b'New Local Business Brings the NightlifeEscape to the SuburbsBespoke events startup has local roots, big plansBY ALLISON WEISSAll My Friends founders (L to R): Erica Dagley Galea, Elizabeth Spiridakis Olson, Preston Olson, Jon McKesten and Kelly McKesten. Photo by Lisa Whiteman.R oughly 200 people stream intoat the late Pyramid Club or hung on for the hip- All My Friends first started when the friends the club, hoping to leave theirhop set at Cielo, this might be the place for you.would hang out. They all had a strong desire to cares behind for a place on theThese dance parties are such a joyful escape.throw memorable experiences. Some in the group dance floor, some with a drinkEvery single time, I have so much fun shimmy- casually wondered aloud in early 2023 whether in hand, listening to everythinging under the disco ball on the dance floor in mythey could turn this idea into a serious startup. In from indie rock and 80s musicfavorite kaftans, or something sparklytotally inAugust of that year, they took the idea from con-to2000spop,R&Bandhip- my element, says Maplewood resident AJ Rourk.ception to execution by hosting their first dance hop. There, music and community, fashion andA new small business with local roots, All Myparty as All My Friends. dance, all swirl together under a sea of rotatingFriends hosts these events and more, by providingThegroupconsistsofcoupleJonMcKesten greens, pinks, and violets dancing on the walls, re- bespoke event production and custom experiences.(business manager) and Kelly McKesten (produc-flected from the giant disco ball above. Thegroupconsistsoffivefriendsfromtheer), couple Elizabeth Spiridakis Olson (creative di-You may not realize you are in the New JerseyMaplewood-South Orange area. They burst ontorector) and Preston Olson and Erica Dagley Galea suburbs, as the blaring music, crowded dance floora dance floor in the summer of 2023, putting on(DJs). The five parentsall with day jobshave and pulsating patrons seem straight out of the EastDJ parties at the now-shuttered Osteria Del Corsoset up a monthly residency at Porta along Bloom-Village or Brooklyn. If youve ever danced on a cubein downtown South Orange.field Avenue in Montclair. 16/ matters magazine / holiday 2024'