InFurNation!
– January, 1998
“Sure, hit on the bat…
Gearing up for the soon-to-be ConFurence Nine, everyone! In this issue of you’ll find a lot of important information regarding what to do (plus when, where, and how to do it) later in the ConFurence Progress Report. But first, here’s some current stuff we think you’d like to know about:
Fox’s entry into feature animation hit the ground running: Anastasia, directed by Secret of NIMH veterans Don Bluth and Gary Goldman, debuted in its first weekend of full national release with a box office take of 14.1 million dollars The highest ever for a non-Disney animated feature. If you’re looking for items featuring the two ‘token’ furries from Anastasia, two children’s picture books of some note are available: Pooka – Rags to Riches and Bartok –Get a Life! (published by Golden Books). Both of these books were illustrated by Aristides Ruiz. Toy tie-ins for Anastasia can be found in the United States at Burger King and Shell Oil outlets.
Coming in 1998 from Warner Brothers Feature Animation is Quest for Camelot, an animated version of the adventures of King Arthur and his knights. Among the interesting background characters are a two-headed dragon (voiced by Don Rickles and Monty Python’s Eric Idle) and a very nervous gryphon (voiced by TV’s Meego, Bronson Pynchot).
The current edition of Birnbaum’s Walt Disney World: The Official Guide (1998, available now) features a complete preview of “Disney’s Animal Kingdom”. This newest park in The World is scheduled to open in May of 1998, and will be centered around the theme of real world wildlife, dinosaurs, and even fantastic animals. Live creatures from Africa and Asia will be presented in broad, realistic natural environments, and the park will feature numerous audio-animatronic and live stage shows, as well as interactive nature learning opportunities. This is also the new home of the Lion King Celebration parade, which recently left Disneyland in California after a three-year run. Birnbaum’s Guides can be found at travel agencies and better book stores.
It seems that Disney’s Broadway version of The Lion King is off to a good start. The show reportedly racked up more than $40 million in pre-sale tickets alone, and the current shows are sold out until May of 1998.
Recently premiered on The Disney Channel is Vault Disney, a daily late-night programming slot which will feature Disney TV shows, specials, and animation from the Disney archives, many of which have not been seen for years. And, just announced: On April 18th, 1998 (TDC’s 15th birthday), the Disney Channel will launch its all-new sister station – A 24-hour animation cable channel called Toon Disney. Press released have indicated that this will be the new home for many Disney TV cartoons from the past, including Gummi Bears, Winnie the Pooh, and Darkwing Duck.
The currently-available home video Beauty & the Beast: An Enchanted Christmas includes a preview of the next direct-to-video animated film from Disney, Belle’s Magical World. This new feature will present three storybook fantasies, read to us by Belle, and will be available starting February 10th, 1998.
Now available on video from Hyperion Studios (the creators of The Little Toaster animated feature) is Oz Kids, a new animated series following the adventures of the offspring of all the well-known inhabitants of Oz, including Dorothy Gale. Interestingly, the original characters also appear in the series, but they are seen only from the waist down.) It seems that the Cowardly Lion has fathered two children, a brother and sister named Boris and Bela. The series of nine one-hour video tapes follows the children’s adventures as the magical land of Oz is visited by a completely new form of magic: The computer. Speaking of which, the official Oz Kids web page can be found at www.munchkinland.com . Among the well-known folks giving voices to background characters are TV’s Billy Mumy from Babylon 5.
Outlanders creator Johji Manabe’s animated mini-feature, Capricorn, is now available commercially in the original Japanese with English subtitles from A.D.V. Films. For information on this and other anime titles, look up their web site at www.advfilms.com .
The entire world, it seems, is currently bursting with animated TV shows, and many of them are of furry interest. All of the following were presented for sale and syndication at this year’s MIPCOM, and many of them are depicted in the October 1997 issue of Animation Magazine. From France comes Skippy: Adventures in Bushtown (following a dashing kangaroo and his friends!). Distribution for the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand is provided by Yoram Gross). From Germany, there’s Urmel (a dinosaur), Fix and Foxi, and Inspector Mouse. Promexa Studios from Mexico is producing one very furry TV cartoon series, Captain Corsair. Great Britain has a huge herd of furry stuff coming – Look for Amazing Animals; Animal Shelf; The Animals of Farthing Wood; Dawdle the Donkey; Kipper; Little Hippo; Old Bear (a half-hour special); Noah’s Island, Percy the Park Keeper; Rocky & The Dodos (from Cosgrove/Hall, creators of Danger Mouse and Wind in the Willows); Transylvania Pet Shop; Wolves, Witches, and Giants, and more episodes of Blazing Dragons. Also from Britain, look for a direct-to-video feature, The Ugly Duckling, distributed in the U.S. by Warner Brothers.
