SF/SF Science Fiction/San Francisco The nothing special, sorta weekly news zine for the San Francisco Bay Area. Issue 6.1 August 24, 2005 email: [email protected] Editor: Jack Avery

TOC of “My zine, my rules.” But also, I get listings to just include events due before the the impression that Americans are much next (planned) publication date. Whereas eLOCs ...... 1-4 more prepared to travel longer distances with an electronic zine, optimized for on- NASFiC GOH...... 4 than we Brits, so events 100 miles away screen reading, you can just keep repeating LOTR Trillogy Charity Showing .....5-7 might well be of interest. As the saying events every time until they actually SF Browncoats ...... 8-12 goes, “In America, 100 years is a long happen. This makes the whole thing more Cosplay Winners...... 12 time. In England, 100 miles is a long comprehensive – and useful. SCA Demo ...... 13-14 way.” And this is before we even get to Of course, you are probably looking Water Wars...... 15-19 your rationale of trying to encourage at this letter now and going, “Well, duh, BASFA Minutes ...... 20 similar events closer to home. yes, that’s how I planned it.” And of course Schedule...... 21-40 It’s only just occurred to me (slow, there are people like Chris Garcia who ruin I know) why SFSF only makes sense in your Cunning Plan(TM) by printing the eLOCs its current format as an electronic zine, thing off anyway. rather than a traditional paper effort. Will anybody be reporting back for Peter Sullivan writes: The first part is obvious – the weekly SFSF from the Scotty/James Doohan frequency. If you were on paper, you’d memorial event at the Edinburgh Castle Thanks for SF/SF #5 – I hope that probably have to shoot for something pub? I don’t know if it’s made the news the weekly frequency isn’t stretching you closer to the 6 to 8 weeks frequency media in the US, but there’s a bit of a too much. I suppose there’s always your that Lloyd Penney is considering for his spat developing over here between various “week 13 vacation” to look forward to! Canadian version. Scottish municipalities over putting up a I think it’s fair enough for you to But there’s a more subtle reason as “memorial” plaque for the Montgomery extend the boundaries of “Bay Area” as well. If you were on paper, you wouldn’t Scott character. (“Memorial” is really the you do. Firstly, there’s the basic principle want to keep repeating the events every wrong word for someone who isn’t due to be (dear to the heart of every fanzine editor) issue. You’d probably need to restrict the born for another 200 years and is fictional 1 anyway, but you know what I mean.) At the And you don’t seriously think I plan anywhere else I can think of. last count, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Elgin and anything around here do you? I’m just flying I have to say to Lloyd: Yes, I CAN LoC Linlithgow were all trying to claim Scotty this ship by the seat of my pants. If something every issue I manage to get ahold of. And if as a “native-to-be-born son.” works, it’s by accident. Far too little thought you do make your once every 6 or 8 week Best wishes, went into this thing before I launched it. Canadian Newzine anytime soon, I’ll be I think they called the Scotty event a there with LoCs! After driving more than 200 miles on “tribute” so that avoids the whole “memorial You should make SF/SF on a schedule. Saturday to attend events and meet people, for somebody not yet born” issue. I hope to You do ten issues (or twelve or whatever) I can tell you that 100 miles is a long ways have a report on it next issue. and then you take a week and come back in America too. I started out by driving from with a vengeance. That’s a really good idea. Santa Rosa, which is about as far north as Chris Garcia writes: I take mini-vacations from The Drink Tank. you can get and still be in the Bay Area, down I sometimes don’t write anything for three through Marin County, across the Richmond/ Why do your issues always look so much or four hours at a time! San Rafael bridge to El Cerito in the East Bay better than mine? I’m guessing it’s some As far as doing an Asian Film Festival, where I stopped off at the SCA’s Pitchfork War. sort of Voodoo curse that’s been placed on I’m not quite ready for the task. Let me Then I drove further down the east side of the me. start my Short Film Festival and get that Bay to Castro Valley where I took some photos To answer Peter Sullivan’s question, working like a machine then I’ll work on it! at the Further Confusion picnic, then down to yeah, I think there’s a higher level of Fan Until