Jon's Java - The Mad Puppeteer

Monday, June 27, 2016

Have I mentioned...

I feel like the luckiest man alive?

Friday, June 17, 2016

The TV network you've been waiting for....

So Elmwood has a TV channel now!

Well, sort of!!!

On VHX we've got The Elmwood Channel!

It can be watched online, and VHX is available on most platforms (Roku, etc...) So you can rent and buy our flicks, or even better - SUBSCRIBE! It's all pretty cheap so get on this now! We'll be adding a ton more content soon too, including "Animal Behavior", "G@mrz". "Steve The Vampire" and so much more!!!! And the flicks from Euphio Films too!!!

Click Here To Become Part Of The Awesomeness That Is

THE ELMWOOD CHANNEL!

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Magic Hat Wisdom

Happy Birthday

Sunday, May 29, 2016

Never Give Up

Last nite's dream...

Furbies begin life made out of Gumibear style candy. They are about the size of a palm, to start.
They are called Furbiebabies...
And they are evil. If not eaten within 48 hours of creation they begin to plot to end the world.
Furbibbies are evil. Very evil.

Saturday, May 28, 2016

Magic Hat Wisdom

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Magic Hat Wisdom

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

This morning, on the turntable...

Monday, May 16, 2016

Monday Morning Song...

Coffee in hand... The Muppet Movie soundtrack on the turntable...

Thanks Jim

Thursday, May 12, 2016

"If U Had The Chance 2 C The Future, Would U Try?"

"If U Would, So Would Eye."

Saturday, May 7, 2016

Magic Hat Wisdom

Sunday, May 1, 2016

Time for church...

Saturday, April 30, 2016

If u set ur mind free, baby, maybe u'll understand

And let's end this week of Prince lyrics with something a little more upbeat...

This song is from 1987, off my all time favorite Prince album called "Sign 'O' The Times"...
It's cute, and fun. I always thought would have had a great music video had he done one back then. But he didn't...
Then in 1997 he appeared on the short lived series "Muppets Tonight" to promote his most recent album, "Emancipation"
He didn't perform a single song from "Emancipation".. Instead he did a at that time unreleased song called "She Gave Her Angels"... And this... "Starfish and Coffee"
Took him ten years, but an awesome video was made... And over last weekend so many people posted this video on my Facebook page, or messaged me with it... It's a classic, and I hope it puts a smile on your face.

It was 7:45 we were all in line
2 greet the teacher Miss Kathleen
First was Kevin, then came Lucy, third in line was me
All of us where ordinary compared to Cynthia Rose
She always stood at the back of the line
A smile beneath her nose
Her favorite number was 20 and every single day
If U asked her what she had 4 breakfast
This is what she'd say:
"Starfish and coffee
Maple syrup and jam
Butterscotch clouds, a tangerine
And a side order of ham
If U set your mind free, baby
Maybe you'd understand"
Starfish and coffee
Maple syrup and jam

Cynthia wore the prettiest dress
With different color socks
Sometimes I wondered if the mates where in her lunchbox
Me and Lucy opened it when Cynthia wasn't around
Lucy cried, I almost died, U know what we found?

Starfish and coffee
Maple syrup and jam
Butterscotch clouds, a tangerine
And a side order of ham
If U set your mind free, honey
Maybe you'd understand
Starfish and coffee
Maple syrup and jam

Cynthia had a happy face, just like the one she'd draw
On every wall in every school
But it's all right, it's 4 a worthy cause
Go on, Cynthia, keep singin'

Starfish and coffee
Maple syrup and jam
Butterscotch clouds, a tangerine
And a side order of ham
If U set your mind free, baby
Maybe you'd understand
Starfish and coffee
Maple syrup and jam

(starfish in your coffee, you will love it, told ya so)

Starfish and Coffee from the album "Sign 'O' The Times" -1987

Friday, April 29, 2016

U better run to the light...

