December 16, 2011

New Shiftboard System Makes Volunteering For Moisture Festival Easy Streamlined And Fun

The Moisture Festival is delighted to announce that it will be using a new system for organizing, scheduling and assigning volunteers. A daunting task when you consider that Moisture Festival normally schedules over 1000 shifts for its volunteers during the festival's run. The system known as shiftboard is now operational. If you are or wish to become a Moisture Festival volunteer you should sign-up here, register and start to set up your profile page then look around and get a feel for the system. One of the great features of the system is it is available 24/7. So volunteers can schedule themselves to available shifts anytime it's convenient for them to do so and directly from any computer.

The wonderful people who created the shiftboard software system have been kind enough to donate the use of the system to the Moisture Festival this year. The Moisture Festival system has been set up through the hard work and leadership of volunteer guru Monica Hinckley, who also coordinates volunteers for One Reel and The Seattle International Film Festival. Hinckley also says that shiftboard has made a huge difference compared to what the volunteer coordinator’s job has traditionally been. “Typically, managers had to ask the volunteer coordinator to schedule shifts for them,” she explained, “but now we have team managers on our shiftboard site, each of whom can schedule and communicate directly with their volunteers any time of day.”

Shiftboard integrates volunteer group communication, availability, web-based recruiting, and reporting. The online system works using designated teams of volunteers. Once a volunteer is registered with the Moisture Festival online shiftboard system they can use it to schedule their availability for a team posted on the shiftboard calendar. The available shifts are posted to calendar by the volunteer coordinator, team leaders and staff and can be updated in real time. Registered shiftboard festival volunteers then can join teams and confirm shifts they want to work that have been created by volunteer coordinators, team leaders and staff. The system is also an important tool for shiftboard based email and message communication between volunteers, coordinators and team leaders.

Volunteers Are Needed For Our New Year's Eve Party
The Moisture Festival is current looking for volunteers for teams to work our annual New Year's Eve Party and Fund-raiser. So if you're interested in volunteering please sign in and/or register on Moisture Festival's shiftboard, and go to the calendar to see what shifts are available. If you don't see any shifts on the calendar for December 31st it's because you have not signed up for one of teams needed that day. If you want to join one of the NYE teams you can sent a message request to be included on the teams needed by clicking on find more/add teams above the calendar.

There are a number of "teams" that will be employed during by the Moisture Festival, they include Box Office, Door Babe/Dude, Drivers, Food Babe/Dude, Office, Security, and Theater Builders and other teams we've created to fit our volunteer job needs. A particular team's shift schedule can be seen on an the volunteer's online "shiftboard calendar".
If you have a questions about using shiftboard or volunteering for the Moisture Festival you can also contact us by email at volunteers@moisturefestival.org. 

Thank you Moisture Festival volunteers!


December 14, 2011

News From Moisture Festival - NYE Extravaganza - Festival Ticket Discounts - And Much More


There are still tickets available! But tickets will go fast as this one-of-a-kind celebration, featuring the talents of aerialists, acrobats, clowns, musicians and a James Beard award-winning chef, draws near.

Buy your tickets now to guarantee that you'll ring in the New Year with all the wild and wonderful artistry of the Moisture Festival! Proceeds will go to help make the 9th year of the Moisture Festival one that Seattle will never forget. Don't miss this fantastic night of fun - savoring the good times we shared in 2011 and embracing the excitement of a new year ahead.

This jam-packed event will feature:
  • Vic & Nick Trio (featuring two members of Grammy-nominated a capella group The Bobs)
  • Aerial artistry of Quynbi 
  • Bold And Daring Aerial Sisters Society (B.A.D.A.S.S.) presents "Glamarazzi" (featuring Cathy Sutherland and Carri Anderson of Aviatrix)
  • Puppeteer Clay Martin  
  • Acrobats Dr. Calamari & Acrophelia  
  • The Circus Tramps (featuring Randy Minkler, Ron W. Bailey, Al Kaatz, Hugh Sutton, Frank Johnson and Matt Williams) playing Rock Rhythm & Blues  
  • Simon Neale and Maque Da Vis from The Fremont Players
  • Hors d'oeuvres by James Beard award-winning Chef Tiberio Simone, who will be selling and signing his new book La Figa: Visions of Food and Form 
  • Godfrey Daniels and his many Red Balloons  
  • Champagne Toast as the clock strikes 2012
Moisture Festival New Year's Eve Extravaganza in Hale's Palladium 

