I know this is very last minute but for anyone in the Greater Toronto Ontario Area (Canada), the Puppetmongers will be showing Cinderella In muddy York at the Tarragon Theatre Extra Space in Toronto. Here is the information I received from them.

“Monday the First of January 2007 is tomorrow (or today already) and the last chance to see Cinderella in Muddy York at the Tarragon Theatre.

30 Bridgman Ave., (on Howland, 1 block north of Dupont)

And Monday at 2:30 p.m. is our Annual New Year’s Day Gala Performance, which means you get the wonderful show plus a tea party afterwards, on a day when there’s really nothing else to do…

All tickets are $25, and you receive a charitable tax receipt for $10!

Contact the Tarragon Box Office at 416-531-1827 to reserve now”

Well it would seem that there are some very cool things happening over at the Ontario Puppetry Association (see previous post). First off I would like to congratulate Phil Arnold and Mike Harding (see previous post), on their new positions as President and Vice President of the OPA, respectively.  I must admit that I was a member years and years ago, and I have let my membership expire. I may just have to join again and get some puppetry socilaizing in. It was a lot of fun and I actulaly met many of the members (who are now running the OPA) when I first joined years ago.

To read more of what is happening with puppetry in Ontario just visit the News and Views section of the OPA website.

There is a site called BLURB, which is simply amazing! You can publish your own bound book; hard cover or paperback for around $20.00 US. Just sign up, and download their publishing software: This user friendly software gives you the capability to add pictures, and writing of your very own. Is there a puppetry book you always wanted to make? Or perhaps produce a photo portfolio to showcase your work? BLURB also allows for authors to download their blogs and make the information (pictures included) into book(s). Perfect for those wanting a hardcopy of their blog, especially if you have a “how to” blog; or a pictoral showcase of your family and friends. Check out other books people made HERE

Something that I have been thinking a lot about recently is the idea of creating a “name for yourself” (reputation) as a builder. I know I have worked very hard to do so and it is always a thrill when someone says they know my work or that I built a puppet that inspired them. When I build a puppet I have always been the only builder who makes it. What I mean is, I create the patterns, cut fabric, glue, sew, etc. I build the puppet.

Now that may not seem very unusual until you take into account some realities that may exisit in a puppet building workshop. The idea of working with a group of builders on a project. For example in a puppet studio you may have a team of builders all working together to build one puppet. One person does the fabric patterning for the head, another person does the patterning for the arms and legs. Someone adds the features and details, another works on the head sculpting, and yet another person does all of the sewing and gluing. When you consider all of the people who work on the build, I am left with only one question. Who built the puppet?

Not so easy to answer.

What amazes me is that for years I had admired the puppets of certain builders and only this past summer did I meet someone who I never even realized was the primary person who had done most of the building. I had been a fan of her work for years and I never even knew it. What I have come to see is that often the lead builder may get credit for a puppet, but there are often other builders who do a good amount (and in some cases most of) the work.

As a result of this new insight, I am now more curious than ever to find out who the “real builders” of some of my favourite puppets are.

It will be an interesting investigation. Keep tuned in for future posts on some of my favourite and some lesser known puppet builders.

On December 18 at 8:00pm and 11:00pm EST, the Travel Channel will be showing Puppet Planet: A Very New York Christmas. It’s billed as a reality/travel show. I can’t wait to see what the buzz will be surrounding this one.

Don’t forget, December 18.

April 2008 will mark UNIMA’s 20th Congress and World Puppetry Festival. The folks at SpareParts Puppets in Australia have posted the promotional video. The festival will be held in Perth and showcase acts from all over the world. If you are interested…they are still searching for Performers. Check out the video HERE!

Anyone who has visited Prague will probably have seen these puppets on the Charles Bridge. The Boretcheque Marionette Theatre consists of Josef Borek, his wife Jana and their son Petr. At least one them can be seen performing on the Bridge most days during the tourist season.

The marionettes play along to classical music by Bach, Mozart, Gershwin and more. My favourite character is the guitar playing clown pictured above.

Until you make it to prague you can see short video clips of their performances on their website -
http://www.boreczech.com/en/index.htm

If you have a hard to buy for puppeteer on your holiday shopping list, look no further than Zazzle. There are many items to choose from contributors you know (and some you don’t). Let the world see your puppety soul.

This delightful shirt can be used as an instant puppet. Just remove your shirt and go to town. I can just see it now, thousands of shirtless puppeteers entertaining the masses. (Guys you may want to start the diet now.)

Be sure to observe all public exposure laws…or not. Seriously, I’m kidding. I don’t want to read any headlines that say “Naked Puppeteer Arrested in Blog Sting Operation”.