2009 Cultural Events in King County
The following list details diversity related celebrations throughout King County in 2009.
February
Tet Festival: Vietnamese Lunar New Year
Description: This annual Lunar New Year celebration welcomes the return of spring and chases out evil spirits with the traditional roaring lion dance and the crackle of fireworks. Features exhibits, storytelling, a fashion show and food.
Location: Seattle Center.
More information: www.seattlecenter.com/festal or www.tetinseattle.org.
Festival Sundiata: African-American Festival
Description: SUNDIATA (pronounced: Soon-jah-tah), named in honor of Sundiata Keita (1210-1260) the historic and legendary Mansa (king of kings) is the Pacific Northwest’s largest African American festival celebrated during Black History month. The festival is named in honor of the legendary King of Mali who rescued his people’s Griot (storyteller and keeper of the oral history) and honors the significant history and vast artistic contributions of African American people, past and present.
Location: Seattle Center.
More information: www.seattlecenter.com/festal or www.festivalsundiata.org.
March
Irish Week Festival: Irish Cultural Festival
Description: Irish tunes, step dancing and the Irish jig keep the energy flowing at the Irish Week Festival. Gaelic games, trace Irish history with help from genealogists, cultural exhibits and demonstrations.
Location: Seattle Center
More information: www.seattlecenter.com/festal or www.irishclub.org.
Contact: Current President, Melissa Estelle, 206-223-3608 or e-mail the Irish Week Committee
at IrishWeek@irishclub.org.
April
Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival
Description: Explore Seattle’s deep connections with Japan and celebrate the beauty of spring.
Location: Seattle Center
More information: www.seattlecenter.com/festal
Contact: Current festival organizer, Yutaka Sasaki, P.O. Box 9311 Seattle, WA 98109
or call 206-723-2003.
May
Asian-Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration
Description: Celebrate the cultures of Asia with a spectacular lion dance, youth drill teams, martial arts, taiko drums and incredible renowned artists from around the state. Diverse community includes China, the Philippines, Samoa, Japan, South Pacific Islands and Cambodia. Presented by Asian-Pacific Directors Coalition (c/o CCA, 901 Rainier Avenue South Seattle, WA 98144).
Location: Seattle Center.
More information: www.seattlecenter.com/festal.
Spirit of West Africa
Description: Watch while the traditions of six West African countries come to life through exhibits, live music, dance performances and storytelling.
Location: Seattle Center
More information: www.seattlecenter.com/festal, www.thionediop.com (performers)
Contact: Thione Diop Productions, 1071 26th Ave. E. Seattle, WA 98112.
A Glimpse of China: Chinese Culture and Arts Festival
Description: Enter Seattle’s own Chinese garden and experience cultural traditions featuring 5,000 years of China’s history in this celebration of one of the world’s oldest cultures.
Location: Seattle Center
More information: www.seattlecenter.com/festal or www.chinaartandculture.com.
Contact: WCACC, P.O. Box 593, Bellevue, WA 98009 or call 206-818-8680.
Northwest Folklife Festival
Description: Celebrate the Northwest’s diverse cultural heritage Memorial Day weekend with music, art and dance. Presented by Northwest Folklife.
Location: Seattle Center
More information: www.seattlecenter.com/festal or www.nwfolklife.org.
Contact: Executive Director Robert Townsend, Northwest Folklife, 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109-4623 or call 206-684-7300.
Seattle International Children’s Festival
Description: Performing-arts event for all ages with live international circus, theater, music, dance, puppetry, multimedia performance, hands-on activities and more.
Location: Seattle Center
More information: www.seattlecenter.com or www.seattleinternational.org.
Contact: Executive Director Andrea Wagner, 305 Harrison Street, Seattle, WA 98109 or call 206.325.6500.
Denise Louie Education Center
Description: Denise Louie Education Center nonprofit Head Start program hosts multicultural lunch buffet, community-resource information, children’s activities, etc.
Location: Jefferson Community Center, 3801 Beacon Hill Ave S
More information: www.deniselouie.org .
