Vista, CA …   Twisted Heart Puppetworks will play a lead role when the acclaimed Alley Art Festival presented by the Vista Art Foundation takes it to the streets and alleyways of downtown Vista on September 3, 2016 from 10 am-10 pm. Now in its third year, the vibrant Festival celebrates the many expressions of art found off the beaten path, making Twisted Heart a perfect fit for this eclectic, inclusive event that is free and open to the public.

Puppeteer and artist, Tania Yager, Founder/CEO of Twisted Heart Puppetworks, will again contribute her heralded, unconventional creative talents to the Festival; starting with giant puppets leading the parade that kicks off the event at 11 am, followed by her 2 pm Steampunk Fashion Show opening vignette, “The Invention,” performed at the Avo theater on 303 Main Street.

To help paraders prepare for the fun morning procession, Yager will hold a donation-based Giant Puppet Workshop for children and adults on August 27, 2016 from 1-5 pm at King & Queen’s Hair Studio, 365 East Broadway in Vista. The donation covers materials and professional puppet-making assistance. The walk-in workshop does not require reservations, but admittance is on a space-available basis.

Parade registration for individuals and groups is at www.vistaart.org. Also on that website is an Alley Art Festival schedule of features and events.

After the parade, festival-goers can enjoy live music, interactive art opportunities, food, beer and other family-friendly features while awaiting Yager’s steampunk-flavored “The Invention” at the Avo. The vignette, developed by Yager and Twisted Heart Puppetworks troupe member Zane Balay, will be performed by Yager and Rey Hernandez.

Vista artist extraordinaire Tania Yager is known throughout San Diego County for her approachable puppetry, her unfettered creativity and her penchant for challenging audiences at live performances and in short-film format.

She believes, “Puppetry is a dynamic and incredibly creative art form that is appropriate for people of all ages; not just children. It has deep roots around the world in delivering sensitive, adult themes to more mature audiences.”

In addition to operating Twisted Heart Puppetworks, Yager is the creator of the biannual All Souls Vista [www.allsoulsvista.com] multicultural art show and healing festival taking place on November 5, 2016. For more information on Twisted Heart Puppetworks and Tania Yager, visit www.facebook.com/twistedheart.puppetworks.