DIG MAG Summer 2023

TABLE OF CONTENTS

20 23 26

Safe Spaces Alliance: The Story of a Sticker

BY REYN OU

Ellie Perez, Angela Valley and their Safe Spaces Alliance are behind this sticker indicating the acceptance and celebration of the queer community in Long Beach. There’s so much more underneath the rainbowstriped surface.

Kevin Karaoke

BY VANESSA PAGE

A Long Beach nightlife hidden-gem, Kevin Karaoke (a.k.a. Kevin Cable), hosts karaoke nights all around Southern California. Cable offers a vulnerable insight as to how he became this sequin blazer-wearing karaoke host-with-themost.

Comeback Alert: 1970s Fashion

BY NATASHA OLSON

This summer, Y2K is out. The 1970s are in. Check out which vintage pieces you should be styling this summer.

Check out cover model Tayna Lopez and learn about 70’s fashion on pg. 26!

DIG MAG is the insider’s guide to Long Beach for the CSULB community, inspiring readers to immerse themselves in the Long Beach lifestyle through in-the-know stories about the latest in food, arts, entertainment and culture; in-depth features about people and trends on the campus and in the city; poetry, fiction and literary journalism written by students; and beautiful photography and design. Published by the Department of Journalism and Public Relations at CSULB, it is produced entirely by students.

Assistant Social Media Editor Sabrina Gobaton

Assistant Social Media Editor Becky Tran

Faculty Advisor Robin Jones

Faculty Advisor Jennifer Newton

Editor-In-Chief

Vittina Ibanez

Senior Editor Olivia Peay

Graphic Designer Phillip Nguyen

Graphic Designer Kim Vo

Art Director Natalie Barr

Assistant Online Editor Emily Cain

Online Editor Laila Freeman

Photo Editor Emily Chen

Assistant Online Editor Vanessa Page

Multimedia Editor Reyn Ou

Video Editor Justin Castillo

Podcast Editor Rachel Livinal

Social Media Editor Hanna Pierini

Features Editor Winston Tran

H.A.G.S./ THE REVEL ISSUE

DEAR READER,

This is my last issue. And I am grieving.

When this year ends, I will have been with DIG for two and a half years, and that time I have spent with this team will have made my college career more fulfilling and illuminating than I could have ever imagined or asked for.

I’m so beyond grateful for the opportunities DIG has presented me and for all the friends I’ve made while discovering the thing I want to spend my life doing. What a gift. And what a beautiful introduction to journalism I was so lucky to stumble upon. Who knew it would land me here.

Whether this was your first semester on campus or your last, there’s no doubt you worked hard and pushed through all your shit. We’ve accomplished so much, and now it’s time to celebrate!

This issue is a manifestation of celebration. It represents fun and nostalgia as well as each member of this lovely team I have come to call my friends.

To the returning DIG team: I am so excited to see what you have to offer our beloved publication. And to those graduating with me: I can’t wait to see what you have to offer our world. I will be cherishing every last second I have with you and with this summer vacation —(if you aren’t returning to school) our last summer vacation.

I want to revel in it. I want you to revel in it. I hope this issue inspires your summer to remember.

With a heavy, but delighted, heart overflowing–I present to you DIG Summer 2023: H.A.G.S.!

Have a great summer!

When I first toured the CSULB campus as a highschooler in 2018 I found myself awe-struck when I came across the yellow newsstand displaying a magazine cover with a photo of a bra lit on fire titled “Dig Magazine”. I excitedly grabbed a copy and still have it to this day. Fast forward a few years later and here I am, finalizing my last issue after two years as part of the DIG team, serving as the Art Director and Graphic Designer where I was given the opporunity to create those same striking designs that caught my eye years ago.

Throughout my last two years I’ve taken on the challenge of breaking out of the traditional grid and experimenting with bold design elements to bring our content to life.

Having the opportunity to make my visions come to life has been incredibly rewarding.

I got so lucky to be able to work with an amazing team of editors, designers, photographers and models.

Vittina and I were a match made in heaven when it comes to style, as we share a love of bold and colorful design.

This is my favorite issue yet, and I’m so proud of the work we’ve all created!

If you’re reading this, whether this is the first DIG magazine you’ve seen or your 15th, thank you for all of the support, year after year, issue after issue. It has been an honor serving as your Art Director, and I can’t wait to see where DIG goes from here.

Thank you all and H.A.G.S!

(Have a Great Summer,)

-Vittina Ibanez

-Natalie Barr

THREE COMBAT GYMS IN LONG BEACH

STORY AND PHOTOS BY CHARLIE MINH NGUYEN

Getting fit for the summer heat does not have to just mean pushing weights or running miles. If you’re looking for a new way to strengthen the mind and body, you might want to consider a combat sport or martial arts. Here are three combat sports gyms in Long Beach and how they uniquely motivate people to be stronger.

