- About
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Hours
Friday and Saturday 6 PM to Midnight
Sunday 4 PM to 8 PM
Contact
Phone (510) 205-9793 or Email
Address
713 Santa Clara Ave Alameda, CA 94501
Directions
Enter via the parking lot behind Tillies at Santa Clara and Webster
Admission
$10/Adult $5/Kids under 12
What is Lucky Ju Ju?
Juju (joo'joo) noun:
- An object used as a fetish, charm or amulet
- The supernatural power ascribed to such an object
Lucky Ju Ju is a place where Magic, Karma, Zeitgeist and Skill are infused into a collection of Vintage Pinball Machines for all to enjoy. If you are interested in Pinball, this is the place.
Lucky Ju Ju is also a 501 c 3 non profit pinball museum/art gallery under the umbrella of the Neptune Beach Amusement Museum.
2nd Annual Pacific Pinball Expostion Oct 3,4,5 2008
Rent the Ju Ju for Parties
- News
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Ju Ju Art Featured in 2nd Friday Show June 12th
June 07, 2009
Estuary Art Attack in Alameda's West End
http://www.estuaryartattack.com/
With our double show, Playland photos by Bob Lesoine and 70's pinballs by Christian Marche and food and bar venues such as:
Acquacotta http://www.acquacotta.net/
Forbidden Island http://www.forbiddenislandalameda.com/fi/
The New Zealander http://www.the-newzealander.com/
The West end of Alameda is the place to be next Friday the 12th for the 1st of the Estuary Art Attacks, a monthly series in June, July and August. It happens on the 2nd Friday of each month and features Oakland and Alameda's hippest and finest Art, Eats and Drinks that spreads from Jingletown to Ju Ju Ville. Go to the site, check out the map, enjoy life and love!Comments: 0
Christian Marche Tribute opens June 5th inside Ju Ju
May 26, 2009
In conjunction with Playland Photos in the transview, the Lucky Ju Ju Arcadeum presents a Christian Marche Tribute.
Opening Reception June 5th, 2009 6pm to 12am.
Pinball Machines by Christian Marche
What: “Christian Marche Retrospective” Vintage Pinball Exhibition
Where: Lucky JuJu Pinball Gallery, 713 Santa Clara Ave, Alameda
When: June 5th through June 31st, 2009.
Admission: Pinball Museum requires $10 admission
Christian Marche
August 17, 1935 to December 29, 2008
Christian Marche was the third most prolific pinball and arcade artist with over 150 games to his credit. Spanning 11 years in the business, only George Molentin and Roy Parker have done more pinball art than Marche. Starting in 1967 with Williams “Shangri-La” and ending in 1978 with Williams “Tri-Zone”, Mssr. Marche worked for Bally, Chicago Coin, United, Midway and Williams. He not only lent his hand to pinball, but also did many pitch and bats, puck bowlers, gun games, and other arcade coin op.
Although primarily known for his “Pointy People” style of angular cookie cutter art, he had many different influences and motifs in his work. The variety of his style can be realized when comparing works such as “Op Pop Pop” with “Bow and Arrow”. Over 35 games that Mssr. Marche did the artwork on will be displayed and playable at the Lucky Ju Ju over the month of June. In honor of a man who to some, is an unspoken hero in the field of Pinball Art, this tribute is dedicated.
-M. Schiess/Curator
Comments: 0
Playland Photos by Bob Lesoine opens June 5th
May 22, 2009
“Where’s the Fun? Last Night at Playland”
Opening Reception June 5th, 2009 7pm to 10pm.
Photographs by Bob Lesoine
What: “Where’s the Fun? Last Night at Playland” Vintage Photo Exhibit
Where: Lucky JuJu Pinball Gallery, 713 Santa Clara Ave, Alameda
When: June 5th through June 31st, 2009. Gallery Hours 9 am to 9pm
Admission: Art Gallery is Free. Pinball Museum requires $5/10 admission
Website: http://www.wix.com/playland/playland
Vintage photo exhibit celebrates San Francisco’s Playland at the Beach
The Lucky JuJu Pinball Museum and Art Gallery in Alameda will host a collection of late-1960’s photographs by Bob Lesoine featuring the attractions, amusements and characters of San Francisco’s beloved amusement park, Playland-at-the-Beach, in the years leading up to its demolition in the early 1970’s. Entitled “Where’s the Fun? Last Night at Playland”, the show will run throughout the month of June and is presented as part of the ongoing development of a full-scale multi-media production of an original musical, Last Night at Playland, with book and music by Bob Lesoine and choreography by local tap dance legend Rosie Radiator. The musical is scheduled to premiere in Spring/Summer 2010 at The Royce Gallery in San Francisco and will display the artist’s photographs in vivid projections as a backdrop to the action on stage.
In the late 1960s, Bob began to explore the images of Playland with his little Nikon F in hand. At the time he had the idea of creating a photo-essay about the old amusement park, but this never happened. He soon left San Francisco to spend the next couple of years in New York and Amsterdam and he put all his things, including the Playland slides, in storage. When he returned to the Bay Area, Playland had been torn down, and Bob’s response was to begin writing songs about the park—“Come to Playland”, “Laughing Lady”, “Funhouse”, “The House of Mirrors”. Upon meeting and collaborating with the late David Warren and Jack Buscan—aka “Zolè the Wizard”—Bob created the first incarnation of a Playland show, which was called: THE YEAR THEY TORE DOWN PLAYLAND AT THE BEACH. Billed as a music-magic-mime show, it was essentially a review, a series of “side-show” acts with no real story. For that show, Bob resurrected his Playland photos and created a dual screen, multi-media slide show with state-of-the-art Kodak Carousel projectors to provide a visual Playland montage. Bob has since revised his Playland show into a book musical, Last Night at Playland, which is currently in development by Theater Residencies, Incorporated and slated to become the next San Francisco perennial musical.
Curator's Notes: Playland Pictures and Pinball. The other three P's of the Ju Ju! Even if you never got a chance to go there (sadly, when I moved to the Bay Area in 1971 there was already a fence around it and I couldn't get in) the awesomeness of it was legendary. Now you can relive a little of those memories with these period pieces from Bob who fortunately had a deep love of this place and can now share that with us. We are so lucky!
-MSComments: 0
April 27, 2009
"Rock. . . .'n' ROLL!"
The Guitar Art of Ronnie Sargent
Functional Art: Stringed instruments made from Pinball and other recycled found objects.
This Just In!!! Erin McDermott just penned an interview with Ronnie in Guitar Fixation. Check it out at: http://www.guitarfixation.com/features/more/9_string_pt_2_an_interview_with_sargent_guitars
Opening Reception Friday May 1st, 2009. 7pm to 11pm.
The show will continue through Tuesday, June 2nd.
Pinball hours are 6pm to 12pm Fridays and Saturdays.
Sundays from 4 to 8pm.
Gallery is open from 9am to 9pm Monday thru Sunday
(Foyer is open so gallery is always viewable)
Admission for this opening: $5-up to 8 yrs $10-Adults
Lucky Ju Ju Pinball/Art Gallery
713 Santa Clara
Alameda, CA 94501
Enter via the parking lot behind Tillie’s Diner
Santa Clara Ave. and Webster Street
Artist Contact: kustomgtr@gmail.com
Artist Website: http://www.myspace.com/ronniesargentkustomguitars
Gallery Contact: pinhead@ujuju.com
"Rock. . . .'n' ROLL!"
The Guitar Art of Ronnie Sargent
Musical Art from Ronnie Sargent, local longtime creator of musical instruments built from unusual recycled & found materials gives new life to some not -so-lucky pinball machine remnants , straight from Lucky Ju Ju's secret pinball repair lair. . . On display and for sale will be an incredible collection of Ronnie's custom creations.
Bio:
A specialist in the obscure & off the wall side of electric musical instruments produced since the '40's. Extensive knowledge in the repair & restoration of vintage Danelectro / Silvertone , Tiesco , Vox , and countless other unusual U.S. , Japan, & European made electric instruments.
If you ask if I am a Luthier , I will likely deny it. I have always thought of what I do as an artistic outlet. No high-end exotic wood guitars here!
Designer for Danelectro company ( Dan-o-Wah & Wasabi pedals, Rumor bass, Innuendo & Hearsay guitars, etc.) Ronnie has built instruments for Boz Boorer , ( Morissey ) Doubleneck guitar / baritone , Peter Buck , R.E.M. - Electric Sitar , Mando Cello , 9 string; Billy Bragg , Mando cello , 9 string,Robert Cray , Electric Sitar, Bob Dylan , restored blue Teisco Del Ray (via David Lindley) and many more.
Always a D.I.Y. 'er ; Self taught creator of unusual retro styled stringed instruments , including reuse / recycling of old materials & found objects , ie: vintage formica tables, toilet seats, weathered / found wood, plexiglass, aluminum, misc. guitar vintage parts , etc.
