Arts in the South End: July 2024 Roundup
There's that age-old Seattle adage that summer in our mossy corner of the country doesn't really start until after the Fourth of July. And after our foul, cold June, that saying is mostly holding up as true this year! Luckily, there are tons of cool July events and festivals that will have you both basking in the sunshine and retreating to cool air-conditioned spaces. Go bump to Afrobeats on Fisher Pavilion for Blastfest, peruse sculptures and paintings galore at the Seattle Art Fair, and celebrate the diversity of Skyway at Nia Festival and Parade.
Think we missed something? Let us know at Arts@SeattleEmerald.org.
Through July 20
King Street Station
303 S. Jackson St., Seattle 98104
Down at King Street Station, The DogTown Collection of urban art and graffiti is on view for almost the entire month of July in a show called "Complexity." A collaboration between the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, the American Graffiti & Urban Art Conservation Project, and APEX Art & Cultural Center, this exhibition shows what graffiti is, can be, and how it serves as a reflection of the community. The DogTown Collection is a collection of work from some of the most revered graffiti writers over the past 50 years, with 20 pieces on display at King Street Station alongside work from local writers as well. On July 11, there will be a big party on the plaza outside the station to celebrate the exhibition.
July 5—27
Beneath the Streets
102 Cherry St., Seattle 98104
Based on real-life people and events, People in the Square: The Pioneer Square Musical is a cabaret-style musical refute that celebrates the people and stories of Seattle's first neighborhood. More from the press release:
"This musical ranges in time from the original inhabitants of the Duwamish and Suquamish Tribes, early pioneers and gold miners, fast-forwarding to those who frequent Pioneer Square today. Converging on the square are the wealthy, the poor, occupants, visitors, sports fans, and art dealers, most never being truly aware of the other, despite occupying the same three acres together. Join us to experience this fascinating journey through time of the ever-evolving melting pot in the heart of Seattle!"
July 10—Sept. 8
Columbia City Gallery
4864 Rainier Ave. S., Seattle 98118
Come to Columbia City Gallery to ogle at paintings by six incredible Black artists in Seattle: Chard Brown, Myron Curry, Yolanda Galery, Vincent Keele, Rodney King, and T.R. Miles. An opening reception with the artists will be held on Saturday, July 13, from 5 to 7 p.m.
July 12, 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
The Moore Theatre
1932 Second Ave., Seattle 98101
The 26th annual DANCE This show "brings together youth and adult performers from diverse communities to collaborate and share their cultures through dance" featuring both local and national performers. This year, local artists include Folclor Oaxaqueo, International Ballet Theatre, Northwest Tap Connection, and Sayaw Filipino Folk Dance Troupe with DANCE This artists-in-residence Mackenzy Isaacson and Pooja Ganesh.
July 16, 6:30 p.m.
Wa Na Wari
911 24th Ave., Seattle 98122
Nothing compares to sipping wine while talking about art. And on July 16, you can do both at Wa Na Wari's Art History & Wine series, where they will be discussing the life and work of Lorna Simpson, a lauded photographer whose work explores the way gender and race shape life in contemporary America.
July 18 & 25, 7 p.m.
Jefferson Park
3801 Beacon Ave. S., Seattle 98108
Every Thursday from mid-July through mid-August, Jefferson Jumpstart will take over Jefferson Park with an evening of free music. On July 18, bask in the rock-ness of Mettle Lark, and on July 25, Marlee Walker and CT Thompson & The Classic Soul Band will take over the stage with their unique blend of soul and R&B. Bring a picnic and a big blanket — this is a family affair!
July 19—21
Alki Beach
2665 Alki Ave. SW, Seattle 98116
This free and family-friendly community event brings together dozens of artists and makers with music to enjoy while strolling down Alki Beach. This year, bands like Smoky Topaz and Like Lions will take the stage and visitors can check out textiles from vendors like DOG Baby, pottery and ceramicware from places like Perezpots, and more.
July 22, doors at 8 p.m., show at 8:30 p.m.
Clock-Out Lounge
4864 Beacon Ave. S., Seattle 98108
Nigerien rock band Etran de L'Ar is rolling through the Clock-Out Lounge to bring their brand of psych rock to Seattle audiences. The band is made up of brothers and cousins all born and raised in Agadez, Niger, who are all stars of their local wedding circuit. Come through to see them rock out with a couple of special guests who are yet to be announced.
July 25—28
Lumen Field Event Center
800 Occidental Ave. S., Seattle 98134
The Seattle Art Fair is back once again to bring together local, national, and international galleries for four whirlwind days of art. Making their debut at the Seattle Art Fair this year is TASWIRA, an African art gallery based here in Seattle bringing emerging and established artists like Olumide Oresegun, Damon Brown, and Ralph Ziman to their booth. Keep an eye out!
