City Arts Fest: Big Boi, She & Him, Gogol Bordello, Belle and Sebastian, Oct. 20 to 23

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From the department of "reasons to call in sick for a week," the first annual City Arts Fest is another reason we're in for a stellar Rocktober. Among the highlights is She & Him's Oct. 23 set at the 5th Avenue Theatre. There aren't enough pop shows at 5th Ave, but it's a gorgeous space that seems to be a perfect venue for an arts and pop fest such as this. The festival is being overseen/booked by creative directors Steven Severin (co-owner of Neumos) and Michael Hebb (of crockone pot fame).

Upon first glance, it's hard to see how 30 shows across 18 venues and four days constitutes a "festival" and not just a killer week living under one umbrella, but considering that $60 can get you through the door for as many shows as you want ties the festival bit up nicely, and is certainly an occasion. The $60 wristband entitles you to reserve a spot at one of the headlining sets -- like Big Boi at Showbox Sodo on Oct. 23 -- and as many shows as you can cram into before they call the fire marshal. The $125 wristband guarantees you access to everything. Wristband sales start on Saturday, and single-show tickets start August 28.

In addition to musical acts, the festival includes a photo show from Chase Jarvis ("Seattle 100: Portrait of a City"), a chat with playwright Theresa Rebeckand, and a performance of Guys and Dolls complete with indie rockers and burlesque dancers.

Damn. More info at CityArtsFest.com, and most bands booked to date after the jump.

Note: Belle and Sebastian's playing Benaroya Hall, not 5th Avenue Theatre, as was originally reported.

Bands so far include:

Belle and Sebastian, Blue Scholars, She and Him, Gogol Bordello, Big Boi, Blitzen Trapper, The Vaselines, Roky Erickson, Brother Ali, Foals, James Carter & John Medeski, Dum Dum Girls, Macklemore with Ryan Lewis, The Weepies, Chase Jarvis' Seattle 100 Project, Fresh Espresso, Pat Graney Company's Triptych, The Maldives, Alloy Orchestra Scores Metropolis at SIFF, DBR Featuring Emeline Michel, Sera Cahoone, Atomic Bombshells Burlesque, Head Like A Kite, DJ Spooky with Joshua Roman and the Odeon Quartet, Late Night Piano Bar with Festival Artists, Our Lady J, Sarah Rudinoff, Brent Amaker and the Rodeo, Seabear, Paul Rucker, Tilson, Theresa Rebeck, Seattle Opera & Pacific Northwest Ballet Present the Encore Ball, Picasso and Braque Go to the Movies, Star Anna and the Laughing Dogs, The Head and the Heart, Esben and the Witch, Pica Beats, Mash Hall, Massy Ferguson