Notes from the curator; This is right up my alley being a DIY also. The quality of Ronnie's work is amazing, the aesthetics are killer and the functionality is a luxurious icing on the cake. These working sculptures are a joy to behold. They have that wonderment of seeing what was recycle/reformed into an alternate existence. Really cool stuff.
The Gallery
The Lucky Ju Ju Pinball Gallery is an Arcadeum located within the bowels of the Pacific Pinball Museum. It is a unique underground arena for pinball machines and a showcase for artists. We are in our seventh year and this is the 54th art show presented since the opening of the “Trans –View” gallery. This art show is not free but the cost includes admission to the pinball arcadeum where you can enjoy our fine selection of newer and vintage games. Since it is well hidden and many are not adept with map quest, here are directions: Come to Alameda via the Alameda Tube (Webster St/Oakland) and continue on Webster. After 4 signal lights, turn left onto Santa Clara. Take the first Left into the parking lot, we are in the door that opens into the lot. Although the Pinball Arcadium is currently only open on Friday, Saturday & Sunday nights, the Gallery, in the foyer, is always viewable from 9am to 9pm daily. The Pacific Pinball Museum is a 501 c 3 non profit.
Comments: 0
Ju Ju Bees at the Lucky Ju Ju! New Art Show Opens April 3rd
March 23, 2009
Ju Ju Bees
The Art, Humor and Golden Rewards of Backyard Beekeeping
Photos, stories, videos and artist’s honey jar labels.
This show will also have natural local honey for sale in special one of a kind labeled jars. Honey tasting. All proceeds benefit the Museum.
Admission for this opening: $5/10
Opening Reception Friday April 3rd, 2009. 7pm to midnight.
Show runs April 3rd through April 29th.
Gallery is open from 9am to 9pm Monday thru Sunday
(Foyer is open so gallery is always viewable)
Pinball hours are 6pm to 12pm Fridays and Saturdays.
Sundays from 4 to 8pm.
Ju Ju Bees
Apiary Art by the Robomaster
I was forced into beekeeping by the fact that a wild bee colony living in the boarded up window of our house was interfering with the remodeling project. I became a backyard apiarist when my wife Melissa and I extracted the colony and set it up in a makeshift hive. Although that hive petered out, we managed to get another from inside a friends garage wall and got a very sturdy colony that has stayed alive for 6 years. Since then, I have fun catching the swarms every year, setting friends up with hives of their own, and enjoying all our ju ju bees. I will be offering this delicious natural honey for sale for the first time with my special hand drawn labels.
Bio:
Michael Schiess started the Lucky Ju Ju out of need for public pinball participation. It is now the very gallery that houses such works as this one. Works tirelessly towards the ultimate pinball museum. He lets bees live on his property and extracts honey in payment for rent.
Comments: 0
Jembone at the Ju Ju with Pinball Pinups!
February 22, 2009
Pinball Pinups
Photography of Jem Gruber
Opening Reception Friday March 6th, 2009 7pm to midnight.
The show will continue through Wednesday April 1st.
Pinball Pinups
The idea of pinball pinup photgraphy was born out of a desire to juxtapose the images of the idealized women used as adolescent male bait on the backglasses of pinball machines with the genuine McCoy posed with the machines. The whole process is a surreal folding of image and interpretation back onto itself. At the same time it is a way to pay tribute and homage to multiple forms of Americana simultaneously. Iconographic eye candy. The relationship of pinball and pop art is fundamentally intertwined and should not be isolated in appreciation.
Bio:
Jem Gruber was born a baby some 40 years ago.
Raised, farmed and schooled on the east coast, headed west as a young man at the urging of friends and colleagues who warned that people like he fared a far better chance of survival in the hospitable climate of Kalifornia.
Introduced to film photography in high school he enjoyed the peaceful solitude and chemical processes in the darkroom.
Reintroduced to digital photography by Big Joe from the Pinball Mafia to be included in Nine Five Zero group show at the Lucky Ju Ju.
Curator’s notes:
Jem has been Mr. Friday night Ju Ju for over 6 years and picked up quite an assortment of pinball knowledge and understanding. He has experienced pinball Nirvana. He has journeyed the path of pinball enlightenment, suffered it’s agony and wonder. He sleeps and dreams in glorious pinball colors.
He shares these dreams with us.
Thank you!
