THIS WEEK IN SOUTH SEATTLE — Blacks Making History: Storytelling & Liberation, Seattle Asian American Film Fest, Celebrating Mardi Gras, & More!

by Emerald Staff

Wed., Feb. 19:

Mothers For Police Accountability

“Mothers For Police Accountability will present to the Community the
History of Weed and Seed in CD, that lead to People Remover or Gentrification. More information call 206-380-1710 Rev. Walden.Kid-friendly

Time: 6–8 p.m.
Where: Liberty Bank Building — 1405 24th Ave
Cost: Free to attend

16 Bars Film Screening & Discussion

“16 Bars is a feature-length music doc that offers a rare glimpse at the human stories — and songs — that are locked away in our nation’s jails and prisons. In a Virginia jail’s makeshift recording studio, four men collaborate on an album with Grammy-winning recording artist, Todd ‘Speech’ Thomas, from the hip-hop group Arrested Development.

“With the U.S. locking up more of its citizens per capita than any other nation on the planet, the music of 16 Bars serves as rare testimony to the raw and messy truth behind the criminal justice system‘s revolving door.

“Post the film Creative Justice Youth Leadership Board will host a discussion. Movie snacks provided. Doors at 6:30pm; Film at 7:00pm.” 

Time: 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Where: Washington Hall — 153 14th Ave
Cost: $5 suggested donation

Thurs., Feb. 20:

Blacks Making History: Storytelling and Liberation

“’Black folks come from a long line of storytellers, and we seek out the stories that shed light on who we are in this country. We have learned how to tell the story as it came from Africa to Opelika, Alabama; from Commerce, Georgia; and even from a reservation in Oklahoma. It came with us from the islands and with the Great Migration. It is peppered with jokes and gospel and jazz and Aretha. Stories are the ties that bind us. There is no question that storytelling for black America is a way of saying I am here and I matter.’ — Andrea Collier

“Join us for our Blacks Making History series as we explore how storytelling, through poetry, prose, song, and performance, continues to be foundational to the Black communities advancement and liberation. And how its story is the story of America.

“We’ll be joined by incredible storytellers: Georgia S. McDade, Kathya Alexander, Jerry Large, Draze, and Ben Hunter (learn more about the storytellers on the Facebook event). The event is free and open to the public! Moderated by Lola E Peters and Marcus Harrison Green.Read full storyteller bios on the event page

Time: 7–8:30 p.m.
Where: Skyway Library — 12601 76th Ave S.
Cost: FREE
*Also Celebrate the Reopening of the Seattle Asian Art Museum on Sat., 2/22 with art historian Tamara Moats.

Daniel Mallory Ortberg – Something That May Shock and Discredit You

“Join us on February 20th as we welcome Daniel Mallory Ortberg with his new book, Something That May Shock and Discredit You.

“From the writer of Slate’s ‘Dear Prudence’ column and ‘literally the funniest person on the internet’ (Rachel Fershleiser, coeditor of the New York Times bestseller Not Quite What I Was Planning) comes a witty and clever collection of essays and cultural observations spanning pop culture— from the endearingly popular to the staggeringly obscure.

Time: 7 p.m.
Where: Third Place Books Seward Park — 5041 Wilson Ave S.
Cost: Free to attend

SAAFF Opening Night Party featuring G Yamazawa and rogue pinay

“Don’t miss a night of live spoken word and hip hop performances emceed by Aleksa Manila at the historic Washington Hall. We are excited to bring G YAMAZAWA, a National Poetry Slam Champion and Kundiman Fellow who’s toured over 200 universities. His debut album ‘Shouts to Durham’ independently charted at #34 on iTunes Top 100 Rap Albums, and his single ‘North Cack’ peaked at #3 on Spotify’s Viral 50 Chart powered by Billboard.

“We’ll be opening the evening with local favorite, Rogue Pinay, an emcee, cultural worker and community organizer with a deep love of hip hop discovered as an immigrant youth

“DJ Yung Barong will keep you on the dance floor ’til late. Get your tickets before they’re gone!Co-presented by 206 Zulu. All-ages.

Time: 9 p.m.–Midnight
Where: Washington Hall — 153 14th Ave
Cost: $20
*Find all the info on the 2020 Seattle Asian American Film Festival on the event website. (Event runs Thurs., 2/20–Sun., 2/23.) 

Fri., Feb. 21:

Mardi Gras in New Orleans: Dr. John and Art Neville

“Help us celebrate the amazing work of New Orleans icons Dr. John and Art Neville. Featuring some of Seattle’s best musicians! Tribute to Dr. John – ft. Jeff Fielder, Keith Lowe, Eric Eagle, Tim Kennedy. Tribute to Art Neville – ft Meter Maids (Wayne Horvitz, Eric Eagle, Jeff Fielder, Gerald Turner). The Royal Room is all-ages until 10 p.m.

Time: 7 p.m. (doors)
Where: The Royal Room — 5000 Rainier Ave S.
Cost: $15 Adv. / $20 DOS
*Also check out The Ain’t No Heaven Seven Dixieland Band on Sat., 2/22 and Fat Tuesday at the Royal Room on Tues., 2/25 (AKA Fat Tuesday!).

Image cropped to fit this space.