Two of Guv’nors more experienced boxers spar in the classically red, white, and blue ring

GUV’NORS BOXING CLUB

Guv’nors Boxing Club occupies the second floor above a convenience store off of Cherry Avenue and Anaheim Street, but don’t be discouraged by the unique location. The woman and POC-owned Guv’nors is an aesthetically traditional boxing gym with a full-size ring and a separate room largely dedicated to weightlifting equipment.

According to Elizabeth Parr, owner and head trainer, her gym is for “anyone who wants to workout hard: for kids who want to compete, young adults with busy schedules, parents or retirees looking to stay in shape and be part of a boxing gym.”

Parr also has a contract with the city that allows her to create an adaptive program for special needs individuals in the community.

“ACCORDING TO ELIZABETH PARR, OWNER AND HEAD TRAINER, HER GYM IS FOR “ANYONE WHO WANTS TO WORKOUT HARD: FOR KIDS WHO

WANT TO COMPETE, YOUNG ADULTS WITH BUSY SCHEDULES, PARENTS, OR RETIREES LOOKING TO STAY IN SHAPE AND BE PART OF A BOXING GYM.”

HARDWORX FITNESS

This gym on Fourth Street is the second gym opened by Raul Inaya. Unlike Guv’nors, Hardworx trains many different disciplines: kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, boxing, wrestling and even some HIIT workout sessions. According to Inaya, their primary goal is to “try to help as many people get into shape through boxing and kickboxing, as well as traditional fitness.”

Because many of the coaches at Hardworx have notable experience in contemporary professional mixed martial arts, like current professional fighter Eugene Correa and former Bellator Light Heavyweight World Champion Emanuel Newton, training

at the gym is not easy. But, according to Inaya, nothing is impossible in his gym.

“I have a member that just fought in Las Vegas last weekend,” Inaya said. “He’s 73 years old and he’s a cancer survivor, so it’s pretty cool.”

“I HAVE A MEMBER THAT JUST FOUGHT IN LAS VEGAS LAST WEEKEND. HE’S 73 YEARS OLD AND HE’S A CANCER SURVIVOR, SO IT’S PRETTY COOL.”

Established in 2008 on Seventh Street across from Wilson High School, Fight Solutions HQ is the closest of the three to Cal State Long Beach. It is owned by former affiliate of Chute Boxe Academy, Gerson Schilipacke. He is a Brazilian practitioner of muay thai, which is a fighting style similar to kickboxing that also utilizes shins, knees, elbows and an MMA trainer.

He believes in the power of martial arts as a method to improve your mental and physical health. On the gym’s website, Schilipacke shared: “Due to the fast-paced nature of the sport, you can’t trouble yourself with worry while training.

FIGHT SOLUTIONS HQ

You’ll get hit in the face or mess up the drill you’re working on. Practicing a martial art allows you to focus on yourself and nothing else.”

While still wanting to produce competitive fighters, Schilipacke’s mission is actually largely driven by altruistic goals for the community.

“Here in the gym, you can see the pro fighter, the amateur fighter, the regular day-to-day person that wants to get in shape and learn self defense, they all have the same training, they’re always sparring safely together,” he said. “Different goals, but all under one guidance, it’s a respectful, helpful, and family environment.”

TOP LEFT: Eugene Correa doing some oneon-one Brazilian Jiu Jitsu work.

BOTTOM LEFT: A Hardworx member prepares to work on the heavy bag.

TOP RIGHT: Two of Fight Solutions’ more experienced members demonstrate the next exercise to the rest of the room.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Gerson critiques and corrects two of his members’ technique.

FIVE MUST-HAVES

STORY BY GEORGIE SMITH

PHOTOS BY GEORGIE SMITH & VITTINA IBANEZ

Festival season is quickly approaching, and with live music events like Coachella, Outside Lands and Electric Daisy Carnival all taking place this summer, many look forward to their upcoming weekends of excitement and entertainment. Remaining comfortable during those moments is essential, so from one festival-goer to another, here are five things to help make sure your time under the neon lights is the best it can be.

convenient because they hold plenty of fluids and allow you to keep your hands free as you roam around each festival. They also double as a backpack to carry other necessities, such as your ID, money, chapstick, hand sanitizer, sunscreen and gum. Some popular brands of hydration packs are Lunchbox Packs, SoJourner Bags and CamelBak.

1.

2. PORTABLE CHARGER

Since festivals typically last all day, there’s a good chance your phone will run out of battery, especially if you and your friends intend to take pictures and record your experience.

