The
Great Dickens Christmas Fair Missive
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Dickens Christmas Fair 2009 December Missive #3
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Notes from your Missive Maven:
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Thank
you everyone, for a great and successful run! One more weekend, and all
indicators say it will be a big one!
Congratulations to Heidi Wolhwend and Ric Zegri on the arrival of
little Clara
Mae, December 16th at 5:20AM.
And thanks again to all the folks who helped out with the BPM party
last Saturday
evening. We were up to Plan Z by the time the evening was through, but
the BPM
folks were very pleased. We appreciate your flexibility and stamina.
Here's to a fabulous closing weekend!
(Oh, and for those of you with booths or environmental areas, please
see the take down schedule at the bottom of this missive.)
Please
read all the information carefully and save and/or print it for further
reference.
Please remember to contact the folks referenced in each notice, rather
than hitting "reply".
Past missives can be viewed at http://www.cattaylor.com/missives.html
Thanks and see you Saturday morning!
Cat Taylor
Entertainment Director and Missive Maven
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| In
This Missive |
| A
Gift From the Producers |
| Spiffing
Up the Place |
| Stage
Schedule Online |
| Be
Careful & Polite Entering the Fair from Backstage |
| Last
Day Pranks |
| Let
the Audience Enjoy the Postcards Shows |
| Gigging
in Front of the Dark Garden Windows |
| Mr.
Alan Jeffries Fine Gentlemen's Apparel - Shoes Ordered &
Participant Special |
| The
Victorian Thriller Video on You Tube Tomorrow |
| Notes
& Thanks from the Costume Department |
| Martin
Harris (aka Scrooge)'s Lovely Evening Readings |
| PR
& Marketing Update from Adrienne Biggs |
| Dickens
Fair Take Down Schedule |
| Reminder:
Please Watch Your Volume Near the Stages |
| Reminder:
Lost & Found |
| Reminder:
No Customers in the Backstage Areas, Please |
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A Gift From the Producers
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In recognition of our 10th year at the Cow Palace, the beautiful new
Dickens Fair logo has been crafted into a special "thank you" printed
piece. Your copy will be available from your director sometime
this
weekend. One per person, please.
Complements of our producers, Kevin and Leslie Patterson.
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Spiffing
Up the Place
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Apologies for the privies not getting pumped last Sunday, it was
supposed to
happen, but it didn't. This weekend not only will the privies be pumped
on
Sunday, but the picnic tables are being deep cleaned on Friday, and the
floors
swept and strewn with fresh "snow". The problem with the ventilation in
the
Carousel/Odyssey Theatre bay has also been rectified.
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Stage
Schedule Online:
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It's in the program, and now it's on the website!!
http://www.dickensfair.com/stage-schedules
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Be Careful & Polite
Entering the Fair from Backstage
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We have had complaints from audience members that some participants had
been
pushy and rude trying to enter the fair using the entrance next to the
V&A
stage. With the large crowds we
anticipate for closing weekend, it might be better to use another
entrance.
As a hoop skirted performer myself, I know how difficult it can be to
get
through crowds, but please remember to *ALWAYS* be polite and excuse
yourself
in lovely period speech when you need to get through busy entrances and
corridors.
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Last Day Pranks
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Please, if you "conscientiously feel it is your duty" to do some sort
of last day prank, keep it period appropriate and theatrically valid.
If you can't do a prank that
#1 Is in period and doesn't break the illusion of
Victorian England
#2 Is in proper costume and appropriate for your
character
#3 Is not disruptive to the participants around you
#4 Adds to customer enjoyment, does not detract from it
Don't do it.
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Let
the Audience Enjoy the Postcards Shows
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Reminder that we as participants had our opportunity to see the French
Postcards show during the special evening show on second weekend.
Please do not attend the showings on final
weekend and let the audience enjoy the show.
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Gigging in Front of the
Dark Garden Windows
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(from Michelle, the Dark Garden Model Wrangler)
We had several incidents last weekend where performers outside the
windows
blocked the view of the patrons for extended periods of time while the
performers emoted their reaction to the model in the window, or tried
to
"break" their cast member.
