⛓️💥
I attended my first puppet slam a week ago and it was awesome. A puppet “slam” is an event that gives puppet makers a chance to showcase and workshop whatever it is they’re working on in short form to an audience.
My best friend is a puppet maker (among many other mediums) and this was her first slam as well. I initially was just going to support and sell her merch, but the day before show, she had a cast member get sick and asked me to fill in. I was an actor in my past life (child actor/arts high school), but now get reaaaaaallllyy anxious to perform. Still, I said yes, because
a) she’s my best friend and I’d do anything for her
b) her art is fucking sweet and it deserved to be seen (linking her instagram, she makes all kinds of neat stuff)
and I’m so glad I did. It was still mildly terrifying, but the sense of community there is incredibly strong and each act was so different. It was very fulfilling to be apart of in all aspects. I‘ve learned a fair amount about puppets over the years, and the common misconception of what puppets are and the purpose they serve. Puppets are dope, and they are so much more expansive than what people perceive them to be. Beyond making them, moving them is HARD. Not just in a creative sense, either. I was shocked at how quickly my hands and wrists would get tired.
Anyway, open your mind to puppets and if you have the chance to see a puppet slam or show, you should! This particularly slam was through Puppet Queers in Chicago and I plan on being at the next. :~)
15h ago
Related Recs
he's an incredibly eccentric puppeteer, & i just did his free 90 minute "introduction to puppet mastery" workshop (linked) and it was insane and awesome. he compares puppetry to the way of the samurai, and puppeteers to dentists. i did also cry at one point over how beautiful the puppet versions of his parents were. would love to do his longer 8 week course but it's a bit out of my price range, however!!!!! the free workshop has honestly left me feeling very inspired and prepared - i know enough of the basics to make a puppet, and u know what???? i think i freaking will
Dec 8, 2024
🎪
LA’s “It” puppet theater. They send their traveling puppeteers to every veritably cool event in the city and the shows in their Highland Park theater are something to behold.
Nov 13, 2023
🎭
this was an OG newsletter rec that I tried a year and a half ago but it was sO much fun–one of those nights where the whimsy is at an all time high and everyone talks about it for years to come. been plotting a second performance
Mar 8, 2024
Top Recs from @alleywalking
👁
Coined by my best friend, “noticing walks” are for walking around and taking the time to notice the things around you. It’s about letting every little bit of litter, graffiti, obnoxious bumper sticker, and poorly designed advertisement catch your eye. Finding glamour and beauty in things that are usually considered ordinary, accidental, mundane.
By nature of who I am, I‘ve always been one to notice on most walks I take, often taking pictures of my findings and sharing them to my instagram story like a true archivist. Electing to take the alley rather than sidewalk to see what people have written on trashcans and what lives between dumpsters. Taking a true noticing walk, with nowhere to be, allows you to reflect on what you are naturally drawn to and puts you more in touch with your surroundings, your neighbors, etc. Even if you’re like me and usually have your headphones on.
Apr 26, 2025
my little menace alien boy who breaks absolutely everything <3 many photos for his many personalities
1d ago
a hard choice, but I’ve said for a long time that if I was ever interviewed by Pitchfork for my “perfect 10” album, this would be my pick.
3d ago