Having been raised in Chelsea, Ferdinand Galvis, General Manager at Meridian 23, was glad to bring a bit of world culture back to his home neighborhood. Reflecting on the city’s transformation since his childhood, Ferdinand acknowledged that Manhattan has changed, becoming more homogeneous and losing much of the cultural diversity he grew up around, something New Yorkers are “nostalgic about” today. With Meridian 23, Ferdinand and Program Director Stefan Andemicael – both graduates of the United Nations International School - hope to restore some of Manhattan’s variance.
Meridians circle the planet, connecting unique environments and people together, much like Meridian 23 does in New York. A venue for world music, Ferdinand detailed how at Meridian 23 they move away from the mainstream to showcase artists with unconventional vibes. The evening I visited, an Afro Karibé dance party was on the line-up, while other shows that week included “The Gumbo Funk Jam Session” and “Roots & Soul.” Ferdinand noted that at Meridian 23, they like to curate “multifaceted kinds of nights,” perhaps beginning with a session from a live band and concluding with a DJ set - Stefan was a world music DJ himself before signing onto Meridian 23. Beyond in-house performances, Meridian 23 has been spreading the word and sounds of their important project via their own recently debuted after-work internet radio show, broadcast straight from the window on 23rd Street.
Beyond the sounds of the venue, the bar’s cocktail program also focuses on representing the “best of the globe.” The “Ligaya” features jalapeño infused denizen rum and calamanisi juice. The “23rd Meridian” combines Starr rum with green tea, while the satirically titled “Gentrification” mixes white corn whiskey with St. Germain and grapefruit bitters. Apart from drinks, the bar also offers a strong selection of Senegalese chef Pierre Thiam’s internationally inspired dishes such as the Abala Tamales and Caldo de Feijão (“The Brazilian Hangover Cure”).
Looking around the space, I noticed masks lining the walls. When I asked Ferdinand about their importance, he told me of how they were collected from across the continents. He explained that when wearing a mask, people can adopt whatever identity they want and be whoever they want, much as they can when entering Meridian 23.