December 31, 2011
Hale's Palladium - Fremont
4301 Leary Way Northwest, Seattle, WA
Doors open at 7:30 p.m., festivities begin at 8:00 p.m.
Cash Bar (Beer, Wine and Champagne) 
All Ages
$60 for adults
$40 for kids under 12
Purchase tickets through Brown Paper Tickets at:
Or call 1-800-838-3006




Share all the fun, wonder and amazement of the Moisture Festival with friends and family this holiday season.

See our calendar of events for dates and showtimes.
 
1-800-838-3006   


BUY EARLY AND SAVE! Get a 10% discount on tickets to opening week of the Moisture Festival at Hale's Palladium (March 15 - 18), if you purchase on or before February 15. This does not include the matinee benefit for Clowns Without Borders, March 17.

December 7, 2011

Yo-Yos, Bubbles, and Fireflies!

Concocting another fun and magical combination, Moisture Festival welcomes these new and returning artists to the 2012 line up:

The Yo Yo People hold a Guinness World Record, the 2008 Yo-Yo World Champion title, and that's just the beginning of this high energy duos worldwide fame. Performing in over 20 countries, John and Rebecca have made an entire show out of yo-yos. Yo-yos attached to bouncy balls, yo-yos with 10-foot strings, and multiple yo-yos looping while hula hooping and unicycling are just some of their finely tuned feats. Seen on the Late Show with David Letterman, at Walt Disney World, and on Discovery Channel and PBS, this will be their first visit to the Moisture Festival.

Festival favorite Tom Noddy returns this year with his unique brand of Bubble Magic. Tom has done something unique in show business ... he created a new kind of act. Manipulating the simple soap bubble into fantastic creations, Tom has initiated a series of "Bubble Festivals" at science centers across America and now in several European cities (he says that he knows a good bit about the physics of soap films but admits and he's funnier than he is smart). Tom Noddy's Bubble Magic is, of course, a hit with kids but when presented to adult audiences ... well, this is what the New York Times said recently: “The Bubble Guy, Tom Noddy, made his jaded adult audience literally gasp with beautiful constructions made entirely of soap bubbles."

Kamikaze Fireflies pairs Rob Williams (remember the baloney sandwich? yes,the footy one!) with with the delightful and frightening Casey Martin, sometimes billed as Super Spacey Casey. Together they promise to "bludgeon audiences with wit, crush them with whimsey, and tear them a new laugh hole". We can't wait to see what kinds of craziness they have in store for Moisture Festival 2012.

Tickets for all Moisture Festival 2012 events including including our New Year's Eve and Valentine's fundraiser parties are now on sale at Brown Paper Tickets.

November 29, 2011

New at 2012 Moisture Festival: David Deeble, Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, Dana Smith

Each year Moisture Festival invites artists new to the festival to join us to play. The 2012 festival welcomes into our crazy circus tent:

David Deeble's Unnatural Act is a whirlwind display of exotic skills with laugh-out-loud commentary. Dave kicks coins into his eye socket, extinguishes flaming marshmallows with his mouth and - as if that weren't enough - accompanies it all with hilarious asides: "All that talent and I'm also a notary." Best known for his grocery-sack juggling routine on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno", his other t.v. appearances include "America's Got Talent!" and "Last Comic Standing". He also appears regularly at The Comedy & Magic Club and emcees the Palace showroom at The Magic Castle in Hollywood. Dave's engaging style, audience-savvy and intelligent humor spread grease-fire laughter at world-class venues around the world. We can't wait to add Dave's razor-sharp wit and contagious goofiness to Moisture Festival 2012.


Since 1995 the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus has traveled the world, bringing its unique hybrid of Vaudeville, Circus, Wild West Shows, Burlesque, and Sideshow to theaters, clubs, colleges, and festivals. Co-founders Stephanie Monseu and Keith Nelson's personal dedication to the variety arts, circus, vaudeville, sideshow, and burlesque have made the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus famous both among audiences and within the variety performance community. This spring they stop in at Seattle's own Moisture Festival bringing thier own bit of one of the last true touring vaudeville shows in America. Their shows combine traditional circus high wire aerialists, clowns, and juggling with sideshow denizens like swords swallowers, and burlesque dancers. With these basic ingredients, The Bindlestiffs cook up an alchemical brew that promises to enthrall audiences.

