Kae Burke, House of Yes
💭 Thoughts on fighting negative self-talk, Human Design, and folks who unapologetically create joy through play & chaos.
Thought Enthusiast is an AdHoc Project where we chat with fascinating thought leaders across various facets of music, tech, and culture whose work we admire, simply asking “what’s on your mind?” and “why do you care?” 💭
Kae Burke is a Co-Founder of House of Yes in Brooklyn, a nightclub concept which began in 2007 as a DIY space and has evolved into a world-renowned venue and creative collective. Kae is also a comedic host and experience designer who is recognized for her commitment to nurturing diverse talent, developing inventive live experiences and nurturing a more positive and inclusive night culture.
In 2019, Kae founded Yes Etc Creative Agency to help spark joy and inspire collaboration outside of the House of Yes nightclub, and has since worked with global brands such as The Edition, Virgin, Hennessy, Refinery 29 and Perrier to create site-specific concepts and next-level events. Kae’s goal is to continue changing the world by building imaginative spaces that bring people together to express themselves and celebrate life.
🎯 Current focus
I'm currently working on an idea that's been in my heart for a while which is an "Art Gym" concept that provides folks a place to create with their hands in a social setting. It will be a membership based "maker space" of sorts but much vibey-er and is focused on providing a space for fashion, up-cycling, costumes, wearable art and home decor items. It is built with the intention of creating space for self-expression, healing through art, spending time off of screens and inspiring less consumption and more creation. We will provide free materials that have been donated/discarded, so It's all about sustainability mixed with style. In the end, I want to give people a space to co-create and explore their deep desire to make beautiful things with their hands!
🧠 Exploring Human Design
I've recently been exploring Human Design and it's complex and fascinating. (If you know, you know. If you don't know, google it!) Full disclosure, I've been in a bit of a self inquiry phase of "who am I" and "what the f*ck am I doing" and looking into my Human Design chart has been really helping me reflect on what sparks my motivation and how I can be of service to the world by using my specific set of gifts. It's also helping me appreciate the uniqueness and motivations of others and be more accepting in general.
🐚 Marcel the Shell for President
One thing on my mind has been Marcel the Shell with Shoes On. Seriously, what a delightful creation! It was light-hearted and so deep, hilarious and heartwarming, absolutely absurd and super sweet. I want more art like this in the world. Marcel for President.
🙊 Fighting negative self-talk
"I am everything I need and more" has been a very helpful mantra for me recently, and really helps to curb the self-doubts and anxieties I encounter. The more I've been using it, the more my whole nervous system relaxes. I use it when I start to feel the negative self-talk creeping in, or if I feel tense and stressed about anything. It's like telling my brain "we got this, its all good, baby!"
🧚 Being an unapologetic creator of joy through play & chaos
Zoe Nightengale is someone I really look up to- she creates really absurd experiential dance parties and special events. She is an unapologetic creator of joy through play and chaos and true community building. She has a brilliant mind and one of the biggest hearts in this city. I feel a lot of party producers in NYC scene are really driven by profit and brand-building (no shade) but I admire Zoe because her motivation lies in creating an epic experience for people that really changes their nights- or their lives- She's so committed to getting people to participate 100% and get off their phones, break out of their shells, be the freak they were born to be, make out with strangers and make new friends. Zoe for President!
📵 Digital detoxing
Honestly, my favorite way to "consume" content is to reclaim my time and attention and NOT consume it- basically doing intermittent fasting from socials. I learned this recently when I was traveling in Berlin and lost my phone (total rookie move, yes.) I couldn't reactivate my accounts for 5 days. It was initially stressful but once I surrendered to a phone-less existence, I was absolutely blown away by how different I felt, mentally and energetically. It was transformative. Instead of constantly fiending for a dopamine laced scroll-hole, I was able to be present and just let my mind wander, be curious, let myself get bored and observe my surroundings instead of a screen. Of course this is MUCH easier when on vacation than when working day to day in production and digital marketing, but it still lets me do a mind reset and I have become more aware of my social media and content consumption and have been using it a bit less. I'm now more aware of when I'm using social media/content for inspiration and when I'm using it out of impulsive escapism, and I feel everyone should do their version of digital detox or content consumption "intermittent fasting" in whatever way they can.
🥂 Creating more intimate party experiences
I'm really looking forward to hosting a friends and fam holiday party at my house soon. I've been producing wild dance parties and circus shows for years and it's been exciting to experiment with creating more intimate experiences.
Follow Kae on Linkedin & Instagram, and check out HoY’s upcoming event calendar here.