THIS WEEK IN SOUTH SEATTLE — South-End MLK Day Events, Vanishing Seattle Film Series, Mixed N’ Misidentified, and More!

by Emerald Staff

Thurs., Jan. 16:

Vanishing Seattle Film Series Launch: Wa Na Wari

“Vanishing Seattle is excited to launch its series of short films that take a deeper dive into the stories of legacy, resistance, and resilience behind the #VanishingSeattle hashtag!

“We are premiering with a film about Wa Na Wari – a 5th-generation Black-owned home in the Central District that creates space for Black ownership, possibility, and belonging through art, historic preservation, and connection.

“Come join us at the Wa Na Wari house for the film screening (directed by devon de Leña + Chimaera Bailey) — plus art, food, & community. The event will also feature music and performances by Yirim Seck and Ebo Barton. Learn more about WNW at www.wanawari.org.

“The Vanishing Seattle film project is supported, in part, by 4Culture/King County Lodging Tax and the Northwest Film Forum.All-ages

Time: 7–9 p.m.
Where: Wa Na Wari — 911 24th Ave
Cost: FREE

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Fri., Jan. 17:

REPARATIONS Kickback at The Station

“Join us for a Kickback with the cast and production crew of REPARATIONS! Please note that this event will be centered around our Black, Brown and Indigenous community members. This will be an opportunity for us to gather, decompress and kickback!

Time: 9 p.m.
Where: The Station — 1600 S. Roberto Maestas Fest. St
Cost: Free to attend

A Scribe Called Quess? with Nikkita Oliver

“At the intersection of art and organizing, activists have found success combating white supremacy. Town Hall presents one such activist award-winning poet, educator, and Take Em Down NOLA coalition co-founder A Scribe Called Quess? He delivers poems from his latest book Sleeper Cell, investigating the institutionalized racism and disenfranchisement of Black youth.

“A Scribe Called Quess? tells the story of a struggle that culminated with the successful organizing of Take Em Down NOLA to remove four white supremacist monuments in New Orleans in 2017. He explores the history of white supremacist symbolism in New Orleans from a global and deep time perspective, zooming in to the decades long struggle to remove these symbols. Along the way, A Scribe Called Quess? connects the symbols of white supremacy that litter New Orleans to the history of racist violence that they reflect and endorse to the present day systemic oppression and state sanctioned violence they give license to. Listen in as A Scribe Called Quess? presents a poetic and civic exploration of the fight against white supremacy.

A Scribe Called Quess? will also do a reading from Sleeper Cell at Third Place Books Seward Park on Sat., 1/18.

Time: 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Where: Town Hall Seattle — 1119 8th Ave
Cost: $5 (FREE for Youth, 22 & under)

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Image: A Scribe Called Quess? promo image.

Ark Lodge Cinemas

Now playing: Parasite (playing again!), Just Mercy, Knives Out, Little Women, Fantastic Fungi (back by popular demand!),

Time: Showtimes vary
Where: Ark Lodge Cinemas — 4816 Rainier Ave. S.
Cost: $9–12 ($6 Wednesdays!)

Sat., Jan. 18:

Annual Martin Luther King Jr March and Celebration

“Join us as we celebrate the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We will meet at Martin Luther King Park in Seattle and march to Rainier Community Center. We will host community opportunity for engagement and celebrate Dr. King’s work.” 

Time: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where: MLK Jr. Memorial Park — S. Walker St & 28th Ave S.
Cost: FREE

Asians Working On Our Sh*t & Owning Our Power

“Seattle Asians for Black Lives is hosting space to build relationships and discuss topics such as anti-blackness in non-Black Asian communities and Black-Asian solidarity. RSVP form is optional and helps us plan for food and access needs:

“PROGRAM: Come with a question or topic you’d like to explore with others!
We’ll have two 45-minute sessions for various break-out spaces to organically form around the topics/questions we all bring with chances to share with others what came out of each space. Elementary-aged young people coming with adult attendees are invited to attend the two kids sessions running alongside these break-out spaces. Folks are welcome to come and leave when you want/need!More schedule info available on event page.  

Time: 1–4 p.m.
Where: Welcome Table Community Church — 1322 S. Bayview St.
Cost: FREE

North West Drizzle

“North West Killas Entertainment Presents: The North West Drizzle. A private, free, all-ages event! Please RSVP, space is limited. Hosted by Krazy, DJ Soulz & Skribbla tha Reaper on the 1’s and 2’s. Performances by ALX J, Blood Diamond Entertainment, Carter Costello, [and more].All-ages

Time: 6–11 p.m.
Where: Cafe Red — 7148 MLK Jr Way S.
Cost: $10 suggested

Documentary Night: King in the Wilderness

“Join Northwest Tap Connection and Brother Jabari for an educational evening and viewing of the documentary: King in the Wilderness.

“King in the Wilderness chronicles the final chapters of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life, revealing a conflicted leader who faced an onslaught of criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. While the Black Power movement saw his nonviolence as weakness, and President Lyndon B. Johnson saw his anti-Vietnam War speeches as irresponsible, Dr. King’s unyielding belief in peaceful protest became a testing point for a nation on the brink of chaos.Kid-friendly 

Time: 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Where: NW Tap Connection — Rainier Ave S.
Cost: FREE (we think)

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Mixed N’ Misidentified: The ‘What Are You’ Comedy Show

“Suitman Productions presents: Mixed N’ Misidentified: The ‘What Are You?’ Show, featuring Billy Campbell, Toni West, Timothy Andrew Person, Samantha Rund, Joe Mac, Mike Devore, Joseph Gomez, Jack Le, Brie Badili, Umi Omi. Hosted by: Duante Barnett.” 21+

Time: 8:30 p.m.
Where: Columbia City Theater — 4916 Rainier Ave S.
Cost: $15 adv. / $20 door

Sun., Jan. 19:

MLK Youth Kick-Off!