Speaking of British animation, Nick Park and the gang at Aardman Animations (the folks who brought you Creature Comforts and Wallace & Gromit) are currently at work on their first feature-length film, Chicken Run.
Chuck Jones Film Productions, creatures of the recent Warner Brothers theatrical shorts Pullet Surprize, Chariots of Fur, Another Froggy Evening and From Hare to Eternity (and others) has closed up shop in Los Angeles. Word from inside sources (according to Animato magazine) has it that Warner Brothers did not consider the animated short films to be of immediate commercial value, and so decided to cut off that division.
Recently discovered: The Endangered Species Store, a retail chain dedicated to selling T-shirts, art prints, sculpture. trinkets and many other items in support of endangered wildlife around the globe. They may currently be found in the following locations: The Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada; The Anchorage Shopping Center and Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, California; The Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; and several locations in Hawaii – Downtown Honolulu, Waikiki Beach, Kaanapali, Lahaina, and Waikaloa. You can e-mail them for more information at NDanger108@aol.com.
Be on the look-out for Cerebus #225, a special 20th anniversary issue. In celebration of Dave Sim’s long-running comic book adventures of the barbarian aardvark, this issue will be released at the exact same price as it always is.
AGC Comics presents Propaganda Comics, a collection of wartime anti-Axis stories reprinted here from Ha-Ha and Giggles Comics. Hitler, Mussolini, and many others are here, along with “some of the weirdest and rarest funny animal stories you’ll ever see” (says Previews).
More in the odd department: Claus, from John Bowden, Corinne Guichardan, and Draco Comics. When Santa’s village at the North Pole is invaded by “Nazi Orcs from Hell”, old St. Nick must fight to save his home with the aid of, among others, “that full-grown raging buck, Rudolph” (Previews).
Tim Eldred’s science fiction/comedy comic book series Grease Monkey returns in a new black & white edition from Image Comics. Each issue will present two complete stories.
The Legendlore black & white series from Caliber Comics presents Wrath of the Dragon by Joe Martin and Philip Xavier. A young human prince must seek the aid of a powerful dragon, who just may be his father, in order to defeat an invading horde.
From Silver Griffin Comics, look for the premier of Centaur City, a 4-issue black & white mini-series from Devlin Janax and William Marden. A powerful centaur named Thunderstone has created a magical hammer which can shake the very earth, and used it to enslave the peaceful nation of centaurs… and he has his eyes set on his neighboring lands.
More odd comics: The anthology Tales from the Edge #11 (from Vanguard Productions) presents a new black & white comic novella, Sacred Monkeys. Creator Marshall Arisman spins his tail of being born the twin brother to a monkey named Elvis, which only he can see. When Elvis disappears after Arisman spends time in a mental hospital, the writer sets out in search of the legendary Tribe of Sacred Monkeys to find him.
Vision Comics presents the premier of a new black & white furry superhero comic series, Extinctioners by Shauntae Howard and Malcom Earle. Shauntae has previously illustrated comic stories for Shanda Fantasy Arts (The One Lioness in New Horizons, and Katmandu).
Beginning January 21st, 1998, comic book artist Ricardo Delgado will have available a series of limited edition full-color lithographic prints from his well-known dinosaur series, Age of Reptiles. Look for information at better comic books stores and galleries.
Furry artist James Hardiman (whose work was recently seen in Genus from Radio Comix) has a new catalog of his erotic and other furry prints and portfolios available. Send a large (9″ x 12″) SASE to his new address and he’ll send you one: JMH Custom Art, 568 East Woolbright Road, #453, Boynton Beach, FL 33435
Fans of Japanese giant monster films should look for Monsters Are Attacking Tokyo, a new trade paperback by Stuart Galbraith IV. Published by Feral House, the book features an extensive filmography and interviews with 33 major players in the world of big city-crunching monster movies.
Obituary: Animation fans were saddened by the loss of veteran voice actor Don Messick this last October. The long-time Hanna Barbera fixture (voice of such characters as Boo Boo, Skooby Doo, Dr. Benton Quest, and many many others (including Hampton Pig for Warner Brothers’ Tiny Toons)) passed away after a long illness he suffered following a stroke last year.
… we’re easy targets!” (Bartok, bat, from Anastasia)
From the CF Mailbox
Matt J. McCullar’s Grasslands’ Tale premiered at Albany AnthroCon in July ’97 and quickly sold out. The 100-page digest-size novella describes the powerful attraction between two white Siberian tigers: Grasslands, a male high-school student about to graduate, and Desirée, his female art teacher. Included are over 20 illustrations from Steven R. Addlesee, Scott Alston, Phil Bolton, Kishma Danielle, Bernard Doove, Edwin “Pelzig” Dyer III, Tygger L. Graf, Zephery Hughes, Rommel Karlo C. Ignacio, Brian McPherson, Bill Schmickle and Terrie Smith. This book includes the first two stories that originally appeared in Furrottica, “Tails Out of School” and “Love in the Rain,” as well as the previously unpublished, shocking conclusion, “Scandal!” Grasslands’ Tale is available from SilverFox Publications, P. O. Box 16164, McGuire AFB, NJ 08641 for $5.50, plus $1.50 shipping and handling. Mature readers only, please.
