White Center Now: The blog about White Center

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:

In just a little over a week, one of White Center’s liveliest annual events returns:

Also from the announcement:

Come celebrate the 20th annual White Center Cambodian New Year Street Festival on April 29th on SW 98th Street, between 16th Ave SW and 15th Ave SW. This family-friendly event will include music, performances, games and contests, and food.

Watch for more info here.

Again this year, White Center Pride plans a daylong block party – this time set for noon to midnight June 3rd. WCP asked us to publish their call for volunteers, vendors, and performers:

White Center’s annual Pride Block Party is less than two months away! We are looking for volunteers, entertainers, and vendors to celebrate with us. On June 3rd , we will block off 16th Ave SW between Roxbury and SW 100 th St, and fill the street up with music, shows, wrestlers, local businesses, food and beer gardens, and our first ever kids area with the White Center Library’s book mobile, face painters, storytellers, and more.

Please visit our website at whitecenterpride.org/white-center-pride-festival to learn
more. We need volunteers to assist with all types of activities for the day. We are also looking for local businesses to help fill out the street with booths and food trucks. And finally, we want to put out the call for entertainers that want to celebrate our region’s LGBTQIA+ community. Any questions, feel free to email info@whitecenterpride.org. Thank you!

The White Center Pride Committee
501c3 Nonprofit

Set your calendar for a night at Roxbury Lanes (2823 SW Roxbury) on Friday (January 20th) to help White Center Pride raise money for this year’s street festival:

White Center Pride Bowling Fundraiser with Adra Boo
Roxbury Lanes
Friday January 20, 2023
6:30 pm

Lace up your bowling shoes and show your pride Friday, January 20th at Roxbury Lanes in White Center! Join White Center Pride for a night of fun and fundraising hosted by singer extraordinaire, Adra Boo.

This special happy hour will have games and entertainment, a bowling fundraiser, and the opportunity to meet other members of the community. It is also a chance to show your support for the White Center Pride Street Festival as we work to raise funds for this wonderful event. All ages are welcome!

White Center Pride has announced June 3rd as the date for this year’s festival.

Saturday (December 11th) from 2 pm on into the night, it’s the first-ever White Center Santacon, to enjoy local businesses and raise money for WestSide Baby. It’s a two-part party – 2-5 pm, free family activities at some businesses, then a food/bar crawl starting at 5, requiring a $20 wristband (benefiting WS Baby) to get in on the deals. Buy your wristband here. The map and other info is below:

See a larger version on the White Center Block Party website.

Tons of fun about to begin – here’s the announcement:

The White Center Teen Program is thrilled to welcome families back to Steve Cox Memorial Park for our annual Halloween Carnival! This year the festivities return outdoors and families can stroll thru the park to participate in FREE interactive games and other Fall inspired activities. In addition to the Carnival, families and teens are also invited to join us in person or on zoom the week prior to participate in a series of Spooky Town related programs.

This year’s festivities are sponsored by the Teens and Staff of the White Center Teen Program. The WCTP offers free recreational, educational and social enrichment programming to youth ages 12-19 between Tuesday – Saturday from 3-8 pm. WC Teen Program participants are volunteering in person and remotely during the month of October to help create the carnival games, arts and crafts giveaways, and park wide decorations. Teens interested in volunteering can reach out to Peanutt at angeth@kingcounty.gov or 206.482.1910.

OUTDOOR HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL on Saturday, October 30th from 2-5 pm
Families are welcome to walk thru the park to pick up FREE goodie bags to fill with carnival game prizes, DIY arts and crafts projects, official Spooky Town slime, community resources and giveaways, and even pumpkins (while supplies last.) Families can also keep it moving through a “Pumpkin Patch Maze” on the outdoor basketball court, a Dragon Eye hunt on the multipurpose field, the I Spy Spooky Town Adventure in the windows of the Historic White Center Field House, and several step and repeat photo opportunities throughout the park.

FALL FAMILY PROGRAMS at the Log Cabin (1321 SW 102nd) between October 25th – 27th
Programs hosted in person with zoom options available. Follow the full schedule of remote Spooky Town programs here

Highlights to include:

–Fall Arts and Crafts for ages 19 and under hosted by the WCTP Recreation Aides with Special Guest WC Librarian Destinee on Tuesday, October 25th at 6 pm.

–Bilingual Bingo with Vana and Sunny (the Log Cabin Baby Bearded Dragon.) for ages 19 and under on Wednesday, October 26th at 6 pm

–Spooky Town Painting Party with local artist PAZ (all supplies proved) for ages 12-19 on Thursday, October 27th at 6 pm.

