Score!

Even though I attempt to clean my room quite frequently, it tends to look exactly the same in the before and after pictures. Despite the much quality time I spend with an oversized garbage bag, my disability to trash what is collecting dust in my room leaves the bag empty and my room a cluttered mess. It is true that I have never worn a headband for a full day in my life, I find them to be extremely unflattering to my head and excruciatingly painful, yet I have a full case if them floating throughout my room. One day it may be in my closet, the next under my bed, and perhaps the following in my desk drawer, but never does it find itself in the garbage. To me, it seems a sin to throw away clothing, knick-knacks and jewelry even if they do indeed lack a purpose in my life, yet with the small room and microscopic closet fate has given me, I must find a way to readjust to this situation at hand.

Luckily, I have recently stumbled upon my savior, Score, a pop-up swap meet held for people to clear out their closets and find new treasures. Occurring once every month since May, Score has been and continues to be different and original each time, including the venue, theme, and merchandise. Some themes in the past have been Vintage Score! and Halloween Score!, some settings have been water front parks and artist studios, and merchandise can be from old Blondie Records to brand new Adidas sneakers, but the one factor that doesn’t change is the concept. Score has a simple yet completely charming equation: good music + good food + good people + free stuff = an amazing time.

The notion of Score is so mouth watering that it seems too good to be true. When you arrive at the venue, which is in Brooklyn this year at a design center called 3rd Ward, you drop off everything you have supplied at the donations table and enter the grounds which are split into departments, Music, Apparel & Accessories, Art Supplies, House-wares, Books & Media, Random Gems / Miscellany. The vision before your eyes looks reminiscent of a yard sale or flea market, yet the beauty is, everything is absolutely, positively, no strings attached free! This reality has been a dream that has lingered in my mind numerous times before, but back then I didn’t know that a fantasy of free clothes could in fact come true!

While chatting with fellow swappers, enjoying complementary beverages and snacks from the bar, listening to music and wandering through the numerous sections, you can pick up as many things as your arms and Score! tote bags will allow. As the creators of Score! say, “It’s like shopping…but without paying.” I cannot imagine anything being left untaken, but at the end of the monthly swap meet, all of the remaining goods will be collected by Rock and Wrap it Up, an anti poverty organization that distributes donations to worthy non-profits throughout the city. Helping the city while scoring free stuff and having a fabulous time? I’m in.

P.s. The more the merrier! Don’t forget to RSVP for the next Score! event on November 21st at Scoredatscore.com.