A msg for the friends of Lettie Schubert: Lettie Schubert wants
everyone to know that her computer is down and she will be off line
for a week or two. She cannot receive or send email now. When she
is up and running again, she will send a message to all. -Mary Decker

Short-term rental needed from December 24 to 28 (or thereabouts).
Randel McGee, puppeteer and former Regional Director for the PSW
Region, is looking for a place in or near S.F. where his family can
celebrate Christmas together. If you are going to be away for the
holidays and want to earn a little cash, this might be a good match
for you. The McGees are super responsible, caring people. You can
be assured that your house and your stuff will be in good hands.

Call Randel or Marsha McGee at 559-582-536O.

Email: marsha.mcgee comcast dot net or randel.mcgee comcast dot net

If you need references, there are lots of folks in the SFBAPG who can
give them. Just ask Randel for names and contact info.

Happy Holidays Guild Members!
Your December Guild Newsletter is on the Guild website, ready to download (may take a few minutes with slower dialup connection like mine) and read or print out.
Jump to the download page: http://www.sfbapg.org/newsletter/archives/000522.html#more

In the December Newsletter:

Shoe Box Puppets visits the guild-
Holiday shows to brighten and enlighten-
Review of ShadowLight shadow puppet workshop-
Upcoming Guild Events-
"This is just a stage we are going through!" crossword Puppetuzzle-
Christmas Party Horror Story-
Elizabeth Luce on designing puppet festival logos-
Guild and puppet news-
And More!

For all questions, please contact Jens Peter
Jungclaussen directly at peterwiththebus yahoo - dot - com

Friday, Dec. 2

DownLow: Help Convert the Camo Bus to Biodiesel w.
Puppets!

OK Kidz,

Y'all want to know what we've been up to, right? You want to know why
it's been 3 months since our last party, right? Here's why: puppets.

This time around, on Friday, December 2nd, DownLow presents the first
ever puppet themed guerilla breaks party to raise money to convert a
bus to biodiesel!

Puppets? Did I really just say puppets? Yes, I did. We have three
options for your puppet pleasure:

1) BYOP. Do you have a really cool puppet? Have you been dying to take
it to a party but just been ashamed of how it would appear? Well we're
happy to present you with a solution. Large, small, it don't matter.
Just bring it.

2) MYOP. Our good friends Robin and Jen will be running a Make Your Own
Puppet area. Come empty handed and leave with a handy new handsome
handmade friend for your hand. We'll have a little stage set up for
improvisational (or not if you start planning now) puppet theater. All
this will take place in our second area. You see, we're expanding. In
addition to the bus and the dancefloor you're used to we will have
carpet and chill DJs set apart from the rest of the party.

3) WOP. Or just sit back and Watch Our Puppets.

Now, don't worry, we're still bringing the beats, the bus and the bass:

*Kemek (FiberlineAudio.com, KWS Records). We're very excited to be
bringing Kemek back for his first DJ appearance in at least a year.
Rest assured he's been busy in the studio and has numerous new tracks
to drop on you.
*Hypnotech (Addictech.com). Definitely been making waves with his
skills and selection.
*Lux (aka Rodman). Nuff said. Those who know, know.
*DownLow residents Piotron and Alxndr.
--Sound by pUrEvil--

And in the Puppet Area:
*Dr. Toast
*Piotron (DownLow)
*Pathos (Worker.com, BPM Records)

-Matt and Lindsay will be running our bar on the Camo bus with a wide
assortment of beverages for sale.
-Now that it's getting cold again outside we will see the return of the
heat lamps -- DownLow cares about keeping you warm on and off the dance
floor.
-Free water. Fresh fruit and doughnuts at sunrise!

We will be asking for a 5-10 dollar donation with half of all donations
going to a special fund to convert the camo bus to run on BIODIESEL! No
one will be turned away for lack of funds but we really encourage you
to give. Know that you'll be bringing Jens Peter one huge step closer
to converting the bus.

