SF/SF Science Fiction/ The nothing special, sorta weekly news zine for the . Issue 9 October 5, 2005 email: [email protected] Editors: Jean Martin. Chris Garcia, Jack Avery

more contributors this issue than the pre- TOC TOC vious eight combined, we didn’t cover half Editorial...... 1 the events we could have. eLOCs ...... 2-3 Sometimes you just have to dream Faced with this, and the huge amount Metreon Festival of Delay ...... 4 big. That’s what science fiction (and fan- of work involved in putting out the issue Kepler’s Reopening...... 4 tasy and horror) are about, right? single handed, I burned out. The dream San Jose Loses Bid for NASFiC ...... 5 This zine was always about dreaming was a far too big for me to dream alone. OCOH Charity Auction...... 5 big. When I founded Science Fiction/ But Jean Martin and Chris Garcia Correction...... 5 San Francisco, I wanted to cover every wouldn’t let me quit. Within a day of clos- Kelly Turner Obituary...... 5-9 science fiction, fantasy and horror event ing the zine, they were both volunteering Neil Gaiman Signing...... 10-14 in the Bay Area. I wanted it to become a to step forward to take over the editorial Hobbit Picnic...... 15-20 central meeting place for local fandom. A reigns. So I’ve become the editor emeritus, Silicon Preview...... 21 place where clubs could promote them- and let more suitable hands take over the Serenity Opens Big...... 22-28 selves, fans could meet up with those big chair duties. I’m still involved, but Jean How Berkeley Can You Be ...... 29-31 who shared their interests and a resource and Chris are going to be the driving force Christopher Paolini Signing ...... 32-35 to help fans find events and groups. behind the expansion of the zine. Phil Nutman Signing ...... 36-37 I figured there couldn’t be that many And expand it will. They’ve rounded FSFL Book Sale...... 38-43 events to cover. Just a con once in a while, up additional crew and have broadened the Blog Watch ...... 44 and an event or two now and again. I zine considerably in just a couple of weeks. FIG Meetings Report ...... 45-47 thought a 10 or 12 page issue would be But it’s not enough. And that’s where Bay Area Fanzines...... 47 the norm. Was I wrong. This issue our you, our readers come in. Join us in this BASFA Minutes ...... 48-50 events calendar alone is 45 pages long, crazy, impossible too-big dream. We’re Calendar ...... 51-95 and I know I’ve not found 80 percent of looking for a few good fans to help us out. the items that should be listed. So thumb through the issue, take a look Even with the largest issue yet, and at the calendar and then get out there and 1 be a fan. Write a LOC, go to a play, a show, local fandom of the 1970s and 1980s. In funny zines. a convention, a reading, a film festival, join some ways, it has changed; in others, it a fan group, have some fun. And then come hasn’t changed at all. One of the changes is Chris Garcia responds: back here and write about it for us. that media fandom now predominates, and As you can see Lloyd, reports of our death some of them feel that the lit fandom types were highly exaggerated…even if we were the eLOCs aren’t real fans at all if they don’t know all ones making the reports. the titles of the second season of Buffy, for It seems a shame that Canada as a whole From Etobicoke, Canada, Lloyd Penney example. The fanzines I enjoy aren’t real doesn’t look kindly on a National Newszine. fanzines (real fanzines are 600+ pages in Of the more-or-less national newszine world, Dear Jack: size, full of fanfic, but even they are go- there’s at least one in Finland and Many thanks for issue 8 of SF/SF, and ing away…real fanzines are actually real and one in South Africa, though both of those my regrets that this is the last issue. Every websites). For some, if you’re not wearing places have much different fannish make-ups good fanzine deserves feedback, so here a costume, you’re not a real fan. It’s come than Canada. Still, A T-Dot newszine would goes. full circle, and it would be funny if it wasn’t be a nice thing to see. My letter…it looks like my plan to truly sad. Yeah, it’s gone full circle in many loca- produce a Canadian national newszine has Dragon*con is described as a conven- tions. There are pockets of more or less old met with a resounding “Who cares?”. Some tion for big kids. I’ve also been told that skool fandom left all over the place, and have asked me what I could do that their its dealers’ room is the only one to have an they’ve started cons. CorFlu being the obvious clubzines don’t already do. There are only -rated section in it. Yet, it seems a little one, but I’d say that Potlatch and even Con- three Canadian cities that have a club big childish to me for its Star Trek track…give tact would qualify. I’m a media nut myself, enough to trade back and forth with one me a Worldcon any day, which seems to me though I dislike things like Comic-con and another, Ottawa, Montreal and Vancouver, adult, yet a lot of fun. Maybe the difference Dragon*con. There are other cons with adult so it is felt that a Canadian central zine is between Worldcon and Dragon*con is the sections (Wondercon here in the BArea, as an a waste of effort. So, I might fall back on difference between adults and big kids. example) but the odd thing about Dragon*con Plan B, which is to do a Toronto newszine, Anyway, that’s all for now. I will prob- is the fact that it’s a little bit of everything. It’s and trade with the other cities. I also plan ably be using your extensive listings as a comic con, it’s an SF con, it’s an anime con, to set up a mailing list to send it to people types of events to look for in the Toronto and at times it suffers the same problems as directly. If they don’t want it, they should area, and I hope will make a Toronto fan- each of them. tell me. dom newsletter wide-ranging. My thanks We’re back and looking at a long run, Peter Sullivan should know that when I for these past 8 issues; I hope you’ve got- Lloyd, so sit back and enjoy the BArea Fan- got that attitude of media fandom not be- ten thanks for your efforts from at least dom show! ing real fandom, this attitude came from someone in the BArea. I’ll see you in the 2 And from the UK, Peter Sullivan reason. A website would be updated on an Regardless of what other people like me irregular schedule, so people get out of the say, I’m sure that you’ll do what you want to Dear Jack, habit of checking it. A fanzeen has a more do. One of the best features of fandom (and A shame that you’ve decided to give structured timeline, with the issuing of an one of its biggest positive divergences from up SFSF. But, fundamentally, if you’re issue (hmm...) acting as an implied “there’s that “real life” thingy people keep going on not having fun with it any more, then I’m new stuff to read” signal. about) is that no-one can force anyone to sure it’s the right thing to do. Having said Would moving to a slower schedule do anything that they don’t want to. that, I’m now going to witter on for a bit. make the whole thing more manageable? I don’t think you need to beat yourself I would guess pretty much any frequen- Chris again takes his turn this issue to re- up about any perceived lack of promotion cy, up to a Lloyd Penney-like 6 to spond: - part of the problem with a weekly zeen is 8 weekly, would still work. As you say, pub- Well Pete, we’re still around, thank good- that just getting the issue out is such a big lishing weekly is a killer from the point of ness. It didn’t take much to convince Jack that commitment that it’s unreasonable to ex- view of always having to chase next week’s we should start back up, and I’m glad we did pect much else from the main man. People issue, rather than having time to plan it too. like Chris Garcia seem keener on promo- ahead. Yeah, weekly is tough. You either have to tion - I guess we just need to clone a few With a bit of luck, your honest analysis have a lot of help, a lot of free time, or just be more of him! this issue will hopefully motivate people crazy. I am a little of all three, so I manage. And I’m not sure that I agree that it to offer to help out, and keep something Bi-Weekly, which is the format we’re going for should have been a website rather than an running under the SFSF banner, whether from this point forward, is probably the best e-fanzeen. Firstly, I’m becoming more and with you still involved or not. If it were idea. We’ve been very lucky in that we’re start- more keen on a “hub and spoke” theory me, I would insist on them keeping my ing to get folks from the various local fandoms of fandom, with all the different fandoms name on the masthead as “Founding Edi- to gather and use SF/SF as a rallying point. linked together via the “original” fandom tor Emeritus (Resting)” in any case! The calendar alone has got people talking. of fanzeen fandom. So linking the dispa- The practical extent to which I can You be surprised how many truly atrocious rate San Fransisco/Bay Area fandoms via personally help out is probably limited by websites come out of the minds of BArea web a fanzeen has a fundamental “rightness” geography - about all I could think of is designers. I used to keep a list. about it. Plus, you might get people in the providing technical advice/support if peo- You’re right, no one can force anything “other” fandoms more used to the concept ple wanted to take SFSF down the website on anyone in fandom (though I’ve often been of a fanzeen, and inspire them to look up route. But I would guess the one thing that coaxed into doing things with the threat of ‘If (or even start) an SCA fanzeen, a Furry Bay Area fandom has in spades is computer you don’t (blank), you’re going to be elected Fandom fanzeen, or whatever. That’s all a geeks with strong ideas on how to build a President of BASFA’ That always gets me run- bit existential, but there is a more practical website. ning! 3 News and Notes

Metreon and Bandai postpone Meteron in previous years, has been a major sponsor bookstore will open to the public. At the Festival of Anime: No con this weekend! of the event. Anime programming tracks at rally a new membership program will be the show have consisted entirely of Bandai- unveiled, and upcoming benefit author The fifth annual Metreon Festival of licensed titles. In additon, with prizes being events will be announced. There will also Anime, scheduled to be held this Saturday awarded for the best Bandai-theme costume be a raffle for $500 worth of books. in San Francisco, has been indefinately in the cosplay contest, many costumers were “I am excited and appreciative beyond postponed. planning to come as Bandai characters. words,” Kepler said. “I want to thank the According to sources close to the Bandai also manufactures collectible card Tan Group, the Patron’s Circle and Board convention, Bandai has delayed committing games and model , so model-building of Directors, the Menlo Park City Council support to the event until a future weekend. contests, card game tournaments and and other local community leaders, and Bandai is the major sponsor of the event demonstrations by Bandai were planned. business people who contributed their and without prizes, personnel and anime — Jack Avery expertise. programming provided by the company, “My heartfelt thanks go to these people the event could not go forward. Community Support, Angel Investors as well as local business professionals who The event has not been cancelled, but a Will Reopen Kepler’s Books worked pro bono negotiating the necessary new date has yet to be set. contracts and helping us develop a new The delay means the event will no Venerable Menlo Park bookstore business plan that will keep the bookstore longer be in conflict with the much larger, Kepler’s will host a rally Saturday, October going long into the future.” but not anime specific, Silicon being held 8 to celebrate their reopening. Kepler’s has been an institution in in San Jose this weekend. Clark Kepler, Kepler’s President, said a Menlo Park for 50 years. However, there is concern among anime successful lease renegotiation with property As of press time, there was no word on fans that the event could be rescheduled owner The Tan Group paved the way the whether previously scheduled author events for a date that would conflict with the bookstore to reopen. would be held or whether the science fiction upcoming YaoiCon at the end of October, The store’s sudden closing last month book club would return. or AnimeDestiny or the Japantown led to a community effort to save the local —Jack Avery Anime Fair, both in November. Since the institution The Kepler’s Patron’s Circle, convention is not fan-run, the scheduling consisting of more than 17 investors, decisions are not taking into account fan pledged financial and other support to interests. enable the store to reopen. Bandai has a store in the Meteron and Following the 11 a.m. rally, the More News and Notes on Next Page 4 Once Again, San Jose Shakes the preparing of attendees to head out to was that NASFiC needs a little bit of work Things Up At NASFiC WorldCon in . The concept featured to become something really important and two Japanese themed video rooms and a lot not merely a lesser WorldCon for the cash Having gone to NASFiC expecting no of panels to prep people for Japan. Smart. strapped. surprises, imagine my surprise when I, in Plus it would have been at the DoubleTree, I’m saying this right now, someone fact, was surprised. That’s right, something my favourite hotel in San Jose. should bid San Jose for when WorldCon actually shocked me, and it had to do with In the end, San Jose got 27 votes, three goes Australian. Heck, hitch up with the what I thought would be the most stable on Friday and twenty-four on Saturday. Australia bid and make it a prep weekend. of activities that would be occurring at The San Jose in 2007 NASFiC bid party Learn to tolerate Vegamite and discover CascadiaCon: The Site Selection. on Friday got high marks from reviewers what real Australian beer tastes like! It’d be For a long while, there had been two bids Mimi Noyes and Dana Siegel. brilliant and San Jose is the only city that for the 2007 NASFiC, St. Louis and Ocean Now, I’ve been told by some folks that could pull it off right! City, MD I believe. At the filing deadline, it was a hoax bid, though I was also told — Chris Garcia only St. Louis had filed so officially there by others that it was an obvious reaction to wasn’t going to be any competition. That the way that CascadiaCon was being run. Other Change of Hobbit Auctions for meant that St. Louis would ride through The idea of giving NASFiC an identity Charity with maybe a couple of None of the of something other than being the Rump An auction of a Terry Pratchett Thud Aboves and maybe an odd write-in done WorldCon was a great idea. Vegas Fandom baseball cap, autographed by the author, for comedy. That was the thought, but that is doing the second Toner convention the sold on E-bay recently for $45. The auction didn’t quite turn out. weekend before LACon IV which is very was part of Other Change of Hobbit’s So far as I can tell, here’s what happened. much a similar idea. It seemed like a very Hurricane Katrina charity drive. Chaz Boston Baden, Web Fandom’s Image good idea and it would have given an Proceeds from this and some other Guru, approached Michael Siladi and said identity to the event that NASFiC has been auctions by the Berkeley science fiction something like ‘Hey, you wanna chair a lacking. specialty store are being donated to Habitat NASFiC bid?’. Michael’s response? ‘Sure, There are members of Southern Fandom for Humanity to aid in hurricane recovery. I’ll get the hotel’ and within short order who I ran into who were very annoyed with — Jack Avery there was a hotel contract of some sort. the fact that San Jose put up any sort of bid, Now, this was on Friday night, I think, so which is understandable, and the thought Correction: with one full day before the voting closed, is if San Jose had been on the ballot with Last issue we misidentified the San Jose launched a bid for a RelaxaNASFiC some lead time they would have stood a very photographer who took photos of two which would be a Relaxacon with little good chance. I certainly think they would author events at Borderlands. We appologize programming and be mostly focused on have. If CascadiaCon proved one thing it to Jude for getting the credit wrong. 5 Kelly . Turner, 1961-2005

By Karen Dick (early 70’s to early 90’s). In recent years, he and low pay, but he loved the work, and attended fewer science fiction conventions made lasting friendships with some of the Kelly Turner passed away early in because of his busy work and lecture other crew members, some of whom went the morning of September 18, 2005 of schedule, but still maintained a healthy on to have long and successful careers in systemic organ failure after a brief and interest in the genre. the film industry. Kelly himself chose a totally unexpected illness. He was 43. Kelly started costuming and attending computer programming career because the Kelly was an extremely active fan and science fiction conventions at an early age. entry-level pay was better. However, Kelly costumer for approximately two decades He was a fan of the original Star Trek and always remained interested in the film began attending meetings of S.T.A.R. San industry, and some of the dry-brushing and Diego late in 1974.(S.T.A.R. was the San weathering techniques he learned on these Diego chapter of the Star Trek Association builds were put to good use on his extensive for Revival, which later evolved into a collection of science fiction models. His general science fiction club.) At 14, Kelly interest in the film industry also ended up was one of its youngest members. He was dovetailing into his professional life later in also a founding member of Infinity One, a his career. second San Diego-based science fiction club In the early 1980’s, Kelly developed started in 1978. Among his first costumes an interest in anime (commonly called were a Colonial Warrior uniform from the “Japanimation” in those days), and became original Battlestar Galactica TV series, and a fan of Star Blazers (aka Space Cruiser a dress uniform from the Buck Rogers TV Yamato). This led him to being involved in series from the same era (late 1970’s). Kelly costumed groups from Star Blazers, Captain and his mother worked together to draft Harlock, Galaxy Express 999 and RobotechS the patterns and construct these costumes. (aka Macross). He also was an early member By 18, Kelly was part of the fan-based of the Los-Angeles based Cartoon/Fantasy crew that built the “V’Ger Flyby” sets for Organization, a club devoted to , Star Trek: The Motion Picture in 1979 and mostly of Japanese origin. Kelly was often additional sets and props for the special found haunting the Japanese import edition of Close Encounters of the Third districts of Los Angeles and San Francisco, Kelly Turner in his Scorpio costume. Kind. These jobs involved long hours searching for just the right sourcebook or

6 soundtrack album. 1983 Baycon in San Jose and the 1986 usual convention PR’s and program books, Kelly competed in the Master division Westercon in San Diego. but also took on some projects that were at science fiction convention masquerades, Kelly had considerable desktop much larger in scope. He was the managing and his costume credits include Star publishing skills and used them for the editor of the first nine editions of The Whole Blazers (Comic-Con 1980), Captain Harlock (1980), The Royal Family of Amber (Westercon 1980), Galaxy Express 99 (Equicon 1981), Lord and Lady Valentine (Westercon 1981), Elfquest (Comic-Con 1981), The Egyptian Gods (Denvention 1981), Pyrogenesis (Chicon 1982), Turn of a Friendly Card (ConStellation1983), Night on Bald Mountain (LAcon 1984), and Dune (Westercon 1985, Loscon 1985, Costume- Con 1986). He brought meticulous skills to every group he worked with, including sewing, beading, sculpting, and casting in resin, slush latex, and foam latex. Beginning in 1983, Kelly began to give back to the fannish community by helping to run conventions or departments within conventions. Kelly was part of the team that launched Costume-Con, which was conceived as a one-shot convention, and now will be celebrating its 24th year in spring 2006. Kelly worked on the committees of Costume-Con 1 and 2, and was the Chairman of Costume-Con 6. He was Masquerade Director for the 1982 and

Kelly Turner at work in his home office. 7 p u b l i c a t i o n musical this December. of the Kelly also had a keen interest in Disney International parks and Disneyana. He started going to C o s t u m e r ’s Disneyland as soon as he was old enough to Guild. buy a bus ticket and go by himself (about Kelly had age 12). He first visited the Epcot theme an insatiable park in Florida only a couple of months appetite for after it opened in 1982, and it was his music. His tastes favorite of all the Disney parks thereafter. ranged from big Kelly also collected art. Many pieces band music were originals by “name” science fiction from the 40s and fantasy artists, but others were movie to the Japanese one-sheets or limited-edition prints done of jazz used in Disney parks or by Disney artists. He had Kelly Turner and partner Tom Grissinger. some anime a fine sense of color and composition, and s o u n d t r a c k s , purchased things that pleased him and not Costumer’s Catalogue, an “annotated and just about just things that would accrue value. yellow pages” type resource book for everything in-between. He had a huge Kelly first moved to the Bay Area in people into costuming, crafting, fiberarts, collection of LPs and CDs, a high percentage 1984, and always maintained ties there art to wear, theater, etc. This book required of them movie or TV soundtrack albums. even if he was living and working in other considerable upkeep because so much of He would readily discuss the musical parts of the state. Kelly loved playing host, its contents would change from year to phrasing in a John Williams score, or how and threw some large and memorable New year as businesses went out of business, James Horner’s style developed directly out Year’s parties at his San Jose home during moved, changed phone numbers, etc. He of Jerry Goldsmith’s. He was self-taught his employment with Atari. Starting in the also laid out and published several Future on the piano, and was always looking for 1990’s, he did volunteer work for the Bay Fashion Folios, a design contest/published interesting sheet music to further stretch Area gay community. Later, he purchased a folio/fashion show concept started by Bjo his skills. He loved concerts and live second home in Palm Springs, and planned Trimble at conventions she was involved musical theater, followed all the Andrew to retire there. He co-owned a restaurant in with in the 1950s through 1970s, and Lloyd Webber musicals in the 80’s, had Palm Springs named Blame It On Midnight, continued by Costume-Con in the 1980s recently seen a production of Wicked, and did some of the work on their web site, and to present. He also was the first editor of was making plans to see the San Francisco was active in planning some of the special Costumer’s Quarterly, a magazine-format premiere of the Anne Rice Vampire Lestat events held there. 8 Kelly spent his entire professional career Kelly’s hobbies and outside interests talent. He was a speaker at the Game working in the computer and video game made him uniquely suited for recognizing Developers Conference and the Classic industry. After a brief stint as a programmer good game concepts, or other properties Gaming Expo earlier this year, and was for Gamma Scientific, a company that (such as movies) that could make good scheduled to lecture at the ShowBiz Expo in specialized in precision light-measuring games. He was well-versed in licensing, November. Most recently, he was Executive equipment, he started as a programmer marketing, and working with Hollywood Producer of external development at Eidos, at the coin-op division of Atari. Over the Inc, and sat on the Board of Governors last 20 years, he worked in virtually every of the Producer’s Guild of America’s New aspect of development and production at Media Council. He was the first game such companies as Atari, P.F. Magic, Virgin producer to sit on the aforementioned Interactive, Rhythm & Hues, The 3DO Board of Governors, and was very proud of Company, and Eidos, producing games for that accomplishment. He had just started a the coin-op, PC, Saturn, PSX, PS2, N64, new job with Point of View and was about GameCube, and Xbox platforms. Over his to move back to Southern when decade-long tenure at Atari, he produced, he came down with his final illness. co-programmed, and co-designed such Kelly is survived by his mother, Mrs. coin-op classics as: Gremlins (1985), Super Rosetta Turner, older siblings Bobby, Roz, Sprint (1986), Championship Sprint (1987), and Margie, his current life partner, Tom Vindicators (1988), Tetris (1989), Batman Grissinger, and by a wide circle of friends. (1990), Badlands (1991), Cyberstorm If you would like to donate to a charity in (1992/3), Atari Classics (1993), and Sparkz Kelly’s name, a memorial fund has been set (1993). Title highlights from his post-Atari up for him by the Movie Producers Guild: career include executive producer credits on: Flix (1994), Propaganda (1995-7), Uprising Kelly Turner Memorial Fund X (1998), Battletanx: Global Assault (1999), Producers Guild of America six Army Men titles for 3DO (1999-2003), 8530 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 450 Gulf War (1999), WDL: Thunder Tanks Beverly Hills, CA 90211 (2000), Dragon Rage (2001), Godai (2001), WDL: Warjetz (2001), Cubix Adventure Please make out the check to the “Producers (2002), Jacked (2003), The Four Horsemen Guild of America” and write “Kelly Turner of the Apocalypse (2003), Backyard Wrestling Memorial Fund” in the memo field. 2 (2004), and 25 to Life (2005). Kelly Turner as Paul from Dune. 9 Neil Gaiman: The Sandman Cometh

