http://www.pinagogo.com/

http://www.bobwilkins.net/

Tom Wyrsh, one of the dedicated volunteers at Playland not at the Beach
has been assembling the Bob Wilkins Creature Feature documentary over the years and it's time to come see his new film. Having grown up in the Bay Area Creature Features was the must see TV show for many of us.

Hi Folks,
I got this note from Richard Tuck at Playland. Thought you'd want to know!

After eight long years we are just about ready to celebrate the Gala Grand Opening of Playland-Not-at-the-Beach! The big event will be the first weekend of June. But we want to thank you for your donations and support over the past years as we have been building our Museum of Fun
. Without your support we could not have accomplished all the magic we are soon going to be
unveiling.

We are just 4 weeks away from the Gala Grand Opening of Playland-Not-at-the-Beach, and we are eagerly getting everything ready for the big two day event on Saturday and Sunday, May 31 and June
1. Our Museum of Fun will be open both of those days at 10:00 am. Admission for either day will be $ 5.00. There will be prize drawings, clowns, face painters and magicians in addition to the unveiling of our amazing interactive exhibits.

We are also having a fund raising Opportunity Drawing on opening weekend, and we have tickets available for sale now. You may stop by Playland-Not-at-the-Beach to make your purchase. $ 3.00 will give you one opportunity or $5.00 will give you two. The winners will be drawn on Sunday at 4:00 and you need NOT be present to win. Some of the prizes include Tickets to Hearst Castle, Dinners at various Bay Area Restaurants, Tickets to Various Theater Events, a Lance Burton Deluxe Magic Set, a Laughing Sal Limited Edition Doll, and a Murder Mystery Party.

If you are planning to attend the Grand Opening and can help out either day for a couple of hours as a volunteer, please call Patrick Osbon at (510) 232-4264 ext.#13.

Very best regards,
Richard Tuck
Playland-Not-at-the-Beach
10979 San Pablo Avenue
El Cerrito, CA 94530
www.playland-not-at-the-beach.org
(800) 548-5318 x25

http://www.gigapan.org/

http://www.insidebayarea.com/search/ci_9147688

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5g8cmWZOX8Q

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29, 2008
Neptune Beach Amusement Museum In association with the Pacific Pinball Museum Presents:

“Pinball as Art and the Art of Pinball”

A show of Pinball Art Machines, Paintings,
Photographs and Paraphernalia

Curated by Michael Schiess

Custom Pinball Machines by Wade Krause, Michael Schiess, Dirty Donny. Art by Dan Fontes, Ed Cassel, Kevin Tiel and Joe Bansuelo


Opening Reception
Friday June 7th, 2008 from 6:30 pm to 10:30pm at

Neptune Beach Amusement Museum’s
The Lucky Ju Ju Pinball Art Gallery
713 Santa Clara Avenue
Alameda, Ca 94501

Runs from June 7th to July 30th, 2008.

See Website for more information:
www.ujuju.com or www.nbam.org

Media Contact: Michael Schiess
pinhead@ujuju.com 510-205-9793


“The Visible Pinball Machine” © 2007 by Michael Schiess

“Hellacopters Pinball" © 2007 by Wade Krause and Dirty Donny








“Pinball as Art and the Art of Pinball”


Pinball has long been considered a sleazy form of illegal entertainment enjoyed by hoodlums, punks and ne’er-do-wells in the comfort of dark, smoke filled bars and pool halls. At one time illegal in many towns including New York City, it gathered a huge following of devoted worshippers of the silver ball, who would travel long distances just to slap the orb around a bit.

Nowadays, it is hard to find pinball machines and for the first time since their inception, they are making a serious foray into the world of Art. Unlike Cartoon and Comic Art, Pinball still has to make that transition to elevate it to the status it so richly deserves. Part of the problem is its commercial nature. It was designed to attract and pull change out of the pockets of impressionable young men. But in doing so, it evolved into a mirror of society, a looking glass that shows us what was popular in the past, and like art, a reflection of social stigma.

It is with this in mind, that we present a collection of custom Pinball Machines, Paintings, and significant Pinball Backglasses and Playfields to raise awareness and appreciation of the Art of Pinball.



Notes from the Curator
On its own, Pinball is interactive kinetic art. But without the splashy graphics and seductive pictures, it would not have survived. Combining the two makes for a formidable combination that has never failed to put a smile on my face.

The Gallery
The Lucky Ju Ju Pinball Gallery is a unique underground arena for vintage pinball machines and a showcase for artists. We are in our sixth year and this is the 46th art show presented since the opening of the “Trans –View” gallery. The art shows are always free but we hope you will support the NBAM by paying the admission to the pinball arcadium and enjoy our fine selection of vintage games. Since it is well hidden and many are not adept with map quest, here are directions: Come to Alameda via the Alameda Tube (Webster St/Oakland) and continue on Webster. After 4 signal lights, turn left onto Santa Clara. Take the first Left into the parking lot, we are in the door that opens into the lot. Although the Pinball Arcadium is open only on Friday and Saturday nights, the Gallery, in the foyer, is always viewable from 9am to 9pm daily. The Neptune Beach Amusement Museum is a 501 c 3 non profit dedicated to preservation of the memory of Neptune Beach and all things Pinball. www.nbam.org

Official Notice
The Neptune Beach Amusement Museum is also doing business as a non-profit entity as the Pacific Pinball Museum. The office location and information are the same as NBAM’s. The Pacific Pinball Museum’s goal is to establish a center for pinball scholastics.

