InFurNation!

– April, 1998

“I give her a Yah! And a Hi-Yah…”

The spring is bouncing, and it’s time for another ConFurence Aftermath Report! ConFurence Nine brought us back to the Buena Park hotel, brought us our first Guest of Honor from overseas, and brought 1,200 furries together for a weekend of fun! Read on for more details about the wonderful time had by all.

But first, here’s some recent news:

Whether or not Fox’s attempt to enter the big-time feature animation market with the film Anastasia was successful or not depends on how you decide to count. [This is, after all, Hollywood we’re talking about.] The film drew $60 million in its initial domestic release, roughly half again what it cost to make. That’s one of the highest takes ever for a fully-animated film not produced by Disney. However, Fox had already spent another $25 million to set up their feature animation department in the first place, which Anastasia did not make back. Regardless, the film will be available on video April 27^th. In the meantime, Anastasia received two Academy Award nominations; for Best Score (Comedy or Musical) and Best Song (for “Journey to the Past”). It lost both to Titanic – but then, what didn’t.

Currently in movie theaters is A Rat’s Tale, brought to the screen from Tor Seidler’s book. Trouble comes to the rats of the New York sewer system when a greedy land developer threatens to poison the lot of them. Through it all, a young artistic loner named Monty Mad-Rat Jr. courts the daughter of the leader-rat. Interestingly, this German film (shot in English) was made using The Ausburger Puppenkinste (a marionette troupe) as the rats, with several live actors (Lauren Hutton, Jerry Stiller, and others) filling in as the humans in the cast.

Tickets for the stage show version of Disney’s The Lion King continue to be one of the most sought-after things on Broadway. At the moment, we’re told, the best (i.e. most available) tickets are for performances to be held in 1999. The ticket hotline in the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut area is (212) 307-4747. Outside that area, call (800) 755-4000, or you may order tickets on line at www.ticketmaster.com . Groups of 20 or more may call (800) 223-7565 for group ticket information.

The American Repertory Ballet will be presenting its live version of Maurice Sendak’s 1963 children’s book Where the Wild Things Are at several east coast (U.S.A.) venues through May. In mid-may, the Georgia Ballet (Ballet South) will present its own version in Atlanta.

Last January, the original nation-wide children’s radio network, Radio AAHS, went off the air permanently. It seems that the Children’s Broadcasting Corporation (RA’s parent company) was unable to generate enough advertising revenue to remain in business. Sponsors (especially large corporate ones) are hard to sell to for a radio station without high Arbitron ratings, and the Arbitron service does not cover children’s music or radio. In many market regions, Radio AAHS has been replaced by Radio Disney, which is trying to perform a similar service around the country. (Radio Disney, needless to say, doesn’t need to worry much about raising revenue!)

Newly released on video from Universal Cartoons is The Chipmunk Adventure, featuring Ross Bagdasarian’s boys (and the Chipettes) in their first animated feature. The video package also includes a CD-ROM which features an interactive coloring book and a soundtrack of songs from the film.

Also out on video (from Fox Home Video) is Fern Gully 2: The Magical Rescue. Each tape comes with an order form for a free ‘Batty Cody’ plush toy. Also coming direct to video this fall (from MGM Animation) are The Secret of NIMH 2 and The All Dogs Christmas Carol.

Tooniversal (Universal’s animation division) is looking to complete Marco Polo: Return to Xanadu this spring. It’s not clear whether this new animated feature is slated for theatrical or DTV release, but it does feature a large, purple dragon in the cast…

Coming soon direct to video (we think) from Bayouth Entertainment is A Howl in One. In this live-action comedy, a gypsy moves in next to a posh country club, and accidentally passes on the curse of lycanthropy.

Once again, things are looking mighty furry for next fall’s new Saturday morning line-up. ABC is adding a new TV series based on Disney’s animated feature Hercules, which follows him in his teenage years. (Hey, at least it’s got furries in it!) At CBS, look for The Dumb Bunnies and Guardians of the Legend (both based on popular children’s book series), Franklin (a turtle), Anatole (a mouse and his six offspring living in Paris), Birdz (a family of birds and their son, a budding film-maker), and From the Files of the Flying Rhinocerous (?!). Over at Fox Kids Network, new shows include Mr. Potato Head, Woody Woodpecker, and Godzilla. (Fox will also feature the new shows Spy Dogs and Oggy and the Cockroaches on weekdays). At the Kids’ WB, The Further Adventures of Pinky and the Brain finds our heroes now living under the care of none other than Elmyra from Tiny Toons Also look for Channel Umptee-3 and Dragon Tales.

Speaking of Fox, they have recently announced the line-up for the new Fox Family Channel, including the half-day devoted to children’s programming. Animated programs of furry note include Little Mouse on the Prairie, Eek!Stravaganza, All Dogs Go To Heaven, Bad Dog, Heathcliff, and Monster Farm.

From the recent NAPTE show comes a slew of animated programs which are fishing around for syndication deals… many of them furry. Lionhearts (from MGM animation) follows the adventures of the MGM lion and his offspring. Lions seem to be a popular thing, if Simba, The King Lion and Simba Jr. to the Soccer World Cup (both from Ideal Family Entertainment) are any indication. Also look for The Fabulous Adventures of Jacques Cousteau from Marina Productions, Monkey Magic (based on the Chinese legends) from Sachs Entertainment, and Sonic Underground from DIC.