Whether it’s to freely capture memories or find your friends and call for a ride home, nobody wants a dead phone. To avoid this, make sure that you remember to bring a portable charger when heading out to your next festival.

Try looking at your local department store to find a charger that fits your needs. Many options are available, including chargers with Bluetooth and

Want to elevate your next festival fit?

Consider styling a pair of sunglasses. The accessory is available everywhere in many shapes, colors and styles. Not only do sunglasses make a great fashion statement, but they also protect your eyes from the sun and the flashing lights throughout the night.

Regular tinted lenses are perfect, but if you want to take your visual experience to the next level, check out a pair of diffraction glasses. They’re commonly used by festival attendees because they enhance and alter the lights being reflected off the stage.

5. EARPLUGS

Need something to keep you warm while walking from stage to stage, or perhaps some shade while moving around in the sun on a hot day? What about a blanket to sit on while waiting for the next set, or a mask to cover your face from the dust caused by everyone dancing? Well, the pashmina has you covered. Literally.

A pashmina is another item you cannot live without when you attend a music festival. Pashmina scarves and shawls are available in various patterns, are super soft and are proven to be quite versatile due to their unique texture and durability.

Even better, you can often find yourself a pashmina at your local thrift

If you expose yourself to noise above 70 decibels for a prolonged period, you risk damaging your hearing, according to the CDC. Music festivals can be loud, so invest in your ears by buying a pair of decentquality earplugs and wearing them throughout your day at the festival. “My favorite brand of ear plugs are Loop Earplugs,” said Alexis Caesar, a second-year communications student and festivalgoer. “I got them for like $30 on Amazon, and I know that to some, spending that much on ear plugs might seem silly, but I would rather protect my hearing now instead of losing it later on.”

3.

2.

BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE WITH LITTLE SON

We caught up with Michael Agurto, a DJ, producer and talent booker from the Bay Area who now lives and works in Long Beach.

STORY & PHOTOS BY OLIVIA PEAY

How did you get started in music?

I used to be enrolled in the Antioch Music Academy in my hometown, so that’s where I first started when I was like 7 years old. I used to play guitar. I got my DJ beginnings in Chico, where I used to throw hip-hop/punk fusion shows at Ike’s Sandwich Shop with my first band [Orphan], and I’d be the DJ for all these upcoming rappers. I bought my own DJ board and equipment and just went for it. I moved to Long Beach two years ago, and I’ve been doing my thing here ever since. Now I’m in a band [The Stettes] and do booking for music venues. And I DJ, of course.

Do you have a favorite musical genre or one genre you love to curate?

I love disco. I love house. I love funk. I DJ a lot of stuff, but I really like disco, house and funk. Especially African, Brazilian and French disco. Anything and everything from around the world, really… My music taste is all over the place. There’s not one genre I’d put myself into for performing.

What’s the inspiration behind your stage name?

Long story short, there was this upperclassman when I was in middle school — he was in 9th grade and I was in 6th — and he would always refer to me as his son. It was just an inside joke. I’d be like, “Oh, hi Dad!” It all happened when I was little. I mean, I’m little now, but I was really little back then. So I was his little son. I didn’t choose the name, the name chose me.

“I LOVE THE CONCEPT OF COMMUNITY. LONG BEACH HAS HELPED ME GROW AS A PERSON AND AS AN ARTIST.”

“SUMMER IS MY FAVORITE SEASON. I’M EXCITED TO GO OUT, NOT ONLY TO DJ BUT TO BE THERE FOR MY HOMIE’S DJ SETS.”

How has music shaped you as an individual?

I love music. I feel like that’s an understatement. It’s always been a safe space for me. When I was a kid I had a hard time connecting with people, but everytime the topic of music came up, oh my God, I wouldn’t shut up. Music really helped me open up to people. It was that bridge that connected me to others I wanted to talk to.

What do you enjoy about the concept of music?

I enjoy music a lot more with people. You know, people speak different languages, but I feel like music is something that we all connect and speak with. You can go to any part of the world, and you might not speak the same language [as those living there], but you can always listen to something together. You can feel it together.

What was your favorite performance?

Last summer, my friend Vanessa booked me to perform her event called Be Here Long Beach where she showcased Long Beach artists and musicians. I really loved it because I love the concept of community. Long Beach has helped me grow as a person and as an artist, so being part of a showcase of artists like me was very cool because it brought me closer to something that made me a better performer.

DJ’s essentially create the atmosphere of the space they inhibit — in that sense, you’re like the life of the party. How does that make you feel?

It’s an amazing feeling. When I play a song and people are just like, screaming. That’s the best feeling in the world. Or when people are dancing, even if it’s just one person, I’ll literally work the whole room around them. If they’re getting down, I know I’m doing something right. They’re like the seed and I’ll try to water that seed and bring the vibe up.

