Official Poster
Artwork by Joe Max Emminger
The Bumbernationals are held for the first time, featuring the-weirder-the-better soapbox entries. Guitarist Larry Coryell returns to his hometown to headline a jazz lineup that also includes pianist Marian McPartland. Dance continues to be emphasized, featuring the Bill Evans Dance Company. Will Vinton is back, conducting film workshops.
Among the featured local artists is a young fiddler named Mark O’Connor, who wows the crowd with his prowess. Soon he will move to Nashville and become one of country music’s most acclaimed musicians. The Amazing Rhythm Aces is the big name in the music lineup. The One Reel Vaudeville Show presents one of its most popular spoofs, “The Bride of Bigfoot.”
Legendary dancer Merce Cunningham is the festival’s big name, Pat Metheny tops the music lineup, and Larry McMurtry is the highlight of the literary presentations. … Labor Day weekend is established as Bumbershoot’s permanent play dates.
The festival spans two weekends, including, for the first time, Labor Day weekend.
{Attractions include} a young jazz singer named Diane Schuur, soon to go on to international fame. San Francisco’s Magic Theatre presents “Angel City,” written and directed by a member of the company, Sam Shepard, long before his movie-acting days.
It’s the longest Bumbershoot ever—11 days. Roger Downey, arts editor of Argus, organizes an “Alternative Theater Festival” starring the San Francisco Mime Troupe. Oscar Peterson is the big name, and a largely unknown singer named Jimmy Buffett wins over Bumbershooters with his sun-drenched party songs. Wearable art is the kick of the festival. Program highlights are available by touchtone phone via “Chester,” Bellevue Community College’s computer.
Bumbershoot (as it was now officially known) grew to a full ten days in ’74.
“Name” acts are featured for the first time: Stan Getz, Ry Cooder, John Hartford, Willie Dixon. Activities for children are added. The film festival includes an animated short by Oregon filmmaker Will Vinton called “Closed Mondays,” which wins an Oscar the following year.
Dubbed Bumbershoot for the first time, the ’73 Festival grew in audience, days (now five), and programming breadth.
More local artists, dancers, musicians and craftspeople are involved, and a film festival is held for the first time. Jazz is emphasized, with performances by Cal Tjader, Joe Venuti and Bill Smith.
The One Reel Vaudeville Show presents a “mellerdrama” about the Klondike Gold Rush, Seattle Opera stages excerpts from “La Boheme,” Seattle Repertory Theatre offers “Excerpts from A Thurber Carnival,” free, bring-your-own-skates ice skating was available at the Arena, and Ronald McDonald made an appearance. Bighorn topped the list of local rock bands.
The first Bumbershoot wasn’t called Bumbershoot but rather Festival ’71. The two-day event, the brainchild of Mayor Wes Uhlman, stars Sheb Wooley, best known for the novelty hit ‘The Purple People Eater.’ It also includes a logging show, indoor motorcycle races in the Coliseum (now KeyArena), horseback rides for kids and ‘the world’s first electronic music instrument jam.’ … The ‘Hot Pants Contest’ was one of the biggest draws. Local rock bands and dance troupes were featured. The sun-drenched festival, held Aug. 13–15, was a hit, attracting the largest crowds to Seattle Center since the 1962-63 World’s Fair.