White Center Now: The blog about White Center

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!

Looking for something fun and social – but not TOO social – to do tonight? The Silent Book Club of West Seattle is expanding into White Center, with the addition of Dubsea Coffee to its list of venues:

Locations for Thursday October 5:

Beveridge Place
C & P Coffee
Darby Winery
Dubsea Coffee
Easy Street Records
The Nook
Otter on the Rocks
Revelry Room
Till Dawn
Viscon Cellars
West Seattle Grounds

Some special happenings:

Dubsea Coffee will have Halloween-themed charcuterie boards and a discount on espresso drinks, plus a four-for-$20 drink special for groups of readers.

Otter on the Rocks will have special fall cocktails on the menu.

Darby Winery will have a 15% discount on bottles to go at the end of the night.

Viscon Cellars is offering discounted wine pours for readers for the evening.

West Seattle Grounds will have charcuterie plates, wine, and beer on the menu for readers to enjoy in addition to Caffé Vita coffee and Rishi tea.

Here’s how the Silent Book Club works – show up at a venue of your choice, order a beverage, settle in, start reading. You can discuss your book with people nearby – or not! The SBC “meets” monthly and has continuee to grow.

Got plans Saturday night (September 23)? A quietly effective nonprofit helping countless area families invites you to a party that’s coming on the heels of a Family Fun Day last weekend. Here’s what it’s all about:

If you noticed an abundance of bubbles in the air last Saturday, that is because the UnPoppable Family FUNfest happened in White Center. Nestled in the community amphitheater courtyard between Educare Seattle and White Center Heights Elementary, children aged one month to 6 years were the focus of a joy- and music-filled gathering with activities, performances by the Highline Drill Team, a visit from a King County Fire District 2 engine and crew, and bubbles galore!

Educare Seattle hosts this event specifically for early learning families to acknowledge and celebrate the critical role the “whole family” has in child development.

Families joined from White Center Heights kindergarten classes, the White Center CDA’s Play and Learn groups, Heritage Head Start and Educare Seattle. Educare teachers and family advocates provided STEAM-based activities (Science, Tech, Engineering, Arts, Math), Verity Credit Union provided financial management information, and the White Center CDA engaged families in crafts.

“As 85% of brain development occurs in a child’s first 3 years and there are only about 2,000 days between birth and kindergarten, there really is no more important time for little ones to receive superb care,” shares Nancy Woodland, Executive Director of the Learning Communities Foundation for Educare. “Everyone benefits when children and families receive what they need, especially from teachers who look like them and honor many cultures. At Educare, an equitable approach with low teacher:child ratios, holistic support for families and research and data informing every step impacts each child now and beyond the walls of Educare when in kindergarten or when research .”
Today celebrated they children and families. This Saturday, the Learning Communities Foundation invites you to join them for UnPoppable FUNdraiser. Serving mocktails, cocktails, appetizers from Greenbridge Café, sorbet from Seattle Sorbet and treats from Puffy Pandy, there is something for everyone. (Adults only please)

UnPoppable FUNdraiser
Saturday September 23, 2023
6:30-8:30 pm
@ Educare Seattle 625 SW 100th St,
You can reserve your space HERE – Tickets are just $25
Volunteers needed too – please email nwoodland@learningcommunitiesfoundation.org or call (206) 716-8840

“We’ll transform our bright and airy building into a festive evening venue with music, lots of fun activities to bring child-like joy in an adult setting,” shares Woodland. Guests will find opportunities to give in a welcoming atmosphere, perfect for folks who are new to fundraising events or who wish to learn more about direct ways to address income inequality or invest in early learning.

About Educare Seattle: Educare Seattle is an early learning center in White Center offering Head Start preschool and childcare programs to area families. Income eligible (~less than $55,000 for a family of 3) families receive high quality, culturally relevant learning opportunities and care. First opened in 2010, Educare Seattle serves more than 140 children with a Whole Family approach that engages parents “as a child’s first and most important teacher.”

About Learning Communities Foundation: As the fund development partner of Educare Seattle and the Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD), LCF raises funds for PSESD programs, like Educare, that strive to create a racially just and humanizing learning system from cradle to career.

(WCN photos unless otherwise credited)

Been to downtown White Center yet? This year’s WC Block Party is hopping! You can browse booths with local businesses such as Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery:

The DubSea Fish Sticks‘ season may be over but they’re still pitching merch and awareness:

Entertainment continues until late tonight!

(added) Two more photos, courtesy Jason Grotelueschen:

The festival zone is on 16th between Roxbury and 100th.

