White Center Now: The blog about White Center

If there’s a little one in your family, this giveaway might be of interest – White Center Pride is giving away “spring buckets” at Dubsea Coffee this Saturday!

Dubsea Coffee is on 8th SW in Greenbridge, just a block south of SW Roxbury. To RSVP, go here.

Heads-up to expect more bicyclists on White Center streets today (Sunday, April 13) – Cascade Bicycle Club‘s annual Ride for Major Taylor starts on the White Center Bicycle Playground 7 am-8:30 am and will take hundreds of riders on one of two courses – either circumnavigating the West Seattle/White Center peninsula, mostly via waterfront streets (with an Alki rest stop), or (updated) a White Center/Tacoma/Vashon/West Seattle route. You can see the route maps (26 miles or 62 miles) by going here. If you’re not registered, unfortunately, it’s too late – no same-day signups, according to Cascade, which explains that the ride honors “the legacy of Marshall ‘Major’ Taylor, the Black World Cycling Champion … as a fundraiser for Cascade Bicycle Club’s education and advocacy programs, including funding for snacks at after-school Major Taylor Project Clubs as well as support for Major Taylor Project students’ participation in the Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic.” P.S. The Bicycle Playground is where the ride ends, too.

(Also published on partner site West Seattle Blog)

(WCN/WSB photos by Dave Gershgorn)

Saturday’s most vivid event: The White Center Roper Romp, a chance to put on wig, shades, caftan, and sandals before channeling the spirit of TV’s classically sassy Helen Roper. Photographer Dave Gershgorn surveyed the scene for us. Above, Bradi “Helen” Jones rocked the hatch seating outside Tim’s Tavern, before she and other Helens gathered for their fabulous photo-op:

Tim’s was also hosting the White Center Vintage Sale on Saturday, and what crowd could better appreciate the concept?

David “Helen” Mazza was among those browsing the wares (and wearables):

Tim’s was also a venue for this weekend’s Tikipalooza, so some aloha-wear was co-mingled with the caftans. Everyone had their own slightly different twist on being Helen-esque – note Ingrid “Helen” Falid‘s outerwear:

The Helens crawled White Center’s bar scene, including a stop at Beer Star across from Tim’s:

Though Helen Roper’s been gone from TV for more than 40 years, clearly she’ll never be forgotten!

Saturday is the next huge day of events in White Center – including this:

The event is on Saturday, March 29, 2025, from Noon to 6 PM for a FREE event featuring over 30 vendors offering a curated selection of antiques, collectibles, and vintage treasures of all kinds.

Event Details:
Date: Saturday, March 29, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Locations:
Main event is at Tim’s Tavern (9655 16th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106) with vintage vendors and DJ Vodka Twist Dance Party at Noon! Roper Romp meet-up starting at 3pm! Caftan Crawl and shopping extravaganza!
The Lumberyard (9630 16th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106) Muu-Muu’s and Mai-Tai’s and Old VVitch is our hostess!
Cher Baby Vintage Clothing (9616 16th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106)
The Mystic Sons Lodge (9440 17th Ave. SW, White Center, Seattle, WA)
Cartwheel Vintage ( 9422 Delridge Wy SW, Seattle, WA 98106)

This vibrant marketplace will also feature pop-up vintage shops and specialty vendors, giving shoppers a unique opportunity to discover hidden gems while supporting local businesses. Whether you’re searching for rare antiques, timeless fashion, vintage home décor, or quirky collectibles, you’re bound to find something special!

Make a Day of It!
White Center is home to some of Seattle’s best eateries, bars, and cafés—so come for the shopping and stay for the food! Enjoy a meal at one of the many delicious local restaurants while soaking in the lively atmosphere of this one-day vintage extravaganza.

Why You Should Attend:
✔ FREE Admission – No tickets required!✔ 30+ Vendors – A massive selection of unique vintage goods✔ Multiple Venues – A walkable shopping experience across White Center✔ Support Local Businesses – Shop small and discover incredible finds

Third Thursdays always bring something lively to the heart of White Center. This month, on Thursday, February 20: The Rat City Bar Walk.

The Lariat Bar crew shares these highlights:

Join us and our neighbors for Rat City Bar Walk here in beautiful White Center. We’re running tag team specials with 2 Fingers Social throughout the event and our bar is featuring our Spam Musubi Eating contest with Patrick’s Cafe and Bakery starting at 6 pm. Our friends and neighboring businesses will also be participating. Tim’s Tavern has Jesse James and the Mob at 8 pm and Southgate Roller Rink and Boombox are running Karaoke starting 9 pm – Christopher Mychael with be here at Lariat for CM Funk Karaoke also starting at 9 pm. There is something for everyone!

