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Julia Fox and Nora Fried Threw a Carnival in Elizabeth Street Garden

At Garden Variety, the Rosebuds Reading Collective co-founders drew Addison Rae, Julio Torres and Chi Ossé to a night of tarot, burlesque and ring toss that raised money for the newly saved garden and their book club at Rikers Island.

On a balmy Thursday night in Nolita’s enchanting Elizabeth Street Garden, Julia Fox and Nora Fried, co-founders of Rosebuds Reading Collective, hosted Garden Variety, a carnival with a cause. Proceeds were split between the garden, which recently won a 13-year battle for its preservation, and Rosebuds, which brings books and creative writing workshops to women incarcerated at Rikers Island.

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Rosebuds is the dream-turned-reality of comedian Nora Fried, and its name comes from the Rose M. Singer Center at Rikers. Fried told Observer she was in a really dark place a couple of years ago. She was getting sober and felt alone, and reading was what helped pull her out. “And so, as one naturally does,” she joked, “my next step was, why don’t I start a book club in a jail?”

Fried, who was wearing an ornate copper-and-black, tapestry-like vintage Rose Taft dress, has always loved supporting women, and she started thinking about places where other women might feel alone. Jail made sense to her. She has flowing fire-red hair and punchy coral-red lips and admitted that once she gets an idea stuck in her head, she won’t let it go. So she started making calls. “Everyone was like, ‘Do you have a background in jail?’ And I was like ‘nope.’” She moved forward anyway.

The garden, with its winding paths, stone lions and coiffed foliage, felt both curated and wild on the night of the carnival. A glowing heart-shaped light presided over the scene, and performers and activations waited for guests around every turn: tarot and astrology readings, magicians, bookmark making, face painting and cotton candy vendors. There was Swedish candy from Bon Bon, bagels from Greenberg’s and drinks by Singers, plus popcorn and pizza. Electronic dance music by VTSS and DJ Griffin Maxwell Brooks filled the air. It was like Alice in Wonderland, minus the danger. All potential.

The event was produced by Vivian Pang, with Marjorie Kozloff as co-producer. Notable guests included comedian Julio Torres, actor Taylour Paige, TikTok star and singer Addison Rae, New York City Council member Chi Ossé,........

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