Please listen to the entire voicemail on the day of the party and
cooperate with all requests: 415-820-3954. We are also actively looking
for a backup, indoor spot in case of rain. If anyone knows of a cool
space please be in touch.

Thanks for your support!!

The DownLow Crew

The deadline for the last newsletter of the year is upon us.

I am sure that many of you have or know about holiday shows that guild members would love to see, so send me your calendar listings as well as any articles, letters, horror stories, Holiday puppet projects you want to share, reviews, etc. November 25 is the deadline.

Send to:
mail magicalmoonshine dot org

The next meeting of the SFBAPG will be Saturday, November 19th from 5:30 to 7:00
p.m. in room 205C, Fort Mason.

Corey Stevens from the Shoe Box Puppet Company will be entertaining us
http://www.shoeboxpuppets.com/

Also see Corey at The Fury Factory this Wednesday night,
http://www.foolsfury.org/link_now.html

The Kuko and Grandma Show is a miniature comedy using traditional
Czech style marionettes in a contemporary American scenario. The star
of the show, Kuko, is a foolish and lazy young man who lives in a
small apartment with his feisty grandmother who keeps a clean house
and operates a psychic hotline. In the many episodes of the show Kuko
goes through various adventures and learns valuable lessons (which he
always seems to forget by the next episode). The audience can laugh at
his mistakes and triumphs.

The show was created by puppeteer Corey Stevens over two years ago.
Corey has performed the show at fairs, festivals, schools, libraries,
and theatres in six different states and at a national puppetry
festival in Japan. The show is designed specifically to be
entertaining to children and adults. While the children enjoy watching
the action of the puppets the jokes are for the grown ups. Corey is a
parent himself and appreciates entertainment that appeals to all ages.

The 27th Annual Celebration of Craftswomen takes place at the Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason Center from 10 to 5 on Saturday November 19th (as well as the 20th, 26th, and 27th). You might want to go early to get parking, or go early, park and take in the Celebration (lots of great crafts!!!) Admission is $8, $6 for seniors /students. Just be warned that the Celebration draws crowds and allow time for parking. Lettie

[Reminder from SFBAPG Email Coordinator: The Guild meeting is Saturday at 5:30 p.m. in Building C, Room 205.]

The next meeting of the SFBAPG will be Saturday, November 19th from 5:30 to 7:00
p.m. in room 205C, Fort Mason.

Corey Stevens from the Shoe Box Puppet Company will be entertaining us
http://www.shoeboxpuppets.com/

Also see Corey at The Fury Factory this Wednesday night,
http://www.foolsfury.org/link_now.html

The Kuko and Grandma Show is a miniature comedy using traditional
Czech style marionettes in a contemporary American scenario. The star
of the show, Kuko, is a foolish and lazy young man who lives in a
small apartment with his feisty grandmother who keeps a clean house
and operates a psychic hotline. In the many episodes of the show Kuko
goes through various adventures and learns valuable lessons (which he
always seems to forget by the next episode). The audience can laugh at
his mistakes and triumphs.

The show was created by puppeteer Corey Stevens over two years ago.
Corey has performed the show at fairs, festivals, schools, libraries,
and theatres in six different states and at a national puppetry
festival in Japan. The show is designed specifically to be
entertaining to children and adults. While the children enjoy watching
the action of the puppets the jokes are for the grown ups. Corey is a
parent himself and appreciates entertainment that appeals to all ages.

We have arranged a great (50%) discount for Guild members for our Dec. 4 show in Yountville for our Cirque du Cafe performance. The show is a delightful table top circus where the puppeteers are waiters and all of the performers are items you would find in a cafe. The show is about an hour long with live music by French Musette Accordionist Steve Ventrello. The production was designed for adults, (it has some minor references to adult beverages (wine, coffee) normally found in the cafe setting) but parents who have seen it have felt it suitable for their children as well.

