We recovered from our circus-on-concrete extravaganza and did some sightseeing at the Pike Place Market. We went to see Just Add Water at the School for Acrobatics and New [...]]]> Tara, Molly, and Victoria have had an excellent week in Seattle following the Fremont Solstice Parade! (See the latest pictures of Interrobang’s various gigs and adventures on Flickr.)

We recovered from our circus-on-concrete extravaganza and did some sightseeing at the Pike Place Market. We went to see Just Add Water at the School for Acrobatics and New Circus Arts, a new collaborative show put together by seven young circus professionals who did a short summer residency at SANCA. (It was a thoroughly enjoyable show, though some parts were more polished than others.) We stayed with many different friends (thanks to Allison, Marple, Erica, and Bryan!), practicing our juggling and enjoying the well-earned break from long-distance biking. And to top it all off, all week the weather has been gorgeous – sunny and warm!

On Saturday we joined in the fun at Artopia in Georgetown, juggling in a procession with our friends the Titanium Sporkestra and the Harlequin Hipsters, witnessing the absurdity and destruction of the Hazard Factory’s power tool races, wandering the market stalls, and catching several acts by various configurations of SANCA’s three youth performance troupes. The night closed out with a rather hectic marching band & fire-dancing blowout on the street!

On Sunday we met up with Lindsay and Kristian in Kirkland for a family barbeque, where we showed off our choreographed acts for our hosts. Next: Port Townsend for Fourth of July weekend, our last major leg of the tour! (Plus, for a few days we have the pleasure of a guest member, our friend Juliana who’s joining us from Oakland, CA.)

Once upon a time, there were two girls. These two girls (let’s call them Tara and Victoria) were crowded closely together looking at pictures of bikes online, looking for one that would carry them [...]]]> Come dear readers, gather close as I tell you an epic tale of one bike’s journey to the edge of the universe.

Once upon a time, there were two girls. These two girls (let’s call them Tara and Victoria) were crowded closely together looking at pictures of bikes online, looking for one that would carry them both as they embarked on a wonderous tour in western Washington. As they debated the benefits of each bike, suddenly they found the perfect bike. It gleamed red and was perfect in size and price, so without hesitation, they snatched up that perfect bike.

For two months they biked happily in tandem, enjoying the breeze and company of another person close by. Time flew, its hair blowing in the wind. Soon, the time of the tour arrived, and in a frantic flurry, the two had suddenly graduated. Tara sent their “Sweet Ride” on its way through Greyhound Package Express. It was far cheaper than mailing the bike by either post or taking it on the plane, and promised to arrive at their destination in three (yes! three!) days. Though unbelievable, Tara accepted this good luck graciously and sent off the bike whispering, “We’ll see you soon, Sweet Ride.” It gleamed lovingly back as if to say, “I’ll miss you every minute I’m gone.”

And so, the two girls found themselves in Washington and eagerly called the local Greyhound to see if their dear friend had arrived. Alas, it hadn’t. Surely, the girls thought to themselves, surely Sweet Ride will be here soon. Every day the girls thought this before laying their heads down to sleep. Surely, surely Sweet Ride will be here soon.

However, the days skated by without a care for the absence of Tara and Victoria’s dear friend. After calling so often, the girls began to instantly recognize the voice of the wonderful woman, Leah, who works at Greyhound. And every day, Leah would sadly inform the girls that their red bike friend was nowhere to be found.

After a week, the girls called in to put a tracer on their friend, to see if any other stations had seen Sweet Ride. Alas, no response.

It was one perfectly normal day, as normal days go. The sun shone, peeking out between clouds. The troupe had just put together a few acts and since it was two and a half weeks from sending their bike on its journey, Victoria called once more in final resignation.

“Hi Leah,” Victoria said. “I know our tandem isn’t here yet, and so I’m calling to put a claim on it.” Leah completely understood and told us how we could come in tomorrow to pick up the necessary paperwork. Tara and Victoria hung their heads sadly, with the sad thought that they’d never again see their bike. If only they hadn’t taken their time with Sweet Ride for granted, they thought. If only we could have one last ride.

But a beautiful thing happened! Tara’s phone rang quite suddenly. They both looked at the screen. “Greyhound Xpress,” it read.