The “no parking” signs we saw on 16th SW tonight are reminders that the White Center Block Party is happening tomorrow (Saturday, August 26th). 16th will be closed to traffic and open to fun between Roxbury and 100th – live music, live wrestling, and more! Here’s the detailed preview we published earlier this month. Festival hours are 11 am to midnight, starting with a “sensory hour.” Have tons of fun and support your White Center businesses!

This year’s White Center Block Party is only two and a half weeks away, and organizers have just sent this update of what’s planned:

Excitement is building as Seattle residents prepare for the upcoming White Center Block Party! Taking place on August 26th, 2023, from 11 am to 12 am. The first hour is a sensory hour for our friends and neighbors that may have sensory sensitivities. There will also be sensory bags available at Lariat Bar from Kulture City. We promise a day of fun, entertainment, and community spirit. This year’s block party will take place in White Center’s retail core on 16th Ave SW between Roxbury & SW 100th St.

The White Center Block Party provides an opportunity for attendees to experience and celebrate the community, while supporting local businesses and artisans. This event is Free to attend, Family-Friendly, and packed with activities and attractions for all ages. Blu Grouse will be offering fun family activities!!! It provides attendees with a vibrant showcase of the unique neighborhood of White Center.

One of the main attractions of this year’s block party is live music! Featuring a diverse mix of genres, including hip-hop, rock, and funk! There will be five Stages. The main Stage will feature local community acts highlighting the talent that White Center has to offer. The BoomYard Stage will feature a 2 vs 2 dance battle by Headpin, and will feature an after party with DJ Vincere, DJ Redline, and DJ Ish. Tim’s Stage will have live music by the Salmonberries, Sam Cobra, Medejin, and a special performance by Randy Weeks! The Que Chévere Stage will bring you the best in local Latin Music by such Rock en Español group Frecuencia Acústica and more! Plus a Southgate Roller Rink stage!!!

Back by popular demand! The block party will feature live professional wrestling outside of Lariat Bar promoted by DEFY wrestling. There will be an 8 person tournament to crown the first-ever Lariat Bar White Center Champion. The card will also feature TikTok sensations, the Voro Twins vs Midnight Heat! Also featuring Classic Cody Chhun, Guillermo Rosas, Miles DeVille, Evan Rivers and Amira!!!

Being a community-driven event, the White Center Block Party is all about promoting local businesses. Food, art, clothing, and more will be available from a range of vendors in the area, offering something for everyone! Sap Sap Lao Deli & Cafe “White Center’s newest restaurant serving Lao snacks : egg rolls, beef skewers, and mango sticky rice. A LIVING CANVAS FACE PAINT – face painting for all ages – will be there! Local residents The Barking Bottle will be selling Not-for-profit wine gift boxes benefiting shelter dogs. Do you like to SMASH STUFF!?! Smash(it) Seattle will be there to fill that need. It’s a mobile wrecking room to safely smash things… What more could you want?

Proceeds for the White Center Block Party go to benefit The YES Foundation and Stephanie’s Lifeline. Stephanie’s Lifeline is dedicated to serving less fortunate individuals and families in order to improve the quality of life of those most in need. The YES! Foundation of White Center serves children, youth and young adults through relationship based programs that foster self and social awareness, promote education and repurpose power in an under resourced community

The White Center Block Party is a perfect way to spend an afternoon with family and friends, surrounded by live music, tantalizing food, and an array of activities. It promises to be an unforgettable event for people of all ages.

For more information on the White Center Block Party, visit whitecenterblockparty.com

A new street fair is taking over 16th between 98th and 100th this Saturday (July 22nd) – here’s the announcement we just received:

Lariat Bar and other local White Center Businesses have partnered for a street fair event this Saturday July 22nd from 11 am to 5 pm. The purpose of the event is to promote the White Center Neighborhood including local businesses, artists and community wellness.

This is a free, all-ages event being held on 16th Ave SW between SW 98th St and SW 100th St. The block will be closed to vehicle traffic during the event.

DEFY Wrestling returns to White Center for a wrestling showcase! A wrestling ring will be set up on the street and will feature live wrestling matches free to the public including the debut of the Lariat Bar White Center Championship. The main stage of the event will feature a performance from local Rock en Español group ‘Frequencia Acústica’ and live karaoke.

The event will feature an outdoor beer garden hosted by Lariat Bar and Que Chevere (21+ w/ ID) as well as neighborhood food vendors and local artists including local businesses like Puffy Pandy and Beer Star.

