Hello SFBAPG members:

This June we have a great opportunity to attend a festival in (and for) our Pacific Southwest Region. And it's just a short plane trip away. Keep in mind that the next Puppeteers of America festival will be in 2005, and it will be far away in Minneapolis. You might want to take advantage now!

*****

Registration for the Puppets for Everyone Festival is only $100 for P of A members if you register by May 1. The Festival is June 24-27 in Chandler, Arizona. And make your plane reservations soon for good prices. You can fly into Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix. You can take a shuttle, cab or limo to the San Marcos Resort in Chandler, or you might want to rent a car so you can visit unique places in the area. Update: No hotel shuttle exists from the airport. Your choices are (1) Super Shuttle at $17 per person or (2) a taxi at $35. A taxi is a lot easier to get, and more direct - and, of course, would be a lot less expensive per person if you have three or more people.

The Heard Museum in Phoenix has a huge collection of Indian artifacts and art and a great gift shop. Taliesen West in North Scottsdale was built by Frank Lloyd Wright. There are ancient Indian ruins in Phoenix and nearby Coolidge. Desert Botanical Garden has desert plants from all over the world, with a specialization in the Sonoran Desert. The Grand Canyon is about 7 hours away, but you might want to extend your stay in Arizona to see it. If enough people are interested, we'll put together a tour van to take you up there.

Check the website at www.azpuppetfest.com for performances and workshops at the festival. You can download a registration form and send it off to Hank and Karen Stewart to reserve your spot. And be sure to contact the San Marcos Resort directly to reserve your room.

LOOKING FOR A ROOMMATE?

We have a roommate registry at the Festival Office. Please call 602-262-2050 or e-mail azpuppets aol.com to let us know if you would like a roommate for the festival. Please specify male or female and smoking or non-smoking.

Come to the Festival! Puppets for Everyone is for you!

Hello SFBAPG members,

Sha Sha Higby recommends this unique workshop...

A RARE WORKSHOP in TRADITIONAL JAPANESE URUSHI LACQUER Technique
by Japan's leading young Japanese urushi artists and educators Sakurako
Matsushima,Toshiaki Fujita, and Natsuki Kurimoto

SATURDAY
May 8th 11-5p.m
$50.
slide show of urushi
4 to 5p.m (by donation)

This is a rare opportunity into the aspects of a highly refined and 7000
year old craft of working with the almost magical sap of the Urushi tree.
Famed as a traditional adhesive and coating in Asia and Southeast Asia,the
urushi processes demonstrated can be used to apply an incredibly
durable,transparent or colored opaque surface to a wide range of materials.
It can be used to build up sculptural forms,or develop an extraordinary
palette of decorative finishes with gold powder,leaf,or and shell for makie.
Toshiaki Fujita will demonstrate basic handling and drying
techniques,Toumei Tosou or Kiji Tamenuri-clear wood grain coating,Futoumei
Tosou or Inpei Tosou, opaque texture of Sitaji coating,gold leaf
application, and the making of clay.There will be time for questions .
Matsushima will share her intimate research into different urushi lacquer
forms throughout Southeast Asia and Asia with projected revealing images.
This informative workshop will broaden your understanding of adhesives, and
a peak into the richness and depth of this incredible art form, perhaps wet
your palette for further study in Japan.
Anyone interested in an introduction to urushi is encouraged to attend the
exhibition at the Museum of Craft and Folk Art opening the 5th of May.-
August 8.

