Graffiti Writer meetings and bbqs

Something that is little known about graffiti writers in nyc in the 80's and 90's were that besides the usual beefs relating to territory and people crossing out other peoples work, there was a propensity to get writers together to meet each other and to write in each other's black books. these were black cover bound pads that got tagged and pieced (small color murals) on the fly. usually at what we called writer's meetings. we had a friend, a guy who wrote Aghast, who was great at pulling these events together. he knew people from all the boroughs and was somehow able to get word to everybody, in a time before cell phones, the where and when.

these were events that often took place in the most remote, locations in the city. some that i remember took place in that abandoned park area just under the cross bronx expressway. there was a park, with promenades, paths and fields, that at one point must have been used, but by the 80's was totally grown over and abandoned. there are many overpasses as that's where I95, I80, and the FDR all come together. so there are huge untouched walls and a totally cop free environment. we would gather there, some guys brought boom box radios for music, some people brought grills, and meat, and extra 40 ounces to share, everybody brought back-up (dudes) and their books and paint.

usually everything was peaceful, even bad beefs would get squashed here because often the beefs were really just mistaken identity or people who hadn't even met before. and since everybody was there to get other people's art in their books and to get thrown down with other crews, and just to meet those names they had just gotten to know through the graffiti, it was usually a self enforced peace. like anybody wilding out would get over-powered quickly by the entire group. so they often had the feel of a weird family picnic, where everybody was a distant cousin. i still have two of my books, and the some of the stuff i have in my books comes from legendary guys, who are known globally from the history books about nyc. these days are great memories for me. we were part of our own wild subculture and were out there, in the daytime, celebrating it together, with steaks and hot dogs, in a perfect urban setting.

i wonder if these meetings still happen? i guess i can always ask any of my friends, Left, OJ, Reas, or JA. since these guys are still the reigning kings and still write ALL THE TIME, despite having families. now THATS dedication.