Arts in the South End: April 2025 Roundup

Do you smell the dew in the air? Are your allergies going wild? Have you walked down the many cherry-blossomed lanes across the city? It is April and — though the world is dark — nature is in bloom. As we shake our bodies from their winter slumber, there are plenty of cultural activities to keep us busy across the South End, from a party celebrating the genius of Q-Tip and J Dilla to a cake dance with Wa Na Wari to a Khmer New Year street festival. 

Plus: It's the South Seattle Emerald's birthday on April 30! We're a proud Taurus! If you'd like to show us some birthday love, consider becoming a Rainmaker, or giving a gift of any amount. Your support directly funds the Emerald's coverage of the South End! 

Think we missed something? Let us know at Arts@SeattleEmerald.org.

April 3–24
4Culture Gallery
101 Prefontaine Place S.

Hyunjeong Lim's new exhibition, Trip West, at 4Culture Gallery features new works reflecting her journey from South Korea to the United States. Her paintings are grand, surreal landscapes, flecked with color, bright flora and fauna, and dreamy figures. More from 4Culture: "In these highly detailed allegories of exploration—inspired by and paying playful homage to Renaissance masters like Pieter Bruegel and Hieronymus Bosch—walking fish and faceless beings obscure the line between the mythical and the tangible. As Lim navigated her new life in the U.S., moving between cities, she often felt like an outsider. Yet the sublime and overwhelming beauty of the West Coast's natural environments rooted her as an artist and shaped this body of work: a series of fragmented images that weave together past and present, fiction, and reality."

April 12, 9–11:30 p.m.
The Royal Room
5000 Rainier Ave. S.

Mizz Tish is bringing Verzuz to The Royal Room, pitting legendary producer J Dilla up against legendary emcee Q-Tip. While neither man will be in attendance (RIP Dilla), there will be a live band (Roc Phizzle on vox and drums, Darrius Willrich on keys, Demarcus Baysmore on guitar, and Darry Wilmore on bass) with DJ Vitamin D behind the decks.

April 17, 8:30 p.m.
Clock-Out Lounge
4864 Beacon Ave. S.

Donnie and Joe Emerson's "Baby" failed to even register when the rural Washingtonians put out their first album Dreamin' Wild in 1979. But in the 21st century, that song and album hit hipsters like dynamite after being rediscovered by blogger Jack Fleischer, propelling the record and duo into popular acclaim. Now, Donnie Emerson and musician (and Emerson's wife) Nancy Sophia are on tour and will be crooning some songs at Clock-Out Lounge with doom-wop progenitor Prom Queen on opener duties.

April 19, 2–4 p.m.
Georgetown Ballroom
5623 Airport Way S.

Join Wa Na Wari and choreographer dani tirrell for an afternoon of Black dance performance, a cake walk, and a dance party.

April 22, 8 p.m.
Clock-Out Lounge
4864 Beacon Ave. S.

After being friends for five decades, punk icons Alice Bag and Kid Congo Powers have teamed up for a new music project, Juanita & Juan, that transcends labels, but is what they call "loud lounge." Graveyard of the Pacific and Lushy will open for the duo. 

April 24–May 4
Georgetown Steam Plant
6605 13th Ave. S.

Head over to the drippy Georgetown Steam Plant for a night of immersive art theater. The Shape of the Night "invites guests to explore the illogical yet captivating world of dreams where one moment seamlessly shifts to the next in surreal and unpredictable ways – much like our own chaotic world." The vibe is art gallery meets theatrical performance meets social gathering, with art installations, puzzles, and interactive performances!

April 24–27
Fisher Pavilion
305 Harrison St.

Though this is not in the South End, the Seattle Center's free health clinic provides essential dental, vision, medical, and mental health services each year for people who cannot afford or access care. You do not need any documentation of proof of income, immigration status, or insurance in order to receive care. While the clinic is free, there are some things you should be aware of, so be sure to read its website thoroughly before going.

April 24–27
LANGSTON
104 17th Ave. S.

The Seattle Black Film Festival is back once again! With over 100 films across genres, styles, and subjects! Opening the fest is Over the Bridge, which follows a Nigerian investment banker whose life goes sideways when a government project falls through, and he finds himself in a remote fishing village. SBFF will also feature lots of activations, like a BIPOC filmmaker happy hour, panels with Black creators, and an immersive house party experience. Learn more over on SBFF's website.

April 25–26
Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden
2525 S. 336th St., Federal Way

Seeing a rhododendron on a walk is like glimpsing a bit of floral heaven. And the Rhododendron Species Symposium 2025 brings together gardeners, plant lovers, and experts from around the world to appreciate and extol the beauty of this floral bush. There will be lectures on rare and endangered plant species conservation, guided tours, a Q&A panel, and keynote speaker Seamus O'Brien, head gardener of the National Botanic Garden, Kilmacurragh, in Ireland.

April 26, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
SW 98th St., between 15th and 16th Ave. SW, White Center

Even though we are four months into the Gregorian year, that doesn't mean there aren't ample opportunities to start again. The Cambodian Cultural Alliance of Washington is hosting the Khmer New Year Street Festival down in White Center with monk blessings and food offerings, food vendors, games, music performances, and a Khmer fashion show and skit. More info will drop soon!

April 26, 2–4 p.m.
Garfield Park
23rd Ave. and E. Cherry St.

Celebrate Earth Day by participating in the annual release of ladybugs at the Garfield Community Center Garden. Come through to learn about pollinators and bring the young ones in your life for (fun!) educational hands-on activities!