OryCon 21 Progress Report #2

November 12-14, 1999
Columbia River DoubleTree Inn
Portland, Oregon

PO Box 5703
Portland, OR 97228-5703
E-mail: saxon@agora.rdrop.com
http://www.orycon.org/orycon21/index.html
503-232-6506

Volunteers are very welcome!

OryCon is a non-profit organization that runs on volunteers, no one is paid to do anything at this convention.

If you want to volunteer for the pre-convention work (when we need you the most), call the Con Chair at 503-232-6506, contact the appropriate department head from the list at the end of this report, or the con chair (see above contact information).

At the con, stop by the Office (Tualatin Room) to volunteer, or show up at the hotel Nov 11th (Thursday) after 6pm.  We need work crews to set up the artshow panels, the light/sound systems in the ballroom and many, many more things to make the con great.
 
 

Committee Meeting Timeline

 Meetings open to all, especially volunteers.

Meeting Sun Sep 12th 2:00 pm McMenamins on Broadway (map), upstairs at 1504 NE Broadway, on the #8 NE 15th and #77 Broadway-Lovejoy bus lines
Meeting Sun Oct 3rd 2:00 pm On site at the hotel (map), on the Tri-Met #5 Interstate bus line
Meeting Sun Oct 24th 2:00 pm BPA, 905 NE 11 Ave (map), one block west from the Lloyd Center stop of the Tri-Met MAX line.
Note: Photo ID required for entry. Use the call box at the left of the doorway on the east side.
Last Meeting Sun Nov 7th 2:00 pm On site at the hotel (map), on the Tri-Met #5 Interstate bus line
 
 

A Short Note From the Chair

Helen Umberger  saxon@agora.rdrop.com

Here it is, August, and the pace is really starting to pick up as we are getting closer to the convention.  The guests are responding, programming is putting itself together, and the chair is asking herself, why did she volunteer for this job?  I don't know but each year, I and 1599 other people keep doing it - lemmings with style, or at least leather accessories.  So take this subtle reminder, the convention expects to sell out.  And if you don't get a membership, you'll miss some of the best dances on the coast, great programming, and wonderful people.

Hope to see you at OryCon 21!
 
 

Registration

Anne Peck jeffnanne@earthlink.net

$35 until 10/15/1999
$45 at the door until we sell out  (which occurred Friday 8PM last year)

Children ages 6-12 at the time of the convention are half price.
Children 5 and under at the time of the convention are free.
Children must be accompanied by an adult with a membership.

Mailed membership payments must be received by Nov.  6th.
Make checks payable to "OryCon 21".

We ask that people in Portland and the surrounding areas start including their area codes with their phone numbers.

Also, we will no longer be doing badge changes on Thursday or Friday. If the alternative name on your mailing label is not what you want on your badge, or you need a change from Guest of',  please let us know before the convention or wait until Saturday.  If you know who your guest will be before the convention, please let us know in advance.

The address to mail changes to is OryCon 21, PO Box 5703, Portland, OR 97228-5703.  If you move and don't send us a change of address, you won't get your publications.

Hours are subject to change; we will close when we sell out.
  Thursday    8:00 pm -10:00 pm
  Friday 10:00 am -10:00 pm
  Saturday 10:00 am -  6:00 pm    OryCon 22 prereg opens at 2:00
  Sunday   2:00 pm - 4:00 pm  OryCon 22 prereg only

Membership is limited to 1600! Be sure to register early!
We will not sell one-day memberships!

Memberships may also be purchased at Future Dreams and Wrigley-Cross Books in Portland.
 
 

Smoking Policy

Except for the smoking section of the Hospitality suite and any designated smoking areas in the hotel restaurants and bars, smoking is not permitted in any indoor public area at OryCon.
 
 

Weapons Policy

The wearing and carrying of weapons (or anything that looks like a weapon) will not be permitted, except as part of a Masquerade contestant's costume, or as part of other designated events, and then only during the event, or in transit to and from the event. The use of a weapon as part of the Masquerade must be approved by the Masquerade Director prior to the event. Failure to comply is grounds for immediate expulsion from the convention.

All weapons purchased in the Dealers' Room must be securely wrapped.

"Weapons" includes (but is not limited to): guns, blasters, swords, knives, spitwads, flame throwers, nuclear or non-nuclear explosives, squirt guns, whips, slingshots, peashooters, or unpleasant-looking devices. (The committee reserves the right to define what constitutes a weapon.) Keep them in your room. Period.
 

Childrens' Policy

All children must be registered with the convention. All children purchasing memberships must be accompanied by an adult.

