SFBAPG members!

Duncan & Katrina Cameron's PUPPETARIUM THEATRE

is happy to announce a permanent location!

The Depot
Laurel and Main Streets
Fort Bragg, CA 95437

Gala Opening - Saturday, May 29, 2004

Presenting Clown's Work!

Show times: 1:00 and 3:00 PM
Refreshments!

Reservations: 707-964-6776
Tickets: Adult $9; Child $6

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Hello SFBAPG members,

One young male festival attendee is looking for a roommate at the Phoenix Fest. If you or anyone you know is interested in rooming with him, please contact Mary Decker at marydeck earthlink.net.

One other festival note: The deadline for hotel reservations has been extended until June 1. It's going to be a great fest, so make that hotel reservation now!

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The 2004 Regional Festivals are:

June 24-27 Pacific Southwest Festival - Nancy Smith Director Chandler, AZ

www.azpuppetfest.com

July 22 - 25 Northeast MidAtlantic Festival - Tom Fogarty Director - Storrs, CT

http://www.regional2004.com/

July 29 - Aug 1 Southeast Festival - Lisa Sturz Director - Asheville, NC

http://www.puppetsontheridge.com/

August 6 - 9 Pacific Northwest Festival - Doug Stevens Director - Spokane, WA

http://www.pnwpuppets.org/

**********************************************************************

June 24-27 Pacific Southwest Festival

PUPPETS FOR EVERYONE

PACIFIC SW REGIONAL

JUNE 24-27

CHANDLER, AZ

Don't wait any longer to register for the Puppets for Everyone Pacific SW Regional Festival June 24-27. Even though the early deadline has passed, you can still register for the Festival. The deadline for room reservations at the San Marcos Hotel is May 29 so don't delay any longer to reserve your room. Go to www.azpuppetfest.com to see the updated schedule of events and download registration forms. We've added Native American ventriloquist and marionette artist Buddy Big Mountain to the performer's lineup. Tucson Puppet Works is offering a Giant Puppet Workshop. Icarus Puppets is giving a grant writing workshop. And Phillip Huber is doing a three hour marionette manipulation intensive. Be sure to check the workshops and see if you need to pre-register for the ones you want to take.

If you'd like to volunteer at the Festival, please contact Laura Bonar. Her e-mail address is lalou80wildmail.com. You can earn preferred seating and a very stylish Puppets for Everyone totebag!

And there's still time to place an ad in the program. Check ad rates on the web site, then call Ed Rogers at 602-277-4000 to firm up the details.

FAQ

Which airport should I fly into and when?

Fly into Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix. Shuttles are about $17 to the resort. Cab fare is about $25. You can hire a limo for $30. Registration starts at 3:00 p.m. June 24. The first event is dinner at 6:00 PM (unless you're taking the Educators Workshop which starts at 8:30 am). Depart during the afternoon/early evening of Sunday, June 27, with the last event a 10 AM performance. There is no lunch on Sunday.

Is there a parking charge at the resort?

No. Parking is free. There's a map to the Festival on the resort website - www.sanmarcosresort.com.

Can you help me find a roommate?

If you need a roommate, call 602-262-2050 or e-mail Kamala Kruszka at azpuppetsaol.com. Please specify male or female and smoking or nonsmoking. We will do our best to match up roommates, but may not be able to meet all requests.

Can I register for just one day?

Yes. Check the schedule on the web site to see which day works best for you. Specify the date you want when you send in your registration form. One day registration is only $60.00 for POA Members.

What should I pack?

Chandler is part of the Phoenix metropolitan area in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. It will be hot, so pack cool, comfortable and casual, and bring your swimsuit to take advantage of the resort's pools. Sometimes the air conditioning in public buildings is cold, so bring a sweater just in case. If you're planning to extend your stay in Arizona and travel to Sedona or the Grand Canyon, it is much cooler in those areas. It might rain, but probably not. Don't forget your camera.

Should I bring my kids?

Children age 6 and up are welcome at Puppeteers of America Festivals and pay a lower registration rate. There is no extra hotel charge for children in your room. There will be a morning workshop for the young ones and they will enjoy most of the shows.

Will there be a chance for me to perform?

Potpourri is scheduled for late Friday night. This is a chance for anyone to get up for a maximum 5 minute time slot and do something. So do it!

And the Puppet Insomniacs are looking for a few edgy offerings with easy setups for late Thursday night. Contact tucsonpuppetworkshotmail.com for more on this.

Festival Store

Sell your puppet-related wares at the Pacific Southwest Regional Festival in Chandler, Arizona! New or used, big or little -- we'll sell it for you!

If you can't attend the festival, that's OK. Just fill out the store inventory sheet, tag your merchandise according to the instructions, and then ship everything to us. We'll take care of it.

Vendors who submit their inventory paperwork (PAPERWORK) before May 31, will have only a 22% commission retained by the Pacific Southwest Region. (Merchandise need not be received by May 31.) Vendors who submit their inventory paperwork after May 31 will have a 25% commission retained by the Pacific Southwest Region. So, contact us NOW!

