Tag Archives: festivals

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

Holiday Season Cheers from Candytown

Here’s a big gingerbread person, dancing around at the Candytown Holiday Festival in Yaletown, Vancouver, Canada. Gotta love that!

This fresh cheer has me excited for the goofy carefree spirit of the holiday season (as long as you don’t play into the madness of the shopping season pressures including Stupid Black Friday). More egg nog, please!

I’m here for a few days, seeing old friends and away from stress. I’m also doing my holiday shopping through some cool local businesses, and having a silly blast. Lots of maple flavored things!

Meanwhile, here’s more cheer from Candytown..

– Orion T

Cotton Candy Cheer

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From this last weekend’s annual Seattle Street Food Festival, I love the cotton candy faces!

I think cotton candy is joyful yet surreal. You enjoy it, then the stick leaves a weird residue on your fingers and lips that dissolves back into the dream that created it.  Did you know sugar is the only ingredient in cotton candy, and it’s fat-free? Not much has changed about it since it was invented In 1904, by two Nashville candy makers introduced at the St. Louis World’s Fair.

Here are other treats at this festival I wanted to savor, but too full from excessing on mac and cheese with bubble tea.  I will perhaps go for these at the next Street Food Festival…

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– Orion T

Brilliant Night in Seattle, at the Borealis Festival of Light

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Continuing from my previous post, is a main visual feast shared last weekend, at the first annual Borealis, Festival of Light in Seattle.

The main visual feast is a video projection main show upon the MOHAI  (Museum of History and Industry) building in South Lake Union. Over four nights repeated hourly for the early night hours, we got colorful video presentations backed by modern sound mixing, presented by talented light artists from around the world.

Here are some glimpses of that, ahead of the mass oohing crowds…

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Here below, are also some video samplings from the few various presentations, from Geekwire’s Youtube account:

An overall breathtaking experience for lovers of lights, sound, and modern new ways to express art in digital forms. I am a fan of this work now and will definitely check out more light art shows on this grand level of awesomeness.

– Orion T

Dazzling Bright in Seattle, at the Borealis Festival of Light

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Last Saturday, I viewed some very bright and colorful lights during the nights,  the first annual Borealis, Festival of Light in Seattle.

Such was a four-day event held in the main waterside park area of South Lake Union, where a showcase of light fixtures and interesting little sculptures were scattered about, in and around the area. Some of the visuals were interactive…

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That was all I got from the small stuff, but trust me, there were some cool illuminations around. That second pic above would change with the use of a “magic roller.” Cooool!

Some attendees also brought their own electrical lights…

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From all that, simple minor delights to enjoy for what they are, an appreciation for the use of art in light, through intensity, shape, color, and new technology. I felt a childlike joy, in allowing my imagination slightly drift off, in some weird otherworldy dimension for the moments I had to myself among the strange sights.

Meanwhile, the most interesting and best of it all was its main event, a very huge video projection show of dazzling digital light and sound, all part of a large competition of art teams, from around the world…

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I will share more about that in my next write-up, soon. I promise!

– Orion T

 

 

 

Street-painting the sidewalks at the Belltown Chalk Art Festival

Last weekend, many chalk artists got down and arty in Seattle, for the 2018 Belltown Chalk Art Festival.

This exhibition of professional artists busted out some fancy chalk sticks of many colors, to create large murals for two days directly on the Bell street pavement. Add music, open areas for folk of all ages can join in, and voting participation…and we got a cool, free show open for the public to enjoy.

I meanwhile, caught a bit of this on Saturday, on my way to a little lunch date. I saw early stages of work, piquing my curiosity for the finished work. The came back on Sunday, to see some awesome progression.

There was something special to these chalk artists, to see their dedication in action, with every stroke and brushing for all to see in each step. To witness each piece in development on this grand scale, is a special show to behold.

And, I also talked with a new friend among the chalk artists, Raziah Roushan. Here, Raziah posed with her latest work in Belltown, inspired by a photograph she came across.

Since 2004, Raziah produced many grand sidewalk works in many US states. She holds much lot of passion for her work, often experimenting with different styles, making each large artwork noteworthy and memorable. She took some time out to share with me her artwork through the years, and give a little insight on the life of a chalk artist. Check out her work at raziahroushan.com

Meanwhile, other artists delivered high impressions with their chalk murals. Many of them were not quite finished during the noontime. But, I took some shots and noted some of the artwork, now featured below with links…

Gabrielle Abbot (www.gabrielleabbott.com, @GabrielleAbbot on instagram)

Chelsey Dustin (@artofchelsey for Instagram/Twitter/Facebook)

Lori Antoinette (www.lantart.com and @ishyla on Instagram)

Ten Hundred (@tenhun on Instagram)

Donovan Sterling (@vibrassponder on Instagram)

Merkuria Czerwinska (@merkuriaart on Instagram)

Jennifer Ripassa (@indofire on Instagram)

Chalk Riot (@chalkriot on Instagram)

Sarah Martin (@sarahrecycled on Instagram)

That was not all, or even close, as there were more amazing chalked work, of which I was either too early, or missed on getting some linked info. Meanwhile, more chalk art festivals are happening around the world, with one maybe near you. Keep a look out for one, than see for yourself some awesome art in action.