LAUGH REHAB w/ Jaylee Thomas Chocolat Chi Lawrence Owens

“The Emperors Group presents a celebration of Black history with 3 of the funniest, rawest, most unlawful comics in America

“Featuring Jaylee ‘DoShe’ Thomas fresh off his second movie set. Chocolat Chi, and the street demon himself, Washington D.C.’s comedy legend, Lawrence Owens. Hosted by veteran Comedian Justin Hayes and spinning the disc of sound…TheRealDJ24K, with after party basement jam, sponsored by Platinum Plush Fashions featuring DJ Mr. Nyice Guy, included with ticket purchase. After party, with specialty drinks Hosted by: Platinum Plush Fashions.

Time: 8 p.m.
Where: Rainier Arts Center — 3515 S. Alaska St
Cost: $15 Adv.

Gambia’s 55th Independence Celebration

“Red Lounge // Afrobeats Global Seattle // Starlight Promotions Presents Gambia’s 55th Independence Celebration Friday Feb 21st at Red Lounge. Music and entertainment by Special guest DJ SoundBag Alongside DJ Nayiram // Mo // Veteran.21+

Time: 10 p.m.
Where: Red Lounge — 1212 E. Jefferson St
Cost: Cover charge (contact venue)

Sat., Feb. 22:

Royal Esquire Club’s Annual All Black All Everything Party

“The Royal Esquire Club’s annual All Black All Everything Party! We only require you do is come to party! Wear Black! Celebrate our Black Heritage! Have Fun! Entry $10.00 VIP $20.00. www.royalesquireclub.com or call 206 728 2811 Doors Open 8:00pm

Time: 8 p.m. (doors)
Where: Royal Esquire Club — 5016 Rainier Ave S.
Cost: $10

Community Game Party and Safe Street Plan Feedback

“All people are welcome to come and play games with neighbors and learn about the work we are doing in 2020 and guide where we must make safe street improvements first and suggest street art for Holly Park neighborhood. We will have some favorite games like Uno, Connect 4, and Scrabble. If you have a game you would like to bring and play with someone, please do. We will have light refreshments and a fun group of people. Come join us!

Time: 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Where: New Holly Gathering Hall — 7054 32nd Ave S.
Cost: FREE (we think!)

Free Flo Fit Presents: Ask A Trainer Ft. The Station

“Come Meet The Free Flo Fit Team! This will be a FREE event that you don’t want to miss! Come join us for a panel-style discussion surrounding health and fitness with 6 Seattle/Tacoma based Fitness Trainers. Understanding that there is a lack of resources for the underprivileged community when it comes to accessing fitness Trainers, The Station coffee shop and Free Flo Fit has teamed up to provide you with 6 dope personal trainers to answer any questions you may have. We will be having lite refreshments and mingling after the discussion!

Time: 7:30–9:30 p.m.
Where: The Station —1600 S. Roberto Maestas Fest St
Cost: Free to attend

Image: the Free Flo Fit team.

International Women’s Day Celebration

“March 8th, International Women’s Day celebration Eritrean Association Community Center. Date: 22nd of February 2020. Join us in our festivity. NAEWmn of Seattle.

Time: 2 p.m.–Midnight
Where: Eritrean Association In Greater Seattle — 1528 Valentine Pl S.
Cost: FREE (we think!)

Image: Promo image for Intl. Women’s Day Celebration (via Facebook).

Tues., Feb. 25:

Fat Tuesday Edition of Beatwalk

“It’s that time of year again! Beatwalk’s Fat Tuesday Edition is approaching us soon! Here is the lineup for the evening’s events:

“As we do every year, there will be a Sidewalk Parade led by Beatwalk Booking Coordinator, Tisha Gallow and the Jazz Night School, followed by our 2nd Line. The 2nd Line is literally made up of neighbors, or anyone who would like to join in our march. We will be meeting up and gathering at Lottie’s Lounge between 5:30pm-5:45pm. Then marching out at 6pm. Lotties is kid-friendly until 10pm. So your kids are very welcomed to participate!

“The music for the evening is as follows: Jeffrey Taylor State Farm: Barry Blendiana Jones aka DJ Topspin 5:30pm-8:30pm; Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria: Songstress Sheila Kay and keyboardist Beth Wulff 6pm-8pm; Island Soul Rum Bar & Soul Shack: DJ MR. NYICE GUY 6pm-9-pm; Columbia City Ale House: Motown’s HB Herman Brown 6:30pm-8:30pm; Backyard: Roc Phizzle and the Rhythm Section 7pm-9pm; The Hummingbird Saloon: The Arturo Rene Rodriguez Trio 7:30pm-9:30pm; The Royal Room: SeattleJazzED New Works 5:30pm-7:30pm and The ‘Meter’ Maids 8pm-10pm; Lottie’s Lounge: Lamar Lofton with Swing 3PO 8pm-10pm

“This traditional family-friendly event will be so much fun and excitement for the neighborhood! There will be volunteers walking and dancing around with lit up donation baskets throughout the evening. Our summer Beatwalks are every 2nd Sunday June – September and your donations help ensure that we are able to pay our AMAZING artists! Laissez les bons temps rouler!!! Translation: Let the good times roll! Mai ya sha!

Time: 5:30–10 p.m.
Where: Columbia City (multiple locations)
Cost: Free to attend (donations appreciated!)

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)

NW Peaks Comedy Open Mic (Tuesdays)

*Here’s a monthly comedy showcase too: Cafe Reds We Got Jokes (Second Wednesdays, intermittently; see venue calendar). And here’s a new weekly radio comedy show on RainierAveRadio.World featuring local comedians in-studio: Got Funny? (Download their new app on the Google Play store or the App Store to listen on mobile.)

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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