Children ages 5 and under are admitted to the convention without charge and will receive a hospital-type ID bracelet. They must be under the supervision of an adult, or in the official child care area, at all times. If a young child is found unattended, he or she will be delivered to the child care area and the responsible adult(s) will be billed.

Children ages 6 through 12 are admitted at half the adult price and may operate independently as long as they cause no problems. Those not capable of operating responsibly on their own must be kept under adult supervision or taken to the official child care area.

All children of ages 12 or under must be under direct adult supervision after 8:00 pm. Children may work as convention volunteers, but those under age 12 may do so for no more than 4 hours per day. Those of ages 12 through 16 may do so for no more than 6 hours per day.
 

 Child Care

Helen Umberger  saxon@agora.rdrop.com

OryCon does provide limited child care, but due to lagging usage in the last couple of years we have reduced the numbers of professional nannies that we hire.  Depending on the ages of the children in child care, we are limited to 4-5 children per nanny, so space may be limited.  Space will be on a first come, first served basis.

Hours of operation are currently set for:

 Friday  12:30 pm to 5:00 pm,  6:00 pm to 11:00 pm
 Saturday  9:00 am to 5:00 pm, 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm
 Sunday  9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Child care is closed from 5-6 pm on both Friday and Saturday for dinner.  The cost is $6 per hour or $4.50 per hour if purchased in blocks of five hours.  Tickets for Child Care can be purchased in the Office, where they will take a child /parent instant photo for identification purposes, which must be given to the nannies when the child arrives at child care.
 
 

Guests Of the Con

Megeara Jarvis msjarvis@wildmail.com

This year we have a wonderful lineup of Guests of Honor, and <http://www.orycon.org/orycon21/index.html> has links to GOH sites.

First our Guest of Honor Artist is Nene Thomas, a professional fantasy artist, who has done over 150 original art pieces for Wizards of the Coast.

Our Guest of Honor Writer is Nicola Griffith, winner of the 1996 Nebula Award for Best Novel.

Guest of Honor Editors Warren LaPine & Angela Kessler are the senior editors for DNA Publications, which include Absolute Magazine,  Dreams of Decadence, and Weird Tales.

A new role for Orycon this year is the Guest of Honor Scientist; he is Dr. Charles Sheffield, Chief Scientist of Earth Satellite Corp, a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Past-President of the American Astronomical Society, and Past-President of the Science Fiction Writers of America.

The GOH Fan is Bill Bowers of OutWorlds.

The Special Guests of Friends of Filk are A Little Knight Music.  You may recognize many of the members:  Maria Baker, Steve Dixon, Karen Garner, Jeff Hitchin, Lara Larson, Alana McGee, Darragh Metzger, John Moore and Don Parris.
 
 

Hotel Notes

Diana Callihan callihan@aol.com

Once again the fine folks at the DoubleTree Columbia River are looking forward to the fannish invasion with anticipation.  They insist that the Coffee Garden's staff will be adequate and up to the task of fast, friendly service.  This year the Quiet Bar is ours as a NON-Smoking programming space until 4 p.m. each day.  However, there will be no beverage server so if you head that way for a discussion you will want to bring your own.

FOR CONVENTION RESERVATIONS PLEASE CALL THE HOTEL'S OREGON NUMBER : 503.283.2111.  The deadline for room reservations at the guaranteed convention rate is Oct. 21, 1999.  Rates (for single through quad rooms) are: Riverview - $98.00 + tax ; NON- Riverview - $88.00 + tax.  Rollaway beds are available for an additional $15.00 per night. Good rooms are still available in both areas.  If you need a late check-in let the reservation staff know.  If you have accessibility issues, please let the staff know that as well.   The more rooms we take, the better.  The hotel would like to be able to dedicate all rooms to us exclusively if possible.  If you have any concerns that you don't think the hotel is responding to as you would like, feel free to email me at  callihan@aol.com  and I will look into it.  After all, "it's my job, man".

In addition to the fitness room on premises, this year there is a new Jacuzzi in the outdoor pool area that will be open from 6:00 a.m. - Midnight.  (Please keep the cannibal soup/tub stuffing to a minimum.)

Good food, comfortable accommodations, fannish friends and an outstanding programming line up - sounds like ORYCON 21 to me!
 

Parties In the Hotel

Members wishing to host parties absolutely must contact the hotel in advance.  A fully refundable deposit is required to cover the hotel for the costs of cleaning and damages.
 

Alternate Hotels

Oxford Suites hotel, (map) across from the Doubletree Jantzen Beach, about 3 blocks from OryCon.  Tel. 503-283-3030/1-800-548-7848.