If you haven’t been to downtown White Center for this year’s Block Party, don’t miss the chance – you have three more hours, and the weather’s glorious. Dozens of vendors and organizations are there. Kid activities, too, like the bouncy toys south of 98th:

The intersection of 98th/16th is where you’ll find the main stage:

South of 98th is also where you’ll find Lariat Bar‘s wrestling ring – we caught part of an early match:

The “Hammer Brothers” (Jack and Sledge) were so dominant in that one, including the pre-match bluster, we didn’t even catch the names of their opponents. So go wander 16th between Roxbury and 100th until 6 pm, and look for the special wristbands you can buy for discounts and freebies at participating businesses! Proceeds this year benefit local nonprofits.

(WCN photo from August 2021)

The second annual White Center Block Party is now a week and a half away. Here’s what organizers want you to know:

White Center Block Party 2022

WHERE: White Center Retail Core: 16th Ave. SW between Southwest Roxbury Street and Southwest 100th Street

When: Sunday, August 28, 2022 Noon-6pm

WHO: White Center Block Party and White Center Community Development Association

What: Street festival celebrating White Center

Cost: FREE and family friendly. Wristbands for additional purchase for discounts at participating businesses and special offerings at restaurants and bars during the White Center Block Party hours.

We are thrilled to announce we are bringing back the White Center Block Party! It all started when a group of local business and neighbors came together and decided that White Center needed some love after an extended series of vandalism and fires centered around the retail core last year.

Our mission with the first annual White Center Block Party (WCBP) was to raise money for the victims and businesses affected by all the fires. We are back this year to announce our second annual white center block party that will focus on creating a safe, family friendly, and inclusive place to gather after so much time apart. Proceeds for this year’s event will be donated to two local White Center organizations: White Center Food Bank AND Khmer Community of Seattle King County.

White Center Block Party aims to support and promote local and regional businesses – restaurants, bars, retailers, artists, musicians, etc. – all in one place.

Highlights:

· Street vendors including crafts, food, merchandise and local businesses and non-profits.

· Live music and performances

· Beer gardens

· Bars and restaurants

· Bouncy houses by Aleko

· Defy wrestling summer showcase hosted by Lariat Bar

One week from tonight – Tuesday, August 2nd – is Night Out, all over the U.S. Here in White Center, you’re invited to Family Night Out at Steve Cox Memorial Park, 5-7 pm – here’s the announcement:

The Annual King County Parks Night Out Against Crime Family event is back on Tuesday, August 2nd!

King County Parks has participated in the National Night Out event for over a decade and is thrilled to be hosting families in 2022 at the Playground Picnic Shelter at Steve Cox Memorial Park (1321 SW 102nd St). This year’s activities will run between 5-7 pm and feature Island Getaway-themed treasure hunts, crafts and games. On site activities will be socially distanced with no touch options, and Grab and Go kits will also be available. In lieu of the annual barbeque, an assortment of individually wrapped ice cream treats will be on hand (while supplies last.) Confirmed guests of honor include Magician Jeff Evans performing Strolling Magic (courtesy of the KCLS), Deputy Bill from the White Center Storefront, Librarians Devon and Destinee from the White Center Library, and a pirate ship full of White Center Teen Program Recreation Aides.

All treasure chests will be hidden above ground (no digging required.) The Treasure Hunt begins at 5pm on Tuesday, August 2nd and runs until all of the chests are found. (One chest per child please!) Clues to the treasure chest locations throughout the park can be picked up from staff at the Picnic Shelter. And finally, please follow all Public Health Safety guidelines while hunting for your treasure!

Night Out at SCMP is once again sponsored by the teens and staff of the White Center Teen Program. The WCTP offers free recreational, educational, and social enrichment programming to youth ages 12-19 between Tuesday – Saturday from 3-8 pm. The WCTP is currently offering small group programs such as games club, book club, art club; 1:1 homework help and job readiness; outdoor programs such as tennis, bicycle club, lacrosse, and garden club; and the Summer Recreation Aide Employment Program.

Happening now on two blocks of 16th SW south of SW Roxbury in downtown White Center – the White Center Pride Street Festival is on.

Dozens of booths line the street, for local businesses large and small, as well as resource organizations. Entertainment too – DJ Baby Van Beezly was spinning while we were there (the full entertainment schedule is on the WC Pride website):

And we found something unexpected – a sneak peek inside the soon-to-open new location of the Lumber Yard Bar:

It’s right across 16th SW from the fire-ravaged original location. Proprietors Nathan and Michale told us they’re aiming to open the bar side July 1st:

That’s the north side; the south half of the space will be the performance side. Back to the festival:

There’s plenty of room to roam, or to stop and savor (Moonshot Coffee has a beverage garden out front, for one). Vendors are open until 6, entertainment continues until 11.

Today’s the day!

The White Center Pride Street Festival is happening on 16th SW in the heart of downtown WC:

-Vendor fair noon-6 pm

-Entertainment until 11 pm – see the schedule here.

