I thought I'd start a thread for anyone going to the festival.

I'm going, and have my entire itinerary all set out already. I've signed myself up for the bunraku workshop, Richard Bradshaw's shadow puppet classes, some shows, a couple of keynote speeches...

Love to know if anyone else is doing some of the same things - I'm going on my own!

Can't wait to be there though, it should be lots of fun.

For anyone who's interested, I'm in Perth and I'm liveblogging my trip!

Read about the activities I take, people I meet, shows I see:

http://puppetsinmelbourne.com.au/index.php?cat=121

Hopefully updated every day, and with pics!

For more images and info on the UNIMA festival, please do check my blog.

OH MAN....I am soooooooo jealous but soooooo happy for you!!!  I was suppose to travel there, myself.  However, my hubby's job took precedent and he had to travel to Asia the same time.  :'(

I'm so glad that you are taking the time to blog it out for us.  Looks like your itinerary is the same as the one that I envisioned for myself.  If you would....I would love ANY more information on the shadow puppetry class that you are taking.  That one was the one that I wanted to take the most.  WHAH!!!!!!

Well hopefully next time I will be able to make it to this fabulous event.  I can't wait to find out where the next one will be.  Any rumors floating around yet?

Thanks again for the blog updates!!!

YOU ROCK!

Aloha,
Nikole

OH AND ONE MORE THING.....can you check out the flea circus performance for me?  I just started putting that into my act.  I have only seen these through online performances.  I wish I could see someone else in person performing this old act.

Oh so much to say, so little time! Glad someone out there is reading it- I've been bumping into a couple of people who are, and it's always nice to know!

I will definitely keep you informed of the shadow puppet class - I'm about to post a review on a shadow puppet show as well - unfortunately, don't have the Flea Circus booked, and don't have time to see it!! (I wish I could see everything). In fact, we're behind in our bunraku building, so I've just got back to my hotel (at 9pm)... Exhausting, but lots of fun.

I think I'll start saving up for my next UNIMA conference 
No rumours yet on location. Hope it's Canada or the US; I can come to you!

Thank you so much for keeping everyone informed on the convention both here and in your blog.  I know it is appreciated by all even if they don't post. I have been reading your entries and realized I had not thanked you for your time!

No worries - I'm enjoying blogging about it, and I don't know if anyone else here is doing that. (Probably because they don't have time!! I'm sitting up late to get it done)

I'm glad people are enjoying reading it, sometimes I feel as if I'm talking to myself when I blog.

But it's also a great way of letting my friends and family back home know what I'm doing without spending ages on the phone; plus it comes with pictures!

... I've just posted my first review as well, and am just about to do today's entry.

Just a quick addition: Hilary Talbot in ACT, Australia, has also been blogging and has some great photos online of puppets and costumes:

http://spiritsdancing.com/sdblog

UPDATE: I just found Gary Friedman's blog has been updated too, with hints about the next UNIMA festival:

http://africanpuppet.blogspot.com/2008/04/puppetry-is-on-move-says-unima.html

Thanks Na................... I was waiting to post and I have been clingging on to every word. I will be away for a while and may not be able to get back to my computer but will catch up as soon as I can. Thank you for thinking of us.

As it has been said........... When recorded on the internet it never goes away. So this is knowledge that you will contribute that will be with us for years to come.

Billy D.