Puppet slam is back with more strange tales

“We avoid insipid cutesy pap — our shows are smarter and stranger than that.”

Jawbone Puppet Theater will present “Beef Heart and Puppet Theatre” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, at Spoke, 9923 S.W. 178th St.

The second in a series of ongoing puppet slams, the night will feature multiple performers. There will be a “clown worship ritual” by Stephen Lipke, ventriloquism by Gina Wilhelm and shadow puppets and songs by Linda Comer. The Okrent-Grau Family Players will present the sad tale of Don Gato, and Ellie & Clyde will show off a new sketch. Jawbone Puppet Theater will present tales of giant thinking machines, robots and a futuristic sci-fi soda can dispenser. Manuel Alvarez will offer a new toy theater piece, and Luz Gaxiola will provide accordion delight. There will also be content created and performed by youth, including the stage debut of a 3-year-old puppeteer named Pacha.

Also, beef heart ginger soup will be served.

The show is billed as for all ages, with a caveat from Adam Ende, the organizer and maestro of the event.

“Be forewarned that this is not what you may have come to expect from ‘family friendly’ entertainment,” Ende said. “We avoid insipid cutesy pap — our shows are smarter and stranger than that.”

Admission is $8, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.