This comes from fellow SFBAPG member, Wendy Morton:

Looking for a petite, thin, graceful female to play a little girl in a
shadow production. Experience with movement and mask work. Puppetry skills
helpful. Non union job with pay. Must be available November10 through the
17th and first two weeks in January. Free to travel during those times.
Auditions on Saturday Oct. 30th and Nov. 6th. For details send email with
name and performance experience to Wendy Morton - wmortearthlink dot net

This comes from Heidi Wohlwend and Brian Mathis, of Punch and Judy fame. Heidi wrote the show and Brian is doing the puppeteering. Sounds like a treat!

"It's a musical, a puppet show... a showcase of raw emotion.
-SF Fringe Review

...is back for a second season after a sold-out run at the San Francisco Fringe Festival 2003

"The story is told with refreshing candor and charm as the actors, musicians, and puppeteers perform a
tale of the blood, sweat, and tears of voiceless Mormon women."
-SF Fringe Review

Written by Heidi Wohlwend
Directed by Brian Mathis
Music by members of Plasterkatz
At the Dark Room , 2263 Mission St., San Francisco
November 5th 8pm, November 6th 2pm & 8pm and November 7th, 2pm & 7pm
for a limited five-show run.
Visit our site for online tickets: ExMo Show

Heidi finished her MFA in Creative Writing at SFSU in 2003 and her short story, "Franny and Mary" was published in the Knight Literary Journal vol. II.

Permanent link to this entry.

Hey SFBAPG members! Don't miss this!

Michael Nelson has just arranged for all SFBAPG members and their guests to get a 20% discount for this special October 23 show. Guild members must call in advance to reserve their discount tickets.

Photos of all the new shows are on the website: http://magicalmoonshine.org/bluewelcome.htm

This comes from Michael Nelson:

Less than one week left to reserve your seat!
New performance addition!
By popular demand, an election year special dramatic presentation of sexual politics: "The Lady or the Tiger"

- A barbarian king (played by GI Joe) and his daughter (played by Barbie) try to manipulate the ruler of neighboring Ken-ya (played by Ken) to gain political power. Searches for WMDs, the occasional paddling of unruly politicians, and a fierce tiger add to the fun in this very popular Little Blue Moon offering. (No resemblance to real politicians, living or dead, is intended.)

Please call 7O7-252-2253 now to reserve your seat at the October 23 performance event at Wild Swan Aphrodisiacs in Napa.

WILD SWAN APHRODISIACS PRESENTS
A sexy and scary pre-halloween LITTLE BLUE MOON THEATRE PRODUCTION
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2004, 7:00 PM

Above: A rather attractive mummy (center), whose wrappings tend to fall off, wreaks havoc in "The Mummy's Shaft," a new original drama inspired by old radio plays. For details and photos for all the plays click here:
For general information on the Little Blue Moon Theatre click here:
Toy Theatre is a tiny theatre form dating back to Victorian parlours and currently enjoying a renaissance in Europe and the U.S There are few places you can watch these tiny paper actors trod in front of the footlights (and there really are footlights.) Don’t miss this one!!
The Evening: This devilishly delightful evening (presented in the anteroom of the Wild Swan Aphrodisiacs secret laboratory) will consist of several short, sexy and spooky plays performed by Little Blue Moon Theatre, interspersed with refined refreshments, a chance to sample (and purchase if you wish) Wild Swan Aphrodisiacs products and of course a chance to laugh heartily and have an evening of fabulous fun. Refreshments will include the famous Atomic Ice Cream’s dastardly delicious treats (Road Rash, Bar Brawl, Bad Cold, Sexy and more…)

The Productions:
Japanese Ghost Story - PREMIERE! Yamome-san loses the love of his life, only to find that their nightly delights continue in spite of her death. How Yamome deals with these ghostly visitations is only part of this atmospheric, original Japanese-style ghost story.
The Mummy’s Shaft - PREMIERE! Legend has it that when Osiris was murdered and his dismembered body scattered, his wife, Isis, found all of the pieces but one (can you guess which?) When the missing member turns up in the possession of an archeologist’s comely assistant, mysterious forces are set in motion. Inspired by campy B horror films and old radio drama, this cautionary tale teaches us the dangers of messing with mummy dearest.
The Widow- Live dulcimer and Valerie’s lovely singing tell the tale of a lonely widow who runs an inn on the moor. She never turns away a traveler from her door (or her bed) but one night a devilish visitor comes to call. Will the lonely widow trade her soul for a night’s pleasure?
TICKETS $25 ORCHESTRA, $20 GENERAL SEATING
Seating is limited so please call now FOR RESERVATIONS
7O7-252-2253

This comes from fellow SFBAPG member, Olivia Huff:

Karen Viani of Mulberry Cottage and
Talib and Olivia Huff of Tinker's Coin Productions
once again are presenting a morning of puppetry at
Mulberry Cottage, 7948 Fair Oaks Blvd., Carmichael.

