by Kirby Lindsay, posted 19 November 2012
The Fremont Arts Council (FAC) November Committee Of the Whole (COW) meeting started with a (joking) request to defer discussion of the upcoming Winter Feast until the December meeting. It would mean discussing the gathering (for 600 of the FAC’s friends) 10 days before the party on December 21st. The request was denied.
Still, even with that discussion, and several others, the meeting on November 13th at the FAC headquarters, the Powerhouse, took only slightly more than one hour.
1-minute Announcements
The meeting started, by facilitator Peter Toms, with one-minute announcements. Two upcoming shows were promoted – the Fremont Players’ ‘Sleeping Beauty & The Pea’ at Hale’s Palladium from December 15th – January 13th, and ‘Santa’s First Magical Ride: The Musical’ at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center from December 7th – 23rd. The FAC, it was remarked, is serving as fiscal sponsor for ‘Santa’s First…’
Also under announcements, King County Wastewater Management is putting together replacement of the Fremont Siphon, with an update on the project taking place the same night as this COW. The January 12th workshop, however, would be about design of the permanent structure for the project, and the public art component. FAC members were urged to attend, and lend their creative eyes and creative problem solving talents to this project. The time and location of the meeting is still to be determined, but please save the date.
Troll Gold & An Update
The announcements included praise of JAS Design Build, and its crew of workers that spent a day cleaning up the Fremont Troll under the direct guidance of lead Troll artist Steve Badanes. According to FAC Board Member Barb Luecke, the workers not only removed graffiti, but also excess dirt and they restacked some concrete slabs. Also, a broken grate was discovered, and will be reported to the Seattle Department of Transportation for (hopeful) repair.
The big news, of course, came that a permanent donation box, built by artist Kevin Pettelle, has been installed at the Troll. FAC Board President Rodman Miller has the first dollar donated, and intends to turn it into art. Over its first 14 days, the box collected $180 in donations towards upkeep of the sculpture – and the potential installation of security cameras.
Board Elections, Pending
The election of the Board of Directors has been deferred, until February. FAC members may only vote if their dues are paid in full for more than 30 days, so the Board chose to delay the elections to give time for those who attend the upcoming Winter Feast to join then, and take part in the election.
During the November COW, the Board Members in attendance stated that the size of the Board is not fixed, and that two currently sitting members have chosen to step down. If anyone is interested in joining the Board, please contact Rodman Miller, although they should know that the Board would like to see more people join its ranks that want to be active participants. As Toms observed, while recruiting new members, they know that vacancies do not have to be filled.
Winter Feast Plans
The celebration of the Winter Solstice Feast will take place on Friday, December 21st, in a location as yet to be determined. Toms mentioned that this has become a popular night for parties, in observance of the end of the Mayan calendar. And that the party originally thought to take place the night after – in collaboration with the Feast – has moved onto the 21st. A brief discussion took place on the possibility of a low turnout for the FAC Feast, but most agreed that the 600 attendees that went last year will return.
Attendance will still be free – for the first 200 people who volunteer – with another 400 tickets available for purchase at $25 per person. All attendees are still expected to bring a dish (or two) for the meal. As Toms described the event, it is, “a formal, sit-down potluck, and art installation.”
For those who want to volunteer, create art and/or generally learn more (and help find a location,) Winter Feast meetings take place on Tuesdays starting November 20th, at 7p at the Powerhouse (3940 Fremont Avenue N.) Everyone interested in assisting is encouraged to attend.
2013 Solstice Parade (& 2014)
The date of the 2013 FAC Solstice Parade has been set as Saturday, June 22nd at 2p. The new start time, of the 25th Annual Parade, was discussed at length during this meeting.
The City of Seattle Special Events Committee had to approved the time and date of the Parade, especially since police resources will be needed that day by the Seattle Rock-N-Roll Marathon. The 2p start time angers many, and concerns many more, within the FAC but the compromise was hard won by those who worked to achieve it.
The official announcement finally came that Honk Fest West will also take place during the Solstice Parade, with many of its participating marching bands striding through the Parade before the celebration at Gas Works Park.
When asked about the Parade plan for 2014, when the Solstice again takes place a week after Father’s Day, the FAC Board Members in attendance stated that the Parade will take place on Solstice weekend. On the Solstice itself – June 21st, 2014. According to Miller, the confusion about the weekends came from the City, not the FAC. Historically, he said, the Parade takes place on the Saturday nearest to the Solstice.
To find out more, about the Parade (Toms believes this may be the earliest, ever, that Parade planning has begun,) and the Feast, and the Troll, attend the next COW meeting on December 11th at 7:10p-ish at the Powerhouse. Everyone is welcome – and everyone can take a place in the Committee Of the Whole. Moo!
©2012 Kirby Lindsay. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.