THIS WEEK IN SOUTH SEATTLE — Tush Pride!, Dragon Fest, Somali Unity Day Festival, and More!

by Emerald Staff

Thurs., June 27:

High 5 Rainier Beach!

“Let us show our Rainier Beach High School kids some love on the last day of the school year by showing up and giving them ‘high fives’ as they enter the school building! Yes!: there will bakery goodies. Yes! There will be fresh coffee. Yes! There will be YOU! GO BEACH!!”

Time: 8:15–8:55 AM a.m.
Where: Rainier Beach High School — 8815 Seward Park Ave. S.
Cost: FREE

Members of the Rainier Beach community high fived students as they arrived for their first day of school at Rainier Beach High School, Sept. 6, 2018. (Photo: Susan Fried)

Ark Lodge Cinemas

Opening Fri: The Last Black Man in San Francisco
Opening Tues: Spider-Man: Far From Home
Still playing: Shaft, Booksmart, Secret Life of Pets 2, The Biggest Little Farm, Rocketman

Time:
Showtimes vary
Where: Ark Lodge Cinemas — 4816 Rainier Ave. S.
Cost: $9–13 (Wednesdays: $6 all seats; all day!)

The Aggressives

“In celebration of Pride, NAAM is presenting a free screening of The Aggressives. An insightful exposé on the subculture of lesbian butches and their ‘femme’ counterparts who tow the line between gender definitions. Following the film we will open up the floor for intentional dialogue surrounding themes of masculinity and identities within the LGBTQ/queer community. Space is for everyone, all are welcome.”

Time: 7–9 p.m.
Where: NAAM — 2300 S. Massachusetts St
Cost: FREE

Tush Pride!

“Beacon Hill’s Drag Takeover has a lot to celebrate on June 27th! For starters it is Seattle PRIDE weekend! It also happens to be Betty’s 4 year drag-a-versary!

Hosted by Betty Wetter; DJ Arson Nicki; Performances from: Angel Baby Kill! Kill! Kill!, Beau Degas, Miss Texas 1988. Special Guests: Strawberry Shartcake and Stasia Coup”

Time: 8:30–11:30 p.m.
Where: Clock-Out Lounge — 4864 Beacon Ave. S.
Cost: $10

Fri., June 28:

The South Hudson Music Project: An Opening Celebration

“Come celebrate the beginning of The South Hudson Music Project! SHMP is a new organization in Seattle’s south end fiscally sponsored by Shunpike. Its primary mission is to support the music programming, community outreach, and youth initiatives associated with the Royal Room.

“Featuring: The Royal Room Collective Music Ensemble; Alex Guy, Led to Sea; The Sonny Clark Memorial Sextet; Painting the Town Red (A Tribute to Billie Holiday); Salute Sessions (in the lounge).” By invitation only, contact event host at reservations@theroyalroomseattle.com. The Royal Room is All-Ages until 10 p.m.

Also check out: Rhythms from Black Panther with Massamba Diop on Wed., July 3.

Time: 6:30 p.m.–Midnight
Where: The Royal Room — 5000 Rainier Ave. S.
Cost: Free to attend (we think)

Honorable mention (Cap Hill event):

Trans Pride Seattle 2019

“Trans Pride Seattle 2019 is Seattle’s Celebration of Two-Spirit, Trans, Gender Diverse, and Non-Binary people in the heart of Capitol Hill produced by Gender Justice League.

“Entering our 7th year – Trans Pride Seattle has become one of the countries largest celebrations of gender diverse people – focused especially on the communities in the Pacific Northwest.

“Trans Pride Seattle bringing performers from around the country and Mexico to deliver ground breaking and amazing performances, musical talent, speeches, and comedy.

“Trans Pride Seattle is an amazing opportunity to connect with community, make new friends, celebrate our collective strength and continue our communities resistance with riotous demands for equity and justice!

“You will also find resources of more than 60 organizations local to Washington State at our tabling fair. Each year Trans Pride Seattle sees more than 15,000 people. It’s the perfect way to kick off Pride Weekend in Seattle.”