Dana Smith has been entertaining the world since 1974 when he landed his first big chance and hit the road with the Royal Lichtenstein Quarter Ring Sidewalk Circus. After a year as a sidekick on that show he decided to trade his second banana status for a real shot at what he describes as the small time. After presenting thousands of urban street shows across all parts of North America he has earned a reputation as one of the most polished performers of this style. His show is a mix of circus arts stunts and interactive audience participation routines all inventively presented by this veteran showman. We are excited to welcome him to the festival!

We have many more new artists to introduce and a host of returning favorites to make 2012 an amazing Moisture Festival year, so stay tuned. We hope to see you there!

November 28, 2011

Critically Acclaimed Tiberio Simone Of La Figa Catering To Provide Moisture Festival New Year's Eve Party Cuisine

The Moisture Festival is honored to announce that La Figa Catering will be providing our New Year's Eve Party's Cuisine.

Tiberio Simone, Owner and chef of La Figa Catering, grew up cooking by the side of his mother and grandmother in Southern Italy. The memory of these wonderful times, the aroma of the divine food and the noises of sizzling oil and pots and pans has stayed with him into his current career as caterer. Many of his specialties are rooted in the cooking of his region and of his two towns, Neviano and Seattle. Simone has been widely recognized for his unique talent of mixing food with eroticism, best illustrated in his critically acclaimed cook book La Figa - Visions of Food and Form.  

Tiberio's food is simple and delicious and colorful, using the best food: fresh local produce, organic ingredients and imported food, all available here in the great Northwest. He is a former Pastry Chef of the Four Season Olympic Hotel in Seattle, and is a James Beard Award winner and award winner of Washington NARAL's Chocolate for Choice. He also donates his time and food to support local community fund-raisers like the Moisture Festival. La Figa Catering provides not just meals, but fabulous events. They believe that good energy and delicious food can contribute to creating a memorable evening.

December 31st - 8:00pm
Hale's Palladium
4301 Leary Way NW
Seattle WA
Admission: $60 Adult / $40 Youth (12 and under)
Buy Tickets

A Unique New Year's Eve Experience - The 2012 The Moisture Festival's New Year's Eve Party And Fund Raiser


All of the proceeds for this 3rd annual fund-raising event go towards the upcoming festival. The evening begins at 8pm with music by swing trio Vic & Nic (including two members of The Bobs). We are securing varietè acts and a live dance band to launch us into 2012. There will be beautiful and always spectacular aerial by Quynbi. We will wave goodbye to 2011, treasure the memories and then champagne will be provided for a midnight toast and additional acts are being added as we write. 

As the count down begins the one and only Godfrey Daniels will throw close to 2,012 big red balloons at 12 o’clock! Joining the party this year will be Chef Tiberio Simone who will create magnificent finger foods for your delight all night. Adults $60, $40 Kids under 12 (do remember this is a significant fund-raising event for the 2012 festival so help us spread the word! We hope to sell out the evening). Prize for the best party hat created from coffee filters. Free party favors provided by Mr. Fine Favors. There will be only 200 tickets available - be sure to act fast.

December 31st - 8:00pm
Hale's Palladium
4301 Leary Way NW (in back behind the brewery)
Seattle WA
Admission: $60 Adult / $40 Youth (12 and under)
Buy Tickets

November 19, 2011

Looking For A Unique Holiday Gift Idea? - Moisture Festival 2012 Tickets on Sale Thanksgiving Day


Comedy/Varietè/Burlesque
March 15 - April 8

You asked and we listened!
 2012 festival tickets went on sale
Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 2011 
Tickets to the Moisture Festival can make great
holiday gifts for people of all ages!
for all shows and events.

Hale's Palladium - March 15 - April 8
Georgetown Ballroom - March 30 - April 1
Broadway Performance Hall - March 23 - April 1
Moisture Festival's Libertease Burlesque (18+)
and varietè (all ages) come to this Capitol Hill
venue for the first time! 
 More yucks! Less bucks!


