PARADE, WORKSHOPS, and ART EXHIBIT
The Free-Form Parade, June 3
Here come the critters! Continuing the tradition of opening the Sunday Lummis Day festivities with a procession of animal puppets, the Arroyo Arts Collective (“AAC”) presents “CRITTERS GOTTA CRAWL”. The gleefully unstructured procession begins at the Southwest Museum Tunnel located at 234 Museum Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90065. We line up at 11:30am and start marching at noon, ending at Sycamore Grove Park to be part of the traditional Tongva blessing to open Lummis Day Music Festival.
This “Critters” parade celebrates the dazzling creativity of the people of Northeast Los Angeles, with marchers paying tribute to the species of animals which roam and reside in the lands adjacent to the Arroyo Seco. Native to this region and leading the procession in majestic fashion is a giant Blue Belly Fence Lizard, created by Master Puppeteer Beth Peterson. Musical band “Cuñao”, dressed as a pack of Coyotes, will accompany the marchers, while artists from the community will feature other species such as the black bear, bobcat, raccoon and mule deer. Join in, have fun, meet your neighbors and make a puppet to march with us! Inspiration for participation can be drawn from anything animal.
All that is required to march, dance, ride, skip or hop along in the procession is a critter-themed costume, puppet, doll, hat, mask, scarf or any other accessory. Wild flights of imagination are heartily encouraged. For this event, nothing is too subtle or too baroque. Individuals, families, and teams; all are welcome!
Many Critter Puppet Workshops
As part of the preparation for “CRITTERS GOTTA CRAWL”, AAC will be hosting critter puppet-making workshops prior to the day of the procession. AAC is proud to partner with talented Puppeteer Artisans, Linda Hoag, Beth Hernandez, Suzanne Siegel and Heather Hoggan for workshops free and open to the public at area libraries. These family friendly paper bag puppet workshops provide the children attending with supplies to make animal puppets to take home while they learn in a fun environment about raccoons, possums, coyotes, fence lizards and other inhabitants of Northeast LA. The children will be encouraged to march in “Critters Gotta Crawl”. A series of workshops and puppet shows as part of the new series, “Puppets in the Park” will also be held at Tierra de la Culebra Art Park. See below for workshop schedule.
AAC will also partner with the Audubon Center at Debs Park to host workshops. On May 12, AAC will take part in the “Bird Day LA” celebration at the center. A workshop for adults only will also be part of the programming at Audubon. The “SOIREE” is an evening to socialize and create imaginative puppets under the guidance of Master Puppet Artisan Beth Elliot. Light fare and refreshments will be enjoyed! See below for workshop schedule.
And a Site-Specific Art Exhibit, Opening June 9
The Arroyo Arts Collective (AAC) invites you to an exhibition of site-specific installations on the grounds of the La Tierra de la Culebra Art Park. With an emphasis on local wildlife found in the North East L.A. area, artists are addressing ecological issues (i.e. global warming, habitat destruction, water and air pollution) which impact the ongoing health and safety of wildlife; wildlife biology and migratory patterns; and how they co-exist in our Northeast LA neighborhoods. Participating artists include: Nicholas Fedak II, Angelica Gonzales, David Lasky, Daphne Mangin, Jan McCall, Linda Ravenswood, The Artists Formerly Known As Women ((Nancy Buchanan, Monica Chau, Deborah Krall, Sheila Pinkel, Karen Schwenkmeyer, Suzanne Siegel, Laura Silagi).
An Opening Reception with refreshments and live music will be held on June 9, 2018, in conjunction with NELA Second Saturday. The exhibition runs through June 22nd. It is family friendly, free and open to the public.
“CRITTERS GOTTA CRAWL” is supported in part through the generous support of the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles.
WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
Arroyo Seco Regional Library, Sat, April 14, 3 – 5 PM, 6145 N. Figueroa Street, L.A. 90042
Cypress Park Branch Library, Tue, April 24, 3 – 4:30 PM, 1150 Cypress Avenue, L. A. 90065
Audubon Center at Debs Park, Sat, May 12, 10 AM – noon and 1- 3 PM, 4700 North Griffin Ave., L. A. 90031
Audubon Center at Debs Park, May 15, Puppet-Making “SOIREE” 5:30 – 8:30 PM
Eagle Rock Branch Library, Wed, May 23, 3 – 5 PM, 5027 Caspar Avenue, L. A. 90041
Tierra De La Culebra Art Park, Sundays, April 15, May 20, June 17, 2 – 3:30 PM, 240 S. Ave 57, L. A. 90042