Usurping Tradition

First came the Binge Festival, and we all giggled at the idea that the Fringe has become an established target, ripe for other artists' parody. Now, we hear Puppet Uprising is also planning a cutely named Fringe spinoff — Puppet Uprising Fringe Usurper (PUFU) — and we wonder if the whole setup is designed to get us to say stupid stuff out loud in casual conversations about weekend plans. Poo-Foo, I ask you?

In fact, no. PU, found in past years at the Fringe's Bumping Big Top, has genuinely decided to sidestep the Fringe, and instead to show some six visiting shows in one space, on one night. For pure kitschy fun, Puppets Revenge, based in Phoenixville, will dazzle us with excerpts of Amabantur (pictured), the tale of Eros and Psyche reprised with net-bedecked Barbie dolls and an Elvis poseable. Drama of Works presents a preview of their Warhol tm, a lively gathering of the pop-art grandpop and his inanimate muses — soup cans, soda bottles and the rest — who re-create scenes from his later life. Plus more by Bikes Across Borders, Kris Rhood and Kate Brehm. Over the weekend, there's to be live music (not yet announced), one sly bit of commercialism aimed at the crafty set, the Cheap Art Bazaar, and the chance to outdo what you've seen earlier at the generous-spirited puppet slam where, yes, puppet show submissions are welcome.

Puppet Uprising Fringe Usurper, Fri., Aug. 27, 7:30 p.m. puppet show; Sat., Aug. 28, 11 a.m.-4 p

.m. art bazaar and music, 7:30 p.m. puppet slam; Sun., Aug. 29, 6 p.m. films; freewill offering, The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St., www.pu

ppetuprising.org.

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