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Dickens Christmas Fair 2005 November Missive #4
(sent November 22nd, 2005)

The all character round robin went extremely well on Sunday, Robert and I were very proud of all the wonderful characterizations we saw. Hats off to Therese, Rydell and Julie for all their hard work teaching and directing. Thanks to all who participated!

There was a wonderful moment at the meeting where all of you stood up and sang "God Save the Queen" to Laura Bruckner as Queen Victoria (escorted by the dashing Patrick Purtle as Prince Albert). I still get goose bumps thinking about it. As Gilbert and Sullivan said (in Pirates of Penzance) "We love our Queen". With that thought in mind I include below the lyrics for the first verses of both "God Save the Queen' and "Rule Britannia", in case not everyone has committed them to memory.

God save our gracious Queen
Long live our noble Queen,
God save the Queen:
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us:
God save the Queen.


When Britain first, at Heaven's command
Arose from out the azure main;
Arose from out the azure main;
This was the charter, the charter of the land,
And guardian angels sang this strain:

Chorus
Rule Britannia! Britannia rules the waves,
Britons never, never, never shall be slaves.


See everybody bright and early Friday morning!

Cat


In This Missive:
Jolly Good News - KRON - Sunday December 4th
A Small Reminder from the Green Man Inn
A Note from Mr. Fezziwig
An Invitation from Jeremy's Escort Service
Sailor CD's Found at Pacifica Workshops
Participant Tickets
Patterson and Sons Merchandise & Coat Check
2005 Dickens Christmas Fair Commemorative Pins
Building Access Info
You are the best customer service available.........
Let the Audience Sit
Cell Phones, Lap Tops and cigarettes...oh my!
No Smoking!
First Aid
Lost & Found


Jolly Good News - KRON - Sunday December 4th
It is definite that KRON News Weekend will be producing our show with Henry Tenenbaum from 8-10am live! on Sunday December 4. We will still need at least 50 costumed players for parades, street encounters, and environments as Henry travels through the fair - you ARE the visuals! All costumed employees and volunteers may play a part in this 100,000 square foot extravaganza. Be in the V&A Music Hall at 7:00am SHARP for instructions.

Two complimentary tix will be given to each one who adds to this most vital fair publicity.
We'll be on throughout the show from 8 'til 9:30.

All Booth Owners! Please remove all blue or other tarps Saturday evening or we will not be able to shoot your area. Thank you!

Phyllis Patterson
Chief Instigator


A Small Reminder from the Green Man Inn
The Green Man Inn welcomes all participants of all classes and stations to another Extreme Christmas! Remember that we have lemonade, water and (usually) tea, available free, gratis and for nothing to anyone with a thirst. The Bar is also open.

The Green Man is an open, improvisational stage, where you are always welcome to take your ease while staying in character. We are a major stop for Time Games, giving you a splendid opportunity for audience interaction, and the guests are always delighted to meet our "regulars" in the Parlour.

Times to remember:  Mr. Dickens reads here at 12:30, 2:00, 4:00 and 5:30. Mr. Kipling reads here at 1 PM. Mr. Pickwick & Company lunch here at 2:30. Do come give focus and encourage our guests to sit and listen if you are in the area then.

Happy Christmas and break a leg!

Mrs. Ariadne Bombay
Respectable Publican


A Note from Mr. Fezziwig
Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig are pleased to invite everyone to their annual Christmas party.However, please remember that the most important guests are the paying patrons.  Please feel free to come in and dance with your favourite partner, but while you're there please also ask a patron for a dance. 
The patrons would really appreciate it.


An Invitation from Jeremy's Escort Service
Once again Jeremy's Escort Service will be having Cockney warm up at Mad Sal's every day at 9:30am, for
the run of Faire. This is for all the lower class and every one is welcome to attend. It so yous' can talk h'at faire.
Hope to see you there.
Jeremy Wolfe


Sailor CD's Found at Pacifica Workshops
Steve Johnson wrote in that "2 CDs were found at the middle school that were used in one of the workshops - full of
sailor's songs." I have asked him to drop them at the pass house, please check there if you've lost same. (More info on lost and found items later in this missive)


Participant Tickets
These very handy items are located at the Office for cash only or for sale at the Merchandise Booth for Credit Card Sales.  For a paltry $13.00 ($20.00 at the Gate) you can help support this fine event when you buy tickets for your family and friends, and  encourage others to do the same.


