Emerald Forest Filk Society: NW Convention Listings

From: Karen Rall <quarong at eskimo.com>
Date: Wed, 12 Mar 1997 01:41:55 -0800 (PST)

NW CONVENTION LISTING Some of you are accustomed to getting a copy of this file from me every couple of months, some of you are seeing it for the first time. To provide a bit of background for the latter group, this is essentially an immensely detailed retyping of the flyers I've picked up at the cons and keep on file, just for the purpose of making sure we all know when we can go enjoy the next chapter in our strange and fascinating hobby.

Since I know some of you are fairly new to conventions, I've tried to make my listings as clear and informative as possible. First of all, there are 5 sections here:

	(1) = This silly notice.  
	(2) = "Special Announcements", ie items I want you to know about, 
	but which don't fit in well elsewhere.
	(3) = "Current Conventions".  This is the meat of the file, with
	everything you need to know (or at least all that I have) from when
	and where it is and how to register; to who the guests are, who you
	can write for more info, and how much rooms cost.  I've also added
	a few words about the general theme and number of attendees at each
	event, but that entry could still use some refinement especially for
	some of the small, local cons. (Help?)  
	(4) = "Upcoming Events".  This is any con which I know regularly 
	goes on, but which I don't currently have specific details for.
	(Often it may have just passed and the next committee isn't yet 
	organized.)  It also includes future Westercon & Worldcon info.
	(5) = "SCA Brief".  Since many of us play in both the future and
	the past, I thought I'd at least include the address of the An
	Tir web site (from which you can get a current calendar and track
	down the answers to all kinds of other questions); and when possible,
	the addresses of the current/upcoming monarchs.

	Three quick bits of advice for those of you fairly new to this

registration thing: One, pre-reging saves you money and a whole lot of hassle on-site. It also helps the con plan better if they know how many people are coming. Two, you don't need a copy of the flyer to register. Just write your name, address, phone, email, and badge name on a piece a paper; as well as a note if you want info about art show, masquerade, volunteers, etc; and mail it off with a check for the correct amount. Three, if you have children check with the con for special rates. The general rule is those 5 & under are free, while those 6-12 are half price; both must be with a responsible adult at all times. Teens are regular price and have all of the rights & privileges of adults, except that they must have someone over 21 on-site to vouch for them. Some cons also have some sort of curfew for those under 18. (As I said, this is only the generic policy, contact each event for specifics.)

For those of you who would like to be able to stay up-to-date on this information without waiting for me to obtain a new flyer and repost this list, there is a website that now includes much of this data:

<http://www.seanet.com/Users/warlock/conswest.html>

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS I am on the committee for Westercon 50 as a Guest Liaison, and as the Coordinator of the Performing Arts track (ie filking and the Thur night Cabaret). This means that I'm one of the ones planning the panel discussions, so if you have an idea I can make sure it is considered (though not necessarily accepted :); but we fast running up against our printing deadline, so I'd need to hear about it ASAP. I could also send you an outline of what I'm tentatively planning for music programming; and I'm still looking for dramatic skits, dance groups, or other creative stage presentations for the Cabaret; please write me for details. Finally, if you have a question relating to a different area of the con, particularly if it hasn't been answered when you wrote the main address, let me know and I'll see what bananas I can shake out of the trees. (It's not that cons deliberately ignore requests for information as a general rule, but all of us are doing this in our "spare" time; and sometimes messages get lost or forgotten in the pile of other mail and life in general; or sometimes they're waiting until they have an answer to give you. But sometimes an inside contact helps too.)

My address is <quarong at eskimo.com>, the general is <wester50 at isomedia.com>.

CURRENT CONVENTIONS NORWESCON 20 = March 27-30, 1997. (This is Easter) SeaTac, WA
-- Reg: PO Box 24207; Seattle, WA 98124. $50 door; oneday rates

(as space permits) are $25-30.
-- Info: (206) 270-7850. <www.seanet.com/users/warlock/norwescon.htm>

nwc at eskimo.com
-- Guests: Vincent Di Fate (art), Glenda Hedden (volunteer), Dr. Robert

	Forward (science), Larry Niven (writer), AE van Vogt (writer), 
	Brad Foster (fan).  Plus some 200 other speakers.

-- Hotel: Sea-Tac Red Lion. (206) 246-8600. $87 for up to 4 ppl.

