Overview
Bumbershoot '95
Official Poster Artwork by Robynne Raye of Modern Dog Design Company
By 1995, Bumbershoot had become one of the most recognizable cultural events in the Pacific Northwest, a Labor Day tradition that reflected both Seattle’s creative spirit and its growing national profile.
Produced by One Reel, the festival continued transforming Seattle Center into a dense landscape of music, dance, theater, film, literary arts, and visual art. More than two decades after its beginnings as Festival ’71, Bumbershoot had refined a formula that few other festivals attempted: a truly multidisciplinary experience where audiences could encounter multiple art forms within the same afternoon.
The mid-1990s were also a time of rapid change for Seattle. The city’s music scene, technology industry, and cultural institutions were gaining international attention. Bumbershoot mirrored that energy, bringing nationally recognized performers to Seattle Center while continuing to champion regional artists and experimental work.
What made Bumbershoot distinctive during this era was its openness. While music drew large crowds, the festival remained committed to the idea that all forms of creativity belonged under the same umbrella.
By 1995, Bumbershoot had firmly established itself not only as a major arts festival but also as a cultural gathering that helped define Seattle’s creative identity, a place where artists, audiences, and communities came together each year to celebrate the city’s evolving artistic landscape.
Bumbershoot 1995's line up included: 10,000 Maniacs / Abraham Rodriguez Jr. / Ani DiFranco / Ann Rule / Beausoleil / Bela Fleck & the Flecktones / Bottle Rockets / Boukman Eksperyans / Chris Duarte / Chrystos – The Tribute / Danny Hoch / David Wilcox / Del Amitri / Diane DiPrima / Donovan / Dr. John / Evelyn Lau / Exene Cervenka / Greg Brown / Intiman Theatre presents Nine Armenians / Iris DeMent / J.A. Jance / Jim Carroll / Jimi Hendrix Tribute Concert starring: Abraxas, Geaorge Clinton and the P-Funk All-Stars with Parliament & Funkadelic, Noel Redding, Buddy Miles, Billy Cox, John McLaughlin, Narada Michael Walden, Stanley Jordan, Vernon Reid, Jerry Cantrell, Mike McCready, Chris Duarte, Eric Gales, Little “Jimmy” King, Juma Sultan, Junior Brown, Clarence CLemons, Randy Hansen, Eric Burdon and the winner of the Voodoo Chile Award. / Jimmie Dale Gilmore / Joan Osborne / Jonathan Richman / Kronos Quartet / Lorenzo Pickle / Los Lobos / Lucinda Williams / Maceo Parker / Mae Moore / Marcia Ball / Mel Torme / Michelle Shocked w/members of the Hothouse Flowers / Michelle T. Clinton / Mudhoney / Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas / Obo Addy’s Okropong / Ottoman Bigwigs / Patti Smith / Peter Himmelman / Reverend Horton Heat / Richard Thompson / Roger McGuinn / Rory Block / Rory Block / Seattle Slam / Shawn Wong / The Caulfields / The Gap Band / The Ramones / The Robert Cray Band / The Warped Tour starring: Quicksand, L7, Sublime, No Use For a Name, No Doubt, Orange 9mm, Fluf, Civ, Wizo, Supernova and Good Riddance / Tobias Wolff / Tracy Nelson