By Jean Martin who was hosting the event last September Editor 30th, that Neil is a very entertaining speaker and one of the most generous authors when I believe I’m one of the few people that it comes to his fans. discovered Neil Gaiman, not through his Dubbed “literature’s rock star,” Neil was wildly popular “Sandman” graphic novels, dressed in rock star attire (I know as I used but through “Neverwhere.” “Neverwhere” to interview rock stars in my previous life as was a BBC miniseries televised here in a rock journalist), black t-shirt, black leather the U.S. by my favorite station, KTEH. jacket, black jeans and black shoes. The First It is an “ in Wonderland” tale of a Congregational Church on 2345 Channing contemporary Londoner who accidentally Way near U.C. Berkeley was also packed to gets thrown into an alternate world in the the rafters with mostly young, adoring fans. Underground, and discovers its Some of whom where dressed in costumes dangers and allures. Since then I’ve been from his various works. Holding the event a fan and read several of his fantasy novels in a church seemed a little strange as I sat including “Good Omens,” “Stardust” and in the front pew waiting for Neil to arrive. “American Gods.” But after he came out and stood behind the I’ve missed seeing him the few times he’s ornately gilded pulpit, it all made sense to done book tours in the Bay Area and so I me. He was our preacher and we were his was looking forward to attending his lecture followers! He was mesmerizing with his soft and book signing at Kepler’s but found out British accent and gentle demeanor. And that Kepler’s, which is a 20 minute drive yes, he is as handsome in person as he is from me, closed recently. So I had to drive in his photos! He began his lecture saying, to Berkeley, an hour away, to see him. It was “dearly beloved,” and the whole audience well worth the trip. I’ve heard from several burst out in laughter. friends and even employees at several Neil talked for about 15 minutes bookstores, including Cody’s in Berkeley discussing his new novel, “Anansi Boys,” and 10 recounted how the book came about. He He said there’s such a thing called writer’s writing with a fountain pen. Because it’s explained that although there is a character block but nothing called journalist’s block. not real until it gets typed up. He also said in it that was in “American Gods,” it is not So you “crank out copy and do it.” But that when working on a computer, he gets a sequel. He also mentioned that because now that he’s a full-time author, “I can distracted by emails popping up and going his movie, “MirrorMask” (with frequent indulge myself and I do.” So he usually on Google to search for things. collaborator, artist Dave McKean) was borrows a friend’s house to start a novel, Neil was also asked when he first heard coming out on the same day as his lecture comes back home to do the middle and of Anansi, the African spider-god. He and also at the same time as “Serenity,” then goes somewhere else to finish it. Also, revealed that he probably first discovered someone told him the day should now be with “Stardust,” he discovered the joy of Anansi at a children’s library when he called “National Geek Day.” Then he said, “Happy National Geek Day,” which we all cheered to. After borrowing a copy of “Anansi Boys” from one of the women in the audience, he proceeded to read from the book for about 15 minutes. Neil is a very good reader and he dramatized the dialogue with different voices and expressions. Most of what he read was somber but with funny lines here and there. We were all enraptured by his storytelling and I, personally, can’t wait to read the novel, which I just picked up before the event. The rest of the hour was a Q&A session. The questions were quite intelligent and thought provoking, well, we’re dealing with a smart and creative fan base after all, and Neil’s answers were very witty, personal and informative. One interesting question to me, as a writer, was about his writing process. He says with his background as a journalist, he’s used to writing on deadline. Jean Martin, Mr. Darcy, Quinby Frey and Pat Frey waiting to have their books signed. 11 was about nine. He loved going through with wonder because he really didn’t read as to criticisms that his stories are devoid the card catalogs and searched for books much scifi. On the other hand, he does love of political content with its timeliness in with themes like magic and space travel. scifi and has a pretty decent knowledge of world affairs. Hmmm… this is what I used to do as well the field and so probably would write a real Someone asked him about his future when I was a child!!! Someone asked him if scifi story one day. projects. Specifically, if he was going to he was ever going to write a science fiction He said he’s quite proud of his entire collaborate with Terry Pratchett, his co- short story and he said that he just wrote Sandman body of work, consisting of author on “Good Omens.” Neil said, one for the young adult market on how to 75 comics and 10 graphic novels. When in his typically clever way, that it’s now talk to girls at parties. He considers that pressed, he picked two stories as his complicated because he and Terry are no science fiction! On a more serious note, favorites. “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” longer the unknowns they were when they he did say that when he was a teenager, he which took home the World Fantasy Award wrote “Good Omens.” Now, they need thought he would grow up to be a science for best short story; and “Ramadan,” which people with briefcases to be around before fiction author. Which he looks back to now ten years after its publication put a stop the two of them can even meet in the same room! But by chance, they ran into each other recently and had a good conversation about the “possibility, of considering, that perhaps one day, discussing writing a ‘Good Omens’ book. In the meantime, the book will be re-released in March as a hardcover, which has been out of print for a while. There will be two versions, a white cover with his name first, and a black cover with Terry’s name first. Which is good he said because the book will be in the G section as well as the P section. However, Neil did reveal that although he would love to do a sequel to “Neverwhere” involving the Seven Sisters or a “Stardust”-type novel, faced with the choice of doing “something I’ve done before” versus “something I’ve never done before,” he would “rather make new 12 mistakes.” Plus, he doesn’t “know what next novel is until I sit down to write it.” Well, just as long as he keeps writing! He ended his lecture by encouraging everyone to go see “MirrorMask” as he said it’s only showing in a few theatres and if lots of people show up the first week, it will really make a difference. The movie, which of course I will see as soon as I can, is about a circus girl who ventures into a dark fantasyland reminiscent of “Labyrinth.” Well, the Jim Henson Company were involved in creating the puppets, sets and CGI. Apparently, the movie wasn’t supposed to be widely released but audiences loved it after it was screened at Sundance. We then all lined up to get his autograph. And during the long wait, I got to socialize with several people. Everyone was just so friendly and even though the system of lining up was confusing and chaotic, everyone just followed directions and patiently waited. In the meantime, I ran into six different people from six different parts of my life (vintage dance, the Victorian chorus girl group I perform with, scifi conventions, Firefly fandom, my day job, and even my old heavy metal journalist days)! It is so fascinating to me Neil Gaiman at the question and answer session.

Photo: Jean Martin 13 how all my interests and hobbies seem and left the building in a sort of star struck new hardback for this occasion), he drew to now be converging. And it has now haze. a ’s head in my new “Coraline” become clear to me that the people that like After squealing several times in delight hardback, and encircled “This one’s for historicals, fantasy and scifi, are usually one as I walked to my car, I sat down in the you” in the dedication page of my also and the same. For a long time, I thought I driver’s seat and looked at his autographs. new “Anansi Boys” hardback. I think was just weird because lots of people said I He actually personalized them! He wrote this amazingly talented, intelligent and was! I just wasn’t hanging out with kindred “Mind the Gap” in my old “Neverwhere” charming English gent has just won a fan spirits! It’s nice to know that I now belong paperback (wish I thought of buying a for life! to a huge community of geeks… er… fans. Hey, I’m a nerd and I’m proud of it! So anyway, with butterflies in my stomach I approached Neil at the signing table. I handed my three books and he said my name (sigh!) and he was so gracious and unhurried. Like there wasn’t a line of hundreds waiting behind me. I told him I loved “Neverwhere” and what I loved about it, and that I would really enjoy a sequel. And he stopped signing for a second and he said with a smile, and with what seemed to me very genuine emotion (and that to-die- for accent), that that’s why he loves doing book tours because he finds out from his fans what to do. Then my heart just stopped when he said that he might just do a sequel of “Neverwhere.” Hey, if he does then I get full credit!!! Then I said the show and book inspired me to go to to explore the London Underground, which I truly did. He replied that the London Tourist Board should give him some sort of recognition for getting people to go there. I said thanks Gaiman reads from Anansi Boys Photo: Jean Martin 14 The Hobbit Picnic 2005

What happens when an orc and a The October 1 event at Pine Lake Park ringwraith and an evil wizard show up at in San Francisco also featured a raffle, a the Hobbit Picnic? Apparently the orcs, talent show, re-enactments, readings from hobbits, wizards and other attendees toast The Hobbit, a trivia contest, and of course, marshmallows, tap dance, drink Two plenty of food. Even the wine was in cos- Buck Chuck and otherwise have a good tume, with Two Buck Chuck desguised as time. Hobbiton-made fare.

Left: Tom Bombadil recites a poem about himself. Top: A Ringwraith (real name un- known) and Sam (Leah Jakusovszly share a Mordor marshmallow. Right: Ashnika the Orc (Nina Kempf) does an advertisement for pumpkin ale. Photos this page by Cordelia Willis 15 Top Left: Theoden and Gamling (Phil and Kathe Gust) win first place in the Fangorn Follies with their reading of The Hobbit. Photo by Cordelia Willis

Top Right: Ashnika the Orc (Nina Kempf) and King Theoden (Phil Gust) share a toast. Photo by Cordelia Willis

Lower Left: Three hobbit lasses (Kelly Bolton, Cordelia Willis and Cathleen Trowbridge. Photo by Leah Jakusovsky

16 Left: Gamling (Kathe Gust)

Right: LOTR couple (real names unknown.

Photos by Jeannette

17 Left: Sam (Leah Jakusovszly and Ashnika the Orc (Nina Kempf).

Below: Gandalf and Saruman (real names unknown) have a tap dance contest.

Photos by Jeannette Peters

18 Left: Two Buck Chuck in costume.

Lower Left: Hey, is this Lembas fresh?

Lower Right: The Prancing Pony Players (Kelly Bolton, Cordelia Willis, Nina Kempf, Leah Jakusovszly and Cathleen Trowbridge.

Photos by Jeannette Peters

19 Most of the attendees.

Photo by Jeannette Peters

20 Independently SiliCon

By Carole Parker auction so far, you can go to our website Bohnhoff, Loren at: Davidson, and Paul SiliCon, a media-oriented science fiction http://www.siliconventions.com/ Kwinn. In addition and science fantasy convention happens programming/charity.html to performing this next weekend, October 7-9 at the San Plus, a percentage of any profits that some of his original Jose, CA DoubleTree Hotel. So, what’s any SiliCon makes will also go to the Diabetes songs, Mr. Beagle different from any other convention? Isn’t Society on top of the proceeds from the will also be doing this where the freaks and geeks gather? Charity Auction. a reading from his What makes SiliCon different this Other film programming includes recently-released year, is that we are having our first-ever having a Rocky Horror Picture Show live book and an Independent Film Festival on Friday performance troupe to go along with the autograph signing. night, October 7 starting at 8 p.m. Some movie, and the showing of a trailer for GB For the songwriters, of the films lined up include Zoom Suit by 2525 an independent urban action feature we have a special Assassination Entertainment and Bite Me that is a mix of The Warriors and The contest for songs Fanboy! by Mat Nastos. After these films Matrix. Come see and talk to the people about Einstein: have been shown, both will be available that produced it. To go along with the http://www.siliconventions.com/ for auction at our Charity Auction, which Independent Film Festival, we also have programming/filking.html supports the Diabetes Society of Santa Clara filmmaking, writing, hard science, gaming, Don’t forget the Saturday night Valley. All monies raised at the auction go and costuming programming. masquerade where people show us their directly to Another special event is actually two visions of the future, past, a book, or show the Diabetes events: we’ll be having two Magic: The using clothing/costumes. Society. Not a Gathering tournaments at SiliCon. Come If you’re wondering what a convention portion of the meet one of the original artists for MTG, is, and what it’s all about, check out our proceeds. All Christopher Rush. To find out more about FAQs: of them. the Magic tournaments: http://www.siliconventions.com/faqs/ If you http://www.siliconventions.com/ faqs.html are interested programming/gaming.html For more information on SiliCon: in seeing For those of you that are more into http://www.siliconventions.com what we have music, SiliCon is honored to have Peter S. Photos of Silicon 2004 courtesy of Warren donated for Beagle in concert, along with Jeff and Maya Harris and Cosplay Magazine. 21 A Month of Serenity

By Jean Martin, Cybele Baker For those who still haven’t heard of Serenity, ture). To celebrate the release of the movie, and Adam Levermore-Rich it is based on the short-lived Joss Whedon I am compiling this section, chronicling (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel) TV series the myriad events this past month in San One of the most anticipated movies of Firefly (see issue 6 for my more in-depth Francisco leading up to the big day. I am re- the Fall season, nay, this year, Serenity finally article on Firefly and the fan campaign to porting on the SF Browncoats (the SF Fire- hit theatres nationwide last September 30th. turn the series into a major motion pic- fly fan group) meeting last September 17 and the Firefly viewing at Varnish Gallery on September 29. Cybele Baker was lucky enough to see the last press screening at the AMC Van Ness on September 27 and will be recounting her experience. And last but not the least, Adam Levermore-Rich will recap the midnight premiere at the Metre- on on September 29, where almost 1,000 fans, some in costume, were in attendance.

** ** **

SF Browncoats Meeting, September 17, Café Murano by Jean Martin: As a fan of the TV series Firefly, and after portraying Inara, the Companion, in this year’s Comic-Con masquerade com- petition, I consider myself part of the SF Browncoats. I’ve been wanting to connect with other fans, and meet up with a couple of friends and acquaintances who are more active SF Browncoats working on Equality Now postcards with the organization. I got the chance to Photo by Jean Martin 22 people who’ve already seen Serenity dur- way to spend an afternoon in the city by ing the numerous press screenings over the the Bay. course of this year talked about the movie. They were gracious enough to tell me to ** ** ** move away so I didn’t hear any spoilers by accident. Press Screening, September 27, AMC Around 20 people were there and I was Van Ness by Cybele Baker: amazed how friendly, intelligent, talented Serenity is the film Joss Whedon made and proactive everyone was. as a companion to his canceled TV series This is not just a social group, however. One of the topics discussed was the plan for what the SF Browncoats will be doing at the upcoming sci-fi convention, SiliCon, on October 7 through 9 in San Jose. Orga- nizer Arielle Kesweder asked for volunteers to man their booth. The group will also have a panel and a party during the con- vention as well. Adam Levermore-Rich, Jean Martin and And, of course, they talked about sup- Kim Pudliner at SF Browncoats meeting. Photo courtesy of Jean Martin porting Joss Whedon’s favorite charity, Equality Now, a women’s rights organiza- do so last September 17 when I attended tion. We all actually worked for a little the group’s monthly lunch meeting at bit to update promotional postcards with Café Murano (owned by SF Browncoats’ information on Equality Now that were founder Renee Balmert’s husband) on 1777 used at Comic-Con with information on Steiner Street in San Francisco. A charming SiliCon. Italian café with amazing paninis, desserts I’m very impressed at how helpful the and hot chocolate (and free Internet ac- Browncoats are and how creative! cess!), Café Murano was a lively but relaxed The postcard was a beautiful, full-color, atmosphere for such a gathering. glossy with pictures of heroines from Joss’s Arielle Kesweder at the Serenity midnight I actually had a lot of fun meeting new various projects. showing that she organized in a Kaylie people and talking about Firefly. Several All in all, it was a fun and productive costume. Photo by Jean Martin 23 Group shot of costumers at the Metreon Serenity midnight showing. Photo by Adam Levermore-Rich 24 Firefly. I had seen several of the episodes laughter and applause was all around. when they ran on Fox and was terribly The film doesn’t disappoint and in disappointed that the show was canceled many ways enhances the TV show into so quickly. It had all the best of Joss and, so something even better. I had been lucky far, none of the bad. How could Fox cancel enough to see a rougher cut last May and such a funny, witty and well-designed show? for the most part the final version was the Of course, today’s TV is less about quality same, cleaned up special effects and music as it is about “reality.” Instant gratification score added which was quite good and not seems to be the requirement for a show too overpowering. these days. Ah well, someone else believed The tag line for this film has been in Joss and that someone was Universal Pic- “Can’t Stop the Signal” but as I watched the tures who gave him the money and time to film for the second time and then a third turn “Firefly” into a big screen movie. when I saw it opening night with friends, I Last Tuesday, I went to see a press caught something I feel was a much more screening of the film full of fans and some powerful theme; that of belief. I realized critics. The film was a rousing success, while watching the scene when Mal and Shepherd Book were Francis Yun and Johnny Absinthe at the talking about belief Varnish Bar Photo: Jean Martin that every single char- his belief that what he was doing was right. acter in this film has a And many of the characters kept using the strong belief that was word belief: Mal, Book, The Operative, driving them through Inara etc. And as I was going home on this story. Even the vil- Tuesday, it wasn’t just the characters that lain was very strong in had such a strong belief; it was Joss himself Kim Pudliner, Jo Rhett, who was instilling his belief into the film. Carolyn Staehle, Jean Belief that the show had been better than Martin, Dakron Slaxx Fox believed, belief that he could prove that and Espana Sheriff in to them by making a successful big screen Firefly costumes at the film and belief in all of his fans to help Varnish Bar. him. His belief has paid off. This film is bril- photo by Johnny Absinthe liantly written with clever characters that 25 which they cannot ** ** ** escape unharmed. That is nothing new, Firefly Viewing, September 29, Varnish if you’ve seen Buffy Gallery by Jean Martin: and Angel, you will Well, I was finally on my way to see see what kind of hell Serenity. I’ve missed all the press screenings is willing to put his so I thought I needed to see the midnight characters through premiere at the Metreon. I hitched a ride for a better plot. with some new friends I made at the SF Joss also man- Browncoats meeting I went to a few weeks aged to do something beforehand. incredibly difficult, We got to the City early so I was able to he managed to make attend the last free Firefly viewing at Var- a film of a TV show nish Gallery on 77 Natoma Street… not that anyone can too far away from the Metreon. The gallery watch… even if they owners had been showing Firefly episodes haven’t seen the show. for months in anticipation of the release On Friday, two of my of “Serenity.” But this was the first time I friends who have not got the chance to go there. They showed seen a single episode the last episode, “Objects in Space,” which of the show yet had was appropriate as we were going to see the Carolyn Staehle as Kaylie, Dakron Slaxx as Wash and a friend as no problems with movie right after. Seeing “Objects in Space” Kaylie waiting for the movie to be shown. the film’s plot. Joss again refreshed my memory of where the Photo: Jean Martin put a good brief series ended and made me look forward to are all completely familiar and comfort- synopsis at the beginning that fills out some seeing Serenity. able with one another you have no trouble of the info fans already know but helps We got to Varnish around 9 p.m., which believing in them; there’s that word again, non-fans understand what is happening. was when they started showing the episode belief. I believed in Joss too, he has no fear When we left the theatre my friends came on a big projection screen on one wall of in doing what is best for his story even if it out with only one question: “Can I borrow the gallery. Varnish is a spacious contempo- means putting his characters that he obvi- your DVDs?” rary fine art gallery whose current exhibit ously loves into severely nasty situations, included the hauntingly beautiful artwork

26 of Frank Garvey. The gallery has a sophis- ticated and modern feel to it with its classy wine bar and art library in the mezzanine. We enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and drinks while watching the show. There were around 30 fans there. Several were in costume as every- one was going to the premiere afterwards. After a short break, they showed the Se- renity SciFi Channel special, “SciFi Inside: Serenity, at around 10 p.m. The special was hosted by Adam Baldwin and featured in- terviews with Joss Whedon and the cast. Scenes from the movie were also shown.

Jean Martin with other costumed friends and fans. Enough to whet my appetite without giv- will of the fans, and the fans were out in full ing anything away. Then it was back to the force to support it as it premiered. At the Metreon to see Serenity! Metreon in San Francisco, more than 800 people were treated to games, trivia and ** ** ** prizes — not to mention a pretty darn good film — at a midnight screening. Though Serenity Midnight Premiere, September it was technically a premiere, the capacity 29, Metreon by Adam Levermore-Rich: crowd — enough to fill two theatres — was Joss Whedon’s science fiction thrill ride evenly split between those seeing the film Serenity is a film brought to life by the sheer for the first time and fans who had seen it Jean Martin and Ray Hill as Inara and Mal 27 three, four, even five times already, thanks thunderous cheer went up at the sight of ing its first weekend), it’s probably only a to advance screenings. Whedon’s name in the credits. matter of time till a sequel gets underway. Fans dressed as characters from the Once the doors of the theatre were Shiny! show — “Big Damn Heroes” to those in opened, the audience was treated to a trivia For more information on local Bay Area the know — were out in full force, with contest and a sing-along as they waited for Firefly and Serenity fan organizations, go to more Mals, Kaylees and Jaynes than you the movie to begin. Fans also had an op- Yahoo Groups! and search for: sfbrown- could shake a rain stick at. Some arrived as portunity to donate money to Whedon’s coats (www.sfbrowncoats.com) and Sili- much as six hours early to wait in line and favorite charity, Equality Now, as part of a conGulchBrowncoats (www.silicongulchbr mingle with other fans. raffle forSerenity -themed prizes. The whole owncoats.org). Six hours was nothing compared with event was coordinated how long fans had waited for the movie to by members of the SF finally make it to the big screen. Serenity is Browncoats. a continuation of the universe of characters While the box of- created by Whedon in his ill-fated televi- fice take has been less sion series Firefly. While the small-screen than hoped for (it series was short lived, it had an intense fan debuted at number 2 following, as evidenced by surprisingly suc- with $10 million), the cessful DVD sales. That devotion caught San Francisco premiere the attention of Universal executives, who certainly showed the saw box office potential in the franchise passion and love the and offered Whedon the chance to bring it fans have for Serenity. back to life on the silver screen. Whedon himself has credited the fans ** ** ** as an important part of bringing the crew of Serenity back to life, as has the cast. In an Well, that’s all for open letter to the fans in the hours before Firefly and Serenit… the premiere, Whedon wrote: “Everyone at least for now. With needs something to keep them going. Mal such a devoted and (Serenity’s captain) has his ship. Zoe (the organized fan base, and first officer) has her integrity. Jayne (the mostly good reviews of ship’s muscle) has Vera. And I’ve got you the movie (and good guys.” The feeling was clearly mutual as a box office receipts dur- Arielle Kesweder and Johnny Absinthe Photo by Jean Martin 28 Photos by of the MikeIKV Bloodlust courtesy Wilson Klingons and 501st Legion on the March At The How Berkeley Can You Be Parade 2 9