In color from Acclaim Comics, look for The Goat: H.A.E.D.U.S, a special event one-shot. The Goat (aka Vincent Van Goat, or Heavily Armored Espionage Deadly Uber-Sheep), official mascot of Quantam and Woody (the world’s worst superhero team) befriends an autistic child who carries a deadly genetic virus – and tries to help protect him from the government, super villains, and everything else. At the same time, look for the new Vincent Van Goat ‘Inaction Figure’, available at your local comic book store.

Also from Acclaim Comics is Concrete Jungle: Legend of the Black Lion, in color from Priest, Fry, and Pepoy. A community activist in New York City accepts a gift from a strange African cleric, and becomes heir to the power of the Black Lion…

Gon, the miniature tyrannosaur-with-attitude created by Masashi Tanaka, returns in an all-new format: Color! The Gon Color Spectacular premiers this month from Paradox Press (distributed by DC comics). Stories include “Gon Gets Electrocuted” and “Gon Has Big Antlers”, among others.

New and available now from Arclight Press is Associated Student Bodies by Lance Rund (story) and Chris McKinley (art). This black & white quarterly comic tells the somewhat humorous story of Daniel, a young male lion who’s trying to get through his first year of college. Bye mistake, he’s given a dorm room in the Senior dorm… in the ‘gay wing’. Issue #1 premiered at ConFurence Nine, and the next should be out this month. For more information on the comic and related products, make sure to check out their web site at www.arclight.net/asb.

Premiering soon from DC Comics’ Vertigo imprint is a new 6-issue miniseries, Nevada. In this odd pulp/adventure/fantasy series, we follow the exploits of a Las Vegas dancer (from the Nile Hotel and Casino) named Nevada… and her pet/dancing partner, an ostrich named Bolero.

Coming soon from Radio Comix is Havoc, Inc. by Mark Barnard and Terrie Smith. This bimonthly black & white follows the adventures of Chris Deck (wolf) and his friend (?) Chester (ringtail – yes, that one!) as they try to make a living and survive in the aftermath of a galactic war. Also from Radio, look for the special full-color Ben Dunn Hit the Beach poster (originally from the deluxe-edition HTB). Write to them for information on the new Furrlough T-shirt, featuring red-and-white-on-black art by Michael Vega.

At Shanda Fantasy Arts, Christina Hanson (aka ‘Smudge’) takes over as lead artist on Shanda the Panda, beginning with issue #23. Meanwhile, Shawntae Howard and Malcolm Earle continue their furry science fiction adventure Extinctioners with issue #2.

From Dark Horse Comics, check out Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo: Shades of Death trade paperback. This 200 page black & white compendium, which includes the first six issues of Usagi as printed by Mirage (out of print since 1993) also features a guest appearance by the time-travelling Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. While you’re at it, look for the Usagi action figure, premiering soon from Antarctic Press.

In Dragon Wars, a new black & white manga from Rhukihei and Ironcat Comics, a beautiful treasure hunter and her dragon companion are on the run from the Royal Guard – with an ancient artifact that could destroy the world. Also, if you’re looking for original Japanese manga of a furry sort, look for Hyper Police Manga #1 and Tezuka Osamu Manga Chronicle (both with Japanese text).

Hey, are you into cows? [Now calm down, you know what I mean!] Check out The Moosletter’s Cow-Buying Guide. It’s a listing of more than 500 merchants who sell cow-oriented merchandize. You heard it here. Available for $5.00 from Cowtree Collector, 240 Wahl Avenue, Evans City, PA 16033

Two hardcover books of furry note are now available form Warner Brothers Books, under the Aspect Imprint. The Book of Night with Moon by Diane Duane follows the adventures of four wizards trying to save the world from an evil force… the wizards just happen to be cats. Dinosaur Summer by Greg Bear is a continuation of concepts originally present in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Lost World books: A secret valley in South America where dinosaurs still survive. In this new book, a group of adventurers attempt to take an unruly bunch of used-up dinosaurs from a dinosaur circus back to the Lost Valley.

Well-known mainstream and SF author Douglas Preston now returns with Jennie from Tor Books. A group of biologists and anthropologists use new techniques to enhance the brain of a young chimpanzee named Jennie. She’s then take home to be raised just like a normal human child… with amusing, interesting and, eventually, tragic results. In paperback.

ConFurence Four Guest of Honor Mercedes Lackey has a new collection of short stories (both fantasy and science fiction) available at your local book store. The collection is called Fiddler Fair, and it’s published by Baen Books.

Ace Science Fiction and Ace Fantasy have several books of furry note on the shelves currently. ConFurence Five Guest of Honor A.C. Crispin, along with Ru Emerson, has produced Voices of Chaos, the latest novel in Crispin’s Starbridge series. In hardcover (currently), fantasy author Elizabeth A. Lynn returns after several years away from writing with a new book: Dragon’s Winter, in which a newly crowned king must battle his brother (an evil sorcerer) to reclaim a magic talisman which will enable him to take on his true form – a dragon. In Top Dog by Jerry J. Carrol (paperback), a high-powered executive awakens one morning to discover that he’s become a dog… and Madison Avenue has been replaced by a world of magic and monsters. Meanwhile, the trilogy Lucasfilm’s Alien Chronicles premiers with The Golden One by Deborah Chester. As an ancient and once proud reptilian empire crumbles in its age, the proud emperor buys his heir a golden feline as a pet… unaware that she is really a conqueror in the offing.

From Tiger Mountain Press comes The Enchanted World of Rankin/Bass: A Portfolio by Rick Goldschmidt. This large book details the background of every television special, animated series, and feature film created by Arthur Rankin and Jules Bass, including Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, The Year Without Santa Claus, and Mad Monster Party. Along similar lines, check out Pufnstuf & Other Stuff: The Weird and Wonderful World of Sid & Marty Krofft (from St. Martin’s Press).

A new comic strip collection/trade paperback from Andrews and McMeel features Mark O’Hara’s Citizen Dog. A guy named Mel and his talking dog Fergus live together, and try to reach an understanding…

If you’re looking to enter the animation field as a job, it’s likely you should pick up a copy of the 1998 Animation Industry Directory. Created by the publishers of Animation magazine, it features contact names, addresses, and company profiles for nearly every animation company currently working. It’s available for $75.00 from: Animation, 30101 Agoura Ct., Suite 110, Agoura Hills, CA 91301-4301.

Found on the Internet: Art Mawhinney will be producing three tie-in books for Simba’s Pride, scheduled to appear [from Disney] in the fall: a storybook, a large-format coloring book, and a “shapes” book. Mawhinney will also be working on storyboarding an “adult” animated series to air on Nickelodeon, as well as doing a second season of storyboarding for Life with Louie on Fox. He also continues to do artwork for the Sonic the Hedgehog comics published by Archie (which makes sense as he was also a storyboard artist for the Sonic TV series). [Thanks to Dan Drazen <drazen@andrews.edu>]

Get ready for the onslaught… outside the theaters! With the much-anticipated release of Tristar Pictures’ Godzilla this May, the marketing and merchandizing people await with a cornucopia of tie-in products, including books like The Making of Godzilla, Godzilla: The Novel, and The Godzilla Movie Postcard Book. Already out on shelves (though not officially a tie-in to the movie, the timing is obvious) is The Official Godzilla Compendium from Random House. Compliled by J.D. Lees and Marc Cerasini, with illustrations by Monkeyman and O’Brien creator Arthur Adams, this volume presents background information and black & white photos from every film in which Godzilla himself has appeared, in both the U.S. and Japan. Also, coming on video: Re-releases of many of the best Godzilla movies, and premieres of several which have never been official released on video before! Titles include Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Godzilla vs. Mothra, Godzilla vs. Monster Zero, Godzilla’s Revenge, Terror of Mechagodzilla, and Destroy All Monsters. Following soon after: DVD versions of many of these titles.

The Prince & The Pauper is a specialty book store in the Normal Heights area of San Diego, California, at 3201 Adams Avenue. (Near the 805 fwy.) Their stock in trade is rare, hard-to-find used books for children, and their selection (from around the world) is extensive. Drop by if you’re ever in the neighborhood… they’re open Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm. Phone (619) 283-4380 for more information.

From the CF Mailbox

From: Richard Hallock fox@snowcrest.net:

NEW! Virtual Vikki: Unplugged! [The Second Virtual Vikki Digi-Voop CD-ROM]

You get a deluxe slide show of all Vikki’s finished art, along with previously unreleased pictures and pre-production test pictures. Contains a special trailer for Dandy’s new animated CGI project in which Virtual Vikki makes a cameo appearance.

The Macintosh version features the expanded and updated 6 part narrated documentary “The Tragical History Tour” featuring the voice of Tami Arens as Virtual Vikki. Also many Bryce 2, Ray Dream Studio, and other 3-D clip models.

The PC version features a web based interface to the same content via the Quick Time Plugin. (3-D models not included)

For more information and sample pictures you can visit the Virtual Vikki Projects web page at www.snowcrest.net/fox/project.html
Mac Version: $27.00. [Requirements: Color Mac, 2x CD, 5mb ram free, 16 or 24 bit color recommended, Quick Time 2.0 or higher recommended.]

PC Version $31.00 postpaid ** (CD is in ISO 9600 format) [Requirements: a fast 486 (pentium recommended), 4x CD, 24mb ram, A web browser with Quick Time plug in installed, 16 or 24 bit color recommended.]

Make checks and money orders payable to: Richard M. Hallock, 1440 Garryana Dr., Red Bluff, CA 96080. [If you want to see the current Virtual Vikki pictures send me an e-mail and I’ll stick you on the VV picture e-mail list ! (about 1 picture every 2 weeks, 100-200k in size)]

Advertising in In-Fur-Nation: As before, ads in In-Fur-Nation come in two sizes: 1/8-page “business card” size for $5.00 per issue, and 1/4-page size (4 1/2″ tall by 3 1/4″ wide) for $10.00 per issue. Check should be made out to ConFurence. Send camera-ready art and text to P.O. Box 1958, Garden Grove, CA 92642-1958. Write to us for information about full-page ads and inclusions. Getting just a mention in In-Fur-Nation is easy: Send us information, and we’ll reprint it in our blurbs section verbatim, with minor corrections for spelling and grammar.

(Thanks again to Previews magazine, and to all the folks on Internet, who contributed some of the information used in this issue!)

ConFurence has stuff available!

That’s right, The General Store is open for mail-order business! (And, maybe, coming to an SF con near you! ) We have copies of our Convention Souvenir Books (featuring black & white furry artwork, plus articles of furry interest) from ConFurence Seven (“Furries in Force”), Eight (“Music & Mirth”/”Scalies”), and Nine (“Furries in Love”/”Furries Down Under”) available for $5.00 each. Please include $1.00 for shipping with each book ordered. Also, we still have copies of the following full-color prints from ConFurence: The magical “Discovery” print by Terrie Smith for only $2.00 (11 x 17″, tube-shipped); the Five Fur color prints by Michele Light (along with the “TV show’s” background) for $5.00 a set; Daphne Lage’s two full-color prints from CF6 for $5.00 a set; plus the “Sydney Wants YOU” poster by David Bliss from CF7 and the “Dragon Song” print by Brian Harp from CF8, both available for $3.00 each. And, don’t forget the Furry Japan guide, first issue in a planned series of guides to furry-oriented manga — yours for only $5.00 plus $2.00 shipping. Such deals! Order yours today! T-SHIRTS AND STUFF! ConFurence has our T-shirt designs from CF7 (by Eric Schwartz), CF8 (by Michele Light) and CF9 (by Cataroo) available in sizes M – XXXL for $15.00 each. Include $3.00 per shirt for domestic North American orders, or $5.00 U.S. for overseas post.