Has any song changed your life?

There’s this song called “Tumba La Casa” by Sancocho. It’s like Latin and house music mixed together. I’ve always loved house music and I’ve always loved Latin music; it changed my life because I never really found a bridge between the two genres. I was like, “Oh. So it is possible to mix these two [genres] together and make it sound really good.” I like the song so much that one of the DJ events I curate is called “Tumba La Casa”, which roughly translates to “bring down the house” in English, or “rumble the house.”

Are you looking forward to anything this upcoming summer?

Oh, yes. Summer is my favorite season. I’m excited to go out, not only to DJ but to be there for my homie’s DJ sets. When I’m not DJing, the first thing I do is pull up to my friends’ sets because I love live music. It’s where I spend all my money and time. This summer I’m also curating an art market called Indie Market, which will be on Fourth Street. I’m going to hire all these artists and musicians, so I’m very excited to work on that. It’s going to be a good time, lots of family fun.

What’s your song of the summer?

A.E.I.O.U. by Di Melo, a Brazilian singer, and Cotonete, a French producer. Both of them came together to make this song and it’s just all the vibes. This is like my secret weapon when I DJ. When I really want to just do it, I perform this song. It’s one of my favorite feel good happy songs — I’ll be playing it all summer long.

“LONG BEACH HAS HELPED ME GROW AS A PERSON AND AS AN ARTIST.”

WHAT ARE YOU HITTING TONIGHT? HAPPY HOUR QUIZ!

BY VITTINA IBANEZ

Picture it: you and the gang are stepping out tonight, but you don’t know where to go. If you plan on heading to Long Beach, you’re in luck. The city is packed with so many places to go for a great night out. Follow this flow chart quiz to find the perfect happy hour drink to get the night started. Or hit all three, but remember: It’s a marathon, not a race. Cheers to the weekend, and stay safe (yes, you should call an Uber)!

START HERE

Which is the most iconic?

The Gap Elbee The Shark Not Walking At Graduation

The Nugget is my favorite spot to eat on campus.

I’m not much of a dancer. I prefer to chill and talk.

YES NO

I love to study on the fifth floor of the library.

I want to be friends with the campus squirrel.

Bad Bunny and Rihanna take up a majority of my Spotify on repeat.

YES NO

I saw Robert Pattinson had a CSULB hat, so I bought a CSULB hat.

YES NO

I like a fruity drink.

SURA

Soju Cocktails $5

Sura Korean BBQ and Tofu House has happy hour daily from 3 to 7 p.m. Along with great $5 soju cocktails, they also serve $10 pitchers for the table and $3 beers. The environment is great for a lively dinner with friends. A great spot for a more chill night on the town, they offer delicious food and lots of vegan choices.

I actually want to remember tonight.

DOGZ

Premiums + Shoot the Dog! $6

The infamous sports bar and grill has happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. Get your night started with a $6 premium cocktail, but for a night you’ll never forget, try and “shoot the dog.” A mix of 100-proof vodka, mustard, bloody mary mix and a vodkasoaked mini hotdog, the $18 shot gets you a free trucker hat. But beware: CSULB senior Jared Provost says, “I’ve shot the dog once. One of the worst-tasting things I’ve ever had.”

I prefer the Coffee Bean over the Caffeine Lab.

YES NO

MEZCALER0

Pepino Grandes $7

Grab a bite at Padre, then head to the second floor: Mezcalero. They offer great music, a live DJ, disco lights and delicious drinks. Get up and groove with a Mezcalero signature like the Pepino Grande, a margarita with a refreshing cucumber twist, or any other cocktails for $5 off from 5 to 7 p.m. Kick off the night strong with drinks and dancing before hopping off or staying the night. They’re open until 2 in the morning!

The Master of Public Administration program (MPA), offered by CSULB’s Graduate Center for Public Policy and Administration, allows students to either enroll as full-time Master’s students or as working professionals earning their Master’s degree on a part-time basis without interrupting their careers.

Graduates of the program will be equipped with the theory, practice, and skills necessary to succeed in leadership and management roles in public service and community-based nonprofit organizations.

Contact: chhs-ppa@csulb.edu

A graduate degree program designed to promote public service excellence.

The Master of Public Administration Distance Learning (DLMPA) program allows working professionals to earn their Master’s degree in a short period of time without interrupting their career. This innovative learning opportunity features web-based, real-time, interactive sessions with students and faculty.

OWNERS!

H.A.G.S. (Have a Great Summer!)

