On Halloween night, Leonidas Kassapides will be performing his
large-screen Greek shadow play, "The Metamorphosis of Karaghiozis" in
San Francisco's Union Square. It's FREE!

Live Music!

October 31, 7:00 PM
Union Square, S.F.

Look for the upcoming headline on CNN News: "Greek Shadow Play gets
hundreds off the internet and onto the streets of San Francisco."

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Very sad news. Long-time SFBAPG member, Betty Stewart, died on
Thursday, October 18, 2007. The memorial service will be this
Saturday, October 27 at 1:30 PM. Location: United Methodist Church,
off Hwy 99, in Merced, CA. Address: 899 East Yosemite Parkway.

Donations in Betty's name may be sent to:
Sister City Merced/Somoto
3425 Sueno Court
Merced, CA 95348

Cards and notes are appreciated. They may be sent to Judy Weaser,
Betty's daughter, at Betty's home address.

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Hi-

Time for all listings of public performances & workshops
involving puppetry for the SFBAPG Newsletter and the website
calendar. Send'em to me instantly. Currently I have info from Nick
Barone, Shadowlight. Don't force Nick and Larry Reed to supply the
entire Bay Area's hunger for the art form by themselves - they've
only got so many shadows & dinosaurs in stock. Send that stuff now.

Peace & joy-
Conrad

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The newsletter deadline does approach.
And tho' I urge without reproach,
Your submissions send with no delay
And when I get them then I may
Edit them and send them out to you
And that's exactly what I'll do.
(If I get them on time, that is!)

Send your articles, reviews, classifieds, notices, stories, puppet photos
and related art work, etc. to mail magicalmoonshine dot org
Send calendar listings to Conrad Bishop at eye independenteye dot org -
Due to my schedule I will try to get the newsletter done a little early this
month, so your timely response will be greatly appreciated.

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Did you know that puppets are also an important part of
"Holding The Man" currently running at SF's New Conservatory Theatre Center?
Saw it last night and found it's powerful and provocative dealing with gay
issues moving and rewarding.

Ron

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Dear Puppet Guild Members
It was a looooong day when I typed up the announcement on 11/17 for the Sat. meeting. I put in...

Directions to get in to Fairyland. The newsletter stated that people would enter the front gate. This is an error. Please do not enter through the front gate. Follow the instructions below.

Face the "Shoe" at the Fairyland entrance, then follow the fence, to the right, for a short distance. This will take you along the lake (right) side of Fairyland. One of the 1st gates will have a Puppet Guild sign on it. The gate will be unlocked from 1:45 to 8 pm. Open the gate. This is the back of the puppet theater. Open the door to the puppet theater. If a show or workshop is in progress, please enter quietly.

This is correct. But I should have omitted the paragraph (below) that appeared later in the email. It's a bit confusing, so PLEASE follow the instructions for entering through the back gate, not this paragraph below.

"To get into Fairyland for FREE, you must have your membership card, or your name must be on the Membership Roster. Not a member? Pre-register and your name will be added to the Membership List. The gate closes at 4pm, so people must be inside Fairyland by 4 pm."

There is a music concert close to Fairyland on Sat., so parking might be a bit tight. If you can, carpool, and allow extra time for parking. We've got good group of people signed up for the workshop and it should be lots of fun! See you there.

Lee

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THE BEST DEAL THE GUILD HAS BEEN OFFERED YET!
Another great guild ticket discount, for the next two weekends! Two tickets
for the price of one (so now for guild members $28.00 for 2 general
admission tickets, $25.00 for 2 senior or military and $20.00 for 2 student
tickets! (Mention you are calling about the email offer of 2 tickets for
the price of one.) You can go to the guild meeting Saturday, then ride
north (35 minutes on my map program) to the 8pm show (or come to one of the
other shows.) Reservations highly recommended for this intimate, 60 seat
theatre.

TICKETS TO WHAT, YOU MIGHT ASK! Guild members Michael & Valerie Nelson are
in an opera in Vallejo, details below. A little bit of puppetry, lots of
great singing and wonderful live music, beautiful sets and costumes. READ
ON.

When was the last time you listened to and watched a beautifully sung
baroque opera with music played on an exquisite harpsichord accompanied by
an accomplished string quartet in the intimacy of a 60 seat theatre? I'm
going to guess never, because this is very close to a once in a lifetime
experience.

