BRATTLEBORO, VT– North Star Puppets and New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA) team up to present a festival of puppetry, music, theater, crafts, food, and performance.

On Sunday, August 20, the first Hot Jam Puppet Slam will take place at NECCA’s Trapezium with a two-part event.

The first part is a Family Fun Festival, offered outdoors under the circus tent, from 4 – 7 pm. The schedule includes performances and activities for all ages with silkscreening, live music by Stephen Peter Rodgers, a family puppet show by Wandering Theatre, a craft workshop with Anything Can Be A Puppet, and food. The Family Fun Festival is by donation, no tickets needed. A detailed schedule of activities can be found at www.circusschool.org.

At 7:00 pm, the event moves indoors for the Hot Jam Puppet Slam, an adult-oriented variety show of ten short acts by renowned puppeteers from New England and beyond. Tickets for the show are on sale at a sliding scale, $10-$50, at www.circusschool.org.  Recommended audience age 13+.

Festival Director Phoenix Leigh invites attendees to experience what’s possible when puppetry is presented with its full scope. “Prepare to be dazzled, to laugh, cry, ask, ‘How did they do that?’ There are ways to be part of the puppetry as well as watch talented performers.”

NECCA’s Producing Director Serenity Smith Forchion adds that hosting this festival at NECCA makes sense.  “Phoenix works for NECCA in our administration team and brought the idea to us. It made sense for us to host, as NECCA aims to support our artists community with the resources we have available. Our facility and lawns are perfect for a family day out!”

The event is presented with support from sponsors Latchis Arts and Latchis Hotel in downtown Brattleboro.

It’s a festival day that you won’t want to miss, organically grown right in Brattleboro, Vermont. Come get your toast buttered with wonder!

Main image: Stephen Peter Rogers in Studio with Guitar