SAFE SPACES ALLIANCE

THE STORY OF A STICKER

STORY BY REYN OU

“You are welcome here.” The phrase can be found proudly displayed on the windows of Long Beach eateries, salons, plant stores and classrooms that aim to accept queer patrons with open arms. What may appear as a coincidental coordination of decorative inclusivity is actually the twoyear-long deliberate effort of the Safe Spaces Alliance, co-founded by Ellie Perez and Angela Valley.

Perez is known to many as a special needs educator working for LAUSD, but much like the stickers she dedicates her time to distributing, there is a great deal of depth and intention underneath the surface: her passions, evident in every glass window displaying the famed sticker in Long Beach, were ignited by the infamous burning of the Pride lifeguard tower back in March 2021.

“When I saw that happening, it was alarming to me,” Perez said. “And I didn’t understand like, how could that be happening in the city that professes to be LGBTQ+ inclusive?”

Determined to reclaim a proactive culture of hospitality and safety in Long Beach, Perez sought to develop a campaign that encouraged the explicit advocacy of the queer community. Thus, the rainbow that was once lost in the lifeguard tower was reborn in the form of a postcard-sized vinyl sticker.

“This is a really strong message that we can send,” Perez said. “And it would also give the allies an opportunity to step up for our community because there’s one thing for us as LGBTQ+ folks to raise our fists and shout and demand our rights. But when somebody else who’s not part of the community steps in and says, ‘Hey, not on my watch,’ it sends a whole different message.”

The project was sponsored by Visit Gay Long Beach—the nonprofit organization where Perez and Valley serve as the executive director and multimedia producer, respectively. With the support of the Long Beach LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce and LGBTQ+ Center of Long Beach, the two quickly mobilized and created a video campaign featuring queerowned Long Beach businesses and their support of the Safe Spaces Alliance. The project was then taken to the Long Beach City Council,

where it was approved unanimously as an initiative.

Though the Safe Spaces Alliance manages to get by with city grants and donations, Perez attributes most of the project’s success to Michelle Windhausen, the founder of Visit Gay Long Beach.

“Without her, there would be no Visit Gay Long Beach,” Perez said. “Without her, we couldn’t do what we do with the Safe Spaces Alliance.”

What the Safe Spaces Alliance does is more than just creating a network of rainbow decals in Long Beach—at the heart of the formation of the alliance was the desire to protect. When Perez’s son came out to her as transmasculine when he was 17 years old, she brought him to a therapist to assist with his transition—unfortunately for the two of them, the therapist ended up continually questioning the legitimacy of her son’s identity, causing him great distress as a result. Combined with the arson of the Pride

lifeguard tower, this encounter compelled Perez to curate spaces that explicitly promised support for members of the queer community.

The sticker, designed by Valley, may seem relatively simple, but the decisions that influenced it were anything but. With so much at stake, Perez wanted to ensure that the subject of the sticker’s message was unambiguous, all-inclusive and undeniable: “You.”

“Because ‘you’ means no guesswork,” Perez said.

The choice of background for the glass decal reflects this—Perez selected the Progress flag over the rainbow flag for its inclusion of all members of the queer community, including those who are transgender, Black and Indigenous, or impacted by AIDS and HIV. No one would be left behind, including the creator of

the flag itself. Wanting to honor the creative integrity of the Progress flag’s invention, Perez personally contacted the designer, Daniel Quasar, to ask xem for permission to use xyr design.

Though the sticker’s conception went through several stages, the application for the sticker itself is quite straightforward: simply register to be a part of the alliance through the organization’s website, and Perez personally mails the sticker, along with a package of informational material that includes a guide of best practices from the LGBTQ Center of Long Beach, a guide to being a transgender and nonbinary ally from the Trevor Project, and a transgender rights toolkit on providing equal access to public restrooms.

Despite the stickers’ prismatic popularity, Perez doesn’t give them

away, nor does she sell them. It is her conviction that doing either compromises the integrity and purpose of the Safe Spaces Alliance’s mission to curate an accessible place for Long Beach’s queer visitors. There is no criteria or fee to fulfill to receive the sticker—only an earnest desire to commit to queer advocacy.

“This project isn’t about making money,” Perez said. “It really is about making our community feel safe.”

In just two years, the sticker’s presence has expanded across the globe and is now currently displayed in over 600 businesses, classrooms and establishments that all took the pledge to be a welcoming space for the queer community.

“We have Canada, Jamaica, the UK, Finland,” Perez said. “We also have a lot of business owners in different states that have signed up

“THIS PROJECT ISN’T ABOUT MAKING MONEY. IT REALLY IS ABOUT MAKING OUR COMMUNITY FEEL SAFE.”

for it as well, like Florida. I mean, you will be surprised as I am when I get the emails of the signups.”

