You Missed It: Nora Vasconcellos’ Guest Editor Issue Launch Party At The Ace In LA
Images by Morgan Rindengan
Our heads hurt this morning, in a good way.
Nora’s Guest Editor Issue launch party last night was truly a night of nights; possibly the best Wednesday night we’ve ever had, and that includes what we refer to as ‘Big Wednesday’. No, not the acclaimed film starring an incomparable Gary Busey. Big Wednesday is what we call that one Wednesday night a few years back when we ordered tacos for dinner and they gave us free Guac. Last night’s party was even better than that. Exponentially better.
The bounds of our joy have been inflated and surpassed, but then, when you’re launching an issue of a magazine curated and edited by the best of the best, Nora Vasconcellos, with the best photographers, bands, artists, DJ’s, and partners in both business and crime, hosted by the best hotel bar in town (hint: it’s the Ace Hotel Downtown), drinking best drinks in town (one more hint: it’s June Shine) a perfect night is to be expected.
Where to begin, where to begin; perhaps we should start with the fact that Juneshine were kind enough to supply an enormous amount of free hard kombucha? Nothing frees up the spirit like a freed up beverage. ‘Shit, goddamn, Juneshine is good,’ was something overheard quite a few times last night. Yep, yes it is.
That lubricant, along with the beatific rhythms of the one and only Ned Casual on the decks, made for a fierce but welcoming dance floor (as evidenced). Unfortunately, there was no dance contest. Or I should say, there was no sanctioned dance contest. They’re some movers out there who can cut a rug. Nora doesn’t fuck around. Neither does Ollie. Neither does Andrew Peters. If anything, it was more a competition among friends for who could emanate the most joy using only the beat and their body. Dunno who won; probably all of them.
Between the beverages, the dancing, and the gorgeous view from the roof (a rarity in LA), the night got absolutely bumping by nine, and didn’t quite let up. Even Nora’s mom was there and ready to party. There’s something endlessly entertaining and endearing about watching your best friends be silly and celebrate something together. There’s a lot of heart there, and that’s what this is all about, right? Friends and fun. That’s why we got into this business, anyway. The only thing missing last night were kick flips, though I’m told there were quite a few of those done off of curb cuts by cigarette smokers and loiterers near the end of the night.
Is it time for the thank yous? Thank you to The Ace DTLA, Juneshine, Nora Vasconcellos, Andrew James Peters, Ollie Clapin, Morgan Rindengan, and most of all, YOU. Yes, even you.
To give you a little something to read while you glide longingly through these photos of a night you either wish you were still at or wish you had been at, one of our favorite contributors, Elliott Wright, was on site doing live interviews with the editor herself and those who were there.
Nora Vasconcellos:
Editing a magazine, what was were some challenges you found in the process?
Deadlines. I think deadlines are always the challenge. Just like making sure you are hitting all your tabs of what you want to include and making it feel original. Having it be perceived the way you want it to be perceived. It definitely felt very organic and it was very within the guidelines and having people to lean on like Andrew. It made it a lot easier to make it happen.
What was your favorite thing you included?
The interview with my dad is awesome. I got pretty stoked on that and my friend chelsea's art. We did a whole portfolio on her. I think just getting to tie in a lot of friends and have it be something that will inspire people, especially young girls. I'm thinking of all the girls that are going to open it and have it be such a heavy female magazine, it's cool in that sense.
Surfing or skating?
Surfing [laughs]. It just depends. I think I have been on some deadlines with skateboarding and finishing some projects and maybe putting my body through the ringer a little more than normal. So right now surfing is the saving grace. It keeps me sane during the process.
Any advice for the girls out there?
Just have fun. And if someone gets in your way, just tell them to get the fuck out of it. or just go around them.
Chelsea Kinch:
What is your favorite thing about seeing your friend edit this issue?
Just watching her soar!
How long have you known Nora?
I've known Nora since 2019. We met on Maui. I'm a painter so she did this whole interview about my art.
How would you describe the vibe for someone that is not here?
Damn, it's sick. A lot of my favorite people are here, there is a good energy. Good music. the lighting is great, the drinks are stiff. Some watermelon mezcal situation. It's good to be here!
Selema Masekela:
What does it mean for Nora to be guest editor?
I think of Nora as a shapeshifter with ease. Like someone who is willing to stand in all the different aspects of herself and conform none of it to please anyone. And that is not an easy choice to make in an industry that is so kind of rooted into 'what box do you fit in?'
Which is weird, when culturally we celebrate all this uniqueness but it's also like, 'I need to be able to put you somewhere.' And Nora is 10,000 percent not that. And I think that for this woman who is a skateboarder but at the same time is an incredible artist and someone who is so passionate about other people's greatness.
I think Nora is more passionate about celebrating and putting into context the radness of others that she kind of has this beautiful ability to not even really understand the power of her impact. I wouldn't even say that she influences. I think she is radically impactful and helps people, no matter how they identify, feel a little bit more confident to stand in the entirety of their being.
Pat Conlon:
Nora is pushing for more inclusion, what does this mean?
I think its phenomenal. The skate and surf industry in general has been so inundated by men and male dominated industry for so long that its refreshing to have a different voice and a different opinion. The beauty of skating is that it's creative artistic expression. And artistic expression doesn't confine you to being male, female, gay, straight. It's just you being you and expressing who you are
Why are print magazines still important in 2023, especially in surfing and skating?
It's really something beautiful about the tactile feeling of thumbing a magazine. Scrolling is not the same. You can pause on a page and take in a photo.
