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Christmas Fair 2005 December Missive #1
(sent December 1st, 2005)
Hello everyone and thanks for a fabulous opening weekend! We have a
fair amount of notes this week (pun intended), hope you've all managed
to catch up on some sleep and avoid the nasty little cold I had. I
recommend the elderberry/vitamin C/zinc lozenges.... Oh, and please
don't walk around in the green room bay bare-footed. It was so
recently a construction area (and sometimes still is), that this is
quite unwise.
Please peruse this missive well, there's all sorts of cool stuff,
including a party, a foundation to help fair folk with extreme medical
emergencies and a customer engagement at Fezziwig's!
Cat
In This
Missive
Reminder: Fezziwig's is Live at 10:00AM
Participants 20’s Speakeasy Swing Dance Saturday Night at Fezzi's
Invitation from The Adventurer's Club
Stages & Children
KRON Live Sunday Morning
Notes from the Costume Department
Costume Contest Information
Customer Engagement at Fezziwig's!
Lost Can-Can Top
Fair RESCU Foundation
Scrooge Readings Out in the World
Dickens Fair Participant Discount at "Emperor Norton I The Musical!"
Reminder:
Fezziwig's is Live at 10:00AM
A reminder to all from Barbara at Fezzwig's, that that Fezzi's is
"live" at 10am, so no anachronism's inside. And please, be quiet in the
bay during the tableau (nothing we can do about customers in the
lobby); conversations were heard from the other side of the Fezzi
curtain.
Participants
20’s Speakeasy Swing Dance Saturday Night at Fezzi's
RBP, the Beverage Dept, and le Can Can Bijou have teamed up to throw a
Swing Party this Saturday night in Fezziwigs from 8:00pm- til 11:00pm.
No charge, open bar and a jar on the bar to assist our own Can Can
Dancers get snazzy new shoes!
Come dance the night away with us...
Invitation
from The Adventurer's Club
"The Adventurer's Club would like to invite the other characters to
visit them each day from 3:30 to 4:15 PM. Middle (and upper)
calss Victorians set days and times when they were considered "At Home"
to those who wanted to call on them. We have set an "At Home"
time for the club, to reflect that custom. The calls were formal
and somewhat brief (about 15 minutes). Calling cards would be
very welcome."
Stages
& Children
Two reminders: children should not be in the audience for French
postcards (parental customers don't understand) and the stages are not
babysitters.
KRON Live Sunday Morning
KRON with Henry Tenenbaum will once again be featuring the Dickens
Christmas Fair on KRON Weekend News this coming Sunday morning - on air
8-9:30. We experience a tremendous boost in attendance from this -
people see us on the morning news and then come to see us in person -
immediately!
We need a good turn-out, in full costume, to bring our London to life.
All who participate must be in costume, in the V&A, at 7am this
Sunday morning. Jim, at the Roast Beef booth, will have coffee, tea,
and bagels and cream cheese available at 6:30.
All environmental areas should be "dressed" and ready for
shooting - no tarps or sheets pinned up, no hoops decorating the
furniture, everything in place and ready for "company."
The scenario is being finalized and we'll let everyone know what's what
and who's who at the 7am meeting. As with anything media-related -
everything is subject to change up until the time the camera rolls.
Please list the names of who in your group is able to attend, as well
as their character names. There will be a pair of comp tickets for each
participant.
With All Sorts of Regards,
Phyllis Patterson
Chief Instigator
phyllis@timegames.org
Notes from
the Costume Department
(many thanks from me to Alexandria for fixing my torn waistband on
Sunday)
Hello everyone, just a few words from the costume department.
Firstly, I want to congratulate so many of you on new or refurbished
wardrobe for this fair - I know that a lot of late hours, patient
needlework, new skills,and frustrated re-dos were involved. Your
efforts show, and it is a pleasure to see so many looking so
wonderfully turned out, and to feel you truly inhabiting your wardrobe,
using it to help become another person from another place and time. I
congratulate and support you as we go into the second weekend.
Secondly - there have been a few sightings of folks in their underwear
or otherwise in states of dishabile' on the street as the fair opens.
Please, I beg you, do not be seen this way. Remember to give your
self a few extra minutes - My Damage Control Math for time involves
doubling how long I think it's going to take me to do anything, then
scheduling my travel and work time accordingly. Also, remember
that whenever you go into the streets, you should make a conscious
effort to dress in your character's outdoor clothing - it is one of the
best ways to make all our London visitors realize that that's not
sawdust - it's SNOWING! Even if you are "just ducking out to the
Loo" remember, the Loo is across the street, and it's COLD there.