then, you should try to enjoy the SF San Jose to stop off at a book store, then back activity in the BArea, but I think that’s not Asian Film Fest and try and catch the Asian up the peninsula to attend the PenSFA party for any reason other than the fact that there films at SF International and Cinequest. in Redwood City, then back up through San are so many folks that have been drawn Genevieve was very excited with this Francisco and across the Golden Gate Bridge here from around the world to work in issue since it was the first she had heard and eventually home. I’m still tired. I had fun, the computer industry. I think someone of Terry Pratchett making his BArea but I don’t think I’ll try that every weekend. once did a look and found that 50% or so appearances. He’s her favourite author While it doesn’t cost me anything to run of folks in BArea fandom were employed and she’s positively buzzing! I’ve made her the complete calendar listing each issue, I’ve in the computer industry and an equal promise to send a report the minute she been thinking that once I finish building the number were originally from somewhere gets back from the events. calendar, I should only run the entire thing else. We’ve got a highly active SCA scene Another great issue with that amazing once a month or so, and only run the next here, two fan clubs of considerable size, calendar. You’re going to end up costing a few weeks’ events in each issue. I wonder if two big cons, a few small cons with staying lot of us a lot of sleep due to knowing what the length of the thing is too unwieldy for my power, and more signings and screenings really going on! readers. of stuff of fannish interest than almost Chris 2 Thanks for the nice compliment on my name: “The Elves, Gnomes, and Little Men Coronet and The Alexandria, while the layout. Since I’m a typesetter by profession, I Science Fiction, Chowder and Marching Four Star has a wispy lifeline at best and hope that I’ve learned a trick or two over the Society”. This group dated back to the 50s could be yanked any day. years about layout and design. In designing and perhaps even earlier, and while I saw Killer Klowns From Outer Space is really the zine, I tried to make my layout as simple, no marching or chowder, there was plenty quite good, considering it was produced clean and readable as possible. I try to keep in of enthusiasm and a good deal of informal with a miniscule budget. Truly earnest mind that most of my readers are only going fun. Meetings were held monthly at various camp is personified by a film likeShowgirls to read it on-screen. That’s why I use really members’ home (Alva Rogers, Ben Stark which graced The Bridge last week. I can’t easy to read fonts. My body copy is in 14-point and Poul Anderson, all gone now) and I wait until Alexander becomes a midnight Adobe Garamond, larger than I’d use for a hung around for a few years, before losing movie staple, which it is clearly destined print zine. I use a landscape format so that interest and detaching myself. for. people can see the whole page on their monitor I don’t know if they are still active. at the same time and so that they don’t have All of which proves there has always Best, to scroll down and back up to read the next been a solid fanbase within San Francisco column. Other than the BASFA minutes, and the surrounding Bay Area. Perhaps Mike Deckinger which are a special case, I try to not have the archetype regional group is LASFS, jumps to other pages. The black bar I use as a residing in the southern part of the state. Mike: header for articles is there to make it easy to If someone wanted to go to the immense Sadly, the Little Men’s seems to be no more. tell where a new article starts when skimming effort, I’m sure a similar core could be They haven’t had a meeting in years. They just through an issue. developed within the Bay Area. seemed to fade away, although there are a few I’ll be glad to have something on the I found the Bay Area calendar to be former members, such as Rich McAllister, who Pratchett tour. Coverage of book signings and especially useful. I live in the Richmond are still active in Bay Area fandom. author readings is one area in which I think district and after reading of the Asian I’m glad you’re finding the calendar useful. my coverage has been weak. festival, walked over to the Four Star to I’m happy to hear that people are using it find pick up their brochure. Are you familiar events and groups they are interested in. I’ve Mike Deckinger writes: with the Balboa Theatre on Balboa and only been to the Balboa once, for a double 