Earlier this year, there was a gathering of ventriloquist and puppeteers in Texas. It featured ventriloquist, puppeteers, hard and soft figures and marionettes. It was the first gathering in Texas of this kind and one of the guest of honor, although he didn't perform, was Caroll Spinney: http://www.carollspinney.com/. The Gathering was originally hosted by Bob Abdou, better known as Mr. Puppet: http://www.mrpuppet.com/index.php. He has since moved to Ohio, and he had a vision that this gathering would grow to an annual event. It is only in the planning and interest stage. It took place in the Austin area this year, since it's centrally located among the major cities of Texas. It would be tentative planned for the same month as last year, which is February, although this could change. If the interest is large enough between the vents and puppeteers, I think this could grow to a major event quickly.

Ron Arnold 

Welcome to Puppets and Stuff............ keep us updated and you may want to post the event in the calendar located in the menu at the top of the page.

Welcome to this site- it is great.

Thanks for the welcomes. I've been looking at the boards for a while now. Some vents make their own figures and puppets. I've been working on plans for a muppet-style puppet. I just started working on the actual build yesterday, so far I have the head glued and the part of the mouth plate. I hope to get the rest of the head together this next week, then I'll start on the body.

Thanks for the welcomes. I've been looking at the boards for a while now. Some vents make their own figures and puppets. I've been working on plans for a muppet-style puppet. I just started working on the actual build yesterday, so far I have the head glued and the part of the mouth plate. I hope to get the rest of the head together this next week, then I'll start on the body.

We would love to see pictures of the build. You can place in your own gallery we have available for your use.

Welcome! And WOW! You had an all-star group at your last vent meeting in Texas. I am a ventriloquist too. Wish I lived closer so I could attend! Can't wait to see pictures of your figure! I am not clever enough to make the puppets I perform with - I leave that to the professionals!
Look forward to seeing pictures!

Very interested.  I am in the Houston area. Please post more info.

The Texas Gathering is still in the planning stages, but it will tentatively be scheduled in February. Since we're now in a new year, I'm hoping more interest is shown in it. More details will be posted here, as well as other places for vents, as soon as they are available. I know at least another vent and figure maker from Houston that will be attending with his wife.  

That sounds like a very interesting event! What exactly takes place there? I'm in SW Louisiana, so Austin's only about 4 hours or so and I have a bro-in-law who lives there. Are there workshops?  Any info you could let us know about would be greatly appreciated!

2011 was the first Gathering, there was no workshops. It was a one day event, but there was an open mic for vents and puppeteers alike, as well as figures that were built by a few vents. This year, it's still in the planning stage, so I'm not sure what will happen this year. Mr. Puppet organized it last year and he's a vent and puppeteer, he moved to Ohio last year and he had lots of connections. I'm trying to get the buzz started and get it growing interests.