Puppet U

Food Party Ep.102: Cave Duck

2009-11-30T02:24:00.000-08:00

Watch a clip! from Food Party Ep.102: "Cave Duck"

The zaniest show I have seen in AGES! "Food Party" on IFC.com. It's NOT for children and it's very, very weird. I watched two full episodes and came away perplexed. I have, however, really enjoyed the clips I've seen online. The clip above from the "Cave Duck" ep. is my fav so far for it's clever underwater scene. I LOVED Thu's hair floating and obviously tied with string. I don't think I'll watch EVERY episode but, I'm glad my pal pointed me to this show. The cardboard backgrounds are very evocative of 2D animation and are a wonderful play on that quirky coloring found in children's television. I'm guessing the puppets are supposed to be wacky and purposely weird - at least that's what I'm taking away from the stuff I've seen so far.

Encore Performance! "The River Otter Circus"

2009-09-21T11:36:00.000-07:00

I am delighted to get to do this show "once more, with feeling". If you're in the area, come see it!

Ray D Prueter Library
510 Park Ave.
Port Hueneme, CA 9304
Ray D Prueter Library

From the Road: Dublin Library

2009-06-30T22:41:00.000-07:00

Uh-Oh! Marshmallow is looking hungry!

One of my roadies from last year, Gabriel, came to see the show and Marshmallow decided to say "Hi!"

Water Color Puppets

2009-06-16T22:55:00.000-07:00

Whilst i was in SoCal for rehearsals, I got to see some of the work for "Water Color"

Elizabeth Luce helps stitch up stuff for "Water Color"

Russ Walko

Artie Esposito

Rest of the River Otter Rehearsal Pics

2009-06-14T01:06:00.000-07:00

Buster tries on his clown costume.

Sean makes the ruffle for Buster's costume

The Animal Trainer, Esmeralda and Alfonso, the Daredevil - hanging backstage for rehearsal.

Buster and Me

2009-06-13T01:42:00.001-07:00

First show today! In San Jose!

River Otter Rehearsals!

2009-06-12T22:09:00.000-07:00

Here's the new stage for "River Otter Circus"!

Puppets set up backstage for rehearsals.

Momma River Otter practices the on the High Wire!

Maker Faire!

2009-05-28T00:40:00.000-07:00

My husband and I are thinking of attending this GREAT sounding Faire in the Bay Area this weekend called: Maker Faire. We've never been but, hear it's great! Whilst perusing the programs listed, I found this little gem: "Star Wars Sock Puppet Craft" I do not know HOW this can possibly top the GREATEST "Star Wars" sock puppet show(s)* EVER but, I want to go! Right now!! The craft is hosted by Bonnie Burton. You can see a really great Yoda finger puppet (pictured above) on Starwars.com.

* The absolute end-all-greatest-ever "Star Wars" Sock Puppet show(s) I've EVER seen were performed on Angel Island in SF and for a SFBAPG Guild challenge.

Puppet Fun on "30 Rock"

2009-03-27T01:15:00.000-07:00

Screengrab snagged from the awesome Alan Sepinwall's TV Blog "What's Alan Watching"

In the great tradition of swapping out your cast of people for a cast of puppets (the first time I saw this was on "Angel"), comes "30 Rock" episode "Apollo, Apollo". If you are not yet a fan of this show...this should turn you into one! Alan Sepinwall has a fantastic review up on his blog. You can watch the episode for a bit on Hulu. Get to it!

Wonder Con 2009: The Yips

2009-02-28T20:47:00.001-08:00

Handmade Yip Yip costumes wandering the floor at Wonder Con in San Francisco. They were very popular, with folks stopping them for pictures (I just snapped a quick pic when someone else stopped them! Genius!). The mouths moved and the folks inside would make the "yip yip" noise all the time. Hilarious!

Caroll Spinney Book Tour photo!

2009-01-22T00:38:00.000-08:00

Whilst cleaning out my office, I found this photo CD. It wasn't labeled and so, I uploaded it. Imagine my glee when I found these misplaced photos from Caroll Spinney's book tour visit to the Children's Discover Museum of San Jose!

He was signing copies of "The Wisdom of Big Bird (and the Dark Genius of Oscar the Grouch)" book he'd just had published. Seeing these photos and remembering that great book reminded me that a NEW Sesame Street book recently came out called "Street Gang" about the creation of Sesame Street. I got it as a Christmas Present this past Christmas.

Brachiosaurus' LIVE!

2009-01-12T01:41:00.000-08:00

The Brachiosaurus' puppets in the "Walking with Dinosaurs: Live" show were HUGE! When the baby Brachiosaurus puppet came out, I thought to myself "He's pretty big but, not WOW". Then the "Momma" Brachiosaurus entered and I just sat back in my seat! Really great puppets and wonderful movement!

Raptors!

2009-01-03T03:03:00.000-08:00

The Utahraptors from "Walking with Dinosaurs! LIVE!" We had great seats and the show was AMAZING!

Walking with Dinosaurs! LIVE! Tomorrow!

2008-12-26T23:47:00.000-08:00

I am heading to San Jose tomorrow to watch "Walking with Dinosaurs" at the HP Pavilion and I can't WAIT! I posted a snippet of video about this ages ago. They had shows in LA that I missed. Thankfully, it's in my neck of the wood until December 30th. Tickets are on sale on the "Walking with Dinosaurs" website!

Giant Dinosaur puppets! OH BOY!

Prime Time!