Now Available — The ConFurence Seven and Eight Highlights Videos!

Once again thanks to the skills of David Bliss and the rest of our highly skilled video crew, we’re proud to offer you our newest videos, Highlights from ConFurence Seven, 1996 (Furries in Force) and ConFurence Eight, 1997 (Music & Mirth/Scalies). Both feature highlights from that year’s Costume Presentation, Pet Auction, Club Tekno-Fur, and Cabaret Fur le Dance (tasteful, but tasty), as well as a look at what the furries were doing around the con. And much more! Each video is all yours for only $12.00, plus $3.00 shipping and handling ($5.00 U.S. outside of North America). Available in VHS Hi-Fi NTSC — write to us for information about other available formats. Pick up one of each today! (Coming soon: Our special combination CF5/CF6 Highlights Video!) [Also! Write to us for details about ordering the ConFurence Eight Cabaret Fur le Dance souvenir video (for adults!).]

“…and, then I kick ker.” (Bartok, from Anastasia)

And here’s a look at Coming Attractions…

Other Conventions

ZonieCon
May 1 – 3, 1998
Francisco Grande Hotel and Resort
26000 Gila Bend Highway, Casa Grande, Arizona
Call (800) 237-4238 for hotel information (mention ZonieCon!)

Guests of Honor include Simon Hawke, Steve Addlesee, and Richard Bartrop.

Attending membership is $35.00 by mail now. Supporting memberships are $15.00, which can be converted to Attending at the door for another $15.00. For hotel rates, art show information, dealer information and so forth, write to them (needless to say, write quickly!) at: ZonieCon, P.O. Box 44285 Tucson, ZA 85733-4285. Also check out their web site at: www.geocities.com/area51/rampart/4608

Duckon 7
June 12-14, 1998
Ramada Inn Rosemont/O’Hare in Rosemont, IL
Great $79 basic room rate. (847) 827-5131

FURRY GOH: Terrie Smith

MORE UNIQUE FURRY PROGRAMMING:
Duckon’s Furry track has expanded to include a LARGE furry artists den (2600 sq. feet), a furry lounge, a furry programming track, and furry special events, including the infamous Furry Variety Show. We feature furry specific activities in the areas of art technique, costuming, gaming, video, animation, performance, and full support of furry special interest groups.

Contact Robert King for more info (rcking@enteract.com or write to the PO Box).

If you have something to contribute to the furry track, talk to us–we LOVE volunteers!

URLs: http://www.wwa.com/~duckon (for the main con)
http://www.enteract.com/~rcking/duckfur (for the Furry track)

Registration: $30 each until April 30, 1998; $40 at the door.

Short on Cash? Not sure?? Supporting memberships are $10 until May 1, 1998. Supporting memberships upgrade to attending for $20 at the door.

Mail to: Duckon Registration, PO Box 4843, Wheaton IL 60189

Albany Anthrocon
July 3-5, 1998 (Early Registration starting 6 pm on Thursday 7/2)

Albany Anthrocon returns to the Omni Albany Hotel, and welcomes three special guests: Artist Jim Groat, writer Jeffrey Carver, and fannish guest Dr. Samuel Conway (aka Kagemushi). The con will also feature fundraising for a special charity: Whiskers, a local no-kill animal shelter specializing in helping stray cats.

Registration is $30.00 for attending membership in advance, and $35.00 at the door. Supporting memberships are $15.00. They also have Contributor memberships for $40.00, Sponsorships for $75.00, and several other levels you can buy… write to them for details!

Omni Albany Hotel – Ten Eyck Plaza, Albany, NY 12207
(518) 462-6611 or (800) THE OMNI
Fax: (518) 462-2901
Room Rates are $75.00 single/double, and $95.00 triple/quad.

Send registration, or requests for more information (Art Show, Dealer Room, Events and Programming, etc.), to:

Albany Anthrocon, P.O. Box 234, Watervliet, NY 12198

Make sure to check out their web page too, at: www.wizvax.net/aac/index.html

Conifur Northwest ’98
“Furries In Seattle”
September 4-6, 1998, Clarion Hotel by the Sea-Tac Airport
$82 basic room rate; call (206) 242-0200 or 1-800-CLARION and be sure to mention Conifur Northwest.

GOH: Diana Vick

Conifur Northwest’s goal in our first year is to be a relatively small and relaxed con, yet with all the usual amenities: Dealer’s room (Mel. White, Michele Light, Terrie Smith, and many others have already confirmed that they will attend!), art show, artist’s alley, video room, and programming with a twist. As much as possible, the programming will consist of interactive workshops and “how-to’s” on subjects such as drawing, short-story writing, and publishing — although Mel. White and Glen Wooten will be reprising their excellent panel on copyrights.

Registration: $20 until July 1st, then $25 until the con, and $30 at the door.

