To: "Puptcrit" <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Date: Sun, 20 Sep 2009 18:48:26 +0000
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] in the middle of somewhere


This isn't an "end of the road" gig, but one of my most memorable. I was hired for a birthday party, and ended up in the very poorest-and I do mean poorest!-inner city neighborhood in Cleveland. I was ready to dash for home when I saw the "house" I was to enter. Cars up on blocks, broken rails, tall grass, neighbors drinking on the porch...not my usual, to say the least. But as I hesitated in the driveway  a horde of young men swarmed out of the house and cheerfully carried in all my stuff. The house was empty, literally empty, save one sofa, one chair, one lamp, one TV. This was grandma's house and it was packed with all her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren-there must have been thirty kids under the age of ten. Grandma introduced each one. Here was the strange thing. They were all her children, grand children etc, but some were black, some were white (one was even a carrot top), and some were Hispanic. There were so many "grandbabies" that they filled the room, and the hall, and up the steps, and peering in from the kitchen. Young and old alike, they watched the show, and they were one of the most appreciative audiences I have ever had. They paid the full price (even though I protested) and insisted I take the tip as well! Go figure. It goes to show that happiness and money need not be related. Nancy Sander
------Original Message------
From: Hobey Ford
Sender: puptcrit-bounces-AT-puptcrit.org
To: Puptcrit
ReplyTo: Puptcrit
Sent: Sep 20, 2009 8:45 AM
Subject: [Puptcrit] in the middle of somewhere

We all have had those gigs in the middle of nowhere.  They have become
trophy gigs for me and are always memorable.  There was the tour of N.
Dakota Indian Reservations and small ranch towns (the cowboys and
Indians tour), The gig out 17 miles of gravel Mt roads in an family
lodge or the two room school house in a remote bayou of Louisiana.
Yesterday I travelled to the Elkland International Festival of
Puppetry in the town, or village, of Todd NC To call it a town is a
stretch.  There were  about three businesses one of which was an art
center another the bakery/gallery and a nice general/antique/deli
store. So statistically speaking this was an Arts mecca.  As I
approached the end of my journey ooon woiinding mt roads  the gps
directed me down a dirt road, where the village materialized.   I
spotted my sponsor and and several puppeteers in the road and was
directed where to set-up.  It seemed it would be a day of performing
for the othere pouppet troupes as the place was remote and there was
no sign of gathering crowds.  After some of the best BBQ I've eaten,
at the general store I went back to the venue and as if out of thin
air people began to arrive and all had a fine time.  Martha Enzman and
the folks at The Elkland ASrts Center put on the festival and were
great hosts.  Other performers included Madison J Cripps and Keith
Shubert.   Black Elk said the center of the universe was Harney peak,
which is to say wherever you happen to be.   It was a fine day of
puppetry in the middle of somewhere.

Where have you enjoyed performing at "the end of the road"?
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