While we encourage you to enjoy your friends' performances in the
window, we remind you to keep it brief, then move along. In the
case of high-profile models, unless
their props clearly indicate they are portraying their character,
*your*
character has no reason to stand and declaim about who they really are,
or whom
they resemble. Such behavior can ruin
the model's fun, and rob the patrons of the delight of realizing *on
their own*
that the person they just saw on stage (or in the street) is now in the
window. Thank you.
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Mr.
Alan Jeffries Fine Gentlemen's Apparel - Shoes
Ordered & Participant Special
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(from Jeffrey Schoenberg)
Mr. Alan Jeffries wishes to remind anyone who ordered shoes during
workshops or 1st weekend that the shoes are in and ready to be
claimed. Please inquire at the shop.
Also, Mr. Alan Jeffries Fine Gentlemen's Apparel
will pay the sales tax on all purchases within the shop (excepting
shoes) for
fair participants.
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The Victorian Thriller
Video on You Tube Tomorrow
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(from Ian Carruthers of Foolish tree films)
Foolish tree films is absolutely *thrilled* to be a part
of this experience. We had a total blast playing with you all, and are
really
enjoying editing down the footage.
As for the finished video, all you fabulous zombies only
have to wait one more day. It will be posted to our YouTube channel no
later
than tomorrow, Friday, December 18th, at 5:30pm, Pacific Time.
Thanks again, everyone,
Ian
http://www.youtube.com/foolishtreefilms
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Notes &
Thanks from the Costume Department
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(from Liz Martin)
Thank You!
First and foremost: Alexandria and I would like to thank all of you for
yet
another great looking fair. You look marvelous, really, you do. We
recognize
the time, money and effort that it takes to create the perfect costume.
We
appreciate those of you that go the extra mile to continually make each
year a
little bit better for our patrons.
Closing
Weekend Shop Hours
The shop hours will be a bit erratic on Saturday and Sunday. We will
open at 9
as usual and will be there by 7:15 pm to retrieve any items that your
have
borrowed from us. If you have a specific need for one of us to be in
the shop
at a certain time this weekend, please either email us by Fri night 9
pm or
come by the shop between 9 & 11 on Saturday morning to make an
appointment.
There are shows that still need to be seen and shopping that
still needs to be done and we, like everyone else, are hoping to cram
it all
into this last weekend!
Costume
Returns
For those of you that have items out for the run of the show please
have them
back to us on Sunday at close. We will make it a point to stay late (8
pm) but
please remember that we have had as long a day as you and want to go
home as
well.
Donations
If you have anything in your costume wardrobe that you no longer want,
please
consider donating it to the Costume department. We appreciate all
donations.
Looking
Ahead to Next Year
It's never too early to start working on
your costume! January - March are excellent times to contact your
favorite
seamstress and get a head start on that new bonnet or vest for Dickens
2010. We
have a list of costumers who are more than willing to help you build
your
wardrobe.
And speaking of next year . . . there are a few participants
who have been given verbal notes from the costume department. Please
take heed
to what we said. We thank you ahead of time for making the changes that
we requested.
If you have any questions - please
contact costumes@redbarnproductions.org
for answers. (Costumes related only
please. No, I still don't know what the question to the ultimate answer
might
be.)
If you would like to join my mailing list (classes,
workshops and etc) , please email me at liz@pinkdepford.com
Thanks to
the Costume Team!
We could not have done the things we do out minions and helpers!!
A big thank you to the girls from the Cat & Bull: YOur help was
much
appreciated!
Tina and Steph: Two of the best dressers I have ever worked with and
considering that they were thrown into the back stage fray without much
of an
idea of what they were getting into - Wow!!
Vicky: For taking one for the team. Thank you my dear - so very much.
Kim: Once again you have whipped the V & A backstage into shape -
thank
you!
Kitty: Thanks for coming back and filling in where needed. You Rock!
