Recognized as one of the “top 5 reasons to visit Seattle,” Bumbershoot’s 46th annual festival at the Seattle Center takes place this Labor Day weekend, Friday Sept. 2 through Sunday Sept. 4, with a stellar musical lineup that includes headliners like Seattle natives and hip hop duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, alternative rock band Death Cab for Cutie, and critically acclaimed Norwegian producer KYGO, among others.
But away from the musical strum and throng, there is a pulsating cultural and arts heartbeat that represents an emerging lifeblood of the festival. This year’s Bumbershoot programming includes comedy, film, dance, theatre, words and ideas, youth activities, and more.
“Bumbershoot is a place for families and friends to not only see their favorite acts together but also to try new things and expand their horizons,” said One Reel’s Executive Director Chris Weber. “It’s a one-stop shop to view, listen, taste, touch, smell and discover local, regional, national, and international arts and culture.”
Comedy: Ron Funches from NBC’s Undateable as Shelly will bring his comedic talents to Bumbershoot along with Comedians of Comedy alum Morgan Murphy, The Improvised Shakespeare Company, and Seattle native Nick Thune.
Film: With something for every age and taste, the 1 Reel Film Festival — curated by the Seattle International Film Festival — will serve up a selection of the year’s best short films.
Dance: Returning in 2015 after a few year hiatus, Bumbershoot’s dance programming offers a strong lineup of talent in 2016 including MaximumVELOCITY, a showcase of top contemporary choreographers and dance groups and the Northwest’s premiere breaking and street dance competition, Reign Supreme, which drew huge crowds in 2015.
Theatre: Curated by Theatre Puget Sound, 2016 theatre performances will include Are You There God? It’s Me, Karen Carpenter, a musical that juxtaposes classic coming of age novel Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret with the music of the Carpenters and an unforgettable performance from Tattprov, which includes one member of the comedy group getting a tattoo based on a suggestion from the audience.
Words & Ideas: Words & Ideas guests include local poet, writer and filmmaker Sherman Alexi, podcast sensation Chris Allen,Seattle’s premiere political comic (according to Seattle Weekly), Brett Hamil, and the writers of Amazon series Transparent.
Seattle-based nonprofit Center for Infectious Disease Research (CIDResearch) is the official non-profit partner of Bumbershoot 2016. As part of the relationship, Bumbershoot will donate a portion of each pass sold and encourage fans to donate as well, helping spread global health awareness.
Full Lineups
Comedy
Ron Funches // The Improvised Shakespeare Company // Kate Berlant // Nick Thune // Goddamn Comedy Jam // Morgan Murphy // Dan Soder // Andy Haynes // Billy Wayne Davis // Adam Ray // Tiffany Haddish // Kevin Barnes // Whitmer Thomas// Jena Friedman // Dan St. Germain // Fahim Anwar // Ashley Barnhill // Moses Storm // Rachel Walls // Seattle’s Most Wonderful // Khadija Hassan // Barbara Holm // Wilfred Padua // Queerz: We’re Hilarious // Stand-up for Yourself with Amy Miller // Natalie Holt // Levi Manis // Improv: Carskee, Jesse + Josh=Josh, CSz Seattle Presents ComedySportz, FEELINGS, The Midnight Goats
Words & Ideas
Writers of Transparent // Seattle Review of Books featuring Sherman Alexie, Robert Lashley, and EJ Koh // Seattle Files withChris Allen // Seattle Process with Brett Hamil // Why Storytelling? Why Professional Wrestling? Why Now? // Why Tech Industry? Why Homelessness? Why Now? // Why Memes? Why Internet Dating? Why Now? With Emmett Montgomery // Hugo House Presents The Oracle // Battle of The Word Poetry Slam
Dance
Reign Supreme Breakin’ Competition // MaximumVELOCITY
Theatre (Curated by the Theatre Puget Sound)
SWING // Tattprov // DUMP: A Garbage Burlesque // Are You There God? It’s Me Karen Carpenter // Can’t Talk Right Now // Mik Kuhlman “House 30”
Visual Arts
Brent Watanabe // Seattle Experimental Animation Team // Interstitial Theatre // Seattle Center Sculpture Walk // Fine Arts Poster by Ryan Molenkamp
Additional Programming
FILM curated by Seattle International Film Festival // YOUNGERSHOOT curated by Seattle Children’s Museum
Culinary
B-Eats feat. Local chefs of Matt’s In The Market, Radiator Whiskey, Garcia, New Luck Toy, Bok Bok Korean Fried Chicken, and Pike Place Fish Guys.
A Bumbershoot mobile app is available for download for both Iphone and Android! [24×7]
