Monday, June 14, 2010

The University of North Carolina Wilmington will host this year's Puppeteers of America Southeast Conference July 15-17. Sponsored by the Office of Cultural Arts, the Port City Puppet Festival will attract artists from throughout the nation and feature a wide variety of puppet performances, including shadow puppetry, marionettes, stop-motion animation and more. Events include art exhibits, community workshops, films and live puppet performances for all ages.

Comprising many of the most renowned puppetry artists in the nation, the Puppeteers of America gathers every two years for a multi-day regional festival, with previous festivals taking place in Atlanta, Charleston, Birmingham and Orlando. This summer's festival marks the organization's first visit to the Port City.

In addition to workshops for conference registrants, the festival will include numerous community events taking place in locations throughout the city, including:

LIVE PERFORMANCES FOR FAMILIES & YOUTH

"Pinocchio" by Lee Bryan - That Puppet Guy
Kenan Auditorium
Friday, July 16 (7 p.m.)
Everyday household items such as kitchen utensils, baskets and tennis racquets are given new life in this fantastic, frenetic retelling based on Collodi's classic text. This original one-man "tour de farce" combines authentic Italian music, Commedia-style mask work, and plenty of audience participation! Produced with a grant from the Jim Henson Foundation. 50 mins / recommended for all ages

DOUBLE FEATURE:
"How to Grow a Pickle" by Nana Projects & "The Reluctant Dragon" by Stageworks
Kenan Auditorium
Saturday, July 17 (3 p.m.)
"How to Grow a Pickle" whimsically illustrates the process of creating a pickle from planting the seeds to pickling and jarring the cucumber. Both entertaining and educational, the performance demonstrates dramatically and humorously where our food comes from and the benefits of eating and growing locally. "The Reluctant Dragon" uses Japanese-style puppets to retell the classic 19th century story of a young boy and a sophisticated dragon that refuses to fight. 60 mins / recommended for all ages

One Frame at a Time: The Stop-Motion Films of Michael Granberry
Kenan Auditorium
Saturday, July 17 (7 p.m.)
See puppets come alive on film through the process of Stop-Motion Animation! Former Wilmington resident Michael Granberry returns to the Port City to talk about his work as a stop-motion animator and to show a selection of his short films. A Q&A session with the artist immediately follows the performance. 75 minutes / recommended for adults & ages 13+

General Admission tickets for public performances are $12 (adults) and $8 (youth under 18). UNCW students are free with a valid ID. Information is available at Kenan Auditorium Box Office, 910.962.3500 or 800.732.3643 or www.uncw.edu/arts.

ART EXHIBITIONS

"PuppetArt" Exhibition & Opening Reception
Cameron Art Museum
Opening Reception: Thursday, July 15 (5:30 p.m. Family Opening / 6 p.m. Members Reception / 7 p.m. Public Opening)
Exhibition Dates: July 16, 2010 - January 9, 2011
PuppetArt is an exciting exhibition featuring large-scale puppets from the Bread and Puppet Theatre in Vermont alongside a selection of international puppets of various historical periods from the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, Georgia.

The opening reception on July 15 includes a gallery talk, live puppet theatre productions and improvisational theatre for children and adults, a new puppet-inspired dance performance by alban elved dance company and puppet film screenings. The night kicks off with a family opening at 5:30 p.m. featuring "The Amazing Mysto's Magic Show" by Peter Allen. The members-only opening begins at 6 p.m., with the public opening at 7 p.m.

Admission is $5 for the general public and free for CAM members and festival registrants. More information at www.cameronartmuseum.com

COMMUNITY & EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH

"The Emperor's New Clothes" by Grey Seal Puppets
Kenan Auditorium
Thursday, July 15 (9 a.m. & 11 a.m.)
SPECIAL MORNING PERFORMANCE FOR SCHOOLS & DAY CAMPS!
This beloved Hans Christian Andersen story takes on a different dimension as the classic tale is transformed into a fable featuring crafty foxes, a near-sighted camel, a befuddled old walrus and a vain pig as the king. 45 mins / students ages 4-11

Group ticket price for schools and camps: $5. Visit the Port City Puppet Festival page at www.uncw.edu/arts for registration information.

"The Amazing Mysto's Magic Show" by Parasol Puppets
Cameron Art Museum
Thursday, July 15 (5:45 p.m.)
"The Amazing Mysto's Magic Show" is a fast-paced, hilarious blend of puppetry and magic for all ages. The puppet master, encircled by a moving stage, brings to life a cast of characters, which include Jojo the Monkey, Rover the Dog and "The Amazing Mysto" himself!

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for the general public and free for CAM members and festival registrants (includes admission to PuppetArt Opening Reception). More information at www.cameronartmuseum.com

Professional Development Workshop for Teaching Artists and Therapists
UNCW Watson School of Education
July 15, 2010 (8:30 am - 3:30 pm)
Lunch provided
Presented by the Puppeteers of America, this workshop is geared toward teaching artists and therapists interested in using the art of puppetry in educational and therapeutic settings. For registration information and to view a complete list of workshop presenters, visit www.portcitypuppet.org.

Additional community outreach events include "Puppet Parlour," a juried art exhibit of puppetry in paintings, prints, sculptures, assemblage and photography at ACME Art Studios (Reception Saturday, July 10, 6 – 9 p.m.); and "IBEX," an exhibit of eclectic puppets from the collection of Heather Henson, daughter of the late Jim Henson, at Wabi Sabi Warehouse (Reception Friday, July 2, 7 – 10 p.m. For a complete listing of community events, visit the festival website for the Puppeteers of America, www.portcitypuppet.org.

For more information about the Port City Puppet Festival and to purchase tickets for the public performances, visit www.uncw.edu/arts.

Media contact:
Courtney Reilly, UNCW Office of Cultural Arts, reillyce@uncw.edu or 910.962.2082