The Moisture Festival, which first sprouted in Fremont, continues its tradition of variety entertainment through April 13 at the Broadway Performance Hall. Though it moved from its longtime home at Hale’s Palladium in 2023, the festival maintains the creative spirit that began in a Fremont tent back in 2004.
According to the Moisture Festival’s website, “The seeds for the festival were planted at the Oregon Country Fair, and the vaudeville/circus/music/burlesque scene in Seattle added the Moisture that made it grow.”
Maque DaVis of Cirque de Flambe, an early organizer of the Fremont Solstice Parade and creator of “Trolloween,” joined forces with Ron W. Bailey to bring acts from the Oregon County Fair to Seattle. (Maque DaVis of Cirque de Flambe is the ex-President for Life of the Fremont Arts Council.) To produce the festival, they roped in Tim Furst, also known as Fyodor Karamazov of The Flying Karamazov Brothers, Sandy Palmer, and Simon Neale of the Fremont Players.
“In 2004, with the help of Fremonstor Theatrical, Du Caniveaux and the contributions of many artists and sponsors, they created “The Moisture Festival” to bring comedy/variety to the center of the universe and the greater Seattle area,” according to the website.
This unique festival showcases a rotating lineup of performers including jugglers, acrobats, comedians, and aerialists. Each act runs 3-15 minutes and is accompanied by a live band, creating a fast-paced, entertaining show that changes weekly.
“Frisky Fridays” offer adult-only performances that include burlesque elements (use code “FRISKY” for half-price late shows at 10:45 PM). The festival also offers “Pay-What-You-Can” showtimes starting at just $10.
Though it may have relocated from Fremont, the Moisture Festival continues to embody the neighborhood’s artistic community values, including its unique performer “share” system that ensures all artists are paid equally regardless of which show they perform in.
We hope that the Moisture Festival will someday return to Fremont. Share your favorite Moisture Festival memories in the comments below!
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