Buy Early And Save!
Get a 10% discount on tickets to opening week of the Moisture Festival at Hale's Palladium (March 15 - 18), if you purchase on or before February 15. This does not include the matinée benefit for Clowns Without Borders, March 17.
    
And that's not all!
Tickets will also be on sale for two fun-filled
community fund-raising events at Hale's Palladium:

Moisture Festival's New Year's Eve Party
A jam-packed celebration, featuring aerial, varietè, music
for dancing, Chef Tiberio Simone's New Year's Delights
and Godfrey Daniels' Big Red Balloons
when the clock strikes 2012! 
Only 200 tickets available!
$60 adults - $40 kids 12 and under

Moisture Festival Fabulous Fling
Valentine's Fundraising Dance and Auction
Featuring aerial, varietè, Romance Square Dance 
and Chef Tiberio Simone's Food for Love
Friday, Feb. 10, from 7:30 p.m. till your heart gives out!
Only 200 tickets available. All ages.
Adults $40 (approx. $10 tax-deductible).
Kids 12 and under $10.

Visit brownpapertickets.com or call 1-800-838-3006
for all shows and events.
  

New Development Coordinator and Grant Writer Joins Moisture Festival Team

Jeremy Johnsen has joined the Moisture Festival staff in the capacity of Development Coordinator and Grant Writer.

Johnsen’s career has focused on fostering edification through the arts, mastering the management of a non-profit organization and cultivating a versatile skill-set. Through his work as the Executive Director of the Seattle Baroque Orchestra (SBO), he gained intimate knowledge of local and national grantors and government agencies dealing with arts and non-profit businesses. Johnsen also learned to adapt an organization to a down economy through austerity measures which cut costs without compromising quality, the identification and acquisition of new grants, the solicitation of business sponsorships, the formation of mutually beneficial partnerships with other non-profits, effective donor appeal campaigns, compelling marketing campaigns and the successful planning and execution of fundraising events.

Before and concurrent with his work with SBO, Johnsen was curating fine-art exhibits for Viveza Art Experience – monthly in their Belltown gallery and annually at the not-so-aptly-named Art Basel Miami.

Break a leg Jeremy!

November 17, 2011

Moisture Festival Comes to Capitol Hill!

Hey Capitol Hill! Ready or not here we come.

Moisture Festival finally makes it to Broadway! Yes it’s true. Our 2012 festival will make itself comfy in the fabulous Broadway Performance Hall for two electrifying and thrill packed weekends of burlesque and varietè shows. We couldn’t be more excited about expanding our festival into such a vibrant and energetic neighborhood.

We will be serving up eight performances of our signature Libertease Burlesque shows on March 23, 24, 30, 31 at 7:30pm and 10:30pm on each of those nights.

We will also offer two opportunities to bring the whole family and experience the whacky merriment that comprises our varietè performances on two Sundays, March 25 and April 1, at 3:00pm.

Please join us as we initiate Capitol Hill into our growing Moisture Festival family. Stay tuned for more details.

-Rhonda Sable
Director of Smooth Operations

Tickets for all Moisture Festival events including Libertease on Capitol Hill will go on sale on November 24th via Brown Paper Tickets.

November 14, 2011

'Look Out Behind You!' - Seattle's New Holiday Tradition British Panto Returns To Hales Palladium With Peter Pan

The panto has become a Northwest holiday tradition and something that both adults and kids love. British Panto by definition is: "theatrical entertainment, mainly for children, that involves music, topical jokes, and slapstick comedy and is based on a fairy tale or nursery story, usually produced around Christmas".

The Panto is brought to you by the Fremont Players and the Fremont Philharmonic Orchestra. The family friendly rip-roaringly fun performance of Peter Pan opens December 10h and 11th  and continues December 17,18 at Hales Palladium. There are also 2 weekends of performances in January  on the 7th and 8th and 14th and 15th. Get your tickets early.


November 9, 2011

Want 2012 Festival Tickets?

By popular demand Moisture Festival tickets will be available early this year! Stay tuned in the next few weeks as we ramp up to begin offering tickets for ALL our shows on November 24th. Yes, after consuming all that turkey, tofurkey, turducken, or whatever your pleasure, log onto Brown Paper Tickets and get first dibs on all 2012 Moisture Festival tickets.