Here’s the schedule for Lariat:

11:00 AM Event Kickoff
12:00 PM DEFY Wrestling
1:00 PM Music and Games
2:00 PM DEFY Wrestling
3:00 PM Frecuencia Acústica
4:00 PM DEFY Wrestling
5:00 PM Rat City Rumble Karaoke

(Also published on partner site West Seattle Blog)

(WCN/WSB photos)

With a nonstop slate of entertainment, 100 vendors, sidewalk food and beverage cafés, a kids’ area, and more, we’d call this the biggest White Center Pride Street Festival yet. 16th SW is closed to vehicle traffic on the blocks both south and north of SW 98th. At the north end, while we were there, DJ Baby Van Beezly was spinning:

At the south end, Aleksa Manila was leading story time by the King County Library System van:

Steps away, there’s wrestling outside Lariat Bar:

At 16th/98th, you’ll find the White Center Pride organizers – we photographed Kyle, Eliot, and Terry:

Stop by their booth to find out more about WC Pride, including the online silent auction to fund future outreach work, and the optional bracelets you can buy for local specials during the festival.

White Center Pride isn’t just the street festival – it’s a big lineup of festivities starting Wednesday night (May 31st)! Here’s what organizers have shared:

Here’s more on the art show:

And then – one week from today – the festival lineup!

More details:

Downtown White Center
Saturday, June 3rd
12 pm to 12 am
Open at 11 am for families/individuals with sensitivities

To start the day off our Main Stage opens with DJ Ed Martin, DJ Baby Van Breezy, our Pride Dog Parade, The Pazific, and DJ Redline. Defy Wrestling matches will be ongoing in our Lariat Ring. And our Kids Area will have a DJ, Face Painter, Moon Bounce House, and our White Center Library’s Book Mobile with book reading by none other than Aleksa Manila!

In the afternoon our Pop-Up Stage gets going with Mia Moore, Nemesis, Lavina Richards, and Rylee Raw. Tim’s Tavern opens with hosts D’Monica Leon & Londyn Bradshaw and bands Xolie + Strange Kid, Batbox, and Mikey Moo. Defy Wrestling continues in our Lariat Ring

Things heat up in the evening. Our Main Stage has #BlackHotSunday curated by Adra Boo. She’ll be joined by Taylar Elizza Beth, Jayza, and Divine Augustine. We have Tinashea Monet Presents, DJ Dark Wiley and Queen Andrew hosting a spectacular Drag Queen line up. And Tymira closes out the night. On our Pop Up Stage we have Go-Go Boy performances and Themecandesence’ LED show. Tim’s Tavern continues the evening with The Aqua Nets, Creature Hole, and Tom Bentley. The Lumberyard Bar hosts Dolly and the DJ. And don’t forget to stop by the Art Show at the Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery as we celebrate Brown Pride!

Main Stage
11:00am – DJ Ed Martin
12:00pm – DJ Baby Van Breezy
12:30pm – Pride Dog Parade
2:00pm – The Pazific
3:00pm – DJ Redline
6:00pm – #BlackHotSunday curated by Adra Boo with Taylar Elizza Beth, Jayza, Divine Augustine
7:00pm – Tinashea Monet Presents
8:00pm Drag show with DJ Dark Wiley, hosted by Queen Andrew with Holli B. Sinclair, Kristie Champagne, Dion Dior Black, Kylie Mooncakes, and Whispur Watershadow
10:00pm – Tymira

Kids Area:
11:00am to 5:00pm Moon Bounce House
11:00am to 3:00pm White Center Library Book Mobile
12:00pm Kids DJ
1:00pm Book Reading with Aleksa Manila
1:00pm Face Painting

Lariat Bar
1:00pm – Match 1
3:00pm – Match 2
5:00pm – Match 3

Pop-up stage
3:00pm – Mia Moore
3:30 – Nemesis
4:00 – Lavina Richards
5:00 – Rylee Raw
6:00 – Tiny Cherub – Gogo
7:00 – Willow – Gogo
8:00 – Caesar Lyon – Gogo
9:00 – Tom Bentley – Gogo
10:00-11:00 – Themecandesence – LED show

Tim’s Tavern
Hosted by: D’Monica Leon & Londyn Bradshaw
3:00pm – Xolie + Strange Kid
4:00pm – Batbox
5:00pm – Mikey Moo
6:00pm – The Aqua Nets
7:00pm – Creature Hole
8:00pm – Pre-booked music, do we know who?

Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery
5:00pm Brown Pride Art Show with:
Alena Prendez, Carlos Martinez, Dia Knight, Eileen Jimenez, Jo Cosme, Maribel Galvan, and Vaquero Azul

Lumberyard Bar
10:00-12:00am – Dolly and the DJ

11:41 AM: The balloon arch welcomes you to the return of the White Center Cambodian New Year Street Festival, happening on SW 98th between 15th and 16th. This is the 20th annual celebration, with Khmer music, dancing, games, contests, food, and more planned until 5 pm. More photos, and video, later.

Adding video and photos:

Community leaders spotted at the festival included White Center Community Development Association‘s Sili Savusa and 34th District State Senator Joe Nguyen: