When a University of Washington study on entertainment in White Center revealed its citizens wanted a movie theater or an ice cream parlor, married couple Justin Cline and Ann Magyar saw an opportunity to help the neighborhood.

"There's a ton of people that live here because it's affordable, but really there's just a lot of nothing to do in White Center," says Cline, explaining how Full Tilt, White Center's premier ice cream parlor, pinball lounge, and newest all-ages venue came to be. "After reading the study, obviously I couldn't afford a movie theater, so here I am. We were talking to friends about how cool it would be to have a place to play pinball; the guy from Husky Deli showed me how to make ice cream, and there it all was."

In all of the years I have been attending shows, I can recall going to only one in White Center, a very grimy house party at which Casy and Brian may have been too wasted to play. All-ages music and DIY culture have found a place in Seattle and its surrounding neighborhoods, but the South End has long been neglected. Now, Full Tilt—on top of organic ice cream in flavors such as cucumber jalapeño—proudly offers intimate all-ages shows in its parlor three to four times a month.

"We envisioned having a space where bands could play, with open mics, DJs, and spoken word," says Cline. "An environment that's slightly hip and political." The unique spot carries leftist zines, has hosted talks about immigration, and welcomes even harsh noise bands, all in hopes of reviving White Center and helping the community. "When some high-school kid wants his first show, we want to try to set him up," Cline says.

The parlor provides a definite step in the right direction for slowly developing White Center. Cline describes the neighborhood's main drag of 16th Avenue Southwest, where the shop is located, as "really cool with a lot of funky old buildings, but mostly just seedy spaces." He's enthused about what an interesting new business on the strip could mean for the community. "We just thought that if someone opened something cool, then maybe someone else would, and we could get things going here."

This Friday, No-Fi Soul Rebellion will roll through to play for the simple compensation of free ice cream and the experience of playing to a bunch of cone-wielding fans. Hop on that Metro, grab a scoop or two, and prepare to witness the guaranteed sexual fury that only No-Fi's frontman Mark Heimer can deliver, all in the confines of one of the city's most exciting new hangout spots.