Starting on Saturday September 4, the annual Seattle music and arts festival Bumbershoot will be entering its 40^th year. Established in 1971, the festival extends over a three-day period during Labor Day Weekend and is packed with seven music stages, as well as a plethora of other entertainment including theatre, dance, comedy, literary arts and visual arts.

This year Bumbershoot has attracted some of the most prestigious names in the music business to its main stage, including Bob Dylan, Rise Against, Weezer and Mary J. Bilge. A buzz about the event has already spread throughout Seattle, from the local publications and blogsphere, to the coffee shops and bus stops.

The festival takes place at the Seattle Center next to the Space Needle, a gentrified area in Lower Queen Anne, just north of the downtown. The ticket pricing is highly varied depending on customer preference, ranging from a $22 single day ‘economy’ pass, to a $450 three-day ‘Platinum pass’*.

Generalizing the type or genre of music that Bumbershoot offers would be an effort in futility; the amassed 112 groups and musicians are so diverse that there truly is something for everyone. One undeniable facet of the festival is that it is home to not just internationally renowned names, but also a plethora of Northwest talent.

A large number of carry-overs from the recently concluded Capitol Hill Block Party will be performing, including The Redwood Plan, Victor Shade, Fresh Espresso and the Maldives. Other regional acts range from the nationally recognized Idiot Pilot, to the School of Rock All Stars (hand-picked students from the Seattle School of Rock, from ages 8-18).

Approximately 80% of the music performances will be Northwest in origin, however bands coming out of the East coast, deep south and mid-west (with varying degrees of fame) are occasional features on the bill. Particularly compelling performances include Hip-hop artist Jay Electronica out of New Orleans and folksy blue-grass Trampled by Turtles out of Minnesota

Some international performers/bands will also be on stage, such as Civil Twilight from South Africa (at least it’s not Die Antwoord), the British-based Pete Molinari, Icelandic Lay Low, The Raveonettes from Denmark, and Canadian-based metal/thrash band Anvil. Veteran powerhouses that have spent decades upon decades performing, creating, and being honored will show up, from harmonica player James Cotton who has been performing for over 66 years, to Booker T the legend of Blues, to even Solomon Burke who has seen his songs covered throughout the decades, notably by the Rolling Stones.

*For more information on festival tickets and to order yours click here. To see the full schedule of music performances check here.