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Company Background
Laughing [laf] verb
Making the spontaneous sounds and movements of the face and body that are the instinctive expressions of lively amusement. Stock[stok] noun
The (paper) goods or merchandise supply kept on the premises of a business or warehouse and available for sale or distribution. Design [de-zine] noun
The purpose, planning or intention that exists behind an action, fact or material object.
OUR MISSION: To spread some joy through the art of communication.
We strive to accomplish our mission through graphic design and other creative advertising for the greater good, special events and positive apparel options. THE BIRTH OF HAPPY SPACE POSITIVEWEAR™: Over the past few years, it seems negative T-shirts and apparel found a demand in the marketplace for some reason. Even the big box retailers and otherwise respectable department stores sell shirts that have negative, laziness-focused or just plain stupid messages on them. After seeing shirts for sale at a department store with just the words, "Bite Me" written across the chest, Shane Bauer decided to start a line of apparel that broadcast positive messages in an attempt to counter this "negative movement." Happy Space PositiveWear™ was born. If you're going to say something with what you wear, why not say something good? It will have a direct impact on those around you. Your attitude is everything. LISTEN TO NATURE SUSTAINABLE APPAREL™ was added in 2010 and Laughingstock Design is now in the process of converting all of its apparel and accessories to be made from bamboo, hemp, organic cotton, recycled or other materials that are more friendly to our planet.
What a day. Thank you to all who were able to be a part of it!
IMPORTANT TICKET INFO: This event has passed. Stay tuned for any details regarding a 2nd annual event in 2012.
Whether it’s our international, nationwide, state, local or even neighborhood community, the key to progress lies in respectful, productive relationships with others in that community.
Let’s devote a day to celebrating each other, our diversity, and our togetherness to ensure
a brighter future for all of us.
Featuring headline act Michael Franti & Spearhead!
with special guests Cloud Cult opening
Tickets were only $29 for for the entire day of events (program below)FREE for kids 10 and under (special ticket required, plus handling charge)
This day will be all about community progress. We’re all human. And we all have struggles in life. If we realize and bear in mind that we're all equal and the same, that we all started in the same place, and will eventually be in the same naked situation at the end, then we can more easily help each other through our struggles.
We may also have a chance to put an end to bullying and stopping discriminations toward others in our community, whether it’s racism, mental illness, a disability, religion, poverty, age, or you name it. Respect and positive relationships are at the core of all these issues.
11 a.m. Gate opens. Throughout the day: Vendors, kids activities, yoga tent, beer tent.
Activities for the Kiddos: Inside the gate (free with admission): Bounce house, climbing wall with Positive Energy Outdoors. Outside the gate: Playfront Park, a free public playground and gathering area. Mighty Thomas Carnival, a separate attraction with separate prices for rides, etc.
Main Stage: 11:30 a.m. FREE THE HIKERS Rally - Bringing an international community focus to the event, families of imprisoned hikers Shane Bauer & Josh Fattal, along with freed hiker Sarah Shourd and her family, will address the crowd, share their story and ways to take action. 12:45 p.m. Sarah Krueger & Friends - Music. Sweet music. 2:00 p.m. Xavier Bell - Speaker on community issues and positive change. 3:00 p.m. James Moors - Music. Solo, open and optimistic. 4:00 p.m. Pete Feigal - Speaker for hope and compassion surrounding mental illness. 5:15 p.m. Community Yoga - Interactive session for everyone from beginner to advanced. 6:30 p.m. Cloud Cult - Music. Don't miss this. 8:30 p.m. Michael Franti & Spearhead - Music. Headline act that will rock your socks off.
Immediately following: Drum circle, fire dancers and release of sky lanterns in honor of Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal, and all others who are unjustly imprisoned around the globe. Plus other special guests and activities! Check here for future additions and further details.
Added late June: FREE THE HIKERS Rally for Shane Bauer & Josh Fattal, two Americans imprisoned in Iran on unsubstantiated charges of espionage.
From the press release:
Shane, a Minnesota native, his fiancée Sarah, and their close friend Josh were arrested by Iranian authorities on July 31, 2009, during a hiking trip in Kurdistan, a peaceful area of Iraq popular with many foreign tourists. Sarah was released on humanitarian grounds on $500,000 bail on September 14, 2010. Shane and Josh remain in Evin Prison on unsubstantiated charges of espionage. They have been denied access to their lawyer and almost any contact with their families while they endure inhumane conditions in a 10-foot by 14-foot cell where they are locked up for 23 hours a day.
“Whether it’s our local or international community, the key to progress lies in respectful, productive relationships with others in that community,” said Shane Bauer (no relation), owner of Laughingstock Design and organizer of the event. “Bringing attention to injustices such as the hikers’ detainment opens dialogue and works to strengthen ties within our international community to bring about positive change. It’s our hope, of course, that Shane and Josh will be free by the time of the Twin Ports Bridge Festival so July 9 can be a day devoted to celebrating their homecoming.”
The hikers’ families will address the crowd to begin the festival, sharing their story and ways to take action. They will be present throughout the day to speak with attendees, collect petition signatures and sell “Free the Hikers” t-shirts. Kids (and adults) will have the opportunity to write letters and create artwork to send to Shane and Josh in Iran or participate in related activities in the yoga tent. The festival will end with a drum circle, fire dancers, and the release of sky lanterns in honor of Shane, Josh, and all others who are unjustly imprisoned across the globe.
