Workshops - Hillsborough Arts Council

Handmade Parade Workshops

Giant Puppet Making, Stilt-walking, Drumming, Dance and more!

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.

2010 Workshop Schedule

2010 Leadership Workshop: Parade design, costume and giant puppet-making for adults.
Two Saturdays: Saturday July 24 and Saturday July 31

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 !

This years theme is 'Eno River Rhythm' the theme has been conceived to encourage costumes and parade ensembles that portray movement. To create a parade that will bring the rhythm of the river to the streets! We're inspired by the fantastic creations of Peter Minshall in Trinidad. Some have called them 'dancing mobiles'. His costumes are designed with the motion of the performer in mind, so that performer and costume are one.

With your registration you'll receive more info, manuals and be sent links to inspiring websites that will get your ideas flowing. Although this workshop will have a focus of advanced techniques anyone is welcome... There will be folks willing to help all levels. This is an adult workshop. (minimum age 14) There will be additional workshops for children during parade season.

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
Aug 7
Walking Tall ! Beginning with an emphasis on safety, you will learn the rules, fundamentals and art of stilt walking. It's easier than you think! If you have already taken this course you are encouraged to come for a practice session. You must be 13years or older.
For beginners who need to be fitted for stilts the workshop begins at 11AM and goes till 3PM
For those who are there to practice the workshop begins at 1 PM and goes till 3PM

Space is limited.
$15.00 per individual Stilts will be available at materials cost of $30 each
.Scholarships available. Please register online here and mail check to 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.

Childrens 'Make and Take' Workshops

Friday August 27th and September 24
On the south lawn of the Hillsborough courthouse during August and September Last Fridays FREE

From Concept to Creation: Costume and puppet-making workshops

August: Saturday August 14 and Saturday August 21
September: Saturday September 11 and Saturday September 18

For all ages Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult

Meet some of your fellow puppet makers, learn new skills, 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. Join the Parade! Tools will be available. Led by parade organizer and puppet designer, Mark Donley. For more information call Mark at 919-602-2550

Cost $5.00 per person

The Magic of African Rhythms

Saturday and Sunday October 9 and 10: Saturday 9:00am till 1:00pm,Sunday 12:30 till 4:30pm

A snack is provided.

For ages over 6 Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. All participants must be planning to participate in the parade with the leaders of this workshop.

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 African concept of Ngoma, the “rhythmic thread” that links drumming, singing, dancing, and visual arts together, is expressed in all their performances and workshops.

Day 1

Our first day of workshops will be all about creating the rhythmic waves of the river represented during the parade. Workshop participants will design Kanga cloths which are commonly used in East Africa as both clothing and as a fishing implement. Hand selected designs representing different aspects of water will be used to create simple yet elegant Kangas.

Day 2

The second day of workshops 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.

Cost 5 dollars per person.

Location and sign up for these workshops will be posted soon!