Rag & Bone Blog

Our New Podcast…

November 9, 2024
Rag & Bone Story Time
Toad and Owl in the studio
We are thrilled to announce our new podcast for kids! The first three episodes are here. 
The podcast begins with The Wind in the Willows. We hope your family will enjoy listening to this version of our popular puppet play.  (You can read more about the live show here.)
 
• Episode One: A shy Mole goes on a wonderful picnic, has an exciting boat ride and meets new friends. Rat, who is kind and generous, loves boats, but Mr. Toad, of Toad Hall, loves cars, and he’s not a very good driver.
 
• Episode Two: Mole, Ratty and Badger do their best, but Toad’s reckless driving lands him in jail. Mole and Ratty rescue a baby otter.

• Episode Three: Polly, the jailor’s daughter, helps Toad get out of jail. His friends Mole, Ratty and Badger help scare a gang of bullies out of Toad Hall.
 
Our long time collaborator Russell Levia provides music based on themes from Percy Grainger, Vaughan Williams and Beethoven. (Plus some additional music from Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston, www.gardnermuseum.org)
 
Let us know what you think!

Fun for Fall

October 13, 2024

Fun for Fall

Mr Rat in fall

Hat Trick

Hats off to libraries!
The Cumberland branch of the Ottawa Public Library is having a party, and we’re all invited.
We’ll be doing Hat Trick at the branch on Saturday, October 19th at 2:00.

Enjoy a full day of fun activities, from 10 am to 4 pm as the Cumberland branch celebrates its 25th anniversary at the Ray Friel Centre, 1599 Tenth Line Rd.
We would love to see you there!
More info here.

Hey, teachers!

Are you looking to book a live show for your school? Read more about Hat Trick, Felicity Falls, The Flying Canoe, and The Wind in the Willows here.

Interested in drama, mask or puppet-making? Book us for a workshop or have a look at the videos and other resources on our website here.

Podcast news

Have you heard about our Miss Maple Mysteries podcast? This cozy crime series, set in the east end of Ottawa, now has more than 2,600 listeners worldwide

Coming soon: a brand-new podcast for children, beginning with The Wind in the Willows. Tune in to the adventures of Toad, Ratty, Mole and Badger.

Felicity Falls and A Chance to Dance

Friday November 8 (a PD day) at 10:30 am and 12:30 pm
Felicity Falls is a charming puppet show about a village of Rabbits, Porcupines and Weasels. A Chance to Dance is your invitation to get up and move – to live music, led by professional dancers from The School of Dance!
Where: The School of Dance, 200 Crichton St. Ottawa
Admission: Free, but reservations required. More information coming. Save the date!

Freddy the Pig

Who stole the toy train? Where’s Mrs. Rabbit’s son Egbert? Who can solve the barnyard crime wave? Luckily, Freddy the Pig is on the case!

With support from Shenkman Arts Centre’s ARTicipate Foundation, we’ll be exploring ways to bring this classic book to life, with a work-in-progress performance in early December.

Arts Activities

September 6, 2024

Free Drama & Puppet Videos

John, Toad driving, and Kathy.

We have two series of videos for use in classes, or for homeschoolers. You can access the sessions at whatever pace suits best—over several weeks if you like. If you’d like to book us for your organization, or for more information,  contact us here.

Drama: activities & games

This nine part series of drama games and activities is based on our years of work with participants of all ages. Start the series here.

Snippets of Cardboard: from sketch to skit

This series of seven videos will guide your students through a step-by-step process of making simple but effective cardboard and cloth puppets, and using them in short, collaborative drama skits. Feel free to skip back and forth depending on your grade level. (The whole sequence is about 50 minutes long.) Start the series here.

Plus, check out our workshop booklets here.

Podcast news…

July 29, 2026 No Comments

HEROES HEROES was a project of The School of Dance, Artistic Director Merrilee Hodgins, in Ottawa, focusing on creativity and community, celebrating memories, strengths, and

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The School of Dance

August 31, 2025 No Comments

Dance Delightful Wow! We had so much fun directing two new projects at The School of Dance this summer: The Paper Dolls and Once Upon

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Shakespeare Summer Camp

August 31, 2025 No Comments

The Winter’s Tale A wonderful Winter’s Tale Summer! We’re loving these comments about this year’s Shakespeare Camp production of  The Winter’s Tale!  The three-week camp

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Peter Rabbit

June 2, 2025 No Comments

Podcast news Yay! It’s June, and things are hopping at Rag & Bone! The next episode of Rag and Bone Story Time, our children’s podcast,

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Our New Podcast…

November 9, 2024 No Comments

We are thrilled to announce our new podcast for kids! The first three episodes are here. The podcast begins with The Wind in the Willows. We

Read More »

Fun for Fall

October 13, 2024 No Comments

Fun for Fall Hat Trick Hats off to libraries!The Cumberland branch of the Ottawa Public Library is having a party, and we’re all invited.We’ll be

Read More »

Arts Activities

September 6, 2024 No Comments

Free Drama & Puppet Videos We have two series of videos for use in classes, or for homeschoolers. You can access the sessions at whatever

Read More »