the Bronx Riviera (aka Orchard Beach), a friend called about a lil house party in her family's FAB brownstone on Convent (IYKYK), and after a longgg shower, nap, and clothing change, it was the perfect way to end the night.
