PREVIOUS EVENTS

OUR UPCOMING EVENTS

     SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: ECOSOURCE REFILLERY

By: Mariah Ring

      Modesto native, Erin Sperry, started Ecosource Refillery in early 2023 to give the community an easy way to live more sustainably. Refilleries allow customers to bring their containers into the shop and refill them with products, giving them an option to avoid creating waste with single use plastics. Customers can use old soap and shampoo bottles, jars, tins, or even plastic baggies to bring their products home. Erin began her refillery as a mobile venture with a mission to educate others on how to live in a more environmentally friendly way and be an educational resource to those that feel too overwhelmed to begin refilling. Going to pop-ups and farmer’s markets were just the beginning for Ecosource as a brick-and-mortar location opened in July of the same year. When asked why she opened a refillery, Erin said “why not?” She stated that it was an important opportunity to educate others on being the best citizens they can be for their community and environment. 

     Ecosource Refillery’s store-front is bright, clean, and refreshing, packed with plastic free cleaning tools and sustainable products. All of the products carried are non-toxic and ethically sourced, many of which come from small businesses and those owned by women. Customers can find a variety of both household and personal products at the refillery. Household cleaners such as laundry detergent (one of the most popular products), window cleaner, toilet bombs, dish soap, and more are available alongside products like plastic free dish brushes and metal straws. The personal care section offers a variety of shampoos and conditioners in both liquid and solid form, face wash, sunscreen, bug spray, deodorant, and toothpaste tablets. Reusable cotton rounds, beeswax wraps, wooden soap dishes, and tote bags made of recycled materials are also available.

     With approximately 2,000 refills to date, Ecosource is fulfilling their mission to reduce, reuse, and refill. To learn more about products offered or about the refillery, check out Ecosource Refillery on Instagram, @ecosourcerefillery, or at their website below.

ORGANIZATION SPOTLIGHT: MODESTO ARTIST MOVEMENT

By: Mariah Ring

    Established in July of this year, Modesto Artists Movement (MAM), may just be Modesto’s fastest growing art non-profit. MAM has brought several established artists and groups together with the mission to “support the creation of great art and to cultivate the next generation of great artists through events, education, mentorship, and support.” Co-founders Sam Pierstorff and Ruhi Sheikh have been active and influential in the Modesto art scene for the past 20 years, hosting events such as The Ill List Poetry Slam and Modesto Porchfest. After spending so much time in Modesto, Sam and Ruhi decided to give back to the community that helped raise them and their children, providing Modesto artists with a space to flourish.

    Several local artists and creative groups have joined the Modesto Artists Movement on their journey to enrich the landscape of Modesto. Off The Air, Cameras y Cocktails, American Laughitti, Write Night, Beat Battle, and many more have come together under the MAM name to infuse Modesto with their various art forms. In addition to providing funding for these groups, MAM also issues six $250 grants every other month with the stipulation that the receiving artist be from Modesto or be creating art in Modesto. This is done with the intention of making Modesto the next great art hub in the country and to show that Modesto can offer just as much as any other “big” city. As Sam stated, elevating art in the community will in turn elevate Modesto and those that reside here.

    Future plans for MAM include creating a functional physical event space and becoming an even more significant contributor to Modesto Artists. Announced recently, Sam and Ruhi acquired a local institution, The Queen Bean Coffee House, with plans to make it the base of operations for Modesto Artists Movement. The widely recognized coffee shop will be completely renovated over the next year and will host a variety of community events and gatherings once completed. Additionally, Sam expressed that he would like MAM to become an influential sponsor of the arts in Modesto, to provide support for artists and patrons alike. He believes that art saves lives and that it can serve as a form of therapy for both the creator and viewer. 

    To learn more about Modesto Artists Movement and purchase tickets to their many upcoming events, visit them at their Instagram, @modestoartistsmovement, or at their website linked below!

CREATIVE NATIVE Q & A: DJ DIVINEXO

Q: What is your name and hometown? 

A: My name is Miranda Quintana and I go by DJ Divinexo. I was born in the Bay Area, Redwood City, CA. I moved out to Modesto around 6 years old and currently reside here. I’ve bounced back and forth from the Bay Area to the Central Valley!

Q: How were you first introduced to music as a form of expression? 

A: I’ve been blessed with my family who are all pretty musically talented. Specifically my Dad, he started DJing in the 80s, way before I came into this world. He introduced me to this art. He was always trying to get me started at a young age. I’ve loved music since I was a child. Everyone at school knew me for remembering every single lyric from popular songs, it was just something that came naturally to me. I just don’t think I really understood the love I had for music much as a child, I started appreciating it more as a teenager. I used to burn CDs for my friends in junior high/high school and I used to be the girl to upload all the music to my friends’ iPods! My dad saw that and how much I loved music. He asked me, “Why don’t you just start DJing?” I responded with the same response every time, “Yeah, no. Not happening. I don’t want to.” Haha little did I know… It wasn’t until 2018 he was getting rid of his old DJ controller and asked me if I wanted it before he sold it. I couldn’t pass up the offer. I practiced and learned from him as well as online sources. My dad really saw my talent, he would tell me I was good and to put myself out there. I had a lot of self doubt in the beginning of this career. But, my dad and his best friend would take me to local DJ gigs with them where I would then get recognized and complemented by the crowds there. The rest is pretty much history, not too long after I would then get hired for my own DJ gigs. So grateful to have grown up around music and been able to have taken on this legacy. 

