Only you can prevent Muppet-napping

The next exhibit at EMP|SFM will be Jim Henson's Fantastic World May 23-August 16, featuring the imagination of artist puppeteer, film director and producer, Jim Henson (1936-1990), creator of Kermit and Big Bird.

The science fiction museum could use a bit of help with the Muppets. Why not add Muppet Volunteer to the resume? It could do wonders. Volunteers will work in a Jim Henson inspired puppet theater/TV studio where children and adults have the opportunity to perform with four commissioned Muppets inspired by famous Northwest musicians. Help make sure everybody has a good time and the Muppets don't get manhandled or Muppet-napped (!). Training for Muppet volunteers starts mid-May.

In the meantime, the Robots exhibit shows through May 3. See designer Tom Geismar's collection of toy robots along with EMP|SFM's life-sized robots, androids and cyborgs from the world of science-fiction film and television.

Or, if you are now stuck on Muppets, head over to The Muppet Newsflash, a Jim Henson News Blog, where you'll find news about Tokyopop's "Return to Labyrinth: Volume 3," a graphic novel written by Jake Forbes with art by Chris Lie set to release May 1, and Power of the Dark Crystal, the movie sequel moving out of pre-production and slated for release in 2011.