Best Western Inn at the Meadows, at the I-5 Delta Park exit (306), about 1 mile from OryCon. Tel. 503-286-9600/1-800-528-1234.

Delta Inn (answers the phone as "Days Inn Portland North"): At the I-5 Delta Park exit (306), about 1 mile from OryCon.  Tel. 503-289-1800/1-800-833-1800 (Days Inn national number is 1-800-329-7466).
 
 

OryCon Programming

Ruth Sachter   ruths@spiritone.com

We're planning on bringing you OryCon's usual mixed bag of multi-track programming: panels, slide presentations, small group discussions, workshops and demos, readings, autographing, etc.  Programming will range as always from the serious to silly (you don't want to miss Who's Line Is It Anyway?), from the early morning Tai Chi to the midnight Horror Reading, and from the Klamath room on the second level to the Art Show on the lower level.  We're always looking for more good programming ideas especially ones based on the works and interests of our Guests of Honor.

This year we are attempting to develop a Children's Programming track by adding a section to our programming survey and allocating the Mt. St. Helens Suite for daytime activities--ones that don't require encasing the room or participants in protective plastic.  And we need your ideas and participation to make this work.

OryCon 21 Program Participants as of   7/11/99:

Rob Alexander, Clifton Amsbury, Mark Anthony, Blythe Ayne, Betty Bigelow, Forrest Bishop, Adrian Bourne, Elizabeth Lawhead Bourne, Mark Bourne, Chris Bunch, John Bunnell, Elinor Busby, Gail Butler, David Clark, John Cramer, Pauline Cramer, Debbie Cross, Howard Davidson, Genny Dazzo, Don DeBrandt, John De Camp, Barbara Denz, Jody Dixon, Steve Dixon, Dan Duval, Claire Eddy, Marjii Ellers, Mark Ferrari, James Fiscus, Margaret Forsythe, Steve Forty, Janice Gelb, James Glass, Greg Gorden, Hugh S. Gregory, Nicola Griffith, Jon Gustafson, Robert Hale, Thea Hardy, Tara K. Harper, Norman E. Hartman, Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Marilyn Holt, Dave Howell, Melinda Hutson, Jerry Kaufman, Bart Kemper, Angela Kessler, J. Gregory Keyes, Meryle Korn, Nancy Kress, Bridget Landry, Warren Lapine, Durlyn Larson, Guy Letourneau, David Levine, Richard A. Lovett, Sonia Orin Lyris, Pat MacEwen, Lauryn Cone MacGregor, Laura Majerus, Alana McGee, Darragh Metzger, Craig Miller, Vicki Mitchell, John Moore, Mike Moscoe, Rebecca Neason, Larry Niven, Brian Noller, Marybeth O'Halloran, Steven Oliver, Jerry Oltion, Kathy Oltion, Don Parris, Fred Patten, Peter Dennis Pautz, John Pelan, Bruce Pelz, Stephani Danielle Perry, Steve Perry, Irene Radford, Theresa A. Reed, Bruce Holland Rogers, Mary Rosenblum, Leonardo D. Rufo, Drew Sanders, Shane Sauby, Michael Scanlon, Audrey Schmidt, Lorelei Shannon, Robert Sheckley, Charles Sheffield, Janna Silverstein, David Slusher, Kevin Standlee, Julie Stevens, Deborah L. Strub, Jeff Sturgeon, Honna Swenson, Nene Thomas, Amy Thomson, Suzanne Tompkins, Tammy Tripp, Edd Vick, Ray Vukcevich, Cynthia Ward, Leslie What, Deborah Wheeler, Lori Ann White, Tom Whitmore, Theo Williams, Ben Yalow, J. Steven York, Julie Zetterberg.
 
 
 

Orycon Sells Alien Baby Cloned from Elvis!

Debbie Cross and Paul M. Wrigley  wrigcros@teleport.com

Well, maybe, maybe not. You never know what you'll find at the Susan C. Petrey Clarion Scholarship Auction where you will have the opportunity to purchase all kinds of wonderful things, while helping to send a struggling new writer to Clarion Writers' Workshop.

OryCon 21's auction will be especially crazy because last year four warped fans were each given $20 to go out and turn it into items to be sold at this year's auction on Saturday, at 4:30 PM in the Klamath room. A record will be kept of what those items are sold for and the person whose finds raise the most money will be declared the Champion. There promises to be some truly bizarre things. We generally have a great selection of books, proofs, t-shirts, art work, jewelry, and other good goods. Whatever your tastes, we're sure to have something for you. Come preview the auction items at the table in the Dealers' Room.

