My favorite pig, Mathilda, is determined to dance like Clara in “The Nutcracker. Fortunately, her patient Grandpa is on hand to help.

For those who like to tap their toes:

Every two months Arlington Council on Arts and Culture highlights an artist who’s actively contributing to the Arlington arts scene. In December and January, I’m the featured artist on the Arts Arlington site sponsored by ACAC.

The artist statement was fun to write because it gave room to think about why I perform and what the work is like. Here’s the part that gets to the heart of working on a new show:
My newest show is “Taking Turns,” which features pigs, dogs and bunnies. Sandra and I used needle-felting techniques to make animal puppets. We took big balls of wool and punched them with needles to create little pigs and dogs. I find that their fuzzy surfaces appeal to young children more than the painted faces of our Sculpey puppets.

Although the show opened in August I am still spending many hours each week refining the way I portray the characters. The hardest thing is to slow down, let a puppet “breath” between steps, and wait for the character to form its thoughts before I speak for it. Often, I ask friends to watch and advise. Jacek Zuzanski of Dream Tale Puppets and retired “puppet diva” Suzanne Pemsler have been terrific coaches.

Read the whole statement here:
http://artsarlington.org/grants-and-resources/artlinks-arlington-networking-for-artists/featured-artist/

“Badger Meets the Fairies” tomorrow at First Teacher Summer Fun Day in the playground, 6 Shirley Street in Dorchester, 11:30am.
Thanks to Jacek Zuzanski for the new photo!

“Badger Meets the Fairies” tomorrow at 6pm, Glen Park at Capuano School in Somerville:  http://www.somervilleartscouncil.org/puppet/2015/badger

Join Margaret Moody for two funny puppet shows this Saturday at 2pm at Arlington Center for the Arts. In “Mathilda’s Bath,” adapted from a Mrs. Piggle Wiggle story, Mathilda loves mud baths — but not the soapy kind. And in “Cow and Mouse’s Picnic” two friends share everything except dessert. Come for the show, stay for coffee and puppet-play.
Tickets are $7; 3 for $20. Please pay by cash or check at the door. Best for ages 3 and up.

This Saturday we team up with Arlington Center for the Arts to offer a “Puppets Together” workshop for families, after the show. Make puppets and perform with your family! More about the class: acarts.org/classes.php

“Cow and Mouse’s Picnic” and “Mathilda’s Bath”
by Margaret Moody

Saturday, March 14 at 2pm
Arlington Center for the Arts
41 Foster Street
Tickets $7; 3 for $20
(tickets may be reserved via [email protected] or call Margaret at (781) 643-1228)

Spring is almost here. Cow and Mouse are frolicking at a picnic — but do they have to share their cookies? In in the second story, Mathilda wallows in the mud. Can Mom coax her into the tub? Join Margaret Moody for two funny fables for ages 3 and up. We hope you’ll stay around for puppet-play and coffee after the show.

On March 14, the Saturdays with Puppets series teams up with Arlington Center for the Arts to offer a puppet workshop after the show from 3 to 4:30. Make puppets with fabric and paper; then practice your show with your family. More info:acarts.org/classes.php