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Youth put on a puppet show with help from expert performer

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Puppeteer Dan Butterworth came all the way from Rhode Island, U.S., to perform shows with his marionettes and to guide close to 20 youth in making their own puppets, Feb. 13 to 17.

One of puppeteer Dan Butterworth's intriguing marionettes in action during a show at the Cambridge Bay community hall on Feb. 17.
photo courtesy of Fred Muise

They started out making singing puppets from paper plates. That was followed by puppets with rods to move their hands. Then came flying puppets with wings, said recreation coordinator Fred Muise.

"And then the kids performed, and then (Butterworth) performed a show on Saturday night after the kids were done," Muise said, adding that the productions attracted good crowds of spectators.

Cambridge Bay senior administrative officer Marla Limousin had previously arranged for Butterworth to assist with the making of whale-bone marionettes while she was working in Kugaaruk, which is what led to his appearance in Cambridge Bay.

Then last week, the entertainment shifted to singing and music with performances by Kelly Amaujaq Fraser, who has converted some pop hits into Inuktitut, and Thor Simonsen. There was also a lyrics-writing workshop and a talent show.