Contact: Executive Director Janice Deguchi, jdeguchi@deniselouie.org , 801 S Lane St., Seattle WA 98104 or call 206. 621.7880.
June
Strawberry Festival
Description: The Strawberry Festival in Bellevue draws from the Crossroads Community, which is the most diverse on the Eastside. More than 36,000 people attended the two-day festival in June 2008, including families with young children, baby boomers and also many culturally diverse community members. The festival includes a variety of activities at Crossroads Park, such as games, clowns, face painting, a strawberry shortcake eating contest, musical entertainment, classic automobiles and food and vendor booths. KCLS offered Teen Zone activities in the Crossroads Community Center throughout the day and also organized a special urban legend storytelling program and henna hand painting.
Location: Bellevue
Contact: Eastside Heritage Center at 425.450.1049 or www.eastsideheritagecenter.com.
Community Festival
Description: Celebrating diversity with food, music, performances, art, children’s activities
Location: Renton Technical College, 3000 NE Fourth St Renton
More information: www.rtc.edu
Contact: Jenna Pollock, 3000 NE 4th St., Renton, WA 98056 or call 425.235.2352 x7905.
Juneteenth Freedom Festival
Description: Holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States and to celebrate the contributions of African Americans and their ancestors.
Location: Pratt Park 18th Ave S and S Main St
More information: www.scacc.net
Contact: 206.322.8296
SeaTac International Festival
Description: Local performers with ethnic and cultural music and entertainment for kids.
Location: Angle Lake Park 19408 International Boulevard SeaTac
More information: www.ci.seatac.wa.us/park/seinternationalfestival.htm.
Contact: 206.973.4680.
Pagdiriwang: Philippine Festival
Description: Celebrate Filipino independence at Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival, the annual celebration of the arts and culture of the Philippines. The festival commemorates the end of Spanish rule in 1898 with pageantry, music, dance, food, etc.
Location: Seattle Center
More information: www.seattlecenter.com/festal
Contact: Filipino Cultural Heritage Society of Washington, 206-527-8605.
Iranian Festival
Description: Take part in an afternoon of collective festivities and an evening of celebration at the Iranian Festival, the region’s premier Iranian cultural event. Musical and dance performances, Rumi poetry, foods and libations, Persian New Year and holiday displays, an art exhibit, puppet shows and face painting provide a glimpse into the rich and diverse culture. Presented by the Iranian American Community Alliance
Location: Seattle Center
More information: www.seattlecenter.com/festal or www.iaca-seattle.org.
Contact: Iranian American Community Alliance, PO Box 675 Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043 or call 206-652-4222.
July
Bastille Day: A French Celebration!
Description: Celebrate France’s democratic beginnings. The festival marks the French national holiday in memory of the liberation of the infamous Bastille Prison and the start of the French Revolution.
Location: Seattle Center
More information: www.seattlecenter.com/festal or www.seattle-bastille.org.
Contact: France Education Northwest, World Trade Center, 2200 Alaskan Way, Suite 490 Seattle, WA 98121 or call 206-256-6184 or email consul@faccpnw.org.
Bon Odori
Description: Japanese festival that honors deceased family members and friends through traditional dance; includes Japanese-style food, street dancing, cultural demonstrations, historical exhibits and temple sanctuary tours.
Location: Seattle Buddhist Temple 1427 S Main St Seattle
More information: www.seattlebetsuin.com.
Contact: Minister, Rev Don Castro at office@seattlebetsuin.com or call 206.329.0800.
Chinatown-International District Summer Festival
Description: Pan-Asian street festival with lion and dragon dances, taiko drumming, drill teams, karaoke contest, arts and crafts, community organizations and food.
Location: Hing Hay Park 409 Maynard Ave S Seattle
More information: www.cidbia.org
Contact: Chinatown-International District Business Improvement Area, 409 Maynard Ave South #P-1, Seattle WA 98104 or call 206-382-1197.
