The third annual DeltaFusion is a community celebration of the rich natural and cultural diversity of Stockton and the San Joaquin Delta region. On June 29, in Victory Park, giant puppets and community performers will join together in a parade and pageant telling the story of local people, their cultures, and how they all came to be here. Puppets and masks for the pageant are created during free community workshops at the University of the Pacific’s Theatre Arts Department, June 10-21. The following week, June 24- 28, will be devoted to rehearsals culminating on Saturday, June 29, with a parade and pageant on the grounds of the picturesque Victory Park next to the Haggin Museum.
Producer and Artistic Director of DeltaFusion, Cathie McClellan, says, “We really seek out diverse cultures, diverse immigrant populations. We try to get every one we possibly can involve with the big goal in mind that little by little Stockton becomes a better place to live because we trust [one another] and love working together.”
All local cultural groups, both adults and children, are invited to participate in the workshops and pageant. DeltaFusion’s goal is to empower them to be artists, to learn something new, and discover that through working together they can build a successful community.
During the workshops, the participants will create colorful and unique masks and puppets using techniques from simple cardboard cut-outs to papier mâché.
Lead Artist and Workshop Director, Lisa Cooperman is excited to start registration for the third consecutive year of workshops. She comments, “The Delta Fusion workshops are a great place for families to have fun and make art together. The projects are designed for folks ages 5 to 500 and of all artistic abilities; they're a place where really everyone is laughing and talking and getting sticky with papier mâché. The pageant is the magical place where it all comes togetherand we can hear a collective intake of breath when the puppets come alive.”
The participants will be mentored during the pre-pageant activities and rehearsals by artists and teachers recruited from the local communities.
The mission of DeltaFusion is to celebrate community and ignite creativity while telling the stories of the San Joaquin Delta region with giants puppets, music, and pageantry. In partnership with the University of the Pacific and Haggin Museum, DeltaFusion is a funded by community grants and sponsorships. It is also a recipient of a grant from The James Irvine Foundation.
June 29, 9:30am - The event starts at 9:30 am with a parade, 10 am is the Pageant followed by festival which ends at 2 pm., Victory Park next to the Haggin Museum, Free. 940.6315 www.deltafusionstockton.com