Time: 5–9:30 p.m
Where: Cal Anderson Park — 1635 11th Ave
Cost: FREE

Sat., June 29:

Dragon Fest 2019

“We are changing up Dragon Fest this year to focus more on the community and the small businesses in Chinatown-International District. This year’s Dragon Fest will be ONE DAY ONLY! You can still find amazing food and craft booths, activities for kids, live entertainment, and of course the $3 Food Walk! So join us on Saturday June 29th to celebrate summer in Seattle’s historic Chinatown-International District.”

Time: 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Where: C-ID, near Hing Hay Park — 423 Maynard Ave. S.
Cost: Free to attend

Baile Dior Studio Presents: The Golden Showcase

“Baile Dior’s Annual Fundraising Showcase is back with a new twist! Live dance performances from the Ladies of Dior and music from local artists Rahale B., Jay York, TyBriege, and more!”

Time: 6–8 p.m.
Where: Rainier Arts Center — 3515 S. Alaska St
Cost: $20 Adv. / $25 DOS

Rhythms of the Sole

“Join Northwest Tap Connection for an evening of dance, song and spoken word performances at the annual Rhythms of the Sole recital. Don’t miss it! Paul Robeson Performing Art Center at Rainier Beach High School.”

Time: 2 p.m. & 6 p.m.
Where: Rainier Beach High School — 8815 Seward Park Ave. S.
Cost: $16 Adv. / $19 Door

Crown Chronicles Re-Release Party

“A conglomerate of some of the NW’s best Hip-Hop talent come together to celebrate Seven Da Pantha’s Crown Chronicles, out now on all DSPs and Bandcamp! A free physical CD goes to the first 10 people to share the event, tag Seven Da Pantha, and like the page!”

Also check out Live Jazz at Cafe Red ft. Ed Taylor & Friends on Wed., July 3.

Time: 8 p.m.
Where: Cafe Red — 7148 MLK Jr Way S
Cost: $5 (before 10 p.m., $10 after)

Sun., June 30:

Arts Resource Fair—A day of sharing resources!

“ADEFUA Cultural Education Workshop Presents…Arts Resource Fair: – S.E. Seattle, A Day Celebration of Sharing Resources!

“Please join us for A Day of Networking and Sharing Resources! Local agencies, neighboring businesses and local artists will share 30 tables of resources and services. Arts in-The Park celebrates all genres with of Africa and South African Music, Dance and Song groups. A woman Master Magician; Maritess Zurbano, D.J. MUSTO will fill the Amphitheater with popular world music. Featured Visual and Literary Artist will display their art and make on-stage presentations throughout the day. Come prepared to participate in the Onsite workshops of African Dance and Hip-Hop dance. Performances from Kutt N’ Up/K Fam, Baile Dior, Cleveland High School Dance Team and Boka Kouyate & The Djeliyah Band, Afro Fusion Dance Collective and more!
Bring the young ones to enjoy the music and song from the Literary Mascot; Rodney the Raccoon.

“It’s all free! Pop-up Food trucks will also be there for us to grab a bite to eat. The day begins with a Resource Panel Discussion to share Tips and Resources in the community. Panelist will be Program Mangers and advocates from local agencies and Commissions, such as; 4 Culture, Seattle Parks & Recreation and more!”

Time: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
Where: Othello Playground — 4315 S. Othello St
Cost: FREE

Somali Unity Day Festival

“Please come join the Somali community services of Seattle (SCSS) we are hosting on the 13th annual Somali Unity Day Festival. This event is very important for to celebrate together and to bring our culture heritage. There will be various events and activities for all ages. Bring the entire family.”

Time: 12–6 p.m.
Where: 5301 S. Henderson St
Cost: Free to attend

Black Graduation

“The 4th Annual Seattle-King County Black Graduation 2019 will be a community based celebration of our young people being on the right side of the graduation rate and on a trajectory to success.

