Events Wrap-Up

Mixed Company: An Exhibit of Collage and Assemblage Exhibition opens in the Falkirk galleries on Friday, October 27th. Come celebrate and meet the artists from 5:30 - 7:30pm. The exhibition runs through January 6, 2007. This exhibit examines the multitude of ways artists use nontraditional materials, such as found objects and discarded scraps of paper, to create inventive and inspired works of art. Collage, from the French word colle, is the gluing or attaching of pieces of paper or other material onto a support. Although collage originated before the turn-of-the-century, it was at this time that it became recognized as a viable medium for fine artists. In assemblage, three dimensional objects are assembled to create the artwork. Artists include: Deborah Hayner, Kirk Hinshaw, Janet Jones, Andrea Martinelli, Linda Masotti, Jolet Migdal, Alice Rhodes, Michael Robinson, Sandra Ortiz Taylor, Ann D. Williams

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Back to Basics: The California Society of Printmakers "Back to Basics," the current exhibition at Falkirk salutes traditional printmakers working in a variety of media from the California Society of Printmakers. The California Society of Printmakers, now in its ninetieth year, reflects a diverse aesthetic, cultural and technical spectrum. Work in intaglio, relief printing, including woodcut and etching, mezzoprints and collagraphs, silk screen, lithography and mixed media prints using these processes is included in the exhibition.

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Phantom of the Opera Masquerade Ball Thrills San Rafael The Phantom visited Falkirk for an elegant evening of opera, dance, food and spirits... and raised funds for Falkirk's public programs. On November 6, 2004, Falkirk played host to an exciting evening of haunted revelry for the adult aficionado of opera and masques. Featuring members of the San Francisco Opera including Russian Soprano extraordinaire Olga Chernisheva, this was an opportunity for masquerading folk to come get a taste of the opera in an intimate Victorian setting. Revelers got to meet and greet the entertainers, who also included roving magician Peter Morrison, exotic dancer Solimeno, bass Sergey Zadvorny, tenor Monti Zanetti, and pianist Svetlana Gorzhevskaya. An Affair to Remember offered four courses of exquisite victuals and martinis and wine were offered in the macabre lounge, complete with live sinister organ music and a projection of the original Phantom film. Non-stop entertainment and an imaginatively decorated Phantom's Lair had party-goers smiling the entire evening.

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The Art of the Ballad, Jazz Event Too Beautiful for Words, the Art of the Ballad featuring Basie Orchestra alum Jamie Davis and Trio in our historic parlor October 7. On Friday, October 7 at 8pm, the smooth baritone of Jamie Davis set the stage for an evening of romantic jazz ballads reminiscent of Johnny Hartman, Frank Sinatra and Joe Williams. Presented by Washington Mutual Home Loans. JAMIE DAVIS, VOCALISTE & COUNT BASIE ALUMNUS

