Kicking off Blockchain Week in New York City at the Knockdown Center on May 11–12, Ethereal NY launched into its second year on a much grander scale than previous iterations, drawing a robust crowd eager to learn and engage as the Ethereum ecosystem continues to build momentum. The emergent culture of Ethereal Summit focuses on issues of inclusivity, philosophy, and the sociopolitical impact of blockchain as much as technology or finance, and that is reflected in the vibrant atmosphere and diverse audience.

Almost every nook and cranny of the cavernous Knockdown Center was filled with some new adventure, from the neon-hued Art Block to the Zen Zone, and projects ranging from music distribution (UJO) to blockchain accounting (Balanc3) and transmedia universes (Cellarius) showcased developments with interactive installations, while organizations like Token Foundry and the Enterprise Ethereum Alliance updated the audience on the latest in tokenomics and regulation.

Whether it was chomping on fresh caught sushi tracked all the way from Fiji with blockchain tech with Viant, playing prisoner’s dilemma challenges in the casino, soaking in a gong-drenched sound bath, or watching the Daily Show’s Ronnie Chieng’s roasting of Joe Lubin and the blockchain space in general, NY felt more like a festival than your usual stuffy technology conference.

Check out some of the sights from over the weekend…