July 25th, 7-8 p.m.
Elliott Bay Books
1521 10th Ave., Seattle 98122
Come through to Elliott Bay Books to hear co-editor Premal Dharia speak about Dismantling Mass Incarceration, an anthology about ending mass incarceration from advocates, experts, and formerly incarcerated people. Dharia will be in conversation with Tarra Simmons, a co-founder of the Civil Survival Project.
July 25 & 26, 9 p.m.
Clock-Out Lounge
4864 Beacon Ave. S., Seattle 98108
For six years, Tush has been bringing excellent and silly drag to Beacon Hill. Hosted by the inimitable Betty Wetter, the show is celebrating its sixth birthday with a big bday bash. Join Betty, Angel Baby Kill Kill Kill, Miss Texas 1988, Purple Lemonade, Pussy Willow, and DJ Dark Wiley for a Tushy party for the ages!
July 26-28
Ayeko Farm
41633 236th Ave. SE, Enumclaw 98022
Join Union Cultural Center for Grounded in Freedom, a three-day gathering at Ayeko Farm in Enumclaw featuring a "series of workshops that explore the principles of land stewardship, the movements of capoeira, samba, salsa, and the communal joy of sharing meals made with fresh ingredients from the farm." There will be tons of skilled artists and instructors onsite to guide you through this transformational journey.
July 27, 1—7 p.m.
Skyway Park
7032 S. 120th Place, Seattle 98178
Nia Festival and Parade celebrates the Black legacy and experience in unincorporated Skyway, one of the most diverse areas in Washington State. Nia Festival is free with tons of children activities, family-friendly music, artists, and local vendors.
July 27
Fisher Green Pavilion at Seattle Center
305 Harrison St., Seattle 98109
Premiere Afrobeats festival BLASTfest is back once again with a killer lineup. This year, Davido is headlining the evening with Ayra Starr, Shallipopi, Musa Keys, and Sarz rounding out the lineup with more artists to be announced as the event draws closer.
July 27, 5—8:30 p.m.
Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden
2525 S. 336th St., Federal Way 98003
Celebrate 60 years of the Rhododendron Species Foundation at the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden. Come through for music, food, wine and beer, garden tours, and a rare plant auction.
July 27—28, 11 a.m.—7 p.m.
Seattle Center
305 Harrison St., Seattle 98109
For two days, the Seattle Arab Festival is spreading out in Seattle Center to celebrate and uplift traditional Arab foods, drinks, and desserts alongside vendors with products from or about the Arab world. There will also be tons of Arab music, singing, dancing, and performances. Some more history of Seattle Arab Fest from their website:
"In the early 1980's, Seattle sponsored, 'Ethnic Fest,' an event held at Northlake Mall for several years. A group of local Arabs always manned a booth until Ethnic Fest ended.
"Initially, the community gathered to combat negative stereotypes of Arabs, which continued to be prevalent in the U.S. media around the time of the Gulf War. The Arab Center of Washington (ACW), established in 1992, was the first organization to produce the Seattle Arab Festival. The first festival was held at a private residence in Seattle in 1993. In 1999, the Arab Festival joined the Festl series at the Seattle Center, which provided ACW with the much-needed support and infrastructure to carry out the festival on a larger scale. In 2018, after ACW closed its doors, Seattle Arab Festival (SAF), a nonprofit organization, was created with the specific goal of carrying on the production of the Festival."
July 28— August 11
After shifting from a one-day event to a weeklong one, Utopia's MANAfest celebrates queer and trans Pacific Islander community, culture, art, music, dance, and food. This year, Utopia specifically celebrates the heritage of Samoa.
Jas Keimig is a writer and critic based in Seattle. They previously worked on staff at The Stranger, covering visual art, film, music, and stickers. Their work has also appeared in Crosscut, South Seattle Emerald, i-D, Netflix, and The Ticket. They also co-write Unstreamable for Scarecrow Video, a column and screening series highlighting films you can't find on streaming services. They won a game show once.
📸 Featured Image: Tons of cool art is coming our way thanks to the Seattle Art Fair, running from July 25 to 28 at the Lumen Field Event Center. (Photo courtesy of AMP)
Before you move on to the next story …
The South Seattle Emerald™ is brought to you by Rainmakers. Rainmakers give recurring gifts at any amount. With around 1,000 Rainmakers, the Emerald™ is truly community-driven local media. Help us keep BIPOC-led media free and accessible.
If just half of our readers signed up to give $6 a month, we wouldn't have to fundraise for the rest of the year. Small amounts make a difference.
We cannot do this work without you. Become a Rainmaker today!
Help keep BIPOC-led, community-powered journalism free — become a Rainmaker today.
