In a completely sold out event on Saturday, beauty salon Honey Aura Studios brought the club life back to McCabes, an event space located in Downtown DeKalb notorious for its large events during the ‘80s and ‘90s. 

Crowds lined up and down the streets of the outside of McCabes as the inside was completely transformed into a Y2K themed market, complete with vendors and a dance floor to add the finishing touches that made it feel as if you took a step back in time to the year 2001.

Behind the beats, bling and vendor eats 

Founder of Honey Aura Studios Caitlin Welch was at the center of organizing this event. Honey Aura Studios was a waxing business turned full-service beauty studio located in Cortland. 

As the founder of this studio, Welch explained how the inspiration to start doing events like these came about after noticing that third spaces weren’t very common for DeKalb residents, and especially not ones meant for dancing the night away. 

“I actually never planned on doing events until I did a market for my grand opening at Honey Aura Studio, and I wanted to get other businesses involved, because I think it’s important to showcase other people and get them out there. And also I love markets and stuff,” Welch said.

Welch coordinated the event and booked vendors and scheduled live DJs. Welch found many of the event’s vendors from her clientele list at Honey Aura. The local business owners offered to work at the event.

Food at this event was provided by smaller businesses in the area, such as the bar from El Jimador that served mocktails and cocktails that kept flowing throughout the night. 

Smokey barbecue served by Lalo’s Q and egg rolls provided by Shahzars Flavarz, tacos and other Mexican cuisine by Pariente Mix, sweet treats like the churros by BlissfulBitesBar and cakes from BakedByBaddies were all available for attendees throughout the night. 

Welch wanted to put an emphasis on local business around the DeKalb area, creating a space for creatives to showcase their work. 

“I want to have fun, so I brought them to my grand opening, and it was such a hit that I was like, maybe I should do this more, because I have such a following, and I know I have people. Let me just make it as big as I can,” Welch said. “It’s for the community and it’s for people. And really this is like, beyond just me and Honey Aura. I wanted people to be able to, like, showcase their artwork and like their skills.”  The event ran from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., and by the time the doors opened, the event was packed. That momentum didn’t slow throughout the night as the venue remained full with attendees scattered across the event space, hitting the dance floor and vendor booths alike.

The live music for the night was provided by DJ Hannah Heavin and DJ Edsel. Their booth was where the night’s energy was born. 

Both Edsel and Heavin mixed together some of the most iconic songs to come out of the decade such as “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers, Fergie’s hit song “Glamorous” and even the “Cupid Shuffle” by Cupid amongst other Hot 100 chart-toppers of the 2000s.

When venturing deeper into McCabes, attendees would find a space dedicated to a wide range of vendors offering products and services such as custom jewelry, artwork, fragrances, clothing and accessories created by local sponsors.

Handcrafted botanical jewelry by Oak Jewelry, tarot readings by Annie Hex, custom apparel by VirgoVault, body fragrance and candles by H.L Fragrance, as well as physical art by studios like the customized press-on nails by MemeDoesThings and crocheted stuffed animals and artist prints at booths ran by HanniesTrollmasterTattoos, KittensofIndustry, PiercedByMichelle and CassiesPiercings on behalf of the DeKalb Tattoo Company, were all featured vendors at this event.

“People want to have fun, and I really wanted to do this so people can dance. I feel like we don’t have places to just dance like no one’s watching,” Welch said. “I just want people to feel free and to love their neighbor, no matter what gender, race or sexuality you are. I just want everybody to feel loved, and I feel like we need that.”

Although it was Welch who organized the event alone, vendors, attendees and all others who showed out and made the event feel just as intentional and personal to the community it served.

“I love getting the word out there, and letting people know we’re here and this is for everybody. Like, especially the world we live in right now is a hard place. I want people to know, let’s have fun. Let’s eat some good food, we have mocktails and cocktails,” Welch said.

As the night wrapped up, it was clear that what started as a single organizer’s vision had totally transformed into a full blown, immersive experience that highlighted local business, and also brought the DeKalb residents from all walks of life together.

Welch’s event showed how one person can fill a space, and keep it full all night.

For information on Honey Aura Studios, or any events that will be hosted by them in the future, visit their Instagram for more.