The Seattle Children’s Museum returns to curate engaging activities in the Youngershoot Kids Zone, situated in Next 50 Plaza (east of the Armory) during Bumbershoot.
The Youngershoot Kids Zone is open daily from 11AM – 6PM during the Festival. Children aged 10 and younger, along with their caregivers, can enter this exhibition area at no additional charge and enjoy a variety of hands-on activities and interactive programs.
PARENTMAP
Design your own magazine cover, featuring you and your family. ParentMap’s editorial team will help you create a unique cover that depicts your family’s passions. Let the world know what kind of family you are!
MOHAI
MOHAI will have fun artifacts for families to explore, as well as a Century 21 Scavenger Hunt taking families around Seattle Center and back to the Kids Zone for a fun prize.
MAMA K’S AROMATIC PLAY CLAY
Using all-natural aromatic clay, children create their own art pieces and scenery projects.
EMP MUSEUM
Join EMP Museum for an exploration of sound. Experience playing an electric guitar, experiment with tuning forks, and make your own musical instrument to take home with you.
PACIFIC SCIENCE CENTER
Kids explore the interactive, hands-on exhibits from Pacific Science Center’s Science on Wheels allowing them to participate in fun science experiments!
RADIO DISNEY AM 1250
Nobody knows fun like Disney. Stop by for games, music and dance with the Radio Disney 1250 AM Road Crew.
The American Poster Insitute’s Flastock returns to Bumbershoot for the 10th consecutive year. Flatstock 36 will take place in the newly renovated Armory (formerly the Center House) from 11am to 8pm each day of Bumbershoot. This fan-favorite poster show features high profile and emerging rock poster artists from across North America. Artists include:
Christopher Martin Hoff was the first artist contacted to participate in Bumbershoot 2012. Sadly, Christopher passed away at the end of March, and this exhibit is being presented in tribute to his contributions as an urban plein-air painter. For the past 15 years, Christopher explored the poetic stillness of the mundane through the lens of observational painting. Christopher Martin Hoff Remembered will feature a number of his paintings as well as photographs of the artist at work, and several works in progress.
Curated by Beth Sellars
Bumbershoot will celebrate all things Elvis Presley in honor of the 50th anniversary of the 1962 World’s Fair, Seattle Center and the filming of The King’s movie, It Happened at the World’s Fair. Elvis experts and curators Marlow Harris and JoDavid present an ELVISTRAVAGANZA! of art, music and performance, including: appearances by amateur Elvis tribute artists, Elvis karaoke, a whimsical recreation of the Jungle Room of Graceland, a Vegas-style film viewing room, an Elvis topiary garden, the Traveling Elvis Museum of Love, and Elvis-inspired works from more than 75 artists. Curated by Marlow Harris and JoDavid
NOW is a large-scale neon sculpture reflecting our continuous cycle of personal change across time. Designed by Dylan Neuwirth and fabricated by Western Neon, this giant, glowing, 12' multi-colored sculpture is suspended 4' above the floor. The curious relationship between NOW’s upper rainbow and its reflection below is equal parts visual spectacle and contemplative exploration of memories and time. Sculpture by Dylan Neuwirth
Imagine a vinyl record store with a large collection but nothing for sale. Instead, the record shop acts as a cultural commons fueled by the belief that these records can be a catalyst to bring people and perspectives together. Show up and browse the robust collection of records and play albums for the entire store or listen with head phones in a small group. Curators will lead listening parties each day of Bumbershoot, centered on the special collection of vinyl available in the exhibition space. Curated by Sandra Jackson-Dumont
Skyward! explores the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair’s idea of the future, and the coinciding creation of the popular cartoon series The Jetsons. Depicting life in 2062, the cartoon reflects the era’s attitudes towards middle-class affluence, car culture, nuclear prowess, and The American Dream. Contemporaneously, World’s Fair engineers and designers were predicting a future life of leisure elevated into the sky, creating the Space Needle and the Seattle Center Monorail. Through a combination of sculptural pieces, site-specific installation, video and interactive works, Skyward! will showcase contemporary artists’ visions of our future in the sky. Artists include: Britta Johnson, Dietrich Wegner, I Want You, Emily Pothast: Hair & Space Museum, Hannah Viano, Vaughn Bell, & Iole Alessandrini, Heather & Ivan Morison, Hollow Earth Radio’s Garrett Kelly & Amber Kai Morgan, Jana Brevick & Hahn Rossman, Cathy McClure, and Ron Lambert. Curated by Shelly Leavens and Jana Brevick
After 50 years of pushing the boundaries of glass art, This is Glass will challenge what you know about the eccentric and experimental nature of the studio glass movement, with a particular focus on its close relationship with the Pacific Northwest. The works represented in the exhibit feature both historic and current pieces by many emerging and established artists. This is Glass will compel you to reconsider what glass art can be. Artist include: Edison Osorio Zapata, Einar & Jamex De La Torre, Matthew Szosz, Jennifer Elek & Jeremy Bert Paul Marioni, Robbie Miller & John Drury, Mark Zirpel, Nadege Degentez, and more. Curated by Sarah Traver and Grace Meils
As a non-profit organization, Joyas Mestizas exists to promote the awareness, appreciation and understanding of the cultures of Mexico/Latin America. This performance will display the beautiful costumes and movements of traditional Folkloric Dancing.
This power trio from Seattle has managed to tread their own path with a refreshingly sharp rock and pop sound evoking the sensibilities of modern acts such as The Strokes and Nirvana as much as it is anchored by classic artists like The Beatles, The Kinks and Buddy Holly.
Films the entire family can enjoy.
Shorts: Catch and Release (USA, 2011), Paper Plane (USA, 2012), Brad & Gary (France, 2012), Trucks and Meatballs (Sweden, 2011), A Martian Picnic (USA, 2012), Behind (Canada, 2011), Metro (USA, 2011), Koyaa-The Extraordinary (Slovenia, 2011), The Big Brother (Switzerland, 2011)
Winners of the EMP Museum's 2012 "Sound Off!" competition, Spokane-based band NUDE POP conjures a transformative and invigorating mass of swirling psych-tinged indie rock, enfolding the listener in a profoundly intimate experience.
For 24 years, Hedgebrook has been quietly cultivating a global community of women writers on Whidbey Island. But what goes on in those woods? Sapphic rites? Howling at the moon? Come witness the estrogenius revelations of spoken word poets Karen Finneyfrock, Tara Hardy, Rose McAleese, Storme Webber, and Hedgebrook’s Executive Director Amy Wheeler.
Sassy, sharp-witted, and occasionally ribald local punk quartet TacocaT (a cheeky palindrome implying a feline-filled Mexican snack) write crassly charming ditties about female troubles and bad break-ups, delivering them on stage with a take-no-prisoners, party-starting attitude.
Combining stunning acrobatics, striking visual effects, physical comedy, and inventive choreography, Galumpha brings to life a world of imagination, beauty, muscle, and merriment. Lightning fast costume changes and a witty incorporation of bizarre props round out an “endearing oddball brand of movement magic” (Los Angeles Times) on the one hand, with “extraordinary feats of athleticism and lyrical beauty” (San Francisco Guardian) on the other. Galumpha is a triumphant mix of art and entertainment, offering world-class, award winning choreography.
The Northwest's premier big band is co-conducted by drummer Clarence Acox (Garfield High School Jazz program director) and University of Washington faculty saxophonist Michael Brockman. The orchestra showcases many of the region's best-loved jazz soloists, including trumpeters Jay Thomas and Thomas Marriott, pianist Randy Halberstadt, bassist Phil Sparks, trombonist Dan Marcus, and saxophonists Bill Ramsay, Travis Ranney, and Mark Taylor.
Rhythm Tap Dance: Northwest Tap Connection, directed by Melba Ayco, is a distinctive urban dance studio specializing in Rhythm Tap, a form where tap performers dance primarily “closer to the floor,” using mostly footwork and not showing very much arm or body movement.
With a kaleidoscopic sound informed by pop, electro, punk, soul, and hip hop, local trio Don't Talk To The Cops! conjures grooves that are catchy, clever and utterly infectious. On stage, fleet-fingered djblesOne, pint-sized dance machine emcees, and hype man El Mizell blend chaos and choregraphy, whipping audiences in to a grinning, dancing frenzy.
LoveBomb Go-Go Marching Band clad in silvery futuristic space garb and drawing from influences as diverse as indie rock, the Sun Ra Arkestra, New Orleans street bands, Balkan brass, and Barbarella; LoveBomb Go-Go looks and sounds like no other band. Portland’s newest marching band is an intergalactic experience not to be missed!
A daredevil stand-up artist renowned for his ability to impersonate everyone from Vincent Price to Philip Seymour Hoffman, James Adomian was a top 10 finalist on the most recent season of Last Comic Standing and is a frequent contributor to Comedy Death Ray Radio. He performs at Upright Citizens Brigade and at festivals, theatres, dive bars, colleges, and radical political events.
Every so often, a comedian comes along who emerges as a triple threat: comedian, actor and writer/producer. Nick Swardson is the latest and most exciting artist to take on these roles. In addition to his roles of co-creator and star of Comedy Central’s Nick Swardson’s Pretend Time series, he has just completed a role in Grown Ups 2 which releases Summer 2013.
If you're not a dancer, you'll want to be.
Shorts: Beyond Boxes (Canada, 2011), Moondance (Australia, 2011), Time Withers (USA, 2011), Melt (Canada, 2010), Young Souls (United Kingdom, 2011)
Featuring former members of The Dwarves, KMFDM, and Murdock, The Spittin' Cobras play razor-sharp rock-n-roll, cooked in the same kitchen as Black Sabbath, The Stooges, AC/DC, Thin Lizzy, and Motorhead. The local band released Year of the Cobra last year via Omega Records.
When comedian Alex Falcone enlisted his friends, Ezra Fox and Chris Smith, to record a podcast dissecting the awfulness of the Twilight novels, their affection for analyzing the best of the bad quickly extended to film and television. For their Bumbershoot debut, they will review three of Nic Cage's “best” works, Wicker Man, Ghost Rider, and City of Angels.
Playing over 200 shows in just two years since their 2010 inception, the members of Polecat have quickly established themselves as effortlessly entertaining genre-surfers. Blending bluegrass, country, celtic, rock, reggae, and world music, their unique take on roots music makes for highly engaging live shows.
The Australian environmental activist, artist, and occasional actress Missy Higgins now ties sales records set by Olivia Newton-John and Kylie Minogue, an achievement driven in no small part by the high-charting presence of this year's The Ol' Razzle Dazzle. A wistful, self-examining work, the album debuted at #1, signifying her triumphant return to the industry after a self-imposed sabbatical.
This performance will be ASL interpreted.
Seattle's Unnatural Helpers is the product of drummer/vocalist Dean Whitmore's playful, punk-minded imagination. Taut, muscular guitar and water-tight drumming give Whitmore's edgy vocals the perfect context to execute his concise, fiercely catchy songs about sunshine, pretty girls, and good times. Their new album, Land Grab, drops via Hardly Art Records on September 25.
The team of chefs, scientists, and food lovers behind Modernist Cuisine, “the cookbook to end all cookbooks,” and winner of the James Beard Cookbook of the Year, will take you on a journey that brings to life how your five senses impact your culinary experience. These chefs push boundaries by pairing their wild creativity with the latest technology—all in the pursuit of creating the most delicious food. They will continue to do that in a one-of-a-kind sensory experience that is not to be missed.
Films for a quick laugh or two.
Shorts: The Nebbish (USA, 2011), Las Palmas (Sweden, 2011), One Minute Puberty (Germany, 2011), Mulvar is Correct Candidate! (Canada, 2011), Love Is Blind (Turkey, 2011), Apocalypse Later (USA, 2012), Light Me Up (USA, 2012)
Bandalabra is the latest project from Skerik, the Northwest's enduringly saxophonic, punk-jazz iconoclast. Joining him are three of Seattle's most revered players: Andy Coe on electric guitar, Evan Flory-Barnes on upright bass, and Dvonne Lewis on drums. To paraphrase the words of its maker, Bandalabra is intended to conjure the sounds of "Fela Kuti seeing Steve Reich in rock-n-roll's backyard."