Vallejo Music Theatre is presenting Purcell's beautifully written Dido and
Aeneas at the Vallejo Music Theatre building at 823 Marin St., Vallejo for
the next two weekends. (Saturday Oct 20&27 at 8pm, Sunday Oct 21&28 at 3pm,
call 707-649-2787 for ticket info. Tickets: $28 for general,
Senior/Military $25, student $20. To sit this close at the SF Opera,
compare $155.00 plus parking!)

Valerie and I have had the pleasure and privilege of joining the talented
cast of this production, and of listening to the wonderful singing and music
over and over again. The opera is in English and is short but tragically
sweet, with some gorgeous arias, one of which is considered one of the top
opera arias of all time.

For you puppet fans, we do have some puppet cameos, playing Mars (god of
war) and Venus (goddess of love) but the real star of this show is the
soaring music and the instruments and voices that lovingly present it.

Be forewarned that while most of this opera is a love story/adventure
(complete with a frolicking cupid shooting arrows of desire and evil witches
who strive to break up the loving couple), all does not end well for Dido
after former Trojan prince Aeneas sails off to found Rome. Adapted from
Virgil in what some have called the first novel ever written, this story not
only has all the makings of a classic, it IS a classic.

Do come and join us for one of these performances. It is a rare opportunity
and with good audience support we may even see more quality performances
presented in the North Bay.

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*FOAM FRENZY WORKSHOP, SHOWS, LEWIS MAHLMANN'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION and
MORE!*

October Guild Meeting

Date: Saturday, Oct 20 2-8:00 pm

Where: Oakland's Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave, corner of Grand and Bellevue,
Oakland

Parking: There is City parking on Bellevue. Fairyland is close to public
transportation.

There is more info at www.fairyland.org

BYLAW CHANGE VOTE NOTE: At this meeting we will be considering the bylaw
changes that will change the guild structure and update the bylaws. Copies
of the new wordings of the bylaws were included in your last newsletter and
are still available online at the guild webside under the October Newsletter
heading. If you wish to have a copy to refer to during the vote, please
bring your copy so we don't have to print up multiple sets just for the
vote. If you have problems with any of the wordings in the new bylaws, it
would be helpful if you would bring your alternative wording
suggestions/amendments in writing.

SCHEDULE OF GUILD EVENTS IS PRINTED BELOW: IF YOU ARE NOT PARTICIPATING IN
THE FOAM WORKSHOP BUT WANT TO COME FOR THE SHOWS, MEETING, BIRTHDAY PARTY
AND POT LUCK, YOU MAY WANT TO ADJUST YOUR ARRIVAL TIME TO ARRIVE FOR THE
4:00 SHOW.

* *

Tentative schedule, subject to change (some things may take more, or less
time) Guild members who are not attending the workshop are welcome to come
to the 4 pm show, or join in any of the later activities.

2 pm Lewis Mahlmann's "The Stone Flower" - Weather
permitting

2:30 Foam Frenzy workshop - How to Build a Foam Puppet
(don't be late for the instruction)

3-4 Hands on Foam Construction

4 Quiet building while show is going on, or watch 4 pm
"The Stone Flower"

4:30 Foam Frenzy continues

5 Guild meeting

5:45-6:45 Social and Potluck and Birthday Celebration for Lewis
Mahlmann's 80th Birthday (please bring something to share)

6:45-7:00 Screening of the DVD of "The Life and Art of Lewis
Malhmann"

7:00:-8:00 Audience Choice – Nick Barone "Foam Wrap-up" and possibly
show "Puss In Boots"

*Directions to get in to Fairyland. *The newsletter stated that people would
enter the front gate. *This is an error. Please do not enter through the
front gate. Follow the instructions below.*

Face the "Shoe" at the Fairyland entrance, then follow the fence, to the
right, as it curves, for a short distance. This will take you along the lake
(right) side of Fairyland. One of the 1st gates will have a Puppet Guild
sign on it. The gate will be unlocked from 1:45 to 8 pm. Open the gate. This
is the back of the puppet theater. Open the door to the puppet theater. If a
show or workshop is in progress, please enter quietly.

Lost? Contact number: 707 738-5906 (Lee Armstrong's cell phone)

*Weather:* We hope it doesn't rain! We are planning on the workshop people
being able to work both indoors in the theater and outdoors. Please bring
layers of clothing.

