Chicon 2000 Infobot News - 26-Mar-2000 Chicon 2000, P. O. Box 642057, Chicago IL 60664, fax: 312-946-3779 The Chicon 2000 Infobot News is a service of the Chicon 2000 Web Site, http://www.chicon.org/ . If you know someone who'd like to subscribe, tell 'em to go to our web site at http://www.chicon.org/ and enter their e-mail address. If your e-mail address changes, or if you wish to be removed from the Chicon 2000 Infobot News mailing list, or if you don't have web access and want to be added to the list, please write to listmaster@chicon.org. In this edition: The Search for Fanned Ham (or Something Like It) Exhibits: Fandom in Chicago Book Discussions Non-Fiction Program Masquerade: Call to Compete #2 Hotel Vacancy Charts Online Registration At the Door Rates The Deathly Silence from the Dealers' Room and Art Show Remaining Deadlines Missing Members ("Lost Souls") Other Information Available Online or Via E-mail The Search for Fanned Ham (or Something Like It) * * * * * * * * * * * Gretchen H. Roper, ringmaster@chicon.org Are you a fannish ham looking for a place to strut your stuff? Let us know at Cooger and Dark's Traveling Circus and Pandemonium Shadow Show down in the soon-to-be-renamed Wacker Hall. When art isn't being auctioned, our Live Stage will be up and running and we're looking for performers who can keep a Worldcon audience entertained for a half-hour. Singing is great, but we're looking for more than music -- stand-up comedy, sketch material, juggling, magic, and other things that you may know about that we haven't thought of yet have a place down at Cooger and Dark's. Let us know what you can do and -- if it sounds like fun to us -- we'll get you a spot on the program. You can contact us as ringmaster@chicon.org or via the Chicon P.O. Box (Attn: Gretchen). If you want to do a high-wire act, though, you're going to need your own insurance. (We'll be interested to see it. Trust us.) Exhibits: Fandom in Chicago * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Barry and Marcy Lyn-Waitsman, chicago.fandom@chicon.org Barry and Marcy are tearing through their basement and closets for material for all to see how Chicago has a varied and active fannish history. We have found lots of paper (flyers, Progress Reports, Program Books, badges, etc.) but we would love to have pictures! If you have some great pictures of past fannish activities in the immediate Chicago area, from conventions to picnics to parties and beyond, please let us borrow and/or copy them for all to see. You will be reimbursed for copies. Please contact us at chicago.fandom@chicon.org or the ChiCon P.O. Box with a short description of what you have. Thanks for your help! Book Discussions * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Steven H Silver, prog@chicon.org Chicago fan Steve Metzger will lead a series of three book discussion groups during the course of Chicon 2000. The three books to be discussed will be: * Session 1: Ben Bova, Mars (Bantam, 1992) * Session 2: Harry Turtledove and Richard Dreyfuss, The Two Georges (Tor, 1996) * Session 3: Ben Bova, Return to Mars (Avon Eos, 1999) Dates, times and rooms for the discussions will appear in the Chicon program book. Non-Fiction Program * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Larry Ahern, Larry.Ahern@chicon.org; Nick Winks, non-fiction@chicon.org Larry Ahern and Nick Winks are working on the programming for the Non-Fiction Track, and seeking ideas and participants. So far, the following topics have been suggested: * GOH Ben Bova on Space * GOH Ben Bova on Implications of Immortality * History Must be Viewed with the Same Forward-looking Eye as the Future * Chicago's Scientific History * Using SF to Teach Science * Any Scientific Presentations * The Science in Science Fiction * The Future of Genetic Research - will you have blue eyes with that? * Orwellian Futures - possible or not? * What Scientific Discipline offers the most for the Future? * Attending authors (Name the author/s): * Chicago Scientists (Name the scientist/s): * Melissa, Chernobyl and Michaelangelo: The proliferation of virii * Scientific Myths: Science "everyone knows" that is wrong. * Mapping the Wild Genome: What is a genome and why so much research? * Nanotechnology and Clarke's Law: Will nanotechnology live up to the hype? * The Reference Shelf: What non-fiction books are essential to have on your shelves. * The Ten Greatest Technological Advances of the Twentieth Century That Never Were. * Ancient and Medieval Economic Systems: Before there was money, there was barter. * Preindustrial Technology: Technology existed long before the industrial revolution. * Light Pollution: A discussion of the problem and what can be done to solve it. * Launch Windows and Orbital Mechanics: Why can't we go to Mars whenever we want? * Favorite Science Authors: Who are good scientists to read to keep up? * Mars: Planet of a Thousand Faces? First the face on Mars, now the Happy