Thayer, Allison, Camar, Mae, Suzette, Persephone, Charles, Deborah:
Three M
would not be the show it is without all your fabulous help. Thank you!
Robyn - thank you for being there for
back up on the crazy mornings!
If I have forgotten anyone - please put it down to a lousy memory and
forgive
me.
And saving the best for last - Alexandria, Thank you. You
make my job manageable - in so many ways!!!
Happy Christmas to all!
Liz Martin
Costume Director - The Great Dickens Christmas Fair
www.dickensfair.com
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Martin
Harris (aka Scrooge)'s Lovely Evening Readings
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(from
Martin Harris)
Ebenezer Scrooge (aka Martin Harris) will be giving his dramatic
reading of A
Christmas Carol at the Berkeley City Club this Friday
evening at 7:30pm
in the Julia Morgan Building's grand hall by a crackling fire.
Thank you to Bob Crabb and the Coventry
Carolers who will be singing before the reading at 6:30. Those wishing
to make
a special evening of this may wish to dine in the famous dining room
adjacent
on the same level but must call ahead to book a table,
BY RESERVATION ONLY-24 HOURS IN ADVANCE, PLEASE!: 510-848-7800.
Mention "Christmas Carol" and get a 10%
discount.
The City
Club is at 2315 Durant Ave. one block south of the UC campus.
(Here's a 3
minute tour on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mylOE7Vx9kE
)
Join Martin and Celtic & Early Music Ensemble "Broceliande" at Angelica's
Bistro, after Fair on Saturday Dec 19th at 9pm for dinner,
concert, "A
Christmas Carol" reading and caroling.
863 Main Street Redwood City CA, 94061 650-365-3226 www.angelicasbistro.com
For his big send off Martin will be reading at the all new Freight and Salvage on
Tuesday Dec 22nd at 7.30pm with the amazing caroling group to
open including Shay Black. http://www.thefreight.org/
He still has
some CDs of his reading left which make a perfect Christmas gift
especially
when signed by Scrooge!!
Martin would
like to say thank you to everyone at the Dickens Fair for making this
such an
amazing family experience and for the support he has been given. Also
congratulations to Kevin and team for making this Christmas dream
become
reality and giving so much joy to so many. God Bless Us, Everyone!
Martin
martinharrisusuk@hotmail.com
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PR & Marketing Update
from Adrienne Biggs:
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Clippings
and Freebies:
You are most cordially invited to check out the table
in the breezeway by the production trailer to see the most recent
notable press
clippings, plus free giveaways of Disney Christmas Carol posters and
tee shirts
and The Young Victoria posters and picture postcards (one per
performer,
available starting Saturday afternoon, while supplies last)!
Feedback:
Please encourage people to write to us about
their experiences at the Fair. We will be compiling and editing many of
them
for use in next year's promotional efforts so we want to have a healthy
collection
to choose from. They can email media@dickensfair.com
anytime.
Saturday 12/19: It's British
Nationals & Expatriates'
Day, part of our group discount Discovery Day series (no theme
on closing day).
If you have any feedback or suggestions for special groups to highlight
next
year, please let us know via media@dickensfair.com! This year's series
is
outlined here:
http://www.dickensfair.com/sites/dickensfair.com/files/importe/DF09GroupDaysreleaseFINAL102209.pdf
YouTube
Uploads:
If you choose to upload any Fair clips
to YouTube, please title them beginning with "Dickens Fair 2009:" so
we can keep a running tab year to year. I will continue to upload
clips, you
can see mine here (so far the marriage proposal in front of Dark Garden
11/28
has received the most hits):
http://www.youtube.com/my_videos?pi=0&ps=20&sf=added&sa=0&sq=dickens%20fair&
dm=1
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TWITTER
& FACEBOOK: Twitter was new this year and we
have nearly 300 Followers already and at least 100 ReTweets, a great
base from
which to grow our 2010 presence. The Facebook group gained many new
Fans and
Friends and I will continue to post information to both sites when
appropriate.
Please follow if you aren't already, and check in often.