*Workshop Supplies:* Materials and tools will be provided, but if you can,
bring you own scissors for cutting foam and a fine tip marker. We will
provide contact cement, a non toxic alternative glue, and hot glue. If you
have a glue gun, you may want to bring it. If you have something specific in
mind to build, you may want to bring a drawing.

Guild members have asked, and here it is! FOAM FRENZY is a
"hands on" workshop in foam construction. A demonstration by foam experts,
Mike Wick and Kamela Portuges will cover making basic shapes out of sheet
polyfoam, plus more advanced foam construction methods, including how build
a puppet head or mask and covering materials and techniques for foam. Then,
try your hand at building a puppet head or mask, just in time for Halloween.

If there are enough people, and if they would like to see Nick
Barone's newly adapted "Puss In Boots,*"** *Nick will perform. He'll wrap up
the Foam Frenzy Day with free hand-outs of a foam pattern he developed for
PuppetFest Midwest (as shown in Nick's photo), a look at his foam puppets,
his techniques for working in foam and covering his foam creations. Wow!

This will be an amazing opportunity to learn foam construction
techniques by a trio of experts who have built for TV, film and live
performance.

Note: Supplies for a standard size "Muppet foam head" will be provide for *FREE
*by the Guild. (People can build bigger projects, but should bring foam or
can purchase at cost.) Everyone must be a Guild member to participate in the
workshop. This workshop with expert instruction for 3 hrs and materials is
valued at approx. $30-$40/per person. Not a Guild member? No problem,
pre-register and join the Guild ($20 for a year membership). In order to
plan for supplies, and space, please preregister asap.

*Preregister by calling 707 99six-9474 or emailing images - at - vom - dot - com by Wed, Oct
17. *Forgot to preregister. No problem if you're a Guild member.
Pre-registration guarantees you materials, but you can come as an observer.
If there is enough space and foam, join in on the "hands on" (or bring your
own foam). If you are not a Guild member, you MUST preregister.

If you plan to build something bigger than a puppet head, let us know how
big your project may be.

Note: Do you have a puppet you've built that you'd like to share? Bring it
to the meeting. We'll supply a table for exhibit, space permitting.

*SHOWS*

*The Stone Flower 2 & 4 pm*
In order to become the czar of Russia, the young prince must travel a
difficult path and find the Stone Flower that will bring wealth to the
country. Unfortunately his evil uncle also wants to be the czar instead, and
he'll stop at nothing to foil the prince. An original tale by Lewis
Mahlmann., script and puppets by Lewis Mahlmann.

*Puss in Boots by Nick Barone*

This is an all new thirty minute adaptation of the classic fairy tale and
features a cast of fifteen superbly crafted puppets. This comical story is
designed to delight families and children of all ages.

To get into Fairyland for FREE, you must have your membership card, or your
name must be on the Membership Roster. Not a member? Pre-register and your
name will be added to the Membership List. The gate closes at 4pm, so people
must be inside Fairyland by 4 pm.

*Guild Potluck*

*Please bring something to share. Main dishes are always welcome. Birthday
cake for ALL. Come celebrate the 80th birthday of Lewis Mahlmann!*

* *

*The Life and Art of Lewis Mahlmann*

This is a wonderful DVD, of the life and art of Lewis Mahlmann, and a slice
of Bay Area puppet history. It is beautifully edited by Guild puppeteers
Annie Wong and Michael Flores.

* *

*Bios of Presenters*

* *

*Nick Barone* was influenced at an early age by Godzilla, Ray
Harryhausen and Rankin/Bass. Nick's innovative works reflect his quirky
sense of humor. With an attention to detail in his puppets, props and sets
along with his uniquely stylized designs, Nick Barone has proved himself to
be a very versatile and talented artist. He has been performing puppet shows
professionally since 1991. He has also taught puppet building workshops to
professional puppeteers at National and Regional puppetry festivals. Nick
has constructed costumes and puppets for Nickelodeon Productions and
constructed miniature sets and performed puppets for "The Mousecracker"
video by Snapdragon Video Productions. Nick and his puppets were featured on
HGTV's The Carol Duvall Show and in the San Jose Mercury News.
Kamela Portuges is co-owner and puppeteer at Images In Motion. Kamela's
credits include sculptor on "James and the Giant Peach," sculptor/puppeteer
for "MonkeyBone", designer, sculptor, puppeteer for the "Being John
Malkovich", builder/puppeteer for LeapFrog Toys "Little Leaps" the Round
Table Pizza commercials and more. Kamela has degrees in Theater, Science
and Marketing. She is the recipient of three regional Emmys, as a writer,
puppeteer and production designer.