Hispanic Seafair Festival
Description: Music, food, craft and information booths, art exhibits and children’s activities reflecting the diverse Hispanic community in the Seattle area.
Location: Seattle Center
More information: www.seafair.com
Contact: Rios Cantor, Attn: HSO, 811 First Ave, Suite 200, Seattle, WA 98104 or call 206-749-5600 or 206.684.7200 or email info@hispanicseafair.com.
Naturalization Ceremony
Location: Seattle Center
More information: www.seattlecenter.com/festal or www.ethnicheritagecouncil.org.
Contact: 305 Harrison St. Suite 304, Seattle, WA 98109 or call 206-443-1410 or email ehc@seattle.gov.
Pacific Northwest Scottish Highland Games and Clan Gathering
Description: North American Scottish Athletics Championships, individual and band bagpipe and drum competition, Highland dance competition, Celtic arts, Scottish farm, food vendors and beer gardens.
Location: Enumclaw Expo Center, 45224 284th Ave SE, Enumclaw
More information: www.sshga.org
Contact: SSHGA, PO BOX 75685, Seattle, WA, 98175-0685 or leave a message on the SSHGA voicemail at 20- 522-2541.
Pista Sa Nayon
Description: Honoring the cultural heritage of Filipino Americans with music, dance, entertainment, food vendors, arts and crafts.
Location: Seward Park Amphitheater, 5898 Lake Washington Blvd S Seattle
More information: www.pista.org
Contact: PO Box 1970, Seattle, WA 98111 or call 206-296-4054/206.296.4005; for booth information email Leeanne@pista.org.
Seafair Indian Days Pow Wow
Description: Competitive dancing and singing, food vendors, salmon bake, arts and crafts vendors and entertainment.
Location: Daybreak Star Cultural Center 3801 W Government Way Seattle
More information: www.unitedindians.com
Contact: United Indians of All Tribes Foundation, Discovery Park, P.O. Box 99100 Seattle, WA 98199 or call 206.829.2221/206-285-4425.
White River Bon Odori Festival
Description: Food, traditional Japanese folk dancing and Taiko drum performance.
Location: White River Buddhist Temple, 3625 Auburn Way, N Auburn.
Contact: Reverend Kakei Nakagawa at 253.833.1442.
August
Arab Festival
Description: From mouth watering food, traditional and contemporary music, the Arab Festival provides a place of celebration for Arabs. Presented by the Arab Center of Washington
Location: Seattle Center
More information: www.seattlecenter.com/festal or www.arabcenter.net.
Brasilfest: Brazilian Cultural Festival
Description: Brazil’s African, Portuguese and indigenous roots are celebrated with classical guitar, samba rhythms and the percussive beats of traditional folk music.
Location: Seattle Center
More information: www.seattlecenter.com/festal or www.brasilfest.com.
Contact: Eduardo Mendonça (Performers, Press Release) or Ana Paula Mendonça (Vendors, Sponsorship, Volunteers) at Brazil Center, PO BOX 58652, Renton, WA 98058-1652.
Tibet Fest: Tibetan Cultural Heritage
Description: Tibet’s ancient and modern history is woven through Tibet Fest, which seeks to preserve the centuries-old cultural tradition with artwork, dance and discussions of the Tibetan people.
Location: Seattle Center
More information: www.seattlecenter.com/festal or www.washingtontibet.org.
Contact: Tibetan Association of Washington, P.O. BOX 77623, Seattle, WA 98177 – 0623, call
206-444-4059 or email info@washingtontibet.org. Or contact Tashi Namgyal Khamsitsang, President, at ta_nam59@comcast.net; or Rinchen Gadhye, Secretary at rgadhey@yahoo.com.
Umoja Fest African Heritage Festival & Parade
Description: Parade, children’s day, music, gospel fest, Bite of Africa, and fashion show.
Location: Judkins Park & Playfield, 2150 S Norman St., Seattle
More information: www.umojafamilyfest.com
Contact: 877-505-6306.
September
Japanese Cultural Arts Festival (Aki Matsuri)
Description: Japanese cultural and educational events for all ages.