29 Photos by of the MikeIKV Bloodlust courtesy Wilson 3 0

30 Photos by of the MikeIKV Bloodlust courtesy Wilson 3 1

31 Young Author Thrills Hundreds

By Jack Avery winners, Mario, Grace, Luke, Kevin and when a copy of the book was purchased Staff Writer Vinnie asked a number of good questions. by Carl Hiassen’s son while on vacation to Paolini, who began writing his first novel Montana. He was so taken by the book, When Christopher Paolini last came to Eragon shortly after earning his high school that his father brought the book to the Santa Rosa for a book signing, about 85 degree at the age of 15, was home-schooled, attention of his editor at Alfred A. Knopf people showed up — a quite respectable and said that he never number for a fantasy author, particularly took time off during his one touring in support of his first book. schooling, enabling him For his second visit 1,500 fans showed to graduate early. Feeling up. that he was too young to The September 16 event, sponsored by start college, he began Copperfield’s Books, had to be held in the writing the book to give gymnasium of a local school to fit in the himself something to crowds that lined up for a chance to hear do. the young author speak and get a book “I had to find a way signed. Attendees were required to buy a to entertain myself,” he copy of Paolini’s latest hardcover, Eldest, or said. “I started writing buy an additional ticket for $10 just to get down my daydreams.” in the door. Once the book was The appearance, one of only three in finished, his family self- California, had an even larger turnout than published the book. a signing the previous night in Los Angeles Paolini then began to that drew about 700 people. promote the book, To the raucous cheers of hundreds of visiting schools and fans, Paolini entered escorted by two fans selling 10,000 copies wearing tabards and carrying plastic swords. of the book through Following his introductory remarks, he independent bookstores, answered questions posed by five young grocery stores, anywhere fans who were winners in Copperfields’ that he could place it. “Unleash Your Inner Dragon” contest. The His big break came 32 Books. and enjoyed, singling out Jeremy Thatcher, The Knopf edition landed on best- Dragon Hatcher by Bruce Coville. He said seller lists, propelling the now 21-year-old after he read that book, he asked three author to the top of the young adult fantasy questions, what sort of land would a dragon market. come from, who would find a dragon egg “I’m amazed at the response it’s gotten,” and who else would be interested in finding Paolini said. a dragon egg. Answering these questions Eragon has been such a success that there gave him the start of his first novel. is already a major movie adaptation being “I love to tell stories,” he said. “I want to filmed by Fox 2000 in Hungary for release capture the sense of awe and wonder that I next year. While Paolini said he would have get when I read a good book or see a good liked to have a cameo in the move as a movie. character who is beheaded, his book tour is “I really wanted to write the archetypical going to prevent that from happening. coming of age story in a fantasy world.” Once he finishing touring in support He had begun novels before, he said, of his first book, he turned to writing the but always stopped after a few pages when second book in the series. he didn’t know where the story should “I actually thought that Eldest was go. So before writing Eragon, he said he going to be shorter than Eragon,” He said. plotted out the entire trilogy. To keep from “I believed that until I reached the size of getting bored with writing the series, when Eragon and I still had a third of the story he knew what would happen, he would left.” reward himself when reaching a target by The new book adds new characters having his character encounter something to the saga, as well as continuing the he hadn’t planned, something he would adventures of Eragon, a young man who have to make up on the spot. befriends a telepathic dragon. Paolini said he drew inspiration from “It was nice to write some characters epic fantasy novels that he has read, but who were more mature than Eragon,” he that he wanted to take certain elements said. farther than he had seen done. Dwarves When asked what gave him the idea in particular attracted him. He said he for Eragon, he said he wanted to write felt that dwarves had not been explored the sort of fantasy novels that he had read thoroughly in their culture and language 33 and so he wanted to look at their society and in particular their language. He treated the audience to an impromptu reading of a short passage from Eldest – entirely in Dwarvish. “I told my mom that if I went into Eragon’s world, I’d go live with the dwarves and write dwarvish opera. Another book that he highly recommended to his fans is Raymond Feist’s Magician. And he couldn’t ignore the biggest fantasy best seller of all time. “Of course I love the Lord of the Rings,” he said. When asked how fame had affected him at such a young age, he said his parents did a good job of keeping things normal. About the only thing that has changed for him is that now he goes on book signing tours. He still lives at the family home that sits near the Yellowstone River in Montana. In addition to telling stories, he said he is inspired by the landscape surrounding his Montana home, his family and his fans. “I was really aware of how many people had fallen in love with the story,” he said. “I felt a responsibility as an author. When asked where he draws his ideas, Paolini gave the example of the puzzle ring that appears in Eldest. Paolini is a fan of puzzles and while on tour in Texas to promote the self-published edition of 34 Eragon, he was given a puzzle ring. He said As for his future as a writer, he said he Although he revealed that at least some of that he could not solve it, so he “gave” it to has a number of ideas for books he wants to his computer time is spent playing Jedi Eragon in Eldest to let him worry about it.. write after he finishes the third book in the Academy instead of writing the next novel. “The very day Eragon solves his puzzle trilogy. But he said he may do stand alone Speaking of writing the next novel, ring I solved mine,” he said. novels. he said he has started the third book in He said he has three methods for “I’ve decided series are a little too much the series. He has, so far, completed the thinking up names for his characters, the work,” he said. But then he added that opening sentence. He plans to return to first is to use plays on words. The dragon some of the ideas he is considering are for Montana and finish the rest of the novel character, Saphira is a play on the word series. once the current book tour is over. sapphire, the name of his hero, Eragon is He said he doesn’t know which project Paolini also signed at San Ramon Valley dragon with a letter missing and is also “era he will start next, and declined to reveal High School in Danville on September 17 gone by.” He also uses both the invented what his future projects might be about. in an appearance sponsored by Rakestraw languages he’s come up with as well as When not writing novels, Paolini makes Books. drawing from foreign languages to give his his own knives, swords and chain mail Last week, Eldest topped the Wall Street characters names a different sound. armor, and he also paints and draws. He Journal’s list of best-selling books, ahead of When asked if he writes a novel the way provides the interior illustrations for his J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Half- he thinks readers would enjoy, as opposed own novels. And he says, he takes walks and Blood Prince at number 3, Anansi Boys by to how the story should run, he said he hikes as often as he can, “because the rest of Neil Gaiman at number 4 and Thud by tries to write the best book he can without the time I’m sitting in front of a computer.” Terry Pratchett at number 13. worrying about what other people will want. Paolini had been accepted to Reed College in Portland, but has deferred his Join our crew: college career for now. “I had put too much work into Eragon to give it up,” he said. Now that he is in the We are looking for writers to cover local events. middle of a three-book contract, completing the third book in the Inheritance trilogy Contact Jean Martin and Chris Garcia at: must come first. He said he listens to taped college lectures to continue his education [email protected] in the meantime.

35 Phil Nutman: A Different Zombie Novel

By Jack Avery loud voodoo-themed shirt, entertained his kept it.” Staff Writer audience, including store cat Ripley, with a The book has now been reprinted in a reading of the original short story. deluxe hardcover edition that includes the When author Phil Nutman was offered The story was originally commissioned original short story. a book contract to expand his zombie short for an anthology based on story into a novel, Wet Work, he found he George A. Romero’s zombie had a problem. movies. He had written non “What do you do with a zombie?” he fiction, including working as asked. “They’re not the most scintillating a correspondent for Fangoria, characters.” and as a production assistant The solution, Nutman said at an author for the BBC. He said he appearance September 17 at Borderlands was surprised at the positive Books in San Francisco, was to use response the short story zombification as a metaphor and to turn received. the novel into a political satire. Wet Work was an Expanding the short story into a full impressive hit when first novel was not easy, he said, admitting that released 12 years ago in the original work was more of a vignette. paperback, thanks in part “I had to figure out what the spine of to his publisher pushing the book had to be,” he said. “I had to the book and getting it into make it about character.” airport bookstores. While it So he looked into the character of his sold 100,000 copies in few two main protagonists, he said. One is a months, it has long since rookie police officer who remains human gone out of print and is now yet is reduced to a murderous response a hard to find collector’s by the events of the book, the other in item. a government assassin who, emotionally “I did not expect the book dead as a human, becomes more alive as a to become a cult success,” zombie. he said. “Everybody who The British expatriate, in an impressively bought the damned thing 36 “I had nothing to do with the price, zombies, Some of the zombies in the novel been very visible. He has written a number that’s my publisher’s doing,” he said. “I retain their intelligence and work together of short stories, most of which are now out think he’s nuts.” to become an even greater threat to the of print, and has written comic book scripts He describes the book as an “apocalyptic- surviving humans. and screenplays that he has been paid for, zombie-police procedural-espionage novel. Nutman has had a successful career as but have not been produced. The novel adds several unique twists to the a fiction writer, even though much of the Nutman lists Richard Matthison’s work standard zombie trope. Instead of mindless work he has done since Wet Work has not as an early influence, particularly I Am Legend. “That’s the novel that made me decide I had to be a novelist,” he said. He has also been influence by the 87th Precinct police procedurals by Ed McBain and the espionage novels of David Morrell. And then there is the early work of Stephen King. Reading Carrie while walking home after buying it, he said he walked into a lamppost not once, but twice. He said he is not interested in writing a sequel to Wet Work, because he has already done his zombie novel. “I have to write first and foremost to entertain myself,” he said. “I have to come up with an idea that is unique.” While said he doesn’t see himself fitting into the mold of a standard horror writer, “anything I write is going to come out dark.” Nutman is currently putting the finishing touches on a collection of his shorter works. 37 Adventures in Bookhunting By Jack Avery the doors open. of the San Francisco Library Book Sale, you Staff Writer The chatter in line consists of dealer are likely a serious book hound. In order to talk about online bookselling sites, chit get in for the preview sale on Wednesday, Author’s note: The bulk of this article was chat between store owners who rarely get September 28, you either have to be a written on a palm pilot (normally used to a chance to get away from their businesses member of the Friends or you have to have store a database of books) while the author and socialize with their fellows, and of an in. In my case, I have an in, a free ticket was waiting in lines at the event. carefully laid plans between team members thanks to a friendly sponsor who shared an working out last minute strategies. extra ticket with me in return for my saving There were already several score ahead This is not a group gathered for a place for him in line. of me when I got in line for the event. We entertainment. If you are here, at the While I dabble as a book scout, I’m have nearly an hour and a half to go before preview night for the 41st Annual Friends hardly a threat to the real competitors

Part of the line a few minutes before the doors opened. The warehouse in the background completely filled with books. 38 here. Waiting in line, I spot the owners of Elsewhere Books and Kayo Books, store owners and book buyers from other stores around the Bay Area, some fellow independent scouts and some familiar faces from other sales who I know sell books online. Of course there are many here who are just members of the Friends using their benefits, mostly retired folks who don’t have to wait until they get off work to attend. The show will be flooded by these amateurs later in the evening–but most of those in line are people who either didn’t have to work today, or for whom the event is their work. As for me, I’m taking a sick day. I came down with a bad case of book fever. Cough, cough. I’m not too far back, but the real serious scouts have been here for hours longer in order to get a place at the head of the line. They have their own boxes, some mounted on carts. Some have brought folding chairs to ease the wait. I’m not quite that serious. I’m here to Left: This is the paperback science fiction row, with boxes of more paperbacks under the table. The row to the left is hardback sf on top, hardback and paperbacks on the floor. The first of three rows of paperback mysteries are on the right. 39 add to my personal collection, the books $7 copy of an issue of Amra, a Robert E. I filed in when the doors opened, passed here are mostly too overpriced to buy for Howard fanzine. I’d paid about seventy up a chance to grab a shopping cart, opting trade. I’ll hold off until Sunday when I’ll cents for the books I’d traded in. I have instead for an empty fruit box, and raced hit the Pleasanton sale to replenish my credit right now at more than a dozen stores for the science fiction section. business stock. from San Jose to Santa Rosa. At three stores A bookstore buyer was there ahead My philosophy as a scout is that I don’t I have more than $100 in credit waiting to of me, so I positioned myself in front of want to pay more than a dime each for be spent. her. My strategy was to do a quick sweep, trade stock, preferably, I try to pay a nickel. Of course, that doesn’t into consideration skimming the cream off and returning later Any more and I’m better of paying cash for the bridge tolls, gasoline, hours of time for a more thorough examination. the books that I want, instead of trading for spent driving to and at sales and the sweat Much to my surprise, this sale had an them. There are exceptions, but the truly equity put in to cleaning and removing excellent selection of science fiction in great finds usually end up in my personal stickers and hauling heavy boxes of books good condition and at acceptable prices. collection. to and fro. Granted, I would have spent far more had Last year at this sale, I found a scarce It’s a hobby for a book lover, not a the books been properly priced at fifty cents volume for my personal collection with a retirement plan. per paperback and a buck for hard covers. legendary story by one of my favorite pulp I’m just lucky I live alone, so I’m the Instead, the idiots who run this show authors. Ordering it online would have set only one tripping over the piles of stock I expend massive amounts of volunteer me back $40, but a slightly battered copy accumulate. resources to individually price the books. only cost me $3. I’m hoping to repeat that success this year. I don’t make any money as a book scout, I end up spending money, but I have Wanted: a good time and I get to grow my collection without going broke. Mostly I just pick up Information on the following fan groups: books really cheap, then trade them to area The Gaylaxians bookstores for credit on books that I want. I South Bay Star Wars Fan Club exchange stacks of popular new paperbacks for a handful of older, hard-to-find, books Your fan group by authors I like. We want to have regular reports on all Bay Area fan groups and we want On the way to the sale, for example, I to list your events in our calendar. Contact Jean Martin and Chris Garcia at stopped at a bookstore where I had credit banked and walked out the door with a [email protected] 40 Not only does this reduce the number of though the science fiction section. I quickly paying for the privilege of seeing the books books I, and I assume others, will buy, but snatch up a copy of Robert E. Howard The early, like most people who are here, I’d be they have to have dozens of two-person Return of Skull-face for much less than what mad. I’m still unhappy, I’ll have to come volunteer teams ringing up customers. I think it’s worth. I also grab a copy of the back on Saturday to see if they put out any (As I write this, I’m standing in a huge Grosset and Dunlop Tower of the Elephant more Robert E. Howard books, and it galls line, stretching back the entire length of from the same author for $3. Both of these me that a book I need might be put out the exhibit hall, caused by the back-up will be great trade items. over the next two days and scooped up by of people checking out. There are dealers After skimming the thousands and another collector.) I skim the animal and with shopping carts filled with hundreds thousands of science fiction books, I start pet section and the poetry section too, but I of books that have to have a person over, looking carefully at the books and don’t have time for a thorough examination. individually open the cover of each one and rooting around in the boxes under the table (Some day I’ll find that elusiveThe Last Cat call out the price to the checker. Check out to make sure I see the spine of every book. Book by Robert E. Howard. It’s a humorous is slow. If they followed the policy of most If you want to find the great stuff, you can’t poem about cats by a fantasy author. So it book sales, they could just count the books be lazy, the best books are always under the could be filed almost anywhere.) and multiply by the standard price.) table, in the bottom of a box, beneath two There are some great books here. In past years, they’ve priced them about layers of poor condition Terry Brooks novels Somebody must have had a wonderful what the books would cost at a regular or Science Fiction Book Club editions. collection of 1960s and 1970s era sword used bookstore. That’s been an irritant to I then did a quick pass through some and sorcery. I find some Robert E. Howard many of the book sale regulars, some of of the other areas. Humor to try to find paperbacks, none on my want list, but these which have crossed this sale off their list in comic strip collections, Serendipity to find are in such good shape that I’ll upgrade disgust. odd books that the volunteers didn’t know some of my existing copies. I’m not going This year, however, they seemed to what to make of, a quick tour through the to turn down a chance to upgrade my copy relent, at least on science fiction titles. foreign language section to see if they’ve got of the Panther Skull Face Omni Volume Science fiction books were mostly in the any manga there. At a smaller book sale, I’ll One for a buck. My copy has serious spine one to two dollar range with all of the mass try to look at most of the books, because fading, but I should be able to get back the market paperbacks that I’m buying costing volunteers tend to misfile books and you dollar I’m going to spend on this beautiful a buck each. Condition is so good that while never know when you’ll find some odd but copy I have in my hands by trading in my I didn’t find any real treasures, I’m going to interesting item you didn’t know to be on old copy. spend $41, most of that to upgrade copies the lookout for. But this sale is just too big. I wonder where are all of the slightly- in my collection. It’s above the average for It takes up the entire exhibit space. They read copies, where are all of the battered what I’ll spend at a good sale. have so many books that they don’t even old paperbacks by authors forgotten by I spend an hour and a half just going have them all out on the tables. (If I was everyone but me? Probably in a dumpster 41 or a landfill somewhere. books, but there are a few who use hand- fiction section. I’m looking for a handful of Taking a quick break, I decide to see if I held computers with build in IR sensors books for my personal collection. I spot a can get one of those shopping carts. My box to scan bar codes and run them through couple of Richard Stark novels that get my is getting heavy and I haven’t even started databases. I don’t spot any of the cell phone hopes up, but not the one I need. I check on the mystery section. But I’m denied, all people, the ones who have a person reading out the prices to see how they compare of the carts are taken. I’m not in favor of off ISBN numbers into a cell phone while with the science fiction books and I realize the carts, to accommodate them, the aisles a partner at home enters the numbers into that the organizers must have decided that have to be wider than normal, taking up a computer to check. I guess the scanner nobody wants to pay for science fiction room that could be used for more tables technology has made this method obsolete books. The mysteries are all $2 to $3 for of books. And the people with carts block only a few years after it was invented. paperbacks. I check a handful of battered access to the books for the more mobile of I pass on some interesting books. There’s Ed McBain novels that I figure should us. But after carting around a fruit box full a number of Terry Pratchett novels I need, be less than the $1 science fiction books. of books for an hour and half, I’m getting but I don’t want to pay a buck for them. Even McBain novels in much worse shape tired. So I drop my books off at the hold I’ll find them at a different show for half than the pristine science fiction novels are area. that and I already have four or five unread a minimum of $2. Only the thickest and Now that I have my hands free, I wash Diskworld novels at home. most recent science fiction novels are more the dust and dirt off my hands and grab a The funny thing about being a book than $1. I can’t find one mystery that’s less bit to eat. The catering here is pretty good. scout is that I no longer think books have than $2. Sometimes the general distain for They have these amazing teriyaki meatballs. much value. I know if I wait long enough, I “that Buck Rogers stuff” comes in handy. I The vegetarian spring rolls are a bit limp, can find any recent mass market paperback even manage to pick up a nice copy of Snow but are redeemed by the accompanying for not more than fifty cents, if I’m even Crash for a buck. plum sauce. The wrap sandwiches are tasty, more patient I can probably get it for less I don’t find so much as a single mystery but not spectacular. The meatballs are than a dime. I’ve got somewhere around novel worth the asking price. really awesome. There’s a line for the open 1,500 books at home that I haven’t read I return to the food area and see that the wine bar, so I pass in favor of returning to yet, so I can afford to wait, it’s not like I’m egg rolls and sandwiches are gone, but the combat. going to run out of reading material any meatballs are mysteriously still plentiful. I A dealer puts back a $2 copy of the time soon. discover why after loading up a plate. They fourth Elfquest collection deciding it isn’t After further examination of the science are out of toothpicks. I improvise. worth it to Ebay it. I decide that I wouldn’t fiction section (it really is impressive this I then find that they’ve been hiding mind owning it at that price. year, far better than any previous sale here) jumbo shrimp on a back table. Really good I see a lot of dealers here, most of us are I turn my attention to the mystery section. jumbo shrimp. And now that the crowd using our specialized knowledge to pick It’s more than twice as big as the science has cleared from in front of the wine bar, I 42 notice dispensing margaritas being from a But I’ll keep the majority of the books to see the new stock, and on Sunday for slushy machine. I’d pulled. When you’re going toe to toe when they drop the prices. Can I get Warmed by these discoveries, I return to on the firing line, you need to pick quick down to the city on Thursday, Friday too? the tables and find a copy of Dr. Syn on the and make your final decisions later. I see Hmm. High Seas, that is a $1 upgrade to the book “civilians” putter around, pause, pick out a I paid $10 for a couple of years ago. I spot book, read the back cover, ponder a while, I did return on Satuday, and picked up a Newcastle Forgotten Fantasy edition of a put it back. Me, I’ve gone through three or three more books, including a book on my rarely reprinted H. Rider Haggard novel. four boxes by that time. want list Requiem for Astounding, but was I’m getting a bit tired now. It’s also I’m careful to put the books I reject back generally disappointed. All of the good getting close to closing and the line for in the correct section. Not everybody is so classic sf was gone. checkout is stretching the length of the nice. I asked about the $1 or less sale on Sun- warehouse, across the width, and part I get into the long line and begin the day. Most book sales will let patrons buy a way back. I decide I need more shrimp. trek to the checkout counter. I’m paying paper shopping bag full of books for $3 to At least a half dozen. And now they’ve cash, so that gets me a little ahead, but it $5 at the end of a sale, just to get rid of the put out fortune cookies. And Ghiradelli still takes ages to get to the front. unsold books. Not here. They just drop the chocolate. And they’ve discovered some Once there, I wince as the volunteer prices to what they should have been in the more toothpicks for the meatballs. I pass in bends back the cover of each of my first place. Almost. None of the volunteers favor of loading up on the shrimp. Mmm. beautiful new collectible-condition books. seemed to know how much the books that I love shrimp. But man, those meatballs are She manages not to damage any of them, wre already $1 were going to be on Sunday, tasty. Maybe one more. but she sure isn’t gentle. I have to bite my what did “or less” mean. Not much, the one Fortified, I check out the box I put into tongue. I’ve learned that while they won’t answer I got was that they were still a buck. the hold area, and start going through the put out slightly damaged reading copies So there was no reason for me to come back books in it. I look carefully at the books (copies that I’d like to buy for four bits) they on Sunday after all. for condition, and discover that one of my don’t seem to understand that I’d like to get After the sale, I stopped by Kayo Books finds, The Return of Skull-face, is heavily the books home in the same condition as and traded in the books that I’d upgrad- water damaged. I’ve managed to get a when I picked them up off the table. ed. I picked up for $25 in trade credit. couple of duplicates, so I pick out of the So for $41 bucks I picked up a large While trade credit does not equal cash, I best and return the lesser copies. I pull out stack of paperbacks, a couple of oversize still thought I did pretty well. I probably my trusty palm pilot and weed out a couple paperbacks, some sf reference books and a manged to upgrade my collection at no real of anthologies that I already have but didn’t graphic novel. Not bad for a sale where I’ve cost to myself, the $16 difference probably remember owning. There are a couple of not had much luck in the past. went to pay for the books that I’m adding books I decide I really can do without. Now I just need to stop by on Saturday to my collection. 43 Bay Area Fan Blog Watch

By Chris Garcia better coverage. recently enabled comments, which was one Editor Even more impressive than either of thing that people were yelling at her for not It’s not at all odd that the Bay Area’s those is that Kevin has put up his Guest of doing a year or so ago. Still, there’s a lot of Blogging community tends to be far more Honour Speech from CascadiaCon on his great information, and whenever there’s a political than personal. Fannish Blogs have LJ. Look at http://www.livejournal.com/ major con, she trolls the Blogosphere and been around since before the term started users/kevin_standlee/16976.html#cutid1 she posts links to the best of them. Some really annoying me by being blasted all over to give it a read. It’s the 7700 word tale of of her commentary is controversial, but it’s the place. There are a few blogs belonging a guy who has traveled much of the road of always interesting. to long-time and positioned BArea fans Fannish excess. I highly recommend it. It’s Neil Zawacki has two blogs. So You’ve that are worth a look at (not including my a good speech, and sadly not a lot of folks Decided to be a Villain is the best of them livejournal (johnnyeponymous) which is were there to hear it in person. and he’s a BArea boy from way back. From mostly fanzine reviews). Another BArean who has a well- his Berkley roost, Neil has an excellent LJ Kevinstandlee is on LiveJournal and respected LJ is Andy Trembley (lj: bovil). under mrpuzuzu. He’s always got a funny has a friends list that is a good amount Andy is known as one half of Kevin (lj: and personal take on life, usually playing of BArea SMOFdom and long distance kproche) and Andy who were BayCon’s Fan up his evil bent. One of the best ones of friends. While his posts were at their Guests of Honor and throw the well-loved late was his look at trying to guess what the best during and immediately following League of Evil Geniuses Parties all over the connection is between a series of different NASFiC, he did mention the going away place. In the last couple of weeks, Andy’s movies to win a contest for Reel Video. No party for Daniel Specter (lj: danjite) and covered the Gay Rodeo, Fulsom Street one managed to come up with anything Kelly Beuhler (lj: khaybee). It sounds like Faire (including a look back at 1998) and good, but still, it made for an interesting it was a fun little party that gathered a large TeslaCon, the 2005 Vintacon that is a wine thread. portion of BArea fandom, especially since tasting con around Livermore. He’s always Another blog of BArea interest is Kelly and Dan were two of the most well- worth a read. smofbabe on LJ. She’s Janice Gelb, well- known and popular fans around. They’ve Sliding across the way, there’s always known former DUFF winner, who has a left for Thailand for as long as they care to Cheryl Morgan’s Emcit.com weblog. She great little blog that is worth giving a read be there and hopefully will stay up with pulls things from around the world and now and again. It has the feel of one of things via LJ and the like. Kevin’s was the puts them into one convenient place where those LJs that were around in the 2000 only review, or any mention really, that I I can click and know I’m getting more than timeframe, before it exploded. saw of the party. Any party that takes place almost anywhere else. It’s a sort of Ansible at the Center for Sex & Culture should get in far more realistic timeframes. She’s also 44 Fannish Imperial Guard