Indian Classical Dance: Urvasi Dance Ensemble, Junior Company, trains to preserve one of the oldest styles of Classical Odissi Dance from India. This dance style is characterized by the unique sculpturesque quality, the separation of the upper torso from the lower half of the body, and in the constant juxytaposition of rhythmic strength with lyrical torso movements. This form also passes on powerful portrayals of female character from the myths and epics of India.
7 Minutes in Heaven is improv comedy speed dating rife with bizarre characters and loads of awkwardness. The premise is simple: eight individuals show up to a speed dating event hoping to find that special someone, except the actors are not aware of who all the characters are prior to each show and must rely on true improvisation. The audience is encouraged to get up and walk amongst the actors as they search for love. 7 Minutes in Heaven is reality theatre at its uncomfortable best!
Twenty performers ages 14-19 form ACT’s Ramayana Youth Ensemble. Guided by expert teaching artists from India, Indonesia, Thailand, and beyond, the ensemble weaves live music, puppetry, and dance together to create a new look at the ancient epic tale of the Ramayana.
Paul Scheer, Jason Mantzoukas, and June Diane Raphael bring their bad movie podcast to Bumbershoot for three different live recordings featuring special guests and focusing on the best worst summer movies. From Superman 3 to The Room, “How Did This Get Made” is a roundtable discussion of movies that are so bad that they are actually great. iTunes called it one of the “Best New Comedy Podcasts of 2011.”
Since unleashing their Bloodshot Records debut Want More in 2011, JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound have relentlessly barnstormed North America and Europe with their gritty, old-school soul and funk sound. Injecting that classic form with raw, garage-rock aggression, they also scored a major viral hit with their stomping cover of Wilco's "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart."
With a unique delivery and child-like demeanor, Ron Funches has been impressing audiences and fellow comics alike. A Chicago native who moved to the Pacific Northwest in his teens, he was recently a finalist in NBC's Stand Up for Diversity and can been seen in the first season of IFC's Portlandia.
On the New York comedy scene for close to five years, Dan Soder has been featured on Comedy Central's Live at Gotham, was voted “Funniest Comedian” at the New York Comedy Festival, and was the standout at the 2011 Montreal Just For Laughs Festival.
Seamlessly fusing blistering hardcore to the curves of classic metal and forging a reputation for beautifully harrowing live shows quickly earned Seattle's Black Breath a fleet of underground fans and the attention of one of their genre's most prestigious labels, Southern Lord Records. Their full-length debut, Heavy Breathing, was released to great critical acclaim this spring.
The Comedy Stand, created by Seattle comedy producer Sean McCann, is an hour-long stand-up comedy show. Each day of the festival features a different lineup of the Northwest’s top comedians. Today features: Adam Ray, Joe Fontenot, Heneghen, and Manny Martin.
Montreal's Cosmetics are an electronic duo with an ear for the organic. Using deceptively simple rhythms, analog synthesizers, and icy vocals, they devote nearly every night to methodically cultivating new tracks in their home studio. They've released a series of 7-inches and mix tapes since their 2008 inception, and their full-length debut drops this fall via Captured Tracks.
Belgian-Australian multi-instrumentalist Gotye fell in love with music when he inherited an eclectic record collection from an elderly neighbor, so it's no wonder his electronic pastiches sound both progressive and classic. "Somebody I Used to Know," the single from his latest album Making Mirrors, has ruled the US and UK charts for much of 2012, thanks to its infectious refrain and Gotye's soaring, Peter Gabriel-esque vocals.
Some of the films judged as the Best of SIFF 2012.
Shorts: The Extraordinary Life of Rocky (Belgium, 2011), Zergüt (USA, 2011), Paradise (USA, 2012), The Paris Quintet in Practice Makes Perfect (Canada, 2011)
After many years playing drums with lauded acts Carissa's Wierd and Band of Horses, Sera Cahoone chose to put those percussive skills on hold in favor of focusing on her own singing and songwriting, creative arenas she'd been quietly exploring on her own for the better part of two decades. Her two solo albums on Sub Pop radiate darkly with her signature mixture of lovely, lilting arrangements and heavy, heartfelt subject matter.
California Book Award-winning author Adam Mansbach discusses his latest book, Go the Fuck to Sleep, a bedtime story for parents who live in the real world, where a few snoozing kitties and cutesy rhymes don’t always send a toddler sailing blissfully off to dreamland. Profane, affectionate and radically honest, Mansbach perfectly captures the familiar and unspoken tribulations of putting your little angel down for the night. The book opened up a conversation about parenting, granting us permission to admit (and even laugh at) our frustrations, and spawned viral videos narrated by Werner Herzog and Samuel L. Jackson. Original music inspired by the book performed by The Bushwick Book Club Seattle featuring Justin Froese, and David & Eva Hillman. Moderated by John Roderick of the Long Winters.
Written and performed by Seattle-based actress and improv comedian Kate Jaeger, this spoof on children’s shows finds the audience at the final taping of Miss Fanny’s Fun Box. After twenty years of entertaining and educating children of all ages, Fun Box is being replaced by Extreme Toddler Cage Match. Join Miss Fanny as she answers the question “What’s inside my Fun Box today?”
Vietnamese Lion Dance: The Âu Lac Vovinam Lion Dance Team (oàn Lân Âu Lac Vovinam) is a youth-led lion dance team whose mission is to promote and preserve Vietnamese culture through the art of lion dancing and traditional martial arts. The fully masked Lion performers will mimic a lion’s movements in a lion costume.
Raw, Soulful, Electrifiying, Sexy - Seattle songwriter Ayron Jones’ mature sound bleeds out with an intimate, rich, fresh style – Stevie Ray Vaughan meets Nirvana. Capturing a “good kind of pain,” Jones’ striking songs sink in to stay, blending alternative rock, punk, blues, hip hop, and soul, punching out an emotional body of work with a memorable twist. Jones began turning heads in 2010 when he teamed up with drummer Conrad Real and bassist DeAndre Enrico to form the band Ayron Jones and the Way.
Doug Benson, of Best Week Ever and Last Comic Standing fame, is back at Bumbershoot to do three tapings of his popular podcast “Doug Loves Movies.” Come for the laughs as Doug and his friends have a freewheeling conversation about movies, but stay for the trivia games. Make a movie-related nametag with your moniker for a chance to win!
Led with great gusto by their unabashed and wildly fun front man, King Khan & The Shrines are more than a psychedelic rock and soul band with a spectacle of a stage show (though they most definitely are that). At this juncture in their decade-long career, they are a cult musical phenomenon with a fiercely loyal fan base of fervent punk, soul and garage rock aficionados.
Gabe Liedman is a Brooklyn-based comedian and writer who has written for BBC America and MTV, and is currently writing a pilot for Comedy Central with his frequent collaborator, Jenny Slate. Slate, a longtime fixture on the downtown New York and Brooklyn alt-comedy scenes, is a former cast member of Saturday Night Live and co-writer/star of the short film Marcel the Shell With Shoes On.
Paul F. Tompkins is a comedian, actor, and writer known for his work on VH1’s Best Week Ever and HBO'sMr. Show. In 2011, his popular “The Pod F. Tompkast” ranked as Rolling Stone’s number one comedy podcast.
The audience members at this year's Seattle International Film Festival have chosen these as some of their favorite shorts.
Shorts: Catcam (USA, 2012), ASAD (South Africa, 2011), Fresh Guacamole (USA, 2012), Friend Request Pending (United Kingdom, 2011)
Emerging from the New York underground in the late '80s, Prong eschewed the conformist culture they saw in the metal and hardcore scenes, opting for more innovative approaches to making heavy music. They return with this year's Carved Into Stone, an album that continues Prong's tradition of dynamic songwriting and jarring hooks.
The Barr Brothers were born when the tender, virtuosic sounds made by classically-trained harpist Sarah Page traveled through the shared wall of a Montreal apartment building and into the ears of songwriter Brad Barr. Barr's songs set the context for the agile imaginations of Page and multi-instrumentalist Andres Vial, interweaving string arrangements, vibes, keys, wide open spaces, and a multitude of musical traditions.
An eclectic selection of British Columbia’s funniest comedic performers with surprise guests. Warning: will include several references to pot, Alex Trebek, maple syrup and much ado aboot nothing. Curated by Will Davis, Creative Director of ComedyFest Vancouver.
Bumbershoot will celebrate all things Elvis Presley in honor of the 50th anniversary of the 1962 World’s Fair, Seattle Center, and the filming of The King’s movie, It Happened at the World’s Fair. Each day of the festival, LoveBomb Go-Go Marching Band will channel their inner Elvis, performing the King’s songs across grounds. They will be joined by a pack of Elvis tribute artists including Elvis the Unicycler!
Improvisational-based non-profit Wing-It Productions presents a presidential election in 60 minutes, where YOU vote for the President. Non-biased. Non-partisan. Non-dumb.
Instantly embraced for the warmth and depth of their funk-psych, feminist sci-fi epics, local duo Stasia Irons and Catherine Harris-White evoke equal parts Elaine Brown, Ursula Rucker, and Q-Tip. Their stunning, seductive debut for Sub Pop, AwE NaturalE, is one of the most critically acclaimed releases of 2012.
What does Snow White have to do with the legislative attack on women’s reproductive rights? Commentators, personalities, and performers from across disciplines provide off-the-cuff and revealing takes on how women are representing and being represented from pop culture to political theater. Featured speakers include Jezebel staff writer Lindy West, NARAL's deputy development director, Sasha Summer Cousineau, and poet Raven Taylor of Youth Speaks. Moderated by Seattle based writer, performer and creative producer Hollis Wong-Wear.
Grab your cape!
Shorts: Volcano Girl (USA, 2011), Dr. Grodbort Presents: The Deadliest Game (New Zealand, 2011), Kubrick Project (France, 2011), Cardboard Titanics (USA, 2011), PostHuman (USA, 2011), Jim & Frank (USA, 2011)
Austin-based Heartless Bastards' earthy garage-punk-blues finds its footing in frontwoman Erika Wennerstrom's remarkable voice and adventurous guitar. Equal parts primal and pleading, heartfelt and heroic, they've gained great momentum in the last year while opening for rugged rockers Drive-By Truckers and promoting their fourth album, Arrow.
Paul F. Tompkins is a comedian, actor, and writer known for his work on VH1’s Best Week Ever and HBO'sMr. Show. In 2011, his popular “The Pod F. Tompkast” ranked as Rolling Stone’s number one comedy podcast.
Writer, stand-up comedian, and actress Jen Kirkman is perhaps best known for her regular appearances onChelsea Lately. Other credits include stand-up performances on Conan, The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson, and narration of HBO's Drunk History, which won "Best Short Film" at Sundance in 2010.
Kumail Nanjiani is a tireless writer and performer who first gained attention for his critically acclaimed one-man show “Unpronounceable.” His signature stand up and comedic talent have been featured on everything from Conan to Portlandia, earning Kumail recognition on such lists as Variety’s “10 Comics to Watch,” as well as New York Magazine’s “10 Comedians that Funny People Find Funny”.
Thanks in large part to prominent placement in a KIA commercial, UK-based The Heavy have helped lead the charge of the neo-soul movement. What most distinctly sets them apart, however, is unfiltered sex appeal, both in the sultry build that characterizes the band's compositions and frontman Kelvin Swaby arresting stage presence.
This performance will be ASL interpreted.
With lazy melodies, lush guitars and thundering toms, Western Haunts' sound is a call to Midwestern revival, drenched in reverb and the ambience of shoe-gaze music. Singer/guitarist Jake Witt’s songs about lost summers in the rural Rust Belt and ghost stories from his Midwestern roots have been gaining much attention around the Seattle area and across the nation.
Gabe Liedman is a Brooklyn-based comedian and writer who has written for BBC America and MTV, and is currently writing a pilot for Comedy Central with his frequent collaborator, Jenny Slate.
Kurt Braunohler was recently named a "Comic to Watch" by Comedy Central and has been seen (or heard) on TV in Bob’s Burgers, Delocated, Comedy Central Presents, and as the host of the anti-game show BUNK on IFC. Penelope: Princess of Pets, the popular web-series with his comedy partner Kristen Schaal, was recently turned into a show for the BBC.