Theme: General con with nearly 3000 attendees. The theme this year is "A World of Difference", as part of which they hope to show some different sides of many of their pros. They have 4 dances, an art show and merchants area, masquerade, good filking, gaming, videos, panels on a whole range of fannish and real world topics, art and writer's workshops, autograph sessions, kidkon, hospitality, and more.

ANGLICON 10 = April 18-20, 1997. Everett, WA. (They moved!)
-- Reg: PO Box 75536; Seattle, WA 98125. $45 til 3/31, $50 door.

(day passes are $25 Fri & Sat, $20 Sun)
-- Info: (206) 789-brit or myrrdin at aol.com

Guests: Gillian Horvath & Donna Letts (writers for the "Highlander" series; two very intelligent, funny ladies); Peter Wingfield ("Adam/ Methos" from "Highlander", barring job conflicts).
Hotel: Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel. (This is the "Everett Pacific" from the early Dreamcon days.)
Theme: British Media, usually with a guest from one of those tv shows. This is a lower-key con with about 500 attendees, a couple of tracks of media and fannish paneling during the day, space for gaming, a small art show and merchants areas, hospitality, videos, martial arts demos, and some parties. If you're really into British media a and want a quiet weekend, this can be a very good con.

C-CUBED = June 7-9, 1997. Spokane, WA. (site varies by year)
-- Theme = This is the NW version of SMOFCON, the national convention

	for those of us who are demented enough to think spending most of 
	our free time (and no small amount of our own money in many cases) 
	organizing these events for all of our enjoyment, is *fun*.  If 
	you're serious about learning how a con goes together . . . if 
	listening to discussions and swapping tips about how to negotiate 
	a hotel contract; handle volunteers, pros, large crowds, and 
	confused site staff; put together a budget when you don't know 
	how many people are coming; or how to wrap your brain around the
	creation of a 6 track, 200 guest, 300 event program schedule 
	without going stark raving mad . . . then this is the con for you.
	At the "national" one, you also have a chance to learn about 
	different ways of running cons in different regions all over the 
	world, and about how things have/not changed in the past 50+ years.  
	(A few of these folks make the local one too, and you'd be surprised 
	by what we consider sacred that they don't even bother to consider.)
	It's definitely not a con for most folks (no dances, no club events,
	no costumes, no night life); but if you're serious about event 
	organizing (even in mundane life), it's something to check out.

-- More info = corwyn at ricochot.net

WESTERCON 50 = July 3-6, 1997. Seattle, WA (site varies by year)
-- PO Box 283; Seattle WA 98111. $55 til 6/12/97. $60 door. (As space

permits, one days will be $30 Thur & Sun, $40 Fri & Sat.)
-- Info: (206) 742-8943 wester50 at isomedia.com

http://www.isomedia.com/Westercon/
-- Guests: JMS (present), Martin Harry Greenburg (past), Amy Thomson

	(future), Jack Cohen (science), Victoria Poyser-Lisi (art), 
	Walter Daugherty (fan), Jeanne and Spider Robinson (music).
	Plus some 160 others at this point.


-- Hotel: Seattle Sheraton.  $115 single/dbl; $130 triple/quad;


	plus tax and parking (%25 discount).  (206) 621-9000.


-- Theme:  This is sort of like Norwescon, but with a more "adult",


	whole-west-coast, literary-historical feel to it.  c.2000	
	Art show, merchants, 3 dances, masquerade, lots of filking, even
	more panels (writing, art, science, sociology, mythology, business,
	costuming, etc); Thur night Cabaret, gaming, hospitality, a live
	improvisational time travel skit running throughout the con, etc.

INCON '97 = Oct 17-19, 1997. Spokane, Wa.
-- Reg: PO Box 9112; Spokane, WA 99209-9112. $15 til May 1, $20

til Sept 1, $25 door.
-- Info: incon97@juno.com or http://www.cet.com/~traid3/incon.html

Guests: Barbara Hambly (writer), Leslie Ann Newcomer (art). Others tba.
Hotel: Spokane Valley Red Lion. (509) 924-9000.
Theme: This is apparently a fun relax-a-con with a strong gaming track; plus videos, art show, costume contest, club activities, a writer's workshpop, general panels, and more. c. 300.