Location: Bellevue Community College, 3000 Landerholm Circle, SE Bellevue
More information: www.enma.org or info@enma.org.
Contact: 425.564.1000.
Korean Cultural Celebration
Description: Celebration of Korea’s traditional harvest Festival Day, called Ch’usok.
Location: Seattle Center
More information: www.seattlecenter.com/festal or www.koamartists.org.
Contact: Chung-Youl Han, President at 206-354-0853/206-227-1820 or email chungh@comcast.net.
Live Aloha: Hawaiian Cultural Festival
Description: Some of the more than 50,000 Hawaiian Islanders who call Washington their home share their homeland’s colorful history through live performances of the hula and mele as well as historical exhibits, films, Hawaiian crafts, keiki activities and ono food. Presented by Live Aloha: Hawaiian Festival Committee.
Location: Seattle Center
More information: www.seattlecenter.com/festal or www.myspace.com/livealohafestival.
Seattle Fiestas Patrias: Latin American Independence
Description: Fiestas Patrisas honors diversity and the Latino community in Western Washington. Presented by the Seattle Fiestas Patrias Committee
Location: Seattle Center
More information: www.seattlecenter.com/festal or http://www.seattlefiestaspatrias.org/
Contact: Felipe Maqueda, 206-919-6685, felipem@dwellingcompany.com or Jorge Madrazo, 206-763-5277, jorgemadrazo@seamarchc.org. Mailing address: Sea-Mar Community Health Center, 1040 S. Henderson Street, Seattle, WA 98108.
Italian Festival
Description: From opera and popular music to pasta and wine, The Italian Festival is a “Celebration of All Things Italian.”
Location: Seattle Center
More information: www.seattlecenter.com/festal or www.festaseattle.com
Contact: FESTA Italiana Seattle at P.O. Box 9549, Seattle, WA 98109-0549.or call 206-282-0627 or email info@FestaSeattle.com.
October
CroatiaFest: Croatian Cultural Festival
Description: This festival gives a glimpse inside a rich culture that is one of the last undiscovered treasures of Europe.
More information: www.seattlecenter.com/festal or www.croatiafest.org.
Contact: CroatiaFest c/o Ethnic Heritage Council, 305 Harrison St. Suite 304,
Seattle, WA 9810 or email ehc@seattle.gov or call 206-443-1410.
Turkish Cultural Festival
Description: Turkfest celebrates the multiple cultures that link modern Turkey to both the East and West. Presented by Turkish-American community volunteers and Turkish-American Cultural Association.
Location: Seattle Center
More information: www.seattlecenter.com/festal or www.turkfest.org.
Contact: Gokce Sezgin, Festival Production Manager, TACAWA (TurkFest), PO Box 357 Kirkland, WA 98083-0357 or email info@turkfest.org.
UTSAV South Asian Performing Arts Festival
Description: The best in local and international talent steeped in the traditional and classical arts of South Asia.
Location: Seattle Center
More information: www.seattlecenter.com/festal or www.utsav-seattle.org.
Contact: Director Brandon McIntosh, Brandon@kaliproductions.org.
November
Dia de Muertos: A Mexican Celebration to Remember Our Departed
Description: This Day of the Dead festival honors the lives of loved ones who have passed with community altars, sugar skulls, special food, candles, music and dance.
Location: Seattle Center
More information: www.seattlecenter.com/festal or www.tallermexicano.org.
Contact: muertos.tmca@gmail.com or 206-356-6673.
Hmong New Year Celebration
Description: The Lunar New Year is a time for the Hmong people to reflect on the past year and seek out new beginnings. The Hmong New year Celebration helps preserve the unique culture of this Southeast Asian highland culture that originates in the mountains of China, Laos and Thailand.
Location: Seattle Center
More information: www.seattlecenter.com/festal or www.hmongassociationofwa.org.
Contact: President of HAW, Yee Xiong, yee.xiong@hmongassociationofwa.org, or 425-241-2085.
Last Updated:
April 7, 2009
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