WORKSHOP SATURDAY
May 8th 11-5p.m
$50. (plus possible $10 materials)
slide show of urushi
4 to 5p.m (by donation)
Espenet's Woodshop
1100 Bolinas Olema Road,Bolinas
415-868-2409
This workshop is targeted mainly to working artists who want to apply the
urushi sap to their own work and have knowledge of the hazards of art
materials in general. Urushi is actually non toxic,is more of an herb, but
is of the poison sumac family and can cause skin rashes if not handled
properly.The artists will show a safe method. But it will not hurt you. If
you get a little rash,it is considered a blessing in Japan. Urushi sap is
alive, a living substance. Space is limited so please reserve early to
avoid disappointment

Things to bring for the workshop: preferably a square of untreated of 5" x
5" square ofwood with grain ( if you come without it, we'll supply some ),
a small item to gold leaf with a handle, a lidded plastic food container
box or cardboard box or the purpose transporting and drying your artwork, a
notebook, apron, long sleeved shirt,oil painting brush,sandpaper,toilet
paper,latex gloves,face cream, piece of soft cloth, little dish. Bring also
a pillow or portable stool because the woodshop is inspiring but there are
not many seats. You can bring a bag lunch or find lunch in Bolinas.
For registration call Sha Sha Higby 415-868-2409 , cell 415-860-6648.
Slides will be shown between 4 and 5 p.m.which is open to anyone who might
like to come for a small donation. To get there:go North on Hiway One from
Stinson Beach 5 miles, turn left and you will be on the Olema Bolinas
Road,several hundred yards look on the right hand side for 1100 Espenet.

additional dates of interest:

May 4th at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco a demonstration of
urushi techniques by three artists from Japan for the general public and families from 1-4 p.m..

May 5th Museum of Craft and Folk Art opening. Call 415-775-0991 for info.

May 8th 11-5p.m WORKSHOP
$50. (plus possible $10 materials)
slide show of urushi
4 to 5p.m (by donation)

August 10th, Mendocino Art Center 11:00 am - 3:30 pm
Natsuki Kurimoto highlights working with decorative gold powder makie
techniques
using raden shell during Japan Week Info:800-653-3328

http://www.shashahigby.com/shashasched.htm

Hello SFBAPG members:

Here is an announcement from performance artist Sha Sha Higby. If you have any questions, please contact her directly. Thanks. Mary Decker

For Immediate Release Press Contact: Sha Sha Higby (415)868-2409 shasha shashahigby . com

taught by Sha Sha Higby
Sunday, April 25th,2004
12:00-5:00p.m. in West Marin

for info call to reserve

Have a day out by the ocean with Sha Sha Higby who will will share
multiple aspects of her craft.Participants will explore the mysteries of
creativity and performance in this on going hands-on sculptural mask
makingworkshop. Masks give you an endless source of pleasure in their
creation, theatrical imagery, and ability to transform into puppet
characters that come alive and perform. We will work primarily with threads
and raffias in the masks for this class. Using your intuition,movement,and
poetry,you will also be lead through Sha Sha's process: a myriad of
techniques for the construction of a puppet which can grow into a three-
dimensional costume. Use it to help create your own performance-like ritual. Learn to cast and mold, and recast,add hands and extensions,inspired by
the natural environment.Enter another world. wild, powerful, humorous, and
flamboyant. This class is for the beginner as well as artist.
$75./ $37. child with parent. Fee to Sha Sha covers all sculptural and
casting materials,crinoline,foils for decorating,dyes,patinas, silk roving,
and organic materials etc Call to register and get directions
to Sha Sha's space in Bolinas.
To the workshop wear loose and dark clothing Bring a bag snack. Bring only
if you have any or some of the following: twigs or grasses from the
outdoors, personal decorating materials such as colored paper,tissue paper,
scraps of fabric,or yarn ,pastels,wire cutters,scissors,stapler, masking
tape, thin or thick wire,notebook.April 25th this workshop will be
continued in Bolinas. Each is different. You may take either one.
If you wish to register call Sha Sha Higby,P.O. Box 152,Bolinas,CA 94924.

http://www.shashahigby.com/shashasched.htm

An Evening with
Ray Harryhausen

Wednesday, April 28, 7:00
$15 ($12 Film Institute Members, Seniors, Children 12 & Under)

Visual effects legend Ray Harryhausen returns to the Rafael for a special evening of discussion and film clips, to celebrate the publication of his long awaited career autobiography, Ray Harryhausen: An Animated Life . Harryhausen has been a major inspiration for literally every filmmaker working in the fantasy genre. Long before the digital revolution, he perfected stop-motion animation for creatures he designed and sculpted by hand. In such classics as The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad, Jason and the Argonauts and Clash of the Titans , he brought life, in the words of his good friend Ray Bradbury , to "the delicious monsters that moved in his head and out of his fingers and into our eternal dreams."