ORYCON 19 = Nov 7-9, 1997. Portland, OR
-- Reg: PO Box 5703; Portland, OR 97228. $20 til 4/15.

Note, they are capping it at 1600 this year.
-- Info: (503) 231-8952 <http://www.teleport.com/~osfci/orycon19/index.html>

Guests: Steven Barnes (writing), Golden Bough (music), others TBA
Hotel: Columbia River Red Lion, (503) 283-2111. $78 for 1-4 ppl.
Theme: This is one of the strongest local cons in the NW at this time, with general panel and special event programming to appeal to almost anyone. It's also the closest the NW comes to having it's own filkcon, with 2 song rooms and a concert slate. Art show, merchants, gaming, parties, hospitality, dances, videos, etc. This year they're going back to a traditional masquerade, rather than the talent show format they've used the past couple of years.

CONRAD = November 21-23, 1997. Seattle, WA.
-- Reg: c/o Rainy Daze Productions. PO Box 31892; Seattle, WA 98103.

$45 til Nov 1, $50 door if available.
-- Info: (206) 745-2700. <http://members.aol.com/RainyDazer/index.html>

<RainyDazer at aol.com>
-- Guests: (all pending other committments) Armin Shimerman (Quark), Kitty

	Swank (ST & B5), Andrew Robinson (Garak), Max Grodenchik (Rom), 
	Gary Graham (Matt Sikes), and Christian Ready (Hubble Project).


-- Hotel: DoubleTree Suites; Seattle WA  (Southcenter).   $99 for single/dbl,


	$109 trip/quad.  


-- Note: "Con Rads are Multi-Media conventions serving Science Fiction /


	Science Fact fans worldwide.  The conventions are sponsored by
	Rainy Daze Productions, a 501c3 charitable organization with all
	net proceeds donated to the Pediatric AIDS foundation."  


-- Theme: This is a new group running a "creation con" style media event,


	organized by and for fans, not just those in the public who have 
	money to burn.  They did it a year or two ago in LA (because that's
	where the pros are), and got 1000+ people and enough interest to 
	try it again on their home soil.  They intend to have Q&A and 
	autograph sessions, merchants, gaming, videos, a "Friday night bash",
	Sat night at the movies, and a Sun charity auction.  I talked to a
	couple of people who went to the LA one and had fun, so it should 
	be interesting.

*************************************************************************

			UPCOMING EVENTS

MISCON = Memorial day weekend, 1997. Missoula, MT.

VIKINGCON 17 = W. WA Univ, Bellingham.
-- Traditionally held the middle of August, they are considering

	changing their dates to something easier for their student body
	to be present to organize.  Keep your eyes open!

-- Viking Union 202, Box V-1; Bellingham, WA 98225-9106.

Info: (360) 738-9898. sffc at cc.wwu.edu
Hotel: contact the con, but ususally in the campus dorms.
Theme: A steady relaxacon of about 300, they have an unusually strong turnout of pros for an event their size. Paneling ranges from science to lit to medieval events and lrpg's.

MOSCON 19 = Mid Sept 1997. Moscow, Idaho.
-- PO Box 9622; Moscow, ID 83843. (509) 334-4434.

RUSTYCON 15 = Jan 1998. Tacoma, WA.
-- Reg: PO Box 84291; Seattle, WA 98124-5591. $30 til 4-26-97, $35 til

7-7-97, $40 til 12-27-97, $45 door.
-- Guests: TBA

Hotel: TBA (previously it's been the Tacoma Sheraton. (206) 572-3200.)
Theme: General interest con of about 800; it's heavy on club activities, martial arts demos, and gaming. There is also an art show and merchants area, hospitality, videos, 2 dances, masquerade, a variety of small discussion panels, and filking.
Note: If you're looking for a con to donate your energies to, this one could use every energetic, organized, and creative body it can get to plan a good year 15.

RADCON 3A = Feb 1998. Pasco, WA.
-- Reg: 2527 W Kennewick Ave, #162; Kennewick, WA 99336. $25 door.

Info: (509) 943-0713. radcon at oneworld.owt.com
Guests: TBA
Hotel: Red Lion Inn, Pasco. 1-800-547-8010. $60/night
Theme: A fast-growing local con, they were apparently up to 900 people this past year. Strong in gaming and club activities, they also had a serious science and medieval-interests track, videos, more panels on literary and artistic topics, and a good filk. If they can start attracting some of the name pros, they're going to be a real force to contend with.

replyGEOCON 6 = Feb 1998. Evergreen State College, Olympia, WA.
-- Reg: The Gaming Guild; CAB 320; Evergreen State College; Olympia,

WA 98505. $4 advance, $5 door.
-- Info: (360) 866-6000, ext 6036. geocon at elwha.evergreen.edu

Guests: TBA
Hotel: Write the con.
Theme: Heavily subsidized by the school, this is a relaxcon with a lot of gaming and video programming, but some general events as well. (SCA, fan discussions of tv shows, small art show and merchants area, a bit of filking, and 2 dances.) c. 300.

POTLATCH 7 = Generally late Feb or early March; bouncing between Portland

(in 1998) and Seattle (in 1999).
-- Reg: TBA

Info: TBA
Guests: NA
Hotel: TBA
Theme: This is a single-track event where writers organize discussion groups on a variety of (mainly writing oriented) topics. If you are a writer yourself, or a strong fan of literary SF, this is supposedly a great gathering with lots of chances to talk shop as equals; if not . . . . c. 150.

WESTERCON:
-- 1998 = Somewhere in CA most likely.

1999 Bid = Spokane, WA. PO Box 7630; Spokane, WA 99207. Sponsored by "Team Maroon", they're running under the title of EmpireCon, and presupports are $10. The hotel will be the Red Lion City Center right next to the Riverfront Park (with its antique carousel and other amusements).

WORLDCON:
-- [Attendence at these can vary from 400-8000 depending on the location

	(bigger centrally located cities get bigger crowds), the guests, 
	the year, and the cloud formation.  The guest list itself will 
	read like a who's who of your SF/F bookshelf and a lot of other 
	scientists, costumers, media folks, etc.  If you love panel
	programming, and meeting fans from all over the world, it is well 
	worth the expense every few years; more often if you have $.]


-- Aug 28 - Sept 1, 1997 = San Antonio, Texas.  For more info 


	write LoneStar Con 2; PO Box 27277; Austin, TX 78755-2277.
	$120 until Dec 31, 1996, (512) 453-7446.  Hotel reservations in 
	Spring -97 through San Antonio convention bureau.  (From a local:
	"San Antonio is fun. Even the RiveWalk is sort of Air Conditioned.
	It should be a good World Con.")


-- Aug 5-9, 1998 = Baltimore, MD.  For more info write Bucconeer;


	PO Box 314; Annapolis Junction, MD 20701.


-- 1999 = Melbourne, Austrailia.  For more info write PO Box 99;


	Bayswater, Victoria 3153; Austrailia.  In the US try:  Dick and
	Leah Smith; 410 West Willow; Prospect Heights, IL 60070.  Or at
	<dick at smith.chi.il.us>.

-- Major bids for 2000 are Boston <?> and Chicago <roper at mcs.com>.

Seattle <lindad at isomedia.com> and San Francisco <info at sfsfc.org> are both considering fannish suicide in this format in 2002. The voting for this bid would occur at the Austrailia Worldcon, so folks would have to get their support in early.

SCA BRIEF: [Thanks, Arrow!]

(1) The addresses of the current and upcoming monarchs:

Their Majesties: Crown Prince Darius Corvinus & Crown Princess Morgaine Brigantia (Cliff Frick & Liz Isaac), 2988 Bainbridge Ave, Burnaby, BC V5A 2S8 (604)444-4416

Their Royal Highnesses: to be determined in May

(2) An Tir Web Site = <http://www.antir.sca.org/>

Usenet Chatter = <rec.org.sca>

(3) June Faire Notice = It is on this year for the weekend of May 30

	through June 1st, but at a new (and *much* larger) site:  
	Silver Spurs Saddle Club in Bremerton.  For more info contact
	<jwingren at linknet.kitsap.lib.wa.us>.

*************************************************************************

	Well, I believe that's all for now, so I'll return you to

your regularly scheduled programming without further delay. If you are having trouble getting information from a certain convention, or would just like to know more about them, let me know. I've been doing this awhile, and know a good number of the people involved in NW con running. (Or I can find somebody who knows something. :) I hope you're having a good week.

Quarong Received on 03/12/97