Bumbershoot is Seattle's premiere events in terms of sheer volume. Over 100 musical acts, from last week's top of the charts to the relatively obscure, descend on Seattle Center over Labor Day weekend. The cumulative effect of so much noise and so many people creates a hum of sound that surrounds the area. There's sketch comedy, stage plays, literary readings, sculpture, paintings, posters and film. Fair food is in abundance. It's boisterous, overcrowded, and expensive.
When you consider dishing out $35 dollars for a single day of attendance and contemplate hiking down from the top of Queen Anne, which is where you will more likely than not end up parking, the idea of staying at home and firing up the barbeque is an appealing option. Yet, for all of hassle and cost, I've tried to take in at least one day of the craziness every year since I moved to the city a decade ago. It is an essential part of living here, a final hurrah for the end of the summer. I've gone solo and I've gone with friends. I've hit every day some years and others I've gone for a single show by an artist that I could not miss. I've seen a lot of great performances. But until this year, I've never gone as the companion to a three year old.
This is actually the first time I've made it down to the festival since my daughter was born. Moving to Beacon Hill and becoming a father has changed my priorities a bit. Staying on top of the newest bands isn't so important to me anymore. I find the list of acts that I care to see shrinks every year while the list of corporate sponsors has grown.
Before my daughter was born, festival preparation was an event. I would mark up the Bumbershoot schedule days in advance. I'd map out routes between venues to avoid lines and crowds. I'd make sure that my backpack was loaded with food, water and extra clothing. I made an effort to try new things and explore more than just the music. I saw readings, poetry slams and single actor plays. I also left myself time to just walk around. Wandering is what Bumbershoot is all about. I've always come away with something. Every year the festival manages to draw big name acts while still keeping a local bent. If you've got the time and you've got the money, it's pretty hard to beat.
While it's not like a trip across the mountains to visit the in-laws, getting to Seattle Center is not as convenient as it used to be for me. When I lived in Ballard, Bumbershoot was just a quick trip on the No. 15. From Beacon Hill, it's become a chore. The prospect of an hour-long, multi-transfer bus journey was daunting and would cut in on the time my child and I would have before she became restless, bored or tired. Despite the romance and utility of public transit, I opted for the easy route and had my wife drop us off on her way to the grocery store.
The priorities at Bumbershoot are considerably different with a three year old in tow. Waiting in long lines is out, as is sitting through any readings, theatre or films. Any of the larger indoor music stages are going to be challenging to get in to and the shows are likely hold little appeal for my daughter anyway. The Memorial Stadium main stage didn't even cross my mind.
There was plenty to keep us entertained, however. We ran around the fountain and ate French fries. We caught at least a few songs as we moved across the grounds from stage to stage. We played with Legos. We saw a bizarre street performance involving a cello and a woman painted white. In other words, we more or less did what I would have done had I gone by myself, minus about six hours of watching live music. If you asked me to do it again for $35 next year, I'd likely opt to just come back to the Seattle Center the following weekend. It would be free and there would be no crowds. The fountain would still be running and there would still be people to watch. There would still be French fries to eat, and there would be no sponsor logos everywhere.
Besides, admission will probably be $40 next year anyways.
On the way to the exit gate my daughter wanted to stop and coo over a kitten in an information booth run by a local animal shelter. I knew we'd be stopping as soon as I caught sight of the cage out of the corner of my eye. It turned out to be the highlight of her day and, by extension, mine. For all the promise that Bumbershoot had to offer, we were most awed by a four month old cat. Despite everything I've seen at Bumbershoot over the years, for my daughter the thrill was about the same as a trip to the playground.
Sure it can be a great festival. If you spend a full day or more there you will have the opportunity to see a day's worth of entertainment unlike you'd see anywhere else. You might even forgive the ticket price. For me, at least for the foreseeable future, I'll save the cash and head to the park.
Maybe we'll try the Folk Life festival next year.
Beacon Hill writer Nate Levin may be reached at this link..[[In-content Ad]]
