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Dickens Christmas Fair 2008 December Missive #3
(sent December 11th, 2008)

Nicely done - Great first two weekends! Now, let me remind you all to:

Drink water (we have plenty of privies this year)
Eat real food (we have plenty of that too)
Take your meds (the doctor gave them to you for a reason)
Eschew drama (that means avoid it, don't have it)

Please listen to your directors and security guards. Last weekend we had various sorts of issues, that we, your loving staff and crew would rather not see repeated. We want to enjoy the fair too. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about - good! We did our job. "Go ye and do yours!" (from Pirates of Penzance)

Cat


In This Missive:
Great Show!  Great time!  Great Dickens, Darlings!
Thank You for Slowing Down!
A Note About After Hours Events
Theatrical Notes from Therese
A Thank-You from Betty Simmons
Commemorative Color Album Update
Amanda Palmer (of the Dresden Dolls) Shooting Video at Dickens Fair
Steampunk Costume Contest This Saturday
The Beauties of Dark Garden" 'American' Postcards
Albion "Swordplay for the Stage" Class in January

Special Section: Evening Events
Second Leg of the Brian Dall'Armi Memorial Tour - December 13th
Saucy French Postcards Participants-Only Private Presentation! - December 13th


Great Show!  Great time!  Great Dickens, Darlings!
We have a hit, a palpable hit!  Each of our 5 event days so far have been record breakers.  Less the second weekend than the first, but solid all the way so far.  We can all be very proud of the fact that the excellent reputation of the Fair has continued to spread, and coupled with some economic twists of fate where people are staying closer to home and looking for good times to share with family and friends, we seem to be one of the few bright spots in a rather bleak world right now.

Thank you for all that you do to make this year's Dickens Fair such a fantastically enjoyable and delightful experience!

So, pick up some bouncy Dr. Shoals insoles for the last 2 weekends, and plan to do your holiday shopping at the Fair (keeping it in the family) and get ready for a great second half!

With all sorts of regards
Kevin, Leslie and the Red Barn crew.


Thank You for Slowing Down!
(from the Security Team)
Thank you to those of you who heeded last weeks plea to slow down on the Cow Palace property.
This week we'd like to see the rest of you do the same.


A Note About After Hours Events
If you plan to attend an after hour event (like this week's memorial), please make sure you are gracious to our Security Team and be prepared to show your gate pass as the evening sweep occurs.
Just because you are 'supposed to be there' doesn't mean that Security knows who you are or what you are doing.


Theatrical Notes from Therese
There has been so much tremendous work going on in the streets and byways of our London, but something we all need to remember in the fevered ferment of our creativity is to be respectful of our fellow performers and aware of our space. 
 
We should all be using those skills we honed during workshops and be prepared to react in a way that adds to the theatrical magic we're creating.  If a scene is going on and you can support it by adding to what's going on - terrific!  Do that.  If you can enhance the audience's experience by shilling - hurrah!  Do that.  However, don't walk right in and/or try to take over unless you know your presence will be welcome.  Also, be aware of your surroundings.  If you're tearing a passion to tatters within a few feet of something quieter, move your bit to where you won't distract from the other performance.  If a scene erupts (or you simply get swamped by a horde of admiring friends) don't block crucial pathways in the street or the doors of booths or get in the way of a scene in progress.  A little bit of care and sensitivity will make your universally loved and admired.


A Thank-You from Betty Simmons
I want to thank everyone who helped me on Sunday.  What I thought was a choking and coughing problem was diagnosed as a problem with my heart. The cardiologist did an angioplasty procedure, and put in in 3 more stents. I have a problem with cholesterol buildup and cannot tolerate statins so it will require ongoing attention. Special thanks to Sharon (Mrs. Nickelby), Therese Porter who encouraged me to go to the EMT,  to the staff of The Green Man, to EMT Webb who insisted I get immediate medical attention, to Judith Hinkle of The Christmas Carol group and Nick Stratton of the print shop and Teri (stage manager) for coordinating all the personal things that needed to be done, including getting Krystal safely home. I've never seen the "invisible" people of the fair in action like I did Sunday. The security and emergency crews were very professional and competent without disrupting the show. I need to avoid strenuous activity for 2 days and then I'll be back "on the boards."  I expect to be at the show, part time, on Sunday. (I have another commitment on Saturday.) I feel good and have more energy than before. Thank you all for your concern and support. I'm sorry I gave people a scare.

Love,
Betty Stiltz (Mr. Finching's Aunt)


Commemorative Color Album Update
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the collection of photos and memories that were requested for this project.  We know some of you wanted to send stuff and there just wasn't time.  Well, we sympathize.  In fact, there has not been time to even adequately assemble everything and build both a quality event AND a quality publication...so we are postponing its release until next season.

The release of the renamed: Great Dickens Christmas Fair Commemorative Color Album Volume I, "30 Years of Dickensian Delights" is now scheduled for the Fall of 2009, well in advance of next year's Fair.  It will now coincide with the documentary, "Building London in San Francisco".  Both of these productions will illustrate the quality, the depth, and the delight that is the Dickens Fair.  And having them out prior to next season will provide some excellent early marketing opportunities.

So, there is indeed more time for submissions of photos and even articles. Look for a new request and timeline in a missive early next year.