Date: Sunday, December 4, 2005, at 5:00 pm

Location: Wine Garden Restaurant, 6476 Washington St., Yountville, 94599

TO GET YOUR GUILD DISCOUNT: You can buy tickets online with a credit card from our online poster page at http://magicalmoonshine.org/blueinvite.htm - Tickets are $20.00, $10.00 for guild members. To get your discount you must enter the PROMO CODE which is sfbapg (or SFBAPG). The site then automatically should set your ticket price at $10.00 with a service fee ($1.32). (Skip the poster page and buy tickets directly: https://www.localwineevents.com/tickets/ticket_purchase.php?EVENTID=s316 ) THIS DISCOUNT IS ONLY AVAILABLE UNTIL THE SHOW SELLS OUT, SO WE RECOMMEND YOU ACT NOW. The restaurant has limited seating and we don't know how quickly it will sell out.

After the show you may stay for dinner or drinks (not required, but it is a great restaurant...quality food and you can eat reasonably if you choose to.) Traffic should be easy that time of day, and the early show time will get you home early.

Below is a press release for the show.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CIRQUE DU CAFÉ PERFORMANCE AT WINE GARDEN RESTAURANT IN YOUNTVILLE, DECEMBER 4, 2005 AT 5:00 PM - TICKETS: $20.00

Tiny Circus Offers Big Thrills

Table-top Circus: More Than Just Playing With Food

This Holiday Season circus lovers need go no further than Yountville for their circus thrills. At 5:00 pm on Sunday, December 4, Magical Moonshine Theatre will present Cirque du Café, a completely original, table top circus where salt shakers take to the trapeze, napkins high-dive into latte bowls, and wine bottle magicians perform feats of mystery. This newest program created by Napa Valley's internationally acclaimed puppet company will take place at the Wine Garden Restaurant, 6476 Washington St., in Yountville. The "orchestra" is provided by Steve Ventrello, who will play French musette accordion tunes during the acts.

Instead of running away to join the circus, locals Valerie and Michael Nelson ran away to join the puppet theatre 25 years ago. With this production they have joined the circus as well. "This show speaks to the circus performer in all of us," says Moonshine director Michael Nelson. "We've all wondered what it would be like to be up on the high wire or be shot out of a cannon." He adds that the show was developed over years of touring with their son, Benjie, and playing with forks, napkins and creamers at restaurants while waiting for their food. "We have just taken it a step further and given all of our table top performers great equipment!"

The Cirque du Café is set under the "little top," a circus tent built on the table and includes Michael and Valerie's café take on familiar circus acts, such as the parade of the elepots (tea pots become elephants) as well as acts unique to the café circus, such as Madame Omelette, the egg tamer. As in every circus there are clowns, and in the dangerous environment of the circus, there are even medics (coffee cups) complete with a stretcher to remove those performers unlucky enough to fail at their acts (they perform without a net!)

Tickets for the performance are $20.00 and tickets and dinner reservations can be arranged with the Wine Garden Restaurant at 707- 945-1002, extension 1. More information about the event is available on-line at www.magicalmoonshine.org/blueinvite.htm or by calling Michael or Valerie at Magical Moonshine Theatre, 707-257-8007.

he Development Director is responsible for the management and
implementation of all current and potential fundraising campaigns, as
well as the cultivation of resources and relationships for Sonoma
County Repertory Theater (the Rep). The Development Director is the
primary grant-writer for the Rep, and has responsibility for
identifying, researching, contacting, soliciting, reporting to, and
maintaining relationships with foundations and corporations through
written and personal contacts, letters of intent, grant proposals and
reports. Qualifications include demonstrated success with major gift
and annual giving programs and proven track record of securing public
funding through grant writing. Full-time salary, benefits and
incentive program. Letter, resume and three references to Jennifer
King, Executive Director, Sonoma County Rep, 104 N. Main St,
Sebastopol, CA 95472. No phone calls pls. Position begins January
2, 2005