Photo: Danny O'Brien
This includes our regular season running March 15th through April 8th of awe inspring and laugh inducing comedy/variete shows as well as two weekends of our tantalizing and seductive burlesque shows. While we won't have the performer's schedules posted until closer to the festival, you know if you have attended before that each show is a unique showcase of talent you can't find anywhere else.




In addition, Moisture Festival will present two special event fundraisers prior the the festival. Join us New Year's Eve to ring in 2012 with friends, Moisture family, and an extravaganza of vaudevillian proportions! Return in February for a intimate evening soiree and auction to celebrate Valentine's day and kick off the final countdown to the festival.

Stay tuned for all the details on these two special events. You won't want to miss these unique evenings!

So go out, crunch some fall leaves, and next time you open that umbrella remember that Moisture is back!

October 21, 2011

Hot Tip from Moisture Festival’s Director of Smooth Operations

In addition to being Moisture Festival’s Director of Smooth Operations I also spend a few months each year as The Seattle International Film Festival’s (SIFF) Guest Relations Manager. As many of you know, SIFF is quite an awesome festival. During SIFF this past spring I saw a film that is about to open here in Seattle, on November 4 at the Varsity Theatre. Being Elmo is an extraordinary film about a very remarkable man and I really think our Moisture Festival Fans will love it so I’m passing along the tip. The film is a documentary about Kevin Clash, who has been the Muppeteer behind Elmo (Yes, Elmo who lives on Sesame Street) for over 30 years. His story is heartwarming, funny and inspiring with lots of great behind the scenes moments into Jim Henson’s one-of-a-kind world. As one review said “ A touching and beautiful story that proves that good things do happen to good people”. Well it really touched me and below is the photo to prove it! (Yes. Elmo and his sidekick, Kevin, actually attended the SIFF screening.) Go see this film. You’ll leave with that Moisture Festival grin spread wide across your face! Check out this link to find out more http://beingelmo.com

- Rhonda

October 20, 2011

Moisture Festival Aerial Stars Duo Rose Trapeze Win Critics Choice Award And Acclaim In Italy


"It was a fantastic experience participating in the 13th international Circus Festival Circo Latina this October. We greatly enjoyed our time in Latina and are honored to receive the Ciritics Choice Award and the Kobzov Circus Special Prize."
Duo Rose have delighted Moisture Festival audiences the last several years and we are working to confirm their participation in the 2012 festival. Stay tuned.

October 12, 2011

Ninja Dudes! NANDA in Seattle

NANDA wants to extend an invitation to all Moisture Festival Friends, Family & Fans for Two for One Tickets to this Friday & Sunday Night Show at Broadway Performance Hall - 8pm. I saw the show last Friday night and was blown away. I think you'll feel the same way and I know they want everyone in the community to see what they have accomplished - combined with great lights and sound... so please take advantage of this two for one offer. You'll be glad you did and you will see some favorite routines and lots of new material that will give you a good deep laugh.
-Ron Bailey

PLUS your friends of the Moisture Festival will be bartending at the shows all weekend long! (and next weekend too). Stop by and say hi! We'll be serving frosty pints of Hale's best as well as wine and non alcoholic beverages as well. Hope to see you there!

Here's how to get your Two For One tickets:
1. Go to www.thejacketshow.com
2. Click "BUY TICKETS"
3. Choose October 14th or 16th
4. Use the promo code "ninjadude"

The Jacket from Nanda on Vimeo.

July 29, 2011

Moisture Festival Performer Michael Carbonaro Appears On Tonight Show

Moisture Festival performer Michael Carbonaro, who thrilled audiences with his unique "shaving cream man" routine at the 2011 festival, appeared on the tonight show with Jay Leno last night. This time Michael uses a candid camera and his magic skills to have some fun with unsuspecting convenience stores customers in a bit called Magic Clerk. The bit begins at 12 minutes on the video right after Jay's monologue.

July 26, 2011

Moisture Festival's Bubble Master Tom Noddy Will Appear On BBC2 Science Program The Code

Tom was a guest on the new BBC2 television program The Code showing some bubbles and talking about some of the mathematical principles at work. The show airs on August 3.