TV:
View From the Bay (ABC-7 KGO-TV) holiday segment
including Scrooge interview to tentatively air 12/18; will also be
posted on
their site www.abc.com
PRINT:
Santa Rosa Press Democrat 12/14
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091214/NEWS/912141008
Odyssey, a thematic children's magazine, has a freelance
writer who is preparing an article on Fair magicians in the pitch stage.
SF Chronicle, pop culture writer Aidin Vaziri attended
Fair with his family but we have not confirmed if he will actually be
writing
about it (fingers crossed)
ONLINE:
SFGate.com parenting blogger The Mommy Files
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfmoms/detail?&entry_id=53297
SFStation photographer
http://photos.sfstation.com/City-Events/The-Great-Dickens-Christmas/10656098_4oaUJ#741565566_BWMz
FunCheapSF.com, 3rd of 3 giveaway promotions ran last
week (they received 300-400 responses for two pairs of ticket giveaways
each
week!)
SPECIAL
GUESTS ATTENDING CLOSING WEEKEND:
Harmony Festival, Director of Development &
Programming with family
Pacific Sun, editor with family
The Young Victoria movie cross-promotion, 2 pairs of
ticket winners from the
SF Examiner print ad which mentioned Dickens Fair 12/8
SPECIAL
GROUPS:
12/19: A group of 10 costumed student filmmakers from SF
Art & Film for Teenagers with 4 supervising adults will be
discreetly
filming a memorable series of documentaries as student projects to post
(with
full credit to Dickens Fair) on the Web. The organization has several
divisions, including
www.artandfilm.org
, www.afcurrent.org , www.europeforteens.org and
www.filmworkshopsf.org
Fair thee well until we meet again,
Adrienne Biggs
BIGGS PUBLICITY & EVENTS - for the 31st Annual Great
Dickens Christmas Fair
415-453-4474
www.dickensfair.com/media.htm
www.Twitter.com/DickensFair
Fair Fans on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=70573503536
(www.biggspublicity.com
, @AdrienneBiggs )
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Dickens
Fair Take Down Schedule
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December 19th - 20th Weekend #4 (Closing)
December 21st -23rd
Venue open from 8:00am - 6:00pm
December 24th
Cow
Palace Open limited hours for
Christmas Eve - TBD
December
25th
VENUE CLOSED FOR CHRISTMAS
Dec 26th
-30th
Venue open from 8:00am -
6:00 pm
Dec 30th
Wed
TAKE DOWN/CLEAN UP Vendor
& Environments DEADLINE!
Special
to environmental areas: Genevieve will be delivering approved pallets,
please do not take pallets from the green room or elsewhere without
checking with her first. We are trying to improve the efficiency of the
shipping and storage of all environmental area building materials.
Please note the following three important changes:
1. Stacks may not exceed five feet in height without approval from
Kevin or Genevieve
2. The top of all loads must be perfectly flat, plywood or heavy wall
flat preferred
3.
No lumber in excess on eight feet in length can be incorporated into
your stack. Any pieces longer than eight feet must be set to the side,
properly labeled and approved by Kevin or Genevieve.
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Reminder: Please
Watch Your Volume Near the Stages
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Please be aware of your volume near stages and environmental areas,
lower your
voices and aim your voices away from these areas. Thanks.
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Reminder: Lost & Found
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ALL lost and found will be at the Merchandise Booth at the front of the
fair. An item Lost by someone is NOT your happy find to
keep.
PLEASE turn in all lost items.
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Reminder: No Customers in the
Backstage Areas, Please
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Please do not bring customers in the backstage, even for the purpose of
taking them outside to inhale carcinogens. This is both for security
and
insurance reasons. Thanks.
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For specific questions
regarding performing at the Fair or to submit a show proposal please
email Cat
Taylor
If your group would like to perform at the Fair for just one day
(school
caroling groups, etc., please email Robert
Young
For specific questions regarding vending at the Fair please email Vendors
For specific questions the beverage department please email Beverage
To learn what you can do to help save the Cow Palace, please visit
http://www.savethecowpalace.com
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