The campaign hasn’t gone without some opposition—businesses that pledge to be a part of the alliance have reported instances of the stickers being ripped off their storefront windows. But Perez simply sends more copies of the sticker, including an updated version that is displayed in between glass panels, where they can’t be removed.

“I think as queer people, we have to stay at it,” Perez said. “I have nothing but time.”

The tenacity of both Perez and the sticker is a fierce assertion of the alliance’s necessity—this unconditional commitment to advocacy not only declares any queer person’s right to be in the community but also their right to

be in any space as well. Cisgender heterosexual people often take for granted the ordained safety and security that comes with being socially normalized while queer individuals are often forced to choose between their identity and their safety to receive the basic services it takes to survive.

Perez has plans for the Safe Spaces Alliance to become a worldwide organization, with multiple leaders operating the campaign. But ultimately, she wishes that there will come a point where such an effort is no longer necessary, where relief and safety do not come in the form of a sticker.

“How much longer are we going to have to fight for equity and respect of life in general?” Perez asked. “Until no one asks me for one. That’s how long I plan to do this.”

SAFE SPACES TO GO TO THIS SUMMER:

SALON BENDERS

Beauty and wellness salon 957 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90802 salonbenders.com

HAMBURGER MARY’S Gay/Drag bar

330 Pine Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802

hamburgermarys.com/ longbeach/

ART DU VIN

Natural wine bar 2027 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90814 artduvinwinebar.com

VINE Bar/live music 2142 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90814 4thstreetvine.com

WIDE EYES OPEN PALMS

Coffee shop/cafe 416 Cherry Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802 wideeyesopenpalms.com

GOOD TIME

Coffee shop/cafe

1322 Coronado Avenue Long Beach, CA 90804 goodtime.cafe

THE 4TH HORSEMAN

Apocalyptic pizza shop 121 W 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90802 the4thhorsemanlbc.com

KEVIN KARAOKE

On a typical Wednesday, Kevin Karaoke, clad in a blue sequin blazer and his shoulder length curls, hold center stage of a crowded bar. With his electric guitar and saxophone on standby, new and returning participants wait up to two hours for their time to shine alongside this host.

“Kevin is like that Billy Joel song ‘Piano Man,’” said James Scalzi, the owner of The Harbor in Long Beach. “When people ask, ‘Why are you here?’ he responded with, ‘I am the piano man.’”

Despite being known professionally as Kevin Karaoke, Kevin Cable was a teenager from Colorado that followed his early dreams of breaking into the music industry.

At an early age, Cable was introduced to ‘80s music and fashion by MTV, and it has been his passion ever since. Cable distinctly remembers his mother disapproving of his inspired outfit he put on one day in junior high.

STORY & PHOTOS BY VANESSA PAGE

“‘Kevin, you’re not a rock star,’” Cable recalled his mother saying. “‘Just be more normal.’”

After graduating from high school in 1984, Cable attempted to form bands with a few friends, but ultimately he decided to move to L.A. with one of them to make it big. Instead, they moved to Orange County in 1986.

“I’m so proud we did, because Orange County is great; it’s a good mix for me,” said Cable. “I think I would be a different person if I lived in L.A.”

Drifting from one dissolved band to another, Cable was introduced to hosting karaoke by a bandmate who believed he would be good at it. Initially, Cable brushed off the invitation.

“I said, ‘Oh, I don’t even sing. I’m strictly a guitar player. I just write songs. Other people sing my music,’” Cable recalled.

It took one karaoke gig to hook Cable on the fun and encouraging environment surrounding these musical events.

“I realized it was great for a musician, because I didn’t have to wait for the rest of the band to show up,” said Cable. “Now, I can just play whenever I want, and have fun and entertain people and put a spotlight on them and encourage them.”

Since starting out as a karaoke host around 1999, Cable has accumulated a closet full of show outfits, an extensive song selection and a reputation for being the best. Beside winning the retired Karaoke Scene Magazine host of the year award three times (2007, 2009 and 2013) in Orange

County, Cable continues giving 100% of himself to every event he hosts.

Producing an event that he would want to attend himself and creating the spotlight solo experience Americans want to emulate, such as Elvis or Madonna, is something Cable aims to achieve. He specifically incorporates instruments, lights and an entertainer flair into his performances. “I’m kind of on the same journey,” said Cable. “I want a band, but I can’t get a band now. But I got this.”

Over the two years of the pandemic, Cable hosted around two karaoke Zoom events a week to make ends meet. When he was not orchestrating shows, Cable learned to play the saxophone and enjoyed time with his girlfriend and cat. The

pandemic enforced how important it was for Cable to have balance and take opportunities that benefitted him beyond monetary needs.

