PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa
Contact: Kevin Ledgewood
pr@tuscarts.org
205-758-5195, x6
CALLIOPE PUPPETS WILL BE FEATURED ON SEPTEMBER’S FIRST FRIDAY
(Tuscaloosa, Ala.) Calliope Puppets will be featured at the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center on September’s First Friday. “The Fisherman and His Wife Reduce, Re-Use, and Recycle” will be presented from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Black Box Theatre. Appropriate for ages 5-12, the event is free and open to the public.
This performance is made possible by a Gulf States Touring Grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts.
Calliope Puppets re-imagine the Brothers Grimm tale with its classic theme on the consequences of asking for too much. Introduced by the sound of a live, solo fiddle, the audience is transported to a long ago, simpler time – until the all too agreeable fisherman is sent repeatedly to the magic fish by his never satisfied wife. As the fish grants wish after extravagant wish, their world is impacted by their thoughtless greed, until one final wish sends them back to their humble shack. Audience interaction includes singing with as well as advising the puppet characters. The contemporary message encourages thought and discussion on individual responsibility and action in care of the Earth. As the characters ask for too much, the audience, and finally even the characters themselves, learn how their actions have impact on the world around them. Expressive, hand-made hand puppets, lively music and thoughtful audience participation reveal real life issues woven into this humorous and memorable presentation.
Puppeteer Karen Konnerth is, above all, a visual storyteller who has shared both stories and storytelling opportunities worldwide with children and adults through puppet theater performances, puppet workshops, and arts integrated school residencies. Educator workshops include presentations at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and for the U.S. Embassy English Language Specialist Program in Central America, Asia and the Middle East. Karen was awarded the 2011 Puppeteers of America Marjorie Batcheldor McPharlin Award for contributions in the field of education. She also initiated and directed the puppetry component of the Teen Docent Program at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, awarded a 2015 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award.
Visit calliopepuppets.com for more information.
In addition to Calliope Puppets, The Arts Council Gallery will host the opening reception for Mary Meares’ exhibit of photography, “Travels Near and Far”, and The University of Alabama Gallery will present the UA/UAB Studio Faculty Exhibit reception. The joint exhibit of 2 and 3-D art features the combined work of the UA and UAB art faculty.
Visit tuscarts.org/firstfriday_artnight to view a list of Tuscaloosa galleries open during First Friday.
The Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center is located at 620 Greensboro Avenue in downtown Tuscaloosa. For more information about The Arts Council, Bama Theatre or CAC, patrons should LIKE the Facebook page “The Arts Council – Bama Theatre – Cultural Arts Center” and follow tuscarts on Twitter. Call 205-758-5195 or visit tuscarts.org for further information.
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