Sweet Treats, a cookbook written and illustrated by Margaret Carspecken has finally gone to press. Published by Vision Comics (Katmandu, The American Journal of Anthropomorphics), this 128-page book features marvelous art and equally enticing dessert recipes “from the kitchen of Marsha Redfox.” The book is at the printers and is due for release in Spring of 1998. This is one of the most unique and creative “furry” titles ever published. I’vehad the opportunity to sample some of the recipes and they are indeed “Sweet Treats!” Be sure to pick up a copy!
We will be debuting (Hopefully in December of 1997) a comic series in Radio Comix’s Genus anthology. This series is called Desert Storms… and it is an *adult* story, so don’t say I didn’t warn you..!! By “We” I’m taking about me, Michael Hirtes and James Allen. Mike is the creator and also helps in plot ideas. James is more or less our quality control, and I do everything else including the art and scripting. I’d like to also take the time to thank Elin and Pat at Radio Comix for this opportunity to have some more of my work published.
I now have my website back up and going… added a few things, deleted other redundancies…and with a little luck, I can get my site back on it’s feet. Here’s the URL: http://annex.com/dlnorton/index.html . BTW..I hope to have some new Bat-Chulli stuff in there in the coming year ahead..!! Oh… and by the way, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
United Publications’ new comic Wild Side should be ready for release at ConFurence Nine. Current details can be found at www.lupin.demon.co.uk/WSPAGE.html
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 One (“Coming Out of the Burrow”) or Three (“Furries Around the World”) available for $3.00 each; and from ConFurence Six (“Magic and Transformation”), Seven (“Furries in Force”), and Eight (Music & Mirth/Scalies) 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) and from CF8 (by Michele Light) 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.
And Now — The ConFurence Seven Highlights Video!
Yes, it’s done! Thanks to the skills of David Bliss and the rest of our highly skilled video crew, we’re proud to bring you our newest video, Highlights from ConFurence Seven, 1996 (Furries in Force). See the Opening Ceremonies, christening Check Point Furry! See interviews with our Guests of Honor S. Andrew Swann and Eric Schwartz! See Jymn Magon receive the very first Golden Sydney Award! See Jim Groat eat a Smurf! See highlights from the Costume Presentation, the Pet Auction, Club Tekno-Fur, and the Cabaret Fur le Dance (tasteful, but tasty)! See Gumbies invade ConFurence! And much more! 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. Get yours today!
And here’s a look at Coming Attractions…
| Duckon 7, June 12-14, 1998: Ramada Inn Rosemont/O’Hare in Rosemont, IL
A Chicagoland Furry Experience. Duckon is a general SF con with a furry track. Great $79 basic room rate. Call (847) 827-5131 FURRY GOH: Terrie Smith 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. 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. Contact Robert King for more info (rcking@enteract.com or write to the PO Box). URLs: http://www.wwa.com/~duckon (for the main con) http://www.enteract.com/~rcking/duckfur (for the Furry track) Mail Registration to: Duckon Registration, PO Box 4843, Wheaton IL 60189 |
We’ll bring you more news about Duckcon in the April issue of In-Fur-Nation. But first…
ConFurence Nine Progress Report
- ConFurence Nine — Furries in Love
- Time to let out that fuzzy feeling inside… And remember, our special second theme for ’98 is Furries Down Under – So be sure to hop on over and join us, mate!
- More About Our Guests of Honor
- This time, let’s learn a little more our author Guest of Honor for ConFurence Nine, Lisanne Norman… our first-ever Special Guest from Great Britain!Lisanne was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and “destined to be a Valentine present for her father” – except that she arrived a day late. Currently she lives in a menagerie called Dragoncraft (near Norwich). Currently she (and the home) are owned by two cats, a very furry dog, a rabbit, and her 12 year-old son. She says she began writing when she was 8 because she couldn’t find enough of the books that she liked to read. A yearning to create stories lead to a yearning for adventure: For years she was a member of The Vikings, a national re-enactment group, and was very active as a skirmisher on the battlefield using double-handed steel sword, and as an archer. She even ran her own archery display team After she moved to Norwich and meeting husband number two, and with the helpful nagging of some friends, she finished writing a book she had begun in writing in 1979 – Turning Point. And DAW Books bought it in 1992. She had found her dream of creating a world where science, magic, and adventure live side-by-side, and the Sholan Alliance series (now up to 4 books, all in print from DAW) also provides ample opportunities to explore many aspects of the cat-like Sholans meeting up with the human race… politics, trading, war, even romance!