ADDED BONUS: At this festival, there is an opportunity to sell your merchandise at a second venue - The Chandler Center for the Arts. The festival staff will sell your wares at three public performances. Vendors may designate up to ten NEW items valued at $25.00 or less for these special public sales.

TO GET YOUR INVENTORY SHEET AND INSTRUCTIONS, go to azpuppetfest.com and download them, or contact the store staff directly at

PSW Festival STORE

c/o Camilla Ann Mican

7016 North 5th Place

Phoenix, Arizona 85020

602-944-9556

FAX: 602-944-3743

email: apstoreattglobal.net

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Hello SFBAPG members:

Guests artists Nick Barone and Kevin Menegus will be on hand tonight to share their stories about how they have built successful puppet businesses. The discussion will focus especially on the birthday party puppet show.

A real treat! Nick Barone will perform his new show, "T. Rex Thunderlizard's Wild West Review"

Date: TONIGHT, Saturday, May 22

Time: 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM

Where: Fort Mason Center in San Francisco. Building C, Room 205

Bring goodies to eat!

*******

Driving directions from the East Bay:

Take the Bay Bridge to the first exit, Fremont Street. Go left on Fremont. Right on Mason. Left on Embarcadero. Left on Bay. Right on Buchanan. Cross Marina Blvd. and make a sharp right in to the Forst Mason Center

From the Peninsula:

Take 280 North. Take the 19th Street exit and continue several miles. Pass through Golden Gate Park. Just after crossing Geary Blvd, go through the MacArthur tunnel. Taike the Marina Blvd. exit ramp. Stay on Marina Blvd for a few miles. Turn left into the Fort Mason Center. (Just before Safeway.)

Permanent link to this entry.

Hello SFBAPG members:

Sell your puppet-related wares at the Pacific Southwest Regional Festival in Chandler, Arizona! New or used, big or little - we'll sell it for you!

If you can't attend the festival, that's OK. Just fill out the store inventory sheet, tag your merchandise according to the instructions, and then ship everything to us. We'll take care of it.

Vendors who submit their inventory paperwork (PAPERWORK) before May 31st, will have only a 22% commission retained by the Pacific Southwest Region. (Merchandise need not be received by May 31st.) Vendors who submit their inventory paperwork after May 31st will have a 25% commission retained by the Pacific Southwest Region. So, contact us NOW!

ADDED BONUS: At this festival, there is an opportunity to sell your merchandise at a second venue - The Chandler Center for the Arts. The festival staff will sell your wares at three public performances. Vendors may designate up to ten NEW items valued at $25.00 or less for these special public sales.

TO GET YOUR INVENTORY SHEET AND INSTRUCTIONS, go to azpuppetfest.com and download them, or contact the store staff directly at

PSW Festival STORE
c/o Camilla Ann Mican
7016 North 5th Place
Phoenix, Arizona 85020
602-944-9445 602-944-9556
FAX: 602-944-3743
email: apstoreaol.com apstoreattglobal.net or camicanattglobal.net

See you at the Festival!

Camilla Ann Mican and Elly Reidy
Store Directors

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Hello SFBAPG members:

The election of our 2004-2005 officers is scheduled to take place soon, but so far no one has stepped up to the plate to be president. Please ask yourself if you might be able to take the position of president. The minimum term is one year. Maximum two years. We need you!

Keep in mind that there are several people who would be willing to support you: Pam Brown, treasurer. Matt Baume, web master. Mary Decker, email coordinator. Patty Wick, newsletter editor. Mike Burroughs and Randal Metz have pledged their support also.

So, please take a moment to search your soul for the immortal words of the Little Engine That Could:

I think I can.
I think I can.
I think I can.
I think I can.
I think I can.
I think I can.
I think I can be president of the SFBAPG!

"Ask not what the SFBAPG can do for you. Ask what you can do for the SFBAPG."
-John Fitzgerald Kennedy

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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

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SUNNY DAYS. The famous brownstone facade of 123 Sesame Street comes to the Bay Area Discovery Museum in Fort Baker, just outside of Sausalito, Calif., May 8 to September 19, "CAN YOU TELL ME HOW TO GET TO SESAME STREET?, an exhibit filled with reproductions from the show's familiar set, takes fans of all ages on a journey through more than three decades of the pioneering children's television program. Stroll down Sesame Street, stop by Oscar's Newsstand, and see yourself on-screen as you sing the alphabet with furry red monster Elmo. Watch memorable episodes in the Circle in the Square Cinema and don't miss Big Bird's supersize nest, where kids are encouraged to climb in and curl up with a good book. (415) 339-3900, www.baykidsmuseum.org.

Watch "Ella Enchanted" for a witty, fun, action packed adaptation of a fairy tale, currently in movie theatres (end of April). Sort of a cross between "Shriek" and "The Princess Bride", only I liked it much better! The only "puppet" is an animated snake but a great lesson in pumping life into an old tale. (Eber loved it too!). Elisheva

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Hello SFBAPG members:
By now, you probably have received your May newsletters. Please note that there has been a change in the program for the next meeting on May 22: Peter Brizzi will not be able to perform his "Goldilocks and the Three Teddybears."
Everything else will be the same: Nick Barone will perform his "T.Rex Thunderlizard's Wild West Review." Nick and Kevin Menegus will share their stories about doing birthday party puppet shows.
When: Saturday, May 22
Where: Fort Mason, Rm. C-205
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

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Hello SFBAPG members:

The Pacific Southwest Regional Festival is just around the corner! You might want to take advantage of this super deal on airfare:

Southwest Airlines has recently listed Phoenix in its "special fares" category. You can fly to Phoenix from Oakland or San Jose for just $59 each way (plus taxes and airport fees).

