Music Nights festival opens | Westside Seattle

Tue, 07/18/2006

July marked the start of music making in White Center with the Music Nights festival which features a wide variety of live musical performances in various cafes located in downtown White Center.

Music Nights will be on the second Friday of every month with its first event held last week. Locally owned restaurants will act as venues for live performances which are as diverse as the various ethnic foods they offer.

"White Center is rich with restaurants and many people who live close by have never tried them," said Ricardo Guarnero of Caf/ Rozella, Music Nights head organizer.

Vietnamese, Salvadorean, Indian, Mexican and Cambodian cuisines are just some of the diverse ethnic foods that will be served up. The Pacific Rim Brewery features White Center's very own brew, the Rat City IPA.

Caf/ Rozella will play host to Correo Aereo, the highly skilled duo of Abel Rocha and Madeleine Sosin. They perform traditional music of Venezuela, Mexico, Argentina, and Peru with original harmonies and the incorporation of various musical instruments.

"We think [Correo Aero] will fit in great with Cafe Rozella's culture," said Guarnero. "The awards and honors that they have received are not easily gotten. They are a great musical act."

Correo Aereo was named the best traditional Mexican/Latino act by the Austin Music Awards in 2001 and their music has been featured in various musical festivals and on feature films.

"We are providing some first rate musical acts at no cost to the audience," Guarnero said.

The Fabulous Rudies will be performing at the Pacific Rim Brewery. This band includes members from all over the western coast to create a mix of rock, reggae, pop and ska.

The Triangle Tavern will have the lounge music of Hart and The Hurricane performing. This four member band influenced by groups like the Beatles, Elliott Smith and the Velvet Underground have been making music together for the past year.

From groovy African rhythms to jazzy romantic melodies, musical group Seattle Postcard will be performing at Moon Indian Grill.

Also performing during the Music Nights festival are Timothy Michaels at Banh 88 and The Salvadorean Bakery will be hosting Diego McCoy.

All of the venues will have their musical acts performing at the same time. However, the musicians will play three sets throughout the evening so people can wonder and still catch a number of different acts, Guarnero said.

White Center's Music Nights celebration is centered on bringing together great local talent and all of the many different flavors the community has to offer.

"The main goal of the Music Nights is to introduce people to White Center, as a place to visit, shop and to get some great food and entertainment," said Guarnero.

4Culture of King County, the Neighbor-to-Neighbor Fund and the White Center Community Development Association provided funding for the event, so public admission is free.

"Our organization is a proud supporter of this event as it helps to bring people down to experience White Center in the evening and showcase local artists," said Aileen Balahadia, executive director of the association.

Complete Event Lineup:

Banh 88 (Thai & Vietnamese)

9418 Delridge Way S.W.

Featuring music of: Timothy Michaels

Caf/ Rozella (Coffee, Tapas bar)

http://www.caferozella.com

9434 Delridge Way S.W.

Featuring music of: Correo Aereo

http://www.correoaereo.com

Del Rio Restaurant (Mexican)

10230 16th Ave S.W.

Featuring music of: TBD