©2008 by Michael Schiess

On Saturday, May 10th starting at 8:00 pm one of our performers, Jarrett Fenlon, is making an appearance at the Rock-It-Room in San Francisco . Jarrett is a very talented songwriter / singer / musician, and it will be a real treat to see and hear him perform live. The charge is $10 at the door. The Rock-It-Room is a trendy club at 406 Clement Street in San Francisco . Please pass the word along to your friends who enjoy modern, bluesy music.

*** *** ***

While you’re marking your calendars, better circle Thursday night, May 15th for the World Premier of the new documentary movie “Watch Horror Films, Keep America Strong: A Journey into Creature Features.” This is the film that Tom Wyrsch, the Chief Engineer at Playland Not at the Beach, has been working on for years. The premier will be at the Grand Lake Theater in Oakland (quite a movie palace!) with two performances – 7:00 and 10:00 pm. And all proceeds from the showings go to the Bob Wilkins’ Alzheimer’s Fund.

A note from our friend Rebecca Troon, you might remember her performance with Caroline Aiken here on the Alpha:

Dear Friends and Family,

Here’s the link to the Obama ad that I collaborated on with my sister-in-love, Mary, and my step-sister Julie. We had a great time making it. I supplied the song, and they did the video and photo editing to go with it. Robinson Eichenberry generously donated his recording studio, time, and massive talent...not to mention the low voice at the end! Thanks Robinson!!!

You can “vote” for it by entering your email on the page, if you like, which will help us get to the finals in this Move-On “Obama In 30 Seconds” contest. Here’s how it works:

1. Click on the link below and view our 30-second ad.
2. ENTER YOUR EMAIL and other information along with the code word in the box, and CLICK on the bar “BE COUNTED AND START VOTING”. This is what is required for your viewing to be counted. (Viewing other ads at this time is optional).
3. And we ask that you please forward this email to as many people as possible, and ask them to forward it on to their friends.

Note: Each new email address counts as a "hit" toward the number of total “hits” that are counted. You can only vote once.

OBAMAOBAMAOBAMA!!!
http://obamain30seconds.org/vote/?v=view-1392-Lbkrlz


Thanks for your time. We hope that you crank it up and enjoy the show!

Hope this finds you well. Love and peace, Rebecca

ARTISTS FOR CASPER

A Community Fundraiser for the Family of Casper Banjo

Friday, April 11, 6:30PM
Swarm Studios + Gallery
560 Second Street, Oakland
$5 donation at the door (no one turned away for lack of funds)

Please join us in celebrating the life and mourning the tragic death of beloved Oakland artist, Casper Banjo.
Shockwaves rippled through the Bay Area art community recently at news that influential printmaker Casper Banjo had been killed. Casper was 71 years of age. An artist and teacher since 1970, Banjo was among the group of local artists who helped define the black aesthetic in visual arts. His trademark was using bricks in his prints, even creating a legendary brick-patterned suit that read "Express Yourself," and an African-American-themed yellow brick road.

Artwork for this event is donated by members of the art community and will be available for purchase. Contributing artists include:
Milton Bowens
Bill Dallas
Slobodan Dan Paich
Anna E. Edwards
Tom Franco
Dan Fontes
James Gayles
Susan Matthews
Eileen Starr Moderbacher
Rosalind McGary
Frank D. Robinson
Malik Seneferu
Karin Turner
Orlanda Uffre
Amanda Williams
Keith "K-Dub" Williams
TheArthur Wright
and more...
DJ performance! Appetizer delicacies donated by Cock-A-Doodle Cafe, Oakland
All proceeds from this event will benefit the family of Casper Banjo


Our Hearts Are Pained...
Casper Banjo, of Oakland, California was born in Memphis in 1937. After obtaining an Associates Degree at Laney College he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts degree from the San Francisco Art Institute where he subsequently taught. He began his art career as a printmaker. His prints have been exhibited nationally and internationally at locations such as the Studio Museum in Harlem, the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition, The John McEnroe Gallery, the Venezuela Second Biennial Del Grabado de American and a traveling exhibition of the Gong Gallery in Lagos, Nigeria. He also participated in the Very Special Art Gallery's African-American Artistry, the California Society of Printmaker's Exhibition at the Triton Museum, The Oakland Museum Collector's Gallery and the Laguna Arts Museum Prints and Painting Show. His work can also be found in numerous private collections. Mr. Banjo traveled extensively throughout the world, including West Africa, Upper Volta, Benin, Jos, Zaria, Lagos Nigeria, Ghana, Ife, Kano and Ibadan.