Comments: 0
Lucky Ju Ju Valentine Weekend Special - Play Pinball, Win One Free!
February 07, 2009
Lucky Ju Ju Valentine Weekend Special - Play Pinball, Win One Free!
Have a lot of love to share over the Valentine Weekend? Share that passion for pinball with someone special at The Lucky Ju Ju and get a chance to win a pinball machine for FREE!
On Feb 13, 14 or 15, bring your friend or lover to The Ju Ju, and the two admissions entitles you to a FREE raffle ticket to win a pinball machine at the Pacific Pinball Exposition. Just ask for your FREE raffle ticket when you provide your donation. Yes, donation, because we are a 501(c)3 nonprofit, and all your generosity goes toward building a pinball museum.
The Pacific Pinball Expo, held the first weekend in October, is the world's largest collection of pinball (375!) to play on the planet. Our art and science exhibits, along with seminars from the wizards of the silver ball make this annual event extra special.
Get a small sampling of the Expo at the Lucky Ju Ju with its 40 pinball machines, hand painted murals, Visible Pin (world's only transparent pinball), three juke boxes and a new photographic art exhibit: Figures and Time: Chronophotography Nudes (it is abstract and very tasteful, really!)
For only $20 per pair, where else can listen to real 45's, play all the pinball you want and get a chance to win one of your own?
Happy Valentine's Day!
Lucky Ju Ju Pinball/Art Gallery
713 Santa Clara
Enter via the parking lot behind Tillie's Diner
Santa Clara Ave. and Webster Street
Alameda, CA 94501
Open
Friday and Saturday 6PM - Midnight
Sunday 4PM to 8PM
Comments: 0
Chronophotography Opens at the Ju Ju this Friday
January 20, 2009
Figures and Time: Chronophotography Nudes
The Photography of PJ Reptilehouse
Opening Reception Friday February 6th, 2009 7pm to midnight.
The show will continue through Wednesday March 6th.
Pinball hours are 6pm to 12pm Fridays and Saturdays.
Sundays from 4 to 9 pm.
Gallery is open from 9am to 9pm Monday thru Sunday
(Foyer is open so gallery is always viewable)
Artist Website: http://www.pjreptilehouse.com/
PJ Reptilehouse borrows the multiple image techniques of chronophotography to create beautiful photographs that blur the line between figurative and abstract photography. Custom built LED strobe equipment, controllers, camera mounts and serendipity allow him to capture a unique take on the classic nude, inside the camera, without the use of Photoshop effects.
Bio:
PJ Reptilehouse is the pseudonym of a Canadian born artist. He received a B.A. in Music from the University of Guelph and later, after moving to California in 1989, an M.F.A in Electronic Music from Mills College. PJ has had lifelong interest in electronics, music and photography and is always looking for new ways to combine them. He started this chronophotography project in 2003.
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Visible Pinball in Art Show at the Bedford Gallery, Walnut Creek,CA
January 04, 2009
The Visible Pinball has reached fine art status as part of a group
show at the Bedford Gallery in Walnut Creek.
The show Illuminated Sculpture opens January 11 and runs til
February 22, 2009.
Cultures and religions worldwide hold celebrations of light during
winter’s short dark days. The Bedford Gallery will join in the
tradition with an innovative exhibition of luminous work guest curated
by The Crucible’s Christian Schiess. Schiess is an award winning
artist, author of “The Light Artist Anthology,” and Chair of the Light
Art Department at the Bay Area’s only nonprofit sculpture studio and
educational foundry.
Opening Reception
Sunday, January 11, 3:00-5:00 p.m. Admission: $5
Meet this innovative group of light artists, enjoy wine and hors
d'ouevres provided by the Bedford Gallery Guild. Free for LCA members,
Friends of the Bedford.
Details at: http://www.bedfordgallery.org/current.htm
Bring quarters for the clear pin and try to set high score in an art
museum!
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New Year's Eve at the Ju Ju's 6th Anniversary Blowout!
December 08, 2008
Pacific Pinball Museum in conjunction with
Lucky Ju Ju Pinball
With a certain amount of pride Presents:
The 6th Ju Ju Anniversary/2008 New year’s Eve Party!
Wednesday, December 31st, 2008 6pm to 1am
$10 admission All Proceeds go to the museum.
Questions? pinhead@ujuju.com
Please help us continue to keep the museum and pinball alive in the next decade by supporting our efforts and donating to the museum. Any and all donations are Tax Deductible! Why give your money to the government when you can put it where you want and make it count!
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