Just got word when it was to late to publish last weekend about a great benefit held in Branson last weekend for the Vent Haven Museum.
Here is the notice we received:
One of the most unusual benefit shows ever produced in Branson will occur this Sunday, June 23rd – 3pm at the Hamner Barber Theater.
Enjoy an afternoon of fun as seven top professional ventriloquists from America’s heartland put on a show to raise funds to help preserve their heritage. Listen to this recent interview with Jim Barber and Monna Stafford courtesy of BOTT Radio Network… (Click here for interview)
Vent Haven Museum in Ft. Mitchell, KY, is the world’s only museum dedicated to the art of ventriloquism. The collection houses over 800 figures (dummies), thousands of historic photographs and playbills, and a library of books, some dating back to the 1700’s. When a ventriloquist retires, or perhaps passes away, they often donate their wooden partners to Vent Haven, the Vents Heaven!
Funds raised at this event will go towards the preservation and upkeep of these amazing treasures so they may be enjoyed by future generations for years to come. It’s something that host Jim Barber likes to refer to as… Dummys helping Dummys!
Hosts for the ventriloquist show are Dave Hamner and Jim Barber from the Hamner Barber Theater.
Featured entertainers include: Jim Barber, Todd Oliver, Patty Davidson, Gary Owen, Laura Moyers, David Pendleton, Elisabeth Schoenecke… and some very special surprises with Vent Haven Museum Directors Lisa Sweasy and Anne Roberts, and Ventriloquist-Museum Advisor Tom Ladshaw.
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One of the names on the “Featured Entertainers” List stood out to us in a special way. Gary Owen is a very dear friend of ours for several reasons. Most particularly because JET would not be doing soft sculpture if it were not for Gary.
Back in 2008 we were at Vent Haven ConVENTion when JET was approached by Gary Owen. Gary has a very laid back approach to folks, and is the kind of guy that can tell you that your work stinks and have you happy to hear it. At the time, JET was still doing latex puppets and had made a very small impact on the medium. (Kind of like the impact that a meteor makes on the moon if you know what I mean)
As Gary talked to JET he said “Your stuff is ok, but I see something in your style that tells me you are missing the mark”. JET thinking Gary was going to make some suggestions on latex said “What do you think I need to do to improve?”. Garys next comment was a game changer. “Get out of latex and begin making Soft Sculpture”
Wow! You could have heard a pin drop. However, Gary said that with a straight face and with a sincerity that had JET’s attention. JET said that she knew nothing about soft sculpture. Gary then said “Find some material and read up on it. I will help you in any way I can”.
Now you know the rest of the story. Over the next year, JET and Gary spent many hours on the phone swapping suggestions Gary never asked for a penny for his time, but he got JET started down the road that she has been on ever since.
Just thought that some of you might like to know that little tidbit.
Thats all for now folks. We will talk again real soon.
Steve and JET