University District fair kicks off the season of takin' it to the streets

Get ready for a summer full of street fairs and festivals, beginning this weekend with the University District Street Fair, stretching down University Way from Northeast Campus Parkway all the way to Northeast 50th Street.

COMING UP

UNIVERSITY DISTRICT STREET FAIR

WHEN: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. tomorrow and 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: University Way from Northeast Campus Parkway to Northeast 50th Street

COST: Free

INFORMATION: 206-547-4417; www.udistrictstreetfair.org

"It's really the kickoff event for the Seattle summer festival season," says Teresa Lord Hugel, executive director of the Greater University Chamber of Commerce. "It is a really cool example of Northwest artisans meet urban retail corridor. It's a party in the street for two days."

The 36th annual fair offers something for everyone, with a diverse lineup of bands, street performers (buskers), 350 arts and crafts vendors, 50 food booths, four entertainment stages, more than 25 community non-profit informational booths and a children's play area. Some 50,000 people are expected to hit The Ave over the two days.

The children's area is at the "top" of the fair at Northeast 50th Street and University Way, in the Jack in the Box parking lot. University Family YMCA is hosting this area, featuring bouncy toys, kid-themed arts and crafts, balloons, storytelling, bicycle safety and lots of information about summer camps and other summer activities for kids.

New this year is the Chinese Unity Gong procession starting at noon tomorrow. This ancient Chinese ceremony was once used as armies went into battle, but now is used to bring good fortune and scare away dark spirits. The large gong will make its way down University Way, starting at Northeast 47th Street, and will stop periodically to let visitors hit the gong to bless the community.

Four stages spread throughout the fair offer a variety of music, comedy, even salsa lessons.

Tomorrow, the Safeco/Washington Mutual Stage at the Northeast 43rd Street Food Court presents music by Raven Blue, Island Jazz Quintet, Gypsy Soul, Spoonshine, 1234, Warren Brothers Band, The Squirrels, and Out From Underneath. On Sunday, listen to Agnes Ingarra, Never Quiet Never Still, Laguna, Annie Rapid, Spyplane, Greenwood All * Stars, and African Allstars.

The WSECU/Chevron Stage at the Northeast 47th Street Food Court tomorrow presents US99*, Vamola, Beehive, Portage Bay Big Band, Trick Deck, Altered States of Funk, Peep Show and Alta Rego. On Sunday, it's the Smilin Scandinavians, Josh Williamson Band, Groovola, Randall Davidson Trio, Paula Maya and Adrian Xavier.

The Vulcan/Chipotle Stage in the 4200 block of University Way presents Jet City Improv tomorrow and Cambalache and free salsa lessons on Sunday.

The Wells Fargo Stage at Northeast 41st Street and University Way has steel drum music throughout the weekend.

Tower Records presents its own lineup tomorrow in the store at 4518 University Way: Academy Is, Mae, Ambitious Career Woman, Joules and Charity Stripe. And Finn McCool's tavern will have Irish bands on its own stage all weekend.

Of course, dozens of buskers will be spread throughout the fair, providing their own unique brand of entertainment.

"We always have great buskers," Lord Hugel says. "We've got a piano player, we've got a guy who plays a wide variety of instruments all at the same time, we have jugglers and guys who do magic. It's really phenomenal. It's the best of the Northwest."

Hundreds of vendors sell everything you've always wanted -- or didn't know you did until you saw it at their booth. Pottery, candles, carvings and every kind of art line the streets.

The University District Street Fair is the major fund-raiser for the non-profit Greater University Chamber of Commerce.

"It really supports everything we do in the community throughout the year," Lord Hugel explains.

"We have a group of non-profit service providers in the area who work with youth. We've given them a huge bank of space to sell artwork that the kids have made. That's a part of the community we're very proud to be involved with, because it gives the kids a chance to be a part of the community and be seen and be accepted."

Doree Armstrong is a Seattle-based free-lance writer. She can be reached at doreearmstrong@yahoo.com.

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