ConFurence is pleased and proud to welcome Ms. Norman to her first U.S. convention, and her first convention as a Guest of Honor! To find out more about our artist Guest of Honor, Michele Light, as well as the creators of the giant virtual environment known as FurryMUCK – well, you’ll just have to come join us at ConFurence Nine! And remember, we have Mike and Carole Curtis joining us too!Speaking of Guests…
Also joining us (again, or for the first time) are such furry folk as Steve Gallacci, Mel. White, Jim Groat, Brian Sutton, Mitchell Beiro, Carla Speed MacNeil, Steve Addlesee, Ed Kline, Steven Martin, Ted Sheppard, Chuck Melville, Edd Vick, Susan Van Camp, E.T. Bryan, Elizabeth Bryan, Smudge, Fred Patten, Mike Raabe, Diana Vick, Tommy Yune, Tim Fay, Trump, Yuusaka Toyoshima, John Cawley, Terrie Smith, Lex Nakashima, Jefferson Swycaffer, Roz Gibson, Jimmy Chin, John Nunnemacher, Michael Payne, Arlene Harris, Dusty Rhodes, James Hardiman, Elin Winkler, Leslie Fish, Steve Plunkett, Harvo, and the crew from Yarf! Unconfirmed guests at press time include Jymn Magon, Ken Southworth, Paul Kidd, David Koenig, Ron Rodecker, and the return of the avant-ethno-jazz ensemble Thoth for another set of concerts! Unfortunately, we’ve been informed that comic creator and furry-clearinghouse-person Ed Zolna will not be able to join us at ConFurence Nine. Also, note a correction from the last issue: Tygger Graf and D.A. Graf will not be joining us at ConFurence Nine. (My apologies for the miss-print last issue – Rod O’Riley, ed-otter.)
- Our Re-Tooled Hotel
- Once again ConFurence comes to the Buena Park Hotel, right in the parking lot of Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, California. They’ve had the hammers out lately; the new management working to renovate many sections of the convention area and the sleeping rooms. Word is out that the main hotel may have sold out for ConFurence 8, but we can’t be sure — so you’d better call! Remember, once again rooms are only $64.00 a night for single, double, triple, or quad! To check on reservations, call (800) 422-4444, or the local number (714) 995-1111. Important: Make sure to call during business hours (M-F 9 am – 5 pm, pacific time), and make sure to mention ConFurence! This may be your last chance!
Other AccommodationsFor those fans of less means, we’re happy to report that we have three less expensive facilities (less than $50.00 a night!) for you to stay in, right across the street from our main hotel! They are, in order of closeness:The Colony Inn — (800) 98-COLONY The Covered Wagon Motel — (714) 995-0033 Nott’s Landing – (714) 527-1515 The Crescent Motel — (714) 828-3483
Call the individual motels for room reservations, and be sure to mention both ConFurence and the Buena Park Hotel, as they’ve made arrangements for special room blocks at each hotel.
Once more, a Hotel Reminder! Paying Attention? Goooooooood!
If you’re going to be more than a couple of hours late in arriving to the Buena Park Hotel, or if you change your plans and aren’t going to be staying with us for the first night of the con, make sure to phone the Hotel and let them know to hold your reservat ion for you — or it will not be there when you arrive!
You shouldn’t have any trouble at all if your reservation was put in properly. If you do find you’re having some sort of unusual problem when you arrive, make sure to write down exactly what happened, and get it to us – in writing!
Getting TO The Hotel
The Buena Park Hotel is located at the south end of Knotts Berry Farm, on Crescent Avenue, just west of Beach Boulevard. From either the 405 or 22 Freeways (from the south) or the 5 or 91 Freeways (from the north), proceed to Knotts Berry Farm on Beach Boulevard. Turn west on Crescent — that’s right if heading south or left if heading north. From the north you can also cut right through the Knott’s parking lot and shopping area. The hotel is right there on your right. The Colony Inn, Covered Wagon Motel, Nott’s Landing, and Crescent Motel are all across Crescent, on the south side, just east of our main Hotel. What, still confused?? Why, just use the handy-dandy maps included in this issue!
A Few Reminders About Parking…
Parking in the Hotel lot at the Buena Park Hotel is primarily reserved for folks actually staying in rooms at the hotel. If you’re coming to ConFurence from a local town and not staying overnight, please consider parking in one of the adjacent Knott’s Berry Farm lots — they’re not expensive; in fact one of them is free for up to 4 hours!
- The Den of Dealers:
- As of this time, the Den of Dealer’s is sold out for ConFurence Eight. If you’ve called us and you’re on our waiting list, please, bring your stuff! We’ll try our best to find room for you in our Artists’ Alley, or perhaps in the Den of Dealers itself — cancellations do happen, sometimes at the last minute!