Happening both days this weekend at Future Primitive in White Center (9832 14th SW):

Sauna & Sounds @ Future Primitive Brewing
When: February 15 & 16
=
We are kicking off National Sauna Week in proper form with our first-ever Sauna & Sounds event at Future Primitive Brewing in White Center! Join us for an unforgettable evening of soothing sauna sessions and soul-stirring live music by West Seattle’s own PatRiff. Tickets give you access to our woodfired sauna, cold plunges, lockers, and towel service. Book an entry window and arrive anytime during that hour. Live music will be from 3-7 pm both days.

As always, if you cold plunge for 60 seconds, we will buy you a drink.

The first 20 people who book will get a free hooded robe rental.

Tickets are $45

Where:

Future Primitive
White Center

Link to book: https://pnwmobilespa.com/events-6

2:58 PM: It’s Thursday, October 17 – go celebrate Hallo-month at tonight’s Rat City Art Walk, 5-8 pm. Participating locations are listed here.

6:43 PM: Thanks to Susan for sending this photo. We believe it’s from Nepantla in South Delridge:

Shop and play at Burger Planet (9614 14th SW) starting at 3 pm today (Saturday, August 24):

Burger Planet adds, “Free entry into the Tournament with purchase of a burger. We’ll have a DJ and local artists selling their wares from 3-7. Nintendo Switches will be available for folks to play from 3-5 and the Tournament will start at 5p. The top player wins a sweet package of prizes, including a Burger Planet gift certificate and a mystery Nintendo Switch game!”

Thanks to Gill Loring for the photos from today’s big fiesta at Holy Family – billed as a Gran Kermes Fiesta Mexicana. (Kermes is a type of culture-celebration festival that churches often present as fundraisers.) Lots of live music, and even equestrian performers:

Vendors, including food.

And plenty of opportunities for kids to play:

Gill reports it was well-attended, with hundreds of people there when he visited.

Summer weekend shopping time! Organizers asked us to share the plan for the monthly Rat City Bazaar, “showcasing a rotating group of local vendors offering everything from handmade jewelry and banana bread to vintage clothes and records.” Next RCB is this Saturday, July 27, 3-7 pm at Burger Planet (9614 14th SW). Bazaars will happen every fourth Saturday; if you are interested in becoming a vendor, email RatCityBazaar@gmail.com.

From its beginnings on a stub of 17th north of the city-limit line, the White Center Low Rider Block Party has grown in a big way this year, moving to the unincorporated North Highline side of the line and spreading across multiple blocks of 17th between Roxbury and 100th.

You’ll also find art/vendor booths, two DJ stages (with live music 5-8 pm), community groups, and a food court, but the cars are the stars:

Some with accessories:

If you remember the Jubilee Days car show, same streetspace:

A few motorcycles and bicycles too!

The Low Rider Block Party, presented by Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery (9414 Delridge Way SW), is on until 8 pm.

(WCN/WSB photo, August 2023)

Since its inception, the Low Rider Block Party presented every summer since 2021 by Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery has been near the gallery in South Delridge, and it’s been in August. This year, it’s moving to White Center proper, and moving up to July. A reader just tipped us that the block party is this Saturday, July 20, 11 am-8 pm, on 17th SW between SW Roxbury and SW 100th. The cars are just part of it! Art, music, food, more.

16th SW from Roxbury to 100th and SW 98th from 17th to 15th are closed to traffic right now for the Taste of White Center, benefiting the White Center Food Bank. Until 3 pm, you can visit any of the WCFB’s ticket-sales booths along 16th SW and buy $5 tickets good at participating venues for specific “tastes” – while they last!

It’s an all-out street fair, even a DJ, plus bouncy toys on 16th near 100th. Lots of places to sit and enjoy your “tastes.”

More than 30 restaurants, bars, and food stands are participating this year.

Ready for the next Pride Month street party? This one will take over part of SW 98th on Friday afternoon – here’s the announcement we received:

The White Center Community Development Association (WCCDA) will be throwing their annual Pride event titled Loud N Proud on June 21st, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM PST.

“Pride With a Purpose” is the driving motto for our event as we prepare to provide a free event for our community. We will showcase BIPOC queer and trans performers on an outdoor stage, over 10+ health & wellness resource vendors, and four food vendors that will feature local chefs from the White Center area such as traditional Khmer to Native American cuisine.

