Been There/Done That

Open Puppet Builds

by Chad Crisp

Sat.-Sun., Oct. 14-15, 1-5 p.m., free, Clark Park, 43rd Street and Baltimore Avenue, 215-222-6979, www.spiralq.org

Put away the socks — Spiral Q is looking to up your puppet game. In preparation for their Peoplehood Parade and Pageant, the socially active puppet theater is hosting free outdoor puppet-making classes to generate props and puppets for the big day.

The annual parade's name, Peoplehood, symbolizes Spiral Q's mission to eliminate the artificial boundaries created by neighborhoods and bring together Philadelphians. After parading their giant puppets through the streets of West Philly, participants gather at the Clark Park Dog Bowl to watch the pageant. This year's theme, "Are We Sleeping?" is meant as a wake-up call. Through it, Spiral Q hopes to bring attention to issues that persistently plague Philadelphia, such as violence, and rally participants to push the city in a positive direction.

If the open builds are any indication, this year's festivities should be pleasantly surreal. Spiral Q members provided paint, glitter and complete artistic freedom to anyone who wished to decorate props for the day. The result was a fantastic display of the diverse minds in attendance: Plaid clouds, gyrating clock faces and glitter-splashed stars will march through the streets this year. Upcoming classes will feature papier-mâché puppet and mask making. Hey — you'll have to get your hands dirty if you want to change the city.