Saturday, Oct 23, 2004
(park on Queenston Court)
10:00 am
Autumn Tales

Children: $3
Adults: $5
For more information:
Call Karen @ 9l6-944-2677

Info at http://sfbapg.org/join.shtml

Exciting news in the world of puppetry!

From: Christopher Piper Subject: the Puppet Co. Playhouse on CBS Date: Wed, 13 Oct 2004 19:33:16 -0400 To: Piper Christopher X-ELNK-AV: 0

Barring unforeseen breaking news, the Puppet Co. Playhouse will be featured on CBS Sunday Morning this Sunday, October 17, as part of a story on professional puppetry in America. CBS spent a full day taping performances and events at the Playhouse in May, and another half day in in July. They also covered the Playhouse Grand Opening, when Jane Henson gave the keynote address. As we understand the piece, it will also include the puppetry program at the University of Connecticut, the Center for Puppetry Arts, and Tony Award winning Broadway productions "Avenue Q" and "The Lion King."

CBS Sunday Morning airs from 9 AM to 10:30 PM EST.

Please help spread the word to anyone you think might want to see this.

Congratulations to SFBAPG member, Wendy Morton, one of the winners of the 2004 Arlyn Award for Outstanding Design in Puppet Theatre!

This is from Wendy:

The Arlyn Award was for the designs of my shadow show based on Rudyard Kipling's "The Jungle Book". Overhead projectors and halogen lights were used to create the jungle scenes, including midnight meetings of the animals gathering on rocky cliffs and Mowgli's triumph over the tiger Shere Kahn by tossing a throbbing flame light towards him. Ramon Abad and I Made Moja were artists on the project. It was produced by Flock Theatre in Connecticut. I am thrilled to be selected for this award.

Kamela Portuguese and Lee Armstrong were hosting a birthday party at Lee's while Luman Coad was in town. I was also in Sonoma playing tourist with some old buddies from high school who were visiting. Lee and Kamela, and the birthday boy were gracious enough to extend their party into an awards ceremony and combine the event into one big exciting evening.

Thanks to all, Wendy

This comes from SFBAPG Co-President, Randal Metz:

Next SFBAPG meeting:

When: Saturday, Oct 23, 2004
Where: San Leandro Community Center. Room "B"
Time: 6:30 - 9:00 pm

Workshop: "How to Build a Puppet Head out of Celluclay"
Instructor: Randal Metz

Celluclay is a paper mache product that we use at Fairyland for our puppet heads. Please bring a 3-inch styrofoam egg to help cut costs to the guild. The guild will supply the other supplies. A fast, easy way to mass-produce puppet heads that can be sanded and painted and will last a long time!

If anyone would like to do any short puppet performances to augment our meeting, please let Randal know at: (510) 569-3144.

Driving directions to the San Leandro Community Center, 15301 Wicks Blvd, San Leandro

Take 880 north or south. Exit Marina Blvd West. Make a left turn at the light onto Merced. Follow Merced down 3 more lights. At the third light, veer to the right and Merced becomes Wicks. Stay on Wicks. After the light at Manor Blvd, look to the right for the Community Center.

If you get lost, call the Community Center at 510-577-6080.

******
Why are our meetings being held in San Leandro a lot?

As I have mentioned in many newsletters, the guild is only as strong as it's members. We worked hard last year to bring up our numbers and offer diverse programs. I ask again now: Will any members step forward and offer their homes, community centers or theaters as a place to hold our meetings? We need people to do workshops, shows, and hosting.

San Leandro is very generous with us. We get large rooms any time we need them and at no cost to the guild. Fort Mason averages $75.00 a meeting. And yet.....San Leandro is scheduled to host
our annual guild holiday party in January, and the library wishes to continue it's involvement with us for the "Day of Puppetry" in April. I'm open to suggestions. I very much need your support. Thanks.

Newsletter editor wanted

Once again, the guild needs a newsletter editor. Carl LaRue has offered to fill in again until the position can be filled . We do have a stipend for this office. Let me know if you have any suggestions. Randal.