Patterson and Sons Merchandise & Coat Check
All participants who show their gate pass will receive a 10% discount on selected merchandise at the Merchandise booth located at the front entrance of  the fair.  Stop by for a visit.

Coat check for heavy burdens is also available.  Please tell our guests.


2005 Dickens Christmas Fair Commemorative Pins
Get yours before they run out!
Commemorative Pins for this 2005 Dickens Christmas Fair are available at Heidi B.'s Pale Moon Booth across from Steven Overstreet in Mad Sal's Bay! ...and for you Scrooges out there...
HOT off the press - Bah! and Humbug! pins... while supplies last


Building Access Info
(current as of now, any changes will be sent to you as soon as we know about them)
The building will be open for participants only (you must have your gatepass) at 7am.  There will be only one roll up gate open on the south (front) side of the building.  This will be the door located next to the bathrooms in the Mad Sal's bay.  Please do not open others, as we cannot secure the building properly with an excess of open doors.
At 9:30am, all doors on the front of the building will be closed, and your only access will be the back of the building.

The building will close to the public at 8pm, and all non-participants will be "swept" out of the building with all due speed.  The building will remain open for clean-up and loading until 10pm.  Please vacate the building by or before 10pm.

There is absolutely no "camping" in the building.  No one, other than security, is allowed in the building between 10pm and 7am.  This rule is non negotiable, and any infractions will result in the loss of your fair privileges.


You are the best customer service available.........
Please take the time to read through the entire program and to walk through the venue to locate restrooms, exits, Will Call, Merchandise, etc.  Then please take the time when asked to point in the right direction.  Or, better yet, walk the customer to their desired location while expounding on the why's and  wherefores of our little Village.


Let the Audience Sit
For obvious reasons we need you to adhere to the following rules:
The front five rows of all theatres are reserved for customers and the carpets in the front of the theatres are reserved for children (unless you are sitting on the carpet with a child).
In Mad Sal's please sit only sit in the back rows.
At the food courts, please take your food and eat elsewhere or eat and move away as soon as possible.
Please do not hang out at the bar fronts and schmooze with the servers when the bar is full.
Always remember to give way to the disabled, senior citizens, and the very young.
Thank You!


Cell Phones, Lap Tops and cigarettes...oh my!
We can't believe that we even have to say it...but please, oh please take your modern trappings outside and leave them there. Out of costume and half costumed folks traipsing about with suitcases, coolers etc. during actual fair hours are very distracting.   Please help us keep the Christmas magic alive.  I don't want a customer to see his or her favorite character from the day, going home half dressed, with their luggage in hand.


No Smoking!
The Cow Palace is a No Smoking Venue.  That means No Smoking anything.  We cannot afford to lose this fabulous venue.  Please respect the rules, otherwise we will ask you to leave.


First Aid
Besides Mark Solum, we will have 2 other certified EMT type people available for your emergency medical needs.  However, we kindly request that you NOT have any emergencies during the event.  Directions to local hospitals will be available in the office.  Lastly, we are legally unable to give medication to the public.  This includes aspirin, motrin, tylenol, midol, or other pain relievers.  Please plan ahead, and bring your own stash.


Lost & Found
If you find an item you think might belong to a participant, please bring it to the pass house. If a customer finds an item or if you find an item you think belongs to a customer... or when in doubt.... it should go to the merchandise booth at the front of the fair. At the end of the day, all those items will be brought to the operations trailer in the breezeway. If you have lost something, and it is not at lost and found right away, please check back, as it sometimes takes a little while for the items to make their way to lost and found and be catalogued. You may call the office at 800-510-1558 during the week to check further, but please avoid calling on Fridays if possible, as the phones are very busy with ticket sales. Thank you to all the kind souls who turned in found items.



***********
Cat Taylor
Missive Maven
Director of Entertainment for the Dickens Christmas Fair
Red Barn Productions
http://www.redbarnproductions.org
http://www.forestfaire.com
http://www.dickensfair.com


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