his comes from fellow SFBAPG member Michael:

Last chance to see the puppet exhibit at the Napa Library (Division St. in Napa) which runs through the end of August. If you have not seen it yet, please do, and send your friends. People have loved it, and soon those puppets will go back into storage, perhaps not to be seen again for years or decades.

phone is 707-253-4241
Administration (707) 253-4242 Reference (707) 253-4235 Children's (707) 253-4070 Circulation (707) 253-4243 Renewals (707) 253-4220 Literacy (707) 253-4283 TDD (707) 253-6088 Fax (707) 253-4615

Hours
Monday 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tuesday 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Wednesday 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Friday 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. 2003- 2004 Closed Holidays
Labor Day 2004
Monday, September 6
Library Closed

This comes from fellow SFBAPG member, Joe:

Ashanti, Tarantino Off to See Muppets in 'Oz'
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - R&B singer Ashanti and director Quentin Tarantino are set to star in ABC's original movie tentatively titled "The Muppets' Wizard of Oz."

story continues here: http://au.news.yahoo.com//040824/11/qgmt.html

This message comes from fellow SFBAPG member, Tim Giugni:

Here's something interesting that I've been trying to get information on for the past week and three days:

Annual Puppet Workshop & Festival - Napa Valley
Friday and Saturday, September 24th and 25th, 2004
Workshop @ 1 pm September 25th

$10 behind the stage look-see. Making puppets.

Performances start @ 7pm

$20 adult
$10 12 and under

Parasol Puppets (Peter Allen, Missouri)- The Singing Turtle
Grey Seal Puppets (Drew Allison, North Carolina) - Bathtub Pirates
Both nights

Location
Jarvis Conservatory
1711 Main Street Napa, California
Telephone 707 255 5445
Fax 707 255 5482
eMail infojarvisconservatory.com

Don't bother to go on line for more information about the shows- it isn't there. (Except for here!)

This comes from SFBAPG co-president, Randal Metz:

Next SFBAPG event! The 48th Annual Puppet Fair!
Saturday, August 21 and Sunday, August 22
Children's Fairyland, Oakland

Please add a correction to the newsletter you recently received in your mailbox: The short Guild business meeting will NOT be at 4:20 p.m., but rather at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 21.

In 1956, the SFBAPG began sponsoring a once-a-year puppet fair at Children's Fairyland, the home of the Storybook Puppet Theater. Each year, the guild works hand-in-hand with Fairyland and helps spread the pupet word through workshops, shows and displays. Fairyland's 1956 Puppet Fair was the first "Day of Puppetry" ever thought of.

>> Schedule of Events:
>> 10:00 to 4:30- Exhibit of puppets on the Merry Meadow. Please bring puppets for display.
>> 11:00 - "The Pied Piper of Hamelin" - Fairyland puppet Show
>> 11:45 - P & T Puppet Theater - "Goldilocks and the Three Teddy Bears" (Saturday only)
>> A comical takeoff of a classic tale featuring rod puppets
>> The Fratello Marionettes: "Vaudeville Follies" (Sunday only)
>> A fun-filled musical revue featuring animated 3' tall marionettes.
>> 12:00 to 3:00 - Make a puppet at the Marilynn O'Hare Art Gallery!
>> Members help the kids make a mouse or butterfly puppet to take home.
>> 2:00 - "The Pied Piper of Hamelin" - Fairyland puppet show
>> 2:45 - The Fratello Marionettes - "Vaudeville Follies" (Saturday only)
>> A fun-filled musical revue featuring animated 3' tall marionettes.
>> Nick Barone Puppets - "T-Rex Thunderlizard's Wild West Revue!" (Sunday only)
>> A great hand puppet show featuring an old fashioned Wild West show by dinosaurs!
>>
>> 4:00 - "The Pied Piper of Hamelin" - Fairyland puppet show

>> We will need volunteers to help with exhibits and workshops. Please contact Randal Metz. Guild members must show their membership cards at the entrance to get in free.

For directions to Fairyland, see the Puppet Stage Newsletter which arrived recently in your mailboxes.

Hello SFBAPG members,

I wanted to give my mini-review of the Circus Contraption show which is playing at CellSpace in San Francisco.

The show has 13 multi-talented performers plus extra stage hands. The aerialists and musicians are enormously talented. The puppetry is minimal and just an incidental part of the show, but it's funny and adds a nice touch.

The show runs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday throughout the month of August EXCEPT two Sundays - August 15 & 29. I saw it last Friday and it was sold out, but I just talked to the publicist and she said that they NEVER sell out on Sundays - so today is a great day to go!

You might want to leave the kids at home. There is some sexual stuff - and, besides, curtain is at 9:00 pm and the show doesn't end until about 11:20.

Since it's general seating, I suggest getting your tickets early and claiming a seat at 8:30. Don't miss this one! It's a bargain for only $15!

