Get an insider's scoop on fab festival

By Molly Gilmore | For The Olympian • Published August 28, 2008

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It's no easy feat to write about Bumbershoot - a big festival full of famous people and Seattle's annual Labor Day weekend party.

Should you highlight something new and blue (Teatro ZinZanni's after-hours burlesque show, 11 p.m. Sunday)? Something big (Death Cab for Cutie, 9:15 p.m. Sunday)? One's personal picks (Ingrid Michaelson, 8:45 p.m. Sunday; Neko Case, 1 p.m. Saturday; Lucinda Williams, 2:45 p.m. Saturday; and Janeane Garofalo, 6:15 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday)?

How do you wrap it all up in one story?

Our solution: insider advice from Bumbershoot intern Evan Stewart, who blogs on www.bumbershoot.org. We like his blog because he's funny, and it's a great place to get some free music (check out Nada Surf's "See These Bones" and Tripwire's "Big Electric Light").

So we threw a few questions at Stewart of Gig Harbor, who graduated from the University of Washington, to get an inside scoop on the festival.

Question: Have you been to Bumbershoot before? Any favorite performances or memorable experiences?

Answer: My very first Bumbershoot was just in 2006. I went for a day and checked out a lot of my favorite local bands. Highlights included sets from Rocky Votolato and Kane Hodder. I was also able to catch the last 15 minutes of The English Beat. It was the best 15 minutes of the entire year.

Q: Any interesting behind-the-scenes happenings this year?

A: If I told you, it wouldn't be behind-the-scenes, it would be ... in front of the scenes. The hardest part of the summer might have been knowing the entire lineup early. It was really hard to keep that a secret. I just kept telling my friends Monday was going to be awesome, and because I couldn't tell them about Death Cab For Cutie, they were always wondering why.

Q: Which performances are you most looking forward to?

A: My entire blog posting dedicated to my love of Neko Case might be a tip-off. She'll be a definite highlight for me, as will Death Cab For Cutie. These Arms Are Snakes is one of my favorite live bands in Seattle, so I'm excited for them to play; they are crazy live. And of course Seattle School's "Recession" looks really fun. (OK, and I have a serious man-crush on Sondre Lerche. He's great.) The list goes on. You can check out my full daily schedule on Bumbershoot's Fresh Blog at bumbershoot.org.

Q: Any insider tips for Bumbershoot visitors?

A: Wear sunscreen. Bring your personal water bottle with you to refill for free inside Memorial Stadium. (You'll want that extra H2O after screaming "Neeeeeeko!") Oh, and be sure to arrive early to snag one of the new Comedy Passes this year. That'll help you check out the hilarious guys in Human Giant, Greg Behrendt and so many others.

Q: Any advice for other would-be Bumbershoot interns?

A: Get ready to work, a lot. It's fun, and worth it, but seriously, it's pretty hardcore. And wear comfortable shoes. I can't even count how many times they've told us to wear comfortable shoes over Bumbershoot weekend. If you want to get around the grounds fast, apparently it's best to leave your over-size (though always funny) clown shoes at home. Grab a pair of your favorite broken-in tennis shoes and you'll be set.

Q: Any other question you wish I'd asked.

A: What are your plans for after your internship? I plan to travel the world in a hot-air balloon, as well as author a musical about the life and times of Danielle Steel. The world is my oyster.