Harryhausen will screen rare film clips and discuss his career on stage. Joining him are Oscar-winning visual effects artist and director Phil Tippett and producer/historian Arnold Kunert , who led the successful campaign for Harryhausen's recent Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. At the program's conclusion, Harryhausen will sign copies of Ray Harryhausen: An Animated Life , which he co-authored with Tony Dalton and which is published by Billboard Books. This beautifully illustrated volume will be available for sale at the Rafael. Program approximately two hours.

Dear SFBAPG members,

The Day of Puppetry is this Saturday! If you are able to volunteer for all or part of the day, please arrive before 12 noon.

Two reminders: (1) Please bring your puppets for the EXHIBIT. At this point, there's no need to contact anyone ahead of time. Just show up before 11:30 with puppets in hand. (2) Let Nick Barone know what you've got for the public RAFFLE: nbaronepuppetbuilder.com.

*****

Here's is the latest updated schedule. Please note that there is a charge for the 2PM Advanced Workshop for Children, and for the 4PM and 7PM performances. Also, a performance piece by Elisheva Hart has been added to the night performances.

The San Francisco Puppeteers Guild and the San Leandro Main Library present

National Day of Puppetry Celebration!

When: Saturday, April 17, 2004
Where: San Leandro Main Library 300 Estudillo Ave. (510) 577-3970
Time: 11:30 am - 8:30 pm

Schedule of Events:

Noon to 4:00 pm (ongoing): St. Felix's Puppet Petting Zoo hosted by Ron and Barbara Johnson, Motion Maker Puppeteers. Drop in whenever you want! Puppet Exhibit featuring many forms of puppetry. Buy tickets to the Raffle to win cool puppet prizes.

Noon to 3:00 pm (ongoing): Television Puppetry Workshop by Lee Armstrong of Images in Motion. Learn how to work a puppet on camera. Puppets and cameras will be supplied. These 20-minute sessions begin on the hour at 12 noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. FREE

12:00 SHOW: Kids' Theater and Puppetry, a performance led by Librarian Penny Peck. Members of the San Leandro Library's Xtreme Reader Club - 4th and 5th graders - perform an interactive puppet show for children of all ages. The audience will participate in this energetic show. Tickets: FREE

12:00 & 2:00: Make-It-and-Take-It Workshops led by Tia Smirnoff and Elisheva Hart. School-age children learn to make a mouse puppet and a shadow puppet. FREE

1:00 SHOW: Rapunzel performed by Tim Giugni of Il Teatro Calamari. Grimm's fairy tale is brought to life through the use of "found object" puppetry and clowning. Tickets: FREE

2:00: School-age Children's Workshop led by Pam Brown. Children make a simple Talking Dragon Puppet. FREE

2:00 to 4:00: Advanced Workshop for Children 8 years and up led by Michael Burroughs of The Fratello Marionettes. Learn to make a scarf marionette and perform with it. Must pre-register at the Children's Desk in the Library. Limit 25 students. Materials fee: $6.00.

3:00: Workshop for Adult Leaders - teachers, librarians, day care providers, preschool teachers, rec leaders, scout leaders & camp counselors. Learn how to create an easy puppet show. Presented by the librarians. FREE

4:00 SHOW: Animal Tales of The Americas performed by Michael and Valerie Nelson of Magical Moonshine Puppets. Features large Bunraku-style puppets, live music, and lots of fun as the Nelsons share some of the adventures of Brer Rabbit and his friends. Not to be missed! Tickets: only $3 per person.

5:00 - 7:00: Dinner Break. There are lots of restaurants in the vicinity (walking distance).