The Code is a three-part TV series about maths in the natural world, presented by Marcus du Sautoy. Why do bees make hexagonal honeycomb? Where’s the best place to stand to get on a train first? How can dozens of wrong answers make a correct one? Join Marcus on an exciting journey to discover how maths shapes the world around us



June 5, 2011

Moisture Festival Burlesque Star Miss Indigo Blue Named Reigning Queen of Burlesque 2011 At 54th Annual Reunion In Las Vegas

Well of course she is... and it serves as evidence that the Moisture Festival is privileged to features some of the most talented comedy variete' and burlesque performers in the world. Moisture Festival artists certainly don't perform for the money we pay. Their goal is to promote and build comedy variete' and burlesque performance as the genuine art form that it is in our local community and internationally.

The annual reunion in Las Vegas is one of the most prodigious gatherings of burlesque performers and supporters on earth. Miss Indigo Blue has been a star of the Moisture Festival forever it seems, and we are thrill that she is continuing to receive the recognition she deserves from the international burlesque community of performers and fans of the genre. Lily Verlaine "the living breathing work of art" and Moisture Festival star was named second runner up...

Miss Indigo Blue Reigning Queen Of Burlesque 2011
via: burlesque seattle press

June 3, 2011

Moisture Festival Performer Frank Olivier Stars On America's Got Talent Season Premier

Moisture Festival Fans know Frank Olivier well based on his many years as a regular performer in our annual festival. Now Frank is one of the stars of the 2011 season of America's Got Talent on NBC. The celebrity panel deemed Frank's act a winner and he will continue in the competition when it moves on to Las Vegas. Here is a short clip of Frank's winning performance where Howie Mandel reluctantly volunteers as his assistant while Frank juggles torches astride the high unicycle. 

May 1, 2011

Tom Noddy's Birthday Celebration 2011

It's a old tradition in vaudeville to be pied in the face on your birthday.

April 10, 2011

It's Been A Magical Moisture Festival 2011

Crowds were dazzled by acts from around the world. 1000 shifts were filled by spirited volunteers. Bananas, pancakes, and children were juggled. A patron exited the show to give birth. Seriously.

55 shows, 4 weeks, 5 venues and now here we are at Closing Night. Thanks to our amazing team of volunteers our marvelous sponsors, our supporters and our fans. 
Your incredible!


April 7, 2011

Moisture Festival Performer Interviews: Christopher Phi

Born in and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Christopher Phi began theater and gymnastics at the age of 10. He competed in power tumbling throughout high school, twice becoming national champion. Attending Notre Dame de Namur University on a musical theater scholarship, Christopher performed in various musicals and plays as well as trained vigorously in different circus disciplines and dance. Christopher moved to Las Vegas in April of 2005 when he was hired for Franco Dragone’s “Le Reve”, a show at the Wynn Resort in which he performed as a handbalancer, contortionist, aerialist, and dancer for over 5 years. He has been contracted by “Cirque du Soleil” and has frequently appeared on television, most recently the Latin Grammy’s 2009 and a Brandon Flowers music video. Recently returned to the bay area, Christopher enjoys teaching pilates, performing in various corporate events and shows, studying languages, and spending time with his family and friends.


Moisture Festival Performer Interviews: Aerialist Helena Reynolds

From our performer lounge interview series at Hales Brew Pub.

A contemporary dancer aerialist and fitness teacher, Helena Reynolds graduated from North Carolina School of the Arts with a BFA. She performs in the air sometimes with a partner and even with a group (Aloft, a noted Chicago performance collective). Helena is now concentrating on silks, trapeze, and lyra. Moisture Festival is happy to welcome her for the first time this year. Note: Helena performs on Vashon Island Friday at 7:30pm and Saturday at 3pm and 7:30pm at the Open Space for Arts and Community

Moisture Festival Performer Interviews: Karen Quest Cowgirl Rope Tricks & Hilby The Skinny German Juggle Boy

From our performer lounge series of interviews at Hale Brew Pub.