Our contact address is cfnw-info@picarefy.com, but the best way to find out about Conifur Northwest at our web page, http://www.picarefy.com/conifur . We also have a mailing list for announcements; to subscribe, send email to majordomo@picarefy.com with “SUBSCRIBE conifur” in the body.

The Mephit Furmeet ’98
September 4-7, 1998
Holiday Inn – Memphis East, Memphis, Tennessee

Special Guest: Bill Holbrook, creator of Kevin & Kell

Registration is $25.00 for attending and $15.00 for supporting. Dealer tables are only $10.00 – but supplies are limited!

Hotel rates are $75.00 for 1-4 furs. Call (800) Holiday, ask for the Memphis HI, and mention Mephit Furmeet.

For more information on events and other stuff, check out their web page: www.mfm.home.ml.org The head tiger in charge can be reached at: growltiger@mindspring.com .

ConFurence Nine — Aftermath Report

This time, the hotel had a better idea what they were in for! About 1,200 furry fen (and other interested people) joined us at the Buena Park Hotel and Convention Center in Buena Park for a weekend of fun, fur, and falling-for-the-right-fur.

Those Special Guests

This year we welcomed our very first Guest of Honor from overseas (Great Britain) to her very first con in the U.S.: SF author Lisanne Norman. Despite being wheel-chair bound much of the time, Lisanne managed to get around enough to meet up with many fans of her ‘Sholan Alliance’ SF series, and she even read them several un-published short stories. Artist GOH Michele Light and comic book GOHs Mike and Carole Curtis spent much of their time behind their tables in the Den of Dealers, but still managed to get out and participate in several interesting SIGs and workshops. And special GOHs the FurryMUCK Wizards were all over the con, needless to say! It seems like every year more well-known types decide to join us at ConFurence, from a wealth of backgrounds in comics, science fiction novels, movies, computers, TV, and many other forms of media where furries can be found.Among them this year were Steve Addlesee, Darrel Benvenuto, Mitchell Biero, E.T. and Elizabeth Bryan, Ben Camacho, John and Rachel Cawley, Richard Chandler, Jimmy Chin, Kishma Daniele, Pat Duke, Jeff Ferris, Leslie Fish, Steven Gallacci, Roz Gibson, Jim Groat (and family), Shon Howell, Lance Ikegawa, Pat Kelly, Robert C. King, Ed Kline, David Koenig, Kris Kreutzman, Jymn Magon, Steven Martin, Chuck Melville, John Nunnemacher, Fred Patten, Michael Payne, Steve Plunkett, Mike Raabe, Joe Rosales, Lance Rund, Dan Seneres, Mark Allan Sheppard, Ted Sheppard, Terrie Smith, Brian Sutton, Diana Vick, Edd Vick, Elin Winkler, and Tommy Yune. Not to mention a host of artists, small-press publishers, and other folks whose names you know — or should, sometime soon! [And if there’s anyone who’s name we left out – mia culpa!]

Those Costume EventsThis year marked several important changes in our programming for creators of furry costumes (dubbed ‘fursuits’ by many) at ConFurence. First and foremost was the premier of The FurSuit Lounge, where most of our costuming how-to workshops took place, and the fursuit makers had a chance to relax and unwind (hey, it gets hot inside those things!) Secondly, we expanded the awards for costumes (shown off at our big Costume Event on Saturday) to include not only the traditional ConFurence popular-vote awards (chosen by the entire membership), but also a new selection of ‘Peer Awards’ in various categories, letting the fursuit makers pat each other on the back for good craftsmanship. Both types of awards were divided up into the Intro Division (those who’ve never won a costuming award before, here or elsewhere), and the Advanced Division (those with more experience and awards under their fur). Here then is a complete list of all the costumes honored at ConFurence Nine:

Popular Vote: Intro Division
1st place:

Zooma (designed, built, and worn by Jim Brining)
2nd place: Stanley D. Lion (designed and worn by Reggie Jensen, built by International Costumes, Inc.)Popular Vote: Advanced Division
1st place:

Triggur & V’ril (designed, built, and worn by Kevin Kelm and Kit Struthers, respectively)
2nd place: Royal Ice – Frost & Fire (worn by Lance Ikegawa and Heather Riesen; designed by Lance Ikegawa; and built by Lance Ikegawa, Kathy Sanders, and Lynnette Johnson)Peer Review Voting: Intro Division

Best in Show:
Zooma

Best Presentation
1st place: Twinkle Foozle
2nd place (tie): Sly Fox
2nd place (tie): Stanley D. Lion

Best Original Design
1st place: Zooma
2nd place: Trax
3rd place (tie): Twinkle Foozle
3rd place (tie): Stanley D. Lion

Best Re-creation
1st place: Minnie Mouse

Best Use of Materials
1st place: Zooma
2nd place: Trax
3rd place (tie): Chairo
3rd place (tie): Stanley D. Lion

Advanced Division

Best in Show: Royal Ice – Frost & Fire

Best Presentation
1st place: Triggur & V’ril
2nd place: Royal Ice – Frost & Fire
3rd place: Vickey Rabbit

Best Original Design
1st place: Royal Ice – Frost & Fire
2nd place: Triggur & V’ril
3rd place: Big Bad Wolf

Best Re-creation
[no award]

Best Use of Materials
1st place: Royal Ice – Frost & Fire
2nd place: Triggur & V’ril
3rd place: Big Bad Wolf

That Furry Filk Contest

For the second time, a previous filk contest winner had the winning entry for this year’s songwriting contest: Kay Shapero, for her song The Hollow Hills. Watch this space in July: We’ll print the winning song lyrics!

We Had Events!

