Q Sacramento Magazine May 2014 feat. Mahlae

M a y S p r i n g

on the cover

The Bay Area’s

Golden Queen is Taking Over

Sacramento FASHION sacramento fashion week Duane Ram Sactown’s

DID GRINDR KILL GAY DATING?

& MORE!

community • culture • lifestyle • fashion music • art • film • events • people

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Q 4

Q

welcome

sac m a g a z i n e

Q Sacramento Magazine [Editor

Luis Barrera

in Chief]

& [creative

Director]

Lemuel haynes [Style

Advisor]

Luis Barrera Photography [Photography]

we are Currently accepting resumes and cover letters for the following positions: Event Photographers freelance Writers stylist assistant editors for more information www.qsacramento.com

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on the cover

Mahlae Balenciaga

You might know her from her gigs in San Francisco or if you’re a true fan you might remember her from her beginnings at the original Club 21 in Sacramento. Her stage name is Mahlae Balenciaga, but like a true diva she’s simply known as Mahlae. (read more) .......................Pg 10

...a word

from the editor

contact q e-mail theluisbarrera@gmail.com write 2320 X Street Sacramento Ca 95818 www.qsacramento.com

Published & Created by

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P u b l i s h i n g

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Q Sacramento Magazine is a trademark of Luis Barrera Studios.

Luis Barrera

Can you feel it? Summer is near by and that means it’s getting ready to start our Pride celebrations all around!

And what best way to kick off our Pre-Pride celebrations than with a feature on one of the most notable Queens in the area. Mahlae Balenciaga. We had an amazing five hours with Mahlae in her playground of San Francisco during our photo shoots with her, and all I can say is she’s a trooper! We shot in several locations including The Cafe and in Ocean Beach where we had a beach front shoot.

In what seemed 25 degree weather Mahlae didn’t miss a beat. She was on cue and ready for the next shot time after time. Which really shows the kind of performer she is, always ready, always putting up a heck of a show!

I hope you enjoy this edition and have a fantastic month ahead. editor in chief

DRESS UP WINE DOWN

ON CAP

MAY SECOND SATURDAY Wine Tasting at 6:00 p.m., Fashion Show at 6:30 p.m. on Capital Avenue Participating boutiques and salons Local fashion. Local wine.

Free event. Donations to benefit:

BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

WILKINSON

HAIR STUDIO

Boutique

B

www.thehandledistrict.com

Q 6

Music

Available now

xavier Toscano feels so good

Bay Area recording artist Xavier Toscano’s sophomore album, “Feels So Good” was released earlier this month and it’s his best showcase yet. This release is a collection of personal experiences made into songs” says Toscano. It features 11 tracks with incorporating a sound not heard on of his previous album. A music video for the first single, “Never Wanna Leave”, will be released just in time for Toscano’s busy Pride presentations across the nation. Including a recently booked presentation at Sacramento’s Capital Pride this June.

LEARN MORE at www.XavierToscano.com

Lus Barrera

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THIS

SUMMER

Q

MR

THE SEARCH IS ON. LEARN + WWW.QSACRAMENTO.COM/MR

Q 10

On the cover

by Luis barrera

You might know her from her gigs in San Francisco or if you’re a true fan you might remember her from her beginnings at the original Club 21 in Sacramento. Her stage name is Mahlae Balenciaga, but like a true diva she’s simply known as Mahlae. Her career began over ten years ago when she entered a drag competition at Club 21. Mahlae recalls having to sneak into the club as she was still under the aged. “Up until that point I would just dress up for Halloween” said Mahlae. She admitted to always wanting to be a performer and that doing drag seemed like a natural fit. “I attended a performing arts school and learned everything from acting to dancing. This was all made possible by a supportive family” added Mahlae. It

was this foundation that made way for “Mahlae”, the performer. “My whole family is great, they come to my shows, they love it as much as I do” said Mahlae.

