Calgary’s geeky science festival may be a few weeks away but all those who want to see some quirky, giant creations can visit Olympic Plaza to see giant puppet hands, called Hand to Hand.
Squonk Opera, Inc.
Hand to Hand was created in 2019 by Pittsburgh-based Squonk Opera Inc.
Squonk is celebrating its 30th anniversary with its Hand to Hand tour at the Olympic plaza. This unique tour is presented by Arts Commons.
Visit the plaza and have fun operating two larger-than-life puppet hands. These hands are so massive that each hand has been compared to the size of a house. They are also said to be ‘rigged like a sailing ship’.
Attendees can have fun moving these giant hands around. You can even control the movement of each finger.
This free event for people of all ages will be held from the 29th August to the 31st. There are 3 days of unlimited entertainment with multiple shows on the 30th and 31st of August.
Squonk combines art, music and visual designs to bring you this unique event. You will also get to enjoy music from Squonk’s very own band. The band will be playing rock music and there will be a musical face-off between two of their guitarists.
According to Squonk’s website, “The Squonkers, dwarfed by the hands, climb a multi-tiered stage. Music rises from a single finger flicking an organ key, as natural an expression of humanity as a wave or a fist. Squonk’s original progressive rock drives a journey that is spectacular, plaintive, and comic. In this melee, the giant thumbs detach to become truly opposable and challenge each other with guitars.”
Squonk’s production has been all over the world from Europe to Asia to the United States. 9 rock albums have been released by this group. They have also been off-Broadway, on Broadway as well as on America’s Got Talent. These productions have been seen over 1 million people live and over 14 million people on TV.
Remember to bring your own chairs or blankets. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis, so try to arrive on time for your show.
You can pre-register for Hand to Hand tour and they’ll give you a Squonk-themed activity package for your kids.
Trip Planning: Squonk: Hand to Hand
What: Squonk: Hand to Hand invites audiences of all ages to become participants to operate two giant purple puppet hands (each the size of a house and rigged like a sailing ship) as Squonk’s band plays their signature brand of quirky, upbeat rock and two guitarists go head-to-head in a musical face-off.
When:
Monday, August 29 | 7 p.m.
Tuesday, August 30 | 12 p.m., 4 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Wednesday, August 31 | 12 p.m., 4 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Where: Olympic Plaza, 228 8 Ave SW, Calgary
How Much: Free