Author: sancsoft

A Merry Night on The BLVD: Kenmore Celebrates the Season Together

January 2026 • 2 minutes

Kenmore’s holiday spirit was on full display during this year’s Better Kenmore CDC Light The BLVD, as neighbors, families, and visitors gathered to celebrate a night filled with music, tradition, and plenty of cheer. From live performances to cozy holiday moments, the event reminded everyone why the season feels extra special in Kenmore.

The evening kicked off with joyful sounds echoing through the neighborhood. The Miller South Bands and Summit Academy Schools Steel Drum Band set the tone at the Kenmore Branch Library, bringing energy and festive flair to the start of the night. Later, Glenn Sonoda warmed hearts with a performance in The Rialto Theatre Living Room, giving guests a chance to slow down, listen, and soak in the season.

One of the most meaningful moments of the night came with the return of a tree lighting ceremony, a tradition many longtime neighbors fondly remember. In the Buzzbin Courtyard, the community gathered as the lights flickered on, marking the start of the holiday season in a simple, heartfelt way. With help from the Garfield CLC Madrigals, voices joined together for community caroling, blending nostalgia with fresh energy. It was a cozy, joyful moment that truly captured what makes Kenmore feel like home.

Smiles were everywhere as Santa Claus visited The BLVD, posing for photos and listening to wish lists from kids (and a few adults), making memories that will last long after the holidays.

Local businesses showed off their holiday spirit during the Decorated Storefront Window Contest. Community groups stepped in to activate vacant storefronts. The creativity and effort on display highlighted the pride and care Kenmore businesses and volunteers bring to the neighborhood. The winner was a window decorated by Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts.

The Craft Show at the Masonic Lodge was buzzing with activity as shoppers browsed handmade goods and unique holiday finds. It was the perfect place to support local makers and check a few gifts off the list.

Fans of a holiday classic gathered at The Rialto Theatre for National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Movie Trivia. Hosted by Brad Savage of The Summit FM and photographer Shane Wynn, the trivia night brought laughs, friendly competition, and plenty of festive outfits as teams showed off their movie knowledge.

Throughout the night, guests enjoyed warm drinks, sweet treats, and lots of holiday cheer, making it easy to linger, connect, and celebrate together.

Events like Light The BLVD remind us that the magic of the holidays isn’t just in the lights or decorations — it’s in the people who show up, sing together, laugh together, and make memories side by side.

Thank you to everyone who came out, participated, performed, volunteered, and helped make this season in Kenmore truly merry and bright.

BOO on The BLVD: Our Biggest Halloween Yet!

November 2025 • 1 minute

What an afternoon! This year’s BOO on The BLVD brought out more neighbors, more candy, and more community spirit than ever before. The BLVD was buzzing with families, laughter, and an incredible lineup of Halloween fun. We were thrilled to see more small businesses than ever participating this year, setting up right outside their storefronts to hand out candy and greet trick-or-treaters. It was a wonderful reminder of how our local businesses help make our neighborhood such a special place.

The Costume Contest at the Kenmore Branch Library was another big hit—kids showed off their creativity (or maybe their parents) and Halloween flair. The judges had their work cut out for them with so many clever, spooky, and downright adorable entries! These were the winners for the different age categories:

Over at the Haunted Rialto Theatre, things got delightfully eerie as local musicians filled the night with haunting tunes and Halloween favorites. And of course, the crowd went wild for the “Thriller” performance led by The Center Dance & Yoga Studio. Every dancer was a volunteer—from students to parents to community members—coming together to pull off a show-stopping number that had everyone cheering and dancing along.

A huge thank-you to everyone who helped make this event such a success—our volunteers, performers, business owners, local organizations and all the families who came out to celebrate. BOO on The BLVD truly captures the spirit of our community: fun, friendly, and full of heart.

This is part of Better Kenmore CDC’s placemaking event series. Save the date for Light The BLVD on Friday, December 5 from 6pm-9pm. A tree lighting is being planned!

Help us keep these community events free by donating at betterkenmore.org.

New Artist Collective Finds Permanent Home in Vacant Kenmore Storefront – How Placemaking Triggers Revitalization

October 2025 • 1 minute

A once-vacant storefront in the heart of Kenmore Boulevard is about to come alive again — this time with creativity, color, and community connection. The Rookery Creative Collective, led by Tansy Recycling, is officially setting up shop, adding a dynamic new layer to the area’s emerging music and arts scene.

