It’s rather ridiculous to have rapper Kanye West, author Chuck Palahniuk, a film festival, and a roller derby competition in close proximity to one other. Even so, Seattle’s annual Bumbershoot Festival, normally a four-day affair, will see if they can cram this mass of pop culture into Labor Day weekend (September 2-4) at the Seattle Center. On the festival’s first day, improv comedy group Upright Citizen’s Brigade will present a live version of VH1’s celebrity gossip show Best Week Ever and a discussion of Chapters 6-12 of R. Kelly’s masterpiece Trapped in the Closet. Local and national artists will be on the music stage, ranging from Ted Leo-esque Seattle natives Speaker Speaker to veterans like Blondie and Steve Miller Band. This year also sees many firsts, including the Seattle International Film Festival-curated 1 Reel Film festival and even a flat track roller derby.

bumbershoot.org