How Fate and Curation Brought YaGirlNess and Mr. Nyice Guy Together
On a recent episode of The Pop-Up!, host The Big O sat down with two powerhouse curators of the Pacific Northwest: Warnessa "YaGirlNess" Victorian and Mr. Nyice Guy. The episode was a victory lap of local culture, diving into the heartwarming and hilarious origins of one of the region’s favorite community duos.
A "Godsend" Collision: The Literal Impact That Started It All
When The Big O asked the pair how they initially crossed paths they shared that their multi-year partnership didn't start on social media, but rather with a literal automotive collision.
Mr. Nyice Guy admitted to running late for a DJ gig at a Nate Jackson event in downtown Tacoma. In a rush to secure a parking spot, he zoomed in without noticing the hitch of Warnessa's food truck hanging into the space.
"I zoomed in there, hit her, and blasted her truck," Mr. Nyice Guy said. Inside the truck, Warnessa, her son, and her daughter-in-law were frying fish when the impact sent hot grease splattering.
Warnessa popped out of the truck ready to confront the driver. "I had to pop out and say a few choice words to this big guy that appeared out of this little tiny mom-and-pop car," she said jokingly.
She recalled telling Mr. Nyice Guy that he had two choices to avoid being sued: enter the venue and tell the entire crowd to buy her food, or buy out the truck himself. He chose to spread the word, and a legendary relationship was forged in the fire of fried fish.
The Culinary Visionary: YaGirlNess
Warnessa is widely celebrated as the culinary mastermind behind Lizzy Lou’s Comfort Food. For 12 years, her brick-and-mortar spot, Lizzy Lou's Too, operated out of a Harley-Davidson dealership in Fife, Washington, creating a loyal destination for food lovers who would regularly wait up to two hours for a taste.
"We always wanted everybody to feel like it was like you were at home... like a family reunion cookout," Warnessa said.
Though the Fife location recently closed as she searches for a "bigger, better, faster" venue, her culinary journey continues through high-profile catering events and a series of local pop-ups.
The Household Name: Mr. Nyice Guy
A Philadelphia native, Mr. Nyice Guy has spent decades honing his craft, now having solidified his status as a local entertainment legend. For decades, he heavily influenced the local scene through his iconic record store ARS Records.
When asked about his longevity and how he navigates a changing industry, he joked about his strategy of focusing on mature crowds to avoid younger generations. "I would always pivot... go 25 and up, 30 and up, 40 and up. Pretty soon it's gonna be AARP and up,” he laughed.
Hosted by Ness and Nyice
After their rocky first impression, the two didn't speak for years. However, they reconnected in 2016 or 2017 when Mr. Nyice Guy hired Warnessa's food truck to cater his birthday party. The event was a massive success, giving birth to their joint venture: Hosted by Ness and Nyice. The venture provides comprehensive party services, including curation, cooking, decorations, lighting, and entertainment.
"We are the party," Mr. Nyice Guy said. Warnessa noted that their shared upbringing in the Church of God in Christ gives them an edge, allowing them to fluidly navigate any room from "the church side" to "the street side.”
Where to Catch Them Next
True to their reputation of being booked and busy, the duo mapped out an extensive summer calendar for fans to engage with them, most notably their upcoming Vibe Bingo Night at Nate Jackson’s Super Funny Comedy Club in Tacoma, Washington this Thursday, July 2nd. Get your tickets here.
To stay updated on their separate and combined ventures, follow them on Instagram, including their newly minted collective account.
Check out their Eventbrite here.
Tune in to The Pop-Up! weekdays live at 9 p.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.
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