New Orleans-based sludge metal act EYEHATEGOD have traversed the globe since 1988, bringing a merciless approach to their instruments with detuned guitars, squalling feedback, relentless percussion, and the sinister underpinning of frontman Jimmy Bower's archly grim vocals. While not for the faint at heart, the articulate power that grounds their work makes the brutality beautiful in its own right.
Progressive local comedy collective Peoples Republic of Komedy will host a nightly showcase of the best in Seattle’s burgeoning stand-up and sketch talent, featuring additional video presentations and special guests to be announced. Bumbershoot is proud to welcome back this long-standing element of our Northwest Comedy program.
This piece is performed and developed by Noah Benezra and Hannah Victoria Franklin. Wolf just wants to be a star. Kry$tal just wants to eat his soul. Together, they can’t be stopped. With bangin’ hip-hop beats, high-octane choreography, and swagged-out music videos, B∃D SN▲KE brings the vibe of a high-energy concert to theater. Featuring bombastic original music by Blood Kry$tal Wolf, production design by Amiya Brown, and directed by Elise Hunt— B∃D SN▲KE promises to melt your face.
7 Minutes in Heaven is improv comedy speed dating rife with bizarre characters and loads of awkwardness. The premise is simple: eight individuals show up to a speed dating event hoping to find that special someone, except the actors are not aware of who all the characters are prior to each show and must rely on true improvisation. The audience is encouraged to get up and walk amongst the actors as they search for love. 7 Minutes in Heaven is reality theatre at its uncomfortable best!
Hey there, sweet thing…
Shorts: Tracer Gun (USA, 2012), Interview Date (USA, 2011), Love Is Blind (Turkey, 2011), The Gathering Squall (USA, 2011)
Originally from Tacoma and now residing in Brooklyn, Brad Oberhofer draws on influences ranging from Brian Wilson to Descartes, and is fixated on the idea of making philosophically-minded, energetic melodies that just make people smile. Oberhofer's debut, Time Capsules II, was released via Glassnote Records in the summer of 2011.
The authors of How to Be a Person: The Stranger's Guide to College, Sex, Intoxicants, Tacos, and Life Itself offer their hilarious, completely off-the-rails advice and observations about living in America. The panel will cover essential life skills and information, including: moose wrangling, clogged arteries, Tom Hanks, earthquakes, glue huffers, Oprah Winfrey's most recent movements, racism, alligators, vampires, meth, dudes in terrible bands, and whatever else the audience wants to talk about. There are so many places in the United States, you guys!
The fragile nature of mortality, the confounding sorrow of madness, and the existential misery of heartbreak are just a few of the dark themes Alela Diane elegantly wrestles with in her work. Luckily, the Portland singer-songwriter is blessed with a mesmerizing voice that is more dazzling than dreary, shining an appealing light on even the darkest of subjects.
The former Drive-By Trucker's latest album, Here We Rest, highlights his extraordinary gift. Jason Isbell offers an effortless sense of compassion for his songs' downtrodden protagonists, a searing insight into human foibles that belies his youthful 31 years, and a warm, richly expressive voice that lies somewhere between a dustier Jackson Browne and less embittered Paul Westerberg.
Though Little Hell's hooky, heartfelt numbers will sound familiar to fans of City and Colour (singer-songwriter Dallas Green), the Canadian pop artist's 2011 album delved deeper into the folk, blues, and soul influences that surfaced on its predecessor, a welcome evolution buoyed by gorgeously executed instrumentation and the honest, absorbing essence of Green's multi-faceted vocal presence.
Damien Lemon has been featured on MTV2’s Guy Code, Hip Hop Squares, and Russell Simmons: The Ruckus on Comedy Central, and appears in this summer's The Amazing Spider-Man. His stage performance is an all-inclusive bug-out session with material ranging from fornicating politicians driving up sex prices to the "Stop BCC'N!" campaign.
Karen Kilgariff has been doing stand-up comedy for over 20 years. You may know her from HBO's Mr. Show, Channel 4's The Book Group or The Girl's Guitar Club. Additionally, she was the head writer for The Ellen DeGeneres Show for five years.
With his bone-dry wit, penchant for all things heavy metal, and a multi-faceted career that includes television (The Sarah Silverman Show, Californication), film (Rob Zombie’s The Devil’s Rejects, Red Fang’s iconic music videos), and writing (Mr. Show, Metalocalypse), Brian Posehn has earned himself a devoted following.
Building on the breakout success of their first single, "Sail," Aaron Bruno's progressive electronic rock band unfurled Megalithic Symphony, an ambitious debut that reflects a modern amalgam of styles, bridging techno, soul, dreamy pop, and soaring rock.
Short animated films that will astonish, inspire and potentially unnerve you. Not for everyone; some adult content.
Shorts: Arthur and the Bunnies (USA, 2011), Narcorrido (USA, 2011), Abiogenesis (New Zealand, 2011), Chilly (USA, 2012), Doomed (Spain, 2011), Typecast Dragon (USA, 2012), The Provider (Canada, 2011), Song of the Spindle (USA, 2012)
John Waters is an American icon who rose to fame in the 1970s for his transgressive and shocking cult films. Waters' live performance, This Filthy World: Filthier & Dirtier, focuses on his early artistic influences and his fascination with true crime, exploitation films, fashion lunacy, the extremes of the art world, Catholicism, sexual deviancy and a love of reading. You won‘t want to miss a man that William Burroughs once called “The Pope of Trash.”
After their longtime Portland rehearsal space was flooded in 2009, singer-guitarist Brandon Summers and drummer-keyboardist Benjamin Weike had to relocate physically and regroup creatively, necessitating a series of difficult, ultimately transformative conversations. Negotiations (arriving in September on Sub Pop) is an incandescent, reverb-heavy meditation on those dialogs and a testament to the beauty, blessing, and excitement of a fresh start.
Dark-hearted singer-songwriters are in no short supply in Seattle, but Damien Jurado resides in a class of his own, thanks to incisive, intelligent lyrical talents and an artfully understated stage presence. His live shows are always hushed, reverent affairs well-worth the focused attention they command.
Emerging from the crowded, punk-minded Minneapolis music scene in the mid-'80s, The Jayhawks helped make the world safe again for artists who weren't afraid to fuse traditional rock, country, and folk influences into something both timeless and modern, just as the best American bands always have. Mockingbird Time, their first full-length in nearly a decade, was released last fall.
The heady, hedonistic Los Angeles band that founded and headlined the original Lollopalooza festival is a natural fit for Bumbershoot's adventurous audience. With their trademark hybrid of psych, rock, tribal, and punk, Jane's Addiction signaled the rise of alternative rock in the late '80s and '90s. They made their triumphant return in 2011 with The Great Escape Artist, a new album produced with TV on the Radio's Dave Sitek, who joins them as a bassist.
This performance will be ASL interpreted.
With a discography miles long and tours that have taken him to Ibiza, London, and New York, it's no wonder how Seattle's Pezzner has become one of the ambassadors in our city's long-running dance music scene. His sets have been known to traverse with ease between disco, house and techno, offering up serious, abstract music for the brain as well as the body.
Portland singer-songwriter M. Ward is almost as well-known for his collaborations with others, including Neko Case, My Morning Jacket, Bright Eyes, and Zooey Deschanel, as he is for his own work. A Wasteland Companion, Ward's seventh solo release. is a testimony to his deft grasp of dark melodies and how to style them smartly: with glistening strings, found sounds and strident piano.
The Miracles Club is a performance art and house music group from Portland. Employing elements from classic Chicago acid house, experimental pop, and contemporary dance, members Rafael Fauria, Honey Owens, and Ryan Boyle are creatively committed to exploring the relationships between sound, movement, audience and artist.
Looking to the future while digging in the past, enigmatic and willfully anonymous duo Tiger & Woods use both recognizable and exotic sources supplemented with original production to take you to undiscovered terrains that somehow feel like home.
The Seattle Children’s Museum returns to curate engaging activities in the Youngershoot Kids Zone, situated in Next 50 Plaza (east of the Armory) during Bumbershoot.
The Youngershoot Kids Zone is open daily from 11AM – 6PM during the Festival. Children aged 10 and younger, along with their caregivers, can enter this exhibition area at no additional charge and enjoy a variety of hands-on activities and interactive programs.
PARENTMAP
Design your own magazine cover, featuring you and your family. ParentMap’s editorial team will help you create a unique cover that depicts your family’s passions. Let the world know what kind of family you are!
MOHAI
MOHAI will have fun artifacts for families to explore, as well as a Century 21 Scavenger Hunt taking families around Seattle Center and back to the Kids Zone for a fun prize.
MAMA K’S AROMATIC PLAY CLAY
Using all-natural aromatic clay, children create their own art pieces and scenery projects.
EMP MUSEUM
Join EMP Museum for an exploration of sound. Experience playing an electric guitar, experiment with tuning forks, and make your own musical instrument to take home with you.
PACIFIC SCIENCE CENTER
Kids explore the interactive, hands-on exhibits from Pacific Science Center’s Science on Wheels allowing them to participate in fun science experiments!
RADIO DISNEY AM 1250
Nobody knows fun like Disney. Stop by for games, music and dance with the Radio Disney 1250 AM Road Crew.
The American Poster Insitute’s Flastock returns to Bumbershoot for the 10th consecutive year. Flatstock 36 will take place in the newly renovated Armory (formerly the Center House) from 11am to 8pm each day of Bumbershoot. This fan-favorite poster show features high profile and emerging rock poster artists from across North America. Artists include:
Christopher Martin Hoff was the first artist contacted to participate in Bumbershoot 2012. Sadly, Christopher passed away at the end of March, and this exhibit is being presented in tribute to his contributions as an urban plein-air painter. For the past 15 years, Christopher explored the poetic stillness of the mundane through the lens of observational painting. Christopher Martin Hoff Remembered will feature a number of his paintings as well as photographs of the artist at work, and several works in progress.
Curated by Beth Sellars
Bumbershoot will celebrate all things Elvis Presley in honor of the 50th anniversary of the 1962 World’s Fair, Seattle Center and the filming of The King’s movie, It Happened at the World’s Fair. Elvis experts and curators Marlow Harris and JoDavid present an ELVISTRAVAGANZA! of art, music and performance, including: appearances by amateur Elvis tribute artists, Elvis karaoke, a whimsical recreation of the Jungle Room of Graceland, a Vegas-style film viewing room, an Elvis topiary garden, the Traveling Elvis Museum of Love, and Elvis-inspired works from more than 75 artists. Curated by Marlow Harris and JoDavid
NOW is a large-scale neon sculpture reflecting our continuous cycle of personal change across time. Designed by Dylan Neuwirth and fabricated by Western Neon, this giant, glowing, 12' multi-colored sculpture is suspended 4' above the floor. The curious relationship between NOW’s upper rainbow and its reflection below is equal parts visual spectacle and contemplative exploration of memories and time. Sculpture by Dylan Neuwirth
Imagine a vinyl record store with a large collection but nothing for sale. Instead, the record shop acts as a cultural commons fueled by the belief that these records can be a catalyst to bring people and perspectives together. Show up and browse the robust collection of records and play albums for the entire store or listen with head phones in a small group. Curators will lead listening parties each day of Bumbershoot, centered on the special collection of vinyl available in the exhibition space. Curated by Sandra Jackson-Dumont
Skyward! explores the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair’s idea of the future, and the coinciding creation of the popular cartoon series The Jetsons. Depicting life in 2062, the cartoon reflects the era’s attitudes towards middle-class affluence, car culture, nuclear prowess, and The American Dream. Contemporaneously, World’s Fair engineers and designers were predicting a future life of leisure elevated into the sky, creating the Space Needle and the Seattle Center Monorail. Through a combination of sculptural pieces, site-specific installation, video and interactive works, Skyward! will showcase contemporary artists’ visions of our future in the sky. Artists include: Britta Johnson, Dietrich Wegner, I Want You, Emily Pothast: Hair & Space Museum, Hannah Viano, Vaughn Bell, & Iole Alessandrini, Heather & Ivan Morison, Hollow Earth Radio’s Garrett Kelly & Amber Kai Morgan, Jana Brevick & Hahn Rossman, Cathy McClure, and Ron Lambert. Curated by Shelly Leavens and Jana Brevick
After 50 years of pushing the boundaries of glass art, This is Glass will challenge what you know about the eccentric and experimental nature of the studio glass movement, with a particular focus on its close relationship with the Pacific Northwest. The works represented in the exhibit feature both historic and current pieces by many emerging and established artists. This is Glass will compel you to reconsider what glass art can be. Artist include: Edison Osorio Zapata, Einar & Jamex De La Torre, Matthew Szosz, Jennifer Elek & Jeremy Bert Paul Marioni, Robbie Miller & John Drury, Mark Zirpel, Nadege Degentez, and more. Curated by Sarah Traver and Grace Meils
In this hands-on performance where the audience becomes part of this community building exercise, participants dance, play drums, and listen to storytelling from the origin of Ghana, West Africa.