42nd Avenue? It’s been transformed into feature of Godzilla and Princess Mononoke. Dear Jack, a skilled repertory house with as eclectic a I have to say, I was not impressed. The programming schedule as you could wish. management didn’t seem to understand When I moved to San Fran in early It’s especially welcome to have the that patrons might actually want to watch 1970 I connected with a local club in Balboa nearby, since my neighborhood the movie as it was advertised and couldn’t Berkeley called “The Little Men”. Full has already lost two major theatres: The understand why I was unhappy that they 3 Continued next page showed me a movie I did not want to pay to see instead. (They advertised that they were Bay Fan Named NASFiC GOH showing the subtitled Princess Mononoke in the original Japanese, but ran the English By Chris Garcia He’s run a bunch of the WFSF business dub with Billy Bob Thornton stinking up the Staff Writer meetings, which is akin to allowing yourself place instead.) As a result, I’ve decided to ban to be stabbed with pokers from all sides while the theater from my listings, until such time There were two WorldCons in Oakland/ keeping a dozen plates spinning at the same as the management can convince me that they Berkley in the 1960s. Then there wasn’t time. He’s been BASFA President, though I’m understand that misrepresenting the movie another Bay Area WorldCon until Con not sure the dates, I can only assume it was they are showing is reprehensible. Francisco in 1993. In that period, Bay Area prior to the nigh-unstoppable reign of Trey I dread the impending closing of the 4- fandom wasn’t inactive, it was growing and Haddad. Kevin is a guy who knows Roberts’ Star. They were a haven for Asian film fans changing. Cons were founded (and in the Rules inside and out. case of TimeCon, founded and folded) What else has Kevin done? Well, there’s when the U.C. Theater in Berkeley closed and fanzines were published. There were a a lot, including his role as head of Events down. (And how smart was that of the great many fans who washed away to other at Interaction this year. He was the chair of landlord? Raised the rent, the theater closed parts of the country and a bunch who were the 2002 WorldCon bidding committee and down, and now it’s been tenantless for years.) deposited here after years elsewhere. One of was then brought on to serve as Co-chair The owner of the 4-Star recently bought the the people who rose during those years was with Tom Whitmore. And there are the Presidio Theater, so there’s still hope, but I Kevin Standlee. At one point, THE whiz-kid, newsletters for cons that he’s done and so don’t know if it’s viable to program things like obviously the next big thing in con-running many other things. Hong Kong Thursdays at the new theater. and fandom, and still an impressive force And there’s Kevin the Train Enthusiast. While I’m listing the Bad Movie Night in Bay Area fandom as well as international He takes trains all sorts of places where most event when they are showing a movie of fandom. of us would fly or drive. He’s got a fine singing interest, I think their choice of “bad” movies This year, Kevin’s the Fan Guest of Honour voice and was once working on a Faanish is debatable. I know quite a few people, for at CascadiaCon, the NASFiC in Seattle over version of the musical 1776 (which, if he ever example, who are quite fond of Labyrinth, Labor Day Weekend. This is a rare honor, as finishes it, I’ll be forced to BEG for a small which they made fun of a few weeks ago. I can’t remember the last time a WorldCon/ role). He’s an all-around good guy and I can’t Showgirls, on the other hand, is undeniably NASFiC had a BArea fan as its GoH. He’s think of anyone who better deserves to be a bad from any perspective. The Midnight Mass got some rare credentials that make it almost NASFiC Guest of Honour. So, if you ever showing you mention was so popular that they impossible to not have him as GoH. He’s the find yourself at a BASFA meeting, look for added on a second night. second youngest GoH in BayCon History the curly-haired guy in the weird shirt (that’s Thanks to all the folks to contributed to (one of the Hernandez Brothers is younger me), then look at the head of the tables and this issue or let me reprint their work. and I’m number 3 on that list) and he’s also you’ll likely find Kevin there. Make sure you the best-known parliamentarian in fandom. congratulate him. 4 San Francisco LOTR Benefit Screening Draws Ringers, Raises Funds for Autism

By Diane Rooney A Lord of the Rings Trilogy Thursday benefit screening, held August 18 at the Presidio Theatre in San Francisco, raised