Face... * Space Law: What rules govern the use of space and whose laws will apply? * Spaceguard: How to get involved in the Spaceguard Project and will it do any good? * Return to Luna: What could make a return to the Moon profitable? * The Christian Ready Show * The Christian Ready Show, Royal Encore Performance * From the Distant Past: What do we really know about dinosaurs? * Burial at Space: If it's good enough for Roddenberry and Leary... * The Outer Planets: Mars and Venus are overused - what about the others? * Coming Soon From the Phone Company: An Ameritech representative presentation. * Web Resources You Should Know About. * When Will the Privatization of Space Arrive: Talked about for years, when? * What Constitutes Good Science Writing? * Building a Successful Website: SF Site Case Study: * Weird, Weird Chicago: Ghost hunter Richard Crowe. * Haunted Chicago: Ghost hunter Richard Crowe returns. * The Future Is Now: Trends and technology which will affect our future. * Are Computers Becoming Our Significant Others? * Manufacturing In Space: What will work better - and cheaper? * Fiction to Fact: Science fictional devices which have become real. * Preaching to the Choir: Why a strong space program is important. * The Future of Low Earth Orbit: Near Space is getting crowded. * The Price of Space: Why spend so much money of space travel? * Earthgrazers: Comets and Asteroids that come a little too close for comfort. * Library Acquisitions: You can help your library. * Cancer Research in the Coming Millennium: * Hovercrafts: How do they work, where can they go? * But Heinlein Said. . . : A look at Robert Heinlein's predictive essay. * Alien Intelligence Right Under Our Noses: Are there folks to talk to HERE? * Cryptography: How are Codes created - and broken? * Planetary Formation: How to design realistic planets. * Lights in the Sky: Searching for UFOs and all those people who have been abducted. * I Know What You're Thinking: Is there any evidence in support of ESP forms? * Nature's Clones: The special relationship of twins. * Buying a Telescope: What to look for in purchasing a ticket to the greatest show. * An Uncharted Backwater of the Galaxy: Earth WAS the center of the universe... * Claustrophobia in Space: How Astronauts and Cosmonauts deal with being cooped up. * If There Were Concrete Proof That UFO's Landed on the White House Lawn... * SETI@home: How to become involved in the search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence. * Heaven on Earth: Meteorite retrieval and what these rocks tell us. * When Chicago Was a Crater: Long ago, the Chicago area was struck by a meteorite. * What is a Planet?: Brian Marsden's 1998 suggestion that Pluto be demoted. * Shoot for the Moon: Why are we talking about Mars? We aren't back to the Moon! * The Sources of Fantasy: Folklore * The Sources of Fantasy: History * The Sources of Fantasy: Dreams * I'm Going to Live Forever: Science fiction has been predicting immortality. When? We would also like to know if panelists/presenters will require anything unusual in the way of audiovisual aids for their panel. Please send your comments to Larry.Ahern@chicon.org or non-fiction@chicon.org. Masquerade: Call to Compete #2 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Nancy Mildebrandt, masq@chicon.org (From Progress Report 6.) THANK YOU to all who have already expressed interest in competing in the Chicon 2000 Masquerade. It is looking like we will have a fairly good-sized show. The most important piece of news is that the masquerade will be held on SUNDAY night in the Imperial Ballroom at the Fairmont Hotel. The Hugos (which will also be held in the Fairmont's Imperial ballroom) and the Masquerade have switched nights so that the Masquerade contestants can have the entire day Sunday for full-tech rehearsals in a completely set-up room. The masquerade green room will be located in the Gold room (a wedding was booked into the other large ballroom before all of the space Chicon booked was locked in). As a result, there will be a change in how photography will be handled. I will be writing to those photographers who have already contacted me to discuss how I intend to handle photography. Complete details will be posted on the web as they become available and will be published in the final PR. Part 1 of the Masquerade guidelines, as well as the registration forms, have been completed. They also have been posted on the Chicon 2000 web site. You can submit your registration online or by snail mail. There are two levels of registration. The first form is intended to give the basic information I need about your entry. Anyone who is even remotely considering competing should submit this form as soon as possible, even if you are not sure right now whether you will actually participate or not. The second registration form is intended to provide me with more detailed information about your entry. You can send me the Level 2 entry