The road to become one of Northern California’s most notable drag queen wasn’t always easy. “I’ve done it all. I even performed in someone’s living room. It was a paid gig and my sound system was a boom box” laughs Mahlae. She confesses to never turning down work and as a natural born performer, never misses an opportunity to entertain. Before becoming a full time entertainer, She worked at a call center and admits that she would still be there if she didn’t take the chance to follow her dream. continues on page 12

on the cover

Lus Barrera

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styling by Denim Spot + kushinda little

Q 12

on the cover

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on the cover ‘’I love what I do. I love everything about it. I love meeting people and traveling. There is nothing else I’d rather do”

Q 14

on the cover

...continued

mahlae

by Luis barrera

Her typical day starts at 5:00am with a boot camp workout. Afterwards, she starts organizing and planing for whatever evening show she might have that night. During a normal week, Mahlae has 4 to 5 appearances spanning from San Francisco to San Jose to Sacramento. This does not include all of the additional bookings and requests she picks up along the way. ‘’I love what I do. I love everything about it. I love meeting people and traveling. There is nothing else I’d rather do” says Mahlae. She also admits that being recognized out of drag “Is 1 of the best feelings in the world”. However, she admits that with all the traveling and current success as Mahlae, dating is difficult and that she is currently single. Adding that it is all about time management and when the right person comes along she will definitely make time for them.

Nightclub performing and hosting is not the only thing she is known for. Most recently she starred in Clueless at world famous Castro Theater. She’s also starred in several youtube videos and even danced for The Sacramento Kings. Currently, Mahlae is the host of #TurntUp Thursday’s at Badlands Sacramento twice a month. The other two Thursdays are hosted by the notable Taryn ThruU. Mahlae is also the starring host for

the JC Event’s DRAG and L!VE parties hosted across California featuring some of the hottest stars from Rupaul’s Drag Race. She enjoys performing in Sacramento because, as she states “it’s my home town and I have a lot of friends and family here”. Mahlae describes her style as baby doll sweet sixteen adding that “It’s very high school musical, I love the 60’s and 70’s and 80’s and it reflects in the shows I do.”

Mahlae’s advice for up and coming drags is to take your self seriously, adding that “You need to look your best at all times. We live in such a high technology age and you just never know who’s watching/recording your performance.

Anything you say and or do can easily go viral.” Mahlae hopes that she continues to succeed and that one day she will be a household name. “Who know’s where I’ll be tomorrow! In ten years I hope to be doing shows in Los Angeles, and in twenty years in New York City and in ten more in Paris!” said Mahlae. Until then, Mahlae is helping inspire many young performers across Northern California and along the way keeping us entertained and laughing out loud with her fun, energetic and colorful performances and that is nothing short of amazing.

on the cover

Lus Barrera

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Q 16

LIFE

Has Grindr Killed the Date?

by Winnie Stackz

Its 10:00pm and none of your booty calls are available. What to do what to do? It's hit the point when you start thinking about that Grindr app. Social Hook Up sites, i.e JACKD, GRINDR, and SCRUFF have totally changed the dating game. These apps have swapped the worthy relationship for the "0.2 mile away Fuck". Dating is almost extinct in the gay community and has been swapped out with every male looking for that quick nut instead of that long lasting guy. The relationships that do come from a a hook up site usually crumble right away.

Is there solution or is this our new reality?

These "Happy endings" sites have truly transformed the gay community to be all about that hot ass to grab and fat cock to touch. Did the first televised gay wedding(Sex in City 2) not teach us anything? Although the bed game is important, dating and getting to know one another establishes a true connection. Love takes time. What's your favorite movie? Hip Hop or Disco? Positive or Negative? Give or Receive? How many men have you been with? Well, maybe not that last question, but you get the gist. Dating is the prime opportunity to get to know the details required to succeed. For those that believe this can be achieved on Scruff, please see below.

