PASSPORT TO PUPPET THEATER

Like puppet theater, Desktop Linux is regarded as very cool and a little subversive.

Have a Visa stamped on your Passport when you attend these puppet theater events! Earn discounts and free Linux software "with no strings attached," courtesy of The Linux Loft (www.linuxloft.com)!

PARTICIPATING PUPPET THEATER PRODUCTIONS
Present a stamped passport at these productions and receive free Linux software for your computer
plus $2 off admission price (no discount at free shows). Box office sales only.

"Warhol™" by Drama of Works. Warhol puppet by David Michael Friend

Oct. 12- 15: "Warhol™" by Drama of Works
The piece explores the many enigmas in Warhol's life that made him the fascinating icon he is today. The piece has no spoken dialogue, but a sound design including quotes from his infamous interviews, sounds from his past, as well as iconic disco music, sounds of the New York street and much more. This show is part of the third annual Voice 4 Vision Puppet Festival, presented by Theater for the New City, 155 First Avenue, NYC, 155 First Avenue. Thurs and Sat 8:00, Fri 9:30, Sun 4:30. Recommended for adults. Regular price $15; reservations (212) 254-1109.

Oct. 12- 15: " Slow Ascent" by Anna Kiraly and Kuba Gontarczyk
A psychological mystery with apocalyptic themes and a tormented, existential hero. Reality, imagination, and nightmarish apparitions converge. A beautifully mysterious story investigates the effect of cataclysms on the hero. The piece is told through shadow puppetry, complex soundscapes, music, and a live actor. This show is part of the third annual Voice 4 Vision Puppet Festival, presented by Theater for the New City, 155 First Avenue, NYC, 155 First Avenue. Thurs and Sat 9:30, Fri 8:00, Sun 3:00. Recommended for adults. Regular price $15; reservations (212) 254-1109.

Oct 14 & 16: "Dzieci Makbet" by Dzieci Theater Group
Dzieci Theater Group presents a Gypsy Macbeth, improvisationally enacted as a ritual or ceremony employing folk songs and chants from Scandinavia and Eastern Europe, along with the poetry of Shakespeare’s verse. This company explores and explodes the very essence of theater and storytelling. Sat and Sun 7:30 at The New York Puppet Library, Sailors and Soldiers Memorial Arch, Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, NY. Recommended for ages 12 and up. Free of charge. Info: 718-853-7350.

"How I Fixed M Engine With Rosewater". Brendan McMahon. Lake Simons, and Erin Orr. Photo by Oliver Dalzel

Oct. 19- 22: "How I Fixed My Engine with Rose Water" by Lake Simons and friends
Images unfold and sounds swirl as survival and transience are explored through physical storytelling, puppetry/object theatre, and live musical themes. Chaos verses serenity. This show is part of the third annual Voice 4 Vision Puppet Festival, presented by Theater for the New City, 155 First Avenue, NYC, 155 First Avenue. Thurs and Sat 8:00, Fri 9:30, Sun 4:30. Recommended for adults. Regular price $15; reservations (212) 254-1109.

Puppet from William Yeats' "Purgatory," part of "The Traveler" by Dramaton

Oct. 19- 22: "The Traveler" by Dramaton
"The Traveler" is a trilogy of ghost stories that follows vagabonds on the road between "here" and "there," questioning what makes them move forward on their mysterious journey and what holds them back. Three-part evening contains an adaptation of Richard Middleton’s "On the Brighton Road" (1911), an adaptation of William Yeats' "Purgatory" (1922), and an original play, "K," by Enma Ito. Part of the third annual Voice 4 Vision Puppet Festival, presented by Theater for the New City, 155 First Avenue, NYC. Thurs and Sat 9:30, Fri 8:00, Sun 3:00. Recommended for adults. Regular price $15; reservations (212) 254-1109.

Photo by Oliver Dalzell

Oct. 19 - 31: Dream Music presents "The Fortune Teller" created by Erik Sanko.
Music composed by Danny Elfman and Erik Sanko. Seven characters, each representing a deadly sin, find themselves benefactors of a late millionaire, with the fate of their inheritances in the hands of a fortune teller. Each soon meets their gruesome end as a result of their sins. Developed and presented by HERE's Dream Music puppetry program. In the intimate Dorothy B. Williams Theatre at HERE, 145 6th Avenue, between Spring and Broome, enter on Dominick. Recommended for adults. Regular price $20; reservations (212) 352-3101 or www.here.org

Oct 21: "VaVaVa Vaudeville"
Get excited Brooklyn! The New York Puppet Library, Sailors and Soldiers Memorial Arch, Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, NY presents a night of torch songs, magic and puppetry hosted by Jonathan Cross of Cosmic Bicycle Theater. Featuring the fabulous 60's girl group, The Georgettes, jazz pianist extraordinaire, John Hyde, and like we said, magic and puppetry. Sat at 8:00 at The New York Puppet Library, Sailors and Soldiers Memorial Arch, Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, NY. Recommended for adults. Free of charge. Info: 718-853-7350.

