Block Party brings nightlife to the street

The Garland neighborhood has barely recovered from the Garland Street Fair, and now it’s putting on the Garland Block Party on Saturday.

“The street fair has been great for families and for serving the community in many ways,” said Dena Carr, director of operations at the Garland Theater and Bon Bon. “The Block Party is aiming at a different demographic. It’s meant to highlight the music and other creative businesses on Garland.”

The Garland Block Party closes Garland Avenue between Monroe Street and Post Street – that’s from the Garland Theater to the Milk Bottle – with the main stage right in front of the Garland Theater.

Carr said she has worked very closely with Ronnie Ryno, owner of the clothing store Glamarita on Garland, to put together the Block Party.

Ryno is the creator of Runway Renegade, a fashion show that features locally designed clothing and accessories.

“It’s the sixth year we are doing Renegades, and it’s really grown,” Ryno said.

At 3 p.m. Little Renegades take to the main stage with very young models providing a sneak peak of the fashion collections that will be shown off at the main show at 8:30 p.m.

During the main show, six teams – each consisting of a clothing designer, a jewelry designer, a hair stylist, a makeup artist, a photographer and up to 10 models – show off fashion collections they’ve worked on since January.

“Yes, you can buy the clothes,” Ryno said. “They will sell it right off the model’s back or I can help you get it later.”

Ryno knows that some people scoff at the mention of a Spokane fashion scene.

“They are missing out,” she said. “There is so much talent here.”

The Block Party features lots of live music, too, including sets by Summer in Siberia, Daethstar, Nude Pop and Violent Vickie.

Carr said this year’s Block Party has a renewed focus on visual art.

“We want to showcase what local artists and designers can do,” she said.