- Important Information for Dealers: We recommend you bring up materials for the Den of Dealers through the freight elevator on the east side of the Hotel (facing towards Beach Boulevard), through the service corridor, and in the back door of the Den of Dealers. We’ll have ConFurence staff on hand to help you out. Once you arrive, a Dealer’s Den Map will be available to show you the way to your table. Dealers do not have to register their memberships and receive their badges prior to setting up their tables — but they must do so immediately after setting up! Special colored hand-stamps will be available for dealers and their helpers during set-up and tear-down, to help our security know who should and shouldn’t be in the room then. New for ConFurence Nine: The Den of Dealers will have its own desk, right at the front of the room, where you can bring your concerns, buy your memberships for ConFurence 10, and where you pick up your membership badges and supplies for ConFurence Nine!
Dealers: The State wants their Cut!
We have been informed that the ‘blanket’ California Tax ID of ConFurence will no longer be able to cover dealers in our Den of Dealers. In order to deal at a trade show in the state of California, you must have a State of California Tax ID number assigned to you. For more information, call the California Franchise Tax Board, or contact our Dealer Staff Lead, Steve Gattuso (doodles@primenet.com ).
One More Important Note for Dealers
If you plan to sell materials in the Den of Dealers, Publishers’ Row, or Artists’ Alley, be aware that the official policy of ConFurence is that no illegal or regulated materials (e.g. obscene items or copyright-infringing materials) are allowed to be sold at ConFurence. If you chose to break this rule, you risk expulsion from the convention, or legal action… in which case ConFurence can and will accept NO responsibility for your person or your materials. Also remember: For reasons of security, the Den of Dealers will be locked at the end of each convention day, and NO ONE will be allowed into the room until opening the next morning. This is final. Contact Steve Gattuso for more information.
- The Artists’ Alley:
The Artists’ Alley remains one of the most popular features of any ConFurence! Tables in the pre-convene area are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis only, with sign-ups each morning at 9:45 am — sharp! The Artists’ Alley tables will be removed each evening to make more room upstairs. The tables along Publisher’s Row are assigned through previous arrangements with ConFurence — and currently, they’re all filled up!- The Art Show:
- We’ve done it again! We’ve filled up our huge ConFurence Eight Art Show to the very walls — and we are sold out of panels as of this writing! From this point, at-the-door sales of art show panels will be allowed only if there are last-minute cancellations, and only on Thursday and Friday (the 15th and 16th) if that. Our thanks to the many artists, print-makers and sculptors who are participating in our show this year. If you’ve registered and you’re bringing art to hang/display/sell, please note that Art Show set-up will be taking place starting Thursday morning, with the show to open early Friday. The Art Show and all of its business will take place on the 9th floor, in the City Lights Room. Once again this year the ConFurence art show will feature two voice- auctions, with the first taking place Saturday evening (in addition to the traditional Sunday afternoon voice auction) for those piece which have already received enough bids for auction. We want everyone who wants art to have a chance to get in on the bidding! Further information will be available at the con. (We highly recommend that artists displaying in the show attend the Matting Workshop on Thursday evening, if you can!)
- And Here’s A Look At Some Of The Events We’ll Be Bringing You…
- A quick overview of daily stuff: Thursday is mostly a set-up and meet-and-greet day, though Artists’ Alley, the Lounges, and the Video Theater will all be up and running. Also on Thursday this time is the Matting Workshop, to help artists keep their stuff looking good as long as possible! At midnight Thursday Night, it’s time for the return of Club Tekno-Fur, presenting the hottest dance sounds in the galaxy, direct to you! Friday will start off with the Meet The Guests reception/meeting for our GOH’s and other guests. Friday night, look for the return of the Pet Auction (just for fun). Friday night it’s the Ice Cream Social (included in the price of your admission!); our annual Filk Song Contest, where you the listener get to vote on the best new song with a furry theme. Ending up Friday night (again at midnight) is the return of The Purple Nurple Live, direct from FurryMuck to you! Saturday brings our famous Costume SIG/Presentation. Also look for The Dog & Pony Show, where creators of furry materials try to sell you on their stuff. (Let us know if you want to sign up!) Saturday night things really get moving: Munch on lasagna at Garfield’s (a separate ticket item), see the first art auction, and come to the famous Cabaret Fur le Dance (also a separate ticket item — for adults!). Sunday it’s time for some rest, but only so you can get up for the second art auction, and some other special events — to be announced! See The ConFurence General Store (near Artists’ Alley) for information on prices and availability of separate ticket items, and check out our Information station to find out more about our fabulous events!More Information On Special Events
— The Costume SIG and other FurSuit Stuff
Your opportunity to show off what you can do with costuming for your own furry creation — not to mention the creation itself — comes on Saturday afternoon at our Costume Presentation, where the two-hour program showing off the handiwork of costumers and furry constructors from throughout furrydom (with photo opportunities), followed later in the day by a popular vote for the two best costumes (one amateur, and one who’s been at this a while). New for ConFurence Nine is the FurSuit Lounge, where furry costumers can let their fur down and meet with their fellows. In the lounge, costumers from around the country will be on hand and available to discuss the materials and methods they use to bring us their creations in several special work-shops. Sign-up sheets and other info for the Costume Presentation will be available at the ConFurence Information Desk. Also new this time: The costumers will be giving their own awards too! If you plan to participate in the Saturday Presentation, look for information regarding the ‘pier awards’ voting. AND, don’t forget: Saturday night it’s time for another FurSuit Dance… it was so popular last year, how could we resist?
— Dinner at Garfield’s
Another ConFurence tradition — stuffing yourself on Saturday! Garfield’s will once again feature loads of lasagna (appropriate name, right?), plus lots of other goodies to fit all tastes and needs (including special diets) available buffet-style. Tickets are available from the General Store, and include and a drink for only $10.00 per person. Eating times are staggered to keep the crowd down — so make sure and check your ticket!
— The Cabaret Fur le Dance
By now a ConFurence tradition, the Saturday night Cabaret show features lively music and hot dancing by skillful male and female dancers, plus costumes and skits — yes, there’s adult-oriented material here (at least in some parts of the show!), so the show is for over-18’s, sorry! Proceeds from the Cabaret benefit the Deal Whitley Memorial Fund for cartooning scholarships at the DuCret School of the Arts, and other local charities. Tickets can again be purchased at the General Store for $10.00.
— Filking
ConFurence strives to be a filk-friendly con. The Pearl Possum will again be set aside on Friday and Saturday night for fans who want to get together and sing about their favorite furries. Once again on Friday night it’s time for the annual furry filk lyric contest, with the winner picked by a popular vote. What? You don’t sing or play? Why, just bring your lyrics along — we’ll have someone perform them for you! And hey, do you play a guitar or other instrument? Bring it along! We can always use more accompanists!
— The Video Theater – Through the Day and Night!
Once again, our Video Theater will be running 24 hours a day from Thursday afternoon to Sunday afternoon, will feature many animated features and TV shows, anime originals, translations (serious and otherwise!), short films, furry commercials, and other nifty stuff. Find the Video Guide Books at Registration or Information, follow the signs, and head toward the flickering lights! (Near the Pearl Possum.)
— Gaming
Always a popular pastime with lots of furries, whether the game is Albedo, Other Suns, TMNT, Werewolf, or Teenagers From Outer Space! Gaming space will be available at ConFurence downstairs, on the first floor — just follow the signs! Sign-ups for games and game masters will be kept right outside the gaming room, and a schedule can be found near Con Information
–– The InterNet Returns to ConFurence
ConFurence is proud to welcome back E.L.V.I.S InterNet Services to our fold, providing e-mail, news group, and MUD access to our membership! Look for directions to the InterNet Terminal Room.
Welcome Back To — The Pearl Possum!
Modeled after the local Lynchbany tavern in the first book of Alan Dean Foster’s Spellsinger series, ConFurence Eight proudly presents the return of our own continuous juice bar and fan lounge, available to ConFurence members! In addition to a full line of (non-alcoholic) drinks, The Pearl Possum will once again feature events such as book signings, story readings, and filk singing at night. And this year, it’s doubled in size! Be sure to check it out!
- A Few Important Policy Notes for ConFurence. Hey! Read These!
- Weapons Policy For the length of ConFurence Nine, all real, realistic, or simulated weapons must be peace-bonded with ribbon. This includes any sort of gun, knife (above 4″ total), sword, whip, or other such item which could cause damage. Yes, that does include Silly String! ConFurence security will be enforcing this! If you have a weapon which needs to be displayed as part of the Costume Presentation, you need to make special arrangements with both the Security and Costume Show staff ahead of time – preferably prior to the con, in writing.
Some Words on Dress and Behavior
We asked this last year, and we’re asking again: People from all over the world, from many cultures and social strata, come to a ConFurence. And we really want to make a good impression on as many of them as we can. Not everyone who shows up is going to be into or not into the same things as you. Please try to be discreet with things like leather shock-gear or clothing that’s hardly even there, okay? At very least in the Lobby and main Convention Area, try to think about how you’re dressed, and make sure that you are dressed! If you’re not thinking, Con Security might have to come over and remind you. Secondly, you need to be careful about getting over-energetic with horseplay! If a bit of fooling around damages hotel property, it’s gone way too far. Thirdly, keep in mind that as furries we’re all fond of cuddling and affection – But their comes a point where, to be polite in public, both of you should head off to a private room. Okay? The twin policies of ConFurence are tolerance for our diversity and politeness for our con. It makes this annual world furry gathering a lot more fun and enjoyable for everyone who comes here. Thank you from us all!
