<![CDATA[THE GOTTABEES - Try This at Home]]>Tue, 25 Aug 2026 15:56:49 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[Episode 9:  It's Break Time!]]>Mon, 18 May 2020 18:37:28 GMThttp://www.bonnie-duncan.com/trythisathome/episode-9-its-break-timePuppets give the best advice.  
It's been such a delight making and sharing these Try This At Home videos! 

We've heard stories about families playing 'Please? No!' out on their bikes, breaking into spontaneous Family Dance Parties, and bringing spoons to life.  It has meant so much to know that we've inspired, well, play.

We wanted to let you all know that, starting this week, we're going to follow the puppets' example and take a break from producing a new Try This At Home video every week. 

We have some new projects we're excited to work on (it is entirely possible that we are not as good as the puppets at going on vacation)...

Speaking of New Projects...

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RANGA SHANKARA'S LITTLE CLOUD STORY SERIES!
premieres Tuesday, May 26 
We're thrilled to be part of Ranga Shankara's Little Cloud story series for families on YouTube. 

Our time working with them in India this past summer was tremendous and we love that we are able to continue to collaborate  with these amazing artists right now.  
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ICA/BOSTON VIRTUAL PLAYDATE!
​Friday, May 29 @ 3:00 pm
We will be LIVE STREAMING a family workshop!  Come play with us --- we'll be moving and grooving and playing games to welcome the weekend. 

It's free to attend but you must pre-register.  

We'll see you on-line very soon!

]]><![CDATA[Episode 8:  We appreciate you!]]>Mon, 11 May 2020 19:05:17 GMThttp://www.bonnie-duncan.com/trythisathome/episode-8-we-appreciate-you Take a moment this week to appreciate someone in your life.

We're performing LIVE ON-LINE again this week!

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 We'll be performing a new short piece in
Puppet Showplace Theater's Puppet SLAM
​this Saturday night (May 16) at 8 pm EST. 
It's for ADULTS ONLY! 
CLICK HERE for details on reserving your "seat"
]]><![CDATA[Episode 7:  Um...I have this pen?!]]>Mon, 04 May 2020 20:31:43 GMThttp://www.bonnie-duncan.com/trythisathome/episode-7-umi-have-this-pen​We hope we inspire new uses of the things in your home this week.  ​

GOOD NEWS FLASH:   
WE ARE LIVE STREAMING THIS THURSDAY!  FOR THE FIRST TIME!​

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Join us this Thursday, May 7th at 4 pm as part of
La MaMa KIDS LIVE program on their Facebook page. 

​We're launching our new pop-up LIVE performance program:  

All Dressed Up and Nowhere to Go
Bonnie Duncan, of The Gottabees, is stuck in a tiny box in her studio.  All she can do is make a tiny piece of theater, to beam LIVE into your living room.  Featuring: Puppets! Original silliness! A suitcase with a surprising number of things inside it!  Theater games for you to play with your family!

Puppetry is All Around You!

Here are some organizations and resources to learn more:
   
​ *Puppet Showplace Theater's PUPPET SHOWPLACE PEN PALS program
     *Jim Henson Foundation's list of VIRTUAL PUPPETRY WORKSHOPS & SHOWS FOR FAMILIES
 *Puppeteers of America's listing of VIRTUAL PUPPET SHOWS
]]><![CDATA[Episode 6:  Today is Tuesday!]]>Tue, 28 Apr 2020 01:30:17 GMThttp://www.bonnie-duncan.com/trythisathome/episode-6-today-is-tuesdayDoes it always feel like Tuesday these days, or is it just us?

​*We noticed in our careful review of this video that we never actually told you how to play this incredibly complex and subtle game!  Here it is:  you say "Today is [insert day of week]", however you're feeling.  Or, however you want to feel.*
]]><![CDATA[Episode 5:  Freeze & Change]]>Mon, 20 Apr 2020 20:16:47 GMThttp://www.bonnie-duncan.com/trythisathome/episode-5-freeze-changeFeeling tired of your usual Family Dance Party moves? 
Well, we've got you covered with another favorite game!
Tony stayed back in time this week with our ultimate dance party music!

Sample List:
A Joyful Process - Funkadelic - from the album America Eats its Young, 1972, Westbound Records
Mongoose - Elephant's Memory - from the album Take It to the Streets, 1970, Metromedia
The Plum Blossom - Yusef Lateef - from the album Eastern Sounds, 1961, Prestige Records
Brooklyn Beats - Ubiquity Records, 2000, La Vibe Productions
The Wedding - Dollar Brand (Abdullah Ibrahim) - from the album African Marketplace, 1980, Elektra/Asylum Records

Instrumentation:
Electric Bass, Turntable and SP 303 sampler -- Tony Leva
Electric Guitar -- Brendan Burns
​
*all samples used without permission but with the utmost respect, admiration, and appreciation of all of the artists* 
]]><![CDATA[Episode 4:  Half a Dance Party]]>Mon, 13 Apr 2020 15:38:53 GMThttp://www.bonnie-duncan.com/trythisathome/episode-4-half-a-dance-partyWe may not be able to go anywhere this week
​but we are keeping our feet moving!  
A long-time fan of hip hop, Tony donned his DJ cap and went to work in the style of late 80's hip hop.  We hope you enjoy!  Squirrel and Bird certainly got down.

Sample List:
Taj Mahal -- Good Morning Little School Girl - from the album Giant Step, 1969, Columbia Records
Taj Mahal -- Country Blues, Cluck Old Men and Light Rain Blues - from the album De Ole Folks at Home, 1969, Columbia Records
Archie Shepp -- Dem Basses; from the album Mama Too Tight, 1966, MCA Records

Instrumentation:
Dr. Sample SP 303
Numark Direct Drive Turntable
Pioneer Scratch Mixer
Electric bass -- Tony Leva
Electric guitar -- Brendan Burns 

*Used without permission but with the utmost respect, admiration and appreciation of Taj Mahal and Archie Shepp and everyone else who played on these records.*  
]]><![CDATA[Episode 3: Please?  No!]]>Mon, 06 Apr 2020 14:49:01 GMThttp://www.bonnie-duncan.com/trythisathome/episode-3-please-no
​PLEASE play this game with us! 
​Please...Please?...Please!...PLEASE!!!!
]]><![CDATA[Episode 2: DON'T FALL ASLEEP]]>Mon, 30 Mar 2020 20:39:32 GMThttp://www.bonnie-duncan.com/trythisathome/episode-2Episode 2 is here and we hope it adds a little drama to your family story time.  
]]><![CDATA[The Gottabees TRY THIS AT HOME!]]>Tue, 24 Mar 2020 12:04:24 GMThttp://www.bonnie-duncan.com/trythisathome/the-gottabees-try-this-at-home
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