Handmade Parade Workshops
Workshops listed below:
- Giant Puppet Making for adults <completed listed below current workshops>
- Stilt-walking <completed listed below current workshops>
- Costume and puppet-making for all ages.
- Childrens 'Make and Take' at Last Fridays
- The Magic of African Rhythms two day workshop
- stay tuned!
It's time to begin the creative process for the 2010 parade!
To receive priority announcements of new workshops, and special events, Sign up here to receive Handmade Parade News.
With your registration for
Parade news you'll receive:
The Handmade Parade Tools
and Materials Guide with six pages of extensive tips, and recommendations of
tools and where to find free, recycled, and economical sources for tools and
materials. The Handmade Parade Puppet
Building Manual with 24 pages of planning tips, recipes, and how-to sketches.
If you have a group that is interested in a personal workshop send us an email with your request or call Mark Donley at 919-602-2550.
From Concept to Creation:
Costume and street size puppet-making workshops
(in addition: stilt-walking practice for stilt-walkers and stilt costume brainstorming and design)
Saturday September 11
Saturday September 18
1:30 to 4:30 pm
For all ages - Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult
Meet some of your fellow puppet makers, learn new skills, create your own design or help others and collaborate! These are hands on workshops. Participants should bring their projects and materials. This is also an opportunity for those that haven't started a project that would like to join in helping to build and decorate an ongoing project. Tools will be available.
For more information call Mark at 919-602-2550
Pre-registration is required! register on line
Cost $5.00 per person
Where: Hillsborough United Church of Christ, 220 Davis Rd. Hillsborough (on the corner of Old hwy. 86). We want to thank the HUCC for their generosity in letting us use this space!
Childrens 'Make and Take' Workshops at Last Fridays
Friday September 24
On the south lawn of the Hillsborough courthouse during August and September Last Fridays FREE
The Magic of African Rhythms
"River Rhythms" - Textiles, Drumming and Dance - Two Day Workshop Saturday October 9th - 1:30pm to 5:30 pm Sunday October 10th - 1:30 pm to 5:30pm Place Orange County Recreation Center 300 West Tryon St. Hillsborough Advanced Registration is required Cost $5.00 per child Ages: 6 and older (10 and younger must have a parent with them) Register with the Orange County Recreation Department. 245-2660
A snack will be provided.
All participants should be planning to participate in the parade with the leaders of this workshop. Baba and Mama Shabu, who have spent nearly 20 years studying and
performing all over Africa, originally established this group in Africa
as “Ngoma Sasa.” The African concept of Ngoma, is the “rhythmic thread” that links drumming, singing, dancing, and visual arts together. Drums, dance, costumes, song
and
story carry participants across the colorful spectrum of the entire
continent. This workshop will culminate with the participants performing
in the Handmade Parade with The Magic of African Rhythm! There is more information about this talented troupe below the workshop description. This very special workshop is made possible by a grant from the North Carolina Arts Council.
Their unique ability to communicate and engage
multitudes of ages, races, and abilities, will help us create a true community participation celebration
 | Baba heads graphic, textile and stage design for The Magic of African Rhythm. He conducts the visual arts component of the residencies. As the elder, he weaves character education into all his lessons and passes his wisdom on to the participants. Hand selected designs representing different aspects of water will be used to create simple yet elegant Kangas. |
will focus on the use of the cloth in movement.
Using our Kanga’s along with traditional Kanga dance movements, participants will create a segment within the flow of the river demonstrating the rhythmic qualities of water.
Song will also be incorporated to add even greater dimension to the rhythm being created. Dancers will be accompanied by our drummers as they move along the length of the river, imparting waves of rhythm and movement to the river’s structure as a whole.
The Magic of African Rhythm is a pillar in the bridge that connects us to our African heritage across the ocean. Baba and Mama Shabu began working on the bridge in the 1960’s and the Shabu Family continues this cultural tradition today.
 | The group grew with the addition of their children,
Mabinti, Teli, and Taji, whose talents shine through the drums, various
African keyboard and stringed instruments, storytelling, song, and
dance. The group’s form of artistic expression is “ngoma,” the blending of all the art forms into an organic whole In performance, Djembe Fire! presents a dynamic combination of amazing skill, energy, and drums. Six to eight master drummers and dancers share with you the fire of the djembe program with the authentic instruments, music, dance, and drama that bring the African spectacle to life. |
Learn more about The Magic of African Rhythms at their website
... and check out their book Kpawo - The Bridge - Finding your Ancestral connection in Africa.
2010 Completed Workshops
2010
Leadership
Workshop: <completed>
Parade design, costume and giant puppet-making for adults.
Two Saturdays: Saturday July 24 and Saturday July 31
<Completed>
If
you only attend one workshop this parade season, this may be the most
important one.... especially for those who would like to help others in
leading a parade Krewe... a group of friends, a church group, your
school class or business.
As
the leader of a group you can participate in the leadership workshop for free. Then, use your new skills to help create
your groups unique parade entry.
Members of your group can then take
the community workshops throughout the parade season to help refine the group’s ideas. You’ll be
surprised at the creativity within yourself and your group!
This
will be a fun and comprehensive two day workshop to give you basic
skills then focus on more advanced techniques. In addition, this is the
workshop for teachers, artists and those that have previously taken
workshops that seek to refine their skills, network and learn more
advanced fabrication techniques to construct large puppets with moving
arms legs and wings. ...an opportunity to create dancing mobiles !
Where:
Orange County Recreation center
300 West Tryon Street
Hillsborough, NC
When:
Two Saturdays, Saturday July 24th and Saturday July 31.
1:30 pm to to 4:40 pm
Cost:
Free to Teachers and Handmade Parade participants
Link to Map and directions to recreation center.
Pre-Registration for this workshop is required.
Please Register Online Here.
Stilt Walking <completed>
The stilt walking workshop was a grand success! Check out this years stilt walking images here. Look for these talented stilt walkers in the Handmade Parade!
Stilt walking for experienced stilt walkers and beginners.
| Walk in the beautiful shaded gardens of the historic Moorefield Estate in Hillsborough. You can become a stilt walking performer in the Handmade Parade! Beginning with an emphasis on safety, you will learn the rules, fundamentals and art of stilt walking. It's easier than you think! This is also an opportunity for folks who are experienced or have taken a previous stilt walking classes to meet other stilt-walkers and practice walking in a safe environment. You'll gain confidence to perform in the Handmade Parade! |  |
 | Beginners workshop: 11:00 am to 3:00 pm Beginners will be fitted for stilts from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. If you need to be fitted for stilts you need to arrive at 11:00 am. Continuing session for those with some experience: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm |
Space is limited.
Workshop is $15.00 per individual.
Adults and teenagers, 13 and older
Stilts will be available at materials cost of $30 each.
Scholarships are available call Mark @ 919-602-2550 for additional info.
Registration is required. THIS CLASS IS FULL
Mail check to 'Hillsborough Arts Council' 220 S Churton St. Hillsborough, NC 27278
Where:
Historic Moorefield House
2201 Moorefield Road
Hillsborough, NC 27278
Link to Map and directions
We're also seeking experienced stilt walkers for the Handmade Parade... email us for details.