Oct 28: "The Annual Try-on-a-Puppet Halloween Extravaganza"
The Puppeteers’ Cooperative brings The New York Puppet Library, Sailors and Soldiers Memorial Arch, Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, NY's spooky creations to Prospect Park as part of the Haunted Trail. Sat at 12:00- 4:00 at The New York Puppet Library, Sailors and Soldiers Memorial Arch, Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, NY. All ages welcome. Free of charge. Info: 718-853-7350.

Oct 28 & Nov 4: "Nosferatu"
This Halloween, Brooklyn-based Rabbit Hole Ensemble invites you atop the Arch for their new adaptation of a horror classic. Fear moves in next door… Faces stay the same, but something inside changes… How far would you go to save the ones you love – if you could still recognize them? Saturdays at 2:00 & 7:00, Sundays at 2:00 & 5:00 at The New York Puppet Library, Sailors and Soldiers Memorial Arch, Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, NY. Recommended for ages 10 and up. A $10 donation is suggested. Info: 718-853-7350.

Nov 3-26: "Motormorphosis" by Vaclav Havel
"Motormorphosis" by Vaclav Havel, making its world premiere, is the story of a dreaded disease that is turning people into cars. Part of the Havel Fest produced by Untitled Theater Company #61. (Performed with Havel's "Butterfly on the Antenna," which is not a puppet show.) Ohio Theater, 66 Wooster Street. $18, 212-352-3101 or 868-811-4111.

Nov. 2-5: "Sleepy Hollow" by Drama of Works
Drama of Works conjures up a large-scale shadow puppet re-telling of the classic tale by Washington Irving, inspired by the story’s sparse dialogue, lush imagery, and vividly drawn mood. Features an original score by award-winning composer Vivian Fung, performed live by a chamber ensemble. Focuses on the power of our vices when we are faced with wild dreams and overwhelming fears. Presented at Abrons Art Center, Henry Street Settlement, 466 Grand Street, NYC. Thurs - Sat 7:30, Sun 2pm. $15 (an additional $5 when purchased with "Samhain"--see below). 212-598-0400.

David Michael Friend

Nov. 2-5: "5th Annual Carnival of Samhain," curated by Drama of Works
Performances of Sleepy Hollow will be followed by "The Fifth Annual Carnival of Samhain," when Drama of Works gathers some of the city's most adventurous puppeteers and performers together to create an ultra-hip spooktacular. (Some acts come from the West Coast and one from Montreal.) Acts range from puppetry, dance, magic, burlesque, live music, and a few surprises. For specific details, please go to the Carnival website. Curated by Drama of Works, presented at Abrons Art Center, Henry Street Settlement, 466 Grand Street, NYC. Thurs - Sat 9pm, Sun 3:30pm. $15; (an additional $5 when bought with "Sleepy Hollow" tickets, see above). 212-598-0400.

Nov 30- Dec 17: "The Battle of the Terrorists and the Horrorists" by Bread and Puppet Theater
Bread and Puppet Theater, founded in 1962, is an internationally recognized company that champions a visually rich, street-theater brand of performance art. Its shows are political and spectacular, with huge puppets made of paper maché and cardboard; a brass band for accompaniment, and anti-elitist dance. This show contains excerpts from the Mayan Council Book, "The Popol Vuh." It features several no-no-no dances, including the "Civilians-Are-Not-The-Target-But-The-Civilians-Are-The-Target" dance, the "Air-Sea-And-Trees-Casualty" dance, the "Why-Do-They-Hate-Us-What-Have-We-Done-To-Them" dance; and one Yes-Dance, the "Sweeping-Away-Of-The-Miserable-Government" dance. Thurs through Sun 8:00, Theater for the New City, 155 First Avenue, NYC. Recommended for adults (for kids, see "Cardboard Celebration Circus" below). Regular price $12; reservations (212) 254-1109.

Nov 30- Dec 17: "Cardboard Celebration Circus" by Bread and Puppet Theater
For kids of all ages, it'll be Bread & Puppet matinee shows featuring Pinky, the Federal Emergency Elephant, The Rotten Idea Theater Company, The Axis of Beagle and more. Sat and Sun 3:00, Theater for the New City, 155 First Avenue, NYC. Recommended for kids of all ages. Regular price $12; reservations (212) 254-1109.

Design by Federico Restrepo

Dec 1- 17: "Open Door" by Federico Restrepo and LOCO 7 with music
Composed by Elizabeth Swados
A grand puppet theater work with songs, being prepared collaboratively by Colombia-born master puppet theater artist Federico Restrepo and award-winning composer Elizabeth Swados, "Open Door" explores the "paranoia versus hope" mindset of recent immigrants to our shores. Its main character is a displaced Colombian living in a ethnically-mixed apartment building in New York City. There are also ten other characters representing peoples from diverse cultural backgrounds, friends and strangers, all recent immigrants, who live in the same apartment building, meet and exchange stories, and reveal their personal stories. This is the inaugural event of the brand-new Teatro Stage Fest. Thurs- Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2:30 & 7:30, La MaMa E.T.C., 74A East Fourth Street, Manhattan. Recommended for ages 10 and up. Regular price $20; box office (212) 475-7710.

