The music acts at Bumbershoot (Elvis Costello! Wu-Tang Clan!) may grab the headlines but the annual Seattle gathering also makes the bold claim that they are the “nation’s largest arts festival.” This year the Music Festival Wizard will take a deep dive into zombie theater, brony experts, and new-wave arcade gaming to test that challenge. Below is a sampling of what we’re looking forward to seeing.
Two Comedians Walk Into a Music Festival…
The comedy roster at Bumbershoot runs as deep as the music. Pete Holmes, Janeane Garofalo, W. Kamau Bell, and Doug Benson will deliver laughs along with podcasts, improv, and at least one Bill Nye the Science Guy. And in case that’s not enough, Bumbershoot hosts its own early late night talk show.
Ladies and Gentlemen…The Theater
The theater performance scene usually gets short shrift at music festivals so we’re looking forward to these performances. With plenty of offerings and multiple showings, there’s plenty of time to watch an award-winning zombie odyssey, an adult themed cabaret puppet show, or a seminar about the curious LanceLife Comprehensive Total Life System.
Blah Blah Blah
There’s a event at the Words & Idea stage that features both a Brony Expert and a Juggalo Expert which already has us hooked. Then there’s Tom Robbins, the writers from the Simpsons, and a straight up Town Hall.
Pass the Popcorn
It’s actually very relaxing to catch a film at a music festival. There are loads of short film collections this year at Bumbershoot making it easy to drop in for 15-20 minutes, recharge your batteries, and catch a cool flick.
Bring Your Quarters
Video games have been ingrained in our culture since the eighties, but the artistic aspects of this medium have always been overlooked. Bumbercade is going to buck that trend by throwing the art up front and center with some new-wave gaming.
AAAAAAART!
Buckle up and prepare for some insightful and wacky art — at least that’s what I understand from the photos. Not reading any descriptions because I don’t want to develop any preconceived notions about art, man.