The Administrative Coordinator provides administrative support for
Sonoma County Repertory Theater by serving as office manager, box
office manager, conservatory registrar and by being involved in
special projects as assigned by the Executive Director. Qualifications
include: 2 yrs office/admin experience and excellent verbal and
writing skills. Part-time paid/30hrs/wk, benefits, and incentive
program. Letter, resume and three references to Jennifer King,
Executive Director, Sonoma County Rep, 104 N. Main Street, Sebastopol,
CA 95472. No phone calls pls. Position begins January 2, 2005

Sonoma County Repertory Theater
104 N. Main Street
Sebastopol, CA 95472
707-823-0177
fax 707-824-1719
www.the-rep.com

05-06 Season
A Christmas Carol 12/1-23
Bus Stop
The Fourth Wall
Betrayal
TBA
Humble Boy
Hamlet
I Am My Own Wife(pending)
A Christmas Carol

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Boys and Girls
The East Coast SuperSonic Puppet Festival has been confirmed!
Please join us July 19 to 23, 2006 in Asheville, NC.
Watch your mail for registration, call for performances, call for workshops and much more. Our web site should be up in a week or so. In the mean time, if you have any questions, contact Susan VandeWeghe at vanpuppet citcom dot net .
Hope to see ya’ll, summer 2006, in our cool mountain home!

PuppetFest MidWest 2005 in Review
A fun time was had by all who attended this year's PuppetFest
MidWest, an annual, independent puppetry festival that is held every
July in Trenton, Missouri. This is the third year that a core group
of puppeteers has come together to share their talents in this unique
event. Everyone continues to enjoy the opportunity to focus on their
chosen week-long workshop, as well as nightly performances and
special events. It's amazing how much can be accomplished in a
workshop in just one week!
Workshops and performances were offered by:
* Jim Napolitano of Nappy's Puppets (Connecticut) workshop on
Shadow Puppetry has always been popular both with beginners and
experienced puppeteers. In one week, participants create their own
puppets, a puppet stage (and a box to carry it in) and at least one
vignette so they can go home and start performing.
* Luman Coad of Coad Canada Puppets ( North Vancouver,
Canada) offered his Script Writing workshop and performed "Up
Please", a wonderful puppet mime about life at the top of the ladder.
* Drew Allison of Grey Seal Puppets (North Carolina), offered
his Polyfoam Puppet "Boot Camp", where participants build a foam
puppet head and then work with it for focus, lip sync and
manipulation exercises. He also performed "The Emperor's New
Clothes", a classic tale enacted with great style.
* Lynne Jennings (California) offered her workshop on
"Tabletop Bunraku".
* Paul Mesner of Paul Mesner Puppets (Missouri) led a rowdy
group through a "Rod Puppets and Performance" workshop where everyone
made at least 3 puppets and then performed with them. He also charmed
the audience with one of his most recent shows, "Cats and Dogs or
Dogs and Cats".
* Leon Van Weelden of Chameleon Puppet Theatre (Missouri)
performed "Babaji and the Tigers", a delightful rod puppet
performance of a well known children's story.
* Phillip Huber of Huber Marionettes (Tennessee) opened the
festival with the dazzling "Suspended Animation". He also offered his
workshop on "Marionette Design on Paper".
* Pam Corcoran (Wisconsin) opened everyone's eyes with her
new workshop on Needle Felted Hand Puppets. Converts to this new
style of construction were enthusiastic and very vocal.
Every year, PuppetFest MidWest provides a venue for anyone
who wishes to share what they do with an audience. PuppetFest MidWest
provides the space, lights and sound system, the performer does the
rest. We call it the "Open Space". Taking the festival up on its
offer this year was Dr. Neff's Incredible Puppet Company featuring
George and Ann Szabo Neff. They performed a toy theatre piece by
Robert Poulter entitled "The Cure - A Gothic Melodrama". This was
described as a "work in progress" and half the fun was watching the
two performers still learning to work with each other.
The other "Open Space" entry was even more of a "work in progress"
and was created and performed by people who should have known better.
Drew Allison directed a stunning cast in the world premiere of
Stephen Carter's translation of "The Temptation of St. Anthony". St.
Anthony was played by Luman Coad, His Pig and constant companion by
Pix Smith, Peter Allen and Lynne Jennings played the King and Queen
of Hell, Paul Mesner was their Prime Minister, Phillip Huber his main
lackey, all the other devils in Hell (six of them) by Nick Barone,
the Saving Angel by Jim Napolitano, Orchestra (bowed psaltery, toy
piano, chimes, accordion and kazoos) by Todd Hart and Debbie Lutzky
Allen.
Small 10" carved wooden sicilian type puppets, costumes enhanced by
their manipulators, vied for space to stand on a miniscule stage with
3 changes of scenery, and a burning pig's tail. Quite a production. A
video does exist and is sure to be fodder for blackmail material in
the future. Rumor has it that the cast had a lot more fun than the
audience.
Following a hard day of workshops, performances and other
puppet related stuff it is nice to kick back and relax. In a stroke
of inspiration before the first festival, PuppetFest MidWest
organizers reserved The Wild Onion Cafe for festival participants
after the final performance every night. This is an intimate diner
just over the college property line where food and beverages (of your
choice) flow happily. It has become a very important feature of the
festival and has already been reserved for next year.
The 2005 PuppetFest MidWest has come and gone and future
plans are taking shape. Dates have been set for the next two years.
Future performers and workshop leaders include many of the same
puppeteers as this year, with the addition of the Carter Family
Marionettes.
Future Festival Dates: July 11 - 16, 2006 and July 10 - 15, 2007
For more information, go to www.puppetfestival.org or contact:
PuppetFest MidWest
Peter Allen & Debbie Lutzky Allen, Directors
P.O. Box 14
Jamesport MO 64648
Phone: (660) 684-6eight25

