Here is a copy of our recent Press release written by our good friend Melinda Carlson-Smith. A Creative Producer for KOIN in Portland
For Immediate Release
Contact: Sam Cass
206-257-9252
Faeries, Trolls and Boggarts are Real, and Living in Port Townsend –
For One Weekend Only
Nymbol’s Secret Island opens May 27th at the American Legion Hall in Port Townsend
May 16, 2011 – Port Townsend, WA – Citizens of Port Townsend, prepare yourselves. An army of faeries, trolls, pixies, boggarts and other amazing creatures will descend upon your fair city for two performances of Nymbol’s Secret Island on Memorial Day weekend. Nymbol’s Secret Island runs Friday, May 27th and Saturday, May 28th at 7:30pm at the American Legion Hall in Port Townsend. Tickets are $13 for children and $16 for adults, and can be purchased at the door or in advance at Quimper Sound, Wandering Wardrobe, and online at Brown Paper Tickets.
A musical extravaganza featuring puppeteers, dancers, musicians and acrobats, Nymbol’s Secret Island tells the tale of Nymbolnuts, a 215-year-old boggart with a knack for mischief, and the fantastical creatures who inhabit his mystical island home. Nymbol’s Secret Island was created by Sam and Bill Cass, who happen to make their home on an island as well, in Langley, Washington. The show features original songs, stories and dances performed by some of the most engaging artists in the Northwest, including a troupe of handmade leather puppets that are uncannily lifelike. In addition to the original cast, the Blue Heron Orchestra is a special guest for both Port Townsend performances, and tribal dancer Stormy Ganton will perform as well.
“It’s a bit of an old-fashioned word, but ‘spectacle’ is the best way to describe this show,” says Bill Cass, creator of Nymbolnuts. “The costumes, special effects, the set and the songs are on an entirely different level from what people might expect from a show like this. It must be seen to be believed.” To give you an inkling, one of the characters in the story is a 9-foot-tall troll who charges through the audience. There will be many surprise performers and magical guests. Some even say they saw a full-size unicorn at the show’s premiere in Langley, and this elusive beast could reappear at any moment.
Costumes are heartily encouraged for the audience – come in your faerie finery or best pirate rags and be part of the experience. For a glimpse of what magic awaits you on Nymbol’s Secret Island, take a look at some photos and video http://www.flickr.com/photos/nymbolsphotos/4857970828/in/set-72157624522732199/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nymbolsphotos/5732945200/in/photostream
For curious souls who wish to catch a glimpse of Nymbolnuts in advance, a crew of pirates will escort his human-drawn carriage through the streets of the city for the 76th Annual Rhododendron Festival Grand Parade on Saturday, May 21.
On Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=158568177539480
Photos and Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1Se_1NLH0A&feature=related
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nymbolsphotos/4857970828/in/set-72157624522732199/
About Nymbolnuts-
Nymbolnuts is a boggart, who turned 215 years old this year. He met the Cass family when they inadvertently cut down the cherry tree where he made his home. He now lives with them – or at least for as long as they continue to tolerate his pranks.
(The real story – Nymbolnuts came to life first as a doodle in Bill Cass’ sketchbook. He liked the look of this character so much, he decided to bring him off the page and to life as a hand crafted puppet. Looking at Nymbol, you would never know he was a first stab at puppet-making, or even a puppet at all. He simply looks like the sort of creature you might discover living in a tree in your backyard. Not long after the birth of Nymbol, other characters joined his universe, including Blarney (Nymbol’s closest friend), Serriffina (a faerie goddess), Nymphaea (a water sprite with the voice of a siren), and Bloobie (a blue Boobie from the Galapagos blown on the island during a recent wind storm). The puppets are a family affair, brought to life by Bill, Sam and their two daughters, Tabatha and Izzy.)
Sam Cass –
Sam is a woman of exceptional and varied talents. Unable to fit in any particular box, especially one of the corporate cubical kind, Sam has been in search of the “one” thing that makes her happy creatively. It turns out it is many things, colliding together in a dazzling array of color, texture and beauty. A true Renaissance woman. Even though she was taunted in art school by a professor for “being stuck with Baroque and Rocco needles,” she has always been true to her own vision. Whether it is costumes, jewelry, masks, wine labels, goddess shrines, wreathes, spray potions, drums, crowns, decorating for Halloween, interior design, color consulting, package design, footwear design, painting, drawing, silk screening … she brings her unique perspective to it. Sam’s true passion in life is to become the Faerie Goddess Mother and Muse she was meant to be.
Bill Cass – in his own words:
“I have always loved to draw. As long as I remember, time and space had no effect on me if I was drawing or creating something – a feeling that has never left me. I have spent the last 20 years a footwear designer. A few learning years at Keds, a few more fantastic years at Converse and finally 13 magical years with Nike have given me mind-blowing opportunities and experiences. The highlight of my resume is the fact that I designed Lance Armstrong’s 7-time Tour de France winning cycling shoe. During this time, I have always illustrated on the side. Often I would squeeze freelance magazine or poster illustrations in between ever-shortening corporate timelines. I am proud to say my first children’s book came out last year – “The Survivorship Net,” written by my friend Jim Owens and illustrated by me! Now it is time to squeeze in a few shoes between illustrations. Nymbol is very anxious for me to get his books done.”