Tally ho!
Kevin


Amanda Palmer (of the Dresden Dolls) Shooting Video at Dickens Fair
(Note from Cat - this is all I know as of press time, Kevin is working out the details)
For those of you who may be fans of the Brechtian Punk Cabaret band, The Dresden Dolls, FYI lead singer Amanda Palmer will be shooting a YouTube music video at the Fair this weekend! She will also be playing at Bimbo's in San Francisco on Monday night:

Amanda Palmer (of The Dresden Dolls & The Danger Ensemble present: "Who Killed Amanda Palmer, the Stage Show".

Featuring Zoe Keating on cello, Lyndon Chester on violin and the Danger Ensemble of Australia creating live theatrical assaults of beauty that will blow your little minds. weaving together material from Who Killed Amanda Palmer and classic Dresden Dolls favorites, Amanda & The Danger Ensemble have created an ecstatic touring show that merges theater with live music in a way that pushes the boundaries of what is acceptable. Tickets
http://www.bimbos365club.com/ticket.html

high res press image here: http://www.kylecassidy.com/temp/wkap/amanda-danger.jpg

all show info can be found on amandapalmer.net/tour and
http://www.myspace.com/whokilledamandapalmer and
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=2663038


Steampunk Costume Contest This Saturday
La Legion Fantastique presents...

The 2nd Annual
Steam Explorers' Consortium
aka
The Steampunk Costume Contest

The members of Legion Fantastique are looking for a few good members, and will be judging any brave adventurers who would like to submit themselves to the rigorous scrutiny of our trained officials!

Entries will be judged on originality, inventiveness, creativity, historical plausibility, and general Steam-punky goodness! We're looking for more than just a cool pair of goggles this year, folks...We're looking for adventurers who are willing to take on the virtues of Science, Exploration and Imagination and amaze us with their skills!!

Grand Prize! - Dark Garden Corsets gift certificate ($400 value!)...Courtesy of Autumn Adamme (Thank you, Autumn!)

Other prizes also available (TBA). Every entrant will also receive an honorary Legion Fantastique membership!

Applicants may submit themselves anytime between 12pm-4:30pm at La Legion Fantastique. Official judging time (aka "Tea Time") will be from 4-4:45pm! All entries will be paraded on stage, and a winner will be announced at 5pm (applicants who would like a shot at prizes MUST attend - no exceptions)!

If you have any questions, please contact Peter Overstreet (Dir. Legion Fantastique) at: poverstreet@gmail.com

Thank you, and good luck!

-Mr. Phileas Fogg


The Beauties of Dark Garden" 'American' Postcards
(from Dark Garden)
Stop by the booth to reserve your set of the First Collection of "The Beauties of Dark Garden" 'American' Postcards, which will be available for sale at $10 per set on final weekend. Lovely women beautifully photographed in a lush setting. Advance orders taken at the Dark Garden counter need not pre-pay.
Also, remember to buy your raffle tickets!
$5 buys a 1 in 160 chance at an $800 gift certificate!!


Albion "Swordplay for the Stage" Class in January
The Albion Schoole (the faire communities' own sword school and performance troupe) announces that their Maestro, Michael Cawelti, will be teaching a beginning/Intermediate class in swordplay for the stage, starting the beginning of January.  Michael has returned from the East Coast and this will be the first beginning class he's offered in 5 years.  Albion swordsmen and women have performed in over twenty different sword shows at Ren Faires, Historical events and the Pirate Festival since 1986.  

The class will be a 12 week session, meeting one night during the week at the School's sal in El Cerrito (convenient to Hwy 80 & BART).  Instruction will focus on the safe, effective and historical use of the rapier.  Ongoing classes are available for continuing your education in other weapons and styles.  The school offers performance opportunities to our sword scholars as well.  No experience or equipment needed for beginning class.  For more information contact Michael at:  (510) 331-0578 or email:  captglvr@gmail.com.


Special Section: Evening Events
(Note from Cat: please remember to have your gate pass with you and accessible at all times, especially after hours)


Second Leg of the Brian Dall'Armi Memorial Tour - December 13th
Saturday, December 13th, 7:30-9:30pm (Third Weekend)
Mad Sal's Dockside Warehouse Stage, The Great Dickens Christmas Fair

Please bring your instruments, your dancing feet and your stories of Brian Dall'Armi to share.  Wear your favorite aloha shirt in honor of the occasion.  Ale will be graciously provided by Lagunitas Brewery (those folks are everywhere!).

If anyone would like to post and share photos of Brian, they can do so here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/briandallarmi/

(Questions can be directed to nwblackwell@yahoo.com)


By Popular Request -
Saucy French Postcards Participants-Only Private Presentation! - December 13th
Saturday, December 13, 2008  -  8 PM (or thereabouts)
 
The cast and crew of Saucy French Postcards is pleased to invite Dickens Fair Participants to a Special Showing!  We know there are many of our Fair family who don't get the opportunity to see our performances during the day.  You're out there making the magical ambience for us all to enjoy!  (And besides, our guests are filling up the seats in the theatre, anyway.)  So, just for you - our Hard-Working and Much Appreciated Colleagues - on Saturday, December 13th, after the last of those guests have swept out the front door on the lilt of Christmas carols, a Private Presentation will take place.  Be daring!  Join us at the V&A, for the adults-only show that makes folks call us "Naughty!"  


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