Because of the interruption of our Grand Chancellor Mishalak: The meetings of the Fannish Imperial publishing schedule, we’re five weeks Guard have been quiet these past two behind on reporting on the weekly Due to an excess of celebration the night weeks, though thoroughly enjoyable. meetings of the Fannish Imperial Guard. before we were not joined by Supreme Supreme Commander Kate was out of The FIGs meet every Sunday for brunch, Commander Kate of the Army of Sheeple town and unable to attend, but Ambassador usually alternating between San Francisco for brunch at Absinthe Brasserie last Calvin and myself were able to attend and the . Locations are chosen for Sunday. None the less Ambassador Calvin the brunches at Blue Muse and the Thai easy access to public transit. Brunch is then and Grand Temple. The former is a comfortable and followed by excursions, some fannish, some Chancellor Mishalak showed up undeterred satisfactory brunch spot on Gough between not. by low turn outs or high prices at the Ivy and Hayes. The wait staff was friendly chosen location (something we hope will and efficient and our food was promptly FIG Letter #1 for September 11 by be remedied at the next brunch). served. It is as inexpensive as it seemed, Grand Chancellor Mishalak: Brunch was followed by a large amount though the food is nothing spectacular by of window shopping around Hayes the high standards of the city by the bay. My own participation in a small fannish Valley. And some actual shopping with Afterwards Folsom Street Fair was just as enterprise proceeds quite well. Last Mishalak finding some jeans on sale that crowded and uniquely San Francisco as weekend the Fannish Imperial Guard met he simply could not live without. Also we advertised with a fair number of attractive as planned at La Note in Berkeley. The encountered a corset shop on Linden Street individuals, mostly men, showing off their service was slow, they lost our ticket, and by the name of Dark Garden. Fascinating bodies mixed with a larger amount of they tried to placate Supreme Commander the sort of places to shop that can be found “What in the world is that?” and “Well that Kate and myself with free seconds of in San Francisco. Next week, a little culture is pretty outrageous even by SF standards.” alcohol. That mostly worked. Ambassador SF style. I took the opportunity to wear science Calvin seemed quite amused at the frivolity fiction garb going in aFarscape Peacekeeper that it inspired. He was the wiser party FIG Letter #3 by Grand Chancellor uniform, which barely turned heads given when we arrived at Other Change of Mishalak: the number of men competing for the Hobbit, he did not stay long in the store “Most Naked Male Award” in this freeform and thus avoided spending his food money To the Citizenry of San Francisco, street masquerade. Calvin meanwhile had on books and Kate and I did. Oakland, and the Lands Surrounding the duties at the Golden Gate Wrestling booth Bay : that eventually caused us to part ways as I FIG Letter #2 for September 18 by Hello Honored Sirs and Ladies, continued on my random exploration of 45 the city. in between, I had thought of going to The general thought is to follow brunch The following weekend, the 2nd of Treasure Island but unless we wish to do with wandering over to the nearby Japan October, found the rump FIG across the a picnic brunch that does not seem to be a town for sight seeing and other touristy bay in Berkeley at an actual Thai Temple, viable option as there are no restaurants on goodness. As ever please RSVP to either rather than just at a restaurant named that. the island. Suggestions for the last weekend mishalak at livejournal.com or aiglet at They host a weekly Sunday Brunch serving in October are still open, though I will be livejournal.com by noon on Friday so inexpensive and tasty food of Thailand attending Yaoi Con and unable to attend that we might make a reservation for large at 1911-13 Russell St. between Milivia unless the location chosen is nottoo distant parties or else call 415-786-4303 before the and Martin Luther King Jr. Streets. Buy from San Francisco Airport. meeting. a number of tokens, using cash only, and Yours, then proceed to one of the many lines Grand Chancellor Mishalak, FIG Sunday, October 16 Café Cacao 914 offering different kinds of food. Both of Heinz, north of 7th Berkeley Free The us can report that the curry selections are Upcoming meetings: FIGs meet, as is their habit, for brunch on quite spicy, though good. It was a welcome Sunday following the usual rule of one side change of pace from the usual selections for Elite Café Sunday, October 9 of the bay followed by the other as such we Sunday brunch. 2049 Fillmore Street between Pine are meeting in the east bay. Ashby BART is Afterwards it was back to the Albany and California San Francisco Free The the closest to the eatery, but the distance is BART station through a weekly flea market FIGs meet, as is their habit, for brunch on just short of a mile and a half (an easy walk in its parking lot. The event only offered Sunday following the usual rule of one side for fit individuals). The Café Cacao website a few true bargains so it was quickly on of the bay followed by the other puts us in at http://www.cafecacao.biz/ suggests the to Castro Street where the annual fair was San Francisco. Montgomery BART is the #9 AC Transit Bus, the Berkley Marina, going on. The familiar place that I look nearest to the restaurant, in terms of bus which departs from the N.E. Corner down upon week after week at my place service if not geographically. If you then go Of Ashby Av & Martin Luther King Jr of employment had been transformed into down Market Street slightly and around to at 10:07 a.m. and 10:37 a.m. and takes something that was one half art festival and the N.W. corner of Sutter St. & Sansome approximately seven minutes to get to 7th one half outdoor party. The clean up after St. you’ll be able to catch the #3, the 32nd and Heinz. Transit 511 advises that this is it closed down after six in the evening was & Anza, outbound that will take a fourteen not the fastest itinerary from San Francisco, impressive in its speed, though it did not minute journey to the corner of Pine and or the least expensive as it costs $1.75 for manage the miracle of making the street Filmore starting at approximately 10:32 the bus plus around $2.90 for BART (but cleaner that it usually is. a.m. with the next one leaving at 10:52 I think Transit 511 has a bias towards AC The coming three weeks take the FIG a.m. It is a close to two-mile walk from any Transit for transbay service). to San Francisco twice with Berkeley of the BART stations along Market Street. We are advised to have a reservation 46 if there are more than six of us this week Sunday, October 23 Crepes on Cole a.m. and ride almost to the doorstep of the so please RSVP to either mishalak at 100 Carl Street, at the corner of Cole Street restaurant. livejournal.com or aiglet at livejournal.com San Francisco Free Back in San Francisco As always please RSVP to either by midday Friday so that we might make once again and meeting for brunch mishalak at livejournal.com or aiglet at a reservation for the party or else call 415- midway though October will find us in livejournal.com by midday Friday so 786-4303 before the meeting. Haight-Ashbury. Crepes on Cole is located that we might make a reservation for the Afterwards there are no general ideas conveniently at the first stop after the N- party or else call 415-786-4303 before the about where to go or what to attend so Judah line comes out of the tunnel under meeting. members should be prepared for any sort Buena Vista. To arrive on time for brunch Afterwards thought is that we will of adventure for the rest of the day (should take the N-Line that leaves Embarcadero explore a bit of the Haight or else go to they so choose). at 10:27 a.m. or the next one at 10:38 Treasure Island if the weather is really nice. Bay Area Fanzines

By Chris Garcia Back Numbers (which folded after issue released issue 121, which is her first issue 15), Cosplay Magazine (2-5), and Don’t of her second decade. Cheryl also took The BArea, where once reigned at least Shake Me. Warren’s fanzines are known for Emerald City out of the world of Fanzinia a dozen mighty fanzines, has shrunk a good fantastic photography and layout…kinda and announced that she’s going semi-pro, deal, but there are still some significant like SF/SF. much like Ansible did a few years back. ones being made. Christopher J. Garica has 45 issues of Her decision was based on economics. The Drink Tank on eFanzines.com, plus She’s offering a subscription to Emerald Robert Lichtman’s Trap Door, a issue 4 of Claims Department up, and City, but is also allowing it to be freely Hugo Nominated and FAAn Award- several special editions. He also teamed looked at on the EmCit.com website. winning fanzine, last released an issue with Cheryl Morgan to produce The Subscriptions are 12 dollars a year. She’s in 2004. Robert is also a member of Pork Authority. In printed matter, Claims hoping to get enough subscribers to defray the Fantasy Amateur Press Association Department issues 1 through 5 are out the costs of doing EmCit. While Cheryl’s (FAPA). You can request an issue at there, as is The Drink Tank Presents The remains the most obvious voice in Emerald [email protected] SteamPunk Issue. All are available by request City, she’s accompanied by several other Warren Harris has several fanzines to [email protected]. writers, including Karina Meerman, Mario available on eFanzines.com, including Cheryl Morgan’s Emerald City recently Guslandi, and Anne KG Murphy. 47 BASFA Minutes: meeting 791

September 19, 2005 and he will be going to a Serenity premiere conference as it had 2 science fiction writers on Thursday in LA. as speakers and was very good - completely Trey Haddad, President Eric announced that Robert Wise died sold out and maxed out the convention Nathan Slerm-r & Chris Garcia, Vice- this week. facilities. President Dave G. announced for Daniel Spector Julie did her review in partial pirate Dave Gallaher, Treasurer that Daniel & Kelly’s party has the theme patois and reviewed The Ghost Belonged to Galen Tripp, Sargent at Arms of ‘Leaving on a Jet Plane’ - headed for Me as a book worth re-reading once a year Barbara Johnson-Haddad, Secretary Thailand, held Friday, Sept 23, 7pm at the Kevin [Roche] reviewed The Brothers ‘Center for Sex & Culture’ in SF and all are Grimm as too dark to see at a drive-in Began at 8:01 p.m. as we talked like invited [bring refreshments]. theatre [but it sounded like they had fun pirates. Dave C. announced ‘Mirrormask’ speculating what was occurring on the will soon be released to movie theatres, black on black screen] - and thought the 19 people attended. announced that miscommunications suck film not worth the price of admission. & that ‘Other Change of Hobbit’ is still We auctioned off stuff = books for Secretary’s report: the minutes of offering auction items on EBay for Katrina $1.00, $1.00, $3.50, $3.50; an action meeting 790 were accepted as ‘scurvy’. relief - including a signed Terry Pratchett figure for $0.25; magazines for $1.00 & Treasurer’s report was that last week we hat. $1.00 - & birthday auctions off Kevin took in $20.95. Reviews: Roche to Carole Parker for $18.00. VP reports = no Nathan [week 4]; Chris reviewed ‘Red Eye’ as fairly good We adjourned at 9:27 p.m. preeminent VP Chris reported that a new & reviewed ‘Just Like Heaven’ as a very cute And the rumor of the week was ‘goats issue of ‘Drink Tank’ is out & he will be a chic flick well worth full price - including like pink panties’. visitor at a LasVagrants meeting. paying for his date. The President had nothing fannish to Goat dressing was reviewed as one of report. the silly and stupid things that happens at Don’t see your fan group covered this Announcements: gay rodeos and was described as quite silly issue? Write up a report on your Carole announced that Silicon and delightful. latest meeting/party/event and send it preparation has been active, check their Dave C. reviewed the NASFIC ‘Goth in. M.I.A.: The Gaylaxians, PENSFA. website & the ‘programming is set in jello’ Ball’ as dark and deadly and serious - with Mike announced the Legion of Rasselon waltzing - as very lightly attended. [email protected] is meeting this Friday at Trimble and First Jim reviewed the Accelerating Change 48 BASFA Minutes: meeting 792

September 26, 2005 Ross announced that he is moving incredible and looking for a home for 13 boxes of sf Dave G. reviewed Magnificent Desolation Trey Haddad, President paperbacks & magazines - that he had in his at the Dublin IMAX as 40 minutes long - Nathan Slerm-r & Chris Garcia, Vice- van outside [and they were great books!] but worth the full IMAX price. President Kevin Roche announced that Teslacon Kevin reviewed a whole lot of places in Dave Gallaher, Treasurer will be in 3 weeks = ‘wine tasting with the Tenderloin as interesting Galen Tripp, Sargent at Arms geeks’ - & the registration deadline is this Mike reviewed the red carpet premiere Barbara Johnson-Haddad, Secretary Saturday. for Serenity as impressive and everything Chris announced that he likes miniature was free - plus there was an open bar at Began at 8:00 p.m. golf. the party afterwards - he met stars & felt it Andy announced they will be doing an well worth the plane fare & everything else; 17 people attended. Evil Genius party at Silicon. Chris follow-on’d that swag is great. Mike announced he interviewed Carole Andy reviewed [part 2 of reviews of drag Secretary’s report: the minutes of & Craig for Silicon for KFJC & he has bars in the Tenderloin] as ‘Deco’ is a very meeting 791 were accepted as ‘what the passes for a Serenity showing at the Saratoga nice piano bar, a very nice place & the bars heck is that noise’. AMC [Tuesday, 7p.m.] to hand out to us in the Tenderloin had very reasonable drink Treasurer’s report was that last week we - and he suggested we be there by 6 p.m. prices. took in $57.85 & our total is footloose & Reviews: Art reviewed The 40-Year Old Virgin as fancy free. Chris reviewed Charlie & the Chocolate reasonably charming with rough language VP reports = no Nathan [week 5]; VP Factory as he was in hysterics for the whole - worth full price. Chris reported that he’s still going to Las film & rates it worth more than full price & I reviewed Madagascar as still delightful Vegas to rocket sled across the alkali flats. reviewed Newton’s Cannon by Keyes as fun and worth seeing, even surrounded by little The President greeted new faces at the but uneven and worth the $3.75 he paid kids at the $0.50 10am matinee at the Plaza meeting & reminded us that Silicon is for it at a BASFA auction. 4. October 7-9 at the Doubletree. Dave C. reviewed The Aristocrats as We auctioned off stuff; magazines for We said ‘hi’ to Ross Parlett & Eric bizarre, worth high matinee; Jim follow- $2.00 & $5.50. Brown - who were visiting us, referred by on’d with praise for Dave for doing the We adjourned at 8:57 p.m. Lynn. review so tastefully & Andy reviewed And the rumor of the week was ‘it’s Announcements: the production website for the movie as lemur-ific!’

49 BASFA Minutes: meeting 793

October 3, 2005 Andy moved to name Ed the official Joanie reviewed as BASFA party maven for Silicon. very pretty & Goth-y - but she expected Trey Haddad, President Announcements: more - but rates it as still worth full price Nathan Slerm-r & Chris Garcia, Vice- Carole announced the Silicon & reviewed the Kaiser pre-jaw surgery President website has a lot of new info & much of menu as ‘she laughed, she cried - it was Dave Gallaher, Treasurer the convention programming - go look at remarkable’. Galen Tripp, Sargent at Arms it. Dave G reviewed hanging out at the Barbara Johnson-Haddad, Secretary Kevin announced they will be doing corporate-sponsored tailgate parties before an Evil Genius party at Silicon on Saturday, the Cal game as worth his BART fare; Began at 8-ish p.m. after the Masquerade. reviewed the Sunday Giants game as very 21 people attended Reviews: short & well worth full price & reviewed Secretary’s report: the minutes of Serenity was multiply reviewed. Frank Corpse Bride as they liked it. meeting 792 were accepted as ‘bye bye reviewed it as comprehensible to non-fans Sue reviewed her trip to Maui as she bye’. of the TV series, literate, a sci-fi/Western absolutely loved it - thought the Treasurer’s report was that last week that was very good & he really liked the Marriott luau was a waste of time - the we took in $10.50. spaceship graveyard; Nathan reviewed it as whole thing worth full price. VP reports = no Chris; Nathan was great fun, he really enjoyed it & it was worth Frank reviewed ‘Mirrormask’ as the here & reported that he’s okay, he’s changed full price; I reviewed it as truly enjoyable & plot was ‘weird stuff happens - hooray!’; it’s his email addy and now having trouble worth full price; Harold reviewed it as he visually stunning, worth matinee. getting the BASFA mailing list to accept wonders how they can have a sequel with so Nathan reviewed Hidden Frontiers this. He suggests we do -something- to fix many loose ends tied up; Dave C. reviewed as making more sense than much this. [discussion followed on the subject]. the line outside as long & you needed to of the various ST series - check out The President managed to avoid get your pass numbered; Dave G. reviewed www.hiddenfrontier.com. reporting. it as ‘go see it’ & he enjoyed it [& various We auctioned off stuff = birthday Ed mentioned that he’s holding a other comments were made]. auctioned off Nathan for $35.00 to Ed; party at Silicon & wanted to know if we Andy reviewed a $10.00 one-time auctioned off a toy football & Serenity t- want a BASFA presence there. fee at librarything.com - a simple cataloging shirt for $19.00 & a book-bag for $1.00. Frank Wu moved to establish a tool - as very worthwhile. We adjourned at 9:12 p.m. Silicon party fund jar & it passed ‘lots to Carole announced there will be And the rumor of the week was ‘Trey 1’. ‘Serenity’ & ‘Firefly’ panels at Silicon is a leaf on the wind; watch him soar’ 50 The Bay Area Fannish Calendar

