Honk Fest West, the annual convergence of mobile, ruckus-making musicians, will return in May, including a May 14 stop at Gas Works Park here in Wallingford (the day prior, they’ll be banging it up down in Georgetown and the day following they’ll clatter their way to the Seattle Center).
Where do you suppose travelling marching bands stay when they visit Seattle? Do you imagine that people who construct their percussion section out of 5-gallon buckets and used car parts rent out a suite at the W? Perhaps you were thinking that people who wrap their tubas in duct tape for transport take up a floor at The Edgewater?
You would be mistaken. No, these meandering marchers depend on the kindness of strangers. You can be that stranger. Host a Honker! If you’ve got a spare room or three to put up visiting musicians, you will be forever endearing yourself to the arts, and, while your donation will probably not qualify for a tax write-off, the IRS of our heart will issue you a huge refund.
Specifically, Honkfest Housing Coordinator Barbara Hubers-Drake tells us that they are looking for homes for members of The Carnival Band from Vancouver, BC, ideally in the vicinity of 41st and Woodlawn, but honkers can’t be choosers.
Seriously, it’s fun. We lucked out the last few years by having Yellow Hat Band members and Honk Hosts for neighbors. We offered up our empty basement to a crew and enjoyed some great conversation and the best backyard party we’ve seen in a while (one advantage of acoustic instruments like tubas, drums and violins is that they’re safe to take in a hot tub!)
Contact Barbara at [email protected] if you’re game.
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