2008-10-16T12:11:00.001-07:00

Sean primes the walls of the new space. He's perched above the reception area with the roller. He had to do that TWICE once to prime the walls and once to paint them their new color.

Quick Office Move Video

2008-10-15T08:16:00.000-07:00

On my Facebook page, you'll find a quick little video of our new Office Space and the move we did. I can't believe we outgrew the old place so quickly! The new space is amazing! So much larger, with rehearsal space, office space, and even a reception area. I am just so pleased!

Big, big thanks to the entire Swazzle team for jumping in to make this move possible! It's a big step for our company and all of you are a part of it.

New Office!

2008-10-14T17:11:00.000-07:00

We just moved to brand new offices! Here's a pic of Swazzle writer Dylan Campbell waiting to start unloading the truck!

Thanks Guys!

2008-08-22T19:18:00.000-07:00

This year, I had several amazing interns to assist me with the set-up and tear down of my shows. It made it much easier (and less painful) to perform!

Thanks Crystal! You rock!

Merci Stacey! It was a pleasure having you aboard!

Gracias Gabriel! You were a life-saver (and just as sweet!)

Also shout outs to Qarly and Jason (I didn't snag photos of those guys--it was early in the run, and my mind was focused on the shows! Still, they were awesome).

I can't imagine my summer without ya!

- ATG

Redwood City Main Library

2008-08-13T16:44:00.000-07:00

A pic of the set up from Redwood City! Always a great show!

Love the room set up! The Redwood City staff did an amazing job of getting the room ready for the show. It makes getting ready a snap!

Totoro Forest Project

2008-08-12T00:42:00.000-07:00

The Totoro Forest Project is a fantastic fundraising Art Exhibition/Auction that is being organized for the Non-Profit "Totoro No Furusato National Fund", a fund established by Hayao Miyazaki. The Exhibition/Auction will feature over 200 original art pieces from artists in the fields of animation, comics, illustration, and fine art.

The Totoro Forest Fund was started in 1990 as a way to preserve the Sayama Forrest. This gorgeous area is just outside of Tokyo and is said to have been the inspiration for "My Neighbor Totoro". The Totoro Forest Project is a fundraiser to benefit the foundation.

Tickets are on sale NOW! So hurry up and grab them! Come out to see some wonderful art AND support a great cause!

Event Details:

When: September 6th

Where: Pixar Animation Studios

Ticket Cost:
Forest Friend - 100$ regular admission + book.
Forest Sponsor - 200$ includes admission + book + signed limited edition print
Forest Champion - $300 includes middle VIP live auction seating + book + signed limited edition print + gift certificate to Blowfish Sushi
Forest Hero - $500 includes front VIP live auction seating + book + an original drawing by one of the artists

You can buy tickets and learn more about the project (plus view the pieces up for auction) at the Totoro Forest Project website Check out the one from my husband, Jeff Pidgeon, if you get the chance!

Greetings from Comic-Con!

2008-07-29T17:50:00.001-07:00

A snap from the Fraggle Rock panel at Comic-Con on Sunday. It was awesome seeing Red Fraggle Live (with the lovely and talented Karen Prell performing)! There's a vid snippet for you too, on YouTube! A bit of the "Friendship Song" is here. Enjoy!

S. San Francisco July 18th

2008-07-21T18:01:00.000-07:00

Here's the show all set up for "Bugsy Brown: Private Fly" at the South San Francisco Municipal Building. It was their Summer Reading Program Finale and there were loads of folks who turned out for the performance! Once the show was over, the Librarians and volunteers served cake and juice to the attendees (I got a piece of Chocolate cake with chocolate frosting - YUM!). Now that's a good time! A puppet show and cake! What could be better?

I'm off to San Diego this week to enjoy Comic-Con! If any of you folks happen to be there, stop by the Red Window booth (#4800) and visit us! We'll be selling Jeff Pidgeon's Happy Beaver toy alongside the amazing talents of Bill Pressing and Scott Morse

RED FRAGGLE at Comic-Con!

2008-07-20T12:51:00.000-07:00

Holy Smokes gang! It is OFFICIAL! Red Fraggle herself will be at Comic-Con on Sunday, July 27th! I am so frickin'excited about this! I'll BE at Comic-Con and plan on sitting front and center to watch RED FRAGGLE dance her cares away right in front of me!

Apparently, she's going to be there (along with the always amazing puppeteer, Karen Prell) to stump for the Fraggle Rock DVD's. YAY! Click on the link above to get the info on the 'con schedule, the location of the Fraggle Rock event, and of course, a ticket (if you don't already have them).

See you at the 'Con!

NW Santa Rosa

2008-07-18T00:53:00.000-07:00

Just finished my sweep of the Sonoma County Libraries! Whew! Lots of shows in a week! They were all wonderful and PACKED! Thanks Sonoma County!

The pic above is a snap of the sign left for us at the NW Santa Rosa Library. The staff there kindly arranged for yummy snacks (cookies, fruit, water) and gave us a little quiet time in their break-room. NW Santa Rosa, you are very gracious hosts!

I've got more puppet pics to post...keep your eyes peeped for them sometime this weekend!

TIME CHANGE! Mountain View 7/19

2008-07-15T18:33:00.000-07:00

My show on July 19th (Saturday) was changed to 11:30am. Since we're all on tour, it's tough to update the main site--this blog, however, is strictly up to me to update (which, I've been neglecting for the tour too!).

So, mark your calendars if you were planning on going to the Mountain View show and please, note the time shift!

See you all at the shows!