While some effort (OK, OK, damn of plants and odd creatures that inhabit a San Francisco, CA 94105 little effort) is made to verify event mysterious landscape barely recognizable Phone: 415/CAR-TOON, listings, please check on events before as planet Earth. The first in the Fabulandia 415/227-8666 attending as events are sometimes series, Terra, presents the work of six artists Hours: Daily 11:00 - 5:00, Closed cancelled or times and locations envisioning this futuristic environment - an Monday changed. overloaded world that meshes the natural Admission Prices: with the artificial in a landscape filled with $6.00 - Adults New listings are in red. sleek urban-scapes, extraordinary gardens $4.00 - Students & Seniors Canceled Events are in violet and terrains of the impossible. Rather like $2.00 - Children (ages 6 - 12) an analog vision of a digital future, the FREE - Children (age 5 & below) Wednesdays-Saturdays exhibition ranges from carefully rendered The first Tuesday of every calendar month Through October 29 works on paper depicting futuristic plants is “Pay What You Wish Day.” Fabulandia: Terra Opening Reception and structures to post-apocalyptic land- From their website: Artists: David Hamill, Carrie Lederer, Philip scapes made from plumbing supplies and “From the darkest depths of the cartoon Ross, James Sansing, Tonya Solley Thornton motorized shrubbery. Welcome to a place vaults comes the Cartoon Art Museum’s and Genevieve Quick called Fabulandia, where low-tech and latest exhibition, Gross, Gruesome and The LAB high-tech collide in a hybridized vision of Gothic. This horrifying display features 2948 16th Street the future. over 50 original cartoons from a wide array San Francisco “Fabulandia: Fauna opens in January of artists and comics, from spine-tinglers to p: 415.864.8855 2006 with a look at the drastically altered rib-ticklers and everything in between. 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. creatures that populate the terrain of Fabu- “Exhibition highlights include: Gallery Hours: Wednesdays-Saturdays, 1-6 landia.” “Masters of the Macabre: Edward Gorey, p.m. Charles Addams and Basil Wolverton From the website: Ongoing through March 12, 2006 Three of the most influential humorists of “Fabulandia is a two-part exhibition Gross, Gruesome and Gothic all time present their unique views of the that speculates on the world of the future. Cartoon Art Museum world around us in a selection of comics A fantastical place, filled with new strains 655 Mission Street and illustrations dating back to the 1920s. 51 “Spotlight on Gahan Wilson: This Peter Kuper, Bill Morrison, Scott Shaw and Opened Friday September 30 creator spotlight focuses on Gahan Wilson, Jill Thompson; Batton Lash’s Supernatural Mirrormask one of the most celebrated and respected Law warns us to beware the creatures of At the following theaters for a one- cartoonists of our time. In the past half- the night...and their lawyers; and Charles week engagement (that means catch them century, Wilson’s distinctive cartoons and Schulz’s classic comic Peanuts asks the Wednesday or Thursday or they may go illustrations have graced the pages of The burning question, “When will the Great away.): New Yorker, Nickelodeon, Playboy and Pumpkin arrive?” Landmark Act 1 & 2 Cinemas National Lampoon. In 2005, Wilson “It came from the Seventies! As the Silver 2128 Center Street (just east of Shattuck) received the coveted Milton Caniff Lifetime Age of comics came to an end, the Marvel, Berkeley Achievement Award from the National DC and Warren publishing companies Landmark Lumiere 3 Cartoonists Society, one of the highest unleashed a wave of horror comics that 1572 California Street (at Polk) honors that a cartoonist can achieve. pushed the boundaries of comic book art. San Francisco “The Vault of Horror: Graham Alfredo Alcala, Jim Aparo, Frank Brunner, Landmark Aquarius Twin Aquarius Theatre “Ghastly” Ingels From the pages of EC Gene Colan and Dick Giordano, among 430 Emerson Street Comics’ seminal comic book The Vault others, bring new life to classic characters Palo Alto of Horror comes “Shoe-Button Eyes,” a from Dracula and Frankenstein’s complete seven-page story illustrated by to anti-heroes including The Spectre, Ongoing through October 16 Graham Ingels. Vampirella and Morbius, The Living Tenders in the Fog “The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of: Vampire. San Jose Stage Company Neil Gaiman’s Sandman One of the most “Nothin’ But Misery: The Goon by Eric 490 S. First Street popular and acclaimed comic book series of Powell Powell is the Eisner Award-winning San Jose the past 20 years, Neil Gaiman’s Sandman creator of Dark Horse Comic series The $26-$40 tales from DC Comics set new standards in Goon, a horror comedy that pits the title A shape shifting selkie (seal woman) excellence for fantasy and horror. Featured character and his pal Frankie against killer provides a supernatural element to this artists include Chris Bachalo, Duncan robots, zombies, Spanish-speaking lizards tale of fishing economics and generational Eagleson, Marc Hempel, Kent Williams and other supernatural menaces.” conflict between father, son and grandson, and series cover artist Dave McKean. all crab fishermen. While it appears that “Scared Silly! Scary comics don’t always the supernatural elements may be a mere take themselves seriously. Bongo Comics’ literary device, this might have some annual Treehouse of Horror special features limited genre interest. The Simpsons as you’ve never seen them before, as illustrated by Sergio Aragonés, 52 Now through October 23 Volts, Servo, and others. He has performed Wednesday, October 5 The Tempest in theater, on television and given many Silicon Valley Boardgamers California Shakespeare Theater public presentation on technology, davekohr.best.vwh.net/svb www.calshakes.org creativity and the future. Match Play Bruns Memorial Amphitheater Afterwards there will be time for meeting 560 Showers Drive, Suite 4 100 Gateway Blvd. other robot builders and networking. If Mountain View Orinda you’ve got a robot, bring it to show off! 7 p.m. $35-$55 Got questions, lots of people here to help! Free See website for schedule. A loosely-organized group that meets Wednesday, October 5 every Monday and Wednesday to play Wednesday, October 5 Anime Showing mostly German-style strategy boardgames Robotics Society of America Anime Baka and cardgames. 1600 Holloway 462 Mendocino Ave. San Francisco State University Santa Rosa Wednesday, October 5 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. 7 p.m. Diana Gabaldon Free Free Copperfield’s Santa Rosa This month’s speaker: Roger G. Anime viewing/club hosted by a local Montgomery Village Gilbertson, President, Mondo-tronics anime store. Held first and third Wednesday 2316 Montgomery Village Inc., founder and Former CEO, of each month. First Monday is a potluck Santa Rosa RobotStore.com. dinner. Free Send in the Robots: What, Why, When 7 p.m. and How? Wednesday, October 5 The author of A Breath of Snow and Ashes What is it about robots that fascinates Lecture signs her latest time travel romance. Those us so? What motivates us to create them? The Long Now Foundation buying a copy of the book in advance will Should we fear what we make? Join Roger Building AFort Mason Center receive an advance seating pass, limit 175. G. Gilbertson, award winning designer, San Francisco robot builder, founder of RobotStore.com, 7 p.m. coffee and past president of the Robotics Society 7:30 p.m. lecture of America for a fast-paced exploration of Free ($10 donation recommended) the possibilities and perils we may discover Esther Freeman and George Dyson on the robotics frontier. speak on “The Difficulty of Looking Far His articles have appeared in Nuts & Ahead.” 53 October 5 a murderous magician. Shows with Three Thursday, October 6 Mirrormask Stooges short Pardon My Backfire. Stephenie Meyer Rafael Film Center Copperfield’s Books Sebastopol 1118 Fourth Street October 6-9 138 North Main Street San Rafael Gyro’s 3D Festival of Fear Sebastopol 415-454-1222 Haunted House 7 p.m. $9.25 www.3dfearfactory.com/sanfrancisco/ Free Limited engagement run of the new Pier 48 Author Stephenie Meyer signs her first movie by Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean. San Francisco novel Twilight. Hours vary Wednesday, October 5 $24.95 Thursday, October 6 Bay Area Role-Playing Society Three haunted house attractions, Rigor Diana Gabaldon www.BayRPS.com Mortis, Eternal Darkness and The Fortress. Book Passage Corte Madera Go-Getter’s Pizza Arcade. 51 Tamal Vista Blvd. 1489 Beach Park Boulevard Corte Madera Foster City October 6-9 415-927-0960 6pm to 10pm Ruddigore 7:00 p.m. Hosts a weekly game night. For club Lyric Theater of San Jose Free Diana Gabaldon talks about A Breath and game night details send email to: Mayer Theatre of Snow and Ashes. This book continues [email protected]. (Not confirmed, check Campus the story of 18th-century Scotsman Jamie before attending.) Lafayette St. at Franklin St.Santa Clara Fraser and his 20th-century wife, Claire. $23-$25 Gabaldon is the author of five previous Thursday, October 6 From their website: Outlander novels—Outlander, Dragonfly in The Mad Magician “A scary tale of a witch’s curse, with Amber, Voyager, Drums of Autumn, and The www.castrotheater.com haunted portraits that burst into life, a Fiery Cross. Castro Theater lovesick madwoman, a foundling who lives 429 Castro Street by her book of etiquette, and a love triangle San Francisco of three R’s; Rose, Robin, and Richard… 7 p.m. resolved by a little too much heartfelt 9 p.m. honesty. Who will wed whom, and will the Part of the Castro’s 3-D film festival. bad baronet die?” The Mad Magician stars Vincent Price as 54 Thursday, October 6 San Francisco evil-doers as they aim to steal the world’s Tsunami Anime Fri. and Sat. 7:30 p.m. first supercomputer. Will our heroes fare San Jose State University Sun. 3 p.m well? Or will it be a Bat-tastrophe?!?!?” WSQ 109 $15. San Jose From their website: Opens October 7 7 p.m. “Impossible productions presents Mirrormask Free BATMAN!!! The TV Show: The Play, an www.rialtocinemas.com Schedule: original episode and campy tribute to Bob Rialto Lakeside Full Metal Alchemist 42-43 Cane’s suave crime fighters and the copas- 551 Summerfield Road Jinki-Extend 6 etic 60’s TV show that made us love them. Santa Rosa AIR 6 “Pandemonium reigns when the theft Limited engagement (one week only) Marimite 6 of a molecular mass divisor signals the first run of the new movie by Neil Gaiman and School Rumble 17 domino to fall in a nefarious crime wave to Dave McKean. topple the noble city of Gotham. Who will Thursday, October 6 rescue the fair citizens of this great metrop- October 7-9 The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde olis?!?! Holy obvious set up, old chum!! It’s Silicon 2005 Knighthorse Theater none other than that dynamic duo Batman www.siliconventions.com Off-Market Theater and Robin, the caped crusaders of justice, Doubletree Hotel 965 Mission Street freedom and tortured aphorisms! San Jose Between 5th and 6th streets “But will they succeed when arch-su- A small general science fiction conven- San Francisco per-master-criminals, the Joker, the Rid- tion. Anime track, dealers room, programing An adaptation of the classic story by dler, Catwoman and the Penguin-four of track. Robert Louis Stevenson. This may be more Gotham’s most fiendish and fearsome foes- psychological than supernatural, but it join felonious forces?!?!? And what hap- should still be a good performance. pens when Aunt Harriet secret shenanigans Final Show. land her in the middle of their salacious schemes?!?!? Does the Joker’s plot device Weekends October 7-30 spell out a tragic ending for the Caped Cru- Batman!!! The TV Show: The Play sader and Boy Wonder?!?! It will take every www.darkroomsf.com ingenious gadget in their utility belts, every Tthe Darkroom spare scrap of spandex and every entry in 2263 Mission St. (b/t 18 & 19) their thesauruses to thwart these dastardly More Events Next Page 55 Friday, October 7 October 7-9 left her emotionally scarred. Additionally, Anime Style Drawing and Animation Gyro’s 3D Fear Factory she’s tormented by her family’s history of Techniques Haunted House trafficking with the Devil. The results? Frank Bette Center for the Arts www.3dfearfactory.com/sacramento/ Murder, disembowelment and bloody www.frankbettecenter.org/ Westfield Shoppingtown Downtown Plaza mayhem. Uncut English language 1601 Paru Street Sacramento version.” Alameda, CA 94501 Hours vary Presented in conjunction with visual 510-523-6957 $17.95 exhibition: The Zine UnBound: Kults, 4 p.m – 6 p.m. Two haunted house attractions, Werewolves, and Sarcastic Hippies $10 teens per session Frightmares and Curse of the Pirate’s $35 adults per session Tomb. Arcade. Friday-Saturday, October 7-8 Drop-in class, all skill levels welcome. Army of Darkness (Event is not verified, check before Friday, October 7 Clay Theater attending) Friday The 13th, Part III 2261 Fillmore Street Castro Theater San Francisco Friday, October 7 429 Castro Street Midnight SF Games San Francisco The Bruce Campbell classic screens as vax.hanford.org/dk/games Midnight part of their Bigfoot vs. Kittens: 8 Tales in Muddy’s Coffeehouse Shown in the original 3-D. the Late Night Tradition program. 1304 Valencia Street near 24th San Francisco Friday, October 7 Friday, October 7 7:00 p.m. to midnight The Werewolf Woman Devon Grayson and others Free YBCA Screening Room Writers With Drinks featuring Batman, SF Games is a collective name for a Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Ethical Sluts and Gutter Boys bunch of people who get together and 701 Mission St. at Third www.writerswithdrinks.com. play board games and card games every San Francisco The Make Out Room week. Also has a cards night on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. 3225 22nd St. btw. Mission & Valencia Café Macondo, 3159 16th Street between Introduced by Trinie Dalton, editor of San Francisco Guerrero and Valencia. Werewolf Express . 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m. From their website: $3 to $5 sliding scale “Daniela is hell-bent on revenge against The author of Batman: No Man’s Land More Events Next Page all men as the result of a childhood rape that reads at this “spoken word variety show”. 56 Others authors include: Will Franken, in San Francisco. He’s the person who Dossie Easton, Storm Florez and Alvin keeps doing extreme sports on your roof at Friday and Saturday, October 7-8 Orloff. Here’s what they are putting out on midnight. Dragon’s Head Inn the squidlist: “Alvin Orloff, author of Gutter Boys. Haunted House “Writers With Drinks is feeling He can replace his legs with a twenty-foot 631 West Street alienated, and we’ve decided to share our spring that allows him to soar across the Sonoma alienation with you, the literary public! Bay. 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. The October Writers With Drinks will “Storm Florez, zinester and musician. $5-$25 be almost incomprehensible to anyone He helps small dogs to develop their own Charity haunted house with 3 different who doesn’t share our sense that the disaster plans. attractions. world is aiming a molten pitchfork at our “Writers With Drinks is brought to progenitor parts. Some of the readings will you by the letter KOOL and the number Friday-Saturday, October 7-8 be in Gregorian chants, only *backwards* HELL YEAH. And by other magazine Not the More Lovely: A Circus Sideshow -- which takes some practice! Other readers (http://www.othermag.org).” home.earthlink.net/~kpenley/circus.htm will wear ball gags, while Will Franken NOHspace plans to pelt the audience with live snails Friday, October 7 2840 Mariposa Street and scream in Russian. This will be a high AnimeFX (between Florida and Alabama Streets) concept event to suit our low moods. You San Francisco State University San Francisco have been warned! HSS Building Room 135 8 p.m. “Also, October’s Writers With Drinks San Francisco $12-$15 happens on a Friday instead of a 4 p.m. – 10 p.m. From their listing: Saturday, due to a scheduling mishap which Free “Not the More Lovely is a circus ride will never be repeated. Pani Poni Dash ep. 2 through the manic grin of polite society “This time, we’re featuring: Honey & ep. 2 into a subterranean world of ferals, “Devin Grayson, writer of Batman: Gokujou Seitokai ep. 1 glamours and the insistent mutterings of Gotham Nights. She can touch your Samurai Gun ep. 2 magic trying to find it’s way out. Loosely forearm with her little finger and leave you ep. 2 based on a new telling of the Pandora’s Box paralyzed for hours. Grenadier eps. 2-3 myth, it is a carnivalesque physical theater “Dossie Easton, co-author of the Ethical Full Metal Panic: 2nd Raid ep. 1 show with poetic text, animation by Sean Slut. She replaced all the flowers in your He is my Master ep. 1 Jones, music by Greg Giles and 20 Minute garden with aphrodisiac venus fly traps. Bokusatsu Tenshi Dokuro-chan ep. 1-2 Loop, Ian Robertson, and Tunnel of Love, “Will Franken, voted best comedian Eyeshield 21 ep. 2 and the lovely performance work and 57 invention of Gary Dailey, Liz Jahren, Karen publishes true stories of encounters with Ginrei Special #1* Penley, Carrie Peters, Janaki Ranpura, the unsavory, unwise, unorthodox and the Chrno Crusade #16* Julie Reid and Jeff Wagner. unusual. Authors reading include: Claudius InuYasha Movie #3 “The story will be told through a Reich, Lilah Wild, Dorian Katz, Chris West Dokkoida! #3* dreamscape of half remembered images , Joe Donohoe, Simon Wood and William dredged up from the sub- and unconscious, Selby. Saturday, October 8 small jewels glinting in the dark. It is a land Beefbowl Anime where gargoyles and imps lick up their Saturday, October 8 Albany Library delicious and the small sad bursts into The Fakir 1247 Marin Ave. bloom.” CineArts @ Sequoia Albany 25 Throckmorton Ave. 12:15 p.m.- 4:15 p.m.ish Friday-Saturday, October 7-8 Mill Valley Free Brazil 11:30 a.m. : TV # 49 Landmark’s Act 1 & 2 Showing as part of the Children’s movie Fafner In The Azure : TV # 7 2128 Center Street series at the Mill Valley Film Festival. In R.O.D : TV # 25-26 (last 2 episodes) Berkeley Danish with English . Young twins One Piece : TV # 34 Midnight move into a spooky mansion and meet at Naruto : TV # 35 Spanish magician who has been imprisoned Prince Of Tennis : TV # 35 Saturday, October 8 in a pen for 50 years. The three team up to Hikaru No Go : TV # 35 Morbid Curiosity reading battle a pair of jewel thieves. Yakitate Japan : TV # 10 www.charnel.com/morbidcuriosity www.spellbindingtales.com Saturday, October 8 Saturday, October 8 Spellbinding Tales No Name Anime House of Wax (510) 523-1105 Santa Teresa Library Castro Theater 1901A Encinal Avenue 290 International Circle 429 Castro Street @ Chestnut San Jose San Francisco Alameda 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. or so 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 9:30 p.m. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.Free Free Showing in the original 3-D, the classic Morbid Curiosity editor Loren Rhoads Schedule: Vincent Price horror movie along with a 3- emcees a group reading by contributors Master Keaton #20 D Three Stooges short, Spooks. to the Bay Area based magazine which Mermaid’s Forest #11* R.O.D. TV #16* More Events Next Page 58 Saturday, October 8 Saturday, October 8 Saturday, October 8 Andy Warhol’s Frankenstein Lord of the Rings Feast SF Browncoats Castro Theater Greater Bay Area Costumers Guild Event sfbrowncoats.com 429 Castro Street GBACG $39.50 Cafe Murano San Francisco Non-members $44.50 San Francisco Midnight Sequoia Lodge, Oakland Hills. Come to Noon Showing in the original 3-D. the House of Elrond in Rivendell, whether Free you like food or story-telling or singing or Serenity/Firefly fan group. Meets every Saturday, October 8 a pleasant mixture of them all. The evening second Saturday of each month. Rocky Horror Picture Show will be filled with the faint scent of trees Join the yahoo group from the link on www.picturepubpizza.com and flowers, as if summer still lingers in their website for schedule updates. Parkway Speakeasy Theater Elrond’s gardens. . GBACG members may 1834 Park Blvd. purchase tickets Aug. 12-31. Tickets go on Saturday, October 8 Oakland sale to the General Public September 1. Fiona Avery appearance $6 Borderlands Books Midnight October 8 Postponed www.borderlands-books.com Barely Legal Productions presents the 5th Annual Metreon Festival of Anime 866 Valencia St. classic midnight movie every Saturday Metreon San Francisco night. No one under 17 admitted. 101 4th Street 2 p.m. San Francisco Free Saturday and Sunday, October 8-9 11 a.m. - Author of The Crown Rose will sign. Northern California Ren Faire Free or $15 http://www.norcalrenfaire.org This event has been postponed by the Saturday, October 8 Pacheco Pass Highway organizers. As of press time, a new date has John Ringo appearance Hollister not been set. Borderlands Books 10 am. to 6 p.m. This is usually a small, but nice event. www.borderlands-books.com $15 in advance The price is free since most of it is held in 866 Valencia St. $20 at gate the public areas of the Metreon, but if you San Francisco want to watch the anime being shown or be 4 p.m. Send your items for inclusion in our eligible for a prize in the costume contest, Free calendar section to: you have to buy a membership. [email protected] More Events Next Page 59 Sunday, October 9 meeting. Craig T. Nelson, passive aggressive The Fannish Imperial Guard’s Brunch ghosts, and a confusing implausible plot. Elite Café Sunday, October 9 These are the elements of a great bad 2049 Fillmore Street Hoppity Goes To Town movie. Why sit at home where no one can between Pine and California CineArts @ Sequoia truly appreciate the wise cracks you always San Francisco 25 Throckmorton Ave. seem to be coming up with. Here at Bad 11 a.m. Mill Valley Movie Night, you’re the host. Free 11:30 a.m. But just in case you’re feeling a little The FIGs meet, as is their habit, for $10 shy we’ll bring some wise-cracking hosts brunch on Sunday following the usual rule Classic 1941 animated adventure from with us and this week you’re in for a special of one side of the bay followed by the other the Fleischer studio. With a new print. treat. It’s a Batman cast special with Mikl- puts us in San Francisco. Montgomery Em (the Joker) Sean Owens (the Riddler) BART is the nearest to the restaurant, in Sunday, October 9 and our own Jim Fourniadis (writer and terms of bus service if not geographically. Such Stuff Dreams are Made on director of Batman) If you then go down Market Street slightly (The Tempest) We’ve taken all the guess work out of the and around to the N.W. corner of Sutter St. Knighthorse Theater age ole question, “Will this movie suck?” & Sansome St. you’ll be able to catch the #3, Off-Market Theater It will suck. the 32nd & Anza, outbound that will take 965 Mission Street And we’ll have a slew of hosts to point a fourteen minute journey to the corner of Between 5th and 6th streets that out. Every Sunday for a measly 5$ Pine and Filmore starting at approximately San Francisco you can put your feet up, enjoy a crummy 10:32 a.m. with the next one leaving at 10: Two person adaptation of Shakespeare’s movie, scarf down popcorn, listen to the 52 a.m. It is a close to two-mile walk from The Tempest. hilarious ravings of our special guests and any of the BART stations along Market Final show. Highly recommended. yes, you too can yell at the movie screen. Street. We will have rotating hosts chosen from The general thought is to follow brunch Sunday, October 9th the brilliant comedic flock of freaks circling with wandering over to the nearby Japan Bad Movie Night our fair city. Guaranteed bad movies. Byob. town for sight seeing and other touristy Poltergeist Free popcorn. Feet on the furniture. What goodness. As ever please RSVP to either The Dark Room more could you ask for of a Sunday night. mishalak at livejournal.com or aiglet at 2263 Mission Street We promise to have you in bed by 11 p.m. livejournal.com by noon on Friday so San Francisco that we might make a reservation for large 8 p.m. parties or else call 415-786-4303 before the $5 More Events Next Page 60 Sunday, October 9 A loosely-organized group that meets Tuesday, October 11 Speculative Fiction Book Club every Monday and Wednesday to play Sci-Fi Book Club Kepler’s Books mostly German-style strategy boardgames Barnes & Noble Booksellers Cancelled. Venue Closed and cardgames. 3501 McHenry Avenue, Suite E Modesto Monday, October 10 Tuesday, October 11 209-521-1118 Cal Animage Alpha Newtype Anime 7 p.m. 100 GPB Room 60-61H Free Univeristy of California Stanford University Berkeley Palo Alto Wednesday, October 12 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. 8 p.m. - 11 p.m. Fabulandia: Terra Artists Talk Free Free 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Schedule: Meeting and anime showing. This event $3-$10 sliding scale admission Loveless is held weekly while school is in session. See Friday, September 30 for a descrip- Weekly: Honey & Clover Tuesday, October 11John RingoOther tion of the show. From the website: Change of Hobbit2020 Shattuck “Come for an informal presentation Monday, October 10 Ave.Berkeley7 p.m.Free Ringo will read and discussion with The LAB’s exhibiting Bay Area Science Fiction Association from and sign his latest novel, Ghost. artists in the context of their latest work. The Original Hick’ry Pit Meet the members of Fabulandia: Terra, Q 980 E. Campbell Ave. Tuesday, October 11 & A will follow.” Campbell Jonathan Rinzler 8 p.m. Copperfield’s Books Petaluma Free 140 Kentucky Street More Events Next Page www.basfa.org. Petaluma 7 p.m. Monday, October 10 Free Silicon Valley Boardgamers Lucasfilm insider Jonathan Rinzler will davekohr.best.vwh.net/svb show a Powerpoint presentation on the Match Play dozens of Star Wars books he has overseen, 560 Showers Drive, Suite 4 including The Making of Star Wars, The Send your items for inclusion in our Mountain View Art of Star Wars and The Revenge of the calendar section to: 7 p.m. Sith. [email protected] Free 61 Wednesday, October 12 Wednesday, October 12 drinks, socializing, and conversation about The Fakir Ask a Scientist - Emotion, Lies, and the universe’s most fascinating mysteries! Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center Wizardry www.askascientistsf.com 1118 4th Street Bazaar Cafe San Rafael 5927 California St. (21st Ave) October 13-16 4 p.m. San Francisco Gyro’s 3D Festival of Fear $10 415-831-5620 Haunted House Headphones for children with English http://www.bazaarcafe.com www.3dfearfactory.com/sanfrancisco/ dub track available at this showing. 7 p.m. Pier 48 Showing as part of the Children’s movie Free San Francisco series at the Mill Valley Film Festival. In Topic: Emotion, Lies, and Wizardry Hours vary Danish with English subtitles. Young twins Speaker: Dr. Maureen O’Sullivan; $24.95 move into a spooky mansion and meet at Professor of Psychology, USF Three haunted house attractions, Rigor Spanish magician who has been imprisoned Humans are natural-born liars. Mortis, Eternal Darkness and The Fortress. in a pen for 50 years. The three team up to Evolutionarily speaking, what’s the purpose Arcade battle a pair of jewel thieves. of this devious skill? And why is it so hard for us to detect deception? If you’re a “truth Thursday, October 13 Wednesday, October 12 wizard” (the top 2% of lie-spotters) you’re Devil Music Ensemble Silicon Valley Boardgamers pretty good at it, but research suggests most Nosferatu davekohr.best.vwh.net/svb of us are not. Balboa Theater Match Play Tonight Dr. O’Sullivan will talk to us 3630 Balboa Street at 37th Ave. 560 Showers Drive, Suite 4 about the biology of emotion, reading San Francisco Mountain View the true feelings of others, and the 8:45 p.m. 7 p.m. role of deception in maintaining social $15 Free relationships, romantic bonds, and even F.W. Murnau’s classic silent vampire A loosely-organized group that meets happiness. film accompanied by the Devil Music every Monday and Wednesday to play About the Series: Ask a Scientist is a new Ensemble. mostly German-style strategy boardgames and different kind of lecture series. If you and cardgames. love watching Nova specials and reading Scientific American at the doctor’s office, then this event is for you. Enjoy food, More Events Next Page

