Moisture Under The Big Top

by Kirby Lindsay Laney
posted 21 April 2004

This column originally appeared in the North Seattle Herald-Outlook in April 2004.

Fremont events appear like mirages – shimmering through the confusing chaos and never-ending routine of daily life.

Some, like the Fremont Fair and Oktoberfest, have well-established histories and long-standing expectations, while other equally brilliant ideas like the Chalk Art competition, Miracle on 34^th Street, and the Tour de Fremont bike races came and went in a few short years.

Yet all remain part of the lore and legend of our neighborhood. The Moisture Festival, although in its first year, fits all too well with our mystique.

‘Explore Artistic Ventures’

From April 21^st to the 25^th, circus performers, juggling acts and clowns of all ilks will enliven and amaze. Each evening’s line-up of wild acts requires only a modest entrance fee (from $5 – 10).

Eventually, organizers hope to hold this event annually over two weekends. “We are doing everything by the book so we can do it again,” Ron Bailey explained.

I don’t think the book he’s reading resembles anything I’ve seen before. Flordigan Can Can girls, Artis the Spoonman and British Panto belong to the stage not the page.

I can’t say for sure what you will see if you dare step under Reverend Chumleigh’s Big Top. After speaking with Ron, and Simon Neale (two of Moisture Festival’s five organizers), I expect nothing less than an unparalleled spectacle. This “loose network of talented, renegade performers,” enjoy challenging themselves and the audience, or as Ron put it, “they take it to the edge and stick their toes over.”

This time only one tent will rise in Fremont – at the corner of 35^th & Phinney Avenue on the U-Park lot at the Outdoor Cinema site – but Ron hopes to see several tents in the future, thrown up all over area parking lots. He hopes to invade every corner of Fremont with comedy, variety and vaudeville.

People may whine about gentrification and our loss of soul, but Fremont is not past its time according to Ron. “This is still a place where you can explore artistic ventures.”

At a similar event in Berlin, Ron’s favorite part came from hanging out with the performers and artists before and after at area bars and restaurants – just like here.

Where Moisture Comes From

The Moisture Festival came together very fast, at the last minute. Inspiration rose from the desire to gather together these vaguely interrelated groups – from UMO to Circus Contraption to the Canote Brothers – and give them the chance to perform together. Most gather annually at Oregon Country Fair, and then return to Seattle to their separate venues.

When I asked about the name, the Moisture Festival, they told me that many people read more into it than there is. “We are hoping for sun,” Ron told me, “but it is still on if it rains! We celebrate the moisture!”

Ron joked about declaring it the Damp Festival, and Simon disagreed, calling the word damp “too negative.”

Under unseasonably sunny skies, a truly silly debate ensued as we sipped iced Freddos – the only way to discuss precipitation.

A Dose Of Frivolity

Each evening over five days (with matinees on the weekend), different acts and hilarity will take the stage – most beginning about 8 p.m.

As a fun(d)raiser for Fremonster Theatrical and Du Caniveaux, Simon regards this as an effort to keep live theater alive. He’s seen theater’s resurgence, and a rising call from Seattleites for more.

And that is key. The Moisture Festival will bring another dose of frivolity and fun to Fremont.

However, if you don’t take a seat, the mirage may vanish to leave you with damp and moldy regrets – a fate I wouldn’t wish on anyone!

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