![\"Darlynne](\"https:\/\/sandiegodowntownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/Darlynne-Marc-Web.jpg\")
<\/a>We had a recent adventure that involved this unique, tall ship-shaped bridge, a fun puppet show and a lot of laughter. \u00a0At this point, you\u2019re probably scratching your head thinking, \u201cWhat are they talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n
We all know how finding a Downtown parking spot at night can sometimes be challenging. Well, if you\u2019re willing to walk, there are usually metered spots available behind the Convention Center, near\u00a0Joe\u2019s Crab Shack<\/b>\u00a0or the\u00a0Bayfront Hilton<\/b>. After 6 p.m. it\u2019s free, so that\u2019s even better.<\/p>\n
On our way to the puppet show, we walked past some amazing boats at the Hilton\u2019s marina, then eventually made our way across the foot bridge and through one of\u00a0Petco Park\u2019s<\/b>\u00a0lots toward 15th and J streets. By the way, when you get to 13th and J, there\u2019s a wonderful view of the new\u00a0Central Library<\/b>, a portion of the Ballpark and part of Downtown\u2019s skyline.\u00a0 It\u2019s a \u201cKodak moment.\u201d<\/p>\n
On this particular evening, an \u201cAdult Puppet Cabaret\u201d was held at the\u00a0Space 4 Art<\/b>, an outdoor venue that showcases all types of artwork and music. A live band performed as guests arrived and drank wine and munched on light snacks. Those who arrived early even got to make their own puppet! As we took our seats, we glanced around and saw a lot of shiny happy people and many were holding their new puppet pals. It was a very different experience and it made us feel like kids again.<\/p>\n
The show featured a variety of funny, quirky skits \u2013 think Avenue Q but with a hometown flair.<\/p>\n
In between performances, guests who created their own puppets earlier in the evening got to take part in the \u201cPuppet-E-Oke\u201d performances.<\/p>\n
Produced by\u00a0Animal Cracker Conspiracy<\/b>, a company founded in 2006 by Iain Gunn and his fianc\u00e9e, Bridget Rountree, their website (animalcrackerconspiracy.com) \u201cgratefully acknowledges support from The Jim Henson Foundation, the Puppet Slam Network, and The Puffin Foundation.\u201d Gunn anticipates some of the guests who see the show will develop an unexpected passion for puppets.<\/p>\n The Adult Puppet Cabaret was created out of the couple\u2019s appreciation of short form puppet theatre, and they wanted to foster and build an adult audience community.<\/p>\n The couple is clearly passionate about this unique form of art and it shows during their performance as they banter back and forth and introduce each skit.<\/p>\n \u201cWe run a business that is somewhat off-center and we are always interested to hear how other couples come up with a bizarre idea and get people to show up,\u201d said Gunn.<\/p>\n There were over 100 people at the May 17 show at Space 4 Art.<\/p>\n Gunn says his inner artist started at a young age. “I loved to make things when I was a kid,” he said. “I would get the Legos and make what the box showed and then take it apart and make five other things. I also studied science and art, thinking I’d be a painter. When I arrived in San Diego 13 years ago, I met people who were doing puppetry and combining it with different messages.”<\/p>\n The Animal Cracker Conspiracy will be performing their next two shows on July 5th at 3:30 p.m. and July 6at 8 p.m., both at the\u00a010th Avenue Theatre<\/b>. “The show is about humans’ obsession with objects,” Gunn said.\u00a0 It was a Best of Fringe Winner at the Fringe Fest in San Francisco in 2012. It’s good to see quirky and colorful ideas getting support. Gunn also mentioned this at the show. “It’s possible to be a little weird and live in San Diego,” he said. He also had some funny comments encouraging people to not have a real job and do what you love.<\/p>\n<\/a>