Thursday night again featured two dances; our ever-popular Club Techno-Fur, and that gothic dance happening, Nevermore. Meanwhile, our Guest of Honor Lisanne Norman read stories to the furries in the Pearl Possum. Friday night after the Furry Filk Contest came the return of the ethno-folk-exotic-jazz band Thoth, followed by the popular charity Pet Auction. Then it was time to dance till the walls came down at The Purple Nurple Live. Many thanks to the tech crew, dj’s, and volunteers for all of our night-time events. (Special thanks again to Cargo!) Come Saturday, time for another colorful and varied Costume Presentation, followed by our first ever ‘Pawfasting Celebration’: Lots of people have asked about getting married or otherwise hitched at ConFurence, so we got them all together at once! (Our thanks to Walksfar for his gracious leadership of the ceremony.) Saturday night, after Kagemushi entertained quite a crowd with his storytelling skills, once again it was time for the Cabaret Fur le Dance, to bring in another capacity crowd and raise important funds for the Deal Whitley Scholarship. This year’s show featured a grand spectacle of talented dancers and singers, hosted for the first time by talented comedian Fox Jeffworthy (with plenty of help from the ever-popular Omaha Sternberg, of course!). Once again this year our lighting and effects were provided us by John and Amanda Geyer and their helpers. Our heartfelt thanks go out to all the show crew, all the instant help, and most especially to our dancers – Spark (and his lady friend), Kameo, Shontar, Pandora, Louis P. Looks-Twice, Leslie Fish, and Rod O’Riley (and his Band of Skilled Hands). You’ve all given us another fond memory to take home! And extra special thanks to John Geyer and Omaha Sternberg for organizing the entire show, again — and to the tireless stage crew and extra help!

We Had Our Sponsors…

Our sponsors are the special folks who help us see that ConFurence takes place, that it has special guests, and that it has a place to be! They do this just by contributing a bit extra above their membership fees, which we apply to transporting, housing, and feeding our special guests. A partial list of our Sponsors for ConFurence Nine: Earl P. Bacon, Walt Bakes, David Buttenshaw, Jeff D. Castle, Keven Dong, Romano Eberwein, Anthony Ferro, Richard Foley, Sean A. Foltz, Eric Foster, Deen Foxx, Stacey Frankovich, Guy Garnett, Heiko Gemming, Douglas Graen, Michael Hackett, Johnathan Hammar, Eli Harvey, Ed Holowell, Erin Hurst, Alan M. Jones, Karl Xydexx Jorgensen, Brian Kimmes, Jonathan Lang, Steven Lang, Louis LeClerc, Richard Messer, Eric Miyoda, Peter A. Murphy, Michael O’Donnell, Freddy E. Praul, Nick Radonich, Eric Raschka, Jim Rauscher, Bruce Richman, Stephen Roy, Mark Ryerson, Jonah E. Safar, William A. Sanborn, Robert E. Sanders, Martin Shotzberger, Stacey Wenkel, Sarah Wheeler, Robert Whiteman, Richard Williams, and Robert Yates. Thank you! [More to come next issue!]

…and We Had Our Super Sponsors!

These extra-special folks gave some real extra help for our guests’ needs by contributing more than $100.00 each for the care and keeping of our big-name furries. Super Sponsors for ConFurence Nine [a partial list] included Ralph Atwood, David Bliss, Clark Breslin, Gary Breukman, Michael Burlake, Changa, Caleb Corey, Michael T. Danaher, David DeSimone, Darrel Exline, Mark Fried, D. Patrick Garvey Jr., Gabriel Gentile, Matthias Giwer, Pete Glaskowsky, William Haskell, Brock Hoagland, Ron Johnson, Boyce Gerald Kline Jr., James Lenigk, John Ludlin Jr., Drew Maxwell, James McMechan, Paul P. McNutt, Brad Metzler, David Miller, Matthew R. Muench, Charles Nezzer, Robert Parrish, John Pennington III, Christopher L. Pesl, John W. Pharr, Gary Renaud, Charles E. Roe, Matt Roush, Aaron A. Taylor, Richard F. Thatcher, David Wescott, Bruce Wilhite, Linda Woeltjen, and Jason Wolf. Extra special thanks to all of you! [The rest of you we’ll list next issue!]

The ConFurence Nine Staff

They put up with it all through the year, then during the con itself, and they put up with even more to make it all happen! ConFurence salutes our staff and helpers for ConFurence Nine, 1998 (in alphabetical order): Andrea Adams, Rod Basler, Greg Bilan, Eric-Alexander Bitten, Dwayne Blackman, David Bliss, Steven Bornstein, Michael C. Braunshasen, Dawn Britt, James P. Callicott, Changa, John Cawley, Rachel Cawley, George E. Chaney III, Andrew Clark, Moroni Clawson, L. Grant Cleveland, Gabriel Collazo, Raymond Collazo, Steve Corbett, Brenda Marie DiAntonis, Robert Droz, Darrel Exline, Andrea L. Fiedler, Tim Fitelson, Mark Freid, Kim Gardner, Steve Gattuso, Amanda Geyer, John Geyer, Jonathan Hartman, Eli Harvey, Tim Helphrey, Carol Higuchi, Erin Hurst, Lisa Iennaco, Warren Johnson, Zsanene Klinkler, Kele Kravelin, Lynn Kurtz, Karl Maurer, Paul P. McNutt, David Meacham, Mark Merlino, James Miles, Kurt Miller, Allen P. Mixson, Lea Mixson, Sheryl Mount, James P. Mullen, Charles Nezzer, Ken Nielsen, Rod O’Riley, David T. Parenteau, Dennis T. Peterson, Don Post, Natalie Powell, Rob Powell, Regan Pylman, Gary Renaud, Ryan X. Saenz, Cari Sandvig, Kay Shapero, Omaha Sternberg, DeWayne Stewart, Shawn Strobel, Michael Underwood, Jennifer Vancil, Neil Welchel, Tank Winters, and Mike Yust. (There are other folks whose names we’re liable to forget — plus some non-staff people who stepped in when things got ‘hairy’. Thank you to all of you too!)

