Osprey to host "ducking" show

Ducking show

The Ducking Show

A unique and creative celebration of “ducking” takes place at the Osprey in Shelburne on Saturday, Sept. 20 starting at 6 p.m.

Vintage and new photographs of duck hunting will be on display with folk art, drawings, recipes and decoys. The display will be in the Osprey lobby. Inside the theatre, there will be a duck calling contest, musicians singing ducking songs, stories told by duck hunters, interviews with duck hunters and even a theatre piece about ducking. There will be a ducking blind, a sneak boat and camouflage.

The duck calling contest is open to everyone and is broken into two categories: realistic and creative. The judges will decide the winners based on how closely the calls resemble real ducks and geese in the realism category. In the creative category, anything goes. Duck callers are encouraged to hum a tune through their callers, sound like a train or a car. Creativity is the key in this category. Cash prizes are $100 and $50 for first and second place in each category with other prizes awarded as well.

The Shelburne County Arts Council has funded research over a two-year period to prepare for this show. The Council handed out cameras to duck hunters. Local photographer, Linda Ross, also took photographs. She also prepared the photographs, both new and old, for the exhibition.

As part of The Ducking Show, Dancing Beggars will present a performance on the subject. Based on research and interviews, the company will present stories, songs, interviews and bits of fact and folklore about ducks and duck hunters.

With a set by Jennie Lamont, a blind provided by Danny Swim, sound and lighting by Alex Buchanan, the Company will create a duck hunting environment. Christine Curry will present background, Peter Healy will tell stories, Robbie Smith will provide background music as well as singing three duck hunting songs. Jamie Cotter will sing his song, Nellie’s Blind, about a foolish hunter’s encounter with a game warden. And there’s more.

The Ducking Show is coordinated by Susan Hoover, who will appear in several guises during the show. This fun and fact filled evening is meant for everyone, including hunters, would-be hunters, followers of the arts and the general public.

Right next door to the Osprey at the Muir-Cox Museum on Dock Street, the Whirligig and Weathervane Festival will take place. The Arts Council is funding a $200 prize for the best ducking whirligig at the Festival.

Admission to The Ducking Show is $10. The admission includes entry into the Duck Calling Contest for those who would like to show their stuff.