PLUS...
Community Yoga on the Waterfront with Yoga North & Deep Peace Wellness Studio
Kids' Activities with Positive Energy Outdoors including their popular climbing wall!
Nonprofit Showcase to display great organizations in our community and connect volunteers
Food & Crafts from Local Vendors (See a list of confirmed vendors and exhibitors here.)
And much more!
AN OPEN LETTER TO OUR COMMUNITY Regarding the Twin Ports Bridge Festival, July 9, Bayfront Festival Park Dear Citizens: “Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.” Maya Angelou And perhaps we can understand each other right here. We, the members of our state and local community, ask you, the members of our state and local community, to join us in making Saturday, July 9, 2011, a milestone. So many of the conflicts we face on a daily basis arise from our differences: different opinions, different religions, different nationalities, different priorities, different emotions. We’re setting aside one day. An entire day devoted to understanding and respecting those differences instead of using them as barriers. An entire day to celebrate the fact that we’re all human, put in this world together, able to enjoy what the rest of humanity has to offer. The Twin Ports Bridge Festival is not simply another concert at Bayfront. Every one of the day’s attractions was selected for its ability to give the audience more than entertainment, whether it’s social awareness, education, inspiration, or support. This festival not only brings us a national headliner committed to helping us celebrate our community, but it also keeps the entire event affordable and accessible to the whole family. But we need your help to make this day a success. By collaborating on this one common objective—by attending, contributing, or becoming involved—we can build the positive relationships necessary to effect change in our community, our nation, and our world. Only when we truly understand each other can we bring about progress. Let’s kickstart that progress on July 9. Sincerely, Mayor Don Ness, City of Duluth Jeff Anderson, Duluth City Council, NU92 FM/Red Rock Radio Senator Roger Reinert, State of Minnesota Mark Rubin, St. Louis County Attorney Terry Mattson, President/CEO, Visit Duluth Xavier Bell, “X”, Community Engagement, Program Manager, Community Action Duluth Patricia Burns, President, Miller-Dwan Foundation Ira “Mimmu” Salmela, Director of Development, Public Relations Director, KUMD 103.3 FM Stephanie Love, Executive Director, Positive Energy Outdoors Paul Lundgren, President, Perfect Duluth Day Jodi Christensen, Deep Peace Wellness Studio & Yoga North, Yoga Instructor 500RYT, Somatics Educator Molly McManus, Yoga North, Yoga Instructor 500RYT, IAYT, Somatics Educator Hilary Buckwalter, Yoga North, Yoga Instructor 500RYT, Grad Student-Advocacy & Political Leadership, UMD Becky Gourde, Communications Director, Laughingstock Design Shane & Jenny Bauer, Design Directors & Owners, Laughingstock Design
How can you get involved?
Become a sponsor, truly the ones who make this event possible.
Become a vendor or exhibitor. Promote your place in our positive community.
Come celebrate. Simply buy a ticket and get inspired by the day's performers.
Frequently Asked Questions:Will this event sell out? It's always possible. We can tell you that only 5,000 tickets are available for this event and advise you to get yours asap. Bayfront Park is big, but we'll have exhibitors in the concert bowl area that will limit the space. Will I need to pay the $4 handling charge at the gate? Yes. No matter how or where you purchase your ticket, you will pay tax and a $4 charge that includes everything else (convenience, facility, shipping, handling, printing and whatever else other ticketing agencies try to call it). One of our main objectives for this festival is to keep it accessible to everyone with a low ticket price ($29) and low handling fee compared to other ticket agencies.
What about lodging? Visit Duluth and Grandma's Marathon, the area's biggest event, have put together the most extensive list of lodging options that includes hotels and campgrounds. The closest options will be in Canal Park and Downtown Duluth. You can download the entire list on their page here.
And parking? Availablefor $5 at the festival or across the street in the DECC lot. Parking meters and other lots are available in downtown Duluth as close as a fewblocks away (will have to cross the freeway on 5th Ave. W or take the skywalk to the DECC).
Are volunteers needed for the event? Yes! We would love to hear from you if you'd like to volunteer at the festival. Keep in mind that each role would be unique, and we can't guarantee a complimentary ticket to every volunteer. Send an email to laugh@laughingstockdesign.com if interested, and we'll keep you updated on our needs.
Can I bring my dog to the festival? Unfortunately, due to safety and security reasons, dogs and other pets can't be allowed into the festival.
What else is NOT allowed? Admission without a ticket. Every human must have a ticket to get in, even vendors and kids 10 & under (they only pay a $4 handling charge). Chaise or tanning loungers, play pens, video cameras or recording devices of any kind, pro cameras, coolers, cans, glass bottles, outside food & beverages, bicycles, skateboards, and inline skates. Unapproved vending, fireworks and laser pointers/pens will get you in the most trouble here.Disrespect and grumpiness will attract the most negative energy from security and event officials.What CAN I bring? A positive attitude, smiles, maybe a few hugs. One personal lawn or camp chair per person, a point and shoot camera, a plastic bottle of water as long as it's factory sealed or empty, blankets, beach towels, yoga mats, infant/toddler strollers and maybe ear plugs for the little ones. Small to medium sized backpacks are fine and fanny packs are funny. All packs will be inspected at the gate. Plan for the weather, as this is a rain or shine event. How about my foam cheesehead hat? No. Well... okay. If you must.
Email your questions to laugh@laughingstockdesign.com
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