It's just around the corner, it's just around the block
This love that I've been waiting for, a Love solid as rock
A Love that reaffirms that we R not alone
A Love so bright inside U it glows
And night and day would run together, and all things would b fine
Still would stand all hate around us
Still would stand all time

It's not a thousand years away, it's not that far my brother
When men will fight injustice instead of one another
Its not that far if we all say yes and only try
Then Heaven on Earth we will find

No one man will be ruler, therefore love must rule us all
Dishonesty, anger, fear, jealousy and greed will fall
Love can save us all

Oh Love if U would just please give us a sign
Still would stand all time
Heaven on Earth we all want 2 find
Still would stand all time

We R not alone people
Tell me can U see the light

If U just open your eyes
So much U will know, so much U will show
Love its not that far away if we all say yes and give it a try
Still would stand all time
So may times, I thought I could not make it
Life was closing in I just knew, I just knew I couldn't take it
That's when Love opened it's arms, and if U dont go in child
Still would stand all time
U better run to the light, leave your past behind
All things will be fine
Still would stand all time

Still Would Stand All Time from the album "Graffiti Bridge" 1990

Thursday, April 28, 2016

It's gonna be the last time

I don't wanna give u my love

Cause I don't wanna lose my mind

I don't wanna give u my love

Cause if I do it's gonna be the last time

I never want to feel this way again

If I can't be a lover

I don't wanna be u're friend, no

I don't wanna be friends, no

I don't wanna hold u're hand

Cause I just wanna follow u everywhere

I don't wanna see u dance

I don't even really want to take the chance

Of fallin' in love with u baby

Cause if u ever said beautiful words to me

If I wanna be u're fantasy, yes

I wanna dance

Yes

I don't wanna give u my love

I don't wanna go to fast

Cause if I do u just might stay

U just might stay

I guess I have a lonely dance

The longer that I feel this way

I never want to feel this way again

If I can't be a lover

I don't wanna be u're friend

I don't wanna be friends, no

I just want this to end

I don't wanna give u my love

Cause I don't wanna lose my mind

Go home, baby

You know u can't handle this

The Dance from "3121" - 2006

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Stick around for the aftershow...

So I'm into Day 4 of my Prince lyrics week...

This is 1 that keeps being re-invented by life. It's said to have been originally written in memory of his son who passed away. While we may have lost Prince, I have to think to myself; "He's getting to know his son now"...

The first time I heard the song when the album came out it brought me right back to my brother. Then later more people. And this past Friday morning I decided to listen to "The Truth" kinda forgetting about this song. And as soon as it started the tears came. Then later in the day while running around with Mike to get things ready for the Elmwood screening we were having that nite we still had that CD playing in my car. There's another song on it that we both kinda when silent on. Called "One Of Your Tears". The song is actually kind of comical. Except for the chorus - "Sometime's I wanna die and come back, as one of your tears" We both sat there and listened...

But today I'm sharing the first song I mentioned....

Walking up the stairs, just the afternoon
Sweet wind blew, not a moment too soon
I cry when I realized
That sweet wind was you

Spirits come and spirits go
Some stick around for the after show
Don't have to say I miss you
'Cause I think you already know

If you ever lose someone
Dear to you
Never say the words, they're gone

They'll come back, yeah
They'll come back,

They'll come back

Tears go here....

Comeback from "The Truth" - 1998

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Whenever my hopes and dreams are aimed in the wrong direction...

Whenever I feel like givin' up, whenever my sunshine turns to rain
Whenever my hopes and dreams are aimed in the wrong direction
She's always there tellin' me how much she cares
She's always in my hair

Whenever I feel, like, not to great at all, whenever I'm all alone
And even if I hit the wrong notes she's always in my boat
She's always there tellin' me how much she cares
She's always in my hair

Maybe I'll marry her
Maybe I won't
Maybe I will not

Lemme tell ya
If I was a gigolo all my life
She'd still be there
Tellin' me just how much she really cares
She's always in my hair

Listen, whenever I feel like givin' up, whenever my sunshine turns to rain
Whenever my hopes and dreams are aimed in the wrong direction
She's always there tellin' me just how much she cares
Tellin' me she's always in my hair

She's always in my hair
She's always in my hair

She's Always In My Hair B-Side from "Around The World In A Day" -1985

Available on the collection "The Hits/The B-Sides" - 1993

Monday, April 25, 2016

Sometimes I wish that life was never ending...

