In this cultural essay, Jahtiek Long explores Staten Island's paradoxical nature, how the borough is bursting with talent and creativity yet struggles with a lack of space, funding, and support. It celebrates the resilience of local artists and communities while asking what it would take to finally build the cultural scene Staten Island deserves.

A shouting mandolin player stomps their feet for a twelve-minute song. A petite instrumentalist disappears behind an accordion for an impressive droning set. A singer brings the expected roar of a bar down to intrigued whispers as they sing. A six-foot rapper brings a ukelele out from behind their back. A comedian tackles a tipsy mass and ensures a strong reaction. A magician rises from the mixing console to reintroduce wonder to otherwise arduous lives.