FirstWorks is back this season with creative arts programming for kids and adults. They kicked off the 2008 season with Handmade Puppet Dreams – a zany puppet film festival in two parts curated by Heather Henson, daughter of Muppets creator Jim Henson. These puppet films have been created by independent artists specifically for the camera. The first part for adults was shown a few weeks ago at RISD’s Memorial Hall. Tomorrow bring the kids (big and small) to see part two at the Providence Children’s Museum.
Some of you may remember the fabulous, fun, and free FirstWorksKids festival that’s been held in downtown Providence every June for the last fours years. It’s an entire day filled with music, dance, and theater from around the world, along with hands-on activities for kids. Last year Dan Zanes really rocked the house with his bandmates and then led the parade of families, performers, and Big Nazo puppets from RISD to Waterplace Park.
This year the FirstWorks team has decided to shake things up even more. Starting in 2008, instead of a day-long festival, FirstWorks will plan creative family events throughout the year. Although my family will miss the annual festival, we look forward to unusual and engaging performances like tomorrow’s event at a variety of venues at different times of the year. I applaud the FirstWorks’ mission to connect arts to audiences (both children and adults) with amazing experiences with performance. And I believe that by restructuring the kids’ programming, FirstWorks may broaden their reach – influencing the lives of many more children in our community. In June I will have details about the upcoming fall FirstWorksProv festival which will include more family events this year.
Details for Handmade Puppet Dreams:
FirstWorks presents Handmade Puppet Dreams for Kids: A series of 9 shorts, ranging in length from 5 seconds to 14 minutes. Total program will run 45 minutes.
When: Friday, May 16, at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. (Two 45-minute showings.)
Where: Providence Children’s Museum – 100 Water Street, Providence, RI (map)
Cost: Admission to the museum is free from 5-8 p.m.
(MetLife Family Fridays – sponsored by the MetLife Foundation.)
A sample of some of the films:
Hold Me Now By Damien Eckhardt-Jacobi and Vincent Bova
The debut single off The Polyphonic Spree’s album is an inspirational song for troubled times. Glove and Boots won a challenge for independent filmmakers to create a video that would ultimately represent the song.
Graveyard Jamboree with Mysterious Mose By Seamus Walsh & Mark Caballero
Inspired by an old record by Harry Reser and his Radio All-Star Novelty Orchestra. Three techniques were used in this film including, live action puppetry, silhouette animation and stop motion animation.
Trixie and The Tree Trunks By Quintron & Miss Pussycat
After receiving a secret message from a talking “Happy Tree,” Trixie and Marsha, two woodland animals, embark on a quest to start a band. Adventure unfolds in this puppet mini-series as Trixie and Marsha adopt glow-in-the-dark stray cats and search for a drummer.
Photo Courtesy of FirstWorks
As I find your website while trying to find the First Works kids festival this year, I must say that I am bummed that there will be no day-long event!! Last year was such a great time – I told lots of friends about it. I understand the rearrangement, but I will miss the nice spring celebration of kids/families in Providence along the river. It was a nice way to celebrate our community and our great city!!