Building on the success of the 2016 event, “Fish Outta Water”, where over one hundred eager participants gathered to promenade in Highland Park, the Arroyo Arts Collective (“AAC”) presents “FISH GOTTA SWIM, BIRDS GOTTA FLY”. The 2017 AAC event is a gleefully unstructured procession which unfolds at the Lummis House located at 200 East Avenue 43, Los Angeles, California 90031.
The colorful fish and feathered bird puppets gather at 11:30 am. Once lined up and packed with joy, they take to the streets with music from Latino Folk band “Cuñao”! The spirited marching starts at 12:00 pm down to Sycamore Grove Park located at 4702 North Figueroa Street just in time to be part of the traditional Tongva Native blessing to open the 2017 Lummis Day Music Festival.
All that is required to march, dance, ride, skip or hop along in the procession is a fish or bird 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!
The “FISH GOTTA SWIM, BIRDS GOTTA FLY” procession celebrates the dazzling creativity of Northeast L.A. and honors the Arroyo Seco, a tributary of the Los Angeles River. The marchers will pay tribute to the species of fish which once made the southern part of the LA River vibrant and to the many species of birds who reside in the lands adjacent to the Arroyo Seco.
AAC invites you to join in, have fun, meet your neighbors and make a puppet to march with us! Inspiration for participation can be drawn from anything aquatic or aviary. We are looking for artists, designers, and puppeteers to present and parade original work!
As part of the preparation for “FISH GOTTA SWIM, BIRDS GOTTA FLY”, AAC will be hosting fish and bird puppet-making workshops. AAC is proud to partner with talented Puppeteer Artisans, Beth Peterson, Heather Hoggan and Linda Hoag for workshops free and open to the public at various area libraries. AAC will also partner with the Audubon Center at Debs Park and the Friends of the LA River for workshops and to provide education about the state of the river and the bird species in the area.
WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
LIBRARIES
Cypress Park Branch Library, Wednesday, April 26 from 3:30 to 5:00 PM
Address: 1150 Cypress Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90065
Arroyo Seco Regional Library, Saturday, May 20 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM
Address: 6145 N. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90042
Eagle Rock Branch Library, Wednesday, May 24 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM
Address: 5027 Caspar Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90041
AUDUBON CENTER AT DEBS PARK
Address: 4700 North Griffin Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90031
MAY 6 for “BIRD DAY LA”: 2 Workshops 10:00 AM – 12PM AND 1 PM – 3 PM
To celebrate “Bird Day” in Los Angeles, everyone is welcome to create a colorful and stylish Bird Hat to march with on June 4th!
Learn from our partners at Audubon and FOLAR about our area species of fish and birds!
MAY 17 Puppet-Making “SOIREE”: 1 Workshop 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
The “SOIREE” is an evening for adults to socialize and create imaginative fish and bird puppets under the guidance of Master Puppet Artisans. Light fare and refreshments will be enjoyed!
LUMMIS HOUSE
Address: 200 East Avenue 43, Los Angeles, California 90031
MAY 7, 14, 21 – “Puppet Making Workshops” 12 pm
Join us making giant puppets and for Museums of the Arroyo Day festivities on May 21.
“FISH GOTTA SWIM, BIRDS GOTTA FLY” is supported in part through the generous support of the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles.