The Wizard of Oz at the Mountain Play: May 18, 25; June 1, 7, 8, and 15

In 2007, I volunteered to help with the Mountain Play's performance of the musical HAIR by valet parking bicycles.

I loved this gig!

Being car-free, I use my bike to travel all over Marin - even up the 2,571'  Mount Tamalpais.

I advised bikers on the best trails back to San Francisco, Mill Valley, Fairfax, and Stinson Beach.

If you want to cycle to the Play, here are some tips and a trail map (look for the MOUNTAIN THEATER). Please stay off the Panoramic Highway.

Valet parking was sponsored by the Marin County Bicycle Coalition.

Since this is bike to work week, why not head to the Play on 2 wheels? Here is what you can look forward to:

Pictures from the event (click for larger images):

Me, manning the valet bike area

 

Nice view from the valet parking area

View from the bike ride down the mountain

 

During the song Aquarius

 

Finale: Let the Sunshine In

 

All photos were taken with my Nikon Coolpix S1, which provides great quality for a camera the size of a credit card. It is critical to balance quality with size, weight, portability, and durability when you travel by bike!

I  took a few short videos with the same camera. Unfortunately I was not tapped into the sound board, nor did I have a tripod, so the audio and video quality is not the greatest.

Check out Susan Zelinsky and cast singing Good Morning Starshine and Let The Sunshine In:

I enjoyed the Mountain Play experience so much that I subsequently joined their Board of Directors.

A goal of mine is to apply the lessons from BE THE MEDIA to help this non-profit community theater group expand their presence beyond the performance, grow their audience, and increase their revenue streams with new products.

One of the Board's most important goals is "to nurture an appreciation of Mount Tamalpais."

This year, under the leadership of Executive Director Sara Pearson, we continue to  "go green" by encouraging bikers and hikers, recycling, using biodiesel fuel for buses to minimize cars on the mountain, providing alternatives to plastic water bottles, and teaching attendees the importance of protecting our water supplies.

Visit the emerald table for more information on creating a more sustainable Marin County, and a more sustainable world.

Many attendees do their part by taking the bus up to the mountain theater and hiking down the six mile, 1,900 foot grade after the show.

According to Executive Director Sara Pearson, "We provide detailed hiking maps, signage, and volunteers who lead and "sweep" the end of the hike. This extremely popular program draws 800 people per show, and encourages an appreciation of Marin's natural beauty encountered during the six mile downhill trek."

Be sure to bring lots of water and plan on a 2-3 hour hike down!

This year's play is the Wizard of Oz, a great show for the whole family. 

Performances are May 18, 25, June 1, 7, 8, and 15. Buy tickets here. SEE YOU ON THE MOUNTAIN!