“We’re excited to let our Young Leaders Kick-Off our 38th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration March and Rally! Our Young Leaders will lead the way in song, dance, spoken-word, and more! There will be food, music, and fantastic fun celebrating our young people.Family-friendly 

Time: 12–5 p.m.
Where: Langston Hughes PAI — 104 17th Ave S.
Cost: FREE

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20th Annual Expansions MLK Unity Party

“6pm – 9pm Sunday Soul Broadcast, 9pm – 12am Expansions Broadcast, 12am – 2am The party goes on!” 21+

Time: 6 p.m.–2 a.m.
Where: Clock-Out Lounge — 4864 Beacon Ave S.
Cost: $12 adv. / $15 DOS

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Mon., Jan. 20:

2020 Seattle MLK Day

“Join us for our community’s largest tribute to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This Years Theme: 20/20 Vision:_______

“What does it mean? 20/20 Vision reflects the clarity of Dr. King’s dream and the power YOU have in 2020 to reclaim & re-envision it. 20/20 Vision is whatever you will take ACTION on in 2020 to reclaim Dr. King’s legacy.

“All activities are free to all – workshops, a job fair, rallies, a march, and community meal (plus Saturday 1/18 Seattle Parks & Rec Teen MLK March Youth and Sunday 1/19 our kick-off to festivities the Seattle MLK Youth Celebration @ Langston Hughes). Visit www.seattlemlkcoalition.org for additional details, to volunteer, or to donate.

Time: 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Where: Garfield High School — 400 23rd Ave
Cost: FREE

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King Day

“‘Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.’ Northwest African American Museum is inviting our community to lead the way into the new decade with this powerful quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Join us for our annual King Day program to enjoy interactive activities for children and families, vendors, a day of films surrounding the life and legacy of MLK, a powerful keynote speaker, and remarks and acknowledgements from community leaders. Featuring: Full Museum Access, Inspirational Keynote Speech, Kids Crafts & Activities, Seattle Children’s Theater Interactive Story Hour, Cultural Vendors, Film Screenings, Pop-Up Food Cafe.Family-friendly 

Time: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where: NAAM — 2300 S. Massachusetts St
Cost: FREE (donations appreciated!)

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Dr. Martin Luther King – Open Mic Celebration

“Presented by the South Hudson Music Project. Featuring: La Fonda (sister set), Reggie Garrett, Craig Suede (of Happy Heartbreak), Ben Hunter, and Jamaar Smiley.

“Come together for a night of community in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day! Share a song, poem or spoken word inspired by Dr. King, the civil rights movement or current events. Enjoy featured performances by local artists. Open mic hosted by Freshest Roots. The Royal Room is all ages before 10 p.m.

Time: 6 p.m. (doors & sign-up)
Where: The Royal Room — 5000 Rainier Ave S.
Cost: No cover (donations appreciated!)

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Open Mics!

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

Royal Esquire Club Open Mic Tuesdays (Tuesdays)

*The Original Open Mic (Tuesdays; *new open mic at the CCT Bourbon Bar!)

Seattle’s Best Open Mic (Wednesdays)

Sistas Rock The Arts Open Mic (Thursdays)

Cafe Red’s Open Mic for All (Second Thursdays; see Facebook for next date.)

Freshest Roots Presents: Expresso Open Mic (First Fridays)

Legacy Fridays Open Mic / Showcase (Second Fridays; might be on hiatus, contact event host for more info.)

Inspired Childs Children Open Mics (Fourth Saturdays)

The Salute Sessions (Mondays; technically an open jam session vs. a typical open mic)

And check out these comedy-specific open mics:

Joketellers Union (Wednesdays)

Comedy on Broadway’s Open Mics (Multiple days per week!)

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

*New!NW Peaks Comedy Open Mic (Tuesdays, *beginning Jan. 7, 2020)

**Here’s a monthly comedy showcase too: Cafe Reds We Got Jokes (Second Wednesdays, intermittently; see venue calendar.)

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

Bush Garden (Daily)

Clock-Out’s ggnzla Karaoke (Mondays)

Backyard’s Drag Queen Karaoke (Last Saturdays)

**They also have karaoke at Marco Polo Bar & Grill in Georgetown on the weekends.

THIS WEEK IN SOUTH SEATTLE Glossary:

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

DOS = Price on the day of the show

door = Price at the door

adv. = Advance

GA = General Admission (no assigned seating)

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

Free to attend / No cover
/ No fee = 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).

suggested = Suggested donation. (Theres technically no ticket price or cover for this event, but you are expected to make a cash donation at the door and this is the suggested donation amount. These events are often “NOTAFLOF” events.)

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. 🙂

N/A = Not applicable. In other words, it’s not a thing (e.g. “Time: N/A” means there is no specific time associated with this event.)

Family-friendly = This is an event for the whole family. “Kid-friendly” is another term often used by event hosts. We use “family-friendly” only when we know the event is geared toward adults and children specifically. “Kid-friendly” means kids can come, but the event is not for kids, per se.

All-ages = People under 18- / 21-years may attend, but young children won’t necessarily enjoy this event. Usually noted when it might not otherwise be clear.

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!

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