Art fit for the runway: The Locals Mix hosts its second annual fashion show | Observer Local News

A night at the Museum of Arts and Sciences brought the sounds of music by Sammy Rose as eventgoers sipped wine  or savored a root beer float while they waited for the Living Colors Fashion Show to start on Thursday, Dec. 5.

This was the second annual event of its kind organized by The Locals Mix founder Danna Alencar, otherwise known as DJ Jukebox Bully. The fashion show was designed to showcase local artists and act as a fundraiser to support the art community.

The fashion show is Alencar’s brainchild, but she said any event involving The Locals Mix is a collaborative effort. Vicki Foley, owner of Vicki Foley Talent and Model Agency, and her daughter Meagan Foley ran the fashion show with the assistance of makeup artist Cori Newhook and hair stylists Shayne Emerson, Anneisa Andrews and Alyssa Andrews. Monarch Parties and Events provided the decor. Volunteers Nathalia Smith, Lauren LaBrie, Alexandra Walker and Ciara Ocasio were on-hand to insure that the event flowed smoothly.

“I strongly support our talented, creative community of artists, musicians and fashionistas,” Vicki Foley said. “This was a beautiful mix and partnership which I encourage others to get involved in. We have to support our local artists. It’s just that simple. A community of art is a community full of culture.”

DJ Darion Bonnet emceed the show while Alencar provided the music as the models walked the museum’s train station platform-turned-runway. A.J. Allen and his team snapped the models’ and attendees’ photos.

I really want to take over the world. I want The Locals Mix to be everywhere as a creative safe space. No matter where you are, no matter what passion you have, I want you have a space where you can explore that passion and meet people that are also passionate…” — DANNA ALENCAR, founder of The Locals Mix, DJ Jukebox Bully

“You can’t do anything alone,” Alencar said. “Everything that we’ve done is getting all these different artists together. Vicki and Meagan Foley helped put this on with the models volunteering. So many people had their hands in making everything a success.”

Alencar said all of their events feature local original musicians and artists, live painting, entrepreneurs and artisan vendors. This fashion show featured the Flare dancers and models who wore looks from seven different local artists: Vanessa Sternbenz — Sterbenz Style, Angel Lowden, Claudio LaGamba—ill Creature Vintage, Kendi Sullinger — 1411 Designs, Natasha Azari, Lisa Gale and Perego’s Art Army.

“A creative is anyone with a passion,” she said. “It’s not enough to have talent. You have to be good at your marketing and accounting and everything else so anything we can do to support that creativity in people, that’s what we’re all about.”

In 2020, Alencar started The Locals Mix to continue to support the creative community during COVID when entertainment events were shutdown. MOAS was the first venue where they could have people attend events during the pandemic. The museum has been a sponsor of the nonprofit organization ever since.

“In 2020, it started our relationship with the museum,” she said. “They have been amazing sponsors because we are nonprofit — we cannot afford it. They are amazing to help us out and let us use this space so we can keep creativity going.”

Friends Karen Kershaw, Catharine “Cat” Hoehn and Desiree Vilanova decided to make it a night out. Kershaw said they were having a conversation about Perego receiving the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award this year when she saw the fashion show information. They wore white in preparation for Perego’s live show where they would each take the stage to be painted by the artist and his assistant.

“We are fans of Perego so we are very familiar with his work in the community,” Kershaw said. “When I saw this come up at the MOAS, I asked my friends if they would like to come out to play. We went out to dinner first and made a whole event of it. We were really excited for the fashion show which I had never seen and The Locals Mix which I was not familiar with and most especially for Perego and his art.”

The Locals Mix offers artists a platform to perform original music every Tuesday on open mic night at the World’s Most Famous Brewery. There is also an annual, multiple night Music & Arts Expo that culminates in a grand finale award show in December. A significant aspect of their repertoire is the free educational seminars that are open to the community.

“I really want to take over the world,” Alencar said. “I want The Locals Mix to be everywhere as a creative safe space. No matter where you are, no matter what passion you have, I want you have a space where you can explore that passion and meet people that are also passionate. It’s not easy to pursue what you love. Even if it’s just having a place to meet a friend that’s also struggling. That’s what it’s all about — supporting creatives any way we can.”