Of course, we always need new and exciting things to auction. If you have something that another fan might want, we would be most grateful for the donation. We are non-profit and tax deductible. If possible, we would like to get donations beforehand so we can properly catalog and promote them. They may be sent c/o Wrigley-Cross Books, 1809 NE 39th Ave., Portland, OR 97212. We will continue to accept donations at the Susan Petrey table in the Dealers' Room. If you have questions, call Debbie or Paul at (503) 281-9449.

The auction starts Saturday at 4:30 pm in the Klamath room.
 

Video

Doug and Kim Bissell clypse@aol.com
Your programming suggestions and requests are eagerly requested.
 
 

Writers' Workshops

John C. Bunnell JCBunnell@sff.net

Once again, OryCon offers members the chance to participate in hands-on workshops where you and your writing can benefit from the wisdom of our professional guests.  These focused Clarion-style critique sessions can give you valuable insights on how to make your work more marketable as well as improving your literary technique.

Participation is limited to registered members of Orycon 21, and as usual, we need your stories well ahead of the convention so that we can match and distribute manuscripts.  We need to receive submissions to this year's workshops by September 13, 1999.

We will accept submissions this year in two divisions.  Submissions should follow basic professional manuscript format (double spacing, non-proportional type, 1" margins, etc.).  Participants may submit only one (1) manuscript and participate in only one (1) division.  The number of workshop sessions in each division will depend on availability of space and critiquing professionals.

SHORT STORY:   Maximum length 30 manuscript pages (about 7500 words).
NOVEL: Maximum length 60 manuscript pages, consisting of 2-3 chapters and an outline/synopsis.

To submit, send one (1) copy of your manuscript to the address below.  (Yes, we need hard copy; various considerations make electronic submissions impractical.)  Submissions must be accompanied by a $10 fee to cover costs of photocopying and mailing.  Checks should be payable to Orycon 21, and mailed to:

        John C. Bunnell
        Orycon 21 Writers' Workshop
        6663 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy. #326
        Portland, OR  97225-1403

Please also either complete and attach the form below, or supply the information requested on a separate sheet of paper.  Answering the questions for each division will help us place you in a workshop section and help our pro critiquers to give you the most appropriate possible advice.

 Name
 Address
 City/State/ZIP
 Phone #
 E-mail Address (if available)
 Badge # (if known)
 

SHORT STORY DIVISION
Have you attended a convention writers' workshop before?
If Yes, about how many such workshops have you attended?
Have you had one or more short stories professionally published? If Yes, about how many stories have you sold?

NOVEL DIVISION
Have you completed a draft of the novel of which your submission is a part? Have you completed any other novel-length manuscripts?
Have you submitted a novel manuscript to a professional publisher?
 

StoryWorks

John C. Bunnell JCBunnell@sff.net

The StoryWorks program is aimed at our younger OryCon members - specifically, we're targeting young people of ages 10-15.  In part, it's an outgrowth of our writers' workshop offerings, but we want to make an effort to do something unique and distinctive for this audience.  Like the writers' workshops, StoryWorks gives you a chance to meet in small, individualized groups with other young people and with our professional guests.  But StoryWorks is also meant to be more open-ended, to accommodate the unique needs of pre-teen and teen-aged writers.  The two divisions we plan to offer (depending on the response we get) will be:

"WHAT NOW?"
Are you stuck in the middle of a story?  Do you have an ending but no beginning?  A great character and nowhere to go?  Five pages of fantastic description and no plot?  This workshop is for you.   Submit up to twelve (12) manuscript pages (about 3000 words) of material, and our pro writers will help you figure out how to take what you have and create a solid story. Note that twelve pages is a maximum - if you only have five or six, that's fine, too.

"FINAL POLISH"
If you have a complete story ready to submit, this division is for you. Send us the manuscript (up to 12 pages, or about 3000 words); our pro writers will give it a careful reading and meet with you at the con to discuss what it needs to make it really sparkle.

You need to be a registered member of OryCon 21 to participate, and we need your submissions in hand by September 13, 1999  (but sooner is better; don't wait till the deadline!).  To submit material to StoryWorks, make sure that it's neatly typed or computer-printed (double spacing, non-proportional type, 1" margins, etc.), enclose a payment of $5 to cover copying and mailing costs (checks should be made out to OryCon 21), and send it to:

        John C. Bunnell
        OryCon 21 -- StoryWorks
        6663 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy. #326
        Portland, OR  97225-1403

Please include the following information with your submission, and be sure to mention which division you're interested in.  (One submission per person, please.)

