by Patheresa Wells
Remember when everyone was walking around their neighborhoods during lockdown? Wa Na Wari took the spirit behind the community engagement that comes from strolling through your streets and combined it with its commitment to being a container for Black joy. The 3rd Annual Walk the Block takes place on Saturday, Sept. 30, from 2–6 p.m.
Continue reading Walk the Block Returns for a Third Yearby Patheresa Wells
Over Labor Day weekend, artists of all ages gathered at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute for the 3rd Annual Verbal Oasis Spoken Word Festival. The event combined performances by artists of color with an open mic and included two days of programming focused on developing children’s creativity.
Continue reading Verbal Oasis Spoken Word Festival Showcases Artists of Color With Muezz Infuezzionby Patheresa Wells
Fall is around the corner, and with that comes the return of the rain and time for kids to return to school. One of the best things about Seattle summer is all the events and offerings available outdoors, but with the season change comes a plethora of opportunities for kids and families. From community center events to vaccine clinics, the Emerald has assembled a resource guide to help you and your family get the most out of fall. And even better, most options are free, and financial aid is available for those that are not.
Read on for a roundup of South End resources — click the header links in each section to go directly to each one.
Continue reading The South End Fall Activities and Back-to-School Resource Guide 2023by Patheresa Wells
The Teen Summer Musical (TSM) has been a Seattle institution for over 25 years, providing an opportunity for young performers of color to share their theatrical talents with the community. This year’s family-friendly show, Dream!, runs Aug. 18–27, 2023, at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute.
“It is our hope that Dream! will remind an audience that it’s never too late for dreams to come true. Settling for less than your dream can be the difference between happiness and contentment,” said Michelle Lang-Raymond, executive director of Acts On Stage Theatre.
Continue reading Teen Summer Musical Encourages People of All Ages to Pursue Their ‘Dream!’by Patheresa Wells
What the Funk?! isn’t just a burlesque festival. It isn’t just a funk music revue. And it isn’t just a reclamation of the beauty found in BIPOC bodies. It is a blending of music and melanin that pays tribute to the Black American music genre of funk while simultaneously showcasing the artistry of burlesque performers of color. What the Funk?! An All POC Burlesque Festival returns for its fourth year at The Triple Door Aug. 24–26, 2023.
Continue reading What the Funk?! Showcases Black and Brown Joy Through Funk Music at the Triple Doorby Patheresa Wells
Many people can only dream of writing down their stories. It takes a special bravery to put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard to produce a sharable work, and getting it published and getting it out to a wider audience is a huge next step. People who have been historically underrepresented in traditional publishing are even less likely to take that step. But new publisher Hinton Publishing, an imprint of Vertvolta, has begun operations with a focus on helping underinvited communities in the Pacific Northwest to get their stories published.
Continue reading Hinton Publishing Centers Stories From Historically Underinvited Communitiesby Patheresa Wells
For over 70 years, Seattle residents have come together for a festival that has had many names but one purpose: to celebrate cultural diversity. The tradition continues as Umoja Fest Africatown Heritage Festival & Parade brings food, fashion, music, art, and more to Judkins Park on Aug. 5–6, 2023.
Continue reading Experience the Vibrant Culture of Umoja Fest: Seattle’s African Heritage Celebrationby Patheresa Wells
Music carries more than just sounds; it’s an essential culture bearer. At BLASTFEST, Seattle’s first-ever Afrobeats festival, the richness and diversity of African culture will be catapulted to new heights in a city that is catching up to the genre’s global popularity. BLASTFEST will take place at Seattle Center on Saturday, July 29.
Continue reading Seattle’s First-Ever BLASTFEST Celebrates Afrobeats Music and African Culturesby Patheresa Wells
Looking to get outside and enjoy the best of the summer but want to go easy on your wallet? Want to cozy up on a blanket, popcorn in hand, as the sun sets and a blockbuster movie graces the giant screen? Or perhaps you are hoping to sway to the soulful rhythms of a local musician at an outdoor concert? The Emerald has gathered a roundup of South End outdoor events that are family friendly and free! So grab your picnic baskets, gather your loved ones, and get ready for a summer filled with movies, music, and art.
Continue reading The South End Guide to Free Summer Concerts and Eventsby Patheresa Wells
Seattle summer can be a glorious time of year. To say we appreciate the season is an understatement. The one, possibly two, months the Emerald City gets of all-out sunshine is packed full of events. Pride, Juneteeth, block parties, and outdoor festivals fill weekends with reasons to explore the magic of the city without the rain. But over the past few years, the heat has hit in waves of extreme — and dangerous — temperatures. In June of 2021, for instance, extreme temperatures caused local road surfaces to buckle. According to a report issued by the Washington State Department of Health, “extreme heat events (heat waves) are predicted to happen more often and last longer due to our changing climate.”
Continue reading South End Guides | Beat the Heat: A Cool-Off Guide for the South End