62 Thursday, October 13 character monologues, slides, puppets Friday and Saturday, October 14-15 Cal-Animage Alpha and mechanical creatures (including a Shawn of the Dead “Family” Night monkey astronaut, a sleeping pig, a dead www.rialtocinemas.com UC Berkeley Elvis waiting on the Highway of Eternity, Rialto Lakeside 7 p.m. and Jesus, paired with a hallucinatory, 551 Summerfield Road Free evil monkey named Jungle Belle) delves Santa Rosa Family nights are events arranged into the logic of dreams and the nature Midnight around anime interest groups, and not of childhood perceptions regarding the designed for, you know, real families. discovery of things unknown. October 14-16 For more information on this event: Gyro’s 3D Fear Factory www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~animage/ Thursday, October 13 Haunted House Thrillville’s Horror Host Palooza 2005! www.3dfearfactory.com/sacramento/ October 13 (Previews) Dracula vs. Frankenstein Westfield Shoppingtown Downtown Plaza October 15-November 19 Astro Zombies Sacramento Runs Fridays and Saturdays www.picturepubpizza.com Hours vary There Be Monsters! Parkway Speakeasy Theater $17.95 EXIT Cafe 1834 Park Blvd. Two haunted house attractions, 156 Eddy Street Oakland Frightmares and Curse of the Pirate’s San Francisco $10 Tomb. Arcade 8:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. $12-$20 Will the Thrill and Tiki Gossess Monica Friday, October 14 From their website: present a double feature of Dracula vs. USS Northern Lights “A Forgotten Man and a Gremlin Frankenstein and Astro Zombies with live Starfleet Chapter Chorus present a passionate excursion into theremin by Robert Silverman, and guest Great Mall Food Court unseen realms, descending a dark staircase appearances by horror hosts John Stanley, Milpitas to a land that falls somewhere between a Doctor Goulfinger, Mr. Lobo, Ms. Monster, 7 p.m. Pre-School Easter Pageant and a Murderous Rock ‘n’ Roll Ray and Son of Ghoul. Free Nightmare! After the meeting, the group plans to “Presented somewhat in the manner attend The Corpse Bride. This group is also of a turn-of-the-century Magic Lantern holding a Halloween party on October 28. show of worlds within worlds, There Be Monsters! with its absurdist multiple- 63 Friday-Saturday, October 14-15 Saturday, October 15 The classic tragedy takes a contemporary Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn A Toon for the Misbegotten turn in time for Halloween with witches, Aquarius Theatre Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center ghosts, murder, swordplay and betrayal in 430 Emerson Street 1118 4th Street Morales’s comic book version. Costumer Palo Alto San Rafael Melissa Paterson and Acalanes High School Midnight 4:15 p.m. Choir Director Bruce Lenacher also bring Running as part of the theater’s $10 their unique talents to this one-of-a-kind Midnight Madness program. Program of short animated films, production.” Friday and Saturday, October 14-15 including Moongirl. “Morales’ Macbeth offers artists in Dragon’s Head InnHaunted House631 West the community a way to collaborate -- Spain StreetSonoma7 p.m. - 10 p.m.$5- Oct. 15 - Nov. 12, 2005 musicians, painters, choirs, dancers and $25 Charity haunted house with 3 Macbeth wonderful professional, community and different attractions. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, evenings teen performers put on a show that captures 8 p.m. the community’s imagination and creates a Saturday, October15 Sundays, October 24 and 30 major theatrical event. Never before will Halloween Magic with David Monroe at 2 p.m. a Shakespeare show seem so much like a Spellbinding Tales Bookstore and November 6 roller coaster -- and include a rock band 1910A Encinal Ave. @ Chestnut at 7 p.m. with teen choir, samurai swords decorated Alameda Town Hall Theatre like skate boards, bags of candy and masked 510-523-1105 3535 School Street marauders.” http://www.spellbindingtales.com Lafayette 3 p.m. (925) 283-1557 Saturday, October 15 Free - Donations welcome Adults - $19-$25 LitQuake Litcrawlwith Michael Blumlein, Tricks and treats by a professional Seniors and Youths (18 and under) - Pat Murphy and Loren Rhoads magician for kids and adults alike. Candy, $18-$23 Borderlands Books too! The performance on Monday, October 866 Valencia Street 31 is a benefit performance and reception San Francisco and tickets are $50 per person. www.borderlands-books.com From their website: 5:30 p.m. Send your items for inclusion in our “Town Hall Theatre Company presents Free calendar section to: Shakespeare’s Macbeth in a unique vision [email protected] by acclaimed director, Kevin T. Morales. More Events Next Page 64 Saturday and Sunday, October 15-16 Sunday, October 16 a reservation for the party or else call 415- Northern California Ren Faire The Fannish Imperial Guard’s Brunch 786-4303 before the meeting. http://www.norcalrenfaire.org Café Cacao Afterwards there are no general ideas Pacheco Pass Highway 914 Heinz about where to go or what to attend so Hollister north of 7th members should be prepared for any sort 10 am. to 6 p.m. Berkeley of adventure for the rest of the day (should $15 in advance 11 a.m. they so choose). $20 at gate Free Last weekend for this event. The FIGs meet, as is their habit, for Sunday, October 16 brunch on Sunday following the usual Science Fiction Book Club Saturday, October 15 rule of one side of the bay followed by the Borderlands Books Manga Otaku Book Group other as such we are meeting in the east bay. www.borderlands-books.com Barnes & Noble Booksellers Ashby BART is the closest to the eatery, but 866 Valencia St. Weberstown Mall the distance is just short of a mile and a half San Francisco 4950 Pacific Avenue, Space 319 (an easy walk for fit individuals). The Café 6 p.m. Stockton Cacao website at http://www.cafecacao.biz/ Free 209-472-1885 suggests the #9 AC Transit Bus, the Berkley This month’s book is Bloodsucking Fiends 6 p.m. Marina, which departs from the N.E. by Christopher Moore. Free Corner Of Ashby Av & Martin Luther King Jr at 10:07 a.m. and 10:37 a.m. and takes Monday, October 17 Saturday, October 15 approximately seven minutes to get to 7th Cal Animage Alpha Rocky Horror Picture Show and Heinz. Transit 511 advises that this is 145 Dwinelle www.picturepubpizza.com not the fastest itinerary from San Francisco, Univeristy of California Parkway Speakeasy Theater or the least expensive as it costs $1.75 for Berkeley 1834 Park Blvd. the bus plus around $2.90 for BART (but 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Oakland I think Transit 511 has a bias towards AC Free $6 Transit for transbay service). Schedule: Midnight We are advised to have a reservation Law of Ueki Barely Legal Productions presents the if there are more than six of us this week Weekly: Honey & Clover classic midnight movie every Saturday so please RSVP to either mishalak at night. No one under 17 admitted. livejournal.com or aiglet at livejournal.com by midday Friday so that we might make More Events Next Page 65 Monday, October 17 Tuesday, October 18 A loosely-organized group that meets Bay Area Science Fiction Association Nightmare in Blood every Monday and Wednesday to play The Original Hick’ry Pit www.picturepubpizza.com mostly German-style strategy boardgames 980 E. Campbell Ave. Parkway Speakeasy Theater and cardgames. Campbell 1834 Park Blvd. 8 p.m. Oakland Wednesday, October 19 Free $5 Anime Showing www.basfa.org. 9:15 p.m. Anime Baka Director and local horror host legend 462 Mendocino Ave. Monday, October 17 John Stanley will appear at this showing Santa Rosa Silicon Valley Boardgamers of a locally-filmed but rarely seen vampire 7 p.m. davekohr.best.vwh.net/svb movie. Free Match Play Anime viewing/club hosted by a local 560 Showers Drive, Suite 4 Wednesday, October 19 anime store. Held first and third Wednesday Mountain View Gregory Maguire appearance of each month. 7 p.m. Books Inc. Free 2275 Market Street A loosely-organized group that meets San Francisco every Monday and Wednesday to play 7:30 p.m. More Events Next Page mostly German-style strategy boardgames Free and cardgames. Greogry Maguire, the best selling author of Wicked, will introduce his new book, Son Tuesday, October 18 of a Witch. Newtype Anime Room 60-61H Wednesday, October 19 Stanford University Silicon Valley Boardgamers Palo Alto davekohr.best.vwh.net/svb 8 p.m. - 11 p.m. Match Play Free 560 Showers Drive, Suite 4 Meeting and anime showing. This event Mountain View Send your items for inclusion in our is held weekly while school is in session. 7 p.m. calendar section to: Free [email protected] 66 October 19-23 Thursday, October 20 October 20-31 A (Balinese)Tempest Lunch with Gregory Maguire Gyro’s 3D Scream Fest Cowell Theater Graphiti Haunted House Fort Mason Center 101 2nd St. www.3dfearfactory.com/sanjose/ San Francisco Petaluma San Jose Convention Center Thursday-Saturday, 8 p.m. Noon San Jose Sunday, 2 p.m. Free (Limited to 12 attendees) Hours vary $20 The author of Wicked and Son of a $24.95 Running as part of the Gamelan Witch will have lunch with 12 fans. Those Three haunted house attractions, festival, there are traditional shadow plays interested should write in 50 words or less, Armageddon, Evil Jacks and 3D being performed the week prior to this why they love Maguire’s novels. Entries Fear Factory. Arcade performance. should be sent to [email protected] From their website: or to Jane Love, Copperfield’s Books, Thursday, October 20 “For the festival’s second week, 138 North Main Street, Sebastopol, CA Gregory Maguire ShadowLight, Larry Reed and Gamelan 95472. Cody’s Fourth Street Sekar Jaya team up to offer the world 1730 Fourth Street premiere of A(Balinese)Tempest, an October 20-31 Berkeley interpretation of Shakespeare’s well-known Gyro’s 3D Festival of Fear 7 p.m. play inspired by the mythology and arts of Haunted House Free Bali. Integrating the best of ancient shadow www.3dfearfactory.com/sanfrancisco/ theater traditions with 20th-century Pier 48 Thursday, October 20 cinematic and theatrical techniques, this San Francisco Black Moon original work will utilize projections on Hours vary Castro Theater a giant 30’ x 15’ screen, live dancers, $24.95 429 Castro Street and an original “soundtrack” performed Three haunted house attractions, Rigor San Francisco by Gamelan Sekar Jaya, composed and Mortis, Eternal Darkness and The Fortress. 8:15 p.m. arranged by guest music director I Made Arcade This 1934 voodoo chiller is running as Terip. The ephemeral magic of shadows is part of the Castro’s Pre-code Hollywood an ideal medium for the evocative images series. With mobster movie The Guilty and lyrical text of Shakespeare’s last play.” Send your items for inclusion in our Generation at 6:30 p.m. and 9:35 p.m. calendar section to: [email protected] More Events Next Page 67 Thursday, October 20 October 20 Thursday, October 20 Revenge of Monster Shocktoberfest 2005 Sci-Fi & Fantasy Book Group Opening Reception The Thrillpeddlers Barnes & Noble Booksellers Creativity Explored The Hypnodrome Creekside Town Center 3245 16th Street www.hypnodrome.com 1256 Galleria Boulevard San Francisco 575 10th Street Roseville 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. San Francisco 916-788-4320 Exhibition runs October 20 through Part of an ongoing run, full schedule was 7 p.m. November 25 not available at press time. Free tickets may Free Monday-Friday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Saturday be available for this night’s performance, 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. see following listing. Thursday, October 20 Free The Chainsaw Mafia 2005 Indie From their website: October 20 Festival “Back out of the coffin by popular Free Night of Theater www.picturepubpizza.com demand - it’s the monster show! Reprising Various Bay Area Venues www.thechainsawmafia.com the successful 2003 exhibition that first TixBayArea.comFree Parkway Speakeasy Theater launched the monster theme at Creativity (tickets limited) 1834 Park Blvd. Explored, studio artists will explore ghouls Theater Bay Area coordinates a free Oakland and goblins from the movies and their night of theater offering shows from more $6 imaginations. Writer Michael Bernard than 79 Bay Area theater companies. The Chainsaw Mafia is now acceepting Loggins explores what it means to be Tickets are limited, and some shows have entries for this festival of short horror films, considered a “monster” by others in his already sold out. More tickets will be science fiction and cult films also considered piece. released on October 7. if they have horror elements. Films may “Presenting a special Halloween Participating plays that are of speculative include nudity, gore and violence “and, exhibition of artwork by artists with fiction interest include: Macbeth, The please, lots of it.” developmental disabilities at San Francisco’ Tempest, Gathering of Gamelans, The showing will be hosted by Shannon s Creativity Explored. The gallery becomes Shocktoberfest 2005, (There Be Monsters Lark and her Zombie Dancing Girls. a veritable who’s who of horror with a King Exit) and Tenders in the Fog. Kong diorama, a simulated underwater installation featuring the Creature from the Send your items for inclusion in our , and ceramic busts of such calendar section to: favorites as the Bride of Frankenstein, the [email protected] Wolfman and more.” 68 October 20-26 but also a werewolf. $17.95 Zombie Honeymoon This event will be hosted by legendary Two haunted house attractions, Red Vic Movie House horror movie host The Ghoul. Cast and Frightmares and Curse of the Pirate’s 1727 Haight Street crew will also be present. Question and Tomb. Arcade. San Francisco answer session with director William San Francisco premiere of this zombie Winckler. Plus horror shorts. Friday, October 21 movie. Tippi Hedren appearance Friday, October 21 The Birds Friday and Saturday October 21-22 Futurist Salon Book Group Castro Theater Dragon’s Head Inn Barnes & Noble Booksellers 429 Castro Street Haunted House Hillsdale Shopping Center San Francisco 631 West Spain Street 11 West Hillsdale Blvd. 7:30 p.m. Sonoma San Mateo Free 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. 650-341-5560 Stop by the Castro Theater box office $5-$25 7:30 p.m. for 2 free tickets to this event while supplies Charity haunted house with 3 different Free last. Hedren, star of The Birds, will be attractions. interviewed on stage about the making of Friday, October 21 the film and her other works, followed by a Friday, October 21 Chris Ware appearance screening of the movie. William Winckler’s Frankenstein vs. The The Booksmith Creature From Blood Cove 1644 Haight Street Friday-Saturday, October 21-22 www.bayareafilmevents.com San Francisco The Nightmare Before Christmas Hyatt Theater Time: TBD Landmark’s Act 1 & 2 Highway 101 Broadway Overpass Free 2128 Center Street Burlingame Berkeley Time: TBA October 21-31 Midnight Cost: TBA Gyro’s 3D Fear Factory The Northern California premiere Haunted House of this horror movie tribute to the great www.3dfearfactory.com/sacramento/ horror movies of the past. Filmed in Westfield Shoppingtown Downtown Plaza black and white, and featuring not only Sacramento Frankenstein’s monster amd the Creature, Hours vary More Events Next Page 69 Friday, October 21 1 p.m. your favorite eye patch or plumed hat. And The Nightmare Before Christmas Free of course, the party wouldn’t be complete Camera 7 Pruneyard Star Trek group. Meets fourth Saturday without Roshambo’s award-winning wine. 1875 S. Bascom Avenue of the month. A 10% discount will be offered at the Pirate Campbell Supply Store for all of your buccaneering Midnight Saturday, October 22 needs (with purchase of admission). Donald Sidney-FryerThe Last of the Courtly San Francisco Pirate Party Bus leaves 826 Saturday, October 22 Poets Valencia at 8 pm and returns at 2 am. Space William Winckler’s Frankenstein vs. The Borderlands Books is very limited so we highly recommend Creature From Blood Cove 866 Valencia Street reserving your seat in advance. The cost is www.bayareafilmevents.com San Francisco $22.00, which includes admission, round Auctions by the Bay www.borderlands-books.com trip transportation and wine for the ride. Alameda 4 p.m. To reserve your seat, please come into the Time: TBA Free Pirate Supply Store, or call between 12-6 Cost: TBA p.m. any day at (415) 642-5905 ext. 201. A second Northern California showing Saturday, October 22 ext. 201 of this horror movie tribute to the great Pirate Prom horror movies of the past. Filmed in Roshambo Winery Saturday, October 22 black and white, and featuring not only 3000 Westside Road Chris Ware signing Frankenstein’s monster amd the Creature, Healdsburg Kepler’s Books but also a werewolf. www.roshambowinery.com Cancelled. Venue Closed This event will be hosted by legendary 8:30 p.m. until late horror movie host The Ghoul. Cast and $10 (Does not include wine) crew will also be present. Question and Benefit for 826 Valencia, a nonprofit More Events Next Page answer session with director William writing center that provides free drop-in Winckler. Plus horror shorts. tutoring, after-school classes and workshops for kids and teens. The writing center shares Saturday, October 22 a space with the infamous Pirate Supply USS Augusta Ada Store, where all proceeds go to support free http://trek.starshine.org writing programs. Send your items for inclusion in our Round Table Pizza The party promises DJs, dancing, peg calendar section to: 5160 Geary Blvd.San Francisco legs and ample opportunity to show off [email protected] 70 Saturday, October 22 Animal petting area, arts and crafts, San Jose Dragon’s Head Hunting Party theater productions, merchants booths, 6 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. 631 West Spain Street storytelling, music, costuming, gaming, $31 Sonoma dragon joust. 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Saturday, October 22 $5-$25 Saturday and Sunday, October 22-23 Cat People Double Feature The Ring of Fire Fleet has challenged Dragon’s Head Inn Haunted House Castro Theater the town of Sonoma to a competition to Lights On Tour 429 Castro Street see who will give the most blood during 631 West Spain Street San Francisco the blood drive. There is also an internal Sonoma Both the 1982 remake and the classic competition to see which ship of the 10 a.m. -5 p.m. Saturday 1942 movie shown back to back. fleet gives the most blood. The Klingons 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday The original shows at 3 p.m. and 7 attending will be in uniform and will $2 p.m. entertain at the associated haunted house. See behind the scenes of the annual “Irena Dubrovna, a beautiful and See following entries for more information haunted house event. mysterious Serbian-born fashion artist on this event. living in New York City, falls in love with Saturday, October 22 and marries an average Joe. Their marriage Saturday, October 22 The Hermetic Order of Arcana presents a live suffers though, as Irena believes that she Vampire Blood Drive radio play suffers from an ancient curse—whenever 631 West Spain Street Notebook Found in a Deserted House emotionally aroused, she will turn into a Sonoma Borderlands Books panther and kill.” 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. 866 Valencia Street The remake shows at 12:45 p.m., 4:30 Donate blood and receive a free ticket San Francisco p.m. and 8:30 p.m. to the Dragon’s Head Haunted House. www.borderlands-books.com “In this highly stylized, erotic remake of 8 p.m. the 1942 classic, the locale is New Orleans. Saturday and Sunday, October 22-23 Free A young woman’s sexual awakening brings DragonFaire horror when she discovers her urges 631 West Spain Street Saturday, October 22 transform her into a monstrous black Sonoma Flashlight Tour leopard. When smitten with a charming 10 a.m. -5 p.m. Saturday Winchester Mystery House zookeeper, she refuses to embrace her 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday www.winchestermysteryhouse.com destiny: the curse of the Cat People.” $5 525 South Winchester Boulevard More Events Next Page 71 Saturday, October 22 Sunday, October 23 Sunday, October 23 The Nightmare Before Christmas The Fannish Imperial Guard’s Brunch The Thing From Another World Camera 12 Crepes on Cole The Thing 201 South Second Street 100 Carl Street Castro Theater San Jose at the corner of Cole Street 429 Castro Street Midnight San Francisco San Francisco 11 a.m. Compare Howard Hawks’ and John Saturday, October 22 Free Carpenter’s very different interpretations Rocky Horror Picture Show Back in San Francisco once again of John W. Campbell’s classic short story www.picturepubpizza.com and meeting for brunch midway though “Who Goes There.” Parkway Speakeasy Theater October will find us in Haight-Ashbury. The classic shows at Noon, 3:45 p.m. 1834 Park Blvd. Crepes on Cole is located conveniently at and 7 p.m. Oakland the first stop after the N-Judah line comes “In Howard Hawks’ production of $6 out of the tunnel under Buena Vista. To the story “Who Goes There?” an arctic Midnight arrive on time for brunch take the N-Line expedition discovers a spacecraft buried Barely Legal Productions presents the that leaves Embarcadero at 10:27 a.m. or in the ice. They locate the frozen pilot and classic midnight movie every Saturday the next one at 10:38 a.m. and ride almost return to the base to thaw him out. All night. No one under 17 admitted. to the doorstep of the restaurant. hell breaks loose when he’s revealed to be a As always please RSVP to either blood-sucking alien!” October 22-30 mishalak at livejournal.com or aiglet at Then sit back and enjoy the modern Monster Movie Marathon livejournal.com by midday Friday so version which shows at 1:45 p.m., 5:30 www.castrotheater.com that we might make a reservation for the p.m. and 9:15 p.m. Castro Theater party or else call 415-786-4303 before the “Scientists in the Arctic confront a 429 Castro Street meeting. shape-shifting alien that assumes the San Francisco Afterwards thought is that we will appearance of the people it kills. Carpenter From the Castro website: explore a bit of the Haight or else go to re-imagined the 1951 classic as something Everybody’s favorites: Frankenstein, the Treasure Island if the weather is really nice. darker, fiercer and all together more Mummy, Wolf Man, Dracula, Night Of disturbing. Amazing make-up effects by The Living Dead spooktacular! and dare Rob Bottin and indelible music by Ennio I say, Get HAMMERED at the Castro, Morricone highlight this foreboding if you know what I mean, scares, frights, examination of paranoia pitted against chills and thrills for nine spooky nights. More Events Next Page brawn.