 Name
 Address
 City/State/ZIP
 Phone #
 E-mail Address (if available)
 Badge # (if known)
 Age (as of November 1, 1999)
 Parent/Guardian
 

Wear a Costume! Win a Prize!

Megaera Jarvis msjarvis@wildmail.com

Yes, there will be Hall Costume judging this year. My faithful, bonny companions and I will be searching the halls, dances, Office, Hospitality, Art Show, Fanzine Room, upstairs, downstairs, indoors and out-of-doors for people wearing costumes.  Please wear a costume. Wear two or three! Win a prize! "What more could you ask for?"

The usual caveats apply: no "peanut butter", weapons or nudity, please. See the Masquerade Rules for more information.  Questions? Comments?  Email to msjarvis@wildmail.com or call me at 503-233-5437.  Support Sartorial Splendor!
 

Opening Ceremonies

Debra Stansbury debstans@canada.com

Come, enjoy, volunteer, participate.  Audience and actors need for Opening Ceremonies to join the Not Quite Ready for Sidereal Time Players.  Audience will receive a real fun time; Actors will receive applause and hideous ribbons.

Come, defend Oryconville against the Most Insidious Evil Fenkind has Ever Known!

Auditions for Oryconville's Own Superhero Team "The Mystery Fen" will be at 6-7ish pm Friday November 12th in the Double Tree (nee Riverview) Ballroom.  Costumes are requested and you will be required to state your powers out loud in front of a large audience.  And unlike the Westerns, you *will* need your "steenkin' badges"  :-)
 

Endeavour Award Finalists Announced

James Fiscus fiscus@teleport.com

The finalists for the 1999 Endeavour Award are Dinosaur Summer by Greg Bear; Golden Globe by John Varley; The Good Children by Kate Wilheim; Iron Shadows by Steve Barnes; and Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb.

The Endeavour Award honors a distinguished science fiction or fantasy book, either a novel or a single-author collection, created by a writer from the Pacific Northwest.  The Award will be given for the first time this year, and announced in November at OryCon.  The Award is accompanied by a grant to the author that now stands at $500.

"We anticipate increasing the award to $1,000," said Endeavour Award chairman James W. Fiscus, "and hope to do so for this year's prize."

A group of preliminary readers selected the five finalists from 24 nominated works.  The finalists will be read by judges John Barnes, Edward Bryant, and Esther M. Friesner, who will select the winner.

John Barnes has published nearly twenty novels that he describes as being "scattered among the genres of fantasy, SF, thrillers, and action-adventure."  He is an assistant professor of theatre in Colorado. His novel, "Mother of Storms," was a finalist for the 1995 Hugo Award. (The Hugo Award is given annually by the World Science Fiction Society.)

Ed Bryant began writing professionally in 1968 and has published more than a dozen books, starting with Among the Dead in 1973.  His short fiction has appeared in anthologies and magazines, and he has written columns for Omni, National Lampoon, Bloomsbury Review, Writer's Digest, Rocky Mountain News, Penthouse, and Washington Post Book World.  He is a regular columnist for Locus, Talebones, Cemetery Dance and other publications.  He won Nebula Award for Best Short Story in 1978 for "Stone" and in 1979 for "giANTS". (The Nebula Awards are presented annually by Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.)  Bryant lives in Denver.

Esther Friesner has published twenty-seven fantasy and science fiction novels and co-edited four anthologies.  She won the Nebula Award for Best Short Story of 1995 for "Death and the Librarian" and in 1996 for "A Birth Day."  Her column, "Ask Auntie Esther," provided tips on etiquette and advice to the SFlorn to readers of PULPHOUSE Magazine.  She lives in Connecticut "with her husband, two children, two rambunctious cats, and a fluctuating population of hamsters."
 

Eligibility and Nomination

To be eligible for the award, a work must be an original novel or single author collection of stories published, as either a hardcover or a paperback, for the first time in the United States or Canada during the calendar year preceding the giving of the award.  The author(s) must have been living in the Pacific Northwest--Alaska, Oregon, Idaho,  Washington and British Columbia--when they signed the book contract.

The Endeavour Award represents a collaborative effort by writers and fans of Science Fiction and Fantasy to recognize works of excellence.  It is sponsored by Oregon Science Fiction Conventions, Inc., [OSFCI], the organization that sponsors OryCon and other conventions.  It is named for the H.M.S. Endeavour, the ship in which Capt. James Cook explored the Pacific.

Writers, editors, agents and person who attended the previous year's OryCon may nominate works for the award.  Nominations must be accompanied by four copies of the book for use in judging.  Deadline to enter books published during 1999 is February 15, 2000.  Nomination forms may be printed from the Endeavour Award's home page: <http://www.osfci.org/endeavour/index.html>.

