Marscon yes, dryer no
Mar. 7th, 2004 02:28 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dreamsharkSpent the weekend at Marscon instead of buying a new dryer. First time I'd attended Marscon, although Richard goes every year. Had a good time, but was more than ready to leave by midnight each night. The hotel is pretty and has nice spaces, but was clearly built by the lowest bidder. The Minnstf/Minicon party, well-hosted by ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
magentamn was a great success. My contribution was a batch of blog, which went over well. Magenta provided homemade cookies and brownies, a vegie tray, and a big vat of barbequed meatballs - a well-balanced party meal if there ever was one. Despite the unventilated and overheated hotel room, there was always a comfortable roomful of people chilling out, only about half of them Minnstfers. With all the glitzy theme parties that Marscon and Convergence attract, I do believe that an old-fashioned comfortable room party has a lot to offer.
This year the con had a full track of ambitious mainstage programming, which added a lot of energy to the event. The first was a Shockwave program, which I unfortunately just missed. The 2-hour Dr. Demento show was fun, as was the Tri-Destiny concert on Saturday afternoon. Latenight music shows were too raucous for my taste, but I enjoyed the Black-Light Whip Cracking. Only saw two other programming items: one on Futuristic Crime and Punishment (interesting idea, but suffering from too much unregulated audience participation. I really am not interested in Terry Belcher's concerns about Minnesota sex-offender laws) and the last half of Community and Fandom, the Traveling Panel that I helped instigate.
Marscon chose to do their version of Community and Fandom as a discussion topic in Krushenko's. The group was small, but fully engaged. The panel consisted of two MISFITS (michaellee and Emily, MISFITS president) and two old-time Minnstfers (Dave Romm and Richard Tatge), with Christine (Marscon programming head) apparently moderating. The "audience" (if you can use that term for a discussion item) included a very involved and passionate Marscon volunteer, three neo-fans of varying ages, and a couple of others that I don't remember clearly.
I lost track of time and arrived late and was somewhat dismayed to discover a rather emotional conversation underway about the latest fannish schism (exactly the topic I hoped would not dominate a panel of this nature). Shortly afterward, however, the subject was successfully redirected into other channels. Dave asked the group some questions that had the desired effect of identifying fannish characteristics that transcend generations. Oddly enough, the one that got the biggest show of hands was the old favorite: "How many of you are first-borns?" That particular demographic continues to baffle me.
This wasn't exactly a block-buster programming item, but certainly a successful one. I was assured by pretty much everybody present that the general tenor of the discussion had been positive and friendly, and I just happened to walk in at the tensest moment. I brought Emily and a Carlton student down to the Minnstf party, had great conversations with both of them and convinced the Carlie to register at the bargain con rate. Emily was already registered and may be interested in being on programming. The panel also gave me a chance to get to know Christine a little better - she seems to be just as delightful a person as I thought she would be from our pre-con email discussions about the Traveling Panel. I continue to feel encouraged about the post-schism direction of local fandom and hope we can keep building on the connections among the local cons.
magentamn was a great success. My contribution was a batch of blog, which went over well. Magenta provided homemade cookies and brownies, a vegie tray, and a big vat of barbequed meatballs - a well-balanced party meal if there ever was one. Despite the unventilated and overheated hotel room, there was always a comfortable roomful of people chilling out, only about half of them Minnstfers. With all the glitzy theme parties that Marscon and Convergence attract, I do believe that an old-fashioned comfortable room party has a lot to offer. This year the con had a full track of ambitious mainstage programming, which added a lot of energy to the event. The first was a Shockwave program, which I unfortunately just missed. The 2-hour Dr. Demento show was fun, as was the Tri-Destiny concert on Saturday afternoon. Latenight music shows were too raucous for my taste, but I enjoyed the Black-Light Whip Cracking. Only saw two other programming items: one on Futuristic Crime and Punishment (interesting idea, but suffering from too much unregulated audience participation. I really am not interested in Terry Belcher's concerns about Minnesota sex-offender laws) and the last half of Community and Fandom, the Traveling Panel that I helped instigate.
Marscon chose to do their version of Community and Fandom as a discussion topic in Krushenko's. The group was small, but fully engaged. The panel consisted of two MISFITS (
michaellee and Emily, MISFITS president) and two old-time Minnstfers (Dave Romm and Richard Tatge), with Christine (Marscon programming head) apparently moderating. The "audience" (if you can use that term for a discussion item) included a very involved and passionate Marscon volunteer, three neo-fans of varying ages, and a couple of others that I don't remember clearly. I lost track of time and arrived late and was somewhat dismayed to discover a rather emotional conversation underway about the latest fannish schism (exactly the topic I hoped would not dominate a panel of this nature). Shortly afterward, however, the subject was successfully redirected into other channels. Dave asked the group some questions that had the desired effect of identifying fannish characteristics that transcend generations. Oddly enough, the one that got the biggest show of hands was the old favorite: "How many of you are first-borns?" That particular demographic continues to baffle me.
This wasn't exactly a block-buster programming item, but certainly a successful one. I was assured by pretty much everybody present that the general tenor of the discussion had been positive and friendly, and I just happened to walk in at the tensest moment. I brought Emily and a Carlton student down to the Minnstf party, had great conversations with both of them and convinced the Carlie to register at the bargain con rate. Emily was already registered and may be interested in being on programming. The panel also gave me a chance to get to know Christine a little better - she seems to be just as delightful a person as I thought she would be from our pre-con email discussions about the Traveling Panel. I continue to feel encouraged about the post-schism direction of local fandom and hope we can keep building on the connections among the local cons.
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no subject
Date: 2004-03-07 02:12 pm (UTC)Glad you liked it!
What fannish schism?
Date: 2004-03-08 06:00 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-03-12 01:24 pm (UTC)Just wanted to let you know that I added you to my friends list.
-Emily
no subject
Date: 2004-03-12 11:30 pm (UTC)We talked a little bit about Minnstf meetings, and you said you might like to attend one.
I should have mentioned it then, but I had totally forgotten - we're having the Minnstf meeting at our house tomorrow! That is, Saturday March 13. Starts at 2:00, runs until midnight or so. You can show up anytime - it's more a social event than a formal meeting. 4002 Pillsbury Avenue, Minneapolis (corner of Pillsbury and 40th). I realize this is a little late to be mentioning this, but if you're not busy all day tomorrow feel free to drop by!
no subject
Date: 2004-03-14 08:57 am (UTC)Thanks!