With only a week left before taking to the streets with its singular creativity on June 16th at Noon, the 2012 Fremont Arts Council (FAC) Solstice Parade still offers plenty of opportunities for you to engage and get involved.
Volunteers are desperately needed the day of the parade, to help as monitors, registration babes (or dudes,) SAG-wagon driver, art shuttle drivers, float parking assistants, FAC Info booth helpers, refreshment runners, chalk faeries, SOL distributors, and set-up/clean-up heroes. Also, all hands on floats the night of Friday, June 15th, for the Moonlight Float Move – a fantastically fun way to see the parade before it starts, and in reverse! Find out more on the FAC Solstice Parade volunteer information page.
To become a part of the parade (it is more fun to be in it than to watch it!) consider attending one of the upcoming workshops. Everyone is welcome at the workshops, which take place at the Powerhouse, 3940 Fremont Ave N, even those not intending to participate in the parade:
- Thursday, Jun 7th, from 6p – 11p, help Zero Waste Seattle build the not-so-mythical dragon, made of empty, used water bottles. Take part in scaling the head, finishing the backbone & ribs, and help construct the neck and arms. All skill levels welcome.
- Friday, June 8th, from 6p – 9p, become part of the Pollenation Nation by transforming into a bee or flower. Help continue work on the honeycomb, build wings for new bees, and make the optional abdomens and/or stingers. Bees do not all have to bee the same, so abdomens remain optional, and last-minute participants are welcome. Don’t be shy.
- Saturday, June 9th, from 2p – 6p, the Kid’s Edition of Art For Social Change. Children of all ages are welcome to come and create costumes from recycled and/or repurposed materials (a.k.a. trash) for use in the parade.
- Sunday, June 10th, from Noon – 4p, the Carnaval Clowns welcome anyone interested in decorating a hat with shiny materials and learning about costuming options. No sewing skills necessary, since hot glue works for these clowns. Stilters are also invited to take part, and the Giant Puppet troupe keeps growing. VamoLa will accompany the Mardi Gras-inspired clowns so come along and join in the positive vibrations.
- Sunday, June 10th, from Noon – 6p, Art For Social Change Costume Workshop. Zero Waste Seattle volunteers will help attendees create costumes, using collective waste, to dance around the water-bottle dragon.
- Tuesday, June 12th, from 6p – 7p (just before the monthly FAC C.O.W. meeting,) come learn stilt walking – just in time to get the best vantage point for the parade, the Fair and the ‘We The People Power’ festival at Gas Works Park.
- Tuesday, June 12th, from 6p – 9p, learn to Make Your Own Bioplastics. Taught by visiting artists from Virginia, watch the video tutorials and learn different techniques for making non-toxic, eco-friendly casting materials. Arrive at 6p for the one-hour workshop, then use the provided recipes and molds, and experiment with the alternative materials. Open to all skill levels.
- Wednesday, June 13th, 6p – 9p, join the ensemble that makes the 2012 and 2013 (the 25th Anniversary) Parades possible – the Green Hat! This is the main fundraising vehicle for the Solstice Parade, with all money raised going to materials and the artists that create this incredible spectacle. Join the Green Team and boogie-woogie, intergalactic-style, through the Solstice Parade – get your freak-on while doing good!
- Thursday, June 14th, from 6p – 10p, join Zero Waste Seattle again for construction of the dragon. An introductory explanation, on how this group uses art for social change, will be held for first-time attendees at 6p. The rest of the evening will be fitting the dragon skin, and assembling his parts.
Learn more about the Solstice Parade, and the ways to participate, on the Fremont Arts Council website. Also, find answers to specific questions by contacting the Solstice Parade Communications Manager, Tessa Hulls, at parade@fremontartscouncil.org
Don’t miss this chance to do more than sit on the sidelines of the Solstice – this year, Get Involved!