72 Monday, October 24 Monday, October 24 planets as objects of beauty, sources of Dracula Bay Area Science Fiction Association legends and myths, inspirations for poems, Dracula’s Daughter The Original Hick’ry Pit paintings and science fiction, and the cause Castro Theater 980 E. Campbell Ave. of social revolutions. 429 Castro Street Campbell Dava Sobel is an award-winning former San Francisco 8 p.m. science writer for The New York Times. Dracula (1931) shows at 7 p.m. Free Her work has also appeared in Audubon, “The story of the strangest passion the www.basfa.org. Discover, Life, and The New Yorker. world has ever known! Count Dracula faces off with Dr. Van Helsing in the film that set Tuesday, October 25 Tuesday, October 25 the classic vampire standards.” Clive Barker Clive Barker Dracula’s Daughter (1936) is at 8:30 Stacey’s Books Booksmith p.m. 581 Market Street 1644 Haight Street “Beginning almost immediately from San Francisco, CA 94105 San Francisco where Tod Browning’s Dracula ends, 415-421-4687 415-863-8688 bloodless corpses start appearing in Noon 7 p.m. London again after hypnotic Countess Free Zaleska steals the body of Count Dracula. Tuesday, October 25 Also noteworthy for being the first lesbian The Planets Tuesday, October 25 vampire movie! Dava Sobel lecture Japanimation Book Group (Graphic Novel) Mechanic’s Institute Barnes & Noble Booksellers Monday, October 24 Mechanic’s Institute Library 6111 Blvd. Cal Animage Alpha 57 Post Street Citrus Heights 2050 VLSB San Francisco 916-853-1511 Univeristy of California 12:30 pm 7 p.m. Berkeley Members free; Free 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Public $7 Free The best-selling author of Longitude Schedule: and Galileo’s Daughter, presents a luminous Glass Mask (1978 and 2005 versions) exploration of our solar system. Weaving Weekly: Honey & Clover cosmic history with up-to-the-minute science discoveries, Sobel describes the More Events Next Page 73 Tuesday, October 25 Tuesday, October 25 werewolf (Bela Lugosi) and is bitten Clive Barker appearance Brian Jacques during the deadly struggle, causing him The Booksmith Cody’s Fourth Street to transform into a werewolf at each full 1644 Haight Street 1730 Fourth Street moon.” San Francisco Berkeley Time: TBD 7 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, October 26-27 Free Free Frankenstein Signing limited to two books per Bride of Frankenstein Tuesday, October 25 person. Castro Theater Night of the Comet 429 Castro Street www.picturepubpizza.com Tuesday, October 25 San Francisco Parkway Speakeasy Theater The Mummy The Boris Karloff classic shows at 1 1834 Park Blvd. The Wolf Man with Ron Chaney appearance p.m, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Oakland Castro Theater 7 p.m. on Friday Free 429 Castro Street “Obsessed scientist Dr. Frankenstein 9:15 p.m. San Francisco assembles a living being from parts of No that’s not a typo, this is showing as The Mummy with Boris Karloff shows exhumed corpses, but the creature runs part of their audience appreciation nights. at 7 p.m.: amok, quickly becoming the town pariah.” “In 1921, ancient prince Im-Ho-Tep Director James Whale reunited with Tuesday, October 25 is raised from the dead by a group of Karloff for the 1935 sequel that will be Newtype Anime archaeologists unaware of the evil they are shown at 2:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 Room 60-61H unleashing. Ten years later, he attempts to p.m. on Wednesday and 8:30 p.m. on Stanford University reunite with his long lost love, an ancient Thursday. With Elsa Lanchester as the Palo Alto princess reincarnated into a beautiful iconic bride. 8 p.m. - 11 p.m. young woman.” “When an even madder scientist Free The Wolf Man with Lon Chaney Jr. and kidnaps Dr. Frankenstein’s wife, he agrees Meeting and anime showing. This event Claude Rains will show at 8:30 p.m. to help create a female companion for the is held weekly while school is in session. “Ron Chaney (Grandson of Lon Chaney monster Frankenstein.” Jr.) will appear in person to introduce the film! Larry Talbot (Chaney Jr.) comes back from America to his ancestral home in where he’s attacked by a gypsy 74 Wednesday, October 26, 2005 See Ongoing for description of Devil Tour ‘94 - John Geary (USA) Robert Jordan appearance exhibition. Millennium Bug - Lee Lanier (USA) Cody’s Stockton Street Abusive Parental Guidance Suggested 2 Stockton Street Thursday, October 27, 2005 - Matt Kovalakides (USA) San Francisco R. A. Salvatore appearance Rubber Johnny - Tom E. Brown(USA) 7:30 p.m. Barnes & Noble Booksellers Cremains - Chris Ohlson (USA) Free 3600 Stevens Creek Blvd Lovey - Paul O’Bryan(USA) San Jose Bowhunting - Niels Post (Netherlands) Wednesday, October 26 408-984-3495 Repetition Compulsion - Jeff Louviere Brian Jacques 7:00 p.m. and Vanessa Brown (USA) Sponsored by Copperfield’s Books Free Fugue - Trish van Huesen (USA) Petaluma Community Center Stars in His Eyes - Atomic Elroy (USA) 320 North McDowell Thursday, October 27 Inside - Philip Hirsch () Petaluma Independent Exposure - Halloweird Edition The Witch - Rafael (Spain) 7 p.m. 2005 The Real Adventures of GI Joe - Episode One ticket with purchase of High Rhulain Red Vic Movie House 4: Reinforcement - JD from Copperfield’s 1727 Haight Street Lignon (San Francisco) Additional tickets $12 San Francisco Memento Mori - Jossie Mals (Spain) Best selling children’s fantasy author 7:15 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. Flush - Alec MacNeill Richardson Brian Jacques appears in support of his $8 (Canada) recent books High Rhulain and The Redwall From the Independent Exposure Ingrid, Palle, & the Sounds - Lasse Cookbook. website: Lindsteen (Denmark) “A collection of 16 weird, creepy, How to Cope with Death - Ignacio Thursday, October 27 horrific, strange, hallowed, odd, spooky, Ferreras () Opening Reception gross, odd, and intriguing short films and Gross, Gruesome and Gothic videos celebrating our favorite holiday Thursday, October 27, 2005 Cartoon Art Museum of the year - Halloween. This program Robert Jordan appearance 655 Mission Street features a few favorites from the Halloweird Bay Book Co. San Francisco, CA 94105 archives of the past ten years, plus a bunch Strawflower Shopping Center Phone: 415/CAR-TOON, of great, new films as well.” 80 F. Cabrillo Hwy. 415/227-8666 Program includes: Half Moon Bay 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Honey Pot - Todd Lincoln (USA) 7:00 p.m. Free 75 Thursday, October 27 Friday, October 28, 2005 Friday, October 28 Lost Boys Sci-Fi / Fantasy Book Group R. A. Salvatore Q and A, signing www.picturepubpizza.com Barnes & Noble Booksellers The Other Change of Hobbit Parkway Speakeasy Theater Weberstown Mall 2020 Shattuck Ave. 1834 Park Blvd. 4950 Pacific Avenue, Space 319 Berkeley Oakland Stockton, CA 95207 7 p.m. $6 209-472-1885 Free 9:15 p.m. 6:30 p.m. The author will hold a question and Trivia, prizes, contests. answer session and sign his latest forgotten Friday, October 28, 2005 Realms novel Promise of the Witch-King. October 28-30 Robert Jordan appearance Yaoicon 5 Barnes & Noble Booksellers Friday-Sunday, October 28-30 www.yaoicon.com 3600 Stevens Creek Blvd Shock It To Me The Westin San Francisco Airport San Jose Horror Movie Festival 1 Old Bayshore Highway 408-984-3495 Castro Theater Millbrae 7:00 p.m. Castro Theater A celebration of male beauty and Free 429 Castro Street passion in anime and manga. Dealers San Francisco room, programming, cosplay contest, bishi Friday-Monday, October 28-31 See daily listings for film information. auction. Must be 18 years of age or older to Dragon’s Head InnHaunted House From their website: attend. 631 West Spain Street “Dying for a real scary time this Sonoma Halloween Weekend? Then enter—if Friday, October 28 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. you dare—the haunted Castro Theatre On the Beach October 31 until 8 p.m. for SHOCK IT TO ME!, a three-day Five $5-$25 spooktacular monster mash featuring a PFA Theater Charity haunted house with 3 different dozen diabolical and rarely-screened fright 2575 Bancroft @ Bowditch attractions. flicks! Beauteous burlesque girls! Monsters Berkeley loose in the theatre to grab you! Ghoulish 7 p.m. giveaways! And more! $8 Send your items for inclusion in our “With the Silver Anniversary of KTVU’s Two post-apocalyptic films. calendar section to: “Creature Features” (1971-1984) upon us, [email protected] we couldn’t let this All-Hallows-Eve pass 76 without dedicating a tribute to those glory after a space flight goes awry. Mysteriously, Friday, October 28 days of local television, and the hosts who two of the astronauts are missing from Kim Stanley Robinson forever became our heroes— Bob Wilkins their spacesuits, while the pitiful sole Cody’s Telegraph Avenue and John Stanley. survivor, Carroon, begins to mutate into 2454 Telegraph Avenue Your live on-stage Horror Hosts, guiding something…inhuman.” Berkeley you into this world of the beyond, are no The Revenge of Frankenstein: 7:30 p.m. strangers to the bizarre, the horrific, the “Hammer’s direct sequel to their smash Free undead—KETH-54’s Mr. Lobo of Cinema hit, Curse of Frankenstein. This time, the Insomnia (www.cinemainsomnia.com), enterprising Baron Frankenstein runs a Friday-Saturday, October 28-29 Doktor Goulfinger from the Hip Crypt medical clinic for the poor, where he mixes The Nightmare Before Christmas (www.goulfinger.com), B-Minus Comiks’ charity with amputation as he gathers parts Clay Theater Ms. Monster of Hel On Ice (www.b- for his new creation.” 2261 Fillmore Street minuscomiks.com) and former ISW star, The Vampire Lovers: San Francisco The Amazing Caltiki. “Hammer spices up their gothic formula Midnight Film notes from the Castro website with undead lesbians and lots of nudity. In The Tim Burton classic screens as part by Doktor Goulfinger & August Ragone, this adaptation of Sheridan LeFranu’s classic of their Bigfoot vs. Kittens: 8 Tales in the henshinonline.com. story, Carmilla has her eyes and fangs set Late Night Tradition program. on Smith, and it’s up to Peter Cushing to Friday, October 28 save her from a variety of fates worse than Friday-Saturday, October 28-29 Hammer Horror Triple Feature death.” The Wizard of Oz The Creeping Unknown 7 p.m Landmark’s Act 1 & 2 The Revenge of Frankenstein 8:45 p.m. Friday, October 28 2128 Center Street The Vampire Lovers 10:30 p.m. Legion of Rassilon Berkeley Castro Theater Doctor Who fan group Midnight 429 Castro Street Carl’s Junior San Francisco 2551 N. First Street More Events Next Page Legendary British horror character San Jose Quartermass on the big screen in The 7:30 p.m. Creeping Unknown. Free “In Hammer’s first “Horror” Showing episodes of the new Dr. Who Send your items for inclusion in our production, Donlevy stars as Professor series, news, discussion of recent movies calendar section to: Quatermass, who must pick up the pieces and a raffle. [email protected] 77 Friday-Saturday, October 28-29 Alameda Ride to Bear Mountain through a The Nightmare Before Christmas 510-523-1105 haunted redwood forest as the Legend of Aquarius Theatre http://www.spellbindingtales.com Sleepy Hollow is portrayed. Reservations 430 Emerson Street Free required. 1-888-25-EVENTS for tickets. Palo Alto 7 p.m. Midnight Ghost Trackers, a paranormal Saturday, October 29 Running as part of the theater’s investigation group from Santa Spooktacula! Creature Features Matinee Midnight Madness program. Clara, present “Spellbinding Spooks” Night of the Living Dead 1 p.m. - a presentation outlining their (5) Castro Theater Saturday, October 29, 2005 investigations here at Spellbinding Tales, 429 Castro Street Robert Jordan appearance Alameda’s only haunted bookshop! San Francisco Borders Books & Music From the Castro website: 1200 Pacific Ave., Suite 100 Saturday, October 29 “An old-time Matinee featuring a claw- Santa Cruz The Rolling Darkness Review with Peter full of vintage Horror Movie trailers and 4:00 p.m. Atkins, Michael Blumlein and Glen the 1936 Technicolor Cartoon, “Cobweb Free Hirshberg, Hotel”, a Special Prize Drawing, and the special guest wrath James White original… Night of the Living Dead. Saturday, October 29 Dusk ‘Til Dawn Scary Story Party “When asked to name his favorite Bay Area Games Day Borderlands Books “Creature Features” movie, Bob Wilkins davekohr.best.vwh.net/gamesday 866 Valencia Street chose Night of the Living Dead. Although Los Altos Library San Francisco nearly four decades old, and the progenitor Los Altos www.borderlands-books.com of a seemingly endless series of gore-soaked Free From Dusk ‘til Dawn zombie extravaganzas, Romero’s original Regular event featuring German-style Free creature feature remains a stark, brooding strategy boardgames like Settlers of Catan, and unrelenting shocker.” Avalon Hill-type multiplayer games, lots of Saturday, October 29 With John Stanley, Host of “Creature cardgames, and historical board wargames. Ghost Train Features” & Fiends www.roaringcamp.com Special Appearance by Bob Wilkins Saturday, October 29 Roaring Camp Ghost Trackers present “Spellbinding Spooks” Felton Spellbinding Tales Bookstore $20 adults 1910A Encinal Ave. @ Chestnut $15 Children More Events Next Page 78 Saturday, October 29 Saturday, October 29 Saturday, October 29 Alan Lee Flashlight Tour Late Night Creature Features Picture Show Book Passage Winchester Mystery House The Fearless Vampire Killers 51 Tamal Vista Blvd. www.winchestermysteryhouse.com Castro Theater Corte Madera 525 South Winchester Boulevard 429 Castro Street 415-927-0960 San Jose San Francisco 7:00 p.m. 6 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. 11:30 p.m. Free $31 From the Castro website: Alan Lee, Lord of the Rings illustrator “Horror and hilarity are juxtaposed in and Academy Award-winning conceptual Saturday October 29 this tale of inept vampire hunters. Prof. designer for the film trilogy will discuss Nightmare in Blood Abronsius travels to a remote Transylvanian his brand-new book, The Lord of the Rings Castro Theater village in search of the Undead with his Sketchbook. 429 Castro Street assistant, Alfred. There, the young vampire Lee’s events will feature a slide show, a San Francisco killer falls in love with a stunning village Q&A with fans, and a book signing. 9 p.m. girl, Sarah, but the local Nosferatu, Count From the Castro website: Krolock , has already set his bloodshot eyes Saturday, October 29 “Creature Features host, John Stanley, on her…” The Horror of Party Beach directed and co-wrote this genuinely Castro Theater imaginative cult film. A disparate group Saturday, October 28 429 Castro Street of fans at a Horror Convention discover Rocky Horror Picture Show San Francisco the world’s greatest Vampire actor is the www.picturepubpizza.com 7 p.m. genuine article. Packed with more insider Parkway Speakeasy Theater From the Castro website humor than you can shake a stake at, 1834 Park Blvd. “SEE! Monsters from the Surf vs. and shot in a variety of historic Bay Area Oakland Surfers from... New Jersey!? Radioactive locations.” $6 waste creates an army of googly-eyed Midnight monstrosities that terrorize the countryside, Barely Legal Productions presents the while the Del-Aires keep the beat going classic midnight movie every Saturday strong down at the Jersey shore.” night. No one under 17 admitted.

More Events Next Page 79 Sunday, Oct. 30, succumbs to sudden death, the secret of And we’ll have a slew of hosts to point Scaaaaaary Story time with Vicki Vampyre the Ushers begins to unravel towards its that out. Every Sunday for a measly 5$ Spellbinding Tales Bookstore inexorable and horrific crescendo…” you can put your feet up, enjoy a crummy 1910A Encinal Ave. @ Chestnut The Comedy of Terrors: movie, scarf down popcorn, listen to the Alameda “In this dark comedy, a desperate hilarious ravings of our special guests and 510-523-1105 funeral director, Trumble (Price), begins yes, you too can yell at the movie screen. http://www.spellbindingtales.com “cultivating” a new clientele with his We will have rotating hosts chosen from 3 p.m. bungling assistant Gillie (Lorre). When the brilliant comedic flock of freaks circling Free Trumble’s Shakespeare-quoting Landlord our fair city. Guaranteed bad movies. Byob. The hostess with the mostest of Alameda (Rathbone), demands a year’s back-rent, Free popcorn. Feet on the furniture. What Cable’s “Monster Island Theater” reads the underhanded undertaker decides to more could you ask for of a Sunday night. spooky stories for kids. Bring your kids for bury his problem… permanently.” We promise to have you in bed by 11 p.m. a hauntingly good time! The Abominable Dr. Phibes: “Price shines in his signature role of Sunday, October 30 Sunday, October 30 Dr. Anton Phibes. Horribly disfigured in Supernatural Sunday Screamers Vincent Price Triple Feature an automobile accident, Phibes targets the Macabre Masterpiece Double Feature The House of Usher 1:15 p.m. surgical team who allowed his wife to die. Curse of the Demon The Comedy of Terrors 2:50 p.m. Flamboyantly he knocks off the medicos, The Haunting The Abominable Dr. Phibes4:30 p.m. baffles Yard, and celebrates in high Castro Theater Castro Theater art-deco style with his clockwork band.” 429 Castro Street 429 Castro Street San Francisco San Francisco Sunday, October 9th With Host Russ Tamblyn With performances by Peter Lorre, Bad Movie Night The uncut U.K. version of Curse of the Boris Karloff, Basil Rathbone and Joseph Blackula Demon will be shown at 7 p.m. Cotton. The Dark Room From the Castro website: From the Castro Website: 2263 Mission Street “M.R. James’ classic short story, “Casting The House of Usher: San Francisco the Runes”, becomes one of the all-time “Phillip Winthrop journeys to a 8 p.m. classics of fantasy cinema. Dr. Holden foreboding, mist-enshrouded manor to $5 (Andrews), an American psychologist and elope with Madeleine Usher despite the We’ve taken all the guess work out of the supernatural debunker, looses his grip warning of their cursed bloodline by age ole question, “Will this movie suck?” on rationality when confronted by Dr. brother Roderick (Price). When Madeleine It will suck. Karswell (MacGinnis), a powerful satanic 80 cult leader in England.” Sunday, October 30 Monday, October 31 Then at 9 p.m is The Haunting. Ghost Walk at The Palace Cal Animage Alpha “The ultimate haunted house 2 New Montgomery Street 145 Dwinelle movie—accept no remakes. A team of San Francisco Univeristy of California parapsychologists investigates supernatural 7 p.m. Berkeley events at Hill House, and one of them Free 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. seems to have a special connection to the Kings and presidents died here; Free spirits within. Terrific performances from romances ended tragically. Perhaps that Schedule: the cast, with director Wise maintaining explains the enduring stories of spectral Trinity Blood a claustrophobic atmosphere of disquiet visions and mysterious occurrences. Join Weekly: Honey & Clover using suggestion, shadow and sound to your guide for a tour of the unknown--and jangle nerves.” the supernatural! Not for the squeamish or Monday, October 31 faint of heart. Ghost Walk at City Hall Sunday, October 30 Meet in main lobby, 2 New Montgomery City Hall Alan Lee St. (between Market & Mission) San Francisco The Booksmith 6:30 p.m. Event will take place at Monday, October 31 Free Park Branch Library Flashlight Tour Disinterred remains, assassinations and 1833 Page Street Winchester Mystery House other ghostly lore form the focus of this San Francisco www.winchestermysteryhouse.com tour! The history and architecture of this 2 p.m. 525 South Winchester Boulevard beautifully restored building are revealed, Free San Jose plus little-known facts such as the cemetery Alan Lee, Lord of the Rings illustrator 6 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. that once covered Civic Center. Who (or and Academy Award-winning conceptual $31 what) else might be walking alongside us? designer for the film trilogy will discuss Allow time for security checks. his brand-new book, The Lord of the Rings Enter City Hall through Goodlett Sketchbook. Lee’s events will feature a Pl. (Polk St.) doors; meet in South Light slide show, a Q&A with fans, and a book Court. signing. Send your items for inclusion in our calendar section to: [email protected] More Events Next Page 81 Monday, October 31 Tuesday, November 1 spell upon her. This neo-Gothic exercise Séance Richard K. Morgan in style and atmosphere has achieved cult Spellbinding Tales Bookstore The Booksmith status for good reason.” 1910A Encinal Ave. @ Chestnut 1644 Haight Street Showing with Repulsion at 1 p.m., 5 Alameda San Francisco p.m. and 9 p.m. 510-523-1105 7 p.m. http://www.spellbindingtales.com Free Wednesday, November 2 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. The author of Woken Furies reads and Richard K. Morgan $20 signs. Borderlands Books An old-fashioned turn-of-the-century 866 Valencia StreetSan Francisco magician’s séance, in search of the spirit Tuesday, November 1 7 p.m. of Houdini, the world’s most famous Newtype Anime Free magician. It is a tradition to hold a séance Room 60-61H The author of Woken Furies reads and on the anniversary of Houdini’s death. He Stanford University signs. has promised to relay a message if there is Palo Alto truly life after death. Conducted by the 8 p.m. - 11 p.m. Thursday, November 3 Oakland Magic Circle, which promises Free Tamora Pierce many thrills and chills. Call the store for Meeting and anime showing. This event Copperfield’s Books Petaluma reservations. First come, first serve for a seat is held weekly while school is in session. 140 Kentucky Street in the circle around the table! Petaluma Wednesday, November 2 7 p.m. Monday, October 31 The Hunger Free Bay Area Science Fiction Association Castro Theater Fantasy author of The Will of the Empress The Original Hick’ry Pit 429 Castro Street will sign. 980 E. Campbell Ave. San Francisco Campbell 3 p.m., 7 p.m. More Events Next Page 8 p.m. “Catherine Deneuve is Miriam, a Free centuries-old vampire preying on urban www.basfa.org. club goers with her vampire lover John (David Bowie). When John begins aging Send your items for inclusion in our suddenly, they seek the aid of doctor Sarah calendar section to: (Susan Sarandon) and Miriam casts her [email protected] 82 November 4-6 Saturday, November 5 November 5 BAScon Silicon Gulch Browncoats’ Monthly Shindig AnimeDestiny 2005 Embassy Suites Noon - 2:00 p.m. www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~animage/animed/ 250 Gateway Boulevard Tied House Cafe Brewery University of California Berkeley South San Francisco 54 Villa Street Berkeley Memberships: $70 to 10/31/05 or until Mountain View $10 in advance, $15 at the door sold out This event repeats on the first Saturday Members of Cal-Animage Alpha get in Information: BASCon, P.O. Box 282197, of every month. free. San Francisco, CA 94128-2197 9 a.m. – 11 p.m. Email: [email protected] Saturday, November 5 The second year for this very fun one- The fifth Bay Area Slash Convention. Video Games Live day convention sponsored by one of the Open to those 18 years or older. www.videogameslive.com oldest anime clubs in the U.S. Dealers’ room, art show, panels, video San Jose Civic AuditoriumS Anime track, programming, concert show, con suite. an Jose by j-rock group Beautiful Losers, cosplay 8 p.m. contest, dealers, swap meet. Friday-Saturday, November 4-5 $20-$55 The Wizard of Oz A live concert by a full orchestra and Saturday, November 5 Aquarius Theatre choir performing music from popular Le Bal Des Vampires 430 Emerson Street video games. With an accompanying show PEERS (The Period Events & Entertainments Palo Alto that includes video, lasers, fog and live Re-Creation Society) Event Midnight elements. Prior to the concert, there www.peers.org Running as part of the theater’s will be a costume contest and a video game PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF Midnight Madness program. history exhibit. LOCATION! With music from games including Pleasanton Senior Center Friday-Saturday, November 4-5 Mario, Zelda, Halo, Metal Gear Solid, 5353 Sunol Blvd. Gremlins Warcraft, Myst, Castlevania, Medal of Pleasanton Landmark’s Act 1 & 2 Honor, Sonic, Tron, Tomb Raider, Advent Waltz the night away in a romantic 2128 Center Street Rising, Headhunter, Beyond Good & Evil, ballroom with the San Francisco Bay Berkeley Splinter Cell, Ghost Recon, Rainbow Six, Area’s most glamorous Undead at the 12th Midnight EverQuest II, Kingdom Hearts, God of War Annual Le Bal des Vampires. and a classic arcade game medley featuring The evening will, as usual, feature games from Pong to Donkey Kong. truly haunting 18th, 19th, and 20th 83 century ballroom dance music by Brazen Saturday, November 5 Sunday, November 6 Hussey, one of the most exciting dance Historias del Desencanto (Stories of Video Games Live bands around, equally at home playing Disenchantment) www.videogameslive.com classical music, vintage dance music, Celtic Castro Theater Nob Hill Masonic Auditorium fusion, Swing, blues and hard rock. While 429 Castro Street San Francisco the program, as usual, has a strong waltz San Francisco 7:30 p.m. bias, the program includes everything Showing as part of the Latino Film $20-$55 from elegant 18th century country and Festival. In Spanish with English subtitles. A live concert by a full orchestra and set dances to Viennese waltzes, polkas and “In a limbo between centuries, the choir performing music from popular mazurkas, to cool blues fox trot and tango world is devastated by the Disenchantment. video games. With an accompanying show to early Swing and classic Rock at this very In this fantastical context, three characters that includes video, lasers, fog and live eclectic Gathering of Kindred. As usual, all meet in the labyrinths of their dreams: elements. Prior to the concert, there set dances will be taught or called at the Ainda, a bat-winged artist; Diego, a will be a costume contest and a video game ball. filmmaker whose innocence resides in his history exhibit. Suggested costume is evening dress or belly button; and Ximena, an adolescent With music from games including dress uniform from the century and country in full sexual awakening. Together, they Mario, Zelda, Halo, Metal Gear Solid, of your “rebirth,” or modern evening dress. experience a post-modern, gender- bending Warcraft, Myst, Castlevania, Medal of While there is no dress code for the ball loss of sexual innocence in this mystical Honor, Sonic, Tron, Tomb Raider, Advent (and we certainly don’t expect Spike to dress love story.” Rising, Headhunter, Beyond Good & Evil, up for the occasion!), you will see some of Splinter Cell, Ghost Recon, Rainbow Six, the most gorgeously costumed guests of the Sunday, November 6 EverQuest II, Kingdom Hearts, God of War social season at this ball. Foothill Anime and a classic arcade game medley featuring The ball’s half-time show will be another Building 5015 games from Pong to Donkey Kong. cutting edge performance by Le Theatre des Vampires, the most feared theater company Los Altos Hills Monday, November 7 on the West Coast. Not recommended for Noon Lemony Snicket appearance the faint of heart. Free The Booksmith For those wishing to learn or practice Meets the first Sunday of the month. 1644 Haight Street the dances before the ball, there will be an San Francisco optional pre-ball dance workshop (details 7 p.m. TBA). Free

