Be In The Fremont Solstice Parade – Everyone Is An Artist!!

On Saturday, June 22^nd, at 1p, the Fremont Solstice Parade will dance its way through the Center of the Universe!  Everyone can still get involved in creating this spectacular celebration, or just take part on the day.  The Fremont Arts Council (FAC) welcomes all hands, at one of the public, free workshops, or in the Parade.

As of last week, the FAC had plenty of ensembles from which to choose to participate.  Consider giving your creativity and precious time to one of these amazing ensembles:

• Alice In Wonderland – The West Coast Kickball League will have a giant Cheshire Cat and other magical characters, as they kick balls and play their way through the Parade.
• Ancient Egypt – Egyptian Kings, Queens, Pharaohs, and Sphinxes will tap into their ancient places.
• Belltown Dancers – Come dancing with fitness students from the Belltown Dance Studio.
• Boot Boogie Babes – Seattle’s Line Dance Team have gained world-wide popularity with their unique steps and style.  The Boot Boogie Babes welcome women of all ages, sizes, and backgrounds for personal growth – and to participate in their 6^th year at the Fremont Solstice.
• Carnival Is Color – The Seattle Steel Pan Project (SSPP) will have a 38’ float to carry 15 musicians playing steel pan, supported by drums and percussion.  Masquerade characters, dressing in all kinds of colors, called ‘Pitchy Patch’, will celebrate the culture of West Africa and the Caribbean.  SSPP will partner with dance companies to present the traditions and steps of the African diaspora, as the ensemble endeavor to honestly present the diversity of our nation, the true legacy of our history of slavery, and our African immigrant roots.

• Cascadia Ensemble – Partnering with several groups, and hosting a series of workshops, this ensemble will create a mythical creature float and ensemble.
• Flow of Water – Bloco Pacifico want to share the stories of water that created the Pacific Northwest.  The life of Seattle is the cycle of water itself.  To embody and embrace the well-spring of excitement that formed our world, Bloco Pacifico will bring the joyful music and dance of Brazil, with Community Samba.  Dance and play with this cultural movement through song.
• Flying Spaghetti Monster – The Seattle Pastafarians return to the Solstice Parade with their whimsical creature.
• Forget-Me-Not – The Washington Medical Cannabis Patients will battle Big Bud
• Green Hat Rats! – The most important ensemble in the FAC Solstice Parade, this year the Rat City Roller Girls will lend their considerable talents to raising money and collecting donations from the audience – all to help fund the whole celebration!  Please consider joining this effort to make this legendary piece of performance art financially feasible.
• Green New Deal – https://350seattle.org/ wants to show the time has come for the Green New Deal.  A giant scales, with ropes to pull, will tip from red (with polluting refineries, etc.) to green (sustainable energy, community, etc.)  Beautiful batik banners will depict the emerging healthy life force, as two giant green hands will shake and other powerful props, and music, will bring the Green New Deal to life.

• Good Vs. Evil – Two horses rocking abreast of each other, in competition, with an armature connected to the side of each.  Two persons will rock the horses, while a middle person pushes the float.
• HonkFest All-Stars – This collection of HonkFest! brass, marching band musicians will play their way through Solstice Parade – and then move on to celebrate Gay Pride as well.
• Kasvot Växt – The Scandinavian progressive rock band, Kasvot Växt, will play its way through the Parade, accompanied by its super fans.
• Muirgan, the Mermaid & the Barnacle Babes – Murigan will travel on a Kinetic Sculpture (courtesy of The Great Port Townsend Bay Kinetic Sculpture Race,) accompanied by a host of sash-saying mermaids.  The ensemble will also have the kinetic sculptures of Man Eating Clam, Spaghetti Monster and Sea Anemone Number 1, and will encourage and welcome crowd members who want to join the dance and enjoy the fun.

 

• Mythical Creatures – This pair wander the world together, floating around, playing with others, and when the creatures come together, they create a magical gate that the crowd will be encouraged to walk through.  Roving, mythical characters will parade with the creatures, creating a world within the world, and a transformational experience into a magical world.
• Rainbow City Marching Band, and SpinOUT – A non-profit, community band consisting of LGBTQ musicians, and allies, the Rainbow Band will be accompanied by its color guard, SpinOUT, as they bring a joy of music, energy and PRIDE.  They aim to make music, make friends, make a difference, and always make it better.
• Samba OlyWa – This groovin’ community samba band from Olympia will provide a lively soundtrack for the watching and dancing among the crowds.
• Savoy Swing Club Performance Troupe – Experienced swing dancers who perform dances from the 1920s to the 1940s, the non-profit Savoy Swing Club performs every year at Northwest Folklife.

• Sky Writers – Created for the Viaduct Farewell Parade, earlier this year, these fanciful, colorful ribbons create a gorgeous tapestry when swung in rhythm by the ensemble.  Come play with a Sky Writer during the Solstice Parade to keep the rainbow flying.
• Tie-Dye Kazoo Marching Band – One of the most accessible ensembles, participants will wear tie-dye for a unified, colorful and fun visual look, and all will play the kazoo with an occasional toy drum.  Participants can practice this weekend, June 15^th & 16^th, at 4p, or find other information about joining the Tie-Die Kazoo Band on the Facebook page (click here.)
• Walk Of The Horned God – A costumed Horned God, surrounded by fawns, will celebrate the Solstice parading through Fremont.

After the Fremont Solstice Parade, the Fremont Arts Council will host a Celebration at Gas Works Park, with more art installations and live music expected.

Besides joining a specific ensemble, another great way to get involved in the fun and frivolity of the FAC Solstice Parade is by attending one of the free workshops at the FAC Powerhouse.  Check out:

• Thu, June 13^th from Noon to 4p – Puppet making with Sarah & Kiymbah
• Thu, June 13^th from 6p to 9p – Batik Workshop hosted by 350 Seattle
• Fri, June 14^th from 6p to 9p – Batik Workshop hosted by 350 Seattle
• Sat, June 15^th from Noon to 6p – Open Studio, Parade Build
• Sun, June 16^th from Noon to 6p – Open Studio, Parade Build

• Mon, June 17^th from 4p to 9p – Open Studio, Parade Build
• Wed, June 19^th from 4p to 9p – Open Studio, Parade Build
• Thu, June 20^th from 4p to 9p – Open Studio, Parade Build
• Fri, June 21^st from 1p to 10p – Open Studio, Parade Build
• Sat, June 29^th from Noon to 4p – Clean Up Party

It is always more fun, and more memorable, to be IN the Fremont Solstice Parade than to watch it.  Visit the Fremont Arts Council website (click here) to learn more about how to be involved, or simply show support, for this sensational spectacle of the Solstice!