As to the end of fair, please save your out-of-corset/costume
experience until the last of the ticket-holding participants have been
sent upon their merry way to the 21st Century.
Thirdly - if you have a costume accident, I am here to help. I will not
be able to supply you with much in the way of supplies, but can
help you with repairs, stains, or using your own supplies for repairs.
I have a grommet anvil and hammer available for emergency replacements.
I recommend having things like extra buttons, some thread and a needle,
a grommet or two, and some extra corset lacing around - to say nothing
of a safety pin or two, an extra pair of socks.
I look forward to seeing all of you this weekend!
cheers,
Alexandria Volk
Costume
Contest Information
"Miss Georgina Hogarth (Mr. Dickens' sister-in-law) and her trusty
judges will again be patroling the streets of London looking for likely
candidates for the dailyl Costume Competition. If the judges
consider your costume to be worthy they will give you a red
praiseworthy ribbon to denote your excellent work. If those who
have received ribbons wish to participate in the competition, they will
assemble on the Father Christmas Stage around 2:30 (check the stage
schedule to make sure of the time). The winner will be given a
prize and two comp tickets so they may return for the final competion
on the last Sunday of the fair. The grand prize winner will
receive yet another prize and a fairever pass good for next year.
The judges will be giving out 30 ribbons a day and all fair
participants are eligible, including actors and vendors. Your
costume must be between the years of 1840 and 1870 and will be judged
on construction, fit, design, authenticity and over-all
appearance. This year, two of our judges will be
concentrating on men's attire, so we highly encourage men to
participate. As in the past, the Greater Bay Area Costumers Guild
will be sponsering an award for workmanship. For further
information or questions, please apply to Miss Hogarth at Tavistock
House (the Dickens' Family Parlor) or Miss Elizabeth Siddell at the
Adventurer's Club."
Customer
Engagement at Fezziwig's!
Security guard Miche came up to me Sunday evening all misty and excited
over something that had just happened at Fezziwig's. She had spoken
with two customers who were thinking of leaving and encouraged them to
stay a bit longer and go for a dance at Fezziwig's. Soon afterwards the
woman came up to her all a twitter, saying that after fifteen years
together, she had decided to propose and needed a ring. Miche had
recently found a plain silver band on the ground and loaned it to her
for the occasion. I'll let Mr Fezziwig take it from there.
"Just before the last Sir Roger de Coverly, one of the security ladies
came to me and said that a couple had been together a long time, and
that the lady wanted to propose on the floor. So at the end of the Sir
Roger, I took them out to the front mid spot light, she dropped to one
knee, everybody figured out the universal proposal sign, he dropped to
one knee, they got up, she said a bunch on stuff that couldn't be
heard, but everyone in the house was waiting for his answer. He
answered "yes", in a loud, clear and shaky voice, cheers rang
out, Bangers & Mash played the Anniversary song waltz (the
piece is period, i doubt that the words are, but no one sang it) and
the newly engaged couple were allowed once around before the rest of us
joined in the waltz. It was all very sweet."
The last Miche saw of them, they were off to buy a ring in the fair.
Lost
Can-Can Top
from Anni Kellam
I seem to have lost the top to my cancan dress, probably on dress
rehearsal weekend (Sal’s area). It’s sage green, laces up the back,
with maroon trim.
Please contact <akellam@firstam.com>
Fair RESCU
Foundation
(Note from Cat - this is very cool)
Mission Statement - The RESCU (Renaissance Entertainers, Services
and Crafters United) Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization
established to promote financial relief and comfort to Renaissance
Faire/Festival participants and their families who have experienced
medical disruptions and subsequent extreme difficulties.
Our Goals Are:
* To continue looking for
ways to answer long and short-term health insurance issues on both a
group and individual basis.
* To educate communities
about health issues by providing workshops and classes, such as first
aid, with the hope that our overall wellness can improve.
* Create an atmosphere
within our communities that we are part of a bigger community, one that
cares and is mobilized to help.
Heidi B's Pale Moon Booth has RESCU items for sale ! 100% of the
proceeds go to RESCU Foundation!
- Ask at the counter, as these items are not on display -
*RESCU Lapel Pins - These
beautiful pewter pins of the RESCU Foundation logo show your support
with style and grace. These are typically sold at our RESCU Rallies.
If you would like to purchase a quantity to resell for the benefit of
RESCU, call 1-800-374-9215 or see the website:
http://www.rescufoundation.com.