84 Monday, November 7 Tuesday, November 8 Diabolik, the 1967 movie based on the Cal Animage Alpha Newtype Anime European comic. Location TBA Room 60-61H “In psychedelic swinging 60s style, the Univeristy of California Stanford University dreaded thief (and killer) Diabolik wreaks Berkeley Palo Alto havoc on a generic European country for 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. 8 p.m. - 11 p.m. his own financial gain and amusement. Free Free With his curvaceous, superficial girlfriend Schedule: Meeting and anime showing. This event (displaying awesome powers of wig- Mar is held weekly while school is in session. wearing) they deed dirty. See them face Weekly: Honey & Clover off against bumbling cops and revenge- Wednesday-Thursday, November 9-10 seeking mafiosos to an indelible score by Monday, November 7 Barbarella Ennio Morricone.” Bay Area Science Fiction Association Danger Diabolik The Original Hick’ry Pit Castro Theater Thursday, November 10 980 E. Campbell Ave. 429 Castro Street Charles Burns Campbell San Francisco Diesel, A Bookstore 8 p.m. Barbarella:Wednesday 3 p.m., 7 p.m., 5433 College Avenue Free Thursday 7 p.m. Oakland www.basfa.org. Danger: Diabolik: Wednesday 1 p.m., 5 510-653-9965 p.m., 9 p.m., Thursday 9 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 8 A new 35 mm print of Barbarella. Free T.A. Barron “The year is 40,000. Peacefully floating Copperfield’s Books Santa Rosa around in zero-gravity, Barbarella (Jane Friday, November 11 Montgomery Village Fonda) is suddenly interrupted by a call Charles Burns appearance 2316 Montgomery Drive from the President of Earth. A young The Booksmith Santa Rosa scientist, Duran-Duran, is threatening 1644 Haight Street Free universal peace and Barbarella is the chosen San Francisco 7 p.m. one to save the world. During her mission, Time: TBD Young adult fantasy author of Shadows she never finds herself in a situation where Free on the Stars will appear. it isn’t possible to lose at least part of her already minimal dressing. In a double feature with Danger: More Events Next Page 85 Friday, November 11 Midnight traditional Japanese ghost stories with Izu The Keep providing musical accompaniment. Castro Theater Saturday, November 12 I suspect that Mermaid Meat is based on 429 Castro Street 8th Anniversary Sale the same traditional story that Rumiko Taka- San Francisco Borderlands Books hashi used as the basis for her Mermaid Forest 9:15 p.m. 866 Valencia Street manga so anime fans might be particularly Based on the novel by Paul Wilson. San Francisco interested in this show. “Set in a Romanian village during www.borderlands-books.com WWII, invading German soldiers release Noon - 8 p.m. Saturday, November 12 a supernatural force from a centuries-old Free No Name Anime fortress. As soldiers are fatally consumed, 13650 Saratoga Ave. a mysterious stranger appears to battle the Friday and Saturday, November 11-12 Saratoga being. Eerie and dreamlike, this horror Mermaid Meat 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. or so fable is filled with Michael Mann’s expert Free use of sound and image.” Kanbar Hall Double feature with 1977 action movie Jewish Community Center3200 California Saturday, November 12 Sorcerer at 7 p.m. Street Paheli San Francisco Castro Theater Friday-Saturday, November 11-12 Tickets: www.jccsf.org/arts 429 Castro Street The NeverEnding Story $25 San Francisco Aquarius Theatre Brenda Wong Aoki and Mark Izu present 8:15 p.m. 430 Emerson Street Mermaid Meat: The Secret to Immortality Showing as part of the 3rd i Film Festival Palo Alto and other Japanese ghost stories. In Hindi with English subtitles. Midnight I can't recommend this highly enough. “Come Celebrate Bollywood at the Running as part of the theater’s See my review in issue two of the perfor- Castro!! Midnight Madness program. mance of Black Hair at the SF Theater Fes- “With its star-studded cast, (irresistible tival. In addition to the title story and Black Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukherjee), Friday-Saturday, November 11-12 Hair, they will also be performing The Bell fantasy sets, endearing musical scores, Enter the Dragon of Dojoji, Dancing in California and a new Paheli is a delightful Bollywood folk tale, Landmark’s Act 1 & 2 work. wherein a ghost falls in love with a bride.” 2128 Center Street Aoki is a wonderful performer, using Berkeley her voice and acting skills to bring to life 86 Saturday, November 12 Saturday – Sunday, November 12-13 Monday, November 14 SF Browncoats Robot Fighting League 2005 National Cal Animage Alpha sfbrowncoats.com Championship Location TBA Cafe Murano www.botleague.com Univeristy of California San Francisco combots.net/index Berkeley Noon Herbst Pavilion, Fort Mason Center 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Free San Francisco Free Serenity/Firefly fan group. Meets every $20 Schedule: second Saturday of each month. Noon – 11 p.m. Join the yahoo group from the link on Weekly: Honey & Clover their website for schedule updates. Saturday and Sunday, November 12-13 Creation’s Salute to Sci-Fi TV Monday, November 14 Saturday, November 12 Wyndham San Jose Bay Area Science Fiction Association Steven Erikson 1350 N. First Street The Original Hick’ry Pit Borderlands Books San Jose 980 E. Campbell Ave. 866 Valencia Street $35 Campbell San Francisco Special packages available for $139-249.00 8 p.m. www.borderlands-books.com Guests include actors Gigi Edgely, Free 3 p.m. Michael Shanks (Sunday only) and Don www.basfa.org. Free Davis (Saturday only). The author of Memories of Ice will Tuesday, November 15 appear and sign. Sunday, November 13 Newtype Anime Speculative Fiction Book Club Room 60-61H Saturday, November 12 Kepler’s Books Stanford University No Name Anime Showing Cancelled. Venue Closed Palo Alto Saratoga Library 8 p.m. - 11 p.m. 13650 Saratoga Ave. Free Saratoga Meeting and anime showing. This event 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. or so is held weekly while school is in session. Free Send your items for inclusion in our calendar section to: [email protected]

87 Wednesday, November 16 Friday-Saturday, November 18-19 Sunday, November 20 George R. R. Martin Appearance Enter the Dragon Science Fiction Book Club Copperfield’s Books Aquarius Theatre Borderlands Books 140 Kentucky St. 430 Emerson Street www.borderlands-books.com Petaluma Palo Alto 866 Valencia St. 7 p.m. Midnight San Francisco Free Running as part of the theater’s 6 p.m. The author of A Feast for Crows will Midnight Madness program. Free sign. This month’s book is Tamsin by Peter Friday-Saturday, November 18-19 Beagle. The author will visit. Please contact Thursday, November 17 The Neverending Story Jude at [email protected] George R. R. Martin Appearance Landmark’s Act 1 & 2 for more information. Stacy’s Books 2128 Center Street 581 Market Street Berkeley Monday, November 21 San Francisco Midnight Cal Animage Alpha 12:30 p.m. Location TBA Free Saturday, November 19 Univeristy of California Amber Benson and Christopher Golden Berkeley Friday, November 18 author event 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. George R. R. Martin Appearance The Booksmith Free Kepler’s Books 1644 Haight Street Schedule: Cancelled. Venue Closed San Francisco Sosei no Aquarion 7 p.m. Weekly: Honey & Clover Friday, November 18 Free George R. R. Martin Appearance The Buffy the Vampire Slayer actress will Monday, November 21 Bay Book Co. sign copies of Ghosts of Albion: Accursed, a Bay Area Science Fiction Association Half Moon Bay book that was co-written with Christopher The Original Hick’ry Pit 7:00 p.m. Golden.Sunday, November 20Mark von 980 E. Campbell Ave. Free SchlegellBorderlands Books866 Valencia Campbell StreetSan Franciscowww.borderlands- 8 p.m. books.com3 p.m.Free The author of Free Venusia will appear and sign. www.basfa.org.

88 Tuesday, November 22 Saturday, November 26 Monday, November 28 Newtype Anime Roman Dirge appearance Bay Area Science Fiction Association Room 60-61H Hobby Monkey The Original Hick’ry Pit Stanford University 10000 Fairway Drive #140 980 E. Campbell Ave. Palo Alto Roseville Campbell 8 p.m. - 11 p.m. Free 8 p.m. Free Creator of Lenore and Haunted Man- Free Meeting and anime showing. This event tion. www.basfa.org. is held weekly while school is in session. Monday, November 28 Tuesday, November 29 Friday, November 25 Star Wars Book Authors A Zathura Science Spectacular with the Mad Legion of Rassilon Copperfield’s Petaluma Scientists Doctor Who fan group 140 Kentucky Street Kepler’s Books Carl’s Junior Petaluma Cancelled. Venue Closed 2551 N. First Street 7 p.m. San Jose Free December 2-4 7:30 p.m. Steven Sansweet, Peter Vilmur and Game and Music Experience Free Pablo Hidalgo will sign two new Star Wars- www.experiencegame.com Showing episodes of the new Dr. Who related books, Star Wars Poster Book and Moscone Center series, news, discussion of recent movies Star Wars Chronicles. San Francisco and a raffle. $20 -$35 (discount if registering before Monday, November 28 October 31) Saturday, November 26 Cal Animage Alpha Play video games, see live bands, and USS Augusta Ada Location TBA other stuff. See the website for more http://trek.starshine.orgRound Table Univeristy of California details. Pizza5160 Geary Blvd.San Francisco Berkeley 1 p.m. 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Free Free Star Trek group. Meets fourth Saturday Schedule: of the month. : The 4th Stage Weekly: Honey & Clover More Events Next Page 89 Saturday, December 3 Friday, December 9 Sunday, December 11 Bay Area Games Day Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me Dune davekohr.best.vwh.net/gamesday Castro Theater Castro Theater Los Altos Library 429 Castro Street 429 Castro Street Los Altos San Francisco San Francisco Free 9:40 p.m. 4:20 p.m., 9:20 p.m. Regular event featuring German-style “In this challenging prequel to the TV The 1984 David Lynch version, strategy boardgames like Settlers of Catan, series, the film begins with the investigation “The desert planet Arrakis—we enter Avalon Hill-type multiplayer games, lots of by FBI agents into the murder of waitress the year 10191 and the whole universe cardgames, and historical board wargames. Teresa Banks. One year later, the sordid depends on the spice Melange which exists events of Laura Palmer’s double-life are only on this dry and desolate planet. Its Monday, December 5 depicted, gradually intensifying into an natives await the arrival of their Messiah Bay Area Science Fiction Association all-out nightmare. Beyond what the series who will lead them into a holy war against The Original Hick’ry Pit ever did, the film detaches itself from any the evil Harkonnen Empire. So sets the 980 E. Campbell Ave. connection to reality; the result is Lynch’s stage for Lynch’s bizarre, truly otherworldly Campbell most controversial film. “ vision of Frank Herbert’s saga.” 8 p.m. Double feature with Mullholland Double feature with The Elephant Free Drive. Man. www.basfa.org. Saturday, December 10 Sunday, December 11 Saturday, December 10 SF Browncoats Sacramento Comic, Toy & Anime Show Wintershoppingland sfbrowncoats.com www.sacramentocomics.com Hayward Centennial Hall Cafe Murano Scottish Rite Center 22292 Foothill Blvd. San Francisco 6151 H Street Hayward Noon Sacramento www.wintershoppingland.com Free 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Serenity/Firefly fan group. Meets every $5.00 $2 (Free 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.) second Saturday of each month. Dealer’s room, anime viewing room, con- This is an anime event organized by the Join the yahoo group from the link on tests, Yugioh & Magic tournaments, cosplay group that puts on Yaoi Con and Tales of their website for schedule updates. contest at 2 p.m. Anime. Costume contest, dealers room, programming to be announced. 90 Monday, December 12 December 17- January 29, 2006 December 23 Bay Area Science Fiction Association Lestat Mirrormask The Original Hick’ry Pit Curran Theater Red Vic 980 E. Campbell Ave. 445 Geary 1727 Haight Campbell San Francisco San Francisco 8 p.m. Tickets on sale October 30. Musical Free based on Anne Rice’s Interview with the Monday, December 26 www.basfa.org. Vampire and The Vampire Lestat. Music Bay Area Science Fiction Association by Elton John, lyrics by Bernie Taupin. The Original Hick’ry Pit Wednesday, December 14 980 E. Campbell Ave. Petaluma Book Club Sunday, December 18 Campbell Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury Science Fiction Book Club 8 p.m. Copperfield’s Petaluma Borderlands Books Free 140 Kentucky Street www.borderlands-books.com www.basfa.org. Petaluma 866 Valencia St. 6:30 p.m. San Francisco Saturday, January 14, 2006 Free 6 p.m. SacAnime 2006 This general fiction book group will Free www.sacramentocomics.com be reading Dandelion wine this month. This month’s book is Cat's Cradle Scottish Rite Center Call Mat Brown at (707) 762-0563 or by Kurt Vonegut. Please contact Jude at 6151 H Street Railey Album at (707) 766-7056 for more [email protected] for more Sacramento information. information. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. $5.00 Saturday and Sunday, December 17-18 Monday, December 19 Dealer’s room, anime viewing room, con- Japantown Anime Faire 3 Bay Area Science Fiction Association tests, Yugioh & Magic tournaments, cosplay Japantown The Original Hick’ry Pit contest. San Francisco 980 E. Campbell Ave. www.jtaf.com Campbell 6 p.m. 8 p.m. Fun local anime convention with anime Free Send your items for inclusion in our showings, dealer’s room, costume contest, www.basfa.org. calendar section to: panels. [email protected] 91 Sunday, January 15, 2006 February 17-20, 2006 March 3-5 2006 Science Fiction Book Club Dundracon Consonace 2006 Borderlands Books San Ramon Marriott www.consonance.org/ www.borderlands-books.com 2600 Bishop Drive Crowne Plaza Silicon Valley 866 Valencia St. San Ramon 777 Bellew Drive San Francisco www.dundracon.com Milpitas 6 p.m. $? Memberships: $35 to 10/31/05, $40 to Free Gaming convention. 2/18/06, $45 at door This month’s book is The Stars My Desti- Filk convention. Guests: Bill & nation by Alfred Bester. Please contact Jude February 17-20, 2006 Gretchen Roper, Marty Coady Fabish, at [email protected] for PantheaCon Puzzlebox, Chris Conway more information. San Jose Doubletree Pagan convention. Workshops, lectures, Saturday, March 4, 2006 January 19-23, 2006 performances, rituals, vendors, drumming, The Phantom of the Opera Ball Further Confusion dancing, costume contest. PEERS Event San Jose Doubletree Masonic Lodge of San Mateo www.furtherconfusion.org February 19, 2006 Doors Open: 7:00 p.m. $40 Science Fiction Book Club Dance lesson: 7:15 p.m. Furry convention with an emphasis on Borderlands Books Dancing begins: 8:00 p.m. art. Dealer’s room, programming, anime. www.borderlands-books.com Tickets: $15.00 in advance (by February 866 Valencia St. 28) February 10-12 2006 San Francisco At the door: $20.00 Wondercon 6 p.m. Don’t let those wild rumors of an Opera The Moscone Center Free Ghost keep you from attending the social San Francisco This month’s book is Wonderland by event of the season, the Opera Ball of the Comic book convention with anime, Joyce Carol Oates. Please contact Jude at Opera Populaire. This is destined to be summer movie previews, panels, dealers, [email protected] for more the most spectacular of all our masquerade costume contest, more. information. balls and Management assures you that “Everything is under control.” Our special guests - Monsieur Frank Beau Davis, that American trumpet virtuoso and his brilliant Brassworks Band 92 from San Francisco, will play an evening of March 17–April 16, 2006 March 19, 2006 opera and ballet tunes arranged for ballroom Zorro Science Fiction Book Club dancing and brilliant Viennese Waltzes, Berkeley Repertory Theater Borderlands Books polkas, mazurkas, schottisches, reels, and written and performed by Culture Clash www.borderlands-books.com quadrilles. All set dances will be taught or The Roda Theatre 866 Valencia St. called and there will a pre-ball dance class to 2025 Addison Street San Francisco help you brush up on your mid-Victorian Berkeley 6 p.m. dance skills. And, of course, they will play From their website: Free those perennial favorites, “The Congress of “California was born from a clash of This month’s book is Declare by Vienna Waltz” and “Sir Roger de Coverley” cultures, and now Culture Clash explodes Tim Powers. Please contact Jude at (with a distinctly Wagnerian edge). the romantic myths surrounding its [email protected] for more Suggested costume for this gala event is creation. Following their 2002 hit, Culture information. Victorian evening or ball dress (circa 1860’s- Clash in AmeriCCa, these missionaries of 80’s), period fancy dress, or modern evening mayhem return to Berkeley Rep with the Saturday, April 1, 2006 dress. Masks are strongly suggested. world premiere of Zorro. Employing their The Toon Town Hop The fashionable young gentlemen of the usual irreverence, the trio takes on this PEERS Event Jockey Club will be pleased to know that legend to explore questions of homeland Masonic Lodge of San Mateo evening’s entertainment includes operatic security in the Wild West—when Anglo- Doors Open: 7 p.m. and ballet excerpts by the company, Americans struggled with such issues as Dance lesson: 7:15 p.m. including the premiere of the ballet from Mexican immigration, Indian gambling Dancing begins: 8:00 p.m. the controversial new opera “Sappho,” and a governor born on foreign soil. At Tickets: $15.00 in advance (by March 25) choreographed by the celebrated Mme. long last, it’s a Latin look behind the mask At the door: $20.00 Giry for the Peerless Ballet. of this mainstream icon invented by an Irish From their website: Refreshments will be served throughout American. Zorro rides out of the pages of “As any cartoon aficionado can tell the evening (Since we lack the catering pulp fiction, through the Hollywood image you, some of the best film music actually budget of the Paris Opera Populaire, machine and beyond the barriers of class, appears in cartoons. In celebration of the your potluck contributions will be deeply race and ethnicity to become a hero for classic age of cartoons, we invite you to appreciated). the oppressed in every land. Both history the Toon Town Hop, a vintage dance ball and histrionics play a role when Zorro is inspired by the best cartoon music of the unsheathed!” 20th century. “Suggested costume is vintage or modern evening dress (Mouse ears optional!). 93 Guests may also attend as their favorite April 16, 2006 May 11-14, 2006 cartoon character (vintage or modern!). Science Fiction Book Club World Horror Con 2006 “The dazzlingly versatile Divertimento Borderlands Books Gateway Holiday Inn Dance Orchestra will play a multi-period www.borderlands-books.com www.whc2006.org program of beautiful and energetic dance 866 Valencia St. The world horror con comes to the bay music from both classic and modern San Francisco area. cartoons. Dance classic waltzes and polkas, 6 p.m. ragtime teens and 20’s dances, 30’s and 40’s Free May 21, 2006 Swing and fox trot, stirring marches, and This month’s book is Dark Beyond The Science Fiction Book Club a variety of other ballroom and set dances Stars by local author Frank Robinson. Borderlands Books at this wildly varied event. For us diehard Author will visit. Please contact Jude at www.borderlands-books.com dancers, there will be DJ dance music [email protected] for more 866 Valencia St. of some truly off-the-wall but extremely information. San Francisco danceable cartoon music during the 6 p.m. intermissions. Sunday, April 24, 2006 Free “There will be a light buffet of T.V. 3DB Con This month’s book is the graphic novel snacks – everything your mother said was www.threedollarbill.com/3DBcon Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. bad for you (and she was probably right) Three Dollar Bill Cafe1800 Market Street Please contact Jude at jfeldman@borderlands- and complimentary non-alcholic drinks. San Francisco books.com for more information. Contributions to the buffet are, as always, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. very welcome. Intermission entertainment $10 May 26-29, 2006 includes vintage dance performances by the Game Convention. Fanime Con Peers Flying CirCUS and a cartoon music San Jose Convention Center sing-along.” Saturday, May 6, 2006 San Jose The Fairy Tale Masquerade Ball www.fanime.com Masonic Lodge of San Mateo Price Doors Open: 7:00 p.m. The largest annual anime convention Dance lesson: 7:15 p.m. in the Bay Area. Dealer's room, panels, Dancing begins: 8:00 p.m. costume contest, multiple tracks of anime, Send your items for inclusion in our Tickets: $15.00 in advance (by April 29, Asian films, J-pop concert, much more. calendar section to: 2006) [email protected] At the door: $20.00 94 May 26-29, 2006 Saturday, September 2, 2006 July 6-9, 2007 Baycon Captain Morgan’s Privateers (We Ain’t Pirates Westercon 60: Gnomeward Bound San Jose Doubletree Inn No More) Ball DoubleTree Hotel San Jose PEERS Event San Jose www.baycon.org Masonic Lodge of San Mateo $45 until August 31 Doors Open: 7:00 p.m. The largest annual general SF convention Dance Lesson: 7:15 p.m. in the Bay area. Dealer's room, panels, cos- Dancing begins: 8:00 p.m. tume contest, anime room, much more. Tickets: $15.00 in advance (by August 26, 2006) May 26-29 2006 Tickets: $20.00 at the door Kublacon Burlingame Hyatt Regency September 8-10, 2006 1333 Bayshore Highway Creation Salutes Star Trek: Burlingame The 40th Anniversary Celebration Guests: TBA. Doubletree Hotel Memberships: TBA. Sacramento Gaming convention. 2001 Point West Way Sacremento August 4-6 2006 Memberships: Gold Weekend Package: Anime Overdose 2006 $399. www.animeod.com Creation brings William Shatner and San Francisco Leonard Nimoy to Sacramento. And no, $30 to ?, $45 at door that’s not a typo on the price. Cheaper Anime convention. packages will be announced later.

November 4, 2006 Le Bal des Vampires PEERS Venue: TBD No information as yet for this just announced vampire-theme ball event. 95