Norwescon 2 Progress Report
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Norwescon Two
NORWESCON TWO - Programming and General Observations - by Steve Bard. (Art show section by Jane Hawkins. Huckster room section by Bob Doyle.)
Once again, real live science fiction authors will be a major emphasis of Norwescon. Besides our guestof honor Philip Jose Farmer, and toastmaster Elizabeth A. Lynn, we are pleased to have as special guests: Poul Anderson, John Varley, Vonda N. McIntyre, Mildred Downey Broxon, H. Warner Munn, Marta Randall, F.M. Busby, Orson Scott Card, J.F. Bone, and Oscar Rossiter (plus others as yet unconfirmed). Artist Alex Schomburg will also attend. Plus Damon Knight and Kate Wilhelm.
I'm sure that the question foremost in everyone's mind at this moment is: In order to maximize my extraterrestrial gratification, as it were, when should I arrive at the convention and how long should I plan to stay? Well, let me say this about that…
The concom will host a very exclusive (white ties and tails, please!) meeting/ work session/practice party in our hospitality suite at the Hyatt House on Thursday evening prior to the con (all slave labor welcome).
On Friday, there will undoubtedly be a modicum of unscheduled, formless fannish activity both in the hospitality suite and all around the hotel throughout the day, prior to the onset of formal programming at 5:30 pm. The official convention opening ceremonies and an interview with guest of honor Philip Jose Farmer will occur Friday evening at 7:30.
Just two short days later (it will only seem like six), scheduled programming will con.clude at nine o'clock Sunday night, followed by the obligatory Dead-Sasquatch Party (and formal closing ceremonies) on into the wee hours.
Sometime the next day, the so-called ''morning-after effect" will manifest itself as a few diehard trufans ooze mellowly out of the rubble and into the hotel coffeeshop for the inevitable “survivors' brunch,” that one last tearful taste of fannish camaraderie before being dispersed to the four winds by the mandates of mundane society.
Even the most lightly seasoned conventiongoer might well conclude it would behoove him to take vacation at least on Friday and perhaps on Monday as well, if he is to properly savor both the convention's first eager blush as well as its final passionate throes.
Now, in between those hazy convention beginnings and endings you will find the middle (which is the tastiest part!). At any one moment you may have all the following entertainment options (which might cause you a sprained carcass, or at least acute frustration as you attempt to be in three places simultaneously), but at least you can't complain there is nothing to do. Here is a sampling of alternatives:
(1) Pester the friendly folks at the registration desk with stupid questions (open at 8 a.m. for your convenience).
(2) Attend a myriad of utterly fascinating and immensely informative panels, lectures, presentations, and what-have-you with authors, scientists, fans, gnorfs (gnorfs?), artists, etc., in two (count 'em!) continuous programming rooms (9 a.m. thru whenever).
(3) Haggle with the greedy book dealers in our large huckster room (9 a.m. thru 6 p.m.).
(4) Meet some new friends in the three-room convention hospitality suite (with sunken Roman bathtub). (Open allatime)
(5) Make a complete fool of yourself drooling over the artwork of Vicki Poyser and Bill Warren, not to mention a score of others, in “Jane's” 1,000 sq. ft. art show (10 a.m. thru 6 p.m.).
(6) Invite one of your newfound friends up to your hotel room to see your skiffy etchings.
(7) See some of your favorite old films, as well as Phantom of the Paradise, in the film room (9 a.m. thru some ungodly hour inna morning).
(8) Plug yourself into one of the many cybernetic mini-marvels in our computer room (9 a.m. thru late).
(9) Relax in the gifted hands of Ingrid and/or Sylvia in the hotel sauna/massage parlor (you will believe a man can fly!).
(10) Watch commercialess videotapes ofyour favorite SF films and TV fodder in our video room (9 a.m. thru very late).
(11) Sneak out to the hotel pool for a quiet evening of skinny dipping, only to discover later that the entire patronage of "Hugo's Bistro" was watching from their dinner tables.
(12) Peer over the shoulder of some of your favorite authors as they add their own inimitable twists to a chain story collaboration (10 a.m. thru 6 p.m.).
(13) Schedule and participate in “serious” discussion groups on a subject of your own choosing.
(14) Unleash your long-repressed urge to graffitize by participating in the “spontaneous art contest.” on placards affixed to walls at strategic locations.
(15) Sleep and/or eat if you have time and remember to do so.
The traditional major programming items will occur as follows:
Disco
Friday night, 9:30 p.m. thru ?