Suggested donation: $10.00 each
* CD: ENCORE FOR A QUEEN,
The next in a series of RESCU compilation CDs with music from many of
your favorite groups that tour the Renaissance Faire/Festival circuit,
as well as other national recording artists. Those in need around the
country receive 100% of all the funds raised by these projects.
Suggested donation: $20.00
For more information: http://www.rescufoundation.com
If you would like to send a donation (tax-deductible), please make your
check or money order out to the RESCU Foundation and send it to:
RESCU Foundation
P.O. BOX 606
Mundelein, IL 60060.
800-374-9215
Heidi B's Pale Moon Booth is in the Mad Sal's bay, across from Rainbow
and Steven Overstreet.
Scrooge
Readings Out in the World
Martin Harris, Ebenezer Scrooge, will be giving his dramatic reading of
A Christmas Carol at the following locations and would love support
from participants in costume.
Next Wednesday Dec 7th in Petaluma Library at 7pm with refreshments
afterwards and
Tuesday Dec 13th in Rohnert Park Library at 7pm with refreshments.
Both these library events are free to the public.
Then for a very special evening closer to the city, on Friday 16th Dec
at 7.30pm Martin will be giving his reading by the crackling fire of
the Drawing Room in the Julia Morgan Center on Durant Street for the
Berkeley City Club who encourage you to dine in their magnificent
dining room before hand. This will be very special evening to
dress up for and costs only $10 for adults and $5 for children under
12. For reservations call 510 280 1540 or turn up on the evening,
everyone is most welcome.
Martin is looking for any carolers who would like to help by singing
before hand at all three events so speak to Martin backstage at Fair
this weekend.
Dickens
Fair Participant Discount at "Emperor Norton, I The Musical!"
We here at The Dark Room Theater would like to extend an invitation to
Dickens Faire Participants for reduced price tickets to our new
musical! Tickets are usually $15.00, but with a gate pass (no, costume
not required ) participants can have a $12.50 admission price.
Impossible Productions presents EMPEROR NORTON I
A New Musical that’s Right as Reign
WHEN: Weekends December 2005 and January 2006
Fridays, Saturdays @ 7:30pm; Sundays @ 3pm
No show December 23, 24, or 25, 2005
WHERE: The Dark Room Theater - 2263 Mission Street (b/t 18th and
19th), SF
TICKETS: $12.50 at the door with a Dickens Fair Gate Pass, $15
without or Online at www.ticketweb.com
INFO: www.darkroomsf.com 415.401.7987 or wsup@darkroomsf.com
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — “Pause, Traveler, and be grateful to Norton I…”
reads the inscription on the Bay Bridge.
Emperor Norton I, Sovereign Ruler of the United States and
Protector of Mexico, was a visionary to some, a kook to others and
beloved by all. Lovingly crafted by the Ohanneson family, this
humorous, original musical is a tribute to San Francisco, the Barbary
Coast, and its eccentric characters. It’s a step back into history and
follows a man who loved his city and the city that loved him.
In 1850 San Francisco, pandemonium reigns in the rough and tumble,
formative Gold Rush years of the City by
the Bay. The wealthy Joshua A. Norton loses his fortune and
mental stability; and his descent into madness is rivaled only by his
rise into notoriety. He declares himself Emperor of the United
States and the Protector of Mexico, and endears himself to the likes of
Mark Twain, Lotta Crabtree, Lola Montez, the two annoying dogs, Bummer
& Lazarus, and the lowbrows of the Barbary Coast. But can a
madman dissolve Congress, raise an army, print his own money and
propose to the Queen of England? He can in San Francisco--which
just goes to show, it's important to make a good first Emper-ession.
This is an Impossible Production is a family affair with script by Kim
Axelrod Ohanneson, score by Marty Ohanneson Axelrod, direction by Jim
Fourniadis-Ohanneson, production by Erin Ohanneson, costumes by Jill
Ohanneson and research by Greg Ohanneson with tech mastered by Ty
“Honorary Ohanneson” McKenzie. Norton stars: Jim
Fourniadis, Peter Doty, Steffanos X, Phil Darnowsky, Don Wood, David
Stein, Nancy Bower, Haggis, Denzil Meyers, Anomaly aka Sadie Lune,
Rhiannon Charisse, Laura Malouf-Renning, Jukie Sunshine, Michelle
Talgarow and
Cameron Eng.
To
sign up for the missives, please email missives@redbarnproductions.org,
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