Bumbershoot

After four days in Seattle, I am enjoying the city. Of course, it would be hard not to seeing as the weather is glorious (in the 70s with sunshine all day and breezy) and I spent my first three days at an arts festival. What's not to love?!

Though my internship does not start until next week, I specifically bought my plane ticket a week early so that I could experience Bumbershoot, the annual three-day music and arts festival held at the Seattle Center. I'd say about half the festival acts were music-related, while the other half were a combination of comedy, theater, dance, film, with only a scattering of visual arts. I'm still not up to date on my indie/garage/grunge/rock/obscure Seattle music because instead of concerts I went to every dance or theater related event except 2 (that I would have attended except they overlapped with other things)! On Saturday I essentially lived in the Puget Sound Theatre, leaving one performance and circling around the building to immediately get in line for the next show! I saw a lot of wonderful local talent, as well as some great guest artists. The highlights:


Trey McIntyre Project
This was the first show I attended at the festival and it remains one of my favorites. The Boise-based, modern dance company performed two pieces: "Oh, Inverted World" set to the music of The Shins and "Sweeter End" with music by New Orleans' Preservation Hall Jazz Band. I enjoyed the visual flow and acrobatic interactions of the first piece, but much preferred Sweeter End's edgy, hip spin on jazz and swing movement. At the beginning of the piece, one dancer sprays a graffiti X on her fellow dancers' collective backs as if they were a wall. Or a door. It is the X of post-Katrina, indicating a house had been searched by rescuers. And yet while Katrina was a palpable presence, the piece focused on the undying life and energy of New Orleans.

Seattle's Spectrum Dance
When the first piece (set to M.I.A.) is a parody of both classical ballet and contemporary hip-hop that features a big black male dancer in wig and a tutu, you know it's going to be a good show! After that, I was privileged to be part of Saturday's beautiful world premiere of "Euclidean Space." Set to electronic music of Amon Tobin, the abstract piece explored space, architecture and movement. The physical prowess of the dancers was stunning; I could see the strain of their muscles as they executed highly physical, weight-sharing choreography. And yet it was graceful.

The Gregory Brothers
Otherwise known as the "Autotune the News guys," the Gregory Brothers were a hoot, performing live while their video footage was simultaneously streamed. I enjoyed the musicality of the group; while they might be best-known for their work with autotune, they are great musicians underneath it. While classic hits like "Back It Up" and "Rent: Too Damn High" were amusing, I was a bit disappointed that "Bed Intruder Song" did not make the set-list. However, listening to the older couple behind me that had never heard of the Gregory Brothers (or autotune) commentate made up for it!

Bit(e), tear, gnaw, GULP
"Welcome to the theater--please turn your cell phone ON." I had experienced a smartphone-interactive piece at Missouri State University (when I didn't have a smartphone), so I was excited to participate in this non-traditional, multi-discipline artistic performance. A combination of technology, performance, music, dance, and audience engagement via texts and twitter, this performance made my brain hurt a bit. Should I watch the person at the keyboard? Or the couple doing a movement piece? Should I watch the video on the big screen of someone backstage Skyping with the third actor onstage? What about the two small screens on each side of the big screen? What about the screen on my phone? Should I listen to the music, or the Skype conversation, or the audible voice of the stage manager calling cues? It was disorienting, and yet that sensation paralleled the message: who are we in a digital world and how do we interact? I found it interesting because that is the same topic that Barestage (at MSU) is addressing this year- maybe I should put the two groups in touch...

Around the World in 50 Minutes
I knew nothing about this film event, except that it was four short films from around the world. Imagine my delight when the second film starts and they are speaking Afrikaans! "The Abyss Boys" is about a young man who works at a fish plant who is trying to save his younger brother from getting involved with the lucrative fish poaching business run in the township. Throughout the film, I kept thinking the location looked familiar -- was it Hout Bay? -- but most townships look similar so I wasn't sure. But one shot of the hills behind the fishery near dusk confirmed it- there's something about that bay at sunset that is unique. It's a beautiful film and after I wipe away my tears during the credits, the third film starts and they are speaking Chinese!

Rory Scovel and Freestyle Love Supreme
I went primarily to hear Freestyle Love Supreme, but was pleasantly surprised by Rory Scovel. The dry nerdy comedian had the audience simultaneously laughing and shaking our heads in disbelief at why this was funny. Religion, abortion ("I'm pro-abortion because some of those babies might have grown up to become abortion doctors and I just don't support that kind of thing...if you were offended by that joke, it's because you didn't understand it"), famine--nothing was off limits.

Freestyle Love Supreme stole the show, though! The hip-hop improv group from the creators of the musical "In the Heights" is one of the smartest, quickest-witted groups I've ever seen. No Lin-Manuel Miranda (he's filming a movie somewhere), but the other five performers were astounding. With one guy on piano, one beat-boxing, two rapping, and one singing, they turned suggestions from the audience into lightning quick musical numbers and hilarity. One suggestion of the verb "gallivanting" became a whole song and a reoccurring gag throughout the rest of the show, "snugglies" inspired a ballad, and the reinterpretation of one audience member's day was beyond brilliant! It's impossible to even describe or attempt to recount any of their magic because it wouldn't do them justice. Just brilliant. Go see them!

So there's Bumbershoot in a nutshell. Three days of great art and beautiful weather made for one good Labor Day weekend.

Cannonball

I have a t-shirt emblazoned with "Listen to your heart" on the front and "Follow your passion. JUMP. JUMP." on the back. As I head to Kansas City in preparation for moving to Seattle, the phrase seems apt, especially the all-caps JUMP.

It feels like standing on the high dive and peeking over the edge at the blue water far below. The first time I attempted the high dive at Oakland Pool as a child, I was so overwhelmed that I carefully climbed back down the excruatingly tall ladder. Afterwards my mother gave me a talking-to: aborting my dive not only wasted other people's time but also my own. I could only attempt again if I was certain I could challenge my fear with courage. Standing at the edge for the second time, I gave myself a mental pep talk, pinched my nose, squeezed my eyes shut and launched myself into the air. I surfaced smiling.

I'm not worried that I won't enjoy Seattle. My season-long internship at Seattle Repertory Theatre promises to be wonderful and I have great roommatess, a house in a charming neighborhood, and an abundance of enthusiasm to bolster me. Moreover, I am confident in my ability to work at a professional level. What makes me apprehensive is taking the plunge into adulthood.

How did adulthood creep up so quietly? Was it hiding when I left for college, turned 21, or travelled halfway around the world? Where was it when I received my diploma? All I know is it appeared when I bought a one-way plane ticket and lingered as I found and was approved for an apartment without my parents as co-signers, set up new bank accounts on my own, signed a contract, and bought a professional wardrobe. Each step brought me closer to the precipice until I stand now with my toes gripping the rough edge. If I think about it too much my stomache whirls and my chest tightens. How much safer it would be to stay in Springfield or Columbia, and remain a big fish in a small pond...except the deep expanse sparkles alluringly and I am determined to succeed- as an independent adult.

So tomorrow when it is time to board the plane I will give myself a pep talk, open my eyes and leap.
Listen to your heart, follow your passion, and JUMP, JUMP.