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Evan's Top 10 Tips For Bumbershoot
We’re down to the final stretch here, readers. Bumbershoot is this weekend, so I thought it would be appropriate to put together the definitive top 10 list of Bumbershoot tips (just for you, lucky people). These helpful hints are designed to let you maximize your awesome times at the ‘Shoot, courtesy of your very own Bumbershoot Insider. So pay attention, take notes if you need, because I’m about to drop some knowledge on all y’all.
• With so much to see and experience, avoid being overwhelmed on arrival, and plan ahead! Create your own personalized schedule online in advance. If you need a quick refresher on that, check out my three-day breakdown (you should already have this memorized anyway).
• Arrive early to pick up a free pass for the evening Mainstage performances at any of the Info Booths around the grounds (you can’t see Death Cab without it, and that would be a crying shame). Plus, new this year, don’t forget to grab a free comedy pass at the aptly named Comedy Pass booth, while supplies last. With this new system (that’ll guarantee you general admission in one of the daily comedy shows) there’s just no good excuse for not seeing Nick Thune.
• Although disposable plastic bottles are allowed at the Festival, they AREN’T ALLOWED in Memorial Stadium. If you bring a disposable plastic bottle in the Stadium line, you’ll be asked (politely) to recycle it in one of the large recycle bins located up and down the line. (Don’t panic: No water will be wasted! Paper cups will be provided to pour your water into – so you don’t have to waste a drop – reuse and recycle these too folks!) That said, think ahead: You CAN carry in your own reusable, non-disposable water bottles (such as CamelBak, Sigg, Nalgene, Klean Kanteen, or other styles) and refill them for free at one of the Hydration Stations inside the Stadium. (There’s been no word yet on the ruling of my goatskin canteen, but I think they’ll allow it. Fingers crossed!)
• Skip the traffic and take a bus, Metro Rideshare or bike to the Festival! Bicycle parking is free and highly encouraged – don’t forget your bike lock! The Bumbershoot Bike parking is located on Thomas Street between EMP | SFM and the Space Needle (or as I call it, Cool Junction). If you need to drive, there are parking discounts for those who carpool, plus you get to use those fancy diamond lanes on the freeway, so double-score!
• If you find your schedule is just too packed to possibly see everything you want (which is downright likely), go easy on yourself and take in Bumbershoot’s Visual Arts Exhibits at a free public preview this Friday from Noon to 8pm. (Evan’s pro-tip: free + art = good first date. You’re welcome, new Bumbershoot couples.)
• Bumbershoot is Seattle’s Music & Arts Festival. So, while looking for something to check-out between shows, why not combine music and art by stopping by Flatstock located inside Fisher Pavilion—a sure-favorite every year, featuring high profile and up-and-coming rock poster artists from around the world (and right here at home!) If you’ve ever felt that concert posters deserve better than being plastered to telephone polls and abandoned buildings (which they totally do) then this event is for you.
• If you’re looking for a break and want to kick back for a spell, head to SIFF Cinema to check out the 1 Reel Film Festival. This year’s Festival includes 27 hour-long programs of film shorts from all over the world, While you’re there, you can see for yourself just how awesome SIFF is.
• Bumbershoot’s Music Lounge, hosted by that Institution of Hip known as KEXP, is home to a bevy of intimate, invite-only performances all weekend long. Although KEXP’s online reservation system is closed now, you should definitely swing by their pretty yellow tent next to the Fisher Green Stage to pick up any tickets that go unclaimed. On your way to the Festival, listen in by tuning in to 90.3 KEXP (12 – 6 PM daily). This year’s Lounge artists include:
Saturday, August 30 – Asylum Street Spankers, Mono in VCF, Thao with the Get Down Stay Down, Nada Surf, and !!!.
Sunday, August 31 – Forro in the Dark, Orgone, The Whigs, Sons and Daughters, and Joshua Morrison
Monday, September 1 – Langhorne Slim & The War Eagles, Two Gallants, John Vanderslice, Old 97’s, and Black Eyes and Neckties
• Take some time to relax on the lawns or near the Dupen or International Fountain… You’re likely to experience some unexpected and unscheduled performances throughout the weekend, or at the very least, it’d be a good place to digest the entire funnel cake you just ate.
• And for Bumbershoot’s youngest fans, the 2008 lineup includes an Asylum Street Spankers performance geared especially towards the kids (as well as a later set for the older fans) and a performance by Seattle’s School of Rock featuring the Northwest’s next wave of musical talent (someday you’ll be able to say you saw them way back at Bumbershoot ‘08!). The 1 Reel Film Festival will also offer up For All Ages: Films4Families — a program of film shorts that are as appropriate for children, as they are rewarding for more sophisticated viewers (like myself. Note to self: Get monocle back from the cleaners.) And, from celluloid to the stage, theater simple will perform “The Snow Queen: Gerda’s Journey.” As a 22 year-old guy, I’ll admit I don’t know a ton about kids, but this all sounds pretty good.
posted August 27 '08 at 09:00AM by Evan in !!!, arts, asylum street spankers, black eyes and neckties, flatstock, kexp, schedule, siff
Discussion — Add to it.
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Elizabeth said…
when is the earliest you can arrive?
on Aug 27, 06:29 PM
Ary said…
Do what I do and camp at an entrance at 6 am! It’s fun to be first in!
Gates open at 11am and close 10pm, but you can stick around until 11.
on Aug 28, 01:47 PM
Amber said…
How does it work to be able to see the performers at the main stage? Do they have a certain capacity? Do you have to have other tickets?
on Aug 29, 01:06 AM
Kristen said…
Certain Mainstage shows require wrist bands that can be picked up inside at an info booth. First come first serve. Not sure if it’s for all the shows or just the last one each night.
on Aug 29, 10:18 AM
Steve said…
Do you really have to get there at 6am, or can you get there at 11am (opening time) and still have a good ability to get mainstage tickets?
on Aug 29, 02:31 PM