On Friday, September 3, Southwest Youth and Family Services and South Pacific Youth Connections are hosting a public celebration in honor of the youth in our community who participated in their South Pacific Youth Connections Summer Program.  Through dance, poetry, and song, “Fia Fia” will showcase the talents and hard work of the youth who made the program such a notable success this year.

Young people of South Pacific ancestry in our community face daunting challenges as they navigate their way to adulthood.  They tend to experience higher than average failure rates in school and excessive referrals into the juvenile court system.  The South Pacific Youth Connections Summer Program was designed to help youth meet these challenges “through building self-confidence and cultural pride,” according to SYFS’s Joseph Seia.  The summer program offered participants “Pacific Islander-centric social studies and history courses, a fitness program, Pacific dance workshops, and anti-racist organizing.”

By all accounts, the South Pacific Youth Connections program is succeeding in its mission.  In an August 27 press release, Seia highlighted some of the students’ accomplishments.

•    Washington Strongest School Competition: South Pacific Youth Connections students took second place this year in the first annual competition that focused on fitness and strength.
•    Pacific Dance: South Pacific Youth Connections students performed cultural dance at 20 different venues this year.
•    Pacific Islander Social Studies Class: South Pacific Youth Connections students completed a social studies class for high school credit.
•    Community Forum: South Pacific Youth Connections students helped organize a successful forum to address the recent injustices with the police and the youth community.

“Fia Fia” is used in Pacific Island cultures such as Samoa and Tonga to mean “celebration,” “get-together,” or “happy.”  The event of that name this Friday promises to be all three, not to mention a great opportunity for our community to celebrate these young people’s hard work, while enjoying what promises to be an exciting display of their talent.

WHAT: “Fia Fia,” a celebration of the South Pacific Youth Connections Summer Program. Featuring dance, song, poetry, and more.

WHEN: Friday, September 3, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

WHERE: South Seattle Community College, JMB A, 6000 16 Avenue S.W., Seattle, 98106.

INFO: See flier below or contact Joseph Seia at 206.937.7680 ext. 210 or JSeia@swyfs.org for more information.

White Center’s own Triangle Tavern is holding an ongoing singing contest called “White Center Idol” and they want us to know they have two openings left to compete in the finals, which will start Saturday, May 23rd.

Here are the details:

WHAT: “White Center Idol” singing competition

WHEN: Friday Nights at 9 pm – it’s first come, first served, so show up early!

WHERE: Triangle Pub, located at 9454 Delridge Way SW in the “Delridge Traingle” in White Center (map below)

WHY: For fame and fortune (no joke – there is a cash prize)

INFO: “Think you have what it takes to sing better than everyone in White Center? Put your pipes to the test and participate in the first annual White Center Idol at hosted by Triangle Pub and Karaoke host extraordinaire Christopher Michael.

You will face a panel of four judges, Triangle pub owner, bartender karaoke host and audience input as the fourth deciding factor.

Step up to the plate and see if you have what it takes to become White Center’s Idol.”

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