Masquerade
This year's masquerade will be a costume party in lieu of the usual costume parade. The festivities will commence at 7:30 Saturday night, with a meet-the-authors autograph session which will gradually metamorphose into a full-tilt costume party (with no-host bar) about an hour later. There will be a covert costume contest (with prizewinners loudly announced) for those who wish to be judged, and anonymity for those who just like to “dress up.”
Huckster Room
Our huckster room will be one-third larger than last year's, with wider aisles and more space for each dealer. We'll have more room for variety in the new space, but all your old favorite hucksters will be back, after a year of scouting out those rare collectables your need to feed your habit. A few tables are still available for $25, which includes one full membership to Norwescon. Huckster tables are reserved when we receive full payment. Send table reservations to: Bob Doyle, 13001 - 79th Place NE, Kirkland, WA 98033.
Banquet
Our luncheon awards banquet, with spiritedspeechifying by toastmaster Elizabeth Lynn and guests of honor Philip Jose Farmer and Loren MacGregor, will start with food at one p.m. Sunday. What with inflation and all, we couldn't afford even the Hyatt's rubber chicken; however, the catering staff has nevertheless promised us something out-of-this- world … something like Gnorf-a-la-king with creamed Venusian veggies, no doubt. Look at it this way: you're usually better off if it is unrecognizable, right? At any rate, be sure to get your banquet tickets ASAP! (at only $6.50 … such a deal, eh?). Not only does this help our planning, but space in the banquet room definitely will be finite!
Art Show and Auctions
Last year's show was so much fun we're doing it again! Eighteen artists entered over 150 pieces of art–a lot more art than had been expected. There were some tense moments, but thanks to some very hard-working people, everything went off fine. We hope to see an even better show this year. We have more space, more experience, and we expect an even larger turnout of art (knock on wood). If your have any suggestions, or wish to help, contact the art show director:
Jane E. Hawkins
[PHONE REDACTED]
4121 Interlake N. Seattle, WA 98103
And if you are an artist, or know someone who is, come to Norwescon bearing goodies for us to admire!
FEES: Artist entry fee–free to Norwescon members; $2 for non-members.
Five percent commission on all sales.
Sketch table: 10¢ per item; 25¢ per set of prints. Sales by flat price.
Regular art show: Minimum fee 50¢ Sales by written bid or auction.
Hanging art: 1/4 panel (2 1/2' x 2 1/2') = $1.50
1/2 panel (2 1/2' x 5') = $3.00
1 panel (5' x 5') = $6.00
Standing art: 50¢ per sq. ft. of table space
DEADLINES: March 23, 5 pm - Art show registration opens.
March 24, 9 am - Registration closes. Art accepted later by prior arrangement.
March 25, 4 pm - Unsold art removed.
AUCTIONS: The first will be just prior to the banquet at 12 noon on Sunday, and the last will be at 4 p.m., immediately after the banquet (watch those bidders squirm!).
So, what should you do right now?, you ask. Well, for starters you should reserve your own piece-of-the-feast at the banquet by purchasing your ticket now.
You would be well advised to also make your room reservations at the Hyatt immediately. You can write the Hyatt at:
Seattle Hyatt House
17001 Pacific Highway South
Seattle, WA 98188
or phone them at [REDACTED].
Be sure to specify that you are with Norwescon to get the reduced (?!) convention rates of $34 single and $39 double. You might also ask to be located in the 400 or 600 wing just as a reminder to the hotel that we are all to be blocked there together. One final note on the hotel–they've promised us late checkout on Sunday through 6 pm.
So … now that you have decided to spend at least five days with us at the hotel, perhaps you’re wondering where it is? (If not, just humor me, OK?)
Sparing no expense or indignity, the Norwescon committee has cleverly arranged for the airport Hyatt House to be located on Highway 99 (Pacific Highway South), right in front of Seattle International Airport! It is therefore so ridiculously easyto find that we are loathe to elaborate further.
However, for those of you who need directions to find your way out of a closet, we provide how-to-get-there instructions in the form of the Bill Warren map below.
Those of you arriving in Seattle via great metal bird will either take the free 2-minute Hyatt shuttlebus from the airport to the hotel, or spend hours discovering there is no pedestrian thoroughfare connecting the airport with any of the hotels surrounding it.
Northerners will be driving south on I-5 (unless you travelling via tramp steamer) and should take the exit on your right marked “Burien-Southcenter Boulevard,” and follow the lefthand fork (Burien) onto Highway 518 and on up the hill till you see the Highway 99 exit. Travel southbound on 99 until you arrive at the hotel, on your right just after you cross 170th.
