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OTHER A & E STORIES - Robert E. Colbert Artist and Lecture Series: Fall 2002 - The Queens of the Stone Age try not to alienate with "Songs for the Deaf" - Seattle's own, Mudhoney is back with a new album, and it might just be their best yet The biggest party of the year, Bumbershoot! Brian Kerin A & E Editor One day at Bumbershoot lets you see more bands than most people see all year. One day at bumbershoot gives you enough eye-candy to last for the rest of year. One day at Bumbershoot gives you the opportunity to get inebriated enough to at least last you for a couple weeks. Every year for as long as I can remember I have gone to Bumbershoot. Since the event itself signals the end of summer, I guess its only fitting that that it be the biggest party of Seattle's sunny months. While I do not know why the event itself is associated with such a sense of nostalgia, I do know it's not the overwhelming smell of patchouli, the huge crowds, or the ever increasing prices for admission. Every year, my Bumbershoot experience is usually the same; I pick two days to attend the four day event and I buy a pass based on the bands I would most like to see. I find a group of friends to accompany me, arranging for one of them to drive, knowing I probably won't be able to drive home after such a "long day". I get an official Bumbershoot calendar and I highlight everything I want to see over the two days I attend. IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, YOU WRITE IT!!! Hi there, I am the Arts and Entertainment Editor for the Ebbtide. I'm writing this, not only as an introduction, but also as an invitation to you as the reader to submit your works and criticisms. I will try my best to appeal to your needs as readers of the Ebbtide, but also ask that you make your personal tastes clear to me so that I can better address the music, movies, television, and happenings that interest you most. I will also accept any reviews, pictures, poetry, funny short stories, or anything else that pertains to the A&E column. I plan to keep my section so that it appeals to a wide variety of people, and in order to do that I need your feedback and submissions. Send your submissions and feedback to Brian Kerin at a_e_webbtide@yahoo.com As well, I make arrangements to accrue the necessary "party favors" in order to make the festival going experience complete. This year Bumbershoot was a little lacking in way of bands, the biggest name for the event was Jewel, and to some one with more alternative tastes this means nothing. The two days I chose to attend were Sunday and Monday. Sunday's musical acts included Modest Mouse, Sonic Youth, The Shins, the Lifesavas, and Bellingham's own Death Cab for Cutie. Monday's lineup included Wilco, Maceo Parker, Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra, and the alternative kids Jewel substitute: Blonde Redhead. Of course both days included an array of street performers and a whole lot of festival goodness. Sunday started out with an excellent performance from Modest Mouse considering their early slot time of 3 p.m. Sonic Youth was the headliner for this duo, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that the band didn't play their normal set of improvisational noise rock. The Shins followed with their mellow indie pop; in addition, the Key Arena was a remarkable place to make use of some of my "party favors". The Lifsavas positive brand of hip-hop was also refreshing. They even invited members of Blackalicious on stage for a little freestyle action. Death Cab for Cutie was the closer for the night; they played one of the best shows I have seen. While my friends wanted to see Everclear, they eventually thanked me for convincing them to go for Death Cab. The first band I saw on Monday was Wilco. Their brand of folky rock mixed with a twinge of country was the perfect remedy for the hangover I was nursing from the night before. Up next was one of the founding fathers of funk, Maceo Parker. Maceo's job is to entertain crowds and he has been doing it for so long that he's got it down flat. The Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra played on the Funky Kingston Rhythm stage. Their brand of Brooklyn styled instrumental Afrobeat is extremely impressive. My choice for the closer on Monday was Blonde Redhead. This three-piece brand of experimental rock can't be explained; one minute there's structure, and the next it's chaos; I loved it. Other than seeing live music there is any number of things to do at the festival. In between shows you can walk around, absorb some culture, check out the street performers. They can be more exciting than any scheduled performer if you catch them at the right time. Do a little window shopping at the booths, most of the wares are moderately priced and the stuff they sell you can't find just anywhere. Even if its expensive try out some of the food, you might be surprised at just how good festival food can be. Alas, my favorite stop at Bumbershoot: the beer garden. The beer is expensive, but the outdoor environment puts the people in the right mood so it's worth it. Whether you go for the bands, the people, or the drugs; Bumbershoot is sure to make for a good time. Music is one thing that every human on this planet has in common. It's the perpetual beat that we can all relate to. People are our real source of entertainment, not movies or television. You mix music and people you got my idea of heaven; well the drugs help too. © 2002 Shoreline Community College™