Films the entire family can enjoy.
Shorts: Paper Touch (Taiwan, 2011), Kumquat Kwadruplets (USA, 2011), Luna (Canada, 2011), Firefly Fishing (USA, 2011), The Magic Man (USA, 2011), Sunday (Canada, 2011), Grandfather's Ship (USA, 2011)
Comprised of former and current members of See Me River and H is For Hellgate, Seattle's Eighteen Individual Eyes makes atmospheric art rock that reconciles dreamy shoe-gazer swooning with jagged fury, creating a darkly sensual noir vibe that is equal parts Sonic Youth and Fleetwood Mac.
After his laptop and lyric-filled notebooks were stolen, Seattle songwriter Grant Olsen was forced to re-approach writing a new record for his orchestral pop duo, Arthur & Yu. The compositions unfolded in a more immediately intimate manner, and Olsen chose to record them under the Gold Leaves moniker, enlisting help from an impressive assortment of supporting players, including members of The Moondoggies and Thao & Mirah.
Retro pop culture humorist and author Charles Phoenix presents a live comedy performance celebrating tourist traps, theme parks, car culture, space age style, fun foods, and the great 1962 Seattle World’s Fai, while also revealing his “Best of Seattle” guide to must-see local landmarks, legends and lore. Phoenix, the self-proclaimed “Retro Daddy,” explores America’s classic and kitschy pop culture of yesterday and predicts the retro-inspired trends of tomorrow. Come enjoy his unique spin and genuine reverence for all things Americana, and take a guided tour through Seattle’s past, present and future.
At just 23 years of age, Ty Curtis has amassed a recording catalog of four critically acclaimed albums and earned second place in the prestigious 2009 International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Blues Challenge panelist and Grammy-winning producer David Z (Prince, Etta James) took an interest in the band, helming Ty's latest and most notable album, Cross That Line.
Think the Symphony is stuffy? You won‘t after seeing Symphony Untuxed! Last year‘s surprise hit is back for an encore performance, giving Bumbershoot audiences the opportunity to encounter Seattle Symphony musicians outside of the traditional symphonic experience. Hosted by Assistant Conductor Stilian Kirov, this year‘s eclectic chamber program features everything from Baroque music to Piazzolla‘s Tangos to a "Memo" for violin and portable cassette recorder.
Fortified by a five-piece rhythm section, and equally drawing from hip-hop, soul, electronica, and funk,Theoretics use this diverse instrumentation to creative dynamic, energizing music that reflects the thoughtful, from-the-ground-up composition style of The Roots and Jurassic 5.
Brian Vogan and his Good Buddies live show can be described as a celebration of creativity and inclusiveness. Brian Vogan teaches music from infants to preschool-age children and the songs he writes are directly inspired by the interests and ideas of the same children he educates.
LoveBomb Go-Go Marching Band clad in silvery futuristic space garb and drawing from influences as diverse as indie rock, the Sun Ra Arkestra, New Orleans street bands, Balkan brass, and Barbarella; LoveBomb Go-Go looks and sounds like no other band. Portland’s newest marching band is an intergalactic experience not to be missed!
Gabe Liedman is a Brooklyn-based comedian and writer who has written for BBC America and MTV, and is currently writing a pilot for Comedy Central with his frequent collaborator, Jenny Slate.
Jackie Kashian has been a national touring comic for over 15 years and was a semi-finalist on Last Comic Standing. She has her own half-hour special on Comedy Central, hosts a weekly podcast, and has been on This American Life. Her latest CD, It Is Never Going to Be Bread, was one of the top ten comedy albums on Amazon in 2010.
Kurt Braunohler was recently named a "Comic to Watch" by Comedy Central and has been seen (or heard) on TV in Bob’s Burgers, Delocated, Comedy Central Presents, and as the host of the anti-game show BUNK on IFC. Penelope: Princess of Pets, the popular web-series with his comedy partner Kristen Schaal, was recently turned into a show for the BBC.
For music lovers and music makers—these shorts are sure to please them all.
Shorts: Choros (USA, 2012), Smoke Songs (USA, 2011), Randy Parsons: American Luthier (USA, 2011)
In various permutations together and with other now-notables (Doseone, Odd Nosdam, Mr. Dibbs, Atmosphere's Slug), this trio created and contributed to several freewheeling rap and lo-fi, rock-related projects before moving to Oakland to make pop-inflected, psychedelic folk-hop as WHY?.
After each of his guest comedians present a round of stand-up, Jay Hollingsworth conducts a take-no-prisoners Q&A, exploring which elements are true and what's been manipulated for comedic effect. By fusing the forensic with the funny, Hollingsworth illuminates the backstories behind the tall tales, offering us a rare glimpse inside the craftsmanship of comedy.
A dynamic rapper, producer and vocalist, Seattle's Katie Kate earned her degree in classical piano from Cornish College of the Arts in 2009 and went on to create imaginative compositions that reflect her background, but are ultimately buoyed by her undulating vocal flow and compelling, cosmopolitan electronic beats. Drawing strength from her inherent contradictions, her icy-cool vibe and mesmerizing presentation will please fans of Robyn or Santigold.
A riotous collision of barely constrained electronic pop overlaid with distinctive, glacial vocals, Sweden's Niki & The Dove have confirmed themselves as a unique talent well worth the ones-to-watch tag. More than just an intoxicating studio act, their stage shows reflect their creative backgrounds in theater and dance productions, making the live experience something truly memorable.
Steeped in the gilded and gritty sounds of gospel, soul, and funk, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings continuously electrify fans and critics the world over with their authentic, yet modernist spin on vintage soul music. Their albums romantically recall the analog era of Motown and Stax Records, but it's the nine piece act's jawdropping live performance that have fostered their exponentially increasing fanbase.
MAD Magazine senior editor Joe Raiola’s The Joy of Censorship sheds light on the endless arguments over banned books, movie ratings, the FCC, the Patriot Act, and the true meaning of obscenity. The presentation also traces the unlikely and colorful history of MAD Magazine, from renegade publisher William Gaines’ historic showdown with the United States Senate over comic book censorship to MAD’s emergence as a revolutionary satiric force. The program concludes with a unique slide presentation spotlighting many of MAD’s most controversial and outrageous covers and articles, followed by a lively Q&A session.
Art is a funny thing. These films show us just what it can do.
Shorts: Honor the Treaties (USA, 2012), Nani (USA, 2011), Perfect Human (USA, 2012), Solipsist (USA, 2011)
Karen Lovely has shot onto the Northwest blues scene like Stack O'Lee's .44 magnum, capturing the 2nd Place Band Prize at the 2010 International Blues Challenge, followed by 2011 BMA nominations for Best Contemporary Blues Female Artist, Best Album, and Best Song for her sophomore release, Still the Rain.
This piece is performed and developed by Noah Benezra and Hannah Victoria Franklin. Wolf just wants to be a star. Kry$tal just wants to eat his soul. Together, they can’t be stopped. With bangin’ hip-hop beats, high-octane choreography, and swagged-out music videos, B∃D SN▲KE brings the vibe of a high-energy concert to theater. Featuring bombastic original music by Blood Kry$tal Wolf, production design by Amiya Brown, and directed by Elise Hunt— B∃D SN▲KE promises to melt your face.
Backed by the hot, gritty orchestration of the 13 members of The Court Supreme, frontman Eldridge Gravy easily works dance floors to a funk and soul fueled fever pitch with his full-bore performances and smooth rapport with audiences. The band's second album, Party Hard, was released this past June.
Heat! Light! Gas! Color change! Explode on the scene with RADICAL REACTIONS where flames are blue and green, rainbows exist in glass tubes, and dollar bills catch fire. In this dynamic show, chemical reactions abound in an exciting line up that keeps audiences of all ages on the edges of their seats. See our presenter throw fire, watch an ordinary Ziploc turn into an exploding yellow bag, and fall in love with the foam fountain finale in this lively yet fact-filled demonstration.
7 Minutes in Heaven is improv comedy speed dating rife with bizarre characters and loads of awkwardness. The premise is simple: eight individuals show up to a speed dating event hoping to find that special someone, except the actors are not aware of who all the characters are prior to each show and must rely on true improvisation. The audience is encouraged to get up and walk amongst the actors as they search for love. 7 Minutes in Heaven is reality theatre at its uncomfortable best!
Paul Scheer, Jason Mantzoukas, and June Diane Raphael bring their bad movie podcast to Bumbershoot for three different live recordings featuring special guests and focusing on the best worst summer movies. From Superman 3 to The Room, “How Did This Get Made” is a roundtable discussion of movies that are so bad that they are actually great. iTunes called it one of the “Best New Comedy Podcasts of 2011.”
Damien Lemon has been featured on MTV2’s Guy Code, Hip Hop Squares, and Russell Simmons: The Ruckus on Comedy Central, and appears in this summer's The Amazing Spider-Man. His stage performance is an all-inclusive bug-out session with material ranging from fornicating politicians driving up sex prices to the "Stop BCC'N!" campaign.
Karen Kilgariff has been doing stand-up comedy for over 20 years. You may know her from HBO's Mr. Show, Channel 4's The Book Group or The Girl's Guitar Club. Additionally, she was the head writer for The Ellen DeGeneres Show for five years.
With his bone-dry wit, penchant for all things heavy metal, and a multi-faceted career that includes television (The Sarah Silverman Show, Californication), film (Rob Zombie’s The Devil’s Rejects, Red Fang’s iconic music videos), and writing (Mr. Show, Metalocalypse), Brian Posehn has earned himself a devoted following.
Since their 2009 debut, Absolutes, Barcelona has been quietly cultivating the intimate and infectious material that comprises Not Quite Yours, released this past spring. This Seattle trio wisely recruited Cold War Kids producer Kevin Augunas and Black Keys engineer Mark Neill to help them spin their personal, pensive stories into lush, hypnotic harmonies.
The Comedy Stand, created by Seattle comedy producer Sean McCann, is an hour-long stand-up comedy show. Each day of the festival features a different lineup of the Northwest’s top comedians. Today features: Jay Hollingsworth, Tyler Smith, Bryan Cook, and Mike Colletta.
Representing the youthful face of the region's still-rising hip hop scene, KnowMads cut out laid-back, hook-heavy grooves that contrast nicely with the more impassioned, urgent lyrical flows that ride over them. Their 2012 debut, The KnewBook, features guest appearances galore, including Smoke DZA, the Coughee Brothaz, Ras Kass, and Sol.
Australian goth-pop outfit The Jezabels clearly harbors an affection for the baroque drama of Kate Bush, both on record and stage, but Prisoner, their 2011 debut, shows them making bold strides towards their own collective voice. Prisoner was so well-received that it recently earned them the prestigious and coveted Australian Music Prize.
Indisputably iconic showman and songwriter Tony Bennett is one of a handful of artists to have new albums charting in the '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s, and now in the first two decades of the 21st century. A Kennedy Center Honoree and United Nations Citizen of the World award recipient, Bennett's timeless tunes and unmistakably elegant delivery put him in a category all his own.
Some of the films judged as the Best of SIFF 2012.
Shorts: The Extraordinary Life of Rocky (Belgium, 2011), Zergüt (USA, 2011), Paradise (USA, 2012), The Paris Quintet in Practice Makes Perfect (Canada, 2011)
Former Hole guitarist Eric Erlandson wrote Letters to Kurt, which, as its title suggests, is a collection of letters to his late friend Kurt Cobain. Touching on the rocker’s career, sex, fame and suicide, the book also features an introduction in which Erlandson discusses his friendship with Cobain and Courtney Love, as well as a young kid who tragically followed in Cobain’s footsteps. Erlandson will discuss his book and his interactions with the legendary Seattle icon. Moderated by Marco Collins, Radio DJ.
