Sunday, July 26, 2015

Far West Fest 2015

Yesterday I took part in the Far West Fest in beautiful Point Reyes. Lots of great bands were there, including my personal favorite, El Radio Fantastique. I wish I had photos to show all the great energy and fun we had marching with the Hubbub. I've learned that I just can't take photos while I'm puppeteering in a procession so hopefully some of it was documented by someone else. Events like these bring out the child in everyone. All ages smile when I giant puppet walks by - people love to interact with them and touch them. Not many art forms do this. This is what I love so much about making and processing with these puppets.




Before the dancing began with El Radio Fantastique.

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Teaching Puppetry Skills to the Students from Tongzhou Model School in China


Freddie shows students how to start sketching their puppets
 Today I had fun working with our visitors from China ages 11-18!  Students learned how to make jumping jack puppets and start a large coyote puppet for the school. Teaching assistants helped make the process move smoothly. There was a lot of excited energy in the room.
Caleb works with students to sculpt a coyote.

Lailah works with students to make a cardboard puppet.

Painting a face for a cardboard puppet.

Learning how to use an exacto knife.


http://www.tzmfxx.com/

Lailah and her crew.

All the students who worked on the two cardboard puppets.

Sunday, July 19, 2015

Petaluma Rivertown Revival 2015

This year we had over 10 puppeteers at the event and five new puppets! We ended up losing an arm and breaking a wrist (puppet appendages) but had a lot of fun. Next year, Trompin' Manikins hopes to grow even more!

Some of the people who were bystanders last year became the main event this year. New member, Michele Wetherbee's,"Wind" was a hit, while the simple cardboard chickens seemed to garner the most attention in Petaluma- known as egg capital of the world. Lots of bystanders created clucking sound effects as we walked by or shouted, "That's a great cock!"

 As always, it's a pleasure dancing up a storm with the zany Hubbub Club.

Hubbub & Trompin' Manikins

The Hubbub and Trompin' Manikins

Here are some highlights from yesterday. If you are reading this and would like to make puppets and process with us please contact Hillary Younglove through Meetup.com! Trompin' Manikins would like to jumpstart a puppet processional tradition in Sonoma County.


Nicole, Michele, Eric and Oona
Karina and Sheryl
Nicole and Hillary

Michele & Nicole

Nicole and Karina
Hubbub & Trompin' Manikins

James Martin-youngest member of Trompin' Manikins!

Blurry marching shots-it's difficult to take pictures while holding a puppet!



Nemo

Paul


Thanks to all my puppeteers known and unknown. Michele, Nicole, Karina, Tessa, Nemo, Dee, Peters, Paul, Simone, Oona, the funky chicken, Eric and our youngest member, James who is 10. A lot of people just grabbed a puppet and joined in on the fun such as inebriated Mike.


Across the street from the event we had a sneak preview of  Garlington & Bertotti's project for Burning Man.  What a feast for the eyes! I wish I could see all the amazing art projects at Burning Man.










Thursday, July 16, 2015

Getting ready for the Petaluma Rivertown Revival Fest


Works in progress by Michele Wetherbee
Michele is a graphic designer. She has puppeteered with Trompin' Manikins before. Her puppets make their debut this Saturday!


Michele's son testing out the wind puppet.
Work in progress by Hillary.


I had two helpers.

Giraffe by Azalea Martin

Azalea is a former student of mine who is studying at the California College of Arts. She is both talented and prolific. I asked her to make a puppet for the event while she was on vacation. It will make it's debut this Saturday! Azalea also painted the fox, and chickens that have shown up at countless events.

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Puppetry and Poster Design

Liberec Puppet Theatre
Czechoslovakia. 1966
I love Eastern European poster design. I stumbled across this small collection of puppetry posters form the 1960's. This is also a great resource for Italian puppets from the collection of puppeteer, Maria Signorelli.

Here's another great poster that my friend Lise found in Italy recently.

Friday, July 3, 2015

Aurelie's Oratorio


Three years ago I was inspired by a performance called, "Aurelie's Oratorio".  Aurelie is a talented acrobat/actress, who incorporates puppetry into the show. It was so amazing I saw the performance three times! Magical, mysterious, and dark, it has all the elements that I love in a performance with puppets. Aurelie used to perform with the band, the "Tiger Lillies", a band whose music I have had my students use in making puppet videos.


Aurelie's site.