– Orion T

Picture of Today 4/16/2017, Happy Easter Style


Today was a pleasant Easter Sunday, where I spent much of it at the 2017 Sakura-Con, a convention for lovers of anime and manga. Though for me, it was more a nostalgic prance through a portion of pop-culture that is an occasional guilty pleasure for me.

There will be more pics and some notes, after I get some rest and pick time out of my busy schedule to sort and edit them. In the meantime, I hope the many of you out there had a most wonderful, adorable Easter Sunday.

– Orion

Picture above – no idea on who the two attendees were cosplaying as, or perhaps there is no reference other than the Easter subtext, but I love their presentation. 

Pictures of Yesterday 11/5/16, Short Run Thrills

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Moments from yesterday’s annual Short Run Comix & Arts Festival included much local art in the form of sequential arts and comics, prints and more.

I met some interesting people while a good friend purchased some awesome prints. Some of which is shown below..

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Overall, a worthwhile good time for this Short Run!

– Orion T

Picture of Today 8/21/16, with Special Food

It’s been a while and here I am back with a hot dog and fries!

And not just any hot dog, but a Tokyo Dog from the annual Seattle Street Food Festival. The Tokyo Dog was from one of the many food trucks present over this weekend; presenting interesting food and merchants for those wanting more out of their summer weekend than sunshine.

The meal in question contains the following. A smoked cheese bratwurst with butter teriyaki onions, bacon bits, furikake, tonkatsu sauce and Japanese mayo. The fries on the side are seasoned with seaweed and sea salt. The drink is some boring canned green tea.

Meanwhile, much has happened since my last posting (and some before). I will post some of that in good time, soon.

– Orion T

 

At the Seattle Street Food Festival..

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For me, this last weekend had some interesting choices for great outside food.

Feeling a bit more local and needing clear air, I checked out the Seattle Street Food Festival in South Lake Union. This covered a few blocks and adjacent lots by Denny Park. Featured were the food truckers and other street venders. Some music can be heard in the distance, of which I paid little attention. I was very hungry, with a little extra cash.

Also, I had my camera handy. I took some shots of my food venturing experience, leading to some featured highlights below…

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A vegan taco and Mexican style food truck. I got a Portland vibe from this..

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The Deep Fried PB and J stand.. I tried them at another food event. Quite good, but very thick with guilt afterwards on the body.

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Love a food truck with a mascot. I wasn’t quite in the mood for chicken, but almost…

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Love some of the names of these trucks and stands too. Also, Freedom Fries here because ‘Murica..

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Aria’s Shaved Ice flavors. Get your Tiger’s Blood here..
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Not sure on where the coconut drink out of the coconut bowl came from. But damn, I got to have one next time I see this..

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Nothing like a jumbo anything with lemonade anything at any fair/festival, right?

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Love the artwork on this truck..

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What I had to drink…a Spiced Pineapple soda from the Soda Jerk. Well worth the $4.00!

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And from the Nosh truck..their Fish and Chips dish for $7.00. I got beer-battered wild Alaskan cod, hand-cut British “chips,” mushed peas and house-made tarter sauce. All fantastic for the price. Also, on the side for a few dollars more, a raspberry mint Arnold Palmer. It was all right.

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That’s all for now…until the next festival!

– Orion T

Honk! Fest West 2015 weekend fun at Gas Works Park..

   

After the Solstice Parade last Saturday (see last entry), I enjoyed some evening jams at Gasworks Park.

I give huge thanks to the 2015 Honk!Fest musical happening, featuring a variety of big band ensembles. All free, yet donor and volunteer backed.

Above pics are of the (EDIT: I learned the above band is actually  The Extraordinary Rendition Band from Providence, Rhode Island…oops.)

Below, are pics on the Junkadelic Brass Band from Perth Australia.. 

 

 

– Orion T

Solstice Cyclists at the Fremont Fair, Seattle 2014

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Many naked, painted people on bikes rode by last weekend, adding tot he cheer to the new Summer Solstice. This was all part of a strange tradition of the great annual Fremont Fair and Solstice Parade. Here is more information from the wikipedia page:

“The event was started by streakers who crashed the parade. The first person to do so may have done so on a dare. Participants now emphasize bodypainting and other artistry. The group is the largest and fastest growing ensemble associated with the parade. The parade, put on by Fremont Arts Council, is held on a Saturday close to the actual solstice.”

Here is a grainy smartphone video I shot, just a minute of this full hour+ long happening:

Pictures of Today 5/26/14

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All in a good day, with extra special added to the established special..

This Memorial Day, I enjoyed the annual Seattle Folklife Festival, with a kaleidoscope and my cheap smartphone camera (and first posted on Instagram).

The festival was nice; a huge annual event in Seattle, where musicians of a humble variety performed in different spots all near (some on stage, rooms, sidewalks) and play for the cheerful gatherings. All free, and donation backed by sponsors and collected tips. I did not feel much on the picture-taking; just enjoyed the sounds with a preference for jazz and bluegrass. The passing time was best spent on the grass under a warm sun and cloudy sky. I would change spots; with some engaging casual conversations with strangers, light writing, consuming sugary deep friend confectionaries and playing with my kaleidoscope.

Good times..

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