Chicon 2000 Infobot News - 20-Jul-2000 Chicon 2000, P. O. Box 642057, Chicago IL 60664 Fax: 312-946-3779. Message: 312-409-4440 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: Other Worldly Awards Art Show News: Space Available, Auction Schedule Some Frequently Asked Questions Dramatic and Musical Presentations Saturday Afternoon Regency Dance Filk Music Post Office Fan Tables Tours and Trips Remaining Deadlines Service Marks Other Worldly Awards * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Lynn Koehler, awards@chicon.org If you plan on awarding any special awards at Chicon 2000 and would like to participate in the Other Worldly Awards Ceremony please contact Lynn Koehler at awards@chicon.org ASAP. The final arrangements for that ceremony are due 01-Aug-2000. I especially want to hear from the Seiun people. Please contact us. Art Show News * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Todd Cameron Hamilton, artshow@chicon.org Art Auction Schedule Art Auctions will be held in the Live Stage area in Riverside Center, adjacent to the Art Show. The current schedule for the auctions is: Saturday 2-4 PM Sunday 12-2 PM Sunday 4 PM - until everything has been auctioned. Art Show Space Still Available Panels and Tables can be paid for by sending a letter listing your space requirements along with a check, payable to Chicon 2000, drawn in U.S. dollars on a U.S. bank to: Todd Cameron Hamilton Chicon Art Show 1220 S. Westnedge Kalamazoo MI 49008 artshow@chicon.org Your request will be logged and a confirmation will be sent. The check will then be forwarded to the corporate account in Chicago. Your space is not officially confirmed until the check clears the bank. Space cannot be purchased at the convention and we will stop accepting reservations on 15-Aug-2000. Some Frequently Asked Questions * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Q. "Which hotel has rooms available?" A. There are rooms left in the Fairmont. The Swissotel is full except for some suites at $325.00. The Hyatt is full, except for a small number of expensive suites, first come, first served. Q. "Can I still get a suite for a party at the Hyatt?" About half a dozen Regency West suites on party floors are still available. To reserve just the parlor (510 sq. ft.) costs $160/night (plus tax, of course). The parlor and one bedroom costs $255/night. Additional bedrooms are available at $102/night each. Larger suites may be available for particular nights. All inquiries concerning Hyatt suites must be directed to suites@chicon.org. You cannot reserve these suites through the hotel directly or through One-Stop Chicago. Q. "Can I get a suite at a hotel other than the Hyatt?" Both the Fairmont Hotel and the Swissotel have large, luxurious suites that can be reserved through One-Stop Chicago. Rates at the Fairmont are $375/night for a one-bedroom suite and $550/night for a two-bedroom suite. At the Swissotel, a one-bedroom suite costs $325/night. As with all other hotel rooms, taxes add 14.9 percent to the base rate. Q. "When will the programming schedule be available?" A. The Chicon programming schedule will be posted on-line during the second week of August. Q. "When will a list of attending authors be available?" A. A listing of all programming participants will be posted on-line during the first week of August. Q. "Are dealers' tables available?" A. No. They are sold out. In the unlikely event that changes, we'll let you know. Q. "I'm a dealer. Will I have to charge sales tax?" A. Yes. You should receive the necessary forms in the next mailing (assuming that the State of Illinois sends them to *us*). The sales tax rate in downtown Chicago is 8.75%. Q. "Is there space in the Art Show?" A. Yes. See the Art Show Rules for more info and send your money soon. Make checks payable to "Chicon 2000." Q. "Can I buy half a table in the Art Show?" A. Not directly, but we'll set things up to split one between you and another artist. You'll need to find another friendly artist... Q. "Should I send letters to Chicon via certified or registered mail?" A. Please don't. It makes it harder for us to get them, because we have to go to the Post Office during business hours to pry them loose. Q. "Do volunteers or program participants have to buy memberships?" A. Yes. Everybody except the Guests of Honor who wants to attend Chicon 2000 must purchase a membership, including the chairman. Assuming that the con has money left over after paying mundane vendors, program participants' and volunteers' membership fees will be reimbursed in accordance with the policies that have been in effect at all recent Worldcons. Dramatic and Musical Presentations * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Alice Medenwald, drama@chicon.org Hold on to your seats: Dramatic and Musical Presentations Are you ready for some fantastic Dramatic and Musical Presentations at Chicon 2000? I hope so because we have some great stuff, so be prepared to make some difficult decisions about what to do between programming, parties, dances, eating, sleeping (well maybe) and the traditional events that all Worldcons have. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Faith "Faith" is an Opera in One Act written by Michael Ching and based on the same-titled story by James Patrick Kelly. Mr. Kelly is a frequent contributor to "Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine" and received the 1996 Hugo Award for his novelette "Think Like a Dinosaur." The opera is being presented by New York City's Vital Theatre Company, whose production last year was called "outstanding" and "ambitious" (the New York Theatre Experience). The story centers on a 35 year old recently-divorced woman, who meets a man through a personals ad and starts to fall for him, only to discover that he can communicate with plant life. It's fun and light and never before have you seen an operatic tribute to the dreadful fun of Ed Wood's "Plan 9 From Outer Space." The WorldCon is Not Enough (over a decade of decadence) For over a decade, The Trans-Iowa Canal Company - West has been terrorizing attendees of Midwestern conventions. And now, Chicago is about to be inundated by this theatrical troupe from the other side. Combining some of their best sketches from the past decade (and beyond) with new material written especially for Chicon, TICC smashes its way into your consciousness. Those surviving this onslaught, may find much of this material humorous. So buckle up. Please stay in your seat while the car is in motion. Should you need them, sickness bags may be found in the pocket of the seat in front of you. The ride is ready to begin. And you're about to learn why, The WorldCon is Not Enough! Nothing But Garbage An original musical titled "Nothing But Garbage" by Suzanne E. Hannon, music by Laurie Sucher. Performed by the Kreative Kids Summer Stars Performing Arts Camp. The musical discusses environmental issues and the role that each of us must play in the effort to provide a safe home for all the generations to come. The action of the play revolves around a group of children from the future who live in a world of polluted air and water. Sickness is everywhere and there is very little hope until they hit upon the idea of traveling back in time and preventing the degradation of the earth. When they are unable to persuade the children of the sixties and the new millennium to take responsibility, they use more drastic measures to demonstrate the importance of "saving the world." Moebius Theatre We are proud to offer you a full length stage production by Moebius Theatre. For those who may not have heard of Moebius (those who have been on another planet or in another dimension), Moebius Theatre has been creating science fiction for live performance for 23 years. Moebius Theatre has appeared at previous Chicons and numerous Windycons. While at Chicon 2000 look around for more from Moebius; there is no telling where you might find them. Don't Quit Your Day Job Players We are also excited to announce that the Don't Quit Your Day Job Players will be with us. This 6 member band is quickly becoming the hottest new cult-favorite rock-folk-blues-country fusion band in America. They have performed all over the country and their second CD, Blues Spoken Here, was released last summer to critical acclaim. I personally look forward to hearing them. Journey to the Center of Your Mind-Hypnosis 2000. If you are looking for something a little different, we have Lee Darrow, a hypnotist who will present a Journey to the Center of Your Mind-Hypnosis 2000. This one-hour show features audience participation in a brand new presentation of hypnosis for entertainment. Lee puts his volunteers into a wonderfully relaxed state and helps them explore and play with their imaginations. Lee has appeared for Sandals Resorts, Discover Card, Amoco Oil, United Insurance of America, Ameritech and numerous colleges and universities across the country. Come see his unique brand of hypnosis - based not on embarassment, but on improvisational theater. Remember to bring your imagination and be ready to sleep for Lee. Camelot 5 For those who really like audience participation we are pleased to have an original Murder Mystery Theatre production written by the team of Lilienkamp & Smith. It's called Camelot 5 and it's a mix between Camelot and Babylon 5. It's pure schtick and great fun. So bring your imagination and get ready to immerse yourself in one of many exciting characters just waiting to be brought to life. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - So whether you like to sit, watch, and listen or be used as a guinea pig (maybe a poor choice of words) or are a closet actor waiting for that big break, we have something for you! Saturday Afternoon Regency Dance * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * On Saturday afternoon, Chicon will host the traditional Regency dance. Come and enjoy the more refined dances of the early nineteenth century. Formal and genteel, the Regency Dance is a Worldcon tradition you must experience. 2:00 PM, Saturday, 02-Sep-2000, Gold Room, Fairmont Hotel Filk Music * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Jan DiMasi, filk@chicon.org This information is subject to change and mistakes. Please be patient. Filk Hotel The Filk Suite is secured on the 4th floor of the Hyatt, in the West Tower. A special feature of the suite is an elevator that will bring you and your instruments directly to the Concourse level Filk Hallway, and to the Ballroom level for the concerts. This feature provides a convenience unheard of at Worldcons. To have your room close to the Filk Suite, you need to revise your reservation with One-Stop-Chicago. Let them know you want to be near GERRY TYRA. I can do this for you. Email your request and include your reservation number. We are pleased to have Lady Colleen as our Filk Suite Hostess. Lady Colleen has a fine reputation on the west coast and we are honored to have her overseeing our Filk Suite. Filk Programming West Tower Ballroom level Acapulco Room will have Concerts between 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm. West Tower Concourse level Gold Coast Room, Columbian Room, Picasso, Haymarket, and Buckingham Room will have Themed Filk Jams starting at 9:30 pm and followed with Themed Open Filk starting at 11:00pm and going until 5 or 6 am. These rooms will have scattered filk panels through the day. The other panels of general interest are "song and stories" where books are discussed and songs presented that have been written about the books. Concerts "Concerts" are Filk performances. This can be as an individual, or as a group. Programming set the length, time and location, and the performers decide what they want to perform. Concerts will be in the Acapulco room, Ballroom level of the west tower of the Hyatt. The bulk of concerts will be Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 to 7:00pm. One-Shots "One-shots" are the performance of just one song. We use them to fill in spaces during concerts, etc. More importantly, they allow someone a chance to sing in front of an audience, quite often for the first time. There will be a sign-up sheet in the Filk Lounge. Open Filks "Open Filks" usually take place late in the evening, and are the last filk programming of the day. As the title suggests, they can be completely open, i.e. whatever happens, happens, or if time and space permit, we can say that tonight, in this room, there will be an "open filk" in a particular style - this lets the attendees know ahead of time what to expect - both as performers and listeners. A "Host" is necessary to get things started, and to oversee the evening. Theme Filks "Theme Filks" are a chance to have an hour or so of filk with the same topic. Anyone attending can perform, if they desire. But you need a host to ensure that the filk stays on theme. Round-Robin or Performer's Circle "Round-Robins" or "Performer's Circles" are "Theme Filks", but with the performers asked ahead of time to perform, and then as a group decide what "set" they are having. A host is appointed. Workshops "Workshops" are an in-depth, hands-on, group participatory session, presented by one or two people, on a specific filk topic. They may be musical or non-musical, or a combination of both. The presenters, if they want to can limit the number of attendees. There will be a sign-up sheet in the Filk Lounge. Children's Filk Programming Filk programming for children usually involves doing known children's filk songs and some of the presenters' children's favourites, that are not filk, in a "performer's circle" style. The main thing is for the kids to have fun, and participate - this usually includes the kids singing, using drums, kazoos, rhythm eggs, etc. Kid filk will take place at Children's Programming, as well as in the filk rooms. Parents must accompany the child when in the filk room. We are also planning for the "Official group of children who are being babysat" more of the non-filk favourite children's songs, but again with participation by all. Panels "Panels" are usually non-musical discussions, about a specific topic relevant to filk with panellists and a moderator. Audience participation is welcomed. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Songbook The song book is an overwhelming success. Thank you to the 40 contributors who sent in songs. There are 50 songs, about 75 pages. Each person who gave a song will get a book, and the rest will be available at Chicon for a $5.00 donation to Interfilk. Interfilk is a nonprofit charity that provides worthy transport of filkers to places far and unknown. Song books will be available in the Filk Suite and other places around the convention. Post Office * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The U.S. Postal Service will unveil a new commemorative issue stamp at our Opening Ceremonies. We don't know what it is yet - it could be part of the Space Series, it could be a tribute to 19th-century turtle ranchers. USPS is also producing a special cancellation for Chicon 2000, using our "rocket" logo. The Hyatt Business Center will provide onsite postal services (i.e. selling packing boxes, selling postage, selling the stamp unveiled at opening ceremonies, and selling postcards for use with the Commemorative Cancellation). The hours they will be open are: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm Tuesday-Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Saturday, Sunday, Monday. They are not allowed to charge a surcharge on US Postage so things can be mailed at the regular postal rates. They will also have other shipping services available such as UPS and Fedex. Fan Tables * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Danny Lieberman, fan.tables@chicon.org This is a list of fan tables reserved at Chicon. If you wanted one for your organization, you'd better write in quickly before they're all reserved. * Millennium Philcon (the 2001 Worldcon in Philadelphia PA) * Con Jose (the 2002 Worldcon in San Jose CA) * Toronto in 2003 (TorCon III) * Cancun in 2003 (ConCancun) * Boston in 2004 * Charlotte in 2004 * UK in 2005 * ASFA - the Association of Science Fiction Artists * Burroughs Biblophiles * Canadian Fandom * Capricon 21 * Czech-Slovak Fandom * Japanese Fandom * National Space Society * SeaTac Westercon 56 Bid Tours and Trips * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Trip to Cubs Park For members who are also baseball fans, Chicon 2000 is organizing a trip to Wrigley Field, on Thursday, 31-Aug-2000. The game starts at 1:30PM. Tickets for this trip can be purchased at the Chicon Online Store . Trip to Sox Park? With the recent success of the Chicago White Sox, Chicon 2000 is left wondering if there would be enough interest to warrant a trip to Comiskey Park. If you are interested in visiting the Southside ballpark, please contact condiments@chicon.org and let us know. Fermilab Tour Chicon 2000 is scheduling an early Friday afternoon trip to Fermilab, with a 25 person limit. Those interested should email reservations to condiments@chicon.org. Other Tours Chicon is in the process of planning several tours, including a tour of the Loop, and other tours by noted local fans. Watch this space for more info. Remaining Deadlines * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 31-Jul-2000 Deadline for electronic Hugo ballots is Midnight, Pacific Daylight Time, 31-Jul-2000. Mailed ballots should be postmarked by 31-Jul-2000. 01-Aug-2000 Masquerade entry deadline. If you miss this cut-off, you might not be in the show. 03-Aug-2000 Closing date for booking rooms through One-Stop Chicago. Blackout period until 14-Aug-2000. Deadline for requesting a suite in the Hyatt Regency Chicago. 14-Aug-2000 Hotels should all have the information from One-Stop Chicago by this date. You can try booking rooms directly with the hotels at this time, although your chances are pretty slim. 15-Aug-2000 Deadline for Online Pre-registration via a credit card. We will stop accepting Art Show reservations on 15-Aug-2000. 18-Aug-2000 Deadline for receipt of Mail-in Site Selection Ballots is 18-Aug-2000. 02-Sep-2000 Deadline for Site Selection at the convention is 6:00 pm on Saturday. 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. 20000720.txt sent to 1712 subscribers of CHICON-NEWS.