Tracy died soon after a long fought civil war,

just after I'd wiped away his last tear

I guess he's better off than he was before,

A whole lot better off than the fools he left here

I used 2 cry 4 Tracy because he was my only friend

Those kind of cars don't pass u every day

I used 2 cry 4 Tracy because I wanted to see him again,

But sometimes sometimes life ain't always the way...

Sometimes it snows in April

Sometimes I feel so bad, so bad

Sometimes I wish life was never ending,

and all good things, they say, never last

Springtime was always my favorite time of year,

A time 4 lovers holding hands in the rain

Now springtime only reminds me of Tracy's tears

Always cry 4 love, never cry 4 pain

He used 2 say so strong, unafraid to die

Unafraid of the death that left me hypnotized

No, staring at his picture I realized

No one could cry the way my Tracy cried

Sometimes it snows in April

Sometimes I feel so bad

Sometimes, sometimes I wish that life was never ending,

And all good things, they say, never last

I often dream of heaven and I know that Tracy's there

I know that he has found another friend

Maybe he's found the answer 2 all the April snow

Maybe one day I'll see my Tracy again

Sometimes it snows in April

Sometimes I feel so bad, so bad

Sometimes I wish that life was never ending,

But all good things, they say, never last

All good things that say, never last

And love, it isn't love until it's past

Sometimes It Snows In April - from "Parade - Music From Under The Cherry Moon" 1986

Sunday, April 24, 2016

If I came back as a dolphin would u let me be ur friend?

Since Thursday my email, text, and Facebook page have been "blowing up", as the kids say, with messages.
Messages and posts about Prince.
I'm humbled and flattered that so many people thought of me when he passed.

And I thank you all.

Or as Prince would say "Eye thank u all"

I've kept relatively quiet here on the internet while I still process one of the most influential artist in my life no longer being on this Earth. I still really can't express what is going through my head, heart , and soul. It's nearly the same feeling I had in 1990 when Jim Henson died. How can someone you never knew mean so much to a person?
I did make a small post on Facebook that evening though - that I'll copy here:

Spent today avoiding the internet. Before the news hit I was on the roof of a parking garage blasting "Sign 'O' The Times" from my car and enjoying a coffee and some sun before work. A few hours later I see the news. And my phone blows up. So as I collect my thoughts on this day, and think about what I feel and want to say I will leave this here for now, some Prince lyrics that got me through my brother's death in 1993: "You better run to the light. Leave your past behind. All things will be fine. Still would stand all time".

With his lyrics in mind I am going to spend the next seven days on this blog posting a different set of lyrics from Prince.
Each song has had some significance on my life. Got me through something, opened my eyes to something, or brought me and others together to dance. Each of these seven songs have changed my life.

How beautiful do the words have 2 be

Before they conquer every heart?

How will U know if I'm even in the right key

If U make me stop before I start?

If I came back as a dolphin

Would U listen 2 me then?

Would U let me be your friend?

Would U let me in?

U can cut off all my fins

But 2 your ways I will not bend

I'll die before I let U tell me how 2 swim

And I'll come back again as a dolphin

Why does my brother have 2 go hungry

When U told him there was food 4 all?

This is the man that stands next 2 the man

That stands 2 catch U when U fall

If I'm under water, will U find me?

Will U shine a light and try 2 guide me?

It's happened before, I've knocked on your door

But U wouldn't let me in

How beautiful do the words have 2 be

Before they conquer every heart?

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Coming up...

Things may get a little quite here after April...

Got a big screening in just over a week, and one last art show at PiP a week after that...

Then Elmwood's shooting "The Risley Brothers" series, and prepping some other awesome stuff! I'm gonna be busy, and I love it!

I'll keep popping puppets up, and other weird things as always though!

And here's an old pic... The studio at Paris...

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Happy Birthday Mom...

Wish you were still around to see all the amazing things happening these days!