SketchFest Seattle is the world’s original sketch comedy festival and has established a reputation for presenting the best and most original comedy from around the globe. This showcase of the festival features Charles, a Seattle comedy duo known for cerebral humor bordering on comedic arrogance, Ubiquitous They, voted one of Seattle’s top five comedy groups by viewers of Evening Magazine, and The Entertainment Show, the greatest entertainment team in the history of everything.
Legendary harmonic virtuoso Lee Oskar blends blues, jazz, funk, Latin, rock, and soul and has been taking the world by storm since giving us such hits as "Low Rider." For this special Bumbershoot performance, he'll co-curate an all-star harmonica jam with Magic Dick, a founding member of the J. Geils Band whose influential harmonica playing has made him a fixture in the music world.
Brian Vogan and his Good Buddies live show can be described as a celebration of creativity and inclusiveness. Brian Vogan teaches music from infants to preschool-age children and the songs he writes are directly inspired by the interests and ideas of the same children he educates.
After years of toiling on the rap chitlin' circuit and navigating the mixtape matrix, Yelawolf broke out in grand fashion with his critically-acclaimed release, Trunk Muzik. His official debut, Radioactive, showcases his knack for fluidly shifting gears from Southern hip hop and Southern rock while remaining in his own creative lane.
Doug Benson, of Best Week Ever and Last Comic Standing fame, is back at Bumbershoot to do three tapings of his popular podcast “Doug Loves Movies.” Come for the laughs as Doug and his friends have a freewheeling conversation about movies, but stay for the trivia games. Make a movie-related nametag with your moniker for a chance to win!
A daredevil stand-up artist renowned for his ability to impersonate everyone from Vincent Price to Philip Seymour Hoffman, James Adomian was a top 10 finalist on the most recent season of Last Comic Standing and is a frequent contributor to Comedy Death Ray Radio. He performs at Upright Citizens Brigade and at festivals, theatres, dive bars, colleges, and radical political events.
Every so often, a comedian comes along who emerges as a triple threat: comedian, actor and writer/producer. Nick Swardson is the latest and most exciting artist to take on these roles. In addition to his roles of co-creator and star of Comedy Central’s Nick Swardson’s Pretend Time series, he has just completed a role in Grown Ups 2 which releases Summer 2013.
The audience members at this year's Seattle International Film Festival have chosen these as some of their favorite shorts.
Shorts: Catcam (USA, 2012), ASAD (South Africa, 2011), Fresh Guacamole (USA, 2012), Friend Request Pending (United Kingdom, 2011)
Civil Twilight's contemplative, emotional sound echoes the sweeping pop of iconic British acts such as Oasis, Radiohead, and Coldplay, but is informed by the tensions and struggles inherent to their homeland of South Africa. With profound lyrics reflecting their adjustment to life in the USA, they carve out a majestic soundscape the ultimately feels hopeful and redemptive.
On their brand new EP, Foreign Spells, Seattle's Young Evils are now living up to the enticing implications of their name. The unmistakable and charming harmonies of sweethearts Troy Nelson and Mackenzie Mercer remain intact, but a deliciously dark undercurrent of noisy guitars and morose lyrics now churns beneath their doo-wop-inspired ditties, creating a brilliant synthesis of the sunny and sinister.
An eclectic selection of British Columbia’s funniest comedic performers with surprise guests. Warning: will include several references to pot, Alex Trebek, maple syrup and much ado aboot nothing. Curated by Will Davis, Creative Director of ComedyFest Vancouver.
Bumbershoot will celebrate all things Elvis Presley in honor of the 50th anniversary of the 1962 World’s Fair, Seattle Center, and the filming of The King’s movie, It Happened at the World’s Fair. Each day of the festival, LoveBomb Go-Go Marching Band will channel their inner Elvis, performing the King’s songs across grounds. They will be joined by a pack of Elvis tribute artists including Elvis the Unicycler!
Eric D. Johnson has toured and recorded as Fruit Bats for more than a decade now, carving out a finely-hewn body of artfully articulate, folk-rock work. His latest release, Tripper, is more exploratory and experimental, with Johnson's high tenor marrying surprisingly well against a wash of synthesizers and a luminous twang of guitars.
Is a trending topic the new protest march? And like… who cares? In an age of instantaneous technology—and gratification—have we become more apathetic than ever? Experts in the field of hipsters and social activism come together to examine how tools like Instagram, Facebook and other social media intersect with social justice… and social indifference. Speakers include LA-based comedian Solomon Georgio, the Blue Scholars' Prometheus Brown, and Janae Jones and AJ Rasgasa of What the Hipster?!. Moderated by Seattle based writer, performer and creative producer Hollis Wong-Wear.
Given five days to shoot, five days to edit and a handful of creative limitations, four local directors crafted these shorts for SIFF 2012. With support from KCTS9/Reel NW, these films were all shot on the Seattle Center campus, in celebration of the Next 50, and the 50th anniversary of the Seattle World's Fair.
Shorts: C.B. (USA, 2012), D.C.I. (USA, 2012), The Return (USA, 2012), Reviens Moi (USA, 2012)
Improvisational-based non-profit Wing-It Productions presents a presidential election in 60 minutes, where YOU vote for the President. Non-biased. Non-partisan. Non-dumb.
After a brief detour writing songs for film and television soundtracks--including Sex and the City and Grey's Anatomy--ethereal folk-pop artist Katie Kerzig constructed 2011's The Waking Sleep over a full year, while touring on her own and opening for Brandi Carlile. By combining digitally programmed sounds and organic instruments, she's found a fresh, new musical identity.
Detroit rock musicians The Dirtbombs have been serving up their distinctive sound since 1995, combining the elements of garage punk, soul and R&B together into one eclectic and exciting live show. This five-piece band has toured with everyone from Mudhoney to Yeah Yeah Yeahs in the last ten years, and are still going strong after their latest release, Party Store.
Paul F. Tompkins is a comedian, actor, and writer known for his work on VH1’s Best Week Ever and HBO's Mr. Show. In 2011, his popular “The Pod F. Tompkast” ranked as Rolling Stone’s number one comedy podcast.
Writer, stand-up comedian, and actress Jen Kirkman is perhaps best known for her regular appearances on Chelsea Lately. Other credits include stand-up performances on Conan, The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson, and narration of HBO's Drunk History, which won "Best Short Film" at Sundance in 2010.
Kumail Nanjiani is a tireless writer and performer who first gained attention for his critically acclaimed one-man show “Unpronounceable.” His signature stand up and comedic talent have been featured on everything from Conan to Portlandia, earning Kumail recognition on such lists as Variety’s “10 Comics to Watch,” as well as New York Magazine’s “10 Comedians that Funny People Find Funny”.
L.A.-based indie-pop auteur AM and London-based groovemaster/experimentalist Shawn Lee pool their talents to create a unique brand of electro-soul that achieves seamless pop perfection while mining a startling broad array of stylistic influences including Brazilian tropicalia, Turkish psychedelia, and soundtrack music from the '60s, '70s, and '80s.
With a unique delivery and child-like demeanor, Ron Funches has been impressing audiences and fellow comics alike. A Chicago native who moved to the Pacific Northwest in his teens, he was recently a finalist in NBC's Stand Up for Diversity and can been seen in the first season of IFC's Portlandia.
On the New York comedy scene for close to five years, Dan Soder has been featured on Comedy Central's Live at Gotham, was voted “Funniest Comedian” at the New York Comedy Festival, and was the standout at the 2011 Montreal Just For Laughs Festival.
Christian Finnegan can currently be seen on the sitcom Are We There Yet? and makes regular appearances on Countdown with Keith Olbermann, but is most widely known via his sly commentary on VH1’s Best Week Ever. Chappelle’s Show fans will recognize him as Chad from the infamous “Mad Real World” sketch.
As an early, iconic emo act, The Promise Ring saw the rise and de-evolution of that genre, so it wasn't entirely surprising when they called it a day in the fall of 2001. Ten years later, the band announced one reunion show in their hometown of Milwaukee. Clamoring of their loyal fans led to more dates, with the band traveling from the East coast and ending their tour here in Seattle.
Progressive local comedy collective Peoples Republic of Komedy will host a nightly showcase of the best in Seattle’s burgeoning stand-up and sketch talent, featuring additional video presentations and special guests to be announced. Bumbershoot is proud to welcome back this long-standing element of our Northwest Comedy program.
Mudhoney was hatched in the Northwest corner of these United States in 1988 and has spent the last 24 years traveling the globe and making classic, psych-imbued punk records. The band has retained a richly-deserved reputation for consistently riveting live performances, thanks in large part to eternally youthful frontman Mark Arm.
7 Minutes in Heaven is improv comedy speed dating rife with bizarre characters and loads of awkwardness. The premise is simple: eight individuals show up to a speed dating event hoping to find that special someone, except the actors are not aware of who all the characters are prior to each show and must rely on true improvisation. The audience is encouraged to get up and walk amongst the actors as they search for love. 7 Minutes in Heaven is reality theatre at its uncomfortable best!
Call me?
Shorts: Pretty My Face and Green My Eyes (USA, 2011), Coffee & Pie (USA, 2011), Well Enough Alone (USA, 2011), My Name Is Your First Love (USA, 2011)
So you want some fame and you think you can stay alive while breakin’ into some Flashdance with your crew Center Stage? Then throw on your legwarmers and tap shoes and join Live Girls! Theater for the JUST DANCE Edition of the LG! Cabaret. The LG! Cabaret was created to showcase exciting female performers in multiple disciplines and JUST DANCE will feature music, comedy, dance, and unique tributes to your favorite dance movies and TV shows.
Futurama is an epic animated sci-fi comedy series from Executive Producers Matt Groening and David X. Cohen. A two-time winner of the Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program, it follows the comic exploits of Phillip J. Fry — a pizza delivery boy who was accidentally cryogenically frozen in 1999 and awakens in the year 3000. Writers of Futurama will discuss the unique opportunities and challenges of writing an animated program, and will present a world-premiere clip of an episode currently in production for broadcast in the 2013 season. Moderated by Kurt Braunohler, star of Bunk on IFC.
As the touring guitarist for The Shins and occasional collaborator with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Jessica Dobson developed an audible appreciation for uniquely expressive guitar tones. This skill marries nicely with her piano chops in Deep Sea Diver, but her powerful, distinct vocals--part PJ Harvey acrobatics, part Siouxie Sioux swagger--are the star of this new project.
Since the late '60s, North Carolina native Lee Fields has been making raucous-yet-tender soul music, amassing a prolific catalog of albums and racking up road miles on tour with artists such as Kool & the Gang, Darrell Bands, and Little Royal. Faithful Man, released this spring, finds him edging ever closer to perfecting the old-school sounds he grew up on.
As leader of the '70s British rock legends Mott the Hoople, and as a hugely influential solo artist cited by everyone from The Clash to Primal Scream as a source of inspiration, Ian Hunter is one of rock-n-roll's striking performers and most articulate songwriters. On September 4, he releases When I'm President, his twentieth album and the latest highlight in a storied career that has included collaborations with David Bowie, Queen, and John Cale.
Gabe Liedman is a Brooklyn-based comedian and writer who has written for BBC America and MTV, and is currently writing a pilot for Comedy Central with his frequent collaborator, Jenny Slate. Slate, a longtime fixture on the downtown New York and Brooklyn alt-comedy scenes, is a former cast member of Saturday Night Live and co-writer/star of the short film Marcel the Shell With Shoes On.
Though he originally made his mark as a cast member of Saturday Night Live and in films such as Anchorman and Eurotrip, it was Portlandia, his comedic collaboration with former Sleater-Kinney guitarist Carrie Brownstein, that signaled Fred Armisen’s breakthrough moment. The pair’s self-lambasting, satirical dissection of hipster culture in our sister city to the south was recently renewed for a third season by IFC.
This performance will be ASL interpreted.
Unsettling, bizarre and occasionally in a different dimension. Not for everyone; some adult content.