* Mike Wick* is a master puppet builder. He has worked for Jim
Henson Productions, Industrial Light and Magic, Skellington Productions,
Images In Motion, and many more. Credits include "Star Wars" "The Muppets
Christmas Carol" "Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas" "Leapfrog Toys'
Little Leaps," the Round Table Pizza commercials and many more. Through
Images in Motion, he does the molding and casting for Pixar Films and
Lucasfilm. He has an art degree and has taught students, teachers and
puppeteers the art of puppet construction.

*Driving Directions**
*If you have additional questions, please call.

*I'm starting from...
Marin, Richmond:** *Take 80 west to 580 east (toward Hayward).*
San Francisco: *Take the Bay Bridge to 580 east (toward Hayward).
*Walnut Creek**: *Take 24 through the Caldecott Tunnel to 580 east (toward
Hayward)*Berkeley**: *Take 580 east (toward Hayward).

*From 580 east:*
Take the Harrison Street exit in Oakland and turn right onto Harrison. Turn
left at Grand Avenue. Fairyland is one block away, at the intersection of
Grand and Bellevue. Turn to the right and park.

*I'm starting from…
Hayward, San Leandro, and Pleasanton*: Take 580 west to the
MacArthur/Harrison exit in Oakland. Turn left on Harrison and left on Grand
Avenue. Fairyland is one block away on the right, at the intersection of
Grand and Bellevue.

*San Jose**, Hayward, and Fremont:* Take 880 north to the Oak Street exit in
Oakland. Turn right on Oak, which becomes Lakeside Drive. Turn right on
Grand Avenue. Fairyland is located one block away, at the intersection of
Grand and Bellevue (right side).

*Transit Directions
On BART*: Get off at the 19th Street station. Take the 20th Street stairway
to street level. Walk on 20th Street to Harrison Street. Turn left on
Harrison. Turn right on Grand Avenue. Fairyland is one block away, at the
intersection of Grand and Bellevue (right side).
*On AC Transit*: Take the #12 bus from the 19th Street BART station to
Children's Fairyland.

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If you would like to help me in preparations for this year's
Halloween Haunt at in my front yard, please come to the work party
set for the Sunday before Halloween (the 28th) at 1:30. This is 3 or 4 blocks
above the 580 freeway, off Park Blvd. You can also get here from the 13
freeway, Either freeway, take the Park Blvd. exit. I will have some
loose ends to tie up, plus pumpkin carving and at least some part of
the marionette show "Driveway Follies" will be performed by an
partial crew of puppeteers later in the day. One of my animatronics
helpers will be popping in to connect the fighting cats and two owls
at some point during the day, and anyone interested is welcome to
watch them go up, if the time is right , Some of the props and
scenery will be up, but not all. I will provide some Halloweeny
snacks. - Larry Schmidt

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Dear Friends of Magical Moonshine Puppets,

Opera News! Guild members Michael and Valerie Nelson have joined the cast
of Vallejo Music Theatre's Dido and Aeneas which opens October 14 in
Vallejo. The puppetry we are bringing to this is quite minimal (due to
joining the cast late in the design stages) but some of the
masks-made-to-puppets from our production of Orpheus Ascending are used in
the prologue, at the beginning of Act 2 and in the epilogue. In the play
Valerie plays Venus (goddess of Love, of course!) and Michael plays her
protagonist, Mars, god of War. Valerie also sings and dances in the chorus.

The opera is short (less than an hour) and the music and singing of the main
cast is wonderful. I would say that it is a good introduction to opera for
older children because of its length and Greek story, but be advised that it
is a tragedy (but with some light-hearted moments.) If you are thinking of
bringing a child, look up the story first (here is one link to try:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dido_and_Aeneas ). Ticket prices are extremely
reasonable and the venue is very intimate; a rare and superb opportunity to
see and hear good opera in a small space. Our opening night went very well
and was quite well received. We look forward to seeing you in our audience!

And for the spring, we may have more opera news for you, this time with more
puppets!

Read on for more info about Dido and Aeneas:

"Dido & Aeneas"
by the great English composer Henry Purcell (1659-1695)

Vallejo Music Theatre's first venture into the world of the Baroque Opera.
In this production Artistic Director Lana Poklad will collaborate with Bay
Area early music ensemble Galileo Project and choreographer Alexis Drabek
from Berkeley. "Dido and Aeneas" was composed in 1689 and is based on a love
story from Virgil's "Aeneid." This sparkling miniature opera is filled with
intense drama, elegant songs and high-spirited dances, which even after 300
years continue to touch the hearts of audiences around the world.

Only five performances include Sunday, October 14 opening with light dinner
at 3:00 PM;
Dinner & Opera $50 all seats

Saturday, October 20, 8:00 PM, Sunday October 21, 3:00 PM; Saturday October
27, 8:00 PM
Sunday, October 28, 3:00 PM closing and reception.
(general $28, senior/military $25, Student $20)

All performances will be at the Vallejo Music Theatre building, The Old Post
Office, at
823 Marin Street
Vallejo
707.649.2787

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Two good tickets to tomorrow's National Puppet Theatre of Japan
performance have become available! SFBAPG member, Betty Stewart, is
unable to attend, and she would like to sell her tickets. The show
is sold out, so this is a great opportunity.

The performance is TOMORROW! Sunday, Oct. 14.
2:00 PM pre-show talk (optional, of course) * 3:00 PM performance

Location: Zellerbach Hall on the Berkeley Campus

$62 per ticket. (Normally $76 plus fees, so this is a DEAL.)

Call or email Mary Decker.

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This is to let you know about a performance by a SFBAPG
company, though it's not puppetry but rather a solo clown/nightmare
piece, DREAM HOUSE. Stylistically, our clown-based work has been
kind of a bridge toward our upcoming puppet pieces in terms of
clarity, specificity, and transcending the confines of the live
actor's epidermis. Well, actually it does have about a minute and a
half of intriguing object-enlivenment in it, for what it's worth.

And our 8-minute video trailer of DREAM HOUSE is now on
YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/indepeye

Produced by The Independent Eye, this surreal solo comedy
features Elizabeth Fuller and her six other sisters, all named
Elizabeth - the Developer, the Plumber, the Dreamer, the Inspector,
the Gambler, the Slut - trying to build a workable head-space out of
wigs, ladders, and plumbing pipe.

We have two showings on Friday, October 26, at Studio E in
Sebastopol, and Saturday, October 27, at The Dance Palace in Pt.
Reyes, both shows at 8 p.m. For exact locations and reservations,
call 707-824-4307 or email eye@independenteye.org. Tickets are $16
general, $14 for students, seniors, or SFBAPG members. Final note:
the play involves brief nudity and isn't appropriate for children - a
clown can get pretty intense.

Cheers-

Conrad Bishop

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Newsletter correction: The link for Puppetlove this weekend was not
especially useful. Try this one: http://www.zeitgeist.net/wfca/PL2004.html

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Your October 2007 Newsletter and a special newsletter supplement is ready
and online now. The newsletter has some great photos of Lewis Mahlmann's
80th birthday, an article on teaching puppets to teachers, update on Larry
Schmidt's Halloween haunt, Kamala Portuge's inclusion in a doll magazine and
lots of exciting information about our October guild meeting which will have
workshop, shows, more birthday celebrations, food and all kinds of great,
fun events.
go to: http://www.sfbapg.org/newsletter/archives/000921.html#more for the
newsletter
In addition to the regular newsletter there is an important newsletter
supplement this month. At the August the membership voted to change from
4-5 guild officers to a board of nine. The procedures committee was
entrusted to convert the passed motion into bylaw text, and at the same time
it was decided to give the entire bylaws a much needed update. Therefore
the complete text of the new bylaws will be up for ratification and is
included in your October newsletter as this supplement. Please read it and
either bring your comments or concerns to the October guild meeting or
express your concerns to a current officer (contacts listed on front of
newsletter) or send your comments with an attending member. I realize this
is not the most exciting part of being a guild member, but your help in
bringing the guild up to date will be greatly appreciated. AGAIN NOTE THAT
THE TEXT IN THE SUPPLEMENT IS THE NEW TEXT THAT WILL BE UP FOR RATIFICATION
AT THE NEXT GUILD MEETING. go to:
http://www.sfbapg.org/newsletter/archives/000921.html#more for the
supplement.

Michael Nelson
President and Newletter Editor

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