Sunset Junction Recap

 August 21st and 22nd celebrated 30 years of the Sunset Junction Fair, Silverlake’s favorite neighborhood street festival. The anniversary weekend brought together thousands of the eclectic and hip to watch performances by over 70 artists on five stages scattered across the east end of Sunset Blvd. Saturday’s lineup presented the likes of Bad Brains, Fishbone, Ghostland Observatory, Shiny Toy Guns and Dawes while Sunday showcased the dreamscapes of Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, Lee Scratch Perry, Sam Sparro and Crystal Antlers to name a few. The street meat was in full force with over sized sausages and bacon wrapped dogs of all spices and origins, served alongside some fair favorites including churros, funnel cakes, frosty freezes and candied caramel apples. A few spinning carnival rides, arcade games, and a Ferris wheel further entertained. Just the people watching alone was well worth the $20 ticket price, with proceeds benefiting Sunset Junction area youth programs.

Some photo memories from Sunday at the 30th Annual Sunset Junction Street Fair:

 [Everyone’s favorite KROQ street team ninja, Julio Maldonado, representing the newest station sticker]

  [The Ferocious Few from San Francisco proved that you don’t need a stage to rock]

 

 Silverlake shop ReForm School popped up a “Compliment Booth.” Apparently the free compliments on Sunday were not nearly as popular as the free high fives they threw out on Saturday.

  I was fortunate to run into OC photographer extraordinaire, Mary Bell, at the Fold Edgecliff Stage right as Long Beach’s Crystal Antlers kicked off. Photo of Crystal Antlers in action courtesy of Mary Bell Photography.

Johnny Bell of Crystal Antlers (and coincidentally, brother of photographer Mary Bell) delivered a powerful performance, even while blinded by the setting sun. This was the band’s first ever performance at Sunset Junction. After their Fold/Edgecliff performance they bolted up the street to perform a second show. Catch them at Buskerfest in Long Beach on August 28 before they head into the studio to record their next album. Photo courtesy of Mary Bell Photography.

LA’s funk-soul-disco invasion known as Sam Sparro put on a colorful performance. Johnny Bell of Crystal Antlers noted Sparrow’s show as his ultimate 2010 Junction moment. 

Photo Courtesy of Mary Bell Photography.

-Ashley Eckenweiler