Shorts: Monster of Nix (Belgium, 2011), Blood Film (USA, 2012), Dear Hunters (Czech Republic, 2011), Peekaboo (Australia, 2011), Hello Caller (USA, 2011), Muta (Italy, 2011), A Penny Earned (USA, 2011), Caldera (USA, 2011)
After slow-burning success with a series of mixtapes and videos, Kanye West protege Big Sean finally released his hotly anticipated debut last summer, aptly entitled Finally Famous. With a seemingly effortless flow and tireless hustle, the Detroit-born MC staked his claim as one of hip hop's next rising stars.
Named for the motorcycle that nearly crushed frontman Eric Earley as a child, American Goldwing is Blitzen Trapper's third release on Sub Pop and their most introspective and impressive. The album fluidly navigates the tenuous lines between love and loss via a power language of heavy guitar riffs and blasting drum fills that intertwine darkly with plucked banjo, wailing harmonica, and muddy steel guitar.
Seattle's favorite drag-dance duo, The Cherdonna and Lou Show, performs their requiem of fears: out out there (A Whole Night Lost). Although they know they have the same fears as everyone else, Cherdonna and Lou can’t help but wax poetic about their most human moments, from existential crises to monsters under the bed. Walking the fine line between tragedy and comedy, this is Cherdonna and Lou when no one is looking.
With members hailing from both London and Los Angeles, this progressive multi-media art collective designs all its own packaging and artwork, runs their own label, directs their own videos, and is committed to operating wholly independently of the mainstream music industry. By employing a combination of live and programmed instruments and adding in obscure samples, thenewno2 create an intricate collage of electronica sounds and sonic textures.
Strangeland, Keane's fourth album, trades in the officious electro-pop flourishes that peppered 2008's Perfect Symmetry for a tone more similar to 2006's Under the Iron Sea. Piano-driven in construction and sensually sweeping in scope, this U.K. band works with an achingly melodic tableaux that will appeal to fans of Coldplay and Snow Patrol.
A 20-year veteran of the Seattle club scene, GUY is an electric live performer with an experienced performance style, honed from years of packing dance floors in Seattle's best clubs. Playing a fusion of contemporary hits, classics and energetic underground dance music, GUY has the ability to keep both rookies’ and seasoned clubbers’ hands in the air. GUY has been the resident DJ on Saturday night at Seattle's Trinity Nightclub since 2005, playing to weekly capacity crowds, with guests including: The Black Eyed Peas, Diplo and DJ Homicide of Sugar Ray.
Richly deserving of the title "The Queen of Rockabilly" and her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Ms. Jackson is a living legend and a seemingly tireless touring and recording artist. After last year's successful collaboration with admirer Jack White, The Party's Not Over, it's no wonder she tapped another youngblood (Justin Townes Earle), to helm her next album, or that she's enlisted local boys The Dusty 45's to back her at Bumbershoot.
Pittsburgh rapper Mac Miller's first studio album, Blue Slide Park, debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 when it was released in November 2011. This seemingly meteoric rise was actually predicated by several years toiling in the trenches of internet mixtape culture, finding his voice, refining his flow, and building an online audience that he could hook on his party-starting anthems.
Filipina artist and DJ Mia Guzman seductively combines her dance skills, eclectic taste, and natural beauty into a persona that captivates crowds. After appearing in videos for Eminem, Nelly, and Black Eyed Peas, she landed globetrotting gigs holding down the decks with her signature “future-pop” style at parties for everyone from actor-comedian Jamie Foxx to boxer-politician Manny Pacquiao. She is currently the resident DJ for the hit MTV show America's Best Dance Crew.
After starting the legendary, long-running Yo Son! night, Seattle native and current San Franciscan DJ Scene went on to become one of the most in-demand traveling DJs in the world. His distinct style of scratching, live remixing and blending classic party anthems spans every genre from AC/DC to Jay-Z and has put him on live stages with a glittering array of names, including 50 Cent, Ludacris, Nas, Busta Rhymes, The Roots, De La Soul, and Public Enemy.
Voted one of the Top 10 DJs in America the past 3 years by DJ Times Magazine and “Best House DJ” in Las Vegas 2010 & 2011, Scotty Boy has been rocking dance floors across the country for over 20 years. His distinct style of “Electro Mash” (or as he calls it, “Las Vegas Mash Up”) has earned him residencies in most major cities including his hometown of Las Vegas where he is the resident DJ at the hottest club in the country,Marquee.
The Seattle Children’s Museum returns to curate engaging activities in the Youngershoot Kids Zone, situated in Next 50 Plaza (east of the Armory) during Bumbershoot.
The Youngershoot Kids Zone is open daily from 11AM – 6PM during the Festival. Children aged 10 and younger, along with their caregivers, can enter this exhibition area at no additional charge and enjoy a variety of hands-on activities and interactive programs.
PARENTMAP
Design your own magazine cover, featuring you and your family. ParentMap’s editorial team will help you create a unique cover that depicts your family’s passions. Let the world know what kind of family you are!
MOHAI
MOHAI will have fun artifacts for families to explore, as well as a Century 21 Scavenger Hunt taking families around Seattle Center and back to the Kids Zone for a fun prize.
MAMA K’S AROMATIC PLAY CLAY
Using all-natural aromatic clay, children create their own art pieces and scenery projects.
EMP MUSEUM
Join EMP Museum for an exploration of sound. Experience playing an electric guitar, experiment with tuning forks, and make your own musical instrument to take home with you.
PACIFIC SCIENCE CENTER
Kids explore the interactive, hands-on exhibits from Pacific Science Center’s Science on Wheels allowing them to participate in fun science experiments!
RADIO DISNEY AM 1250
Nobody knows fun like Disney. Stop by for games, music and dance with the Radio Disney 1250 AM Road Crew.
The American Poster Insitute’s Flastock returns to Bumbershoot for the 10th consecutive year. Flatstock 36 will take place in the newly renovated Armory (formerly the Center House) from 11am to 8pm each day of Bumbershoot. This fan-favorite poster show features high profile and emerging rock poster artists from across North America. Artists include:
Christopher Martin Hoff was the first artist contacted to participate in Bumbershoot 2012. Sadly, Christopher passed away at the end of March, and this exhibit is being presented in tribute to his contributions as an urban plein-air painter. For the past 15 years, Christopher explored the poetic stillness of the mundane through the lens of observational painting. Christopher Martin Hoff Remembered will feature a number of his paintings as well as photographs of the artist at work, and several works in progress.
Curated by Beth Sellars
Bumbershoot will celebrate all things Elvis Presley in honor of the 50th anniversary of the 1962 World’s Fair, Seattle Center and the filming of The King’s movie, It Happened at the World’s Fair. Elvis experts and curators Marlow Harris and JoDavid present an ELVISTRAVAGANZA! of art, music and performance, including: appearances by amateur Elvis tribute artists, Elvis karaoke, a whimsical recreation of the Jungle Room of Graceland, a Vegas-style film viewing room, an Elvis topiary garden, the Traveling Elvis Museum of Love, and Elvis-inspired works from more than 75 artists. Curated by Marlow Harris and JoDavid
NOW is a large-scale neon sculpture reflecting our continuous cycle of personal change across time. Designed by Dylan Neuwirth and fabricated by Western Neon, this giant, glowing, 12' multi-colored sculpture is suspended 4' above the floor. The curious relationship between NOW’s upper rainbow and its reflection below is equal parts visual spectacle and contemplative exploration of memories and time. Sculpture by Dylan Neuwirth
Imagine a vinyl record store with a large collection but nothing for sale. Instead, the record shop acts as a cultural commons fueled by the belief that these records can be a catalyst to bring people and perspectives together. Show up and browse the robust collection of records and play albums for the entire store or listen with head phones in a small group. Curators will lead listening parties each day of Bumbershoot, centered on the special collection of vinyl available in the exhibition space. Curated by Sandra Jackson-Dumont
Skyward! explores the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair’s idea of the future, and the coinciding creation of the popular cartoon series The Jetsons. Depicting life in 2062, the cartoon reflects the era’s attitudes towards middle-class affluence, car culture, nuclear prowess, and The American Dream. Contemporaneously, World’s Fair engineers and designers were predicting a future life of leisure elevated into the sky, creating the Space Needle and the Seattle Center Monorail. Through a combination of sculptural pieces, site-specific installation, video and interactive works, Skyward! will showcase contemporary artists’ visions of our future in the sky. Artists include: Britta Johnson, Dietrich Wegner, I Want You, Emily Pothast: Hair & Space Museum, Hannah Viano, Vaughn Bell, & Iole Alessandrini, Heather & Ivan Morison, Hollow Earth Radio’s Garrett Kelly & Amber Kai Morgan, Jana Brevick & Hahn Rossman, Cathy McClure, and Ron Lambert. Curated by Shelly Leavens and Jana Brevick
After 50 years of pushing the boundaries of glass art, This is Glass will challenge what you know about the eccentric and experimental nature of the studio glass movement, with a particular focus on its close relationship with the Pacific Northwest. The works represented in the exhibit feature both historic and current pieces by many emerging and established artists. This is Glass will compel you to reconsider what glass art can be. Artist include: Edison Osorio Zapata, Einar & Jamex De La Torre, Matthew Szosz, Jennifer Elek & Jeremy Bert Paul Marioni, Robbie Miller & John Drury, Mark Zirpel, Nadege Degentez, and more. Curated by Sarah Traver and Grace Meils
Northwest storyteller—and daughter of famed wildlife expert Steve Irwin—Susy Irwin brings her Wild Puppets to howl and growl for a wee bit of storytelling.
Riding high after winning a contest to perform at this year's Family 4th at Lake Union, charming local band The Cellar Door are making their Bumbershoot debut, bringing with them a beguiling pop sound threaded with cello and anchored by an earthy vocal core.
Films the entire family can enjoy.
Shorts: Zero (Iran, 2011), Zebu and the Photo Fish (Uganda, 2011), Last Marble (India, 2012), Coast Warning (Russia, 2011), The Boy in the Bubble (Ireland, 2011)
The musical brainchild of Michigan-born, Seattle-based songwriter Sam Watts is a mesmerizing, shape-shifting entity that delivers eerily on the promise of its moniker. Fueled by a rotating cast of talented musicians (including former members of Modest Mouse), Ghosts I've Met slides languidly between dusty Americana-folk and gothic, blues-imbued pop.
In less than two years, Seattle's Seapony has gone from out-of-nowhere buzz band to widely-adored local darlings. Along the way they've released three 7-inch singles, dropped the beguiling full-length, Go With Me, and learned how to infuse their twee-pop ditties with palpable rock-n-roll energy at their live shows.
The Bushwick Book Club is not your run-of-the-mill book club. While still acting upon the urge to read and to have discussions about what is read, the Bushwick Book Club found that was not enough. When they read books, they also want to write songs about them, and when they write songs, they like to perform them for an audience. For Bumbershoot this one-of-a-kind literary performance group will discuss and interpret Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time. Featuring Mary Lambert, Ian McFeron, Bucket of Honey, Wes Weddell, Tai Shan, and Aaron Zuege.
Velocity is Seattle’s Mayor’s Arts Award and Genius Award winning premier art center dedicated to contemporary dance and performance. From Zoe Scofield’s “feral ballet” to Amy O’Neal’s contemporary take on hip hop to Kate Wallich and Merkeith Wiley’s inventive, highly physical choreography, this showcase offers audiences a vibrant snapshot of the nationally celebrated Seattle dance scene.
Seattle's own The Jefferson Rose Band entertains with a big urban sound and a global vision of rhythm. Their energetic stage show gets the audience out of their seats with a unique mix of world music, laid on the roots of funk and reggae.
Pacific Science Center's Super Cool Science Show: The three states of matter, do they matter? Dive into the weird world of the Super Cool, where gases become liquids and liquids become solids. In this fast-paced show, liquid nitrogen takes center stage in a variety of experiments with surprising results. Check out the Interplanetary Olympics - what is it like to bounce a racquetball of much a graham cracker in the sub-zero temperatures of Pluto? Find out what causes matter to fizz, freeze, foam, and fly in the frigid zones of minus degrees!
LoveBomb Go-Go Marching Band clad in silvery futuristic space garb and drawing from influences as diverse as indie rock, the Sun Ra Arkestra, New Orleans street bands, Balkan brass, and Barbarella; LoveBomb Go-Go looks and sounds like no other band. Portland’s newest marching band is an intergalactic experience not to be missed!