Q: What is your favorite genre to mix with and why?

A: You know, I get asked this question a lot and it’s always so difficult to answer! I love all types of genres and I honestly can mix a few. My all time favorite probably has to be hip hop and R&B. I grew up listening to mainly those genres, as well as pop, house, techno, alternative rock, heavy metal, oldies, Spanish music, the list goes on! I really love to get creative and mix genres you would never think go well together. I love putting Spanish music on a hip hop beat, and people are really amazed at how I can blend different genres together. Haha, it also gives my crowd an idea of what I can play if they plan to hire me in the future. 

Q: Is creating music your full time career? If not, is that your goal? 

A: I want to say it is 80% my full time career and I’m planning on making it 100% full time. I have a few part time jobs that really give me flexibility to put more of my time into my music and DJing. I work as a receptionist at a salon, read tarot, edit a podcast, and my favorite one yet cover at a local, downtown record store from time to time! I also love volunteering when I can and enjoy sponsoring for non-profit organizations to give back and help my community. 

Q: Where do you find inspiration? Are there artists that inspire you? 

A: I really find inspiration in my dad as well as my favorite DJs (Softest Hard, J Espinoza, KSwizzz, DJ.Fresh, Von Kiss). My dad has taught me so much about becoming an independent DJ. He has literally taught me what equipment to use, how to handle difficult situations when DJing, the technical side of things. When I first started he would set up all my stuff and I would just plug in. This past year I had to start learning to do it on my own and I don’t think anything would be possible without him giving me all that insight. I also find inspiration in my friends who run their own businesses, they continuously give me the push to put myself out there with DJing. It’s really hard to put yourself out there and network, especially in the beginning when you don’t have much of a clientele. There are many artists that inspire me. I really enjoy listening to artists who talk about coming up from “rags to riches”, artists who speak on spirituality, those that incorporate poetry into their sounds, others that speak on manifestation/staying humble, and lastly the artists that speak on self love/discovery, growth, and moving forward no matter how hard times can get. Some artists that give me inspiration are 2Pac, J. Cole, NWA, Kendrick Lamar, The Pharcyde, Nipsey Hussle, Tems, Larry June, Dom Kennedy, Peso Pluma, The Jacka, Jhene Aiko, SZA, Kali Uchis, Ab-Soul, Too $hort, Cleo Sol, Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, just to name a few.

Q: Do you have advice for youth that are interested in pursuing a career in the arts/music but may be anxious to start?

A: If you have love for music or art do not be scared to show people your talent! It is hard, I cannot say this career is all butterflies and rainbows. But, once you just believe in yourself and tune out the outside world you become that influence for others that you at one time needed. Never stop learning. Have your support group that helps you through anxious times, I wouldn’t be where I was at without mine. Also remember to show up for YOU. The support you look for in others, put that into yourself. Whatever you feel you’re lacking from others, give that to yourself. Remember that your art is also your therapy and whenever you feel down about yourself, anxious or even lost, put it into your art whatever that is. That’s usually how the best art is made. Take your mental health breaks and give yourself time to pick your feet back up. Just remember to never give up. In those times you feel like giving up, think back to why you started and never lose sight of your vision. Be proud and always celebrate your achievements, even the small ones. I think one thing that keeps me going is looking back and seeing how far I’ve come in this career. The sky is the limit and anything is possible.  

Q: What do you believe is the most prominent or most recurring theme in your music? What does this theme mean to you? 

A:The most recurring theme in my music is my emotions. Instead of suppressing them I embrace them and express them through my music and that’s when I start creating my art.

Q:  Where can people go to listen to your music or see where you are playing?

A: I have a few socials where I upload my mixes and content. My main two streaming services where you can listen to my mixes are Soundcloud and Mixcloud. I also have my instagram where I upload on my story/feed the public events I DJ at. If you’re wanting to check me out on any of those platforms my username is djdivinexo!

Q: Do you have any community events or collaborations coming up that you would like to promote? 

A: My next two public events as of now are the Women of Lowriding car show on October 6th in Merced CA. I’ll also be DJing at Broken Records for Small Business Saturday on November 30th in Downtown Modesto! Stop by if you’re interested in checking me out! My schedule is always changing and there are always new events popping up for me. You can follow me on instagram to keep updated on those events. For inquiries, you can message me on instagram, @djdivinexo or email me quintanamirandaa@gmail.com!

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS