It has been some time since the guild took on a "Guild Challenge." A Guild
Challenge is where guild members take a phrase or situation and have some
months to build a skit based on it, which they then perform for each other
at a meeting.
For example if the selected Guild Challenge phrase was "What's up Doc?"
Guild members, individually or in groups of their own making, would write a
skit using their imagination and creativity somehow expressing, using, or
tying in with the phrase "What's up Doc?"
In order for the Guild Challenge to work, we would need a phrase or concept,
and we would need guild members who were excited to actually create a skit
for the guild.
So the questions for you, the members are:
1. Do you think YOU would be interested in participating in this unbridled
outpouring of artistic and creative expression by creating a skit (because
if everyone just comes just to watch, there won't be anything to see!)?
2. Do you have ideas to submit for consideration as the inspiration for the
"Guild Challenge?" (could be a phrase such as the example, could be a genre
such as "film noir," could be an artistic movement such as
impressionism...what does your imagination suggest as a fun springboard?
Let your president know at magicalmoonshine gmail dot com so your board can
explore the viability of this activity. And, of course,
other activity suggestions for future meetings are always welcome.
Happy Spring,
Michael

Dear Guild Members,

Good News and Bad News.
The good news is that two of the performers scheduled for our March meeting
got paying jobs and won't be able to come volunteer their art for the
guild. The bad news is, of course, that we won't get to see them at the
Plethora of Performances.

Leonidas Kassapides, who was going to demonstrate tops for us, will not be
able to join us, and Magical Moonshine's accordionist, Steve Ventrello, also
will not be there. So as to hopefully not dissappoint, Magical Moonshine
Theatre, in early celebration of 30 years, will present the oldest show
in our repertoire, Br'er Rabbit and the Goober Patch. This is a show
that we have performed regularly every year for 28 years and the first show
that we ever did in what has somewhat become our signature style. The
puppets are nearly antiques but the show has a lot of practice. This
performance will probably now take place during the performance session
after dinner as opposed to during the cocktail hour.

(There is a rumor that Little Blue Moon Theatre may present an "after-hours"
piece especially for adults.)

And, it is not too late to showcase your own performance. Guild members who
are known in their communities as being connected to the puppet world are
asked about puppet performances; if other guild members don't know your
work, how can they recommend you? Performing at a guild meeting is a good
way to get known or let people know what you are working on now. Let me
know right away if you wish to join the performers list.

I am very pleased with the number of people who are bringing guests; it's a
great way to introduce people to the joy of puppetry! (And get some company
for the ride.)

EXHIBIT: WE HAVE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR A NICE EXHIBIT AT THIS MEETING. BRING YOUR PUPPETS AND STAGES TO SHARE. ALSO, I HAVE ASKED A NONGUILD MEMBER WHO IS A PUPPET COLLECTOR IF HE MIGHT BRING SOME OF HIS COLLECTION.

Hello guild members,
It's that time of month again! Send your articles, reviews, classifieds,
stories, photos, updates, news, etc. for the newsletter to Michael at
mail -- at -- magicalmoonshine -- dot -- org and your calendar listings to Conrad at
eye -- at -- independenteye -- dot -- org - Deadline is usually around the 25th of the month,
but can be extended if you discuss it with me.

DON'T FORGET THE GUILD MEETING THIS SATURDAY, A Plethora of Performances.
Valerie and I just went and looked at the space and it looks great, like a
nightclub, with cafe tables (table cloths and votive candles!) and wooden
cafe chairs, a nice big stage, and a bar with beer and wine for sale
(reasonable). If guild members like the venue, this could be a good deal
for the guild (versatile, theatrical, with kitchen room, and eating
assessories, and very economical, central) so come and check it out. Repeat
of meeting info below.

--
Michael Nelson
Newsletter ed.

San Francisco Bay Area Puppeteers Guild:
MARCH Guild Meeting-An Evening of Performances
Saturday March 22 5-8:30 Place: Vallejo Music Theatre building, 823 Marin
St., Vallejo, Ca 94590

The Guild meeting will start at 5:00 with drinks (there will be a bar) &
appetizers and a performance piece, Cirque du Cafe, by Michael and Valerie
Nelson, with Steve Ventrello, accordionist. This is a cafe style, table top
circus, a spoof on Cirque du Soleil (whom they opened for last weekend in
San Jose, sort of.) Arrive early to start the evening with a bang and a
whistle.
POTLUCK SUPPER
Please your favorite dish to share with others. There will be performances
after appetizers, dinner and deserts, so any food course is welcome. There
will be a bar for beverages. Microwave available. Dinnerware will be
provided.
PUPPET DISPLAY
Do you have a puppet that you've made, that you'd like to display? A table
will be provided for an informal puppet exhibit, so bring your puppet (on a
stand) and share your puppet(s) and/or stages with others.

Performance Shorts
FREEWAY - the Independent Eye - Conrad Bishop & Elizabeth Fuller
Cirque de Café – Magical Moonshine Theatre - Michael & Valerie Nelson with
Steve Ventrello
Chapeugraphy – Benny & Bebe's Magic Circus - Benny Bendini
WATER – Bigtadoo Puppet Crew - Emily Butterfly
Plus a demonstration of spinning top manipulation and juggling by Leonidas
Kassapides
If anyone would like to perform a short piece at the March meeting, or the
May meeting, please contact Lee Armstrong, images -- at -- vom -- dot -- com.

"Freeway"
- A young couple take a wrong turn onto the freeway and never, ever get off.

Conrad Bishop & Elizabeth Fuller are co-directors of The Independent Eye, a
theatre ensemble transplanted from Philadelphia to Sebastopol in 1999, now
in its 34th season. They have toured nationally for thirty years, and their
plays have been produced by many major regional theatres and Off-Broadway.
They are twice recipients of National Endowment for the Arts playwriting
fellowships and produced a radio series, "Hitchhiking off the Map" for four
years on KPFA-FM.
Puppetry has been a part of Independent Eye for nearly four decades - their
3-actor/36-puppet MACBETH toured the US from 1978 to 1995 - but they have
recently focused exclusively in this medium. "Freeway" is an 18-minute piece
from their 1998 duo show MATING CRIES, which the Philadelphia City Paper
called "achingly beautiful." Currently they are in rehearsal for DESCENT OF
THE GODDESS INANNA, a full-length mythic drama with an eight-member cast,
premiering in Sebastopol in May. Website: .
Magical Moonshine Theatre with accordionist Steve Ventrello
present a selection from "Cirque de Café," a table top circus where ordinary
café items (tea cups, salt and pepper shakers, etc.) come to life to perform
circus acts with tiny circus equipment and great costumes- musical circus
fun in the French café style!
Benny Bendini from the Magic Circus
performs his incredible chapeau act:
quick-change, magic, mime & physical comedy. Giving the art form of
chapeugraphy
a modern touch, this performance piece won the 2007 Northern California OMC
Stage Magic Contest.
WATER – a vignette using hand and rod puppets Emily Butterfly of Bigtadoo
Puppet Crew.
Demonstration of spinning top manipulation by Leonidas Kassapides

POTLUCK SUPPER
Please your favorite dish to share with others. There will be performances
after appetizers, dinner and deserts, so any food course is welcome. There
will be a bar for beverages. Microwave available. Dinnerware will be
provided.
PUPPET DISPLAY
Do you have a puppet that you've made, that you'd like to display? A table
will be provided for an informal puppet exhibit, so bring your puppet (on a
stand) and share your puppet(s) and/or stages with others.
GUILD LIBRARY
Karen Prell, TV puppeteer and animator has donated a number of Muppet books
to the library. These will be featured at the March meeting.

Directions to March Meeting in Vallejo- As always, check your own maps!
The guild meeting and Liebe's workshop on March 22 are at 823 Marin St.,
Vallejo, CA 94590 (corner Carolina and Marin) in the old Federal Building,
now the Vallejo Music Theatre building (on the west side of the street,
directly across from the Listen and Be Heard Poetry Café.)
To get there from the south:
If you are going east. on I-80, take the Curtola Parkway/I-780 exit going
west, just north of the Carquinez Bridge. If coming up I-680, take I-780 W.
just north of the Benicia Bridge.
East of I-80 this freeway will become surface streets. Stay on Curtola
Parkway (about 9 blocks, some of them large) until you come to Marin St. and
turn right (north.) Go up Marin approximately 8 blocks to 823 Marin. Parking
is on street or in back lot (accessible from alley just to south of building
off Marin.)
If you are coming from San Francisco, take either the Bay Bridge (and follow
instructions above) or take the ferry (the ferry terminal is about 8 blocks
from the meeting site. If you would like a ride from the Vallejo terminal,
contact Michael or Valerie. If it is closer,
take Golden Gate Bridge and follow instructions from Marin County (below.)
From Marin County you can take either I-580 across the Richmond Bridge (then
go E. on I-80 and follow instructions above) or you can take Highway 37
towards Vallejo from Novato. Marin and Sonoma Counties: Take hwy 37 until
you come to hwy 29 (also called Sonoma Blvd.) and turn R (south). Continue
to Carolina, then turn R (west) to Marin St. (1 block) and look for the
building across diagonally across Marin on your left.
From North (Sacramento) take I-80 west, and take the Tennessee exit in
Vallejo, going west. Continue to Marin St. and turn left (south) and drive 6
blocks to 823 Marin.
--

*
MARCH Guild Meeting-An Evening of Performances
* *

Saturday March 22 5-8:30 Place: Vallejo Music Theatre building, 823 Marin
St., Vallejo, Ca 94590
*

Note: Liebe Wetzel's "Object Animation Workshop" is from 2-5 pm.

The Guild meeting will start at 5:00 with drinks (there will be a bar) &
appetizers and a performance piece, *Cirque du Cafe*, by Michael and Valerie
Nelson, with Steve Ventrello, accordionist. This is a cafe style, table top
circus, a spoof on Cirque du Soleil *(whom they opened for last weekend in
San Jose, sort of.)* Arrive early to start the evening with a bang and a
whistle.

POTLUCK SUPPER

Please your favorite dish to share with others. There will be performances
after appetizers, dinner and deserts, so any food course is welcome. There
will be a bar for beverages. Microwave available. Dinnerware will be
provided.

PUPPET DISPLAY

Do you have a puppet that you've made, that you'd like to display? A table
will be provided for an informal puppet exhibit, so bring your puppet (on a
stand) and share your puppet(s) and/or stages with others.

Performance Shorts
*

FREEWAY - the Independent Eye - Conrad Bishop & Elizabeth Fuller

Cirque de Café – Magical Moonshine Theatre - Michael & Valerie Nelson with
Steve Ventrello

Chapeugraphy – Benny & Bebe's Magic Circus - Benny Bendini

WATER – Bigtadoo Puppet Crew - Emily Butterfly

Plus a demonstration of spinning top manipulation and juggling by Leonidas
Kassapides
*

If anyone would like to perform a short piece at the March meeting, or the
May meeting, please contact Lee Armstrong, images@vom.com or 707 738-5906.
*

"Freeway"
*- A young couple take a wrong turn onto the freeway and never, ever get
off.

Conrad Bishop & Elizabeth Fuller are co-directors of The Independent Eye, a
theatre ensemble transplanted from Philadelphia to Sebastopol in 1999, now
in its 34th season. They have toured nationally for thirty years, and their
plays have been produced by many major regional theatres and Off-Broadway.
They are twice recipients of National Endowment for the Arts playwriting
fellowships and produced a radio series, "Hitchhiking off the Map" for four
years on KPFA-FM.

Puppetry has been a part of Independent Eye for nearly four decades - their
3-actor/36-puppet MACBETH toured the US from 1978 to 1995 - but they have
recently focused exclusively in this medium. "Freeway" is an 18-minute piece
from their 1998 duo show MATING CRIES, which the Philadelphia City Paper
called "achingly beautiful." Currently they are in rehearsal for DESCENT OF
THE GODDESS INANNA, a full-length mythic drama with an eight-member cast,
premiering in Sebastopol in May. Website: .
*

Magical Moonshine Theatre with accordionist Steve Ventrello
*present a selection from "Cirque de Café," a table top circus where
ordinary café items (tea cups, salt and pepper shakers, etc.) come to life
to perform circus acts with tiny circus equipment and great costumes-
musical circus fun in the French café style!*

Benny Bendini from the Magic Circus
*performs his incredible chapeau act:

quick-change, magic, mime & physical comedy. Giving the art form of
chapeugraphy

a modern touch, this performance piece won the 2007 Northern California OMC
Stage Magic Contest.
*

WATER – a vignette using hand and rod puppets Emily Butterfly of Bigtadoo
Puppet Crew.
* *

Demonstration of spinning top manipulation by Leonidas Kassapides
*

POTLUCK SUPPER

Please your favorite dish to share with others. There will be performances
after appetizers, dinner and deserts, so any food course is welcome. There
will be a bar for beverages. Microwave available. Dinnerware will be
provided.

PUPPET DISPLAY

Do you have a puppet that you've made, that you'd like to display? A table
will be provided for an informal puppet exhibit, so bring your puppet (on a
stand) and share your puppet(s) and/or stages with others.

GUILD LIBRARY

Karen Prell, TV puppeteer and animator has donated a number of Muppet books
to the library. These will be featured at the March meeting.
*

Directions to March Meeting in Vallejo- As always, check your own maps!
*

The guild meeting and Liebe's workshop on March 22 are at 823 Marin St.,
Vallejo, CA 94590 (corner Carolina and Marin) in the old Federal Building,
now the Vallejo Music Theatre building (on the west side of the street,
directly across from the Listen and Be Heard Poetry Café.)
*

To get there from the south:
*If you are going east. on I-80, take the Curtola Parkway/I-780 exit going
west, just north of the Carquinez Bridge. If coming up I-680, take I-780 W.
just north of the Benicia Bridge.

East of I-80 this freeway will become surface streets. Stay on Curtola
Parkway (about 9 blocks, some of them large) until you come to Marin St. and
turn right (north.) Go up Marin approximately 8 blocks to 823 Marin. Parking
is on street or in back lot (accessible from alley just to south of building
off Marin.)

If you are coming from San Francisco, take either the Bay Bridge (and follow
instructions above) or take the ferry (the ferry terminal is about 8 blocks
from the meeting site. If you would like a ride from the Vallejo terminal,
contact Michael or Valerie at 707-363-4573 (cell phone.) If it is closer,
take Golden Gate Bridge and follow instructions from Marin County (below.)

From *Marin County *you can take either I-580 across the Richmond Bridge
(then go E. on I-80 and follow instructions above) or you can take Highway
37 towards Vallejo from Novato*. Marin and Sonoma Counties*: Take hwy 37
until you come to hwy 29 (also called Sonoma Blvd.) and turn R (south).
Continue to Carolina, then turn R (west) to Marin St. (1 block) and look for
the building across diagonally across Marin on your left.

From North (Sacramento) take I-80 west, and take the Tennessee exit in
Vallejo, going west. Continue to Marin St. and turn left (south) and drive 6
blocks to 823 Marin.

Hello Guild,
I have been contacted by a family with a 14 year old who wants to learn
puppetry. They live in the Fremont/Newark area. Do any of you know of any
classes or opportunities for him to learn puppetry?

I think making puppet learning opportunities available for youth is an area
where the guild has not done well in recent years. Comments? Suggestions?
Should we be looking to make such classes and workshops available for youth
around the Bay Area? How would we do it?

--
Michael Nelson

Hello Guild,
Your March 2008 newsletter is online and ready to print or view, including
the topics below. To jump right to the download page, go to
http://www.sfbapg.org/newsletter/archives/001026.html#more
The March 22 guild meeting is all about performances! (There will also be
food, drink, and good times.) Directions to the meeting in Vallejo are on
page 8 (the mailer page!)
Do you have a short performance piece that you would like to share with
guild members on the 22nd (or at some future meeting?) Contact Lee
Armstrong.

*Board News

Calendar

Next Guild Meeting on March 22 (short performances sought)

Mr. Roger's Neighborhood turns 40

Review: Julie Taymore's "Across the Universe"

4H Puppeteers in Competition

Letter from Hawaii Guild Member

Guild Member Mark Sage Runs for Office

Summer Puppet Festivals

Guild Challenge