Bumbershoot: Acts that stand out on this arts party scene
FRIDAY 8/29
Paula Maya. Passionate Brazilian-born local singer is Björk-meets-Tori. (12:45- 2 p.m., Bumbrella Stage.)
Workshop with Rennie Harris. A lesson in old-school street dance (and new moves, too), taught by Philadelphia's finest. (4-5 p.m., CenterCircleSpin, Fisher Pavilion.)
SIFF's Fly Films. A selection of short films on local subjects made in a big, fat hurry by Northwest filmmakers. Produced and first shown by Seattle International Film Festival. (4-5 p.m., Bagley Wright Theatre.)
Quasi, the Shins, Modest Mouse. Three Northwest indie rock groups that show that local, post-grunge rock is as vital as ever. Don't miss the Shins (who go on at approximately 7 p.m.), one of the most promising bands in the country. (6-10:15 p.m., Mainstage.)
Solomon Burke. The comeback story of the year. The giant (more than 400 pounds) King of Soul, now 63, won a Grammy for his latest album, "Don't Give Up On Me," which includes participation from some of his admirers: Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello, Van Morrison, Tom Waits, Carole King and Brian Wilson. His shows are legendary. (7:45-9:15 p.m., Blues Stage. Also appears noon Saturday on the Mainstage.)
Maktub. Seattle's hottest rock band, which is well on its way to building a national following, puts on a soulful, rocking show that will have everybody dancing. (8:45 p.m., Bumbrella Stage.)
SATURDAY
Macy Gray. A great R&B singer who celebrates her own quirkiness, wildness and borderline madness with lots of winking humor and danceable rhythms. Solomon Burke opens at noon. (1:45- 3 p.m., Mainstage.)
Blind Boys of Alabama and the Electrifying Mighty Warriors. A double shot of dynamic gospel music, with Seattle's Electrifying Mighty Warriors octet opening for the legendary Blind Boys. (2:45-5:30 p.m., McCaw Hall.)
"Radio Activity." Capitol Hill's own Theater Under the Influence offers this live theatrical attraction for radio-heads. It's a roundup of episodes from vintage radio dramas, including "Flash Gordon" and "Helen Trent." Performed live with sound effects. (3-4 p.m., Center House Theatre.)
"The Blues." An upcoming PBS documentary will trace the birth — and growth — of the blues in seven, 90-minute segments. This showing is a one-hour collection of excerpts; a slightly expanded version was screened at the Seattle International Film Festival last May. (3-4 p.m., Bagley Wright Theatre.)
Poets Against the War. In what soon became a national movement, Port Townsend poet/publisher Sam Hamill led the way, organizing poets and writers in protest against the U.S. invasion of Iraq. Hamill reads with Primus St. John, William O'Daly, Bill Ransom and Melinda Mueller. (4-5:15 p.m., Literary Stage.)
Tribute to Rhythm & Blues with Bonnie Raitt. The centerpiece of this year's Bumbershoot, with Raitt hosting such stars as Shemekia Copeland, Ruth Brown, Maxi Priest and Howard Tate. (7:15-11 p.m., Mainstage.)
Kathleen Edwards. A smart and scrappy singer-songwriter from Canada, with songs that are tart, funny and often confessional. (8-9:30 p.m., Backyard Stage.)
Rennie Harris' Legends of Hip-Hop. Primo Philadelphia choreographer Harris brings a troupe of 20 young dancers to illustrate the past, present and future of hip-hop dance, including popping, locking and B-boying. (8-9:30 p.m., McCaw Hall. Program repeats 2-3:30 p.m. Sunday.)
SUNDAY
Hip-Hop 101. Another impressive lineup of positive rappers, including the pop-influenced Black Eyed Peas, the ultra-cool De La Soul and the gritty Common. (1-5 p.m., Mainstage.)
Ruth Ozeki. This wry novelist won big praise for her first book, "My Year of Meats," and just followed it up with a witty novel about (we're not kidding) the genetic engineering of food, "All Over Creation." (3:30-4 p.m., Literary Stage.)
Augusten Burroughs. The mordantly funny gay memoirist ("Running with Scissors") managed to make humor out of misery again with his new book, "Dry," about his battles with alcohol. Expect a major turnout. (6-7 p.m., Charlotte Martin Theatre.)
Alberta Adams. A rare local opportunity to see Detroit's inimitable octogenarian blues goddess. She's the real thing. (6:45-8 p.m., Blues Stage.)
Cold, Evanescence. The punk-edged Evanescence is Bumbershoot's biggest coup, signed on before it became the hottest new rock band of the year. Its "Fallen" album has sold more than 2 million and is still in the Top 10. Cold is another top new band, with its own hit CD, "Year of the Spider." (8-10:30 p.m., Mainstage.)
Donovan. The folk troubadour of the '60s is back, sounding as mellow as ever. (8-9:30 p.m., McCaw Hall.)
MONDAY
Reggie Watts. The lead singer of Maktub, who's often compared to Al Green, will feature songs from his new solo album. (Noon-1 p.m., Bumbrella Stage.)
Leftover Salmon, Nickel Creek. These two share virtuoso musicianship but have different styles. Leftover Salmon is a trippy jam band that's a favorite of Deadheads. Nickel Creek is a talented bluegrass band with style and energy. (Noon-3 p.m., Mainstage.)
Freestyle Session. The final eight hours of a two-day elimination-style B-boy/B-girl dance competition. Wild moves, wilder audience. (2-10 p.m., CenterCircleSpin, Fisher Pavilion.)
United State of Electronica. Seattle disco band pumps up the crowd to almost scary levels of dancing — aural ecstasy? (3:30-4:30 p.m., EMP Sky Church.)
Jesse Sykes & the Sweet Hereafter. A brilliant debut album and superb live shows suggest this Seattle alt-pop band, powered by Sykes' wonderful vocals over the guitar of Phil Wandscher (formerly with Ryan Adams' Whiskeytown), might be headed for big things. (6:30-7:45 p.m., Backyard Stage.)
Wilco, R.E.M. The concert highlight of the festival. The venerable R.E.M. will do songs from its upcoming new album. Opener Wilco is one of the most talented bands in rock. (7-10:30 p.m., Mainstage.)
Shemekia Copeland. A blues wunderkind with a powerful voice and stage presence, Copeland's well worth a listen. (8-9:30 p.m., Blues Stage).
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