Remember the heat? Remember the darkness? Remember the tens of thousands of New Yorkers who opted not for violence, chaos and fear, but rather to come together in shared wonder and sweat and nighttime fun?  Remember how, uniquely, we all thought tangibly about the source of our electricity?  Remember the sense of community that arose on the city streets–on stoops and curbsides, in bars and spontaneous block parties, in candlelit apartments and shared rooftops?

The Blackout of 2003 revealed a few things about the state of New York City.  That, once again, us New Yorkers refuse to be subdued by inconvenience.  That the city’s energy infrastructure is fragile.  And that, underneath all the hustle and bustle, all the anonymity of the streets, a city is still rife with community.

BlackoutNYC hopes to recapture all of this.  It’s organizers and partners–an environmental resource website, a local non-profit renewable energy organization, and various inspired individuals–all aim to bring energy awareness to New Yorkers at large, and to provide New Yorkers with the means to engage within their community and to have a real good time doing it.

To make BlackoutNYC all it could possibly be, we need the help of New Yorkers like you–we need you to help organize events in your neighborhoods, throughout the five boroughs.  Interested?  Talk to a local bar or restaurant and see if they’d be willing to “go dim” for the night (bring out the candles!).  Or host an informal party at your home.  If you’re ready to make your own “Blackout” public, please go ahead and register it on the site so that others can join the fun.

Don’t care to plan an event, but still want to be a part?  Find an event near you and come on out on August 14th.  Hope to see you in the candlelight.