Vit Horejs and puppets. Photo by Orlando Marra

Jan 25- Feb 11:"Once there was a Village" by Vít Horejš and Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre
Vit Horejš, an émigré from Prague, founded Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre in 1990, utilizing century-old Czech puppets which he found in the Jan Hus Church on East 74th Street. His trademark is using puppets of many sizes, from six-inch toy marionettes to approximately human-sized ones. The company is dedicated to the preservation and presentation of traditional and not-so-traditional puppetry. "Once there was a Village" is a performance of music, marionettes and dance, based on the autobiographical account of artist Yuri Kapralov. The music, composed by Frank London and performed by the Hungry March Band, reflects the musical heritage of immigrant and counter culture groups over four centuries in the East Village of New York City. Thurs- Sun 7:30, Sun 2:30, La MaMa E.T.C., 74A East Fourth Street, Manhattan. All ages welcome. Regular price $20; box office (212) 475-7710.

ABOUT THE LINUX LOFT

Our Manhattan-based company serves individuals and businesses who are using or migrating to Free and Open Source Software. Linux is the "third" desktop computer operating system, after Windows and Macintosh OSX. Its cohort of users is growing exponentially for two reasons. First, because Linux is immune to the viruses and spyware that corrrupt Microsoft Windows computers. Second, because Linux is the ideal platform for free and open source software. The Linux Loft sells sturdy, versatile, pre-configured computers that are optimized for Linux use. See: www.linuxloft.com.

The Passport to Puppet Theater gratefully acknowledges Linspire, Inc. of San Diego, CA for its contribution of software for this promotion. The software to be awarded is Linspire 5.0 and Freespire. These"distros" (distributions) of Linux are operating systems for laptop and desktop computers, like Windows XP or Macintosh OSX. They are remarkably fully-featured and user-friendly.

Each "distro" comes packaged with a full compliment of accompanying applications, including a secure web browser and advanced email program, Instant Messenger, OpenOffice (full office suite), digital music and photo software, NVU (web design), and access to free open source software for almost anything you can think of, from accounting to video production and multimedia.

The Passport to Puppet Theater is grateful for the additional support of The Jim Henson Foundation.

HOW OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE CAN HAVE "NO STRINGS ATTACHED"

The Linux kernel dates back to 1991, when Linux Torvalds began developing it. He merged his kernel with GNU's command line software. He set it up as free software and kept it free to encourage other programmers to hack away at it and improve it. Under its GNU Public License, anyone can freely copy, modify and distribute the source code. The code is governed by a GNU Public License¹ that forbids anyone from gaining ownership of it.

Although it is essentially "free" software, there are businesses releasing it for sale in pre-packaged, uniquely configured bundles ("distros") that are modestly priced. (Linspire, contributing co-sponsor of this promotion, is one such distro.) This has contributed to Linux's amazing shift in the last two years--from a server software to an OS that runs the individual desktop as well as or better than Windows and Mac's OS X.

Open source software also includes thousands of programs used for email, writing, graphic design, photo retouching, film and video editing, poster creation, music editing and the operating systems they run on. They are free to use and under constant development. The vast libraries of free software are most easily accessible to users of Desktop Linux.

Many open source programmers actually fulfill the notion of "free" by not charging for the applications they have developed. However, the defining characteristic for free software licensing is not the inability to charge a fee for software, but access to source code: it is freely available. When open source applications are developed, even by large companies, the cost tends to be much less than proprietary applications. When someone sells you an Open Source-based product, you are never buying the code or a right to use the code. You are paying for some other service, like expertise, documentation, installer software or support. The code is free and so are you--free to use and enjoy! This freedom helps foster the kind of massive innovation that ultimately, no proprietary system can match.

WHAT OUR LAWYERS MAKE US SAY
Software(s) which are used as prizes in this promotion are backed by the limited warranties of the original manufacturer or publisher only. Consult your product documentation for specific limited warranty information. We recommend you review the software publisher's policies about manuals and disks prior to your use of their software(s). In no event shall The Linux Loft or the theaters listed here, their subsidiaries or affiliates, or their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives, agents, sponsors, contractors or suppliers, be liable for special, incidental, consequential, punitive, indirect, or other special damages relating to use of computer software(s) included in this promotion. This includes but is not limited to: loss of data, use, or profits, however caused, whether for breach of contract, negligence, or otherwise, and whether or not The Linux Loft or the participating theaters have been advised of the possibility of any such damages.

The registered trademark Linux ® is used pursuant to a sublicense from the Linux Mark Institute, the exclusive licensee of Linus Torvalds, owner of the mark in the U.S. and other countries.

¹The Free Software Foundation (FSF) is the principal organizational sponsor of the GNU Project. Its mission is to preserve, protect and promote the freedom to use, study, copy, modify, and redistribute computer software, and to defend the rights of Free Software users. The GNU Project was launched in 1984 to develop a complete UNIX like operating system which is free software: the GNU system (GNU is a recursive acronym for "GNU's Not UNIX"; it is pronounced "guh-noo," "noo" being like the American "new").