form as soon as you have all the information but I must receive it no later than 01-Aug-2000. Speaking of 01-Aug-2000, this will be the primary cut-off for entering this competition, depending on how many entries I get by that time. Some slots may be held open for at the door entries, but I hope these will be new costumers who did not hear about Chicon until after the cut-off date. So, send in those entry forms. Yours in costuming, Nancy E. Mildebrandt Chicon 2000 Masquerade Director _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Chicon 2000 Masquerade Guidelines The Chicon 2000 Masquerade is a costume competition for Science Fiction and Fantasy based costumes made by fans. Historical costumes with a fantasy bent either in their construction or in their presentation are also acceptable. Skill Divisions: Chicon 2000 will be using a skill division system so those costumers with similar experience will be competing with their peers. Junior division: for anyone under 13 years of age. Costumes made by the entrant and those made by adults will be judged separately. Novice division: for anyone who has won less than three awards in the Novice division and no awards in a higher division at a previous World Science Fiction Convention or CostumeCon. Journeyman division: for anyone who has won less than three awards in the Journeyman division and no awards in the Master division at a previous World Science Fiction Convention or CostumeCon. Master division: for anyone ineligible for the previously listed divisions. Also, anyone who makes a significant part of their living in the costuming field must compete at this level. Any costumer may opt to compete at a higher level, but not at a lower one. For group entries, the group's most skilled member determines the division. If you are unsure in which division to enter, please confer with the Masquerade Director. Presentation and Workmanship Judging: Costumes will be judged separately for presentation and workmanship. The presentation panel of judges will judge the costume solely by what is seen on the stage. This would include the costume and the manner in which it is presented, with an emphasis on the costume. The workmanship judging is optional and performed up-close backstage. The whole costume or specific pieces may be submitted for workmanship judging for a multitude of construction techniques not limited to sewing. Workmanship for groups will be based on the individual skill level of each maker. Awards will be given out within the skill divisions and all costumes competing are eligible to win the Best in Show award. Original/Recreation: A further division for judging purposes is into Original and/or Recreation. An Original costume is designed from the costumer's imagination. A Recreation costume is based on an existing visual source such as a movie, television show, painting or book cover. It is highly recommended that Recreation entries bring photographic documentation of the original costume their entry is based on, as the judges may not be familiar with the source of your costume. Recreation costume entry's designer should be the original designer or artist. If you have any questions about which area to compete in, or feel you may fall into both areas, please write to the Masquerade Director. Costume Eligibility: Any costume that has been entered and won a major award (Best in Show or Best in Class) at a previous Worldcon or CostumeCon is not eligible to compete unless significant changes have been made. (If this applies to your entry, please contact the Masquerade Director to discuss the situation.) Mundane store purchased clothing with no additions or alterations will not be allowed to compete. Also, purchased costumes that have not been altered will not be allowed to compete. Costumes made by someone other than the entrant must list the actual maker. Again, if you have any questions, please contact the Masquerade Director. Hotel Vacancy Charts * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "How much room at the inn?" It's one of the most common questions we get. And it's one of the most common rumor subjects any convention deals with. So, Chicon 2000 has decided to let you see the hotel blocks, and how much of each block is filled. We will try to keep these graphs updated on the website on a weekly basis. Here's a summary as of 23-Mar-2000: Hyatt Regency Chicago Swissotel Fairmont 8/26 38 % 0 % n/a 8/27 58 % 0 % 10 % 8/28 61 % 16 % 20 % 8/29 63 % 50 % 16 % 8/30 87 % 46 % 10 % 8/31 69 % 31 % 12 % 9/01 71 % 32 % 10 % 9/02 71 % 32 % 10 % 9/03 76 % 33 % 11 % 9/04 83 % 29 % 4 % 9/05 79 % 100 % n/a 9/06 100 % 100 % n/a Online Registration * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * reg@chicon.org We now have Online Registration available, by credit card on our website. At the Door Rates * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * As a service to Chicon 2000 members, we are announcing our at the door