best kept secret
When most people think of New England, they picture Cape Cod, lobster rolls, BoriRock or championship sports. But the smallest state in the region, Rhode Island, is one of the most important puzzle pieces. Providence, with its world-class universities like Brown and RISD, is not just a place to study, but a cultural crossroads. Dominican, Cape Verdean, and countless diasporas come together here to eat, to dance, to learn, to live.
From Del’s frozen lemonade to fried fish sandwiches at Dune Brothers, from Newport beaches to stay silent Party series, Providence is home.
From Del’s frozen lemonade to fried fish sandwiches at Dune Brothers, from Newport beaches to stay silent Party series, Providence is home.
stay silent has been shaping that home for years, creating spaces for nightlife, day parties, and cultural connection. Their DAY TRILL festival has grown into a North East staple, bringing talent from across the globe while keeping Providence at the heart.
At Feels Like Home, we’re proud to present Best Kept Secret, a short documentary capturing the spirit of our favorite cultural experience on the East Coast.
At Feels Like Home, we’re proud to present Best Kept Secret, a short documentary capturing the spirit of our favorite cultural experience on the East Coast.
About stay silent
stay silent is a creative company and platform producing events, design, and editorial content. Since 2012, they’ve been a defining voice in arts and music for New England’s diasporas, building spaces that feel like home.
About the Film
In partnership with Thunder Road Projects, stay silent created Best Kept Secret to highlight and document their story.
Too often, New England is overlooked creatively or questioned if communities of color even exist here. This film shows the truth: the undeniable energy of DAY TRILL and the Rhode Island + Massachusetts communities that sustain it.
For those outside the region, it’s a surprise that this culture thrives here. For us, it’s a hidden gem. A best kept secret.
Director’s Note
“This film is a love letter to DAY TRILL and to my summers in New England. At the end of the day, DAY TRILL, stay silent, and Providence are the world’s best kept secret.
Thank you to my crew: Bari for your frames, Saluma for your care and eye, Bilindoff for your energy, and Mala for being my right hand. Special thanks to the stay silent family, and to SC for being my forever mentor and friend.”
— Malakhai Pearson, Thunder Road Projects
Credits
Crew
Director / Editor / Producer / Colorist: Malakhai Pearson | @malakhaipearson
Cinematographer: Jabari Canada | @jabari.mov
Photographer + Handy Cam: Saluma Bensalim | @misssaluma
Producer: Bilindoff Joseph | @bilindoff
Producer + Stills: Mala Smith | @malaluvsyou
Final Sound Mix: Dylan Castora | @dylancastora
Music Director: Harold Galeta | @djskinniez
Production: @thunderroadprojects + @staysilentpvd
Director / Editor / Producer / Colorist: Malakhai Pearson | @malakhaipearson
Cinematographer: Jabari Canada | @jabari.mov
Photographer + Handy Cam: Saluma Bensalim | @misssaluma
Producer: Bilindoff Joseph | @bilindoff
Producer + Stills: Mala Smith | @malaluvsyou
Final Sound Mix: Dylan Castora | @dylancastora
Music Director: Harold Galeta | @djskinniez
Production: @thunderroadprojects + @staysilentpvd
Talent (in order of appearance)
Sabrina Chaudhary | @saybz
Humberto | @smilelash
Tyree Johnson | @wooka32205
Daniel Ledesma | @tanavelli
Cristina Severino | @cristinasev
Jason Almeida | @wheresnasty
Sabrina Chaudhary | @saybz
Humberto | @smilelash
Tyree Johnson | @wooka32205
Daniel Ledesma | @tanavelli
Cristina Severino | @cristinasev
Jason Almeida | @wheresnasty
Music
“I DID ACID & ATE AGAIN” – Doriå Rice | @djskinniez
“RAKATA (Dembow Instrumental)” – Yeyca Beats
“Watch _ Cook” – @djskinniez
“I DID ACID & ATE AGAIN” – Doriå Rice | @djskinniez
“RAKATA (Dembow Instrumental)” – Yeyca Beats
“Watch _ Cook” – @djskinniez
our goal
feels like home is on a mission to reapproach education through sensibility, storytelling, and feeling. we aim to synthesize visual design narratives in a way that defies overly edited approaches to multi-contributor print. every page is a portal into our contributors' interpretation of home, organized like the textbook we all wish we had as kids.
we want to celebrate honest creativity that also feels personal and connected at the same time.
Publishing Company / Community Education / Sensible Solutions