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

4/22 - Be there!!! Damn it, BE THERE!

So I'm home today, doing prep for

Elmwood's last screening at Paris In Plantsville...

This work includes burning "Josh and Todd" DVDs, packing up "HEAD" DVDs, sending a few more invites, setting up a couple playlists for the pre-show and after-show music, and all the while also writing some scripts

for "The Risley Brothers"

I actually have three computers on and running all at the same time. Hahaha... Oh man...

Anyway this post is here as an invite to YOU!

Yes, YOU...

The big YOU. Whoever you may be, reading this blog!

I am inviting you... ALL OF YOU to come to Elmwood's last screening at Paris In Plantsville!

USE THIS LINK for all the info, or read below!

It may just be words, but I mean this -

I love all our fans, and I love how much support we've had over the years, and I thank you all for the support! I look forward to see some friendly faces at the screening and some new one's too!

And here's the info you need!

As you may have read, heard, seen, and lamented over: Paris In Plantsville is ending it’s amazing 6 year run in May!
So Elmwood is coming back for one last screening just in time to wrap it up with them!
Since our first screening there Labor Day weekend 2010 we’ve been a staple of the gallery, and sold out many of our screenings. And we’re bring ing back two of the biggest for one nite only!

So if you’ve been saying:
“Hey, I really need to get out to the gallery and see the art” or "Hey, I really need to get out to see one of those flicks”
NOW IS THE TIME!
First up at 7:30 is “Josh and Todd” The Story of A Man and His Puppet” followed at 8:45 by the multi-award winning horror/comedy “HEAD - Horror The Elmwood Way”
And there will even be a few surprises too!
Following the films will be a Q & A session with members of both casts, and the film makers.

And starting at 6:00 PM we will be joined by The Hartford Flavor Company! They will be doing a tasting of some of thier amazing Wild Moon, a line of unique, flavored liqueurs made of all natural ingredients. Check them out at http://hartfordflavor.com/

Also as the doors open at 6:00 make sure to say hi to S.W. Rand and Euphio Films! Euphio will be there doing a little showing off, and selling DVDs of thier film "The Hollow Waltz"! More about EuphioFilms at http://www.euphiofilms.com/

This night will be a great chance for local film makers, puppet-heads, and artists of all types to meet up and network before and after the flicks!

The doors open at 6:00 PM, and the films start at 7:30. Admission is $5.00! Where else can you see two films for only five bucks!?
And it's BYOB! Let's have a party!

Both films are Rated R, so please leave the kids at home!

And look for some great new Elmwood events at some amazing spots later this year!

Saturday, April 2, 2016

Pop Risley

Pop Risley

Mouth puppet from the series "The Risley Brothers"

He's Wes and Quig's dad... Previous owner of the Wooden Beaver bar, and pops in to check on how his boys are running it from time to time

Although he doesn't appear in the short film that leads up to the series, make sure to catch up on the show by watching the short on VHX HERE!

Monday, March 28, 2016

Magic Hat Wisdom

Morning Music...

Saturday, March 26, 2016

Julie and friend...

Julie

Mouth Puppet featured in "The Risley Brothers"

Julie is in the pilot short film called "The Risley Brothers: Welcome to The Wooden Beaver" that we shot last year, and is now available on VHX.

And she'll be back as part of the series we're currently shooting!

And I promised two puppets this week, since I missed a couple Saturdays...

Here's the second!

Customer Lady

Mouth Puppet featured in the series "The Risley Brothers"

This lovely lady appears in the first episode of the series. We never do get her name, her puppeteer (Sally) refers to her as "DitzTits"

Check out the pilot HERE to get caught up with the show!

Saturday, March 19, 2016

Heather

Heather

Mouth Puppet

from "The Risley Brothers: Welcome To The Wooden Beaver"

This is how she appears in the pilot short film... For the series she gets a little updated as we go. Ya know.. . Some 'work done" as they say. Haha...

And I did miss posting a puppet Saturday 3/5! I know, I am trying to get one up a week. So next week maybe I'll do two!