-Food and drink specials at participating WC establishments with a wristband – $15 in advance here, $20 at the festival

(WCN photo, 2021)

The street festival noted here earlier this week isn’t all that will comprise this year’s White Center Pride celebration. Here’s the full announcement received today from organizers:

Coming in June, White Center Pride organization proudly announces a series of events in the White Center neighborhood that celebrates the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and all sexual and gender minority (LGBTQIA+) people. This first in-person Pride following the arson fires and vandalisms from 2021 intends to bring people together to heal in solidarity over the triumphs and sacrifices made by the LGBTQIA+ and ally community.

Beginning on Wednesday, June 1st, at 6:30 pm, White Center will kickoff this year’s Pride events with an opening celebration at Triangle Park. Special guest speakers, performances, and music will lead up to the raising of the Progressive Flag above the heart of White Center. Immediately following the Flag Raising Ceremony, the Southgate Roller Rink will host Pride Skate at 8:30 pm, where skaters can glide and dance to the theme “GLOW UP: Light up for Pride” with DJ Redline. This popular event is an opportunity for members of the queer community to express their diverse and unique selves in an inclusive and groovy space.

On the following day, Thursday, June 2nd, in collaboration with the White Center Pride organization, Future Primitive Brewery will release their limited edition “Queer Beer” for the second year, with part of the proceeds supporting the White Center Pride Organization. Jason Loughridge, President of the White Center Pride organization, invites attendees to “Come raise a glass with us, as we celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion in the White Center neighborhood. Additionally, if you are interested in learning about the beer making process, join us at 5:30 pm for a brewery tour before the official Queer Beer release later in the evening.”

It all leads up to the main event on Saturday, June 11th starting at noon: a day of fun and celebration at the White Center Pride Street Festival in Downtown White Center. Closing down the main “drag” on SW 16th Ave and south of SW Roxbury St for pedestrian traffic only, you can stroll the streets safely and enjoy queer vendors, drag performances, live music, beer gardens, and more!

Nathan Adams, owner of the Lumberyard, sums up the spirit of this year’s White Center Pride: “Pride in knowing one’s self should be celebrated every day. The journey is a long one and only each individual can know when it has started or is complete. Our strength comes from ourcommunity and our family, and together we can all be proud of who we are, where we come from, and where we call home!! This community is more like family to myself and everyone at the Lumberyard, and we cannot wait to celebrate and open our doors for our family.”

For a list of White Center Pride events, see the organization’s website at whitecenterpride.org/2022-schedule.

“On behalf of the White Center Pride organization and the White Center neighborhood, we invite you to our pride events. Celebrate the spirit of personal discovery and authenticity together!”, said Matt Maring, Fundraiser Chair of the White Center Pride organization.

Is your calendar set for this?

4:42 PM: You have to laugh, or else you’ll cry. We were reminded of that old saying outside still-shuttered Bizzarro Italian Café in White Center this afternoon, where one of the people handing out candy wore a hat of fake flames. White Center’s annual businsss trick-or-treating event, which started at 3 pm, is bigger than ever, despite the fire closures. We walked down the block in the heart of the fire zone, where we also found the Full Tilt Ice Cream team offering treats outside their closed shop. Some businesses have found new homes, like La Tipica Oaxaqueña on the southwest corner of 16th/Roxbury, where a very lively trick-or-treat tent was swarmed. The fun continued southward – outside the 16th entrance to Southgate Roller Rink, and beyond – as well as the other side of 16th; good turnout.

8:12 PM: A few more photos – here are Full Tilt proprietors Ann and Justin’s kids Ruby and Moss helping out:

Christine was in charge of the candy outside Southgate:

And here’s the corner crowd outside La Tipica Oaxaqueña:

Trick-or-treating is over but Halloween revelry continues into the night at venues including Boombox, which has a karaoke costume party going on its patio until 2 am.

(WCN photos)

Happening now in the 9800 block of 17th SW in White Center – the Punk Rock Flea Market! It’s a browser’s dream.

As befits the name, you’ll find music too – both for sale:

And for entertainment – DJ Porta-Party was on duty:

$1 admission, and wear your mask:

The Punk Rock Flea Market is on until 7 tonight, and again noon-5 pm Sunday. (Rain or shine, they vow.)

Though the new statewide reopening plan still prohibits some things in Phase 1 – like indoor dining – it opens the door starting Monday for some indoor fitness and entertainment. Southgate Roller Rink has a plan under what’s allowed with the latter – here’s what they plan to do:

Reserve your space today! Under the new phase 1 guidelines for Entertainment Establishments, you can rent the rink privately for $78 per hour for up to 6 people beginning January 13th, 2021. Masks are required.

Reservations available 7 days a week from 12 pm-10 pm. Please give us a call at (206) 707-6949 or email us at info@southgaterollerrink.com!