Volunteers dressed as Hobbits greeted attendees more than $2200 for Cure Autism Now. guests and sell raffle tickets for a range of More than 150 fans, many of them in donated Lord of the Rings merchandise and costume, attended the charity event, art. British Lord of the Rings artist Alan Lee including fans from as far away as Texas created a design especially for the event, and South Carolina. which was featured on the Trilogy Thursday Volunteers dressed as Frodo, Sam, t-shirts. Maureen as Arwen Merry, and Pippin were on hand to welcome Benefit organizer Eileen Attridge 5 welcomed everyone before The Fellowship wore his King Theoden costume and Kathe of the Ring, noting that one in 166 people was clad as Eowyn, Lady of Rohan. Judges has autism, including her own daughter awarded two adult prizes, one each for Rosie. It was her desire to raise funds for creativity and workmanship, and awarded research on autism that motivated her to a youth prize for entrants under 17. organize the trilogy screening, which was The costume contest drew many took nearly a year to plan. first time entrants, including LOTR fan Matthew Jacobsmeyer won a Sideshow/ Jay, who exhibited his ranger character WETA statue of Shelob, personally Andering Reddson. signed for this event by Richard Taylor “Andy was a soldier once, now he’s not,” and Tania Rogers. He was thrilled to Jay said. add the autographed item to his already Abbey Smith, 16, won the youth

Workmanship Division Winner Ivy Henry

large Sideshow/WETA Lord of the Rings collection. “I already have about twenty of these, plus five more coming in, including Sauron and Peter Jackson as a Corsair,” Jacobsmeyer said. Judges for the costume contest were Kathe and Philip Guste, award winning costumers and members of the Greater Bay Area Costumers Guild, and radio station Youth Division Winner Abbey Smith KOIT personality Sean Brown. Philip Creativity Division Winner Teague Hansberry

6 indeed.” Although she was the eldest, she showed the crowd his stuff by running was the last of her family to get married, up and down the theatre aisles screaming and even her father was getting worried, whenever the film wraiths were on screen. until Mr. Grubb came courting. Teague came down from Sacramento “They married and had five children to support the event, and when not who all lived very happy lives together,” Ringwraithing he works as an artist, voice Abbey said. actor, and at a plant company. Ivy Henry, 19, another first time contest Organizer Attridge said, “The event entrant, won the workmanship prize for her was definitely a success. It was my first elf costume, made by Suzanne Evans. Ivy, a fund-raising event, and many first-timers student at University of California – Santa don’t make money.” Donations are still Cruz, has seen each of The Lord of the Rings being accepted at www.sftrilogy.org. All films over a hundred times. who donate $50 will receive an Alan Lee Teague Hansberry, 30, won the designed t-shirt. c r e a t i v i t y prize, a signed print from artist Alan Lee, for his Ringwraith Katie K as a Fourth Age Ranger presentation. category for her presentation of hobbit Teague said his Marietta Proudfoot of Hobbiton. She character was received a signed WETA Elrond bust. This unemployed, was Abbey’s first costume contest. now that the “I love the movies, especially the last Fourth Age one,” said Abbey, who was attending with has begun, and her older sister, whom she credits for getting was seeking her involved in The Lord of the Rings. “full time Abbey purchased the elements of her employment costume from thrift shops and added with wraithing hobbit feet purchased online. She said her benefits.” character Marietta Proudfoot “was proud T e a g u e Judges Kathe Guste, Sean Brown and Phillip Guste deciding the winners 7 The SF Browncoats From Firefly to Serenity

