Tag Archives: arts

Back from the Short Run Comix and Arts Festival, 10th Anniversary

I love small press and homegrown creativity, especially from the Short Run Comix and Arts Festival.

This recent annual event, at its 10th Anniversary in Seattle, drew hundreds of people to a big room to share in that support to meet and shop. Through the many tables, a chance to buy small and limited runs of books, zines, prints, stickers, and a lot of other cool oddities mostly from Pacific Northwest residents. To partake in the joy of creativity and discovery of fresh literature and art, especially the sequential, is delightful.

I have missed this much, as the Covid pandemic has kept the Short Run away for over two years. Now, it’s back to the Fisher Pavilion at the Seattle Center, bigger than ever.

There was an awesome variety of homegrown material for anyone, any age to take in on pretty much any subject. However, much of it is not cheap, as creators often take a difficult path in their devotion to their craft, often taking sacrifice in time and funds of their own. The best we can do to keep them going in offering such driven creativity, is support by paying the extra bucks. The opportunity through the Short Run is most grand.

Also, the Short Run Comix & Arts Festival is a free event. I think that’s a big reason for the support. Accessibility for all, feels more open and inviting. Though the lines during the prime hours to get in were quite long, with at least 15 minutes wait to get in…worth it.

So here are some great moments of the show, including some of the wonderful people I chatted with, and some purchases from me (last picture).

And now, looking forward to the next Short Run.

– Orion T

Fantastic Times at the 2016 NW Folklife Festival

Photo May 28, 6 55 14 PM

I was at the annual Northwest Folklife Music Festival, again..

This, being my fourth time of attending this huge annual extravaganza of folk music and dancing, from all over the world. Since 1971, it’s brought a large array of arts, crafts, dancing, and sounds from multiple ethnic varieties to the Pacific Northwest, backed by donation and volunteer support. Held once again at the Seattle Center by the great Space Needle I attended Saturday and Sunday, with no energy left for the sunny Monday finale. Overall, some great times were had…

Here are some pics…

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The Freelance Reveleers, a ragtime blues group doin some sweet street performing..
Photo May 28, 3 43 52 PM

Tom Day Wait James with Dave Acker and the Growing Boys for some serious country folk jamming..

Photo May 28, 5 55 35 PM

This Balkan dance group (missed their names) showed some fantastic choreography, and among my favorites for this year

Photo May 28, 7 30 21 PM

More Eastern European dancing, from Saturday night.

Photo May 28, 7 32 22 PM

A mighty drum circle underneath the Rhythm Tent..

Photo May 29, 4 53 35 PM

A street performer (name was lost to me), with his awesome didgeridoo..

Photo May 29, 6 11 42 PM

Inside one of the many booths present selling eccentric home-crafted delights. The food selection was great too.

Photo May 29, 5 42 16 PM

Another shot of the good times, of which made up an overall great time for many..

Photo May 28, 4 36 35 PM

That’s all for now!

– Orion T

 

Recent memories and fun at the 2015 Torchlight Parade, Seattle…

 

Not sure what there is about a parade, drawing me close…

Yet, the knowledge of one coming,motivates me to forget the world and join as a spectator. I’m usually alone, as I can’t imagine anyone I know as excited as me. I like to watch, applaud, and occasionally cheer at the odd display of colorful people and their strange contraptions and organized entertainment. If there is some theme, than I have a bonus to my enjoyment. 

So last Saturday, there was this 2015 Torchlight Parade in Seattle, mainly sponsored by Alaska Airlines. Without looking this up, I think the theme was lights and diversity as there was much of that through the late evening, early nightfall. We got a huge range of ethnic and cultural diversity crossed with local businesses and small town promotions. It was all local fun, with little on anything specific to recent happenings (unlike other parades). Also, lots of beauty queens on flowery floats and big bands in between. Overall, some good old-fashioned fun to a parade that just is..

Here are some parade pics that may amuse you, and hopefully remind you of the joys of a good ol parade..

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O look, it’s the Alaska Airlines mascot!    

 

Pickle Pride!

 

Big orca love, full of inflated happiness!

 

One of my favorite floats, as I also love peaches..  I would love to attend a Peach Fesitval someday..

 

One of many who chose to ride in classic style through the parade, on horseback. 

 

One of the more perplexing displays of the parade. That can’t be real, yet the sign says..leading some in the crowd to run and touch the potato thing…

 

One of many marchers representing the U.S. Military and armed forces, with spendid musical performances!

 

And some extra patriotism…

One of many floats with gorgeous ladies wearing sashes and tiaras. 

It’s Blitz the Seahawks mascot…getting us psyched for another coming season of NFL football. 

 

Dancing and music, south of the border style! 

 

Fantastic lights brings a magical feeling here..

 

A more colorful chariot for this parade

 

One of the more stranger floats, with a message about garbage and our drainage systems.. 

 
Some headspinning visual feats..

 

And pirates, aRRRRR! 

 

And this big obnoxious truck! 

 

That is all I share from thIs parade. I sadly missed out on some clowns, as I had to exit for some time to make some calls. The pics were a small portion of the whole show, as I am limited on upload capacity and time for this article. But overall, I hope you enjoy the visual sampling of parade moments , as I enjoy sharing them.

– Orion T