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Ask Evan: Bumbershoot's Literary Arts

Q: Hey Evan, I’m coming to Bumbershoot (so stoked for !!!(!)), but I also want to check out some of the authors. Any suggestions?

Authors, you say? So you want to check out the “lit-arts” at Bumbershoot, but you don’t exactly follow what I call “the book scene.” That’s fine, I get it. You’re hovering somewhere between the being-able-to-read crowd and the reviewing-books-for-The-New-Yorker crowd. I’m in the same boat. Luckily you have me to guide you to the authors of Bumbershoot.

These events are a pretty far cry from your run-of-the-mill author appearances, too, wherein normal writers just stand up and read from a book you’ve already read through a dozen times. These events feature original, new material, music, performances, interviews, and all kinds of things to elevate them above your standard reading.

Since you’re a music fan, you can ease into the literature with Sherman Alexie and The Stranger present Words and Music, a combination of authors and the musical talents of Jim Boyd, Sean Nelson, and the West Marginals, “sitting around telling new stories and singing new songs together,” as Alexie put it. I’m imagining an overeducated campfire feel to this, which should be pretty awesome. I can’t possibly be the only person in Seattle who wants to roast marshmallows while discussing Foucault. Word has it The Stranger editor Christopher Frizzelle is among the singers and given his love of Hall & Oates… well, things should get interesting.

As far as a combination of music and literature, we’ve got another unique entry: iconoclastic authors Joshua Furst and Jeff Parker will be talking about hoodlums, homelessness and the meaning of punk. But the best part is that they’ll be joined by Lesli Wood, lead singer of Seattle punk band Ms. Led. She’ll play some music to set the mood and, following their individual presentations, will pick their brains in an interview – in all, this seems like a multimedia punk jamboree.

Then there’s The Kids Are Alright, featuring some prominent Young Adult authors discussing their craft, and in one case, what it’s like to actually write and be published as a teenager (I’m talking about you, Ned!). Even for those of us who’ve passed the cut-off for that (like us 21-year-old internet writers), there will be plenty of interesting conversation here, especially with the aforementioned Ned Vizzini discussing his cleverly titled project Angstspiration.

And in the vein of teen writers (and angst), if you’re in the mood this year for awkward hilarity, my pick would have to be F**k Off and Die: Tales in Teen Angst Poetry. Sara Bynoe combines stand-up comedy with readings of her own overwrought adolescent poetry to cull such gems as “More than like” and “Love? Who gives a f**k?” She even inspired, and is judging, our Teen Angst Poetry Contest which promises some serious comedic discomfort, and someone’s poem being read live at Bumbershoot!

Another good fusion would have to be Christa Bell’s show CoochieMagik, which melds together poetic text, stand-up comedy, hip-hop, and feminism. I have no idea how she’s going to hit all of those bases at once, but it’s going to be very cool to watch. And then, of course, you can tell all your friends about your favorite hip-hop, stand-up comic, feminist poet, Christa Bell and watch them try to think of something to respond with. Also cool to watch.

Since you’re a fan of reading, or at least you can read since you’re apparently reading this (unless it’s being read to you, which is cool, too), there will be plenty of Literary Arts for you to take in at Bumbershoot.

posted July 30 '08 at 09:00AM by Evan in christa bell, coohiemagik, intern, jeff parker, jim boyd, joshua furst, lesli wood, lit arts, sara bynoe, sean nelson, sherman alexie, teen angst, the stranger

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