Dear Person who likes Art,

Usually we post the announcement about the upcoming holiday puppet show… but we’re not doing a show this year. We’ll be popping up in December in new and unexpected ways (more on that further below) but it’s true, for this year, the show is cancelled.
We know, this is HARD. There are kids who have grown up with us, watching this show who are now taller than I am and in college! This would’ve been our 10th show, it’s become an institution, and it’s my favorite way of connecting with all of you at the year’s end.

Why is this happening?

We tried our darndest, but due to unforeseen circumstances and timing, couldn’t find a space this holiday season that was safe, accessible, or cost effective for our weirdo puppet theater needs.

And then there’s the realest reason: This year has been packed with challenges in many ways, for the world, the country, for community, for our volunteers and the Sparkleblob cast.

For me personally, it’s been a real kick in the onions: 

1. My Father, Bill Parr, passed away on July 23rd, 2017
2. Twelve days later, my Grandmother, Felicia Bautista, passed away on July 5th, 2017
3. Much of my stomping grounds (Santa Rosa, CA) burned to the ground October 9th, 2017, I know friends who have lost loved ones, I know quite a few people who lost their homes and everything they own.

My Father was my lighthouse, my Grandmother was my anchor, both of them fostered and supported my artistic leanings all my life. They instilled in me the support and confidence to be an artist and understood that making and sharing art is my life’s work. Without them, there would be no Sparkleblob. Their legacy will continue to shine through the programs we make and share with you.

That said, Sparkleblob isn’t going away completely this season! Our holiday show is basically our fundraiser generating the reserves we use to run our programs for the following year!

To raise some dough, we’ll be offering our famous SnoGlobs and other sundries at Ye Olde CrafteNighte Crafte Faire on December 13th for donations, and I’ll be calling the numbers on the balls for Bet Yer Bottom Bingo on December 17th, both at Akbar (sorry, 21+ no kiddos) it’s only a 50 cent suggested donation to play! We’ll alert you for the other fun ways we plan to get your attention and send you some warmth and cheer.

Ultimately, we’re taking a hiatus from the show this Solstice to recharge our batteries so that we may come back creatively stronger in 2018. We shall sip cocoa, curl up with some good books, reflect on this past year, and plan for next year.

Silverlake’s Most Well-Adjusted Family, Tree, Frank Zamboni, Santa Gorn and the whole cast of puppet characters wish you the best of the season, big puppet hugs, and lots of figgy pudding.

With much bohemia and great cordiality,
Julianna Parr
Executive Director, SparkleBlob