Now among other establishments in L.A. and Orange Counties, Cable has hosted karaoke at The Harbor in Long Beach for two years.

Scalzi has been in the restaurant business for 29 years in 17 states and has never seen anyone host karaoke better than Cable.

“He’s the star,” said Scalzi. “Elton John, ACDC, Kenny G. and Drake—-he hits all aspects of all people.”

In addition to a stellar performance, Cable strives to encourage anyone brave enough to participate in karaoke. Scalzi explained that his 11-year-old son had gotten stuck in the middle of a song and started to cry, but Cable sang with him through the rest of the song. The following week, Scalzi’s son went up and sang an entire song with confidence.

“He can affect anyone with his energy,” said Scalzi. “He can make an 11-year-old or 46-year-old feel confident.”

While Cable lives his ‘80s dream through karaoke costumes of ‘80s icons and music, he encourages everyone to take the mic and to not take themselves too seriously.

“Getting up there, you don’t have to be the best,” said Cable. “You just give it a try. And the more honest you are and the more vulnerable you are, the more people will respond to it.”

Cable’s life is full of karaoke. He even proposed to his ex-wife at a show with a custom karaoke screen. Cable’s closet holds his wild, velvety, silky, shiny show clothes and iconic costumes—-like David Bowie’s outfit from “Labyrinth.” When Cable is wearing a fancy jacket, his cat Minx insists on having one straight from the closet as well. Cable lays out a blazer for Minx to lay and purr on before he leaves to host.

Music remains at the heart of Cable’s passion and driving force, and over 20 years later, he is still doing just that through Kevin Karaoke.

“I have fun with it,” said Cable. “And to get out that silly and fun for people, that’s really what I love to do. I’m sorry, Mom. I am a rockstar.”

Kevin Karaoke takes the mic and sings to the crowd.

Kevin Karaoke playing saxophone. Courtesy of Kevin Cable.

COMEBACK ALERT: 1970 s FASHION

Pictured from left to right: Tanya Lopez, Olivia Pfost, Ryley Ronnow

STORY BY NATASHA OLSON

PHOTOS BY EMILY CHEN

Vintage fashion has become a staple in the modern wardrobe. With social media like TikTok facilitating an endless array of niche fashion interests, it’s only logical that looks from decades past will make their way into our closets again.

Of course, there’s no question that the Y2K look – low-rise bottoms, chunky shoes, tiny purses – has dominated the fashion conversation of the 2020s thus far. Pieces from the early 2000s have been sought after in vintage stores like it’s going out of style - and perhaps it is.

THE EVERGREEN FLARE PANT

It seems like every decade has its take on flares. From the 1960s wide-leg trousers and 1990s bootcut jeans to 1970s iconic bell bottoms, this style has appeared in popular culture for over 50 years.

According to the European Fashion Heritage Association, the look did not originate from prestigious design studios but from the practical ideas of Navy sailors in the early 19th century. They created the flared leg look out of function: they were easy to roll up and easy to grab onto when somebody fell overboard.

“A lot of the ‘70s styles were copying the 1940s. Long collars on blouses and even bellbottom jeans were influenced by the ‘40s,” said D, an employee at Replay Vintage on Fourth Street in Long Beach.

Tanya Lopez, a graduate of CSULB’s fashion design program, has plenty of flares in her wardrobe. “I would say the staple are the pants. The flare pant — that definitely stays. And the high-waisted stuff.”

The consistency of flares in fashion points to fashion’s cyclical nature.

“Flares are like current fashion. A lot of Y2K styles are just kind of modern revisions of ‘70s aesthetics. Especially the flares; things like that are kind of all callbacks,” said Ryley Ronnow, a fashion student and manager of Crossroads, a popular consignment store for modern and vintage clothes.

Kathleen Schaaf, owner of Meow Vintage on Retro Row in Long Beach, echoes the sentiment. “In true vintage, it’s hard to find a good ‘70s piece now. A good pair of well worn-in jeans with some zipper and lace-up action. I mean, people love that stuff.”

If you have anything flared in your closet, it’s best to hang on to it. Flares are versatile enough on their own to fit your personal style — from the discos of the 1970s to the internetage of the 2000s.

But now, all signs are pointing to the 1970s as summer 2023’s decade of choice.

Shows like Amazon Prime’s “Daisy Jones & The Six” are putting this groovy decade back into the zeitgeist, with the stars sporting crochet tops, flare pants and plenty of denim. Whether you want to look like someone who just walked out of the 1970s, or combine staple ‘70s pieces with more modern apparel, this fun summer trend has something for everybody.