Kurt Braunohler was recently named a "Comic to Watch" by Comedy Central and has been seen (or heard) on TV in Bob’s Burgers, Delocated, Comedy Central Presents, and as the host of the anti-game show BUNK on IFC. Penelope: Princess of Pets, the popular web-series with his comedy partner Kristen Schaal, was recently turned into a show for the BBC.
Gabe Liedman is a Brooklyn-based comedian and writer who has written for BBC America and MTV, and is currently writing a pilot for Comedy Central with his frequent collaborator, Jenny Slate. Slate, a longtime fixture on the downtown New York and Brooklyn alt-comedy scenes, is a former cast member of Saturday Night Live and co-writer/star of the short film Marcel the Shell With Shoes On.
Though he originally made his mark as a cast member of Saturday Night Live and in films such as Anchorman and Eurotrip, it was Portlandia, his comedic collaboration with former Sleater-Kinney guitarist Carrie Brownstein, that signaled Fred Armisen’s breakthrough moment. The pair’s self-lambasting, satirical dissection of hipster culture in our sister city to the south was recently renewed for a third season by IFC.
This performance will be ASL interpreted.
These athletes put their bodies on the line for the love of sport.
Shorts: Stacked (USA, 2011), Day at the Pool (USA, 2011), The Hectometer (USA, 2011)
While standing behind a kick drum armed with a guitar and an avalanche of raw charisma, Jordan Cook (a.k.a. Reignwolf) instantly captivates the crowd with his howling vocals, ferocious riffs, and raw energy. Recently finding himself on an extended stay in Seattle from his home in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, word of his powerful performance has spread fast.
Seattle's sci-fi punk rock circus creates epic, bombastic live shows, incorporating cirque performers, choreographed dancers, and video matrix projections. A plethora of lights and special effects further amplify their propensity for the punk rock theatrical antics of crowd surfing, pillow fight mosh pits, confetti canons, and a myriad of other acts of mischief.
After successful stints on NPR programs All Things Considered and Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me!, Seattle-based comedian Luke Burbank launched Too Beautiful to Live, initially on KIRO 97.3, where it was voted “Best Radio Show” in 2009. Currently a popular podcast, it addresses everything from love and life, to pop culture and politics, with fearless aplomb.
Since forming in 2006, Debo Band has won raves for its groundbreaking take on Ethiopian pop music (think Ethiopiques), which incorporates traditional scales and vocal styles, American soul and funk rhythms, and instrumentation reminiscent of Eastern European brass bands. This summer marks the release of the Debo's debut album for Next Ambiance/Sub Pop.
Noah Gundersen's voice is a subtly multifaceted instrument on its own, imbuing his quiet folk with a sense of urgency and gravitas that acoustic strumming alone can't adequately convey. Fans of Sufjan Stevens, Josh Ritter, or Conor Oberst will find much to appreciate in Gundersen's style, illustrated most recently on the 2011 EP, Family, a touching collaboration with his violinist sister Abby.
By mixing mirthful humor, girl group harmonics, garage rock, and surf-pop fuzz, Best Coast creates an idyllic summer soundtrack. The duo made a sizable splash with their 2009 debut, Crazy For You, and have been charming audiences on the European and US festival circuits this summer in support of their sophomore effort, The Only Place.
Quentin Rowan will discuss creativity, ownership and the law in his own artistic projects, followed by a moderated discussion and audience Q&A. Author Quentin Rowan’s memoir Never Say Goodbye describes the scandal that surrounded him after his spy novel — and other published works — was discovered to have plagiarized dozens and dozens of sources. Remix, Plagiarism, or Theft? is sure to be a lively look at art and intellectual property in the modern age. Moderated by Cinnamon Stephens, Attorney.
Watch the people who create the music that makes the world go round.
Shorts: Gone Again (USA, 2011), The Light That Died in My Arms (USA, 2012), Plan of the City (USA, 2011), Tulipomania: Rumble Thud (USA, 2011), The Shrine/An Argument (USA, 2011), Headroom-A Punk Rock Love Story (Australia, 2012), Piranhas Club - Man Man (USA, 2011)
Omara "Bombino" Moctar is a preternaturally talented, young Tuareg guitarist and songwriter raised during an era of armed struggles for independence and violent suppression by government forces. His electrifying jams capture the spirit of that resistance and rebellion while echoing with the work of fellow African artists Tinariwen and Ali Farka Toure, as well as stateside icons such as Jimi Hendrix and John Lee Hooker.
Watch and participate in a child friendly interactive yoga class from the owner of Bikram Yoga at the Sweatbox. Fun for the whole family!
7 Minutes in Heaven is improv comedy speed dating rife with bizarre characters and loads of awkwardness. The premise is simple: eight individuals show up to a speed dating event hoping to find that special someone, except the actors are not aware of who all the characters are prior to each show and must rely on true improvisation. The audience is encouraged to get up and walk amongst the actors as they search for love. 7 Minutes in Heaven is reality theatre at its uncomfortable best!
Twenty performers ages 14-19 form ACT’s Ramayana Youth Ensemble. Guided by expert teaching artists from India, Indonesia, Thailand, and beyond, the ensemble weaves live music, puppetry, and dance together to create a new look at the ancient epic tale of the Ramayana.
Paul Scheer, Jason Mantzoukas, and June Diane Raphael bring their bad movie podcast to Bumbershoot for three different live recordings featuring special guests and focusing on the best worst summer movies. From Superman 3 to The Room, “How Did This Get Made” is a roundtable discussion of movies that are so bad that they are actually great. iTunes called it one of the “Best New Comedy Podcasts of 2011.”
Jackie Kashian has been a national touring comic for over 15 years and was a semi-finalist on Last Comic Standing. She has her own half-hour special on Comedy Central, hosts a weekly podcast, and has been on This American Life. Her latest CD, It Is Never Going to Be Bread, was one of the top ten comedy albums on Amazon in 2010.
A daredevil stand-up artist renowned for his ability to impersonate everyone from Vincent Price to Philip Seymour Hoffman, James Adomian was a top 10 finalist on the most recent season of Last Comic Standing and is a frequent contributor to Comedy Death Ray Radio. He performs at Upright Citizens Brigade and at festivals, theatres, dive bars, colleges, and radical political events.
Every so often, a comedian comes along who emerges as a triple threat: comedian, actor and writer/producer. Nick Swardson is the latest and most exciting artist to take on these roles. In addition to his roles of co-creator and star of Comedy Central’s Nick Swardson’s Pretend Time series, he has just completed a role in Grown Ups 2 which releases Summer 2013.
This performance will be ASL interpreted.
Uninitiated audiences are usually drawn to the self-proclaimed "Mexican Elvis" persona inhabited by Robert Lopez out of novel intrigue, but they return and cheer because of his ability to subtly fuse pro-Latino political sentiments to his ribald mash-up anthems. A flamboyantly charismatic performer, El Vez is at equal turns unexpectedly enlightening and utterly entertaining.
Cincinnati's Foxy Shazam are often compared to Meatloaf or Queen, largely due to their use of over-the-top lyrics and affinity for theatrics; shrinking violets, they are not. A slow-simmering success story that commenced in 2005 plus a logical touring stint opening for The Darkness helped build their following in the wake of their 2012 release The Church of Rock and Roll.
The Comedy Stand, created by Seattle comedy producer Sean McCann, is an hour-long stand-up comedy show. Each day of the festival features a different lineup of the Northwest’s top comedians. Today features: Adam Norwest, Kortney Shane Williams, Kyle Ploof, and Phil Fox.
Working with a euphoric, gorgeously distorted power-pop-punk palette that recalls The Breeders and Yo La Tengo, Posse made an instant impression on the local scene in 2012, garnering significant airplay on influential radio station KEXP and earning accolades for the sparkling execution of their self-titled debut.
Since quitting his band Epsilons less than four years ago, Ty Segall has become arguably the most prolific member of San Francisco's ever-evolving garage rock scene. With an animalistic wail, acerbic wit, and gift for finding melodies in the darkest of corners, Segall is a fearless performer and formidable creative force.
M83 is the guitar-driven brainchild of France's Anthony Gonzalez. This year's Hurry Up, We're Dreaming is a double-album journey that pushes into new vocal territory, with Gonzalez testing out everything from a spectral breathy whisper to a howling scream, while still retaining M83's signature, celestial-sounding clamor.
Some of the films judged as the Best of SIFF 2012.
Shorts: The Extraordinary Life of Rocky (Belgium, 2011), Zergüt (USA, 2011), Paradise (USA, 2012), The Paris Quintet in Practice Makes Perfect (Canada, 2011)
REDEFINE magazine is dedicated to promoting constructive growth through creative journalism by connecting the arts with other fields of study. This panel will feature a screening of select music videos, to be followed by an open community dialogue with associated dancers, directors, and musicians. Topics covered may include differences in dance styles among different musical genres, trends of modern dance in contemporary music video, and spontaneity versus choreography in the creative process. A related brochure, featuring Q&A with directors and musicians, will be distributed with further information about the participants and videos screened. Participants include: Producer/Vocalist Honey Owens (The Miracles Club – “The Wheel”), Director Judah Switzer (The Miracles Club – “The Wheel”), Dancer Ryan Boyle (The Miracles Club – “The Wheel”), Choreographer Amy O'Neal (Reggie Watts – “F_ck Sh_t Stack”, Director ELY – Eugene Lee Yang (Polica – “Wandering Star”), Producer Cathleen Cher (Polica – “Wandering Star”).
From comic books to video games, Star Wars to Star Trek, RPGs to MMORPGs, the nerdiest members of the Seattle improve scene take your suggestions and bring them to new comedic life! Superman vs. Luke Skywalker? Super Mario Bros. retold as a film noir movie? Your first date played out as a D&D Encounter? Your passions and their imaginations come together to make delightfully geeky, totally improvised comedy for everyone in your family.
Since 1994, Omar Souleyman has been establishing himself as a standard-bearing craftsman of folk-pop throughout Syria. With more than 500 studio and live-recorded cassette albums released and a graceful capacity for fusing regional styles--from high-octane Syrian Dabke to classical Arabi mawal-style vocalizations--Souleyman's amalgamation is truly the sound of Syria.
Catch live entertainment as the Radio Disney AM 1250 Road Crew hosts games, activities, and dances. You will not want to miss your chance to be the star! Put your Disney knowledge to the test and expect to walk away with some awesome prizes.
Doug Benson, of Best Week Ever and Last Comic Standing fame, is back at Bumbershoot to do three tapings of his popular podcast “Doug Loves Movies.” Come for the laughs as Doug and his friends have a freewheeling conversation about movies, but stay for the trivia games. Make a movie-related nametag with your moniker for a chance to win!
With a unique delivery and child-like demeanor, Ron Funches has been impressing audiences and fellow comics alike. A Chicago native who moved to the Pacific Northwest in his teens, he was recently a finalist in NBC's Stand Up for Diversity and can been seen in the first season of IFC's Portlandia.
On the New York comedy scene for close to five years, Dan Soder has been featured on Comedy Central's Live at Gotham, was voted “Funniest Comedian” at the New York Comedy Festival, and was the standout at the 2011 Montreal Just For Laughs Festival.
Christian Finnegan can currently be seen on the sitcom Are We There Yet? and makes regular appearances on Countdown with Keith Olbermann, but is most widely known via his sly commentary on VH1’s Best Week Ever. Chappelle’s Show fans will recognize him as Chad from the infamous “Mad Real World” sketch.
The audience members at this year's Seattle International Film Festival have chosen these as some of their favorite shorts.
Shorts: Catcam (USA, 2012), ASAD (South Africa, 2011), Fresh Guacamole (USA, 2012), Friend Request Pending (United Kingdom, 2011)
A curly-headed force of nature with an instantly ear-catching voice, this L.A.-based singer-songwriter has a natural exuberance that comes through in her songs, whether written for Rihanna (the 2011 hit "Cheers") and Christina Aguilera ("Beautiful People") or for herself. Once you see and hear LP, you'll always remember her.
