This is the start in an occasional series of interviews with Fresno's coolest people.

Music, poetry, writing, public affairs, arts and crafts -- Devoya Mayo keeps herself busy. She's this hybrid of a socialite, a creative soul, a cultural connoisseur and an entrepreneur.

She plays music as Ms. Soulflower, talks Fresno on her weekly KFCF radio show "Move on Up" and started Hella Crafty, a local crafts collective. She throws parties, started the "Ahh Yeah Poetry Jam" and even has a playwright credit on her résumé.

Tonight, she's throwing a party called CAKES at Palomino's, 805 E. Olive Ave., with herself and DJs 4 a.m. and Heinz. It starts at 9:30 p.m. Cover is $5.

We chatted about that, her other ventures, her coolness, her favorite things about Fresno and what she thinks Fresno needs ...

Question: First, give us the scoop on your event tonight.
Answer: I usually host one party each year. It just so happens that the first such happening of 2008 lands a few days before my birthday. I needed help with design and promotion, so I got two of my boys involved, Steve and Vance, who also happen to be Aries. There you have it, CAKES: A celebration of Aries.

Second, are you the coolest person in Fresno?
I’m sure that’s entirely up to who you ask, but I do have my moments.

How do you find the time for all these great things you do?
It's not easy trying to do everything you love and still maintain, but it's all worth it in the end. I haven't been bored since I was about 12 years old, and I intend on keeping it that way.

What is it about Fresno that makes you want to get involved in the community?
Honestly, it’s more about things not being available than anything else. I don’t believe in only being satisfied with what’s available, I require more than that. So if I have the nerve to want more, I better be ready to work for it, right?

Is there another passion inside you that you're still waiting to pursue?
There’s plenty. At the moment, the most pressing ones include putting together a chapbook and writing another play.

As a DJ, what do you look for in a song?
I like the roots of most musical forms. If it has a solid foundation (story, cadence, soul) I’m hooked.

With "Move On Up," is there a larger goal you're pushing toward?
Originally I wanted to address an issue one week and then try to focus on connecting that issue with local networks, organizations, etc. It proved to be very taxing, but I still do think it’s a necessary part of dialoguing with community folks. We gotta offer solutions whenever possible.

What motivated you to start Hella Crafty?
I was forever making all these little crafty things for my friends, and they had mad talent too, so I thought it would be a good idea for us all to create together and try and get other crafty people in the mix along the way.

What's your favorite thing about Fresno?
That's easy -- the people. Family, friends, the lady who waves at you on the freeway overpass, all of them and more.

You have a free Saturday night, where in Fresno do you hang out?
It depends on my mood. If I want to be all up in the mix and still enjoy a good drink I’m usually at Veni Vidi Vici. If I’m tryin' to be low-key it’s more likely that I’m at Zapp’s or The Landmark.

You have friends coming from out of town, where do you take them?
If I have friends coming in from out of town it’s a safe bet they came for some event I’m hosting, so I take them to that.

What's one place in Fresno you think everyone should go at least once?
I still love Kearney Park. The drive alone is worth the journey.

What does Fresno need most?
To understand the necessity of having a hip breakfast spot. I’m sorry y’all, but I want some good music, wide open space and a newsstand out front with fresh flowers and publications from all over the world. I don’t want it to only be open during the week either. That’s a just a waste of time. If someone does this, I promise to promote it like it was my own. You won’t regret it!