Someone off line asked what is happening to puppeteers in the
Indonesian quake. The answer is things are not good right now and
many areas where puppeteers live are in need. Bantul the area at the
epicenter has a number of puppet-mask artists. I heard that Mas Pono
who makes masks and does wayang orang is OK but has damage to his
home and work area. The stage area of Rama Sas (a great teacher of
dance and music from the palace who died a few years back) compound
has collapsed and the wayang dance and other lessons and performances
they do there will probably have to cease during rebuilding and money
will be needed. Joan Suyunaga, who is married to a wonderful gamelan
maker, says they are OK but again a lot of damage to buildings and
many people are stuck out in the rain. Hospitals are overwhelmed.

They were all waiting for the volcano to explode--but instead it was
earthquake this time. Right afterward there were rumors that a huge
tsunami was coming even though Yogya is 20 kilometers from the
sea--people started to try to get out but with volcano to the north,
reports of Tsunami to the south, pouring rain and devastation, slow
disaster response from the central government, . . well, things have
not been good. One of the oldest buildings in the palace which
housed a carriage that belonged to the first Sultan of Yogya
collapsed. This king is revered by local citizens and his reign name
means something like the "lap of the world" people are of course
saying that a sacred carriage of a sacred king collapsing is a sing
of the world out of balance-a volcano, the tsunami last year,
corruption as Suharto-era people are let off the hook for
prosecution--it all must be interconnected.

In the puppet show of central Java the narration that the puppeteer
says about the world out of joint comes about midnight and has
references to earthquakes and thunder and all kinds of tribulation
for the people. It precedes the scene where the hero (who will help
set things right) appears along with his clowns. This is the
goro-goro scene of the world in turmoil.

Well all the reports coming out of Yogya indicate that we are in the
midnight of goro-goro, hopefully calm will be restored and those on
the ground are doing their best.

One of my graduate student No.e Parker is about to go over to Yogya
for a Gamelan Festival and will be carrying donations the end of this
month. She wrote today:

"I know that none of us are rich and can offer a huge amount of
financial support, but the economy of the area is such that very small
donations of $10 or $20 can have an amazing impact (that is enough to
get food and water for a week for a family). "

She has a mailbox at Digital Arts And New Media, UCSC (SC, CA 95064).
There are many charities--official and unofficial that have started
to gather stuff. Those who are interested can check out some on the
Gamelan listserve which Jody Diamond runs out of Dartmouth and get
reports from people who work with puppetry, music, dance are saying
about the situation. Everyone is still piecing the information
together and figuring how money can get most directly to those in
need.

A Memorial Tribute to Lettie Connell Schubert

A Celebration of Her Life

Friends and family of Lettie are all welcome.

Sunday, June 11, 2006
3:00 to 8:30 p.m.
(set-up is 2:00 to 3:00)

Golden Gate Room
Building A
Fort Mason Center
San Francisco
(This is the same place the S.F. Guild had its 40th Anniversary Celebration.
For driving directions, go to http://maps.yahoo.com)

***EACH SF GUILD MEMBER IS REQUESTED TO BRING A DESSERT WHICH
WILL FEED AT LEAST 10 PEOPLE.***

Lettie's husband, Gage Schubert, estimates that we will have about
150 people attending this event. Please help out by bringing a
yummy dessert!

Lewis Mahlmann and Randal Metz will perform a revival of Lettie's
puppet production "Mrs. Witherspoon's Busy Day" with Lettie's
recorded voice as Mrs. Witherspoon.

Lynne Jennings is using her high-tech enlarging equipment to
create a Memorial Wall featuring photos, written stories and thoughts.

The foundation that sponsored the "Brother Buzz" show has promised to
supply video footage featuring Brother Buzz and Miss Busy Bee,
puppeteered by Ralph Chesse and Lettie Connell.

Lee Armstrong (Images in Motion) is preparing a big-screen video
montage which will incorporate video excerpts of Lettie's life.

There will be an exhibit of some of the puppets Lettie constructed,
plus Miss Busy Bee which Lettie manipulated for the 1950s TV show
"Brother Buzz." (Miss Busy Bee will be accompanied by some of her
puppet "co-workers" from the show.)

-:-:-:-And there will be OPEN MIC for us to tell our stories.-:-:-:-

-:-:-:-And there will be wonderful food, generously provided by
Lettie's husband, Gage Schubert.-:-:-:-

**********

Would you like to be part of the Memorial Wall? If you have written
thoughts or stories of Lettie's life, please contact Mary Decker:
marydeck earthlink dot net or 650-361-131O.

Exhibit monitors needed!