Smoking Policy
The Buena Park Hotel has changed it’s own internal smoking policy. Smoking is now forbidden in all lobby and meeting room areas, except for the Shoe-Bops bar. Smoking is allowed in individual sleeping rooms, and will be allowed in the lounges – IF, and only if, you use a smoke-catching air-filtered ashtray. Outside the hotel, you’re on your own.
- Registration to ConFurence Eight is on a sliding scale. From now until January 8th, 1998, three-day Attending memberships are available by mail for $30.00. After that, three-day memberships will sell at the door for the same $30.00. And a full year of In-Fur-Nation, plus our special annual ConFurence Souvenir Collection Book, are all included in the price of your membership!
And remember, if you cannot migrate to this part of the world at that time, 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! Got it? 🙂
Planning on buying your membership at ConFurence? The prices at-the-door will be: $15.00 for Friday, $20.00 for Saturday, $15.00 for Sunday, $25.00 for Saturday and Sunday, and $30.00 for all three days. Converting your membership at the door works like this: Supporting to Attending: $15.00. Attending to Sponsor: $30.00 – $79.00. Sponsor to Super Sponsor: Whatever brings your total up to $100.00 or more. Attending to Super Sponsor: $80.00 or more.
Registering at the Convention
ConFurence Registration will be divided into three parts: Pre-registered members with last names between A-L, Pre-registered members with last names between M-Z, and new At- The-Door registration. For Pre-Registered Members, sign your name next to the name and address in the Reg Book, and check your name spelling and address for correctness. (If anything is not correct, please write in the correct information next to your name!) For At The Door Registration, fill out a new member form (press hard, it’s carbon!), hand over your money (cash, check, or money order only, please), and make sure to get your receipt copy! For any and all Converting Memberships, go to At The Door Registration, point out what you wish to upgrade from and to, sign next to your name if asked to, and hand over the appropriate amount of money. At Registration you’ll be handed a packet with your con badge, your souvenir book, your pocket program, your video schedule, and other neat stuff! Remember, special membership badges are handed out to furries who’re under 18 years of age — so be prepared to show ID at Registration if you fur isn’t quite dragging the ground yet! Another important thing: We must have a real name associated with a real face for each and every badge handed out. We have to know who your ‘guests’ are before we’ll give them (or you) their badge!
Important Note on Registration, for Special Guests and Pre-Paid Sponsors and Super Sponsors Only:
As an added bonus, our special guests of ConFurence, Sponsors, and Super Sponsors (pre-paid, not converting) can bi-pass a good portion of the Registration lines! If you’re a Special Guest, a Sponsor, or a Super Sponsor, please follow the signs to the special Express Lane. Your badges, packets, and ribbons will be waiting for you there. Not certain if you’re a Sponsor, Super, or Guest? Check the lists at Information!
- ConFurence’s Little Helpers…
…. And Now A Word About Our Sponsors
Our Sponsors
- Sponsors are the special furries who help keep ConFurence going by giving a little bit (or a lot bit!) of extra financial help. That’s money for transporting, lodging, and feeding our special guests, as well as off-setting complimentary memberships. To become a sponsor, just contribute a minimum of $30.00 over and above your membership fee. Indicate which of our special guests this money is to help toward; or if you can’t decide, just mark it “general fund” – that’s automatically ear-marked for our Guests of Honor. What do you get for being a sponsor? Besides being mentioned by name in the Souvenir Book, 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. The food is good and the company is lively. And sponsors get special seating at the Fur le Dance Cabaret (with the purchase of a regular ticket — after all, it’s for charity!) and the Costume Presentation. Plus, Sponsors get — our unending gratitude!
- Super Sponsors! (Boom! The Sequel!)
- Super Sponsors are people who really want to help out the convention — and think they deserve something special in return. Supers sponsors are those crazy, er, wonderful people willing to contribute $100.00 or more toward our special guests. Super Sponsors get all the same neat stuff as other Sponsors, plus some extra snazzy foodstuffs in the VIP Lounge (Guests and Super-Sponsors only allowed!). Other neat perks include front-row seats at the Fur le Dance Cabaret (again, that’s with the charity purchase of your ticket for the FLD show) and the Costume Presentation. We even bug our Guests of Honor to come up with some little, unique gifts that they can send your way… we’ll let you know what we find! What, you don’t have $100.00 sitting around? Why, 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! [Important Note: Keep in mind, you’re not actually a Sponsor until we get the actual $50.00 or more, and not a Super until we get the full $100.00 or more. So, if you’re making installments, you might not get your name in the Souvenir Book, say, if you take a while to get yourself paid up! But, we promise — we’ll acknowledge you as soon as you do!]
