Creative ideas to jump into Procession

By Lisa Pemberton

The Procession of the Species is just around the corner.

And if you're looking for a way to get involved, try one of these ideas:

1. Visit the Procession's community arts studio, which has all the supplies to create papier mache masks, batik flags and other must have, one-of-a-kind items.

"If they come down to the studio, there are people who will help them put together a costume," said Nicole Mercier, president of Earthbound Productions. "We have so many things for inspiration."

Although some people spend weeks creating the perfect costume, you don't have to commit that much time. The studio has several quick and easy projects, such as templates for masks and headdresses with designs of birds, eagles, turtles and other animals.

All you need to do is transfer the pattern to cardboard, cut out the shape and decorate it with glue, paint and glitter, Mercier said.

The community arts studio is at 115 State Ave. N.E., Olympia. It's open from noon to 9 p.m. daily.

2. Create an outfit at home.

Use paper plates, tissue paper, glue, paints and your imagination (or a pattern from a Web site) to pull together a flower, sun or animal mask.

Or, consider recycling an old Halloween c ostume.

You'll want to create an outfit that falls into one of the Procession's four elements: earth (such as trees, flowers and animals), water (such as jelly fish, mermaids and starfish), fire (such as dragons, mythical creatures and the sun) and air (such as birds, clouds and rain).

Some people create their outfits on Procession day with tree branches, bark and moss.

Ivy also has become a popular Procession material, Mercier said.

"That's how some people clean out their yard; they pull out all the ivy and wrap themselves in that," she said.

3. Bring on the noise.

Don't forget: the Procession is about music and dance, too. And if you don't have a pair of maracas, a cow bell to bang on or a bongo drum, it's time to improvise.

Yogurt cups, yogurt smoothie containers and juice cans make noisy shakers when they're filled with beans, Mercier said.

Decorate the outside with paint, glitter and ribbons, and voila - you're ready to shake your way through the streets of downtown Olympia.

Five-gallon buckets also make handy instruments.

"You turn the bucket over, decorate it and that's a great drum," Mercier said.

For a drum stick, use a stick, a piece of bamboo or just your fingers.

4. Get in the groove.

Several music and dance groups are holding workshops to prepare for the Procession.

In most cases, music and dance experience is not required.

Some people take as many classes that are offered; others jump in with a group on Procession day.

Scott Bishop of Olympia is involved in several musical groups, including Drum Fun, which practices from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays in the youth room at The United Churches.

"Its kind of a leaderless opportunity to explore rhythm," he said. "... Sometimes our rhythms will go on for 15 or 20 minutes. It's a lot of fun."

People are encouraged to bring their own instruments, if they have them. However, the group also has plenty of instruments to share.

For Bishop, the workshops and the Procession itself are about getting adults to be more creative and more involved in the community.

"The real point of the Procession is to be in it and not to be a spectator," he said. "When you're in it, you're actually part of the community."

Lisa Pemberton writes for The Olympian. She can be reached at 360-704-6871 or lpemberton@theolympian.com.

If you go

What: 2007 Procession of the Species

When: Begins at 4:30 p.m. April 28

Where: Groups traditionally begin assembling at Legion Way and Cherry Street between Jefferson and Chestnut streets in downtown Olympia.

Details: There are only three rules for Procession: No pets, no written words and no motorized vehicles. Participants are asked to register and bring two cans of food for Thurston County Food Bank to the event.

Information: Call 360-705-1087 or go to www.procession.org.

Find a little inspiration

What: Create art at the Procession's community arts studio

When: Noon to 9 p.m. daily

Where: Community arts studio, 115 State Ave. N.E., Olympia (entrance is in the alley behind the building)

Cost: Donations are accepted

Information: 360-705-1087 or www.procession.org stop by local procession workshops

Several groups are offering community music and dance workshops to prepare for the Procession of the Species.

Participants are encouraged to pay a one-time $10 donation per group, however no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Most groups do not require previous music or dance experience.

- Planet Percussion, a group which specializes in music and dancing from around the globe, practices from 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays in the basement of the Ea gles Hall, 805 Fourth Ave. (corner of Fourth and Plum), Olympia. For dance inquiries, call Mercy Karoki-McGhee at 360-888-3119. For all other information, call David Curts at 360-870-3989. Web site: www.planetpercussionband. com.

- Drum Fun, a freestyle drum circle with free style dancing, practices from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays in the youth room at United Churches, 110 11th Ave. S.E., Olympia. For more information, call Scott Bishop at 360-943-1938. Web site: www.oly-wa.us/drumcircle.

- Crow Drummers, a community group that plays West African music on traditional West African instruments, meets from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Thursdays at the "blue door studio," 5 25 Cherry St., Olympia. For more information, call David Curts at 360-870-3989. Web site: www.oly-wa.us/drumcircle/ crowdrummers.php.

- Salsa del Caribe, a Cuban and Afro-Brazilian dance and percussion group with brass and woodwinds, practices from 1 to 3 p.m. Sundays at the "blue door studio," 525 Cherry St., Olympia. All ages, instruments and experience levels are wel come. For more information, call Bernadette McCune-Sokoloski a t 360-413-0905. Web site: www.salsadelcaribe.com.

- Samba Olywa, a Brazilian and Afro-Brazilian music group with Samba dance, practices from 5 to 7 p.m. Sundays at the "blue door studio," 525 Cherry St., Olympia. For more information, call Juli Kelen at 360-866-6129. Web site: www.sambaolywa.com.