Field trip: Sketch Victorian England at the Dickens Fair

Happy 200th Birthday Queen Victoria! Born May, 1819.

The Cow Palace will be transformed into Victorian London in the 36th year of this largely-volunteer San Francisco tradition. Sketch hundreds of actors, musicians and dancers in Victorian costumes on 7 stages and on streets full of shops selling only things Dickens would have recognized.

COST
Entry to the Fair is $30.00. Discounted tickets were sold in October.

PLACES AND TIMES TO FIND EACH OTHER
10:00 - 11:15 At the start, meet in the Golden Square at the Silk Road Stage. The Silk Road Stage is just to the left of Mad Sal's Dockside Alehouse. See orange line on map.

12:15 Pre-Raphaelite Salon: Sketch live models in aesthetic dress & learn from famous artists such as Leighton, Rossetti & Waterhouse. At the Adventurer's Club. Seating is limited so arrive early.
1:30 If you want company for lunch, look for other sketchers at the tables in the Golden Square.

We won't be having our usual wrap-up get-together at the end because everyone leaves at different times.

Special tips from Liz:

1. If you have interest in having "High Tea" in the Tea Room make a reservation online, please visit http://cuthbertsteashoppe.com/

2. If you need to use a rest room, it's faster to exit the building and use the port-o-potties outside. Re-entry is fast—make sure your hand is stamped as you ENTER.

3. The Scrooge Special (twilight ticket offer; available only at the box office):
   • Adult Twilight Tickets, available after 3pm: $20.00
   • Child Twilight Tickets, available after 3pm: $10.00
   A great excuse to visit the Dickens Fair for a second time for shopping, dinner or a show!

4. Parades:
   • 10:45 ~ Toy Parade to Father Christmas Stage
   • 12:50 ~ Father Christmas Parade to Father Christmas Stage
   • 2:45 ~ Her Majesty Queen Victoria Visits London
   • 5:50 ~ Boar’s Head Procession to Fezziwig’s

5. An opportunity to draw, sketch, paint a la Degas—but you will need "free" tickets. Pick them up as soon as you arrive at the fair.
   • 5:30 ~ Saucy French Postcards Tableaux Revue (age 18 & over) with intro by Ballet Russe
   • 6:15 ~ Saucy French Postcards Tableaux Revue (age 18 & over) with intro by Ballet Russe

See an interactive online map of the Fair here https://dickensfair.com/images/articleimages/DF17FairMapDownloadLetter-090517.jpg and be sure to grab a printed map as you enter to help you navigate the maze.

GETTING THERE
Transit: A free bus shuttle departs every 30 minutes from Glen Park Bart station, from 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM.
Car: There is a big parking lot at the Cow Palace (~$12 per vehicle, cash only).

BRING
• If you want to bring your family there's something here for everyone
• A sketching stool
• A few snacks

LINKS
Here's the schedule of events: http://www.dickensfair.com/entertainment/stage-schedules
For an idea of some of the things you can draw here, check out our sketches from
2017 https://www.meetup.com/SF-Sketchers/photos/28335093/
2016 https://www.meetup.com/SF-Sketchers/photos/27467569/
2015 https://www.meetup.com/SF-Sketchers/photos/26569346/
2014 https://www.meetup.com/SF-Sketchers/photos/25767371/
2013 https://www.meetup.com/SF-Sketchers/photos/18840522/