What started as a small, end-of-season gathering for a local podcast has, five years later, evolved into one of the most anticipated community celebrations on the North Fork. NOFO LIVE brings its Bollywood Night to RGNY Vineyard on May 20 from 6 to 9 PM, featuring an evening of Indian-inspired cuisine, music, dancing, and community celebration.
NOFO LIVE, founded by co-hosts Sunita Narma and Tracy Kessler, is a weekly, hyper-local podcast dedicated to spotlighting the people and businesses that shape life on the North Fork. Airing live every Friday at 9 AM, the show has built a loyal following by telling the stories behind the region’s entrepreneurs, creatives, and community leaders.
Its annual celebration was originally conceived as a way to bring those featured voices together in one room. “It began as a simple thank you to our guests and to the community that continues to support us,” the hosts shared. “We wanted to create a space where the conversations we have on air could continue in person.”
Now in its fifth year, that gathering has grown into something much larger.
This year’s event returns with the vibrant Bollywood theme that debuted last spring. After an overwhelmingly positive response, the immersive concept is back by popular demand, promising an evening filled with color, energy, and connection.
Guests can expect a thoughtfully curated experience, from the food to the music. Culinary collaborators Ursula XVII of Disset Chocolate and Christina Padrazo of The Treatery are once again teaming up to create a menu inspired by Indian cuisine, building on the buzzworthy dessert spread they debuted at last year’s event. Paired with wines from RGNY, the evening promises a dynamic blend of flavors that reflect both the theme and the region.
The atmosphere will be brought to life with Indian music and décor, transforming the venue into a festive, transportive setting. But at its core, the night remains rooted in what NOFO LIVE does best, fostering genuine connection.
Holding the event on a weeknight is a deliberate choice, one that reflects the community it serves. Many of the podcast’s featured guests are small business owners whose weekends are often their busiest time. By hosting on a Wednesday, the event creates an opportunity for those individuals to attend, unwind, and celebrate alongside their peers.
“It’s really about the people,” the hosts noted. “So many familiar faces, guests from the show, local business owners, and community members, coming together in one place. That’s what makes it special.”
As the North Fork heads into another busy season, the NOFO LIVE annual celebration has become more than just a party. It’s a reflection of the community itself, collaborative, supportive, and always evolving.
Tickets for the May 20 event are available, and if past years are any indication, it’s likely to be a sellout. Attendees are encouraged to secure their spots early and to come ready to celebrate the people and places that make the North Fork so unique.