“The event will honor recent graduates recognizing their accomplishment as well as the infinite possibilities for their futures. Special guests who exemplify excellence in their fields will pass on words of wisdom to our young graduates as they prepare for success in their next phase of life.

“Performances and special prizes will round out the night as we show the graduates how special and significant their accomplishment is.

“Not only will we honor and recognize this important milestone in their lives but in the tradition of many African cultures we will mark this event as a rite of passage into adulthood with wisdom from elders in the community with the goal of providing them with a mindset that strives amplify the excellence already within them.”

Time: 4–7 p.m.
Where: Langston Hughes PAI — 104 17th Ave S.
Cost: FREE (we think, register here)

Mon., July 1:

Queer The Land Bi- Monthly General Membership Meeting

“WHO WE ARE: Queer the Land (QTL) is a collaboration grounded in the self-determination of Queer and Transgender Black/Indigenous/people of color (QTBIPOC) and the vision of collectively owning our land and labor. We have established a member-owned cooperative that we are working toward being anchored by transitional housing, a community center, and community garden for QTBIPOC in the greater Seattle area. QTL was founded as a partnership between two QTBIPOC organizations, the Queer & Trans Pan-African Exchange (QTPAX) and Building Autonomy and Safety for Everybody (BASE). Our mission is to create a movement-building space that generates income, eventually becoming self-sufficient, and serves as a hub for Seattle QTBIPOC and our community organizing.

Time: 6–8:30 p.m.
Where: Hillman City Collab — 5623 Rainier Ave. S.
Cost: Learn about membership here

Open Mics!

Here’s a quick round-up of the ones we know about (listed in chronological order):

Seattle’s Best Open Mic (Wednesdays)

Lyrically We Stand (Third Wednesdays)

Sistas Rock The Arts Open Mic (Thursdays)

Cafe Red’s Open Mic for All (Second Thursdays, See Website for details)

Totem Star Open Mics (Fridays w/ variable frequency & location)

Legacy Fridays Open Mic / Showcase (Second Fridays)

Tuesday Night Music Club (TNMC) Open Mic (Tuesdays)

Skylark Hang: Jazz Open Mic (Tuesdays)

Royal Esquire Club Open Mic Tuesdays (Tuesdays)

Freshest Roots Presents: Expresso Open Mic (First Fridays)

And check out these comedy-specific open mics:

Joketellers Union (Wednesdays)

Stand Up Comedy Open Mic at Tippe & Drague (First Saturdays)

*Here’s a monthly comedy showcase too: Cafe Red’s We Got Jokes (Second Wednesdays)

If karaoke is more your speed, check out these venues:

Bush Garden (Daily)

Columbia City’s New Karaoke Night (Wednesdays)

Clock-Out’s ggnzla Karaoke (Mondays)

Venus Karaoke (room rentals)

THIS WEEK IN SOUTH SEATTLE Glossary:

*NOTAFLOF = “No one turned away for lack of funds”

DOS = Day of Show

Adv. = Advance

GA = General Admission (no assigned seating)

Door = Tickets are only available at the door.

FREE = As far as we can tell, you can show up and have fun without buying anything.

Free to Attend / No Cover
= We don’t think there’s a cost to attend, but you may feel enticed or expected to buy something or make a donation (especially if the event is at a bar or restaurant or is not-for-profit and/or a fundraiser).

RSVP = French acronym for “Please respond.” The hosts’ / venue encourage or require you to let them know you’re coming. There’s probably a link somewhere. 🙂

Family-Friendly = This is an event for the whole family.

All-Ages = People under 18- / 21-years may attend, but young children won’t necessarily enjoy this event.

Please follow individual event links and follow up with event venues / organizers to verify crucial event details.

To submit an event for inclusion in “This Week in South Seattle,” email us at editor@southseattleemerald.com. Help us out and include the event title, date, time, venue/address, cost, and a link to more information. Thank you!

Love the Emerald? Be a Rainmaker! Rainmakers are recurring donors that ensure our quality South Seattle coverage. Follow this link to be part of the Rainmaker family.