And finally, you gotta get right back where ya started from…

ConFurence Ten – A Look Back

Can you believe it? Ten years and ten ConFurences since Mark Merlino and Rod O’Riley first looked at each other and said, “Well, think it’s time furry fandom had its own convention?” Little did we realize what we were starting! And now, a full decade after 65 furries came to Costa Mesa, California to join us for our little experiment, it’s time for A Look Back… our main theme for ConFurence Ten. Where have we been since 1989? What was cool then, versus now – and all the years in between? Where has furry fandom brought us from, and two? All these things will be looked at, discussed, and remembered throughout ConFurence Ten. Big changes in store for ConFurence, if you’ve been following us for the past few years. We’re making a big move in time and in space: In time to Easter Weekend (April 1-4, 1999) and in space to the city of San Diego, California – Home of the world-famous San Diego Comic Convention. Our sub-theme for CF10 is very appropriate, given that the weekend is Easter, and that 1999 is The Year of the Rabbit. That’s right, bunnies take center stage at the first springtime ConFurence! We’ll have other fun themes and slogans to play around with at ConFurence Ten, too. How about: ConFurence… more SPACE in 1999! Or maybe… ConFurence X… The Fur is Out There!

Our New Guests

Two of our special Guests of Honor have already been confirmed for ConFurence Ten, and more are on the way – we’ll have more to tell you next issue! From Radio Comix and Shanda Fantasy Arts we welcome artist, illustrator, and comic-book writer Mary Hanson-Roberts. Mary had already become known at SF cons throughout America for her gentle pictures and prints of various fantasy creatures. More recently though, she’s made a name for herself in independent comic books, both for her series (such as Here Comes A Candle from Furrlough) and for her illustrations and covers (such as SFA’s Women in Fur). ConFurence is also proud and happy to welcome back filk-singer Cynthia McQuillin. Last time, she was the ‘other half’ of filk guest Dr. Jane Robinson at CF8. This time, she gets to be the headliner! Don’t worry, Dr. Jane will be right along with her! And what else is Cyndi bringing along? Her long history of vampire songs, women’s issue songs, and lots and lots of cat songs! Okay, that’s two Guests of Honor — so far! We’ll be adding a few more names to our Guests of Honor list soon – stay tooned!

Where? The Town & Country Hotel and Resort, San Diego, California

The Town & Country Resort, part of San Diego’s Hotel Circle in Mission Valley, is no stranger to SF conventions – or to furries. In July of 1986 (at that year’s WesterCon), the T & C was the site of the very first official Furry Party. Since then, for several years it has been the home base for ConDor, San Diego’s local SF gathering. And how it’s going to try out an honest-to-goodness furry convention! We’re taking up a substantial amount of their various convention facilities – and we’ll still have room to grow in the future! Cool stuff about the Town & Country:

Fashion Valley Mall, just a quarter mile to the north.
San Diego’s famous red trolley stops right next door.
No less than six different places to eat, right on site!
Three separate pools.
Beautiful grounds with tropical palm trees and rose gardens.
Lots of smaller, cheaper hotels just across the freeway.

Room rates for ConFurence Ten are $85.00 per night, single or double; and $95.00 per night, triple or quad. For reservations, call (800) 854-2608, or the local number (619) 291-7131.

Important As Ever:

Make sure to call during business hours (M-F 9 am – 5 pm, pacific time), and make sure to mention ConFurence.

The Den of Dealers

As of right now, the Den of Dealers for ConFurence Ten is nearly Sold Out! And once they’re gone, they’re gone! So please, write us if you’re looking for a dealer table, or if you want to be placed on the Waiting List for the Den of Dealers 1999. Tables (8’ x 3’) are available for $60.00 (which includes two attending memberships), with an additional table (max of 2) costing $40.00 more. If you’ve already reserved a Den of Dealers table, keep your eyes on the mail — Your information packet, asking you questions about your specific needs at your table(s), will be coming around soon. The Artists’ Alley remains one of the most popular and populated features of any ConFurence, and the Alley at ConFurence Ten will be just plain huge! These tables in the pre-convene area are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis at the con itself, and need to be signed up for each morning. Trust us – there’s a lot of room, but they will fill up! Write to Rod O’Riley at the ConFurence address (or e-mail to vinson@netcom.com) for more information about table space.

The Art Show

ConFurence’s art show remains consistently one of the largest SF/fantasy art displays in the world! Believe us, if you do art of funny animals, furries, monsters, aliens, toons, or even real animals, you want to be in this art show! But our show will fill up — so get in your reservations as soon as you can! Your first art show space (4 ft. by 4 ft., horizontal or vertical) is still available free with your paid supporting or attending membership — all you have to do is claim it in writing. Additional art show spaces are available for a low $5.00 each. We also have an extensive Print Shop available for selling copies of your work. So get your reservations in today! What, you can’t make it to ConFurence? No problem! Reserve your space, and mail us your art before the con — we’ll set it up, send you back what may not sell, and get you off a check for your sold items! Important — We have an extensive Art Show Registration ‘instruction sheet’ available that explains all the ins and outs of displaying and selling art, sculpture, prints, or whatever at ConFurence, so write to Donald Poe at the ConFurence address (or e-mail him at the ConFurence web page, www.confurence.com ) and we’ll send it off to you right away! Don’t delay! Write today!