If you do not have access to the Web, you may send a stamped, self-addressed, envelope, to:
 The Endeavour Award
 c/o OSFCI, PO Box 5703, Portland, Oregon 97228

For additional information contact:
 James W. Fiscus fiscus@teleport.com
 Chairman, The Endeavour Award Committee
 [Or write him in care of the above address.]
 

OryCon 21 Office

Barbara Hoffert arniesmom@aol.com

Otherwise known as the hub of the Con Universe! Would you like to be at the center of it all? Meet new and interesting people? See old and fascinating friends?  Point people in the right direction?
Be a generally helpful person?  Then the OryCon 21 Office needs you!

If you would like to volunteer to help out our crack office personnel, contact Barbara Hoffert at arniesmom@aol.com or call 503-649-2744.
 
 

Hospitality

Randy Fischer

Starting at Friday at 3pm, Hospitality will open in the Kennedy Suite.  If you drop by earlier, you have just volunteered to work on the hospitality staff.  We'll again have a professional bartender and a nominal charge for beer and wine.  Soda and other non-alcoholic beverages will of course, be freely available along with lots of good munchies - both healthy and fattening.

  Fri.  3:00 pm to 3:00 am
  Sat.  9:00 am to 3:00 am
  Sun.  9:00 am to 4:00 pm
 
 

Dance

Kurt Daily   kurt@fltdyn.com

Please contact Kurt with your dance requests and suggestions.
 

Art Show

Lacey Axmaker laceyax@stones.com

Artshow hours for OryCon 21:

 Thursday
  Set-up:                3:00pm-11:00pm
  Artist Check-in:       7:00pm-11:00pm
 Friday
  Main Artist Check-in:   9:00am-1:00pm
  Open To public:         2:00pm-6:00pm (No Direct Sales)
  Artists' Reception:    8:30pm-10:00pm
 Saturday
  Open to Public:        10:00am-8:00pm
  Direct Sales Open
 Sunday
  Open to Public:        9:00am-11:00pm
  Close-out For Auction:   11:00am-Noon
  Auction:                  Noon-2:00pm (no Direct Sales)
  Check-out/Tear-down:    3:00pm-6:00pm

The Artshow Website is up and running at <http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Dimension/5486/artshow.html>
Please check in frequently for updates to the lists of artists and information about the show.
 

Internet Cafe

John Bartley johnbartley@email.com

I-Cafe's goals are to provide a 768kb/sec feed to 5 PCs, >300mHz.  Volunteers who email me now are especially appreciated to assist the unWired (yes, those folks are still out there) and to assist with prep.  Sorry, unless Linux & Mac power users volunteer by 9/15, there will be only Windoze.

Music Programming

Cecilia Eng andrewn3@mresearch.com

Things are coming together for this year's Special Guests of Friends of Filk, A Little Knight Music.
You may recognize many of the members:  Maria Baker, Steve Dixon, Karen Garner, Jeff Hitchin,
Lara Larson, Alana McGee, Darragh Metzger, John Moore and Don Parris.  They've been working hard, and the harmonies they've put together will absolutely thrill you to your toes!  Look forward to some beautiful music this year.

And speaking of looking forward, now is your chance to comment on plans for music programming at Orycon 21.  How are the concerts, song circles, panels and workshops working (or NOT working) for you?

 Do we have too many concerts?
 Are they too long/too short?
 Does having one chaos and one bardic circle work for you?
 How about theme circles?
 One-shot concerts?

We can't promise to make all changes you suggest, but we CAN suggest that if YOU don't request changes they WON'T happen.  Send comments/suggestions/requests to the Orycon 21 PO Box or e-mail them to me in care of   andrewn3@mresearch.com
 

Treasure Hunt

Scott Sanford wyvern@agora.rdrop.com

We will be having a Treasure Hunt at OryCon 21 just like last year, there are no changes there.  Maybe we'll even come up with a more efficient signup method then having the treasure hunt coordinator wander around with a clipboard.  The cunning fan that finds the treasure hunt object wins a membership to OryCon 22.

The anchor pool for the "Guess the Membership Sellout Time" contest last year went over very well - so we'll try it again.  The prize will probably will be what ever goodie comes to hand at the time.
 

Games at Orycon 21

David Mohr ronin@pacifier.com

Our hope this year is to accomodate as many games and game styles as needed, giving the most enjoyment for our gamers as possible. We are considering having 5-6 of the round tables in one room, while trying to avoid over crowding, of course <g>. In the other room, our idea is a long table and round tables, to satisfy the needs of both role players and card players.

