Updating the world

Many thanks to Chad Sniffen who drafted the latest press release and is sending it out to the world. We decided to keep the detail on the website so I am hoping to get some inquiries from those newspaper types soon.

I sent a bunch of updates for the website to Kathryn Ricoli a few days ago, and in my excitement I keep checking to see if they are up. They aren't. But I did hear from her last night and she should be working on them today.

I am also making a little progress with the artistic events. We are performing a bit (if not all) of Brian Griffin's The Zurich Plays. I just need to cast it - and offer extra credit to my DRA 10 students -- to do a scene or 2.

Makin' the Map

Just came from a meeting with Jessica Bender who is designing the map. We met over some tea and with her inspirations from some Dada graphic design, she will be creating the event map and listing of events.

We had a spirited conversation and it looks like she will incorporate the bowler hat image that we will be using with our volunteers. We both got super excited as we continued to brainstorm and throw out ideas.

We also discussed the "Do It Yourself" Dada tables that will be at each of the 4 afternoon venues. I talked with Sarah Kendrick and Jamie Kumpf on Friday about having a painting station, but after further consideration that has "messy disaster" written all over it. Jessica and I decided on doing Hannah Hoch inspired photomontages instead. And that's great because my good friend Angela Mitchell will be coming in from Atlanta and exhibiting her modern take on a photomontage using images of women in the Iraq war.

I am also working on a big overhaul of the website. I sent new information to Kathryn Ricoli this morning and the super generous Chad Sniffen wrote a draft of the press release. I just made some changes and sent to a group of proofreaders before we send it out into the universe.

Gosh, this event is actually going to happen! How exciting is that?

The Countdown Continues

Gosh, there's so much to do. It's a little overwhelming. However, today I met with Christina and Kirti, the service leaders from the Prytanean Women's Honor Society on campus. The meeting was mostly with Christina and Kirti joined us between meetings. I explained the festival in detail and talked about volunteer opportunities for the membership. Actually, I thought the meeting to the membership was yesterday, but after no one showed up I rode my bike home and looked at the correct date in my email. 

Anyway, as I spoke about tasks of posting flyers, setting up the cabaret and the afternoon walking tour, I saw Christina's mind go. She got so incredibly excited and thought of numerous ways for the entire group to get involved. While we met I call from Vanessa at Davis Commons who passed on the number of her contact with the CalAggie Band-Uh. They apparently are having a fundraiser on May 16th and want to use Davis Commons together. With my love of marching bands, I am super excited.

I am optimistic that we will have plenty of help. Just as I am optimistic that the city will be overrun with Dada art and performance.

We are on our way!

The Zurich Plays

In 2001, the Atlanta theatre Dad's Garage produced The Zurich Plays written by Brian Griffin and his band of crazies. I saw it twice. The first time I was -- well, in a drug induced haze, but the second time I was very much sober and yes, still I didn't "get it."

With The Dada Cabaret on the horizon, I contacted Monsieur Griffin through the magic of Facebook and he finally sent it and upon my couch I read the masterpiece that is The Zurich Plays. I do have to say that it makes much for (non) sense now that I have the knowledge of Dada. There are a few ideas that I would like to incorporate into the festival and I didn't realize that I actually took them directly from The Zurich Plays. The number 1 is that I would like to dress someone as Mona Lisa complete with mustache and small beard and when others see her to yell, "She has a hot ass!" Well, maybe Jeanne Jacobson said something similar (and I know she didn't see The Zurich Plays) but there is a very similar section in the play.  

I am going to write to Brian right now and see if we can perform excerpts both during the day and in the evening. Fingers crossed that he says "ja ja!"

The Magic of Bob Bowen

This morning I met the Promotions Manager for the City of Davis to talk about the festival. The man is a wonder on two legs. He is extremely energetic and supportive and knows a heck of a lot about the history of this city.

I met him at the Hunt Boyer Mansion which is currently city offices, however most of the staff are moving back to City Hall. He gave me a quick tour of the first floor before we hustled to the train station plaza. 

Since the train station plaza or technically the Brindley Plaza is one of the afternoon Downtown Davis venues - and the only one that is not commercial property - I needed to talk with the man who knows. Names, dates, history, drama, the characters in the city who are impossible to work with. See, Bob knows!

Bob is a reformed song and dance man who has created and performed many site specific works in Davis. He showed me a few choice spots at the station that I cannot wait to commandeer with art and music on May 16th.

He also assured me that the insurance issue is easily solved. However dealing with the Theatre & Dance department today, they are turning on the orange caution lights. You know, the ones with the piercing annoying noise that sounds to accompany the flashing lights?  Yeah, those. I prefer the calmness of Bob Bowen, thank you very much.

Anyhoo, the other exciting thing is the Pump House on 2nd and E that I have been staring at for months should be okay to use. It's the site that Mishka's will move to, however, the Pump House still stands and it should be in it's current condition through the end of May.

Guess who arranges for use of that space?  Um, yeah, my new buddy Bob Bowen.

adelante!

I invited two Bay Area performance artists - who do cabaret - to come and do their dadaesque magic with us, but alas, neither was available. I will be excited to present The Cyborg Soap Opera as part of this event.

Just Over a Month to Go!

I met with Peter, my advisor today and he asked if I have been keeping a record of all the craziness? To be honest, it's been mostly word of mouth. I have not had much time to blog, let alone do my laundry. And then there is this big dada extravaganza less than a month from now. 

Julie Friedrichsen jumped on a board a week ago and had been helping with securing venues and getting permits. And I met with Jenna Chen yesterday to give feedback on her flyer designs.

There are also additional requests to volunteer and I will be meeting with Praba Pilar tomorrow to create a poster.

I also had a great Hugo Ball dance rehearsal yesterday and we decided to do an abstraction of the piece where we change clothes with each other. I am very excited.

I just came from 2 surprise visits with positive outcomes. The first was a semi-surprise. We have been playing phone tag with Natalie from the Pence Gallery and I stopped by to schedule time with her tomorrow. And then I went to a loft space where I want to use a balcony. I got a call from the leasing office the other day and she said no, so I went up to this beautiful Asian-styled patio and started knocking on the residents doors. I think I got a taker. A nice guy from the history department. He's checking with his wife, so I think we're golden.

Now I just have to tackle elements of insurance.

Wish me luck!