A block party with punk-rock makeovers? Only on Capitol Hill

Seattle loves street fairs. They're all over the place in the summertime, from Fremont to Ballard to the University District to West Seattle.

But there's nothing else quite like the Capitol Hill Block Party, now in its sixth year.

"It's a lot racier than most street festivals," says David Meinert of Fuzed Music, which produces the event. And he's sooo right. Most street fairs don't have a Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence face-painting booth. Or a punk-rock makeover booth, with hair dyes in blue, red and orange. Or a dunk tank where you can soak the rock critics from The Stranger. And we're pretty sure most street fairs don't have a sex-toy ring toss.

"It's totally got the flavor of Capitol Hill," Meinert says. "The theory behind the whole festival is to celebrate that kind of weird, unique culture."

Just spend some time on Broadway, and you know what he means. For the cost of a latte, you can sit at a sidewalk cafe and enjoy the most fascinating, entertaining people-watching in the city. The piercings, tattoos and hairdos alone make for plenty of oohs and aaahs and guffaws. There's the doomsday kids swathed head to toe in black (they're dedication to ennui is sorely tested on hot, sunny days), the fashion victims in shoes with soles and heels so high a fall could kill them, and drag queens in various states of fabulousness. Not to mention all those young people wearing underwear as outerwear.

These are the kind of people you don't see at Bumbershoot, the kind of people some call freaks. They're the young and the hip, straight and gay, and they'll all be at the block party tomorrow and Sunday.

It's not just the overall edginess that draws big crowds to the party. It's also become one of the premiere showcases for hot rock bands. This year's lineup not only includes such favorites as the Presidents of the United States and Maktub, it also boasts such promising buzz bands as Pretty Girls Make Graves, Jackie & the Control Tops, New Luck Toy, the Divorce and Hint Hint.

Meinert recommends new punk bands the Pulses and the Spits, and the young groups Cobra High, Holy Ghost Revival and Schoolyard Heroes, a band made up of high-school students. He's high on United State of Electronica, an eight-piece he describes as "an in-your-face, indie-rock ABBA."

In addition to the rock bands, there will be disc jockeys spinning tunes between sets on the Mainstage.

"Overall," says Meinert, "it's a reflection of the rock scene in Seattle and how amazing it is right now."

He also cites the Epoxies from Portland, Erase Errata from San Francisco and DOA from Vancouver, B.C., who are punk veterans celebrating their 25th anniversary, as worth checking out.

There's also a theater tent with live performances and screenings of independent films.

The party is family-friendly, because the racy stuff (also including a burlesque show) is in the adults-only areas — the four beer gardens (one of which is inside the Juju Lounge). The many food booths are in a free area, which also has a stage with acoustic music acts. Tickets to the block party are $10 a day.

In addition to Stranger writers, among other dunk-tank volunteer victims are club owner Linda Derschang (of Linda's Tavern) and musicians Donny Paycheck, Spenser Moody and Maktub's Reggie Watts, who promises to wear one of his fanciest suits.

Local politicians will be on hand, giving short talks and working the crowd.

"I want the city to recognize this community," Meinert explained, "and I want this community to feel embraced by politicians." There will be a voter-registration booth at the event, and voter-registration volunteers canvassing the crowd.

A putt-putt golf course run by CoCA will have its nine holes designed by nine different local arts groups. Proceeds will be divided among them. The event will benefit two local charities, the Vera Project, which offers programs to help area youth, and Home Alive, which teaches survival skills to women.

Patrick MacDonald: 206-464-2312 or pmacdonald@seattletimes.com