More Than Just Talking Heads
By Lea Kramberg, RISE Youth Programs Coordinator
Renowned musician and artist David Byrne, known for his work with Talking Heads and his passion for urban cycling and sustainable living, recently paid a visit to RISE (Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity). The sojourn to record an audio segment for Reasons to be Cheerful, “a nonprofit online magazine that is tonic for tumultuous times,” included exploration, learning, and chronicling, as Byrne, along with executive editor Will Doig and audio producer Ngofeen Mputubwele, engaged with the local community and discovered the area’s ecological and sustainability initiatives.
The visit began with a bike tour led by RISE students Ashlyne Costin, Oluwafisayo Ogunsola, and Dario Panday, and RISE staff Alana Danieu and me. As we cycled through the scenic Rockaways, the group made several stops to discuss unique environmental and community-driven projects, including Project Underway, Arverne East Nature Preserve, and “Greater Rockaway” Coastal Resilience Plan. Along the way, they recorded audio segments, capturing live conversations about the impact of superstorm Sandy, sustainability, local ecology, and the vibrant lifestyle of the Rockaways.
One of the tour’s highlights was a visit to Edgemere Farm, a volunteer-run half-acre beacon of urban agriculture in a federally recognized food desert. Here, farm managers, Vanessa Seis and Mike Repasch-Nieves, shared insights into their practices and their hope that Edgemere Farm can serve as a model for turning other empty lots into more spaces to grow food and community hubs for art and music events.
The visit also brought the group to the Garden by the Bay, where they learned from Jackie Rogers, president, about the collaborative efforts of local organizations in promoting urban gardening and green spaces and the effects the bird sanctuaries have on the local community’s access to the beach. This thriving community garden is more than just a source of fresh produce; it serves as an educational garden, teaching residents about sustainable living practices and the importance of environmental stewardship.
Throughout the tour, Costin, Ogunsola, and Panday shared the positive impact these sustainable initiatives have on their lives and their experiences living in Rockaway. Byrne was moved by their stories, recognizing the importance of supporting movements that blend ecological innovation and sustainability with community engagement.
His coming to RISE was not just a visit, but also a celebration of community spirit and a testament to the power of passionate individuals and neighborhoods in driving change. The audio segments recorded during the bike tour will be developed into an audio segment for Reasons to be Cheerful, capturing positive change, progress, and hope in the Rockaways.