August 30, 2002

After Hours: Bumbershoot has a bit of everything

Courtesy of One Reel The alt-country band Wilco will perform in Memorial Stadium at 12:15 p.m. on Monday during Bumbershoot. The critically acclaimed band is one of dozens of headliners that will play at the festival this weekend.

SEATTLE -- Lou Reed, Wilco, and Sonic Youth are among a dizzying number of headliners slated to perform at the Bumbershoot arts festival this weekend at the Seattle Center.

This year's edition of the event -- one of America's largest urban festivals -- will feature several new programs for families, including free admission to the Children's Museum and a new Polynesian-inspired area on the rooftop of Fisher Pavilion. Also new this year are larger venues for popular mini-festivals such as the comedy club, breakdance stage and the book fair.

All told, Bumbershoot showcases over 500 performances and exhibits from local, regional and national artists, including a film festival, circus stage, contemporary dance, art galleries, a literary stage, parades and more.

Tickets for the event, which runs Friday, Aug. 30, through Monday, Sept. 2, may be purchased at the gate, at Western Washington Starbucks stores, through Ticketmaster outlets or online at www.bumbershoot.org. Admission is $20 daily. Two-day passes are $34, and four-day passes are $52. Kids 12 and under are free.

Festival hours are 11 a.m.-11 p.m. daily. The Seattle Center is at Fourth Avenue North and Broad Street.

Architect discusses CoCA's 'blurred' exhibit

SEATTLE -- Jim Olson, a principal at Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects, will be giving a talk on Tuesday in connection with the current "blurred" exhibit at the Center on Contemporary Art.

The talk will focus on the integration of art and architecture in his work and in the work of his firm. Monacelli Press is releasing a related book on the firm this fall entitled "Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects: Architecture, Art and Craft."

The lecture meets at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 3 at CoCA, 1420 11th Ave., then moves two blocks to the Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave., at 7 p.m.

Admission to the lecture is free. For more information about the exhibit call CoCA at (206) 728-1980 or visit www.cocaseattle.org.

Caribbean islands may charge tourists admission

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) -- Caribbean islands should charge an "admission fee" to cruise ship tourists, to ensure they benefit from an industry that is profiting from the region "virtually for free," says a leading business association.

"Foreign operators are utilizing our assets to considerable advantage, while we ourselves seem to be content to pick up the crumbs that fall from the table," said Gary Voss, president of the Trinidad-based Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce.

But his proposal appeared to target tourists, not the industry.

Islands should consider charging "a standard (admission) fee of $20 per head per island," Voss said.

This "would not be unreasonable given that airline visitors are long accustomed to paying this amount in airport taxes alone."

Islands also charge what Voss called "a tiny head tax" of $5 for each passenger.

He said the cruise ship industry is in a "win-win situation," using the Caribbean's "warm climate, breezy and sunny, and their physical beauty" to lure passengers.

Voss said most cruise ships are built in the Far East and operated from Miami, providing few jobs for Caribbean nationals.

Previous columns:

• After Hours: Visit Boeing, Starbucks on 'capitalist tour', 08-23-2002
• After Hours: 'Wintertime' explores love and jealousy, 08-16-2002
• After Hours: Tall ships set sail for Lake Union fest, 08-09-2002
• After Hours: Blue Angels, hydros mark Seafair finale, 08-02-2002
• After Hours: His career has idled, but Billy's back now, 07-26-2002
• Wright-designed tower reopens as hotel, 07-19-2002
• 3-day food fest this weekend, 07-19-2002
• British royal family mementos on display, 07-19-2002