Tansy Recycling is a locally based plastics recycling workshop that has been operating from a home studio in the neighborhood. Tansy has transformed post-consumer plastic waste into functional, artful items and has built momentum as a vendor and collaborator in various Better Kenmore CDC-sponsored events, showcasing their work alongside local musicians, visual artists, and makers. Better Kenmore CDC’s ongoing relationships—with both the community and local property owners—paved the way for a formal lease agreement. 

The new space will not only serve as a working studio and gallery, but also as a creative hub for workshops, exhibitions, and cross-disciplinary collaborations with local musicians and artists.

“We’re deeply inspired by the natural world, especially the various bird species that gather in our local area, like the water fowl swimming at Summit Lake or the uptick in urban hawks that soar over our neighborhoods.” said Ryan Carpenter and Wren Kohler, founders of Tansy Recycling and lead organizer of The Rookery Creative Collective. “In the wild, a rookery is a place where birds can gather to find community, safety, and the resources they need to thrive. For us, our Rookery is the same: providing our handful of artists an open, safe environment to work on their projects and be mutually inspired.”

This latest addition continues a trend of local entrepreneurs breathing new life into long-vacant storefronts—fueled by the strategic work of Better Kenmore CDC and a community eager to support its creative economy.

Kenmore’s BLVD Block Party: A Day of Music, Art, and Community Celebration

July 2025 • 2 minutes

By Eleni Manousogiannakis, Executive Director

Kenmore Boulevard came alive on Saturday, June 7, 2025, as the neighborhood hosted its first ever BLVD Block Party. From 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., the stretch between 13th and 16th Streets was transformed into a vibrant hub of activity, showcasing the community’s spirit and creativity.

The day kicked off with the Kenmore Cowbell 7K, followed by a lively parade. The range of groups walking in the parade was just right for our community after having missed it for so long. Families then enjoyed a pancake breakfast at the Masonic Lodge, while the Kenmore Branch Library offered a petting zoo and kids’ crafts to the sounds of the Rubber City Yukes. Select stories of Kenmore were told in the ambience of The Rialto Theatre. For the more adventurous, canoe rides on Summit Lake were available, providing a unique way to experience the area. With so much to do, Kenmore got hungry and ate through 400 pounds of potatoes from just one food truck! There’s always room for dessert, and sweet teeth headed on over to Treat Street.

Art enthusiasts explored The BLVD Collective pop-up art gallery, featuring works by Kenmore residents that were mentored by local artist Althea Jones. Framed art from Miller South School for the Visual & Performing Arts students adorned usually empty windows and Firestone High School students displayed their creativity while listening to a flautist. The Kids Zone kept younger attendees entertained, as a big inflatable and carnival games usually do, and the Beer Garden offered a place for adults to relax and socialize. Additionally, the Big Love Living Room provided a quiet space for nursing mothers and those seeking a moment of calm. Other calmness was found through yoga sessions at The Center Dance and Yoga.

Music was at the heart of the celebration, with performances throughout the day. The lineup included youth acts from Lange Music Studio, followed by award-winning children’s musician Mr. Jeff. Later in the afternoon, local bands Talk Less and The DollyHoppers took the stage, culminating in evening sets by Rachel Brown and The Beatnik Playboys and Umojah Nation, offering a diverse musical experience for all ages.

The BLVD Block Party highlighted Kenmore’s ongoing transformation into Music Row. With its blend of music, art, food, and community spirit, the event underscored the neighborhood’s commitment to fostering a welcoming and creative environment for all. It was nice to see Kenmore Boulevard busy during the day and more of the community able to enjoy the event. Some even shopped at businesses for the first time after just learning about them that day. This is the heart of why we do what we do.

The rest of the summer season schedule is as follows:

  • Friday, July 11, 6pm-9pm (yes, the second Friday)
  • Friday, August 1, 6pm-9pm
  • Friday, September 5, 6pm-9pm

Keep an eye and ear out for Boo on The BLVD in October and Light The BLVD in December!

Made possible by donations and volunteers, with a special thank you to Cargill, Acme Fresh Market and the Kenmore Chamber of Commerce. Help keep these events free by making a donation today. Any amount helps.

For more information and ways to get involved, visit www.betterkenmore.org