“Hello?” Tara breathlessly answered, barely daring to hope.

“Is this Tara?” Leah asked coyly.

“Yes…yes, this is Tara….” The silence stretched on for three lifetimes.

“I have a tandem bicycle here for you!”

Indeed! Their Sweet Ride, their beloved bike had arrived! The sun blasted out from behind its cloud cover and a joyful chorus rose around them as Tara and Victoria grinned at each other.

And that, good friends and readers, is how the tandem came to Washington. Tara, Molly, and Victoria will be leaving Port Townsend tomorrow to head back to Everett to pick up Sweet Ride and soon head off to Bellingham.

I can’t help but wonder: will Sweet Ride reveal the secrets of its journey? Or will it silently keep the memories of Miami beaches, New Orleans jazz and the wide open skies of Montana? Who knows? If any of its stories should slip out, Tara and I will be sure to tell you. But for now, rest assured that it is finally here.

Today, despite a short downpour we did a 35 mile bike trek mostly along [...]]]> Victoria and I have joined Molly in Seattle! While awaiting the arrival of our tandem (which is making its way across the country via Greyhound Package Express and should be here soon!), we’ve been going on bike rides on Molly’s family’s bikes.

Today, despite a short downpour we did a 35 mile bike trek mostly along the gorgeous Burke-Gilman Trail, from Molly’s house just outside Seattle all the way in to Seattle Center. There, where we jaunted around the Folklife festival, enjoying great folk music and street performers, contradancing, and playing with newfound fellow circus folk. Lots of fun despite the gloomy weather.

Tara and Luke juggle at Folklife.

Now we’re staying with a lovely bearded man, Bryan, in Georgetown, in a little house with its own bike rack out front. He’s involved with Alleycat Acres, an urban farming collective that “transforms vacant spaces to create a network of sustainable urban farms that reconnect people to food while helping to increase food security on a community level.” So, he’s awesome. And he’s letting us stay on his couch(es)!

Victoria and Tara do acro at Folklife.

]]> http://downsideupcircus.org/wordpress/2010/05/gearing-up-in-seattle/feed/ 0 http://downsideupcircus.org/wordpress/2009/08/big-wheel-keep-on-turning/ http://downsideupcircus.org/wordpress/2009/08/big-wheel-keep-on-turning/#comments Mon, 03 Aug 2009 16:03:57 +0000 Victoria http://downsideupcircus.org/wordpress/?p=170 Hello world! Speaking as an integral part of Downside Up, we’re positively oscillating with excitement! These days we’re jumping by leaps and bounds so that we can start bringing you all sorts of entertainment and goodies.

To start with, our spectacular parent organization The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus has been helping us sort out some logistical nitty gritty.  [...]]]> Hello world!
Speaking as an integral part of Downside Up, we’re positively oscillating with excitement! These days we’re jumping by leaps and bounds so that we can start bringing you all sorts of entertainment and goodies.

To start with, our spectacular parent organization The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus has been helping us sort out some logistical nitty gritty.  They are a non-profit organization committed to keeping alive the history, knowledge and love of vaudeville, sideshows, and other related circus arts. By taking us in under their wing, they have been an integral part of helping us bring this brain-child of a troupe into existence!

As of late, a lot of our energy has been going into planning our six week bike tour. INTERROBANG will be traveling from late May-June 2010, looping the Puget Sound region of western Washington state. With a core troupe of six (Tara, Molly, Victoria, Lindsay, Corvus, and Kristian) plus a rotating guest, we will be street performing, cycling, workshopping, camping, playing, and exploring.

In order to accomplish this feat we’re busy applying for grants, the most recent of which was the CLIF Bar Family Foundation. We’re hoping to operate on a $5,000 budget which includes:

+ travel expenses for troupe members on the East Coast to get to the West Coast
+ bikes, trailers, and the tools and equipment to repair them on the road
+ camping equipment
+ touring expenses (food, cost of campsites)

In addition to applying for grants, Downside Up will be performing small gigs and street performances throughout the next 9 months to raise money and awareness about our upcoming tour. (We’ll be sure to post up what we’re doing and when we’re doing it if you’d like to come out and see us!) And of course, we’re always accepting personal donations. Every little bit helps. In the meantime, we’re all keeping the spirit of circus alive by playing every chance we get!