For those migrating from the land of the rising sun on I-405, just follow it straight on through as it turns into Highway 518 at the Southcenter Shopping Mall– and the same as the northern folks from there.
[Hand drawn map of the Seattle area, showing Airport Hyatt House, SeaTac Airport, Red Lion Hotel, and South Center Shopping Mall.]
[Ad: Lost World Enterprises. Spectacular science fiction and fantasy devices: General catalog $1.50. Costuming - swords - armor - sidearms. Made to your order. Taking orders now for March deliveries. 4327 South 291st Avenue, Auburn, Washington, 98002.]
For those approaching on I-5 from the south, we recommend the lovely and scenic exit onto 188th Street, which you follow until it hits Highway 99. Hanging a right onto 99 past the Red Lion (1981 Worldcon site), you proceed past all the other airport hotels until you get to the Hyatt at the end of the strip.
For you Metro fans, a multitude of buses pass down 99, of course.
For those of you still clutching your St. Christopher in anxiety, it may help to know that the Hyatt is located right across the street and 1/2 block north of the Holiday Inn where Norwescon I was held!
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
Below is a list of concom members you may wish to contact for specific information about Norwescon. Volunteers are still needed to work at the convention. If you would like to volunteer, please contact the person in charge of the area you would like to work in, or write Norwescon, Volunteers, P.O. Box 24207, Seattle, WA 98124.
Programming and Author Liaison: Steve Bard [REDACTED]
Art Show: Jane Hawkins [REDACTED]
Film Program: Gordon Erickson [REDACTED] (Marysville)
Registration: Lauraine Miranda [REDACTED]
Publications, Program Book: Shelley Dutton [REDACTED]
Art Department, Publications: William R. Warren [REDACTED]
Public Relations: Melva Lund [REDACTED]
Hucksters: Bob Doyle [REDACTED]
Stage Manager, Futurelove Productions: Shelley Dutton [REDACTED]
Hospitality: Elizabeth Warren [REDACTED]
Operations: Jack McGillis
Security: Linda Hoffer [REDACTED]
Gofers: Judy Lorent [REDACTED]
Computer Games: Tony Pepin [REDACTED] (Tacoma) and Richard Wright [REDACTED] (Seattle)
Video Programming: Dennis Pemaa [REDACTED]
Airport Hyatt House: [REDACTED]
The City
Seattle is a clean, friendly, unpolluted, modern city where spicy Douglas Firs and startlingly blue lakes are interspersed among mirrored skyscrapers. No fewer than six major magazine surveys have accused Seattle of being the most livable city in America, to which we must plead guilty, and 1200 association executives rate it as one of the top convention cities in America.
Within the city, you can tour historic Pioneer Square, taking time out from browsing through turn-of- the-century shoppes, art galleries, the Pioneer Square Wax Museum, and the incredible 19th Century Seattle Underground to enjoy a cup of espresso and a plate of steaming butter clams at a sidewalk cafe. Two blocks away, on the waterfront, you can choose from a variety of seafood restaurants and import shops, drinking sweet salt air while you toss morsels of food for the seagulls to quibble over.
And be sure to visit the Seattle Center, site of the 1962 World's Fair, and explore the 74 acres of parks, fountains, and amusements. (The free open-air summer concerts here are a must….everything from Rock to Rachmaninov!) Here, too, you will find the Pacific Science Center, but plan to spend at least one full afternoon there if you want to see a significant percentage of the exhibits, displays, and "hands-on" science toys.
And, naturally, there is dining atop Seattle's monument to science fiction … the 600-foot Space Needle. The view is as good as the food.
[Drawing of the Seattle monorail passing underneath the Pacific Science Center arches.]
[Ad: Sample Bookshop. New hardcover science fiction, fantasy books, and small press publications. Special orders welcome. 506 E. Pine, 323–1146, 11–7 Mon–Sat. In associatio with Dave Turner Books.]
NORWESCON II PROGRAM BOOK - ADVERTISING RATES
Full page7 1/2" x10"$20Half page7 1/2" x5"12Quarter page3 1/2" x5"8Eighth page3 1/2" x2 1/2"5| Size | Width | Height | Price |
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NOTE: Dimensions allow for margins. Ads must be laid out vertically, so copy can be read without rotating the page.
DEADLINE: February 28, to Shelley Dutton, NWSFS, P0 Box 24207, Seattle, WA 98124. Checks payable to Norwescon.