Fremont Fridays Blackout Night Celebrates PNW Black Creatives and Culture
Seattle’s creative scene shone brightly last month when week 10 of Fremont Fridays brought Blackout Night to LTD Bar & Grill in Fremont. Hosted by community advocate Deaunte Damper, the evening celebrated Black artists, directors, founders, and local culture from across the Pacific Northwest.
From punk rock to rap, Fremont Fridays Blackout showcased a heavy-hitting lineup of Black performers, including Gifted Gab and Deeanthony_goes, bringing their own signature sounds and calls for community unity to the stage.
"I've been to Fremont Fridays before, but to be able to host the event tonight and it's a blackout night... I just feel like it's magic," Damper said. "We're out here just celebrating Blackness, celebrating Black creatives, Black directors, Black founders, and having a great time while we do it."
Real Connection on the Streets of Seattle
In a culture increasingly dominated by digital screens, Fremont Fridays Blackout offered a space for tangible, face-to-face community building and artistic collaboration. Performers and attendees alike highlighted the distinct impact of gathering in person.
"Real life isn't on the internet. Real life is right here on these streets. That's where all these beautiful people are at doing beautiful things, creating art, making friends," rapper and musician Jasto said. "People aren't going to know you through some Instagram picture. People are going to know you by meeting you."
Deeanthony_goes capitalized on the importance of Fremont Fridays and the concert series’ unyielding mission to create space for underrepresented creatives.
"We need more spaces like these for us to be able to come out here and showcase our talent and network with other people... Instead of checking out their music online first, I see them live in effect,” he said.
Centering Pacific Northwest Talent
While the iconic Seattle concert series may be over this year, Fremont Fridays continues to serve as an essential platform for consistency, inclusion, and creative expression in Seattle.
"Give the power to the creatives. Give the institution and the establishment to the creatives so that we can play by our own rules, build our own systems, and center people of color," Damper said. "Putting the spotlight on Pacific Northwest talent—it's needed, baby. We deserve it."
Stay updated on all things Fremont Fridays at fremontfridaysseattle.com
Looking to book a space for your upcoming event? Check out Colman Commons for all your event space needs at colmancommons.com
