Handcar Regatta

“The Regatta shall not be stopped!”

Shouts heard ’round the township of Santa Rosa proclaim the good news (probably).

By cause of The People’s affection for their beloved Regatta and our own desire to forge ahead in valor regardless of poo-pooers and naysayers (and beyond love of sanity), the news is out that The Regatta shall live (likely as not)!

The forthcoming incarnation is (so far) christened Dr. Erasmus P. Kitty’s Kinetic Frenetic Opera of Mechanical Mayhem The concept maintains railcar races and embraces a larger notion of an arts festival (in some capacity or another).

To wit, co-founder Ty Jones as interviewed by Gabe Meline at the BoHo Blog:

“It’ll still be a rail race,” he says, adding that he’s been talking to some of the old Regatta crew, gearing up for another run. “But one of the ideas with the Regatta is that it would expand to incorporate these ancillary events”—he mentions the Wiskeydrunk Cycles gang, the Feed Barn in Rincon Valley. “So how can it spin off into the community, and foster the arts?”

Read all about it:

• Handcar regatta to morph into larger arts festival
• Handcar Regatta to Return as Kinetic Frenetic Opera

“Plum-cheeked” Ashley Allred of the local band, Odd Bird, entrances in a “music video” filmed at our very own Handcar Regatta, 2011! Enjoy!

2011 Race Awards

• EPK Award “Best in Show” — U.A. (Unnamed Amphibious) by Todd Barriklow
• Zephyr — Mogster by Children’s Museum of Sonoma County
• Fantastical Pants — Time Machine by Steampunk Donovan
• Make Spectacular FAIL! — Insecta by Geometer
• Showboatin’ Award — The Still by Apple Jack Gang
• Underdog Award (having broken and fixed an axel before racing) — The Parlor Car by Neverwas Haul Crew
• The Strange Impromptu Award (supporting extraordinary teen builders) — Rolling Bones by Chop’s Teen Center
• Honorable Mention (limited lifetime acheivment award for supporting the arts, the community, and building cool stuff) — Whiskeydrunk Cycles

2011 Track Times

Dearest Regattans,

For all those who joined us yesterday (and for those less fortunates who wished to attend), I can hardly find the words through tears and full heart to relate such supreme joy and contentedness.

The truth is I am not here to trumpet our achievement in yet another astounding success among monumental Regattas past. Any person of any age present would have found the merit in our endeavors self-evident.

No, rather I am here to thank YOU, The People, for the extraordinary gift of taking The Regatta as your OWN these four years by doing and playing with us!

As I walked about the grounds during the day’s glorious events, I was struck by how we managed to fashion a frolicsome parallel universe for all to indulge in. Yet, the entirety means nothing without the many thousands who came forth to actually join us in merriment and invention!

So many masters of the tool pouring their passion for machinery into amazing contraptions of splendor, both on the tracks and off; so many artists of surprising performance and musicianship availing their talents to the stages; plus the spirited vendors of unusual wares rarely seen on festival grounds; and not forgetting the fine foods and libations in abundance and more fanciful arts seen anywhere; all in one fantastical place within our humble hamlet of Santa Rosa.

The grandest thanks, however, goes to everyday folks who joined us to play along. You have heartily taken our crude notion of a different kind of festival and possessed it as your own by creating madcap costumes and characters to match, by arriving in good cheer with your fellow participants to encourage and enjoy their artistic expression, and simply by shedding the workaday humdrum for the farcical joys of participation and silliness in the streets!

As many have heard, this was our last Great Handcar Regatta in Railroad Square. The SMART train is due for construction and other issues prevail so that our time is complete upon our beloved tracks in Santa Rosa.

Promises are sparse at the moment for a return in 2012, but do trust that we are busy employing the extensive can-do powers of our own unstoppable doers to secure a new Regatta location. Any news is sure to appear along these Aetherwebs when we have it.

Your gushing and joyful servant,
Erasmus P. Kitty

From Volume XVIII of the Great Theolibrum Addendum comes the following prophecy. It never made sense to scholars until now:

“It will rain. You will go to the Regatta. It will be sunny. You will go to the Regatta. Martha finds an eel in her hamper. You will go to the Regatta. Your cake falls. You will go to the Regatta. What happens happens. You will go to the Regatta.” — Tatty Kitty

“What a bunch of crap.” — E.P. Kitty

For the sum of $100 (and just $35 for youngsters) you may support the local arts whilst enjoying the excitement if the Handcar Regatta in luxury with a shaded, unobstructed view of the finish line.

Tickets available at the following locations:

• Handcar Regatta — procure your tickets upon entry on-site day of the event

Or in advance:

• My Friend Joe Coffee — 1810 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA
• Cast Away Yarn Shop — 111 4th Street, Santa Rosa, CA
• Revolution Moto — 518 College Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA

Ingest Wholesome Foods • Quaff Invigorating Beverages • Experience Dubious Cures

This tent shall be administered by the Nurses of the Mystical Order of the Anxious Toilers who shall see to every need.

Help make Santa Rosa just a bit WEIRDER

Celebrating Chop’s Teen Center’s 10th Anniversary and unveiling the innovative work of the teen members, “The Rolling Bones” Regatta 2011 racer will be on display.

FREE on Friday, September 23rd, 2011, 5:00pm
509 Adams Street

Past Regatta creations to be on hand as well, including Krank-Boom-Clank’s Hennepin Crawler, Whiskeydrunk Cycle’s Thenagain Bomber, and Bunnyfluffer Cycles.

Plus more: live music from Chop’s members band, refreshments, and the chance to meet the amazing people who offer so much to our township of doers and makers and artists!

If you look below the underbelly of the boomtown back-alley… past the wayback juke joint jam sessions… beyond the fabulous furry freakshow, you’ll find the Mystic Beat Lounge (producers of the “Harmony Festival Techno-Tribal Dance“) family getting rowdy in the Buffalo Bus back yard.

Jump aboard our bandwagon of sideshow beauties and carnival kooks. The Cattywomp Bus stage will be womping and jumping all day long with a mind-rattling array of antics performers, terrible comedians, magicians, hoopers, hypers, DJ’s and divas. We’re collecting tail feathers and it’s our intention to shake yours loose!

Featuring the musical and performance stylings of:

• Eenor Wildeboar of Yard Dogs
• CircusMecca
• Troupe Sattya
• Toniq Vivant
• Eva D’Luscious
• MC El Marco

Check the Live Music & Performances page for more musical diversions…

Have you been wondering what to make of this year’s theme, Utopian Societies? And more importantly, what to wear? Dr. Kitty has the answer.

The Juke Joint (from Hopmonk Tavern) & The Great Handcar Regatta presents…

“The Horns of Man”

a celebration of Utopian pleasures and music

Saturday – September 24th – 2011
Doors at 8:30pm – 21+ – $12 

• Klezmer Boogie with — THE GOMORRAN SOCIAL AID & PLEASURE CLUB
• Junk Yard Swing with — THE WESLEY MORGAN
• Ragtime & Balkan Funk in the Speak Easy with:
  CHANGO B — MALARKEY — COUSIN LARRY & DJ GUACAMOLE
• Gypsy Jam Rock with — THE VOODOO MEDICINE SHOW
• Exotic Dance with — JOWEH R.A.W.

And featuring: Two Stages of Music — Lagunitas Brewing Company — Fire — Local — Regatta Hand Cars — Chai Booth & More!

The Arlene Francis Center for the Arts
99 Sixth Street, Santa Rosa, Ca 95401

Continue Reading