October
This comes from fellow SFBAPG members Michael and Valerie Nelson (aka Magical Moonshine Theatre):

Scary and Sexy?

Dear Friends of Little Blue Moon Theatre,
We will have two wonderful performance events in October, and will be premiering two new productions at both events! The first one will be Saturday, October 23 at the wonderful, secret laboratory of Wild Swan Aphrodisiacs at 7:00 pm (we have performed there before and it is wonderful fun; we highly recommend it!) There will be the shows, refreshments, the book room will be open (filled with [what else?] reading material especially for adults) and it is right in old town Napa. The location will be revealed to those attending. See email flyer below.

The second Halloween special will feature the same performances and will take place at Ferrini's Frames on Main St. in Napa on October 30 (Saturday) at 7:30 pm. This event is more like the ones we have had at our house, part party and part performance, where you can bring food and beverage to share, and donations to Michael & Valeries Arts in the Schools fund are appreciated. There will be fun, music, surprises, more space (than our house), and if you wish (or dare), wear a costume. For the October 30 show, call Michael & Valerie to RSVP at 257-8OO7.

If you wish to introduce friends who have never seen Little Blue Moon Theatre, either of these shows would be the perfect time (just make sure to call and reserve).


Little Blue Moon October Schedule

Saturday, October 23 at 7:00 pm, Wild Swan Aphrodisiacs, Napa
to reserve: Call Wild Swan Aphrodisiacs at (7O7) 252-2253
tickets $20.00 & 25.00

Saturday, October 30, at 7:30 pm, Ferrini Framing, Main St., Napa
to reserve: Call Michael & Valerie at (7O7) 257-8OO7
bring food and beverage to share, and donations for arts in school fund

NOTE: RESERVATIONS ARE NEEDED AT BOTH EVENTS, AS SEATING IS LIMITED!
Check below for performance descriptions for both events.

WILD SWAN APHRODISIACS PRESENTS
A sexy and scary pre-halloween LITTLE BLUE MOON THEATRE PRODUCTION
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2004, 7:00 PM
Premiering two new productions and reprising some older tales. Toy Theatre is a tiny theatre form dating back to Victorian parlours and currently enjoying a renaissance in Europe and the U.S There are few places you can watch these tiny paper actors trod in front of the footlights (and there really are footlights.) Don’t miss this one!!
The Evening: This devilishly delightful evening (presented in the anteroom of the Wild Swan Aphrodisiacs secret laboratory) will consist of several short, sexy and spooky plays performed by Little Blue Moon Theatre, interspersed with refined refreshments, a chance to sample (and purchase if you wish) Wild Swan Aphrodisiacs products and of course a chance to laugh heartily and have an evening of fabulous fun. Refreshments will include the famous Atomic Ice Cream’s dastardly delicious treats (Road Rash, Bar Brawl, Bad Cold and more…)

The Widow- Live dulcimer and Valerie’s lovely singing tell the tale of a lonely widow who runs an inn on the moor. She never turns away a traveler from her door (or her bed) but one night a devilish visitor comes to call. Will the lonely widow trade her soul for a night’s pleasure? Shown in the photo above revealing an inticing sight to her horny visitor.
Japanese Ghost Story - PREMIERE! Yamome-san loses the love of his life, only to find that their nightly delights continue in spite of her death. How Yamome deals with these ghostly visitations is only part of this atmospheric, original Japanese-style ghost story.
The Mummy’s Shaft - PREMIERE! Legend has it that when Osirus was murdered and his dismembered body scattered, his wife, Isis, found all of the pieces but one (can you guess which?) When the missing member turns up in the possession of a comely archeologist’s assistant, mysterious forces are set in motion. Inspired by B horror films, this cautionary tale teaches us the dangers of messing with mummy dearest.

TICKETS $25 ORCHESTRA, $20 GENERAL SEATING
CALL 707-252-2253 FOR RESERVATIONS

This comes from fellow SFBAPG members, Duncan and Katrina Cameron:

Ladies and Gentlemen, Children of all Ages,
Welcome to Puppetarium Theatre!

The puppets want to share some of their summer with you.

Puppetarium Theatre had a theatre space at the Depot Building in Fort Bragg, CA for three months. There were eight weekly shows; audience was slim, but wonderful folks came. The word was spread up and down the North coast, advertised in the local papers and on the radio. Though the Theatre had to close due to small audience, it was a glorious experience. And the children loved it!