Beginning as the 4-track project of Scottie Yoder and eventually gaining traction via the introduction of drummer Brendhan Bowers and classically-trained pianist Stefan Rubicz, local trio The Pharmacy has grown into an impressive act that consistently churns out smart, energetic bursts of cheeky garage-pop. The band has toured all over North American and Europe with acts varying from Japanther and Vivian Girls to Kimya Dawson and Matt+Kim.
Recognized as "Best Dance Floor Filler" in 2008 by NME for their song "Let's Dance to Joy Division," this Liverpudlian band is known for arresting live shows that combine punk attitude and blissful beats to create an unparalleled, party-starting atmosphere.
An eclectic selection of British Columbia’s funniest comedic performers with surprise guests. Warning: will include several references to pot, Alex Trebek, maple syrup and much ado aboot nothing. Curated by Will Davis, Creative Director of ComedyFest Vancouver.
Bumbershoot will celebrate all things Elvis Presley in honor of the 50th anniversary of the 1962 World’s Fair, Seattle Center, and the filming of The King’s movie, It Happened at the World’s Fair. Each day of the festival, LoveBomb Go-Go Marching Band will channel their inner Elvis, performing the King’s songs across grounds. They will be joined by a pack of Elvis tribute artists including Elvis the Unicycler!
Taking their name from an unpublished children's story, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart formed in New York City in 2007, quickly finding themselves the toast of the indie tastemaker circuit in the wake of releasing their self-titled debut in 2009. 2011's sophomore effort Belong was recorded with the legendary production-mixing team of Flood and Alan Moulder, adding palpable power to their sound while retaining all their sweet spot melodies.
Written and performed by Seattle-based actress and improv comedian Kate Jaeger, this spoof on children’s shows finds the audience at the final taping of Miss Fanny’s Fun Box. After twenty years of entertaining and educating children of all ages, Fun Box is being replaced by Extreme Toddler Cage Match. Join Miss Fanny as she answers the question “What’s inside my Fun Box today?”
2012 has seen the explosive rise of two musical subgenres into the mainstream: the high-octane womp-womp of dubstep, and the gritty 808 slap of trap music. Whether you’re an enthusiast of either genre, or have no idea what any of this is, this multimedia evening is for you. Live DJs, music production demonstrations, insight from industry experts, and lively enthusiasts will help us examine the popularity of dubstep and trap, and how they reflect youth culture today. Moderated by Seattle based writer, performer and creative producer Hollis Wong-Wear. Speakers include Mad Decent's Astronomar, Larry Mizell, Jr. of both KEXP and The Stranger, and Adam Ruble and Press of Shift.
You just never know what you're going to get.
Shorts: Julian (Australia, 2011), Hietsuki Bushi (Japan, 2011), Lucifer's Crewcut (USA, 2011), Plush (USA, 2011), Bear, (Australia, 2011)
French-born MC Ana Tijoux continues to bewitch and beguile with her new record, La Bala, the follow up to her Grammy-nominated album, 1977. Her shows are a whirlwind trip through hip-hop, jazz, and funk, augmented with a bit of politics and the playful sense of humor that has made audiences around the globe fall in love with her.
Paul F. Tompkins is a comedian, actor, and writer known for his work on VH1’s Best Week Ever and HBO'sMr. Show. In 2011, his popular “The Pod F. Tompkast” ranked as Rolling Stone’s number one comedy podcast.
Writer, stand-up comedian, and actress Jen Kirkman is perhaps best known for her regular appearances onChelsea Lately. Other credits include stand-up performances on Conan, The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson, and narration of HBO's Drunk History, which won "Best Short Film" at Sundance in 2010.
Kumail Nanjiani is a tireless writer and performer who first gained attention for his critically acclaimed one-man show “Unpronounceable.” His signature stand up and comedic talent have been featured on everything from Conan to Portlandia, earning Kumail recognition on such lists as Variety’s “10 Comics to Watch,” as well as New York Magazine’s “10 Comedians that Funny People Find Funny”.
While in-print props and opportunities to open for his friends in The Head and the Heart have no doubt helped get the word out about Seattle songwriter Bryan John Appleby, it is the soft-spoken artist's plaintive, yet powerful delivery and carefully etched character sketches that ultimately command an audience's attention.
Damien Lemon has been featured on MTV2’s Guy Code, Hip Hop Squares, and Russell Simmons: The Ruckus on Comedy Central, and appears in this summer's The Amazing Spider-Man. His stage performance is an all-inclusive bug-out session with material ranging from fornicating politicians driving up sex prices to the "Stop BCC'N!" campaign.
Karen Kilgariff has been doing stand-up comedy for over 20 years. You may know her from HBO's Mr. Show, Channel 4's The Book Group or The Girl's Guitar Club. Additionally, she was the head writer for The Ellen DeGeneres Show for five years.
With his bone-dry wit, penchant for all things heavy metal, and a multi-faceted career that includes television (The Sarah Silverman Show, Californication), film (Rob Zombie’s The Devil’s Rejects, Red Fang’s iconic music videos), and writing (Mr. Show, Metalocalypse), Brian Posehn has earned himself a devoted following.
Currently celebrating 25 genre-smashing years, Fishbone has been trailblazing their way across the landscape of American ska, funk, and rock since forming within Los Angeles' burgeoning alt-rock scene in the late 80s, sharing bills with everyone from the Dead Kennedys and the Beastie Boys to the Roots and their peers (and fellow Bumbershoot headliners) Jane's Addiction.
In 2007, Kina joined YouTube, made a music video and entered herself into a contest. A few months later, her video for "Message From Your Heart" aired during the Super Bowl and its 97 million viewers. Since then, Kina has regularly posted her songs on YouTube, amassing more than 100 million views, and selling out shows throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Australia in support of her debut Stairwells. Most notably, her video for "In Your Arms" featured more than a quarter-million jelly beans (and 1 Kina Grannis) in one of the most polarizing (and delicious) stop-motion videos ever created.
Progressive local comedy collective Peoples Republic of Komedy will host a nightly showcase of the best in Seattle’s burgeoning stand-up and sketch talent, featuring additional video presentations and special guests to be announced. Bumbershoot is proud to welcome back this long-standing element of our Northwest Comedy program.
Widely considered to be inadvertent pioneers of the so-called slowcore genre, Duluth, Minnesota's Low are a veritably hypnotic trio, lulling (but never dulling) audiences' senses with glacially-paced tempos and weighty, cerebral themes. Signed to Sub Pop since 2005, their latest release C'Mon was received with an exceptional avalanche of accolades in 2011.
7 Minutes in Heaven is improv comedy speed dating rife with bizarre characters and loads of awkwardness. The premise is simple: eight individuals show up to a speed dating event hoping to find that special someone, except the actors are not aware of who all the characters are prior to each show and must rely on true improvisation. The audience is encouraged to get up and walk amongst the actors as they search for love. 7 Minutes in Heaven is reality theatre at its uncomfortable best!
He loves me. He loves me not. He loves me. He loves me not…
Shorts: Hello Caller (USA, 2011), Forced Entry (USA, 2012), French Quesadillas (Czech Republic, 2012), Cupid (USA, 2012), Rolling on the Floor Laughing (USA, 2011), PORK… a short film (USA, 2011)
Entirely new, fresh, and certified locally grown, Sandbox Radio is a live production written, produced, and performed by some of Seattle’s hottest stage talent. Created and directed by Leslie Law, the show features original plays, poetry, and music for radio, all scored with live sound effects and recorded in front of you (the live audience) for podcast.
Seattle native Ken Jennings was an anonymous software engineer in 2004 when he unexpectedly became a nerd folk icon by winning 74 consecutive games of the quiz show JEOPARDY! Now a New York Times bestselling author, Jennings will discuss his latest book about quirky cartographic obsessives, Maphead, and host a live trivia contest—come play along! In honor of the Seattle Center’s anniversary, questions will cover the past half-century of arts, music and letters. Ken will personally select prizes for the winners and whisper words of comfort and understanding for the losers.
After her 2008 self-titled debut EP earned her a Best New Artist Juno Award, and her full-length The Listening went gold, Canadian electro-pop artist Lights was ready to explore collaborations on 2011's unexpected experimental album, Siberia. By choosing such left-field partners as live electronic outfit Holy F**k and rising rapper Shad, she opened up her sound dramatically, adding depth and detail to her production-based composition.
2012 was good to honey-and-gravel voiced local songwriter Star Anna. After the release of her acclaimed third album, Alone In This Together, an appearance at Pearl Jam's PJ20 festival, and a two-month US tour, she's returned to Seattle to focus on writing her next record and making a few, rare live appearances to showcase her new works in progress.
Doug Benson, of Best Week Ever and Last Comic Standing fame, brings his Benson Interruption back to Bumbershoot. In a show called a "bouillabaisse of awkwardness and fun" by Time Out New York, Benson invites his stand-up pals to the stage to perform, but interrupts them whenever he feels like it.
Brighton-based trio Fujiya & Miyagi craft neo-Krautrock, informed by artists like Neu! and Can, shot through the prism of modern electronica and pop. Ventriloquizzing, their fourth release, is a vibrant, unsettling affair with seductively sinister vocals mingling with icy synth sounds and winding bass lines.
As classic folk-pop buttressed by sinuous arrangements and lush splashes of cello and viola, the Hey Marseilles sound is evocative, mostly acoustic, and always emotive. As performers, the local band has been holding audiences rapt with virtuosic execution humbly tempered by self-effacing charm, collecting fans during appearances at several taste-making festivals, including Doe Bay Fest and the Capitol Hill Block Party.
Run while you can. Things might get crazy. Not for everyone; some adult content.
Shorts: The Chase (France, 2012), Phoenix (Brazil, 2012), Santa's Little Helper (Iceland, 2011), Wash Me (USA, 2011), Crazy Beats Strong Every Time (USA, 2011), Summer Bummer (USA, 2012), Bear (Australia, 2011)
Structured on a foundation of instrumental hip hop, the music made by twin brothers Kendrick and Sherwyn Nicholls gracefully incorporates elements of sampling, a tight low end, catchy synth lines, and always with a strong beat at the center. On stage, audiences are treated to the addition of Colby Buckler, one of the strongest drummers on the live electronic music scene today.
The Atomic Bombshells are Seattle's internationally celebrated polished, professional, and perfectly choreographed burlesque troupe, celebrating the feminine form with good humor and style. Since their debut in 2003, The Atomic Bombshells have been in high demand, performing to packed audiences in Seattle, across the United States and around the world. This bump and grind crew of performers has been featured in GQ, Bust, and on MTV. Come experience this return to burlesque’s Golden Age—we promise not to tell.
Formed in the mid-'80s, Glasgow, Scotland's Vaselines initially obtained a higher profile via the public adulations of Kurt Cobain and Nirvana's choice to cover several of their songs. Sex With an X, 2010's beautifully executed release for Sub Pop, demonstrated what the famous fans have known all along: they remain vital authors of cerebral punk/pop.
Tyrone Wells' fourth full-length album, Where We Meet, ushers in a new beginning for the acclaimed Spokane singer-songwriter. Embracing both sides of his sound and alternating between the anthemic and the intimate, Wells balances acoustic vulnerability and pop rock irresistibility over the course of eleven songs.
A spark for a Passion Pit song might be found in the fuzz of a guitar pedal, a stumbled-upon drum loop, the tintinnabulation of layered chimes, or one of the 200 scratch melodies frontman Michael Angelakos has stored in his phone. Whatever the initial point of combustion, the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based band's compositions burn brightly with lusty sentiments and hum steadily under layers of eclectic, effervescent production.
Though producer, songwriter, and DJ Sonny John Moore has been making artful, escapist electronica under the Skrillex moniker only since 2009, he's already taken home three Grammy Awards and amassed a devoted following eager to see where his hyper-creative mind moves next. The imagination of Skrillex now shimmers with LED walls, 3D light shows, pyrotechnics, and Moore's relentless thirst to create live experience of ever-increasing drama and spectacle.
An indisputable New Orleans institution, Rebirth Brass Band was formed in 1983 by the now-infamous Frazier brothers, and has evolved from playing the streets of the French Quarter to gracing festivals and stages all over the globe. Rebirth is committed to upholding brass band tradition while incorporating modern musical elements into their show, a two-pronged endeavor that has helped them win over generations of music lovers.