As a boy growing up in Berlin, young Hilby exhibited no particular talents other than making funny faces at strangers and, as Hilby himself describes it, "breezing rhythmically." When people began to call him a grown-up he packed up his old kit bag, gave his mom a big kiss on the cheek, and set out on a journey that was to lead him all over the world. Hilby traveled across the European continent to Asia. One of the talents he learned along the way was juggling and from that day forward his social life took a distinct downward turn as countless weeks went by during which he wouldn't listen to anybody but his own inner voice saying, "Come on Hilby, you can do it!" Hilby perfected his art on the road--from his first performance on the famous Islamabad Friday Market to Lhasa, Tibet, from Calcutta to Bangkok,

Born in St. Louis, Missouri Karen Quest was raised in Studio City, California, it surprises no one more than herself that after the 13-year college plan, odd jobs too numerous to mention and a foray into circus life, Karen has been blazing a trail with her one-woman Vaudeville-style comedy Western act, "Cowgirl Tricks". Karen trained at the Dell' Arte School of Physical Theater, Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Clown College and The San Francisco School of Circus Arts, where she is also an instructor.

Moisture Festival Performer Frank Olivier Juggles 1.8 Million Volts Of Stunguns While Riding High Unicycle In Seattle Times Video

Frank Olivier can be seen at the Moisture Festival on Vashon Island this Saturday in shows at 3pm and 7:30pm.  Frank developed his unique offbeat brand of humor in San Francisco's comedy clubs. He was soon sharing the bill with Dana Carvey, Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, and others. New York producers spotted his talents, and quickly signed him. He performed his act for the next three years in the Broadway hit show 'Sugar Babies'. Olivier has a growing number of television appearances including The Tonight Show, Comic Strip Live, and shows for PBS, HBO, BBC, Disney and more. He also headlines Las Vegas, comedy and theater festivals, and performs countless corporate shows.

Moisture Festival Performer Wang Hong Featured in Seattle Times Video

The amazing Chinese antipodis (foot balancer) Wang Hong can be seen this weekend at the Moisture Festival Shows on Vashon Island at the Open Space for Arts and Community. Tickets are available on line or at the box office one hour before the show. Wang Hong’s name translates into English as “rainbow” and the spectrum of talents that she employs in her performance are as beautiful and delicate as that ephemeral play of light. She was raised in the cold, far northeast province of Jain on China’s border with the Soviet Union. At 10 years of age she started training as a gymnast but began her performance career as a dancer. She worked in North America with the famed Tandy Beal Dance Theater company and the New Pickle Circus under Tandy's direction and with the Cirque du Soleil.

Moisture Festival Performer Interviews: Avner The Eccentric

Avner Eisenberg was one a handful of 1970s street performers who took their acts into theaters and, along with the Flying Karamazov Brothers and others, gave birth to the New Vaudeville movement. Even in those early days, this Georgia-born clown was recognized by other performers as wise beyond his years. He helped them to consider what it was they were doing onstage and how they went about doing it. After obtaining a BA degree in theater at the University of Washington in 1971 he took further training with Jacques Lecoq in Paris and then with Carlo Mazzone Clementi in California. Avner acknowledges a debt to these two masters who helped to give him direction: “Lecoq, taught me everything I know and Carlo taught me the rest” and he repaid that debt by doing the same for many of us for many years. Along with top theater credits (his one-man show was a hit of the 1984-85 Broadway season and was followed by rave reviews as he toured America and European theaters), the big screen (he co-starred with Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, and Danny Divito in the film Jewel of the Nile) and small screen (many TV shows worldwide) Avner was recently inducted into the International Clown Hall of Fame. You can see Avner at Hales Palladium on April 7th, 8th and 10th and on Vashon Island at the Open Space for Arts and Community April 9th

April 5, 2011

Moisture Festival Producer Interview: Festival Founder Ron W. Bailey

There are many people whose hard work and creativity makes the Moisture Festival happen but there is one without whom it wouldn't have been an option. Ron W. Bailey is an entertainer, band leader, singer, songwriter, and a Maker. He makes things happen. His visit to one of Berlin's two Comedy/Varietè festivals in the 1990s inspired the Moisture Festival's creation and unique contribution to Seattle's musical and theatrical landscape.

April 4, 2011

Seattle Channel Profiles Artist Bill Robison

Seattle's own Nancy Guppy gets up close and personal with physical comedian Bill Robison on ArtZone with Nancy Guppy. Catch Bill's last show at this year's Moisture Festival on April 8th at Open Space on Vashon Island.