One idea we are toying upon deals with numbering the tables for our records. We hope this and sign up forms for game registration will prevent confusion and jam ups that have happened in the past re: space and times. I would like to hear all feedback on this idea.

Sign up sheets are being made for the Games at Orycon 21. These will ask for the Game Master, type of game, level of play, time and date of the game.  Though like the ones we have done since OryCon 18, we have learned some new needs from the gamers which will be added to the sign-up sheets.

Those wishing to set up a pre-reg game, or who wish more information, please feel free to contact me at ronin@pacifier.com or by snail mail at Sensei David Mohr c/o Mohr Realities Games, 338 12th Street, Astoria OR 97103.

This year I am bringing my shop's staff (badge names Tobar and Lord Alberonn) as my assistants. Between us we have over 50 years of gaming experience in over 36 games. So we hope to be able to help with questions as well.
 

Orycon 21 Masquerade Rules and Information

Don Glover corwyn@kolvir.com

Welcome to the Orycon Masquerade. Once again the Masquerade will be directed by Don Glover, the younger, now in his third year of insanity. He is some info to help you get started in preparing your presentation for Orycon. Don will be happy to help with any problems, and to do what ever we need to do (within reason of course) to help you present your costume on stage. Please review the following information.
 

 Rules of the Masquerade

Young Fan - Anyone 13 and under.

Novice - Anyone who has not previously won at a world class competition (i.e. Worldcon or Costume Con) and has won no more than two times as a Novice.

Journeyman - Anyone who is an amateur and has had up to three wins at the world class Journeyman level.

Master - This division is open to anyone, but the following must compete at this level: Anyone who has more than three wins at the Journeyman level.

Professional Costumers - Winners of best of show at a world class competition.
 

Please Review the following rules:

   1. No purchased, rented, or commercial costumes; credit must be given for all make-up and costume construction.
   2. No pyrotechnics, fog machines, wind machines, Jacob's Ladders, or Oscillation Overthrusters (whatever those are).
   3. No real firearms. Handle realistic-looking firearms with care. In fact, no dangerous or potentially dangerous props will be allowed without the close inspection of the weapons master. No weapons will be pointed at the judges and any other weapon play must be approved by the director.
   4.This Masquerade is rated PG-13. As much as I might enjoy it personally. I will have to insist on no nudity or partial nudity. Lack of costume is not a costume.
   5. No flash photography of contestants onstage. Offstage, please get permission form the costumer before you flash. And remember, there may be people around you who are sensitive to your flash.
   6. Presentation time limits: one minute for a group of 1-4 people, two minutes for a group of 5-8, and three minutes for a group of 9 or more. Additional time may be given by the Masquerade Director on a case by case basis.
   7. No live mikes! If your presentation includes dialog, please add it to your soundtrack tape.
   8. The Masquerade Director has the final say.
   9. And finally, the obligatory no peanut butter rule. No messy substances--that is, nothing that will ruin another costume or make the floor sticky, gritty, slippery, slimy, bumpy, lumpy, scorched, toxic, or non-existent.

If you need to reach Don prior to the convention his address is 650 NW 76th St, Seattle WA 98117-4044.   Tel. (206) 297-0954, email corwyn@kolvir.com and web page <http://www.kolvir.com>.
 

Program Book Advertisements

Page Fuller page@prodigy.net

Advertising in the Program Book reaches 1,600 serious fans of Science Fiction literature and media; deadline is Oct. 5, 1999.

            Fan   Pro
 1/8 page  $ 15  $ 45
 1/4 page  $ 25  $ 90
 1/2 page  $ 50  $175
 full page $100  $250
 

Fan Tables

Donald Lickiss
In need of a fan table at OryCon 21?  Contact Donald Lickiss,
 3839 Pacific #130, Forest Grove, OR 97116
 or call (503) 359-4662 or (503) 371-7650
 