Loud N Proud (formerly known as Queer N Teen) first started during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Originally a youth initiative, the concept and idea were created by over eight middle and high school-aged youth as an outcome of the previous LGBTQ+ Internship held by the WCCDA. Our goal is to continue uplifting the voices of LGBTQ+ youth and adults as previously done by the likes of Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and more during the Stonewall and Gay Liberation. Brought to life through various youth-led art activities such as poster making, paintings, and creating bracelets to honor the impact of Stonewall and other accomplishments of Pride. Loud N Proud though uniquely takes shape diberently through the years, still maintains its original goals.

This year, Loud N Proud will take on its biggest form yet – shutting down SW 98th St and becoming more engaging and interactive than ever. There will be resource vendors that provide job employment, clothing, food, and mental health support. We will include four to five BIPOC queer and trans performers providing live entertainment, tons of activities and fun for youth and their families, and finally – free appetizers from four different food vendors that will have your tastebuds diving into different culinary worlds that you’ll enjoy wholeheartedly! We encourage everyone to come join us in community as we celebrate love and have an amazing time together!

You can learn more, RSVP, and share the event by following: partiful.com/e/O8MJjbpmylwEKFlrwHZL.

It’s on! Rainbows everywhere to contrast the gray sky over this year’s White Center Pride Street Festival, happening on 16th SW between Roxbury and 100th until 11 pm. Entertainment, food, and drink abound.

And people!

See whitecenterpride.org (and our preview) for more on what’s happening in the hours ahead.

(WCN photo, 2021)

The White Center Pride street festival is just two days away! 11 am-11 pm Saturday, June 1, on 16th SW in the heart of White Center between SW Roxbury and SW 100th, music, performances, more (toplines here). It’s free, but if you buy a wristband, that’ll connect you with special deals:

-Expedited access to VIP drink lines
-Backstage experiences
-Premium seating
-All-day discounts at 15+ bars and restaurants

From Happy Hour prices to $5 Wells, $4 Pints, $4 Slices – exclusively for wristband holders.

You can buy yours online for $15 (that link is also where you’ll find the list of participating venues), or look for the White Center Pride booth at the festival on Saturday.

ADDED: We asked for details – festival organizers provided these lists of performers and DJs:

Performers
Rylee Raw
Londyn Bradshaw
Kymera
Drew Paradisco
Melody Lush Paradisco
Kenzie
Mia Moore
Queen Andrew
Dean the Vampire King
La Cienaga
Dion Dior Black
Whispur Watershadow
Ovary Act
Summer Heaux
Kameron Michelle
Kitty Vixen
Dolly Madison
Isabella Richards
Fraya Love
Jolene Granby
Holli B. Sinclair
Celys St. James Black
Sasha Scarlet
Cherri Bepsi
Tymira
Becca Wong
Kymera
Justin Lane
Jizzuhbell Johnson

Bands
Polari
Frecuencia Acustica
Creature Hole
Soulbaum
The Night Cry
Stephanie Anne Johnson
Amy Hall
The Aquanets
Man Plus

DJs
Baby Van Beezly
DJ Memo
DJ Last Eye
DJ Ed Martin
DJ Clover
DJ Cookie Couture
DJ Redline

Love garage-saling? Tomorrow (Saturday, May 11) is the biggest day of the year – via our partner site West Seattle Blog, we present the annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, and this year we have several participants in North Highline – above is a screengrab from that part of our online map; click on the locations on the “live” interactive map to see the listings and locations (that page is also where you’ll find a link to a printable PDF guide to all 500+ sales, most yet)! Official sale day hours are 9 am to 3 pm Saturday.

Ready for Friday night revelry on wheels? Southgate Roller Rink hosts live music every Friday night, 9 pm-midnight, $18 cover and $5 skate rental. The rink at 9646 17th SW has multiple bands every week – tonight it’s Megadose, Nug, and Sneaker Wave.

Get your wheels on and go support White Center Pride tonight at Southgate Roller Rink! The event is the Queer Skate Prom, and it starts at 8:30 pm.

Just out of the inbox:

Floating Bridge Press, a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to promoting Washington State poets, is hosting “VERSE & VELOCITY: Poetry/Skating/Costumes” at the Southgate Roller Rink on Saturday, October 28th from 4:30 PM to 8 PM.

This unique poetry event is all-ages, costumes-encouraged, and free (which includes skate rentals!) Several poets will read their work in between periods of open skating! Hosted by Michael Schmeltzer, Editor-in-Chief of Floating Bridge Press.

For questions, please contact editor@floatingbridgepress.org. See you there!