Reservations must be made at least 21 days in advance, but don't delay. The Southwest Airlines special fares will not last forever.

The Phoenix Fest runs from dinner time on June 24 to 12:00 noon on June 26. There is free shuttle service from the airport to the resort. Driving time about 30 minutes.

Mary Decker

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This performance announcement comes from fellow SFBAPG member, Camilla Henneman.

> The Trial of Anansi
> Written by Camilla Henneman; puppets by Camilla Henneman
> Directed by Andrew Susskind
>
> "The trial of Anansi" is an adaptation of traditional African Folklore told with outlandish humor. The play uses shadow puppets, hand puppets, enormous mask puppets and weird costumes. We have taken some liberties with the tale and the result promises to be wicked good fun.
> The show is at the University of Santa Cruz, theater arts 2cd stage. There are two other plays that are on the same venue. The Trial of Anansi is first, but you will want to stay for all three, as they are all fun (and family friendly) The admission is FREE. Parking costs $2. It's a good idea to get there a bit early as the theater will probably fill up.
> Show dates:
> Friday 5/14: We open 7pm
> Saturday 5/15: our show is at 7pm
> Sunday 5/16: 2pm show
> Thursday 5/20: Show at 7
> Saturday 5/22: Our last show 7pm
>
> I know that Santa Cruz is a bit of a drive for most of you. So why come to Santa Cruz? My answer is; why not come to Santa Cruz? It's absolutely one of the most beautiful places on the planet, beaches, redwoods! It is only 1 hour drive from San Francisco. It has great restaurants, cheap (and some expensive) places to stay. My question is not Why come ?; but why ever leave?

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his communique comes from fellow member, Ruth Stotter. She is currently in Prague and sends us a report on puppet theater in Vienna, Prague and Budapest. -Mary Decker

Hi, Mary. I am in Prague and wondered if you could forward this to the newsletter editor in case it - or parts of it - would be of interest for the next issue.

Eastern Europe is a popular destination for the opera, but few American tourists visit the spectacular marionette opera theaters in Vienna, Prague or Strausborg. In April we joined a ninety-seven percent adult audience to see Mozart's "Magic Flute" performed by the Marionette Theatre Schloss Schonbrun in Vienna. The theatre was founded in 1995 by Christine and Werner Hiezer and produces, as the man next to me commented, "real theatre!" "Magic Flute," adapted for marionette presentation, demonstrated life-like manipulation, superb blocking and lighting. Not only did the puppets move their necks and faces as they spoke and sang in a life-like manner, the other puppets on stage reacted constantly. There was never a sense of frozen figures standing on the stage. Walking, kneeling, gesturing, even kissing was beautifully executed by each puppet. It was fun to hear the audience gasp after the final curtain call when the faces of the manipulators appeared behind the puppets, shattering the illusionary belief that we were watching life-size figures. The magical manipulation included puppets spinning, dancing, and one incredible scene where a puppet was surrounded by five peaks of fabric, wrapped up and floated off the stage. The puppets were mainly eighteen inches high with a few smaller and some larger. The strings, which virtually disappeared during the performance were about twenty-four inches. The puppet bodies were made from leather, foam and pine, with the hands carved from lime wood. The beautiful costumes were silk and hand-painted fabrics. Almost all of the marionettes were operated by a seven string control with three additional wires. This was an A-plus opera experience. Beautiful music, drama and humor. I hope that the Puppeteers of America will invite this troupe to our festival.

-----

There are two marionette theatres in Prague, both producing Opera. I attended the National Puppet Theatre's rendition of "Don Giovanni" and found it at times amateurish, with juvenile slap-stick (despite 3 children and ninety-seven adults in the audience) and the puppets were often clumsy. To be fair, there were some wonderful scenes, and the music was great. Interestingly, the puppeteer hands showed at all times and when a puppet fainted or died the puppeteer would drop the control board and swoon over the backdrop, dropping his or her head and arms down as if they, too, had swooned or died.

There are dozens of puppet shops in Prague, mostly with the same wares. One shop stands out as original puppets are available here. It is called Bejvavalo and can be visited at www.marionettes.cz.

-----
There are two puppet theatres in Budapest (Hungary) near the Octogon where my apartment was located. I attended a show for very young children - "The Three Wishes." The puppeteers used a Banraku technique without disgusing themselves in any way and alternated the puppet story with a contemporary story between them with the same theme. (Hunger, having wishes, hastily wasting their wishes.) The second puppet theatre produces slicker performances in a more elegant setting.

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I look forward to the Strausborg puppet theatre next month (June).

Best wishes, Ruth

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