rates now. As you can see, they are considerably higher that the pre-registration rates. It is clearly to your advantage to register now. Please note that Childcare memberships must pre-register. Pre-registration closes on 15-Jul-2000. Attending at door $195 Child $ 50 (Born 01-Sep-1987 or later. No Child Care Provided) Kid-in-Tow $ 0 (Born 01-Sep-1999 or later. Must be with parent. No Care Provided) Thursday only $ 50 Friday only $ 60 Saturday only $ 80 Sunday only $ 80 Monday only $ 30 The Deathly Silence from the Dealers' Room and Art Show * * * * * * * * Bill Roper, exhibits@chicon.org (from Progress Report 6) No, your local post office hasn't eaten your mailing -- at least, yet! In fact, with any reasonable luck, you'll be seeing Dealers' Room acceptance letters and Art Show rules before you receive this Progress Report. But, given the unreasonableness of our luck so far, let me explain the delay. The Dealers' Room and Art Show are located in the soon-to-be-renamed Wacker Hall. Subsequent to our signing our hotel contract with the Hyatt, the hotel signed a contract giving a particular contractor exclusive rights as the decorator for Wacker Hall. "Ok," you say. "That's no problem. We don't need decorations. We need tables, and chairs, and hangings for the Art Show." Unfortunately, tables and chairs are what the decorator supplies. And this particular decorator has some interesting ideas about pricing. We're in the process of negotiations to get the prices down to what we consider a more reasonable level, because we don't think that it's reasonable for us to pass along to our dealers and artists the sort of pricing that we've seen so far. We have some ideas and the Hyatt is working with us, so we anticipate that we'll be able to keep prices to you in line with recent domestic Worldcons. But until we know what our final costs are going to be, we just aren't able to set our prices, and until we set our prices, we can't send out the mailings that tell you what they are. We apologize for the delay and hope that -- by the time that you're reading this -- the problems have been solved. But, in any case, we think you deserve an honest explanation of the problem. Thanks for your patience. Remaining Deadlines * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 31-Mar-2000 Deadline for Hugo Nominations. Deadline for Student Science Fiction Contest. 30-Apr-2000 Deadline for copy for Souvenir Book. 18-May-2000 Deadline for Special Interest Group Space Allocation forms. 30-May-2000 Deadline for advertising and other copy for Progress Report 7, to be issued in July 2000. 01-Jun-2000 Deadline for Ad space reservations for the Program Book 15-Jun-2000 Deadline for Ad copy for the Program Book 30-Jun-2000 Deadline for Writers Workshop submissions. 15-Jul-2000 Deadline for Pre-registration. 03-Aug-2000 Deadline for requesting a suite in the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Use our Suites Reservation form on the website. Missing Members * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * If you know of a current address for any of these, please contact us at reg@chicon.org, or write to us: Chicon 2000 Registration P. O. Box 642057 Chicago IL 60664 A3258; Allen-Ayres; Wendy; Chicago; IL; USA; 10/31/1999 A2677; Bouler; Betty; Atlanta; GA; USA; 10/04/1998 A3054; Covington-Brooks; Cynthia; New York; NY; USA; 02/20/2000 S2222; Doss; Stacy; College Station; TX; USA; 05/18/1998 S1849; Dougherty; Greg; Sacramento; CA; USA; 03/12/2000 A0406; Miller; Margaret; Evanston; IL; USA; 10/31/1999 A0439; Modrzyk; Elizabeth; Berwyn; IL; USA; 02/02/2000 A1424; Owens; Bea; Independence; MO; USA; 10/31/1999 S2389; Pedersen; Diana; W.P.G.; MB; Canada; 07/28/1998 A1065; Roberg; Sharon; Garnerville; NY; USA; 08/23/1999 S1535; Shafer; Bart; Rolling Meadows; IL; USA; 05/31/1998 A3219; Stauss; Steve; Evanston; IL; USA; 03/18/2000 A4029; Swift; Rosemary; Tulsa; OK; USA; 03/18/2000 Other Information Available Online or Via E-mail * * * * * * * * * * * Here are some other goodies that have been put on the web site. http://www.chicon.org/ * Museums and Attractions in Chicago * Delphi Forum (see our Message Areas at www.chicon.org/chat) * Chairman's Messages: My Millennial List And, if you don't have web access, you should be able to get most of our information files by sending e-mail to info@chicon.org with the following line as your message to get the complete index of files: send index You can put several "send" commands in your message, just put them on different lines. For example send index send masqlev1.txt send museums.txt send chair.txt Service Mark Notice * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Service Mark Notice: "World Science Fiction Society", "WSFS", "World Science Fiction Convention", "Worldcon", "NASFiC" and "Hugo Award" are registered service marks of the World Science Fiction Society, an unincorporated literary society. 20000326.txt sent to 1487 subscribers of CHICON-NEWS.