Music for White Center

Things are popping in White Center this summer. Friday, July 13, the White Center Arts Alliance kicked off the first of the White Center Music Nights. My husband and I spooned up delicious Indian food at Mehra’s Indian Grill to a 20s and 30s jazz tempo performed by Del Rey and Craig Florey. Then we went on to Café Rozella for dessert and rap/hip hop with a conscience by Global Heat. Other participating restaurants were the Salvadorian Bakery, 88 Restaurant, Pho 54 and Taqueria Guaymas. We were disappointed that we didn’t have enough time or enough room in our stomachs to go everywhere. But we can try again in August. Music Nights in White Center will be held the second Friday every month through October.

If you can’t get enough of a music fix at Music Nights, you can go to Café Rozella at 7:00 p.m. any Friday all summer. Last Friday, we listened to Children of the Revolution. It was a very Seattle experience as it was raining. Usually, the bands perform in the plaza in front of the café; last week, they sang and danced flamenco inside the tiny coffee shop. As many people as could fit crowded inside. We huddled under a dripping table umbrella outside and peered in the window. It was still fun, though. Tonight, we’re going to hear Eduardo Mendonca. It doesn’t look like it’s going to rain.

Last Saturday, as a part of Seafair—Seattle’s Summer Celebration, the White Center Jubilee Days Parade was held. I took all of the pictures posted here at the parade. The one at the top is of music of a different kind, the John F. Kennedy High School Lancer Marching Band.

The Seafair Pirates were out in full force, terrorizing children and old ladies and handing out candy. The boom of the cannon from their pirate ship on wheels could be heard for blocks. The pirates have been marching in parades and gracing other Seafair events since 1949.

White Center's parade began many years ago as a decorated-bicycle parade for children. A Little League team carry on the tradition.

A drill team adds flair to the parade.

And what would a parade be without beauty queens? The White Center Jubilee Days Parade had a full quota.

Politicians joined the parade, too. This doggy is for Dow, Dow Constantine that is.

The parade was part of a two-day street fair that included food booths, arts and crafts, children's entertainment on the community stage, a carnival and a Saturday night street dance. Rain was eminent the entire weekend, but in typical Seattle fashion, a good time was still had by all.