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Falkirk Celebrates 30 Years with Historic Lawn Party On Saturday, June 26 over 800 of Falkirk’s closest friends came by to celebrate the history that is Falkirk. "1888 - Falkirk's 30th Anniversary Victorian Lawn Party" was an exercise in gratitude for the City of San Rafael. This event was a community celebration, spotlighting the folks who saved Falkirk thirty years ago and featuring many of the organizations that have partnered with and supported Falkirk throughout the years. This was a volunteer driven event with over 40 volunteers, many in costume thanks to D' Lynne's Dancewear on 4th Street. The turn-of-the century event featured historic characters and displays, entertainment, poetry readings, flower arranging, carriage rides, period games and crafts, a children's area and more! During a ceremony midway through Saturday's event Vice Mayor Cyr Miller, dressed in full Victorian attire, presented official Certificates of Appreciation to several of the people who originally saved Falkirk in 1974. The ceremony began with the ringing of the bells at the Presbyterian Church across the street. The church and the bells are significant in Falkirk's history; the land for the church was donated by Ella Nichols Park who built Falkirk in 1888, and the bells were donated by Captain Robert Dollar who lived at Falkirk from 1906 until his death in 1932. Eloise Jonas, grandniece of Ella Nichols Park, came in a dress and parasol that belonged to her grandmother, Ella's sister. Curt and Rosa Maria Hayden, Kim Haney and Melville Dickson represented the Dollar family. And former mayor, Lawrence Mulrany bore witness to the City's acquisition of the house while he was on the City Council. One of the highlights of the event was the celebrity dunk tank. Celebrants got the chance to dunk parking enforcement officer Vicki Dennis and the Director of Community Development, Bob Brown. County Supervisor Susan Adams couldn't get her money out fast enough to try to dunk Bob Brown to the delight of all who witnessed it. Other highlights included a wonderful crew of pirates, the Sea Dogs, who caroused around the grounds singing songs and performing pirate skits as well as the magic of Tobias the Adequate (Matthew Legare). It was a magical day of Victoriana, with over 40 actors in costume singing songs, performing magic tricks, offering photo opportunities and picnicking on the lawn. There was even a Victorian Toy and Candy Shoppe courtesy of Cheshire and Co., as well as an historic hair-braiding booth by Vallejo Music Theater. The Mall at Northgate sponsored the Children's Stage lead by Little Productions' Barbara Davis and including Desert Dave's Exotic Reptiles and Storyteller David Ponkey among others. The San Rafael Chamber of Commerce co-sponsored the carriage rides, which were a big hit all day long. The emcee for the event was none-other than Marin County's local historian du jour, Lionel Ashcroft, acting as Andrew Carnegie. What a delight! Especially when he introduced actors Robert and Dianna Young portraying the historic figures of the house, Robert and Margaret Dollar. Marin Poetry Center, the longest tenants of the house, had a poetry booth and recited poetry from the main stage as well. And the event closed with a last minute addition and special treat: opera singer Geraldine Reicher sang two closing songs a cappella. The Cultural Affairs Service League, Falkirk's longstanding volunteer auxiliary group, ran the food and beverage booth which included deluxe box lunches donated by Falkirk's finest caterers, as well as watermelon, lemonade and pie slices sold after the pie contest was finished. The pie contest was a big hit and was judged by the Marin Independent Journal's Leslie Harlib and PJ Bremier as well as Upper Crust Pie's Chris Milne. Double Rainbow had the best seller that day: root beer floats. And the San Rafael Fire Association ran the barbecue and donated profits to Falkirk as well. This was a fine compliment to the antique fire carriages, fire truck and police vehicle that adorned the grounds. It was a lovely afternoon and a fitting tribute to this startling Victorian beauty, Falkirk Cultural Center. Special thanks to sponsors: D' Lynne's Dancewear, Double Rainbow Ice Cream, Mall at Northgate, Marin Independent Journal, North Bay Portables, Republic Electric, Safeway, San Rafael Chamber of Commerce, United Markets, and all the wonderful caterers who donated box lunches to the event.

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Pirate Party For kids 5 and up and their adult shipmates at the Historic Falkirk Mansion! "Ahoy There Matey" Tis time to SAVE THE DATE to come party like a Pirate in 2008! We be a meetin at 12 noon and 3 pm fer some swashbuckling fun, grub and kiddie spirits. Dates and times TBA for October 2008. RSVP to the Capt once reservations are open (about August) Then chart yer course fer the Falkirk, get yer pirate booty & drink up me hearties. Pirate Garb Ain't Optional (but leave yer weapons on yer ship!) Sees ye there.....aarrgghh! For kids 5 and up and their adult shipmates (adult must accompany child) $20 a person. Advance reservations required 485-3333. Food, live entertainment, fun activities and goodie bag included. Bring your camera! Miss this party you bildge rat and you will walk the plank... PS - where does a pirate do his banking? Wells Faargh-go, of course!

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Jazz Masters Take Their Art into the Classroom Thanks to the generous donations of business sponsors and individuals Falkirk was able to host our first-ever Public Programs fundraiser on September 27, 2003. We raised nearly $10,000 enabling us to continue to offer unique cultural and arts programming in an atmosphere you won't find anywhere else in Marin. One of our goals was to raise funds while simultaneously serving teens. Through our Jazz Masters Workshops 70 San Rafael teens attended workshops with esteemed local jazz musicians of international acclaim. Workshops were presented at San Rafael High, Terra Linda High and Davidson Middle School. Students got to learn from and perform with Michael Aragon, Harold Jones and Mel Martin. Combined, these musicians have recorded and performed with the likes of Count Basie, Willie Nelson, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughn, Dizzy Gillespie and many others. They all were extremely gracious and willing to share the breadth of their knowledge with the kids of our community. Thank you Michael, Harold and Mel. And thank you to all of those folks who supported us in our fundraising endeavor. Major Sponsors: CJAM Productions, Greg Knell and Applied Graphics, Buehler Vineyards, California Land Title, Jackson's Hardware, Washington Mutual, Lagunitas Brewing Company, Mission San Rafael Rotary Club, and Scopazzi's Restaurant.

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Marin's Glorious Glass Pumpkin Harvest was a success! Hand blown glass pumpkins filled the lawn with amazing color and artistry - hope to see you next year! Approximately two thousand hand blown glass pumpkins, each one unique, each one a work of art, were on display as if they had magically grown on the Falkirk lawn. The artists were there to talk with, and on site glass blowing demonstrations were provided by Doug Brown and his associates. Proceeds benefited San Rafael's own Falkirk Cultural Center and Seacology, an environmental organization dedicated to protecting island environments and cultures throughout the world. See you next year, October 25 & 26 - Save the Date!

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