I have to admit it: I had relegated Bumbershoot to my “Before Kids” list of activities. Something about the idea of dragging children through the crowds to see too-loud-for-young-ears rock music just didn’t appeal – even if I liked the bands.
But the folks who put on Bumbershoot (One Reel and Seattle Center) are pulling out the stops to shake me – and other parents like me – out of my B.K/A.K. way of thinking. This year introduces the Youngershoot Kid’s Zone, put together by The Seattle Children’s Museum, and open only to children aged 10 and younger along with their grown-ups. And, since kids 10 and younger get into Bumbershoot free, it’s a no-fee way to offer the kids something fun to do in between seeing your favorite bands.
In the Zone, your kids can do things like play drums with the “Blue Man Group” or watch the “Radical Reactions” science show from Pacific Science Center. They can catch performances by Shumba Marimba, a youth ensemble, or Northwest Tap Connection, an urban dance program for kids. They can listen to kid musician Brian Vogan and His Good Buddies. And that’s just the beginning.
Outside of the Kid’s Zone, SIFF is showing a menu of great international films for children and Book-It Theater is performing it’s version of Where The Mountain Meets the Moon, the Newbery Honor book by Grace Lin.
Check out the highlights below or visit bumbershoot.org/youngershoot to get all the details.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
12:00 pm – Films4Families: The International Family Passport, Curated by SIFF
1 Reel Film Festival – SIFF Cinema
These films from around the world are appropriate for young and old alike. Note: some have subtitles. FILMS: Temple Rider, Trevor, Walkin’ On Snow Grass, Loser Leg, The Little Boy and the Beast, Mobile, Precise Peter
12:30 pm – Northwest Tap Connection, presented by STG
Youngershoot Kids’ Zone – Center Square
Northwest Tap Connection, directed by Melba Ayco, is a distinctive urban dance studio specializing in Rhythm Tap. The studio’s philosophy is that dance enriches the lives of the students, while developing self-discipline, instilling self-confidence, and encouraging achievement and goal setting. The studio was the recipient of the City of Seattle 2009 Mayor’s Arts Award and students of the studio have performed in Seattle Theatre Group’s DANCE This since 2003.
2:00 pm – DE CAJóN, presented by STG
Youngershoot Kids’ Zone – Center Square
DE CAJóN is born of the rich musical heritage of Peruvian Afro-descendants. “De cajón” is a Peruvian expression meaning “for sure,” “rain or shine,” and “without question.” Cajón is also the name of a box-shaped drum, the driving percussive element at the heart of this genre.
2:15 pm – Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, Presented by Book-It Repertory Theatre
Theatre Puget Sound Stage – Center House Theatre
Grace Lin’s Newbery Honors Children’s book, Where The Mountain Meets The Moon, comes to life through Book-It—a vibrant literature-based theatre company that transforms great works of literature into exciting staged works. Join Minli on her magical journey to change her family’s fortune, discovering a wealth of wisdom and friendship along the way.
3:30 pm and 5:00 pm – Shumba Marimba, presented by STG
Youngershoot Kids’ Zone – Center Square
The youth that make up Shumba range in age from 11 to 17 and have studied with director Sheree Seretse for at least three years, some as many as eight. They usually play using eight marimbas—three sopranos, three tenors, a baritone, and a bass—and hoshos, or gourd shakers. The marimbas are handcrafted and fine-tuned to reflect the tones played in African societies.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
12:00 pm – Films4Families: Animation Showcase, Curated by SIFF
1 Reel Film Festival – SIFF Cinema
An animated short film celebration for all ages. FILMS: The Lost Thing, B/W RACES, The Sasquatch and the Girl, The Yellow Balloon, DreamGiver, The Karl Dahl Show – Karl Dahl and the Golden Cube, Eggcellent
12:30 pm – Ocheami’s Africa Comes To You, Ghana-Style
Youngershoot Kids’ Zone – Center Square
A hands-on performance where the audience becomes part of this community-building exercise. Families will dance, play drums and listen to storytelling from Ghana, West Africa.
2:00 pm – Bonnie Birch
Youngershoot Kids’ Zone – Center Square
An interactive exploration of the accordion with movement and dance.
3:30 pm – Sweatbox Yoga: A Mini Yoga Class
Youngershoot Kids’ Zone – Center Square
Families can watch and learn or participate in a child-friendly interactive yoga demonstration hosted by the owners of Bikram Yoga at the Sweatbox.
5:00 pm – Pacific Science Center’s Radical Reactions Show: Heat! Light! Gas! Color Change!
Youngershoot Kids’ Zone – Center Square
Explode on the scene with a show where flames are blue and green, rainbows exist in glass tubes and dollar bills catch fire!
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
12:00 pm – Films4Families: Family Funtime, Curated by SIFF
1 Reel Film Festival – SIFF Cinema
Fun for the whole family in conveniently short forms. FILMS: Regular Kids, Courageous Crustaceans, Marcel The Shell With Shoes On, New Digs, Made by Molly, Amazonia, Sule and the Case of the Tiny Sparks, Snowflakes and Carrots
12:30 pm – Ocheami’s Africa Comes To You, Ghana-Style
Youngershoot Kids’ Zone – Center Square
A hands-on performance where the audience becomes part of this community-building exercise. Families will dance, play drums and listen to storytelling from Ghana, West Africa.
2:00 pm – Brian Vogan and His Good Buddies
Youngershoot Kids’ Zone – Center Square
This live show can be described as a celebration of creativity and inclusiveness. Brian Vogan teaches music to infants to preschool-aged children and the songs he writes are directly inspired by the interests and ideas of the kids he educates.
2:15 pm – Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, Presented by Book-It Repertory Theatre
Theatre Puget Sound Stage – Center House Theatre
Grace Lin’s Newbery Honors Children’s book, Where The Mountain Meets The Moon, comes to life through Book-It—a vibrant literature-based theatre company that transforms great works of literature into exciting staged works. Join Minli on her magical journey to change her family’s fortune, discovering a wealth of wisdom and friendship along the way.
3:30 pm – Pacific Science Center’s Super Cool Science Show
Youngershoot Kids’ Zone – Center Square
The three states of matter—do they matter? Dive into the weird world of the Super Cool, where gasses become liquids and liquids become solids!
5:00 pm – Brian Vogan and His Good Buddies
Youngershoot Kids’ Zone – Center Square
This live show can be described as a celebration of creativity and inclusiveness. Brian Vogan teaches music to infants to preschool-aged children and the songs he writes are directly inspired by the interests and ideas of the kids he educates.
DAILY HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES
11:00 am to 6:00 pm
Youngershoot Kids’ Zone – Center Square
The Children’s Museum, Seattle will present a portion of their new Near and Far exhibit, which uses Lego and Duplo bricks as an interactive teaching tool to bring play and imagination alive. Kids can also explore their outdoor garden exhibit.
Blue Man Group (KeyBank Broadway at The Paramount) is sponsoring a child-sized drumming station where kids can experience their own version of this comedy and music show as they experiment with drums, water, and percussion.
Mama K’s Aromatic Play Clay is creating tabletop fun using all-natural aromatic clay. Children can create their own pieces of art and scenery.
