Today's streamfest recommendation features the world famous NYC Halloween Parade, which has deep roots in the Hudson Valley, specifically Dutchess County, where this years extravaganza was filmed.
"Over the years, I've had the pleasure of taking part in the NYC Halloween parade, dating back to the 1980s when I lived in NYC," recalls film commission director Laurent Rejto. "I never figured then, that 30+ years later, I would count the artistic and producing director of the parade as a close family friend, and neighbor. This year, I was honored when I was invited to get a behind the scenes glimpse at the parade in the making at a local artist studio in Rhinecliff."
I hope you will join me in enjoying The World Premiere of the First Ever Double Magnificent Intergalactic MINIATURE Halloween Parade.
The Parade features the puppet work of 30 artists from the history of New York’s Village Halloween Parade.
Conceived during a time when other events were finding adaptations of their cancelled events due to Covid, this event is original, unique and stands on its own as an international (indeed, intergalactic: viz. aliens accepted) event of LARGE import, but miniature scale.
These small figures are made by Giants of the puppet world as well as doll makers and costumer designers.
Set against a background created by Broadway Set Designer and Painter, Richard Prouse these “avatars” are displayed against a moving “cranky” image of NYC. They walk past all of NYC’s iconic buildings from the Statue of Liberty and the World Trade Center to the Apollo Theater and the Cloisters.
With no NYPD route restrictions, this Halloween Parade takes ALL of NYC!
The Mini Parade features Grand Marshall, Pinocchio, along with live commentary by actor Donald Corren to a soundtrack of the On The Lam Band, the Original Halloween Parade band!
Puppet artists included:
Mavin Ambrose (Flesh), Ken Ard (Dandy), Julie Atlas Muz (Alan the Alien), Jay Bell (Lord Papillon), Kate Brehm (Mummy Mommy!) Machine Dazzle (COVID Nanobot), Andrew Diaz & Richard Prouse (Till We Meet Again), Andrew Diaz( Tribute to Broadway), Gary Gewant of Leela Puppet Theatre (Pinocchio), Brandon Hardy (Monster), Joanna Hess (La Contessa de la Mare), Serra Hirsch (The Photing Booth), Cait Johnson (Baba Yaga), Processional Arts Workshop (Snake), Suzy Morris (Melania Antoinnette), Paul O’Connor (Squid), Paul O’Connor & Susan Bissonnette (Fish), Sara Peattie of Puppeteers Cooperative (J. Jumpin’ Spider), Mark Perez (Shkreli), Tarish Pipkins (Aunt Nancy), Richard Prouse (MC), Richard Prouse (Mourning Mother), Kalan Sherrard (Triumphant Spirit of Decay), Lake Simmons (Weathervane Fool), Elissa Stein (Victory), Amy Trompetter (Black Lives Matter), Basil Twist (Jefferson Library Spider), Sergio Velez (Samhain! & Wendigo)
Puppeteers and Crew included:
Jeanne Fleming (concept and co-director, artistic and producing director of the Village Halloween Parade), Martha Ross Tobias (co-director and production manager), Sky Gewant (editor and cinematographer, Richard W. Prouse (Set and Backdrop) Donald Corren (Host), Helene Silverman (Title Design), Matthew Fass (Social Media and Web Design), Grace Schultz, Stabilize) Basil Twist (Muse), Douglas Baz (Photography) and puppeteers Susan Bissonnette, Joanna Hess,Sarah Bissonnette, Tessa Miller, Lauren Smith.
Watch the parade online at https://halloween-nyc.com/miniween