Are you coming to the Memorial Tribute to Lettie Schubert on Sunday,
June 11 at Fort Mason? Would you be willing to stay in the Exhibit
Room for one hour (or less) and keep an eye on Lettie's puppets and
also monitor the on-going video tape?

We need to find five or six SFBAPG members (or whoever) who would be
willing to guard the exhibit in rotating shifts. Any volunteers?

The Exhibit Room will be locked during the performance of "Mrs.
Witherspoon's Busy Day" and also during the big-screen video montage, so I
promise you won't miss out on those two important events!

Please contact Mary Decker if you can help: marydeck earthlink dot net.

This message comes from Debbie Allen, Coordinator for the MidWest PuppetFest:

If you are planning on coming to this year's annual
PuppetFest MidWest, July 11-16, 2006 in Trenton, Missouri, here's
even more incentive. Nick Barone will be teaching a workshop and we
have added the David Simpich Marionettes to our performance slate! If
you are planning on attending, take advantage of our "Timely Payment
Discount". Save $20 if you register before June 1, 2006.

Workshop:
MAKING A MOVING MOUTH HAND PUPPET with Nick Barone Puppets
Using patterns developed by Nick Barone, you will be guided
through the steps of creating a simple moving mouth puppet out of
foam and then learn how to cover your puppet with fabric. You will
create a "blank" foam puppet that you can be turned into any
character. Come with a character in mind and learn how to adapt your
"blank" puppet into that character. Various ways of creating arms,
hands, eyes, teeth and other finishing details will be explored. The
class will wrap up with the basics of hand/mouth puppet manipulation
and lip-sync.

Performance:
PILGRIM'S PROGRESS with the David Simpich Marionettes
In this original string-puppet production adapted, designed
and performed by puppeteer David Simpich, David is featured in the
role of John Bunyan as he recounts his fantastic dream of the journey
of a burdened man from the City of Destruction to the Celestial Gate.
Utilizing nearly thirty hand-carved marionettes, the
presentation highlights the classic Bunyan visions of the Slough of
Despond, Vanity Fair, the River of Death, battles with demons and
dragons, imprisonment by a giant and colorful discourse with an array
of wise men and fools.

More details at our website at http://puppetfestival.org/.

Please help us to spread the word about this year's PuppetFest MidWest.
Thanks, Debbie

The June newsletter deadline approaches.
Send your newsletter items to mail magicalmoonshine dot org

All the best;
Michael

The Pacific Southwest Regional Scholarship Fund helps deserving
puppeteers from the Pacific Southwest Region get to upcoming
Festivals. The fund is financed, for the most part, from the sale of
raffle tickets at each regional festival. The money that is raised is
deposited into a special scholarship account. (Donations can also be
made to the fund by check payable to the "Pacific Southwest Region
Scholarship Fund".) Prior to each regional festival, scholarships are
awarded based on the applications that are received. The scholarship
amount will cover the cost of registration and possibly larger amounts
will be awarded.

An application form ]was[ included with this mailing. The questions
asked are:1)Describe your puppetry experience/interest; 2)Explain what
you hope to gain from the festival; and 3)Give your reason(s) for
applying for a scholarship.

Please include at least one letter of
recommendation from someone who knows your interest in puppetry,
experience, goals (e.g. puppeteer, teacher, employer, friend).
The application deadline is June 24th. Decisions will be announced
after July 9th, which should allow time for making travel plans to the
Festival August 4-7th. Recipients will be asked to write a short
article on their festival experience for an upcoming Guild or Regional
newsletter and to provide eight (8) hours of service during the
Festival. This will NOT require missing any workshops or performances!

For questions regarding the application process, please contact Cam
Mican at camican attglobal dot net or 602-944-9five56.

http://calshakes.org/eflash/2006/inside_scoop/merry_wives.html

Come to Inside Scoop for a sneak peak at "The Merry Wives of Windsor"
larger-than-life puppets in action!

DO NOT REPLY TO ME.

Go to the website for information and free tickets to this event.

The puppets were built by members of the Atlanta Center for Puppetry Arts and they are BEAUTIFUL!
TIM

Hello Fellow Guild Members,
After a bit of digital confusion your May Newsletter is online and ready to download at http://www.sfbapg.org/newsletter/archives/000608.html

Highlights of this month's newsletter include:
More Lettie Connell Schubert, remembered

Upcoming Summer Puppetry Festivals, here and abroad

Calendar of events

"Singing (Praises) in the Rain," a wet Easter puppet adventure

Osama Ben Laden sighting (see Puppetry in the News)

Three Kermits and more (April meeting report)

Summer Puppet Festival season is upon us. Sign up for as many puppetry festivals as you can and write up reports for your guild newsletter! Share the puppetry!