Friends honor Yakovleff with scholarship

Friends of Daniel Yakovleff, the 20-year-old Roxbury hairstylist who was murdered in Dorchester in January, will hold a fundraiser June 30 to raise money for a scholarship program at Blaine, the cosmetology school where Yakovleff received his training. The event takes place at Liquid Hair Studios, the South End salon where Yakovleff worked before his murder. In return for a $20 dollar donation attendees will receive a haircut by a stylist from either Liquid or from Southie's Shag salon. Sister Sorel, one of Yakovleff's favorite haunts, which is located across the street from Liquid, will also host a reception that evening. Elle Jarvis, a South Ender and friend of Yakovleff's, said his friends hope the fundraiser will become an annual event.

"We didn't want to forget him and what he meant to us, so we started talking about what we can do to make it a yearly event and remember him," said Jarvis.

She said the stylists at Liquid and Shag are donating their services for the fundraiser, and all funds raised will go directly to the Daniel Yakovleff Scholarship Fund, which Blaine created in his memory. There is no entry fee for the Sister Sorel reception, but Jarvis said organizers hope that everyone attending will donate at least $20 regardless of whether or not they want to get a haircut. She said organizers will also be selling raffle tickets for prizes donated by South End stores and restaurants, and all money raised by the raffle will also go to the scholarship fund.

Yakovleff's murder remains unsolved. He was found stabbed to death in the Dorchester apartment of a man named Steven Odegard, but Boston Police Department spokeswoman Elaine Driscoll said there have not yet been any arrests in the case. She said the investigation is still ongoing.

Jarvis said Yakovleff's friends felt it was important to honor their friend by giving others the opportunity to enter the field he loved.

"It was a natural progression. Dan loved being a hair stylist and it was one of his passions, and he was really good at it," said Jarvis.

The fundraiser takes place at Liquid Hair Studios and Sister Sorel in the South End on June 30 from 6-9 p.m. Haircuts are $20, and there is a suggested donation of $20 for those who do not get a haircut. For more information e-mail [email protected].