In 1999, we take stock of where we’ve been… and bring our Traditions with us!

The Cabaret Fur le Dance

Once again we shall bring you another truly magical evening of furry entertainment at our famous charity stage show. What kind of entertainment? The kind to make your fur stand up! Dancers, singers, costumes, comedians, magicians — we’ve seen them all, and we want to see more! Maybe you have an idea for an act yourself? Why not try it out on the ConFurence staff — you just might find yourself on stage in front of a few hundred screaming friends! Write to Michael Underwood at the ConFurence address for all the de-tails! (Remember, all performers in the Cabaret must be able to first attend a special pre-planning meeting on Friday night, April 2, at ConFurence!)

More Furries, More Films, More Bang For Your… oh, you know!

ConFurence Ten! What’s happening? More of what we’re famous for, that’s what:

Meetings, discussions, how-to workshops and round-tables on dozens of furry topics, from art and writing to animation, computers, games, and even meeting other fans of your favorite animal species. The Saturday afternoon Costume Presentation, with everyone voting for the best costumes — and more helpful how-to sessions with the costume makers and designers. Plus, the return of the FurSuit Lounge and the popular Furry Dance outside on Saturday night! Food, including our Ice Cream Social and Saturday Night Furry Feed, right next to the pool! Computer networking, art, and animation on display, plus the return of the Internet Room. Games, both paper and electronic, cards and role-playing, and everywhere in-between. Dances, no less than three of them! Filking through the night, including our popular Furry Filksong Contest, and another special filk/folk concert. Sketching by literally dozens of artists of every size, shape, and style. And a whole lot more! All the rest, as always, is what you bring to the con! What’s The Price?

Registration to ConFurence Ten is on a sliding scale — All memberships are $25.00 for a full three-days Attending, from now until January 1st, 1999. From January 2nd, 1999 until March 15th, 1999, three-day Attending memberships are available for $30.00, and after that, at-the-door for $35.00. Plus, a full year of In-Fur-Nation, and our special annual ConFurence Souvenir Collection Book, are all included in the price of your membership! A single art show display space is also included free with your membership — if you write us and claim it!

And remember, we’d love to have you join us, but if you cannot make it out to our nest, please feel free to join ConFurence as a Supporting member! Supporting members get a full year’s subscription to In-Fur-Nation, the Souvenir Collection Book, and one free art show display space for the taking, all for the low price of just $15.00! And, if your fortunes change, you can convert your supporting to a full attending membership at the door for only $15.00 more. Such a deal, amigos! We heartily recommend that you get your memberships now. That provides us with the best means to keep you in touch with ConFurence over the whole year — and if past history holds true, we’ll have a lot of exciting stuff to tell you between now and the con itself!

What ConFurence Needs… Our Sponsors

Sponsors are the excellent people who help keep ConFurence going by giving just a little extra bit (or a lot extra bit!) of financial help. This is money for transporting, lodging, and feeding our special guests, as well as off-setting complimentary memberships and hotel rooms. To become a sponsor, contribute a minimum of $50.00 (up to $99.00), which includes your initial membership fee. Remember: Indicate which of our special guests this money is to help toward, or just mark it “general fund” — we’ll split it among all of them. And what do you get for being a sponsor? Sponsors are the only folks (besides staff and guests) allowed in the Guest Lounge, a special place set aside where folks can relax away from the hubbub of the con. Guests and sponsors can attend special food events too, and get special seating at some of our shows (with purchase of a ticket, in some cases). And, sponsors get — our unending gratitude! (Not to mention recognition by name in the souvenir book!)

Our Super Sponsors!

Super Sponsors are the awesomely excellent furry folk who really want to help out ConFurence — and who think they deserve something special in return. Super Sponsors are crazy, er, wonderful people willing to contribute $100.00 or more (which includes their initial memberships) toward a special guest of their choice, or just toward the guests in general. Super Sponsors get all the same neat stuff as other Sponsors, plus an added bonus of a special VIP Lounge at ConFurence, preferred seating at several events (with ticket purchase), and other special perks – including some special gifts direct from our Guests of Honor. Don’t have $100.00 sitting around handy? Make installments! That’s right, we’ll take two payments of $50.00, or four payments of $25.00 — it still counts you as a Super Sponsor, as long as it totals $100.00 by the time of the con itself.

ConFurence Needs YOU…

… to join our staff and help put on one of the fastest growing fannish conventions on the West Coast! Join our team! We need volunteers to help out with all areas of the convention, from registration to art show to helping keep the fans well-fed! No experience necessary — we will train! For as little as 16 hours of work over the length of CF8 (though we won’t stop you from helping more!), you can get access to our exclusive Staff and Sponsor Lounge, as well as use of our available crash space — plus, some other special goodies, and the knowledge that you’ve helped us pull this thing off for another year! Write to Volunteers care of the ConFurence address, or send e-mail to Rod O’Riley at vinson@netcom.com, and we’ll send you our staff sign-up sheet and information right away!

Time certainly flies… are YOU going to?

ConFurence has its own official travel agency, Ladera Travel of Southern California. They’ve specialized for years in getting good rates for travel to and from SF cons, including ours! Contact Rick Foss at (800) 624-6679 from outside California, or (310) 640-0527 inside California.