Cycling Oriented Puppet Squad
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Winterizing: CYCLOPS End of Season
Nov 4th
“Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each.”
-Henry David Thoreau
The leaves are falling, crisp autumn sun is shining, and CYCLOPS is retiring our trusty blue two-wheeled steeds for the winter. Having closed the season with the most dreadful Night of Dread in Clay & Paper Theatre history, the Puppet Squad is reflecting on the past six months’ hard work and creativity. We did a lot, beginning with the Group Commute and the launch of Bike Month back in May, through to the Herstories Cafe in August, September Pedestrian Sunday in Kensington Market and the frigid mid-October Tweed Ride, with Buskerfest and a little thing called The Pedaler’s Wager in between… what a ride it has been! We hope you saw and enjoyed our work or spotted us on the street. Drop us a line if you wish to support this project in future – stay tuned for 2012!
Tips for the many of us who continue to ride the streets of Toronto during the winter months from Bicycle.net: Winterizing Your Bike!
We’d like to extend our sincerest gratitude to The Trillium Foundation and the many many supporters and volunteers who have worked with us this year. We couldn’t have done it without you!
Cyclops & Amira at the Small World Music Festival
Here’s a fantastic video of the highlight of the Night of Dread 2011:
CYCLOPS? What’s That?
Jun 1st
Clay & Paper Theatre’s bicycle-based theatre project Cyclops: Cycling Oriented Puppet Squad animates and energizes environmental and cycling events across Toronto from May to October, bringing theatre and cycling enthusiasm to the unsuspecting public. Here on our blog you can find out the latest news, plans and adventures from this mobile performance squad.
As we take our unique brand of theatre to the streets, we develop new performance venues and enliven Toronto’s public spaces while drawing attention to urban environmental issues and promoting active living. Thanks to funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Cyclops has been bringing the bicycle revolution to the city since 2009, and continues through 2011. This year’s squad comprises Anna Sapershteyn, Rebecca Bruton, Ellen Hurley, and (returning) Maria Wodzinksa, with support from Amira Emma Routledge.
Do you have a coming event that could use some Cyclops? Interested in volunteering or donating goods or services? Want to find out more? Contact Larissa Koniuk at (416) 708 -3332, development_claypaper@bell.net
Cyclops Underway
May 14th
Well folks, here we are in the middle of May already. Before you can say “tune-up time” it will be hot hot hot, and the joys of summer cycling will be upon us. The Squad has been getting ready for our first big event, the Kids World of Energy Festival at the Evergreen Brickworks May 18 – 22, brushing up their cycling safety at CanBike 2, and starting work on our summer show, The Pedaler’s Wager.
The Tale of the Greedy Fishers is a piece that was done by the past two years by other Cyclops individuals; in the past 2 weeks Anna, Maria, Rebecca and Ellen have recreated it in a new form. I have to say, I’m really excited by how creative, fun, playful and productive rehearsals have been. In order to share our process with you I’m posting some photos, but don’t worry, they don’t give it all away! You can come see this show at the Brickworks on Saturday and Sunday May 21 & 22, at 11, 12, and 1 o’clock.
Also, our first group ride is coming up on June 10! We’ll be headed to Humber Bay Park and we’d love to have you ride with us.
Maria & Anna pose for the camera
Rebecca & Anna in rehearsal
Coming Soon… Cyclops 2011!
Apr 19th
This year’s Cyclops Squad has just been hired! Plans are being made, schedules formed and puppets designed! This year’s Cyclops troupe will start the year at the Kid’s World of Energy Festival put on by the Toronto Renewable Energy Collective: click here to find out more about that! We’ll also be playing at the Evergreen Brickworks that weekend (May 21 & 22) during the market and ongoing Energy Festival. We’re very excited to begin with such a great event.
Day of Delight Bike Parade 2010
Other activities planned so far this year include:
- Bike for Betty
- Bells on Bloor
- Toronto’s Group Commute
- Clay & Paper Theatre’s Day of Delight: The Wedding June 19
- Our own scenic Friday Night Group Rides
- ARTBIKE: Bicycle Decoration Community Workshops June 11 & 18
- The Toronto Bicycle Music Festival
- The Pedaler’s Wager; Clay & Paper Theatre’s brand new summer show in stationary and mobile versions, coming to a park near You!
- Clay & Paper Theatre’s Night of Dread October 29
Please contact us at development_claypaper@bell.net to bring Cyclops to your event!
Sneak peek from The Pedaller’s Wager… Shhhhh….
Giant Puppet & Bike Trailer Parade
About CYCLOPS
Jul 27th
Clay & Paper’s hit bicycle-based theatre project Cyclops: Cycling Oriented Puppet Squad, returns for another summer of bicycle-infused theatre. This mobile performance squad will animate and energize environmental, community and cycling events across Toronto from May to September, bringing theatre and cycling enthusiasm to the unsuspecting public.
As we take our unique brand of theatre to the streets, we aim to develop new performance venues and enliven Toronto’s public spaces while drawing attention to urban environmental issues and promoting active living. Thanks to funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Cyclops will continue to bring the bicycle revolution to the city in the summers of 2010 and 2011.
Do you have a coming event that could use some Cyclops? Interested in volunteering or donating goods or services? Want to find out more? Contact Cat McLeod at (416) 702 -3323.