FEEL LIKE A ROCK STAR WITH THE ‘SHAG’ HAIRCUT

Created in the early ‘70s by barber Paul McGregor for Jane Fonda, this shaggy style became the ‘it’ haircut of the decade. Worn primarily by rockers and celebrities, the cut creates the perfect messy hairstyle for any gender.

The shag, not to be confused with its cousin the mullet, is characterized by choppy layers and thick curtain bangs, usually achieved with a razor. After its debut in the 1970s, the cut was popularized again in the 1990s in a softer way by stars like Jennifer Aniston and in the 2020s in the form of the ‘wolf’ cut.

“I have the ‘wolf’ cut. I mean, that haircut is a modern-day type of Farrah Fawcett ‘70s type of haircut,” Lopez said.

A cut that has never never gone out of style for rock and rollers, the shag will forever be synonymous with edgy glam.

Olivia Pfost (LEFT) and Tayna Lopez (RIGHT showing off their 70’s styles)

PUT ON YOUR BOOGIE SHOES

There’s no better way to get your groove on this summer than in a pair of platform shoes, courtesy of the 1970s.

“I’m in the market for platforms. That’s something that always catches my attention,” Lopez said. “Anything platform, like platform boots, has been coming in and out [of fashion] forever.”

Shoes with platforms have been around since the Middle Ages — albeit in a different form than today. According to The Independent UK, upperclass women of the 14th century fastened leather straps around wooden platforms to protect their precious feet from the muddy

ground — and the higher the shoe, the more “noble” the wearer.

More modernized platforms were worn in the 1930s by movie stars like Judy Garland and Carmen Miranda, but not until the 1970s did the tried-and-true platform shoe emerge.

“I love platform shoes,” CSULB student Olivia Pfost said. “In the ‘50s, women wore kitten heels. So in the ‘70s, when platform shoes were coming in, it was empowering for women.”

Disco brought platform shoes to the height of their popularity in the ‘70s. Let’s face it — it’s more comfortable to dance the night away in platforms than stilettos.

VENTURE INTO VINTAGE

For students and young people, the rise of ‘70s fashion correlates with the rise of vintage as a whole. Students say thrifting, second-hand shopping and vintage-wear are sometimes the preferred choice over fast fashion and designer options.

“I like that thrifting is a thing. I feel like it’s accessible clothing and has affordable options for people. And it’s a way out of fast fashion,” said CSULB student Laura Lopez. “I do feel like the trend right now is to go back to old styles. I see a lot more ‘70s and ‘80s stuff with color in [thrift stores].”

CSULB Student Anahi Ordaz frequents thrift shops in search of more goth-style clothes, but can’t ignore what else is in store. “I feel like I have found a lot more vintage ‘70s and ‘60s stuff with color and patterns.”

“Androgyny was a very big thing in the ‘70s. Like, men wore women’s clothes, women wore men’s clothes, and it wasn’t weird at all,” said Olivia Pfost on why ‘70s fashion resonates with her. “And I feel like that’s something that’s true now. Because people are exploring what gender means and fashion especially can help express this.”

According to Ryley Ronnow, as opposed to a trend which is usually two to five years, and a fad which

usually lasts six to twelve months, “a style that’s consistently relevant for 20 years or longer is considered to be a classic. Parts of ‘70s style at this point would be considered classic because they’re just as relevant as they were when they were first being produced.”

Exploring vintage and retro fashion is a great way to find pieces that suit your style regardless of current trends.

“Yeah, [the 1970s] are definitely on the upswing again; it’s not the first time we’ve seen a revival of the ‘70s. It’s just kind of starting now for people that maybe have never experimented,” said Kathleen Schaaf. “There’s always people that have dressed in that certain way. Because they know it gets their body. But I think a lot of younger people haven’t gone there. Because before, there was the whole Boho thing, and we’re doing it again. They did it in the 2000s, and in the ‘90s there was a revival of the ‘70s, so, it all comes back.”

Tanya Lopez concurs that going back in fashion is a way to express originality. “The kids like to take a little peek into the past and find what’s cute and what’s not. It’s fun to see people go back to eras like that for fashion. It’s good to get the best parts of the decade. It just goes to show you how impactful art and fashion can be. It’s artistic, it’s expressive… it’s a good way to find a little bit of light when there’s so much clouding your mind. Fashion and art are the best way to express that.”

Lucky for us, there are plenty of places in Long Beach to find these 1970s staple styles. Retro Row on Fourth Street offers the perfect array of vintage stores to further your personal summer-style journey.

“ANDROGYNY WAS A VERY BIG THING IN THE ‘70S. LIKE, MEN WORE WOMEN’S CLOTHES, WOMEN WORE MEN’S CLOTHES, AND IT WASN’T WEIRD AT ALL.”