7:00 SHOW: An Evening of Puppet Performances for Adults - Oddities by Tim Giugni and Upset Boulevard by Lewis Mahlmann's Lilliputian Players. Also, a special short piece by Elisheva Hart. For ages 16 and up. Puppetry is not just for kids! Oddities uses various puppet styles and masks. Upset Boulevard is a take-off on the famous movie, Sunset Boulevard. Tickets: $5 per person.

****

Driving directions to the San Leandro Main Library: Take 880 N/S and exit Davis St. Go east on Davis for about 2 miles, passing under the BART tracks and up to the traffic light at East 14th Street. Continue straight through the light (Davis St. turns into Callan St. at this intersection.) Continue for 1-1/2 blocks. The library is on the right side of the street.

Hello SFBAPG members,

Here some important Puppet Wisdom from fellow member Lettie Schubert:

An international Message by Sirppa SIVORI-ASP
Actress, director of puppet theatre, drama, opera and television, ex-President of UNIMA International

"During my long life in puppetry I have always been strongly aware of my audience: the children. I have very seldom heard people talk about this subject, but it is very important to me and I cannot erase it from my mind.

While performing for children you have an enormous amount of power in your hands. To use it correctly, you should keep in mind how fragile a child is. But this does not mean that you take her on a journey through only beauty and soft subjects. She has the right to live various emotions during the performance: laughter, tears, sorry, excitement, anger and fear. But all these within the framework of the performance.

And then we come to the most important thing: the confidence and security which you as an artist must build around her during the even. And build it already starts at the front door, when she enters the theatre. The whole atmosphere must be gentle and again, secure. After the experience of the performance, never leave the child confused and uncertain, but always give her a good solution in the end. She cannot bear it if she is left in the dark.

Study your audience - I do not mean scientifically, I mean out of your heart. Try to feel their sensitivity, their expectations, and a miracle ball will start flowing between you and the children. A ball to enjoy and to bring you together.

All this leaves an unforgettable trace in her mind, as if put in reserve for her growing-up process, helping her to become strong, to face the sometimes cruel world. And also she will know that in our lives there is still much good left to share and to help us survive.

Dear friend, you might consider my words naive, but this is the wisdom I have learned during my long life"
Sirppa Sivori-Asp

Permanent link to this entry.

Hello SFBAPG members! This cool puppet message comes from fellow member, Margaret Andres:

Cal Shakes (California Shakespeare) is incorporating puppetry with live action in this year's performances of The Comedy of Errors!!

Visit http://www.calshakes.org/

Subscribe online today! http://www.calshakes.org/02/v2/boxoffice/about_boxoffice.html

purchase tickets online to...

The Comedy of Errors

ALSO

Henry IV
The Importance of Being Earnest
All's Well That Ends Well

CAL SHAKES SEASON OPENER THE COMEDY OF ERRORS WILL BLEND LIVE ACTION AND PUPPETRY The Comedy of Errors | by William Shakespeare | directed by Sean Daniels, puppetry by Chris Brown, music by Jake Rodriguez | June 2 – June 27 | The Bruns Amphitheater, Orinda

Cal Shakes opens its 2004 Season with The Comedy of Errors, Shakespeare's wildly imagined, fast-paced comedy of mistaken identities. Sean Daniels of Dad’s Garage in Atlanta makes his Bay Area directorial debut with an imaginative production that will blend live action with puppetry, and will feature a live score by San Francisco composer Jake Rodriguez. “Sean is one of the most innovative young directors in this country,” says Artistic Director Jonathan Moscone. “Working with internationally known puppet creator Chris Brown, he is developing a world that blends humans and puppets to make a uniquely theatrical event." Puppet designer Chris Brown is known for his beautiful, wildly imaginative and complex work, using unusual shapes and colors to design and construct his kinetic sculptures.

