Seattle Dancehall Scene
This past Sunday was Jamaican Independence Day and this weekend was packed with great performances and parties celebrating the event. When I first moved to Seattle, I was absolutely gutted that I couldn’t find/hadn’t heard anything about an active Reggae/Dancehall scene. A year later, that has all changed. The Reggae scene in Seattle feels pretty underground out here because, well, let’s face it, the number of Caribbean people in Washington isn’t astronomic and the events aren’t very publicized.
I am spilling the tea so that you don’t have to be like me, lost and looking for some good reggae. Peep the details below to stay in the loop.
Seattle Reggae Scene
Seattle Reggae Scene’s Facebook page is going to be your best best to stay in the loop as events and performances get updated and added. Previous performances this year include: Tarrus Riley, Kranium, Charly Black and Chris Martin and they are already gearing up for the Fall performances.
Red Lounge
We start the night at Red Lounge’s Caribbean Night. The Lounge is within the restaurant, Taste of the Caribbean which is located in the First Hill area on Jefferson. On Friday and Saturday nights it is converted into a space for performances and parties.
Top-A-Top Sunday
Every sunday night, residents DJs play the hottest mixes at Club Contour which is located downtown on 1st avenue, its has an adjoining outdoor patio that is always open and necessary when the club is packed and you need some air.
JamJam at Baltic Room
The longest running reggae night in Washington, JamJam is held every Monday night inside Baltic Room in Capitol Hill. The turnout is always good and the turn up is always real. Selecta Element is the resident DJ for JamJam but will sometimes bring in other Guest DJs from other states as well. JamJam is also celebrating eleven years of dancehall and partying this month so make sure you’re at Baltic Room on 8/21!
Nectar Lounge
Nectar Lounge is always hosting reggae shows and performances. The space is pretty large and it gets packed when there is a performer in town. Keep an eye on their pages for updates on the net reggae artist.
Nice Up Radio
The website/radio station has continuous reggae and Dancehall. They also have an app which makes listening to your jams on the go, that much easier.
UP NEXT:
8/14 is #JamJam Monday at Baltic Room so make sure you’re there for the last party to close out Jamaican Independence Week!
8/21 is the JamJam’s 11 year anniversary party.
Check out Selecta Element of Zion’s Gate Sound on SoundCloud for more dancehall mixes. You can also stay up to date with him on instagram: @zionsgatesound
8/13 is SEA FEST which is a festival to celebrate and highlight Caribbean culture here in Seattle.
Also, remember to check out our past articles celebrating Jamaican Independence Day!
