At 18, Allie Fischer had settled herself into the “perfect adult” archetype. She was in school fulltime, employed, bought a car, and started building her credit, but she felt like something was missing. “I felt stagnate in my life," Fischer told Citizine. "I have always been a really creative person for as long as I can remember and at that time I felt lost.” Then, on a restless night two years ago, Boogiewoman was born. “As I started playing with ideas on the first Boogiewoman brainstorming sheet, which I saved and always revert to, I realized I want to create a community where everyone is accepted and a place where artists of all mediums can showcase their craft,” Fischer continued. Her idea came to life as the
Boogiewoman Festival, a female curated art and music showcase.
The name Boogiewoman comes from the 70’s movies Allie’s dad showed her while she was growing up. She loved the strength of Black women onscreen, like Foxy Brown, Coffy, and Cleopatra Jones; a woman that, in her words, is stylish while “kicking ass and taking names.” These are the kinds of women that embody the Divine Feminine that Boogiewoman celebrates. For Fischer, the Divine Feminine is “sacred, sensual, and often beyond the realm of day-to-day living. It is also the positive expression of the feminine side of us that exists in both men and women. We all, both men and women, have a masculine side and feminine side to us. The aspects within us that illuminate our nurturing, intuitive, fluid, flexible, receptive, and gentle modes of being.”
With the second iteration of the Boogiewoman festival recently in the books, the organization has seen tremendous growth since that restless night. “I am in awe of the beautiful individuals who have believed in my idea and have wholeheartedly worked alongside me to bring this all to fruition," Fischer says. "Our growth in attendees, vendors, and musicians has all come from word of mouth of direct communication with the artists who have been delighted to hop on the Boogie train.”
Throughout the process, Allie has been surrounded by those who continue to show her the meaning of feminine power. She credits her team—Tara Kooklanfar, Shaya Karpowich, Colin Gilliard, Margaret Seid, and Maya Quadros— as being the life force of Boogiewoman. “These individuals spark the best ideas within me and our event in general," Fischer adds. "Our goal is to spread a positive message through self and collective expression. We aim to always support and include local like-minded artists. Embodying this allows everything to fall into place." What's more, each team member works to curate Boogiewoman's line-up. "That way I believe they feel boundless and their own creativity can organically blossom which has made the content of our events authentic and moving," Fischer notes.
As a self-identified naturally-impatient-person, a piece of advice from Jeli Daniel, the founder of
Red Light Vinyl, resonated with Fischer: “Keep on keeping on, work hard, and love hard in the process,” Jeli said. Allie also credits her mother, Monique Ambrester, for teaching her the true meaning of feminine strength. “This year has been tough," Fischer said. "A lot of changes and a lot of growth, which can easily make you feel uncomfortable and make you want to retreat. My mother has been a guiding light throughout these times and has reminded me to stand my ground and to delve into that uncomfortability and from that true growth can emanate,” she continued.
Creating an intersectional space to support and celebrate women at such a tumultuous time in our country is a guiding tenant of Boogiewoman. “The lack of assurance in our future in regards to diplomacy and possibly resorting backward on equality, sexism, and racism has everyone feeling very tense," Fischer told Citizine. "It is extremely important to me to create an atmosphere that only perpetuates love and creativity. One of our primary goals with Boogiewoman has been to create a safe space where people can escape that negativity and feel free to be themselves.”
In addition to the event itself, Fischer began using Boogiewoman's proceeds to support various non-profits benefiting women in need—a connection that is very personal to her. At the brink of 20, Fischer was in a tumultuous relationship and became pregnant. “I felt really scared and alone and knew in my heart what I needed to do," Fischer began. "I would never want to bring an innocent life into this world without being mentally and financially prepared, though I commend the strength of the women who choose to do so.” Confused and afraid, she walked into Planned Parenthood and found a place that supported her with the tools and guidance to safely terminate her pregnancy free of charge. “I owe them everything and knew that with my creation of Boogiewoman I needed to give back in some way," she continued. "For their help in my life, and [for] women throughout this country—women who feel ashamed and helpless. I do everything I can to personally dissolve that stigma by being completely open to share my story and help any women in need when I can. Out of termination came a grand creation, it’s the cycle of life I like to think.” The proceeds this year were donated to The
Downtown Women’s Center, the only organization in Los Angeles solely focused on empowering women who are currently experiencing, or have formerly experienced, homelessness.
Boogiewoman has created a platform for women artists in LA to step into the spotlight, but they’re not close to being done. “The community has definitely grown, which I am extremely excited about and appreciative of all the women who have paved the way for us to be doing the work that we are doing," Fischer concluded. "Though we can’t falter or rest, the LA art community is still very male-dominated for the most part. We have a lot of work still left to be done and I’m fortunate to be a part of it, and work closer towards encompassing equality everyday.” Part of that work for Boogiewoman is expanding on all fronts. They’re looking to host more events across Los Angeles, open a creative office space, a record label, and eventually a record store to continue their mission of community, compassion, and creative freedom. While they’re hard at work, check out some of Allie’s favorite other local women-owned businesses to throw your support behind.
Allie Fischer: A traveling record swap meet featuring dozens of Invited record cpllectors and dealers from all over the USA and beyond, selling Blues, Funk, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Metal, Punk, Reggae, Rock, Soul, and World 12's and 45's on VINYL.
Principessa
Venice
AF: A female-created boutique that helped launch the style that defines the now world-famous Abbot Kinney culture. Principessa follows in the Venice tradition, outfitting the modern-day flower child in a sophisticated style that is comfortable, sexy, and timeless. Our girl is a treasure hunter, a risk taker, and a lover of luxury.
Mi Vida
Highland Park
AF: A female-created boutique started with the purpose of providing the surrounding community a shopping experience that compliments their lifestyle, incorporating cultural elements into fashion and functional art. Over these last years, they have dedicated our efforts to create a local and stable marketplace for the community and they continue to provide outlets for our local artists, young and old.
AF: Kim Herrera Cruz, founder of Coffee Situation, makes delicious cold-brew coffee that comes in three options; Rosewater Honey, Abuelita Chocolate, and She Basic! Being so small and new, Coffee Situation is just Kim: she brews, filters and flavors all on her own, with all the love in the world! You can catch her slangin' her brew at pop-ups and art shows all over LA. She also just started her local delivery service!
AF: LA-Native Adriana Arellano blended her knowledge of crystals and kitchen witchery to launch The Gangster Hippie. She aims to bring self-awareness, self-love, and spiritual growth through her work at The Gangster Hippie. All products featured in The Gangster Hippie are lovingly handmade and hand-selected based on their vibrational frequency by Adriana in her Los Angeles, California studio.
AF: Angie and Melissa are two cousins who co-created Budtanical Healing, a Holistic Cannabis-infused self-care product line, intended to bring healthy, plant-based enrichment into our lives. Offered at compassionate prices and made with so much love and only the very best ingredients Mother Nature has to offer!