Hi Everybody,

I got a birthday booking for this upcoming Sunday, November 6, at 11:30 a.m. The location is San Bruno. It is a children's birthday party, and I was going to perform "Little Red Riding Hood".

Due to quite a nasty cold that really took me by surprise I am not sure whether I can make Sunday or not. Most probably, I will, since nothing can kill a puppeteer, right? Just in case: Would/could somebody fill in for me? I would let him/her know by Saturday afternoon.

Please send me an e-mail if interested. Fortunately, mom sounds very relaxed and flexible over the phone.

Anyway, good time to all of you,
thanks

Herbert
lange dot herbert at gmx dot net

Your November Guild newsletter is online and ready to download and read or print out (takes a few minutes to download with my slow, dialup connection.) You can jump right to it through the following link: http://www.sfbapg.org/newsletter/archives/000505.html

Among the great things you will find in the newsletter:

Lettie Schubert remembers Jerry Juhl
Review of Gathering of Gamelans
What's going on with puppets and television production in the Bay Area
Next Guild Meeting info
November Builder Horror story
Puppetuzzle winner announced
Film review, Classifieds, book announcements and more!

Scroll to the very bottom of the newsletter to find the form for renewing your guild membership. LAST CHANCE TO HAVE YOUR LISTING INCLUDED IN THE NEWLY FORMATTED AND SOON TO BE HISTORIC GUILD DIRECTORY! You want to be there! Send in your dues today!

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Boys and Girls
The East Coast SuperSonic Puppet Festival

has been confirmed!

Please join us July 19 to 23, 2006 in Asheville, NC.

Watch your mail for registration, call for performances, call for workshops and much more. Our web site should be up in a week or so. In the mean time, if you have any questions, contact Susan VandeWeghe at vanpuppet citcom dot net.

Hope to see ya’ll, summer 2006, in our cool mountain home!