- Once again at ConFurence Nine for Sponsors and Supers: We’re setting up a special ‘Express Registration Line’ just for our pre-registered sponsors and super-sponsors. You can bi-pass the rest of the line-up at Con Reg (follow the signs!), and get your badges and other con stuff right away!
- ANOTHER Special Note for Sponsors and Supers..
- We’ve had several people who have actively requested help from ConFurence to get out here, so they might join us and be part of the program. It would be very helpful to us if any Sponsors or Super Sponsors willing to would ear-mark some or all of their contributions (already made) toward helping out specific well-known furs. Besides our four guests of honor (Lisanne Norman, Michele Light, Mike and Carole Curtis, and The FurryMUCK Wizards) whom we can always use help for, the folks asking about Sponsorship include: Thoth (jazz/ethnic group, returning again), Carla Speed MacNeil (comic book artist), Shauntae Howard (comic book artist), Paul Kidd (author), and Steve Plunkett (furry puppeteer). Several of the artistic folks here have already said they’d be will to maybe do up some special print runs just for their sponsors… so, if you’d like to ear-mark some of your funds to some of the needy, why not give the ConFurence phone number a call, or e-mail vinson@netcom.com.
- We can always use more staff to help keep things running smoothly at ConFurence! What’s it take? Sixteen hours (minimum) of your time over the length of the con (though more is always appreciated!) helping out with Registration, Art Show shuffling and paperwork, sound and lighting for the shows and dances, and all kinds of stuff it takes to pull off a con like this one? What do you get for all this? Well first and foremost, a free space to crash in and cheap (if not free) munchies for the length of the con! Plus a chance for a free membership to the following ConFurence, transferable to certain ‘stuff’ at the ConFurence General Store. [Remember though, you do have to buy a membership first, do the work, then you’ll be credited for your membership!] Want more info on ConFurence volunteering? Just send a note to Rod O’Riley at the ConFurence address (or mink@firstlight.net ) and he’ll send you out a Volunteer Information Packet right away! If you’d like to volunteer at the Con itself, or if you have signed up for staff and need to check in, just head up to the desk with the sign in nice big friendly letters that says Volunteers (it’s downstairs, next to Information).
- Furries on the Wing — Follow de Bat!
- 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.
- The Great Furry Migration
- Looking to carpool or caravan your way to ConFurence Nine? Give us a call on the ConFurence phone (or e-mail us) and give us some pertinent information about what you need or what you’re offering. We’ll pass the info along to others in your area (or path) who’d like to ride share.
- The Times, They Are A’Changin’… Maybe!
- (Note: These times are tentative! Check at the con itself to make sure!) ConFurence Nine opens officially at 3:00 pm on Thursday the 15th. That means the Lounges, the main SIG Room, and the Video Theater will be open — Art Show and Den of Dealers will be setting up still, after 12:00 noon. [Artists’ Alley will be open for anyone who wants to sit down; no sign-up.] The other three days, things get started at 10:00 am each morning — that is, Con Registration and the Artists’ Alley. Dealers can get access to the Dealers’ Den starting at 9:00 am each morning, and sign-ups for Artists’ Alley take place promptly at 9:45 am each morning. Con Registration will close at 8:00 pm on Friday, 7:00 pm on Saturday, and at 1:00 pm on Sunday (to make way for Registration for ConFurence Nine). The Den of Dealers will be open from 10:30 am – 7:00 pm on Friday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm on Saturday, and 10:00 am – 5:00 pm on Sunday. Information regarding viewing and bidding times for the Art Show, the auctions, and other such information will be posted on the door of the Art Show, and published in the Con Newsletter when possible. The Video Theater Schedule will be available in separate booklets at Con Registration. The whole kebang closes down at 5:00 pm on Sunday.Important Reminders About Registration – Where Do I Go?
REGULAR MEMBERS – Con Registration, Downstairs. SPONSORS, SUPER SPONSORS, GUESTS – Express Lanes, Downstairs (Follow the Signs). CON STAFF – Go to Con Information (Downstairs) and follow directions. DEALERS, PUBLISHERS’ ROW – Go to the Den of Dealers, Upstairs.
Keep Ahead of the Game!
How do you stay on top of the latest schedule changes, additions, deletions, and other need-to-know items at ConFurence Nine? Simple! Just pick up the latest issue of The Scratching Post, our half-daily newsletter of events and information. And for getting your questions answered by a living being, just stop by our handy Information Table, located downstairs in the lobby.
Happy New Year, everyone! Be one of the pack! Keep in touch with the world of Anthropomorphics! Join ConFurence Eight Today! Happy New Year!!