April 3, 2011

Moisture Festival Billboards Or Are They Virtual Public Works Of Art You Decide

It's a bird it's a plane, it's a 50 foot tall Indigo Blue and Frank Olivier. See Frank Olivier at the Vashon Open April 8th and 9th. Thank you ClearChannel and Duo Rose, Indigo Blue and Frank Olivier for being so photogenic and Ron W. Bailey design.






Moisture Festival Performer Interviews: The Porcelain Promenade

A nouveau burlesque act based in Seattle an created by and featuring Evilyn Sin Claire and Belle Cozette. The soothing sounds of a waltz begin to delight the ear. Lights raise softly and two elegant women in shimmering dressing gowns glide onto the stage. But what is it they are dancing with? Why, it's glittering, rhinestoned thrones they waltz with. Or is it? As the lights come full on, and the fine ladies spin and twirl towards the audience, we see the truth...their dancing partners are bejeweled commodes.

Moisture Festival Performer Interviews: The Fantastic Cabaret Superstar Vocalist Lady Rizo



Though it is rumored that she is the product of a night of unrestrained indulgence between Peggy Lee, Mel Brooks, Nina Simone, Dean Martin and Janis Joplin the truth is Lady Rizo was raised by theatrical gypsies with the highest show business ethics. When she almost looked of age she rebelled against the unscrubbed rustic life and set out for a world of metropolitan sophisticates. The 'Cabaret Superstar' (New York Magazine) exploded on to the New York stage with a powerful voice and stage charisma that has made audiences take note. The chantuese and commedienne revives the cabaret genre by creating vintage arrangements of pop songs of 80s, 90s and today. Lady Rizo (nee Amelia Zirin-Brown) co-created the cult caburlesque spectacular Lady Rizo and the Assettes in 2005. In January 2010 she won her first Grammy on a duet with acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

April 2, 2011

Moisture Festival Audience Reviews: Georgetown Shows Rock

Moisture Festival Audience Reviews: Heavy On the Like Button

An audience member at Georgetown show last night. Okay they think we're swell, and we have the best audience in Seattle.Go wild why don't you!

Moisture Festival Performer Interviews: Juggler Extraordinaire Luke Wilson

Luke Wilson shows that it is possible to redefine juggling without sacrificing technique.Whether manipulating 1 club or 5, using hands, feet or face; his juggling is laid-back yet dynamic, understated but surprising. The musicality of his juggling is underscored by a virtuous piano soundtrack: starting radically modern and ending on a classical high note. In his performance the music is an equal partner to the performer.

Moisture Festival Performer Interviews: Two Members Of the Splinter Dance Group

Splinter Dance Company's mission is to extend thought-provoking dance performances to a broad range of audiences; making dance accessible to the public using site-specific work as well as maintaining artistically current theatrical works for paying audiences. Our work is technical, diverse, and interactive. As dancers and human beings, we aim to splinter the perception of everyday life and provide the viewer with dance that questions the scope of each human's experiences.

Moisture Festival Performer Interviews: German Comedy Variete' Legend Hacki GInda

Hacki was living in West Berlin on the day that the Berlin Wall came down. He went, that day, into the East looking for a place to open a Varieté theater. Working with partners he created there what many performers agree was the heartbeat of the revival of this form of entertainment. His inventions, innovations and insanity helped to attract a younger audience to witness these ancient arts. As the genius clown at the center of the scene he elevated laughter to its proper place in the scheme of things. We are so proud to have him return to the festival that he helped inspire and then helped us to build.

April 1, 2011

Moisture Festival Photographers Take Fabulous Photos

2011 Moisture Festival Photographers John Cornicello, Michelle Bates, and Mark Gardiner talk about their experiences covering the festival.

Moisture Festival Performer Interviews: Trixie Little and the Evil Hate Monkey

Baltimore's Trixie Little and The Evil Hate Monkey are an award-winning, acrobatic burlesque superduo who have been making fun sexy and sexy fun since 2002. Described as "smart, funny and dumb in all the best ways", this talented twosome has flipped-n-stripped on "The Gong Show with Dave Attel," have opened for John Waters, are the winners of the 2006 Exotic World Best Burlesque Duo trophy and are regular late night fixtures in New York City, Baltimore and beyond.