The cast for The Comedy of Errors is comprised of some of the Bay Area's finest actors, including Cal Shakes Associate Artist James Carpenter (Egeon), who currently appears as Pastor Manders in Jonathan Moscone’s production of Ghosts at Berkeley Rep. Associate Artist Andy Murray will play both Antipholuses, one of them as a puppet which he himself will puppeteer. Andy is currently onstage at A.C.T.’s wonderful production of The Time of Your Life. Associate Artist Ron Campbell will play both of the servants Dromio, again puppeteering one of his characters. Bay Area favorites Joan Mankin (Luciana), Stacy Ross (Adriana), Brian Keith Russell (Duke), and Liam Vincent are joined by puppeteers Lucky Yates and Sam Word to complete the company of the season opener. Sound Designer and Cal Shakes Associate Artist Jake Rodriguez, who collaborated with Jonathan Moscone on his recent production of Ghosts at Berkeley Rep, will be working with Bay Area musicians Chris Broderick and Mike Guarino to develop a live score for the production.

The production’s artistic team also includes Scenic Designer Rachel Hauck, Costume Designer Beaver Bauer, Lighting Designer York Kennedy, Composer and Sound Designer Jake Rodriguez, Puppet Designer Chris Brown, Vocal and Text Coach Domenique Lozano, Resident Dramaturg Bronwyn Eisenberg, and Fight Director Gregory Hoffman. View more of Chris Brown's work on his website. http://www.artisticcomplex.com/

Click here to PURCHASE TICKETS or find out more about The Comedy of Errors. http://www.calshakes.org

SUMMER THEATER LAB CLASSES BEGIN JUNE 21. SPACE IS LIMITED. REGISTER TODAY! Theater LAB represents Cal Shakes' dedication to dynamic learning experiences in an environment of experimentation. Summer Theater LAB will offer two sessions (one six week, one two week) for students age 10 to 18. Classes begin June 21, 2004 at Mills College in Oakland. SIX-WEEK INTENSIVE June 21 through July 30 | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM, Mills College | Final performance July 30, Lisser Theater, Mills College | Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced | for students age 10 to 18 | Tuition $1,400 Download the registration form for Summer Theater LAB. http://www.calshakes.org/02/v2/images/pdfs/theaterlab_form3.pdf

Another wonderful puppet festival to consider attending this summer! The PuppetFest MidWest got rave reviews after its debut last summer. It is held at a small college with very limited dorm space, so register ASAP to make sure you have a spot! You will see lots of marvelous mainstage performances, and you will attend ONE intensive, 20-hour (5-day) workshop.

PuppetFest MidWest
July 13-18, 2004 in Trenton, Missouri

An independent annual puppetry festival that is presented, organized
and financially supported by puppeteers as a gift to other puppeteers
in the hope that it will inspire, strengthen and renew our commitment to
Puppet Theatre.

Intensive workshops this year include:

"POLYFOAM PUPPETS THE FOAM BOOK WAY" Drew Allison, Grey Seal Puppets
Design, create and learn to manipulate your own polyfoam hand and rod puppet.

"THE PLOT THICKENS" Luman Coad, Coad Canada Puppets
Learn the basics of dramatic structure as you write and revise your own script.

"WHAT HAVE YOU GOT TO SAY?"Kurt and Kathy Hunter, Hunter Marionettes
Develop your message into performance through scriptwriting and hands-on puppetry experience.

"TABLETOP BUNRAKU", Lynne Jennings
Make a simple tabletop puppet and create a series of short performance pieces.

"SHADOW PUPPETRY", Jim Napolitano, Nappy's Puppets
Construct your own shadow screen, shadow puppets and short vignettes.

"MARIONETTE DESIGN ON PAPER" Phillip Huber, The Huber Marionettes
Cover the basics of marionette design including body structure, jointing and stringing. Take your concept
for your marionette character from initial idea and mental visualization to a complete drafted drawing with patterns.

Contact information:
PuppetFest MidWest Directors, Peter Allen & Debbie Lutzky Allen
PO Box 14, Jamesport, MO 64648
Phone (660) 684-6825
Festival web site: www.puppetfestival.org

Hear ye! Hear ye!

All workshops and performances at the April 17 Day of Puppetry are FREE for SFBAPG members. Yeah! The only exception is the 2PM Advanced Workshop for Children where there is a $6 materials fee.

Friends and family members must buy tickets.... but, hey... it's a bargain. Where else can you see a puppet show for only $3 or $5?