Katrina made mermaids as a design for a store window facing Main Street. Duncan lighted the space with iridescent paper and provided blue lighting , so when you drove down the street at night they magically swam in the front of the Depot Building .They are now waiting for a mermaid show.

On Labor Day, Puppetarium walked in the Paul Bunyan Parade. Though the puppets were tiny, amid very large and elaborate floats, they won 4rth prize in the Novelty Class! And Vixawix , the clown, talked to everyone! The children all waved at him and so did many others!

The Theatre is traveling again!
Maybe Puppetarium will be coming your way next. Who knows? Only the puppets!

Wishing you all joy,

Puppetarium Theatre
Katrina and Duncan

Tinker's Coin Productions (Talib and Olivia Huff) will
be presenting the fairy tale
"The Donkey, The Table and the Stick" at
Cooledge Library
5600 S. Land Park Drive
Sacramento, Ca 95822

When: Thursday Oct 7, 2004
Time: 4pm.
Admission: free,

Please note, due to the length of this show (40 minutes), it may not be suitable for younger children.

This message comes from the Director of the Puppeteers of America National Festival:


Puppet Fest 2005

Now that the 2004 regional puppetry festivals are but wonderful memories, it's time to look ahead to the excitement that is brewing for 2005. It's time to start making plans to get yourself to Minnesota for the Puppeteers of America's 2005 national festival. Puppet Fest 2005 will be held July 24-30 at Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota.

The performance line-up is just starting to take shape, but it's already a diverse and exciting mix. You won't want to miss "Professor" Glyn Edwards (England), State Puppet Theatre Stara Zagora (Bulgaria), In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre (Minneapolis), David Syrotiak's National Marionette Theatre (Vermont), Michael Sommers' Open Eye Figure Theatre (Minneapolis), Andrew Kim (Seattle), or a Javanese wayang shadow performance accompanied by the Minnesota Gamelan Orchestra. Performance applications are still being accepted. The performance proposal deadline has been extended to October 15th.

Workshop proposals are just starting to come in, but already in the mix is a performance/workshop presented by marionette master Phillip Huber. The deadline for workshop proposals has been extended to December 1st.

Don't forget to check the festival website, PuppetFest2005.org regularly for the latest festival updates. On the website, you'll also find performance and workshop proposal forms that you can download as well as registration forms. It's not too early to get your registration in. A $150 deposit will reserve your spot.

If you have questions or ideas for the festival, feel free to contact me. We'd love to hear from you and we'll look forward to seeing you in Minnesota next summer.

Kurt Hunter, Festival Director
Puppet Fest 2005
5918 W. 39th St.
St. Louis Park, MN 55416
directorpuppetfest2005.org
952-92O-7171

This comes from fellow SFBAPG member, Lettie Schubert:

In the current gift catalog from the Art Institute of Chicago, on page 35 there is a picture of two Chinese hand/rod puppets. "Add a theatrical touch to your decor. These authentic Asian hand puppets represent a theater tradition that began over three centuries ago in South China. Handcrafted headpieces and fabric clothing make each unique. Wood stand included."

# 79700 Male figure with black beard - Chinese Opera Style (my description) Masked Puppet (their description) 12 inches high $40

# 79699 Woman Puppet 12" inches high $40

# 79700 The complete set (of two) $75

Call 1-800-301-9612 or go to www.artinstituteshop.org, click on the Asia section and you can see the puppets. You can click on their individual small pictures and see them enlarged.

This comes from fellow SFBAPG member, Olivia Huff:

Dear Friends,

Tinker's Coin Productions (Talib and Olivia Huff) will be presenting "It Happened One Summer or A Tale of Two Plots" at the Little Theatre in Fairy Tale Town on Saturday Oct 2, 2004
12:30, 1:30, 2:30

Fairy Tale Town is located in William Land Park
Sutterville Road & Land Park Drive, Sacramento

This is a First 5 Sacramento Children's Celebration Kid 0-5 and their families are admitted free to Fairy Tale Town. Adults must be accompanied by a child except by prior arrangement with First 5. (You might say you are friends of the puppeteers...) I don't know if older kids and families get in free or at all--you'd need to check..

For more info: www.sackids.saccounty.net
Debra Payne 916-876-5870.

Please note: while it is not officially interpreted at this point (only Olivia and she's part of the program), the show itself is without words and so is suitable for deaf audiences.

Come say hi!

Olivia and Talib Huff