Mary

Hello SFAPG members,

If you are interested in being a puppeteer on a film project, call or email San Francisco film maker Kun Shin. He is producing and directing a low-budget film and he needs goblins, gremlins, a frog and a snake. The film is scheduled to shoot in November. There is no pay for the puppeteers, but expenses will be paid.

Fellow SFBAPG member, Sue Jacoby, has worked with Kun in the past, and she says, "Kun is totally cool to work with."

phone: 650-575-5508
email: shinkinsfyahoo.com

Hello SFBAPG members,

Trying to buy Lion King tickets has been very frustrating for me. The Orpheum Theatre's web site does not have a detailed seating chart. The sales people at TicketMaster do not have detailed seating charts. Very frustrating.

After searching for a while, I finally found some helpful information. I hope this helps you. Check out the tips which are listed below. -Mary

Beware: You can buy tickets through private individuals who are selling their tickets via craigslist.org, BUT some of these people are scalpers. Also, I discovered that some of them are just plain old con artists. If you use craigslist, I suggest you do the tickets/cash transaction IN PERSON. Do not do it through the mail.

******

Here's the GOOD SCOOP:

Seats are still available at face value for many dates through Ticketmaster who is handling all online ticket sales. The Lion King is currently booked at the Orpheum Theatre through November 21, but I'm sure it will go longer.

Here are the prices for all sections:

http://disney.go.com/disneytheatrical/lionkingsf/boxoffice.html#times_prices

Here is where you can buy the tickets at face value plus a small handling charge. You pick up your tickets at will call at the Orpheum theater before the performance.
http://www.ticketmaster.com/artist/803723

You can also call TicketMaster at 415-512-7770. Or get your tickets directly from the Orpheum Box Office located at 1192 Market Street. (Parking is terrible, so drop off a friend at the box office and then circle around.)

And here is the seating plan for the Orpheum Theater:

http://adisney.go.com/disneytheatrical/lionkingsf/images/lksf_seating_plan.gif

or go to http://disney.go.com/disneytheatrical/lionkingsf/boxoffice.html and click on "Seating Chart."

For best viewing of the incredible costumes, recommend you do not sit any closer than orchestra row F. Rows as far back as S are great as well as the first three rows of Loge. It is also best to avoid seats that are not 3 digit numbers, especially close up.

This comes from former SFBAPG member Elizabeth:

I highly recommend this show -aerial acts, acrobatics, juggling, tomfoolery, puppets, giant stilt animals, fantastic live music, showgirls, demons, a caveman, curiosities, a bicycle race around the world, wit, fun and much more, all with a deliciously twisted Victoriana flare. It's unlike anything you've ever seen! I designed some of the costumes, but that's not why I'm partial to it -it's just one of my favorite creative theatre experiences in a long, long while. Many people go back to see it again. Don't miss it!
-Elizabeth

On tour from Seattle!
Circus Contraption's Grand American Traveling Dime Museum

August 6-8, 13-14, 20-22 and 27-28, 2004
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 9 pm/ Doors open 8:30 pm
(Please note, no performances on Sunday Aug. 15 or Sunday Aug. 29)

at CELLspace, 2050 Bryant St., San Francisco CA

Tickets $15.00 each

Opening Night show (Friday August 6) is Pay-what-you-can

Circus Contraption announces the imminent arrival of its Grand American Traveling Dime Museum! For a modest admission you will be privy to a vast Collection of Exhibits guaranteed to Educate and Entertain. Featuring Miracles of Man and of Nature, Curiosities of the Past and Marvels of the Modern Age. A veritable Confectionery of exquisite Novelties awaits the genteel Visitor.

Please be advised that all shows contain MATURE CONTENT and may be unsuitable for children 12 and under. Parental discretion is advised.

Advance tickets for San Francisco are now available through Brown Paper Tickets, and may be purchased either online or by calling 1-800-838-3006.

For info about CELLspace: http://www.CELLspace.org/about/ (includes a map)

For info about Circus Contraption: www.circuscontraption.com

Some news about fellow SFBAPG member, Tia Smirnoff:

The Mill Valley Herald for July 17-August 2 had a wonderful article on TIA Smirnoff - "Our Tia". The article by Wendy Elkin titled "Raising a generation of Mill Valley Children" tells of a lot of contributions that Tia has made to our community's children. Tia works tirelessly and constantly at so many things that will enrich their lives. She takes workshops in puppetry, miniature, teddy bear making, all kinds of crafts in order to pass on those skills to the children.

This comes from fellow SFBAPG member Lettie:

At ARTWORKS DOWNTOWN, 1323-1337 Fourth Street San Rafael (where I did the puppet exhibit last year) "Magic Models" featuring Industrial Light and Magic models will be on display from Sept. 16 to Oct. 29th. The reception is September 23rd, from 5-7 pm.

On Friday, October 22 at 6:30 pm the monthly Art Talk is "Models In The Movies" - a discussion with ILM artists featured in "Magic Models". Free, but a suggested donation of $3.