Contact list

NAME DEPARTMENT/DIVISION PHONE EMAIL

Andrew Nisbet Head of Programming 503-232-1899 andrewN3@mresearch.com
Ann Hoffert Office Asst - staff
Anne Peck Head of Reg,  jeffnanne@earthlink.net
Anthony (Skip) Ward GOH Writer 503-254-3790 CPTSKIP01@aol.com
Barbara Hoffert Head of Office arniesmom@aol.com
Barbara Oldham Program Book barbaraoldham@email.com
Cecilia Eng Head of Music Programming  andrewN3@mresearch.com
Chris Rose Art Show - staff  tthfairy@spiritone.com
David Lohkamp Green Room Asst 503-249-0690 bvjz@odin.cc.pdx.edu
Debbie Cross Sue Petrey Auction
Debra Stansbury Opening Ceremonies & GOH Authors  debstans@canada.com
Diana Callihan Head Hotel Liaison  callihan@aol.com
Don Glover Masquerade  corwyn@ricochet.net
Donald Lickiss Fan Tables 503-317-7650
Doug Bissell Video  clypse@aol.com
Fred Torck Logistics 503-520-9578 oryfred@email.msn.com
Helen Umberger Chair 503-232-6506
James W. Fiscus Endeavor Award 503-239-7641 fiscus@teleport.com
James Wilsonsage Nightwatch 360-666-8908 meerkat@orionsys.com
Janice Murray  Fanzine  janicemurray@compuserve.com
Jeff Peck Head of Dealers 503-642-4794 jeffnanne@earthlink.net
Jerry Turner Events & Tech 503-491-1092 sytar@evrdpa.com
John Andrews Treasurer 503-771-2894
John Baldwin Asst Hotel Liaison 817-277-9180 yastreb@transport.com
John Bunnell Writer's Workshop 503-292-8559 jcbunnell@sff.net
John Bartley Internet/Progress Reports 888-424-8136 Johnbartley@email.com
John Lorentz Mail Room 503-283-0802 jlorentz@spiritone.com
Joyce Zimmerschied Green Room Asst 503-249-0690 bujz@odin.cc.pdx.edu
Julia Fisher Staff  shadowwind@hotmailcom
Karl Krehbiel Gaming - Staff 360-687-2452 karl@orionsys.com
Kim Bissell Video clypse@aol.com
Kristine Bates Vice Chair  kristy@agora.rdrop.com
Kurt Daily Dances 503-245-7859 kurtd@fltdyn.com
Lacey Axmaker Head of Art Show 503-246-0336 laceyax@stones.com
Linda Pilcher Asst Green Room  linda@xprt.net
Megaera Jarvis Hall Costumes / GOH Science  msjarvis@wildmail.com
Melanie Schaber Asst Hotel Liaison      m.schaber@worldnet.att.net
Melvin Krehbiel Art Show - staff 503-684-7239 wombat@teleport.com
Nancy Wirsig McClure Program Book - Layouts  nancy@hand2mouse.com
Page Fuller Program Book - Ads 503-254-0552     page@prodigy.net
Pamela Wilsonsage Nightwatch 360-666-8908 meerkat@orionsys.com
Patrick S Lasswell Slave to programing 503-283-4696 psl@teleport.com
Patty Wells Head of Green Room  patty@teleport.com
Paul Wrigley Sue Petrey Auction  wrigcros@teleport.com
Paula Cullins Registration  blackthorne1@yahoo.com
Randy Fischer Head of Hospitality 503-659-8989 randy_fischer@gar.com
Richard Threadgil Dances 408-733-4569 richardt@wonderlan.midgard.net
Ruth Sachter Programming - staff  ruths@spiritone.com
Scot Sanford Treasure Hunt 503-231-2512 wyvern@agora.rdrop.com
Sean Troupe Volunteers 206-721-3993
Simone Cooper Tech  simone@wyrdrune.com
Stuart Axmaker Art Show - staff 503-246-0336
Vicky Harrison Office Asst - staff
 

 Orycon 21 Budget  05/05

 EXPENSES
Chair Art Show         3,025.00
 Chair/Miscellaneous   2,000.00
 Dealers                   0.00
 Hotel                 3,250.00
 Treasury                650.00
 Mail Room               350.00
 Registration          2,515.00
                      11,790.00
Events
 Dances/Events/Tech    3,340.00
 Opening Ceremonies      150.00
 Masquerade              500.00
                       3,990.00
Member Services
 Child Care            1,125.00
 Fannish Stuff           350.00
 Hospitality           7,000.00
 Internet Café         1,500.00
                       9,975.00
Operations
 Logistics               900.00
 Office                  250.00
 Publicity               220.00
 Rangers                  50.00
 Signage                 100.00
 Volunteers              100.00
                       1,620.00
Programming
 Gaming                  150.00
 Guests of Honor       6,359.00
 Program               2,380.00
 Writer's Workshops       50.00
 Video                   300.00
                       9,239.00

 Total Expenses:      36,614.00

 NET                 (25,801.00)
 

Progress Report Submissions

John Bartley, johnbartley@email.com

Your Humble and Occasionally Obedient Editor prefers plaintext email, but will deal with just about anything. HTML-formatted email is looked upon with disdain, as your mother obviously smells of elderberries. Snail mail goes (slowly) to: 804 NE Prescott, Portland OR 97211-4544, USA.

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