SFBAPG members will need to check in to get a name badge. This will let you into every event free.

DON'T MISS Puppets for Everyone! The Pacific Southwest Regional Festival, June 24-27 2004. Nancy Smith Festival Director.

DEADLINE FOR EARLY REGISTRATION for the Pacific Southwest Puppeteers of America Festival - PUPPETS FOR EVERYONE - is fast approaching. Only $100 by May 1 pays each P of A member's registration in full and saves your place at the Festival. Go to the festival website www.azpuppetfest.com for your registration form. If you have any trouble downloading the form, call us at 602-262-2050 and we will mail or fax a registration form to you.
And remember, you need to reserve your room at the San Marcos Resort in Chandler, Arizona before May 22 to get the low Festival rate. You'll get a real hotel room with real towels, sheets and bedding (already on the bed), telephone, TV, Internet connection, and a balcony or private patio for only $69/night + tax for one or two people in a room. Add $10 for each additional person in the room. Like to golf or bringing along a golfer? The greens fee at Arizona's original golf resort is just $25 and includes the golfcart! Whee! (Golf before breakfast when it's not too hot). Call 1-800-528-8071, or from the Phoenix area 480-812-0900 to make your room reservation. You must use the Festival ID 000008425 to get the Festival rate.

If you are looking for a roommate, contact Mary Decker and she will try to arrange a match for you: marydeckearthlink dot net.

These are the confirmed Festival performances:

National Marionette Theater - IN CONCERT
Blair Thomas & Co. - SOLO
Maria Bodmann's Bali & Beyond - ALICE IN THE SHADOWS
Peter Allen's Parasol Puppets - THE PIED PIPER
Icarus Puppets - THE CRANE DAUGHTER
Nick Barone - T. REX THUNDERLIZARD'S WILD WEST REVIEW
Randall Metz - THE NUTCRACKER
Panacea Pussycat & Mr. Quintron
Huang Yang - CROUCHING TIGER, FISHING MONKEY
Bob Abdou - MR PUPPET

Confirmed workshops include a scene painting workshop with David Syrotiak and a workshop on giving teacher workshops by P of A Education Consultant Judith O'Hare. If you're a working puppeteer, you can expand your income potential by offering puppetry training to teachers. Judith O'Hare will help you plan a dynamite workshop focusing on your special skills, complete with that all important evaluation tool demanded by today's academic community.

Arizona's puppeteering librarians from the Maricopa County Libraries will present a show they developed with the author, and share tips on working with an author to create a show.

Whether you're a beginner or an old pro, you'll find a workshop to help you build your skills.

PUPPET INSOMNIACS
IF YOU HAVE A SHORT SHOW WITH AN EASY SET-UP FOR ADULTS, and would like a chance to show it at the Festival, contact Tucson Puppet Works (tucsonpuppetworks at hotmail dot com) for inclusion in the Puppet Insomniacs Evening on Thursday, June 24. This will happen AFTER the evening shows on Thursday.

POTPOURRI
Potpourri will be hosted by the ultimate Potpourri host, Peter Allen, and will be on Friday, June 25th after the evening show. Bring your 5 minute or less act and show us what you got!

PUPPETRY STORE
Bring stuff to sell! We can sell your puppets and puppet related items in the Festival Puppetry Store and/or to the general public at Chandler Center for the Arts. Never sold at a Festival before? It's easy! Download information from the website and start packing up the merchandise.

MORE DETAILS WILL BE FORTHCOMING! We have some very exciting things in the works that we are not yet ready to announce, so check the website often.

In the meantime -

MARK your calendar for June 24-27
REGISTER for the festival at www.azpuppetfest.com
RESERVE your room at the hotel by calling 1-800-528-8071 or 480-812-0900. Fest ID is 000008425
RESERVE your flight or plan your drive. Check Southwest Airlines for cheap flights into Phoenix.
Any questions? Call 602-262-2050 or e-mail Festival Director, Nancy Smith at gazpuppets at aol dot com.