Kickstarter

A record number of people attended TWAINFEST last Saturday (8/18) to enjoy the stories, poems, music, dances, games and activities that have come to make this event the largest free theatrical event in San Diego.

Sam, the 14-ft puppet of Mark Twain, presided over his festival with a removed air of pleasure and approval.  He was often accompanied by an equally large puppet of Edgar Allan Poe, who was also remembered at TwainFest in the "Literary Seance".  (When Edgar and Mary Shelley were conjured by Madame Olga, they proceeded to quarrel over who was the greater writer of horror.)

Approximately 4000 people attended.  Nearly 800 people launched a bean-bag froggie into the air, our tip of the hat to Twain's first nationally read story, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County. 115 people tried to register to vote in the Election of 1872 but only 9 survived the literacy test and happened to be male.

It was a grand event!  Thanks all who pledged support of TWAINFEST 2012.  There's still time to jump aboard this exciting and successful project that, at heart, is dedicated to the joy of reading and writing. 

Sam is ready - all 14 feet of him!  He will make his official debut on Saturday, at TwainFest, of course!

This is a sketch of "Sam's" head in profile.  It will sit atop the 14-foot tall puppet frame.  The head alone is 3-feet tall.  The rest of Sam is also underway:  His body is being constructed as his head and hands are being scultped in papier mache.  His trademark white suit is being tailored by Write Out Loud's Artistic Director, Veronica Murphy.