Buffalo Rising Online

Aug 31st 2008, 5:20pm By Wudenbachs

In a politically charged election year, many people become active who may have had no opinion or no sense of involvement since the last election cycle. In the time honored tradition of giant Papier-Mâché effigies stirring up the populace towards activism and art, Bread & Puppet Theater comes to Buffalo.

The Vermont based Bread & Puppet Theater is a politically charged group that encourages community participation and advocates a "cheap art" philosophy of inclusion in art and performances along with a literal manifestation of the bread by having fresh baked sourdough bread shared at each performance. Bread & Puppet comes to Buffalo September 10-13 2008 for a mini series of events & Workshops at Artspace and the WNY Book Arts Center.

Wednesday September 10 (2pm-8pm) (performance at 8pm) Lubberland Dance workshop & Performance - Artspace – 1219 Main St. Buffalo - A day-long workshop culminating with an 8pm performance at Artspace. Workshops begin at 2pm and include dinner for participants. Bread & Puppet founder Peter Schumann will be participating. Fee: Donation only

Thursday September 11 (5pm-9pm) Junk Instrument and Movement with Objects Workshop - WNY Book Arts Center – 468 Washington St. Downtown Buffalo - The "cheap art philosophy" of using and making and junk instruments will be extended into the machines at WNYBAC. Participants will also become involved with performing with props and produce content for the Saturday performance. An evening meal is included as part of the workshop. Fee: $30 (both Thurs & Fri workshops $50)

Friday September 12 (5pm-9pm) Cantastoria Workshop - WNY Book Arts Center – 468 Washington St. Downtown Buffalo Cantastoria is a theatrical form where a performer or group of performers tells or sings a story while gesturing to a series of images. These images can be painted, printed or drawn on any sort of material. Bread & Puppet workshop will use the presses & facilities of the WNY Book Arts Center to produce content for the Saturday performance. An evening meal is included as part of the workshop. Fee: $30 (both Thurs & Fri workshops $50)

Saturday September 13 (8pm)

Bread & Puppet Performance

WNY Book Arts Center – 468 Washington St. Downtown Buffalo

Culmination of previous 2 days workshops including local musicians & performers

Fee: Voluntary Donation

This event series is being coordinated by Buffalo based artist and former Bread & Puppet resident Kyla Kegler with sponsorship in part from Rust Belt Books, Artspace & the WNY Book Arts Collaborative.