Some relationships have spawned from

hook-up site connections, but aren't designed to last, specially when both individuals still have the "app" on their front screen. Too many of us experience that great nut and think it's a start of something beautiful only to be disappointed a week later. Is the info on your profile 100% truthful? If so, you're the rare breed. Most aren't completely truthful. So how can you achieve a successful relationship that has a foundation on lies and sex? It's extremely difficult. Yes, it's hard sorting through the bad apples as you look for the right person, but don't complicate using 1 of the apps as an source. Remember what Momma always said, "Nothing worth having comes easy".

So when are we, as a community, going to zip up our pants(ughh never, but atleast try) and think with the head on our shoulders and heart instead of the one below? Is Grindr or one of the other sites to blame for the loss of dating and courting? NO! It falls on YOU. So, if you are one of those guys that continues to complain about never finding a good man, check your phone/ tablet. If you have more then one hookup app on there, therein lies the problem.

Stop looking for the quick nut and get out there and mingle. Mr Right could be next to you, but your head is down looking for 0.1 mile nut.

Q 18

Fashion

The Man Behind Sacramento Fashion Week Duane Ram

How did Sacramento Fashion Week Come about?

Sacramento Fashion Week (SACFW) started as a mixer. It was just a way to connect with local designers, photographers and models. This was organized and produced by photographer Grace Ballesteros. I came on board as a model and also worked as her assistant. The event turned out to be a huge success. We quickly found out that there was a community of local talent that needed a platform to express themselves. However producing a full week was a challenge. We started small with one show and added a day every year.

What do you envision for it for the future?

Even though we just had out 8th year, SACFW is still a pretty small production compared to New York Fashion Week (NYFW). We can never be NYFW, but I will do my best to produce a presentation that showcases the talent well.

Have any Models/Designers successfully used SACFW as a launching pad into a fashion career?

There have been a few individuals that have been apart of our productions.

Richard Hallmarq was one of our original designers in one of our first showcases. Recording artist Andy Allo who recently toured with Prince was one of our models. Andrey Ivanov went on to have a successful modeling career. I wouldn’t say we are directly responsible for their success. It’s really in the hands of each person to take advantage of the opportunities given them. Their careers are really in their own hands.

As far as attendees or featured guests, which non Sacramento based person excited you the most to see at SACFW?

by Lemuel Haynes

Last year we were fortunate to have Naima Mora from America’s Next Top Model (ANTM) be our spokesmodel for the events. I was pretty excited about that because I watched her season on ANTM and was a fan, but I kept my cool…

I think lol.

Outside of SACFW, tell us about some of your other projects.

Even though SACFW happens once a year it takes almost of full year to plan.

However producing isn’t the only thing I do. Outside of the production I model for Safeway and Royal Robbins. I’m currently featured on their websites. Also may be back as a stand-in for the second season of the HBO TV series Looking. It just depends on when they begin shooting because SACFW is my priority.

Most people may be unaware of this, but the profits from SACFW go to support nonprofit organizations. Who was this year’s recipient and have you determined next year’s?

What people don’t understand is the production is put on by volunteers.

However there are production expense that need to be paid. These expenses are covered through sponsorships and ticket sales. Whatever profits are made are then given to the nonprofit which we select early in the year. This year it was the Junior League of Sacramento. We haven’t made a decision yet for 2015.

You obviously get to see a lot of handsome models. How many have you slayed?

LOL. Ohh that is a dangerous path my friend. In the beginning it was easier to have that type of fun and there were a few casualty’s, but now that I’m in charge it’s not something I can flirt with. Let me put it this way. I like to play with my toys at home not at work.

Courtesy Photo Photographer Tim Engle Makeup Artist Eddie Clark

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Luis BarreraŠ 2014 All Rights Reserved

On Sunday May 4th Mango’s Nightclub hosted it’s first 18+ LGBT Night called “Lollipop Nights.” Under the direction of Everado Robles Lollipop offered it’s patrons a night full of colorful fun. Performances included with the participation of Sacramento’s drag group The Diamonds as well as Savannah Leon Licore. This weekly club will be hosted at Mango’s Nightclub every Sunday of the week. Mangos is located at 1930 K Street, in Sacramento.

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Voted best beer bar, best German and best hot dogs by the readers of Sacramento Magazine