By Jean P. Martin astounding feat of transforming a highly as a compliment as I’m sure it was meant as Staff Writer regarded but canceled show into a major such. I’ve never been to Comic-Con and motion picture. Such is the case with Joss there I was about to compete in the largest Not since the original “Star Trek” Whedon’s (creator of “Buffy the Vampire convention of its kind in North America! has such a loyal fan base achieved the Slayer” and “Angel”) “Firefly,” a short-lived For research, I rented the DVDs and space western first shown on FOX in 2002. fell in love with the “Firefly.” Surprisingly, The fans, called Browncoats, mobilized, I never heard of the show even though I’m organized massive letter and email writing speculative fiction fan. Apparently, FOX campaigns, and lapped up the DVD set didn’t advertise the series well. But the when it came out. This support finally rest is history as they say. I rarely watch convinced Universal Studios to greenlight TV nowadays and haven’t watched a show the movie, “Serenity,” which will come out religiously since “Star Trek: The Next this September. Generation” and “Xena.” “Firefly” for me I first found out about the SF ranks in the same category as these all- Browncoats, a local Bay Area chapter, time favorites. The stories are original and through a fortuitous but circuitous well written, the scripts can be witty like a route. Two of my vintage dance friends, comedy or moving like a drama, the sets Cordelia Willis and Kelly Bolton, invited and special effects are colorful and detailed, me to join their Comic-Con Masquerade and the action is brisk and exciting. But Competition entry this year. Their theme I think what makes the show so popular was “Firefly” and they asked me to play are the unique and lovable characters. Inara because they thought I would Although set 500 years in the future where make a great “Companion.” In the show, space ships are commonplace, and Eastern “Companions” are a guild of high-class and Western cultures are more intertwined, Joss Whedon at the San Diego Comic Con courtesans. I decided to take their invitation the characters are real and the audience can 8 relate and root for one or more of them. became a member just as I was about to are drawn to “Firefly:” At Comic-Con, I got to meet more SF interview the founder of the SF Browncoats, “The wonderful thing about ‘Firefly’ Browncoat members at their fan booth, and Renee Balmert. is that it’s such a textured, layered show,” I was adopted as an honorary member since I arranged to meet Renee at a she said. “There’s so much stuff going on I was in the “Firefly” masquerade. Actually, microbrewery/restaurant in downtown you could like it for a thousand different two people in masquerade group, Kim Burlingame. Not sure what to expect, I met reasons. Pudliner and Carolyn Staehle, are members an eloquent, enterprising and intelligent “So the result is that the fan group is and worked at the booth. Through them, young woman. I can totally see how she really hard to pin down who a Browncoat I got a taste of what a wonderful group of started this organization and got it to the is because all kinds of different people are people the SF Browncoats are. Intrigued, I level it has reached in such a short time. attracted to it. We have young people, we decided to find out more about them and She also echoed my views on why people have older people… we’ve got professional types, college types… and even broadly on the Internet. Generally you’d have to have a really good sense of humor, love sarcasm and tend to be pretty smart. But other than that it runs the whole spectrum.” Renee also got on the “Firefly” bandwagon after the show was canceled. She was originally a huge Joss Whedon fan and described how she “missed it when it was on the air… bought the DVDs as soon as they came out.” She then told her friends to watch it and talked to other people about it and then morphed her “Buffy” group into a “Firefly” group. “I wanted to meet other people to talk about it,” Renee explained, “and I couldn’t find an existing group in San Francisco. That’s when I started the group. I posted on all the web sites I could find: ‘Anyone in Browncoats Jen Smith, Renee Balmert, Mandisa Basarich and Ray Hill San Francisco please come to our meetings.’ meet Joss Whedon at the San Francisco Browncoat fan table at Wondercon From a very humble beginning of four to 9 eight members, it’s really taken off in the watch episodes.” and no one else was stepping forward. I past year.” However, since they started getting realized there had never been a fan table at The SF Browncoats usually meet at Café involved in conventions their agenda WonderCon… and I know that fan tables Murano in between Post and Sutter, near has changed. “It takes a lot of work and had happened at Dragon*Con and other Union Square, on the second Saturdays of planning and team effort so a lot of our conventions. I couldn’t understand why each month. But Renee advises to check meetings got taken over with organizational one wasn’t happening in SF… and I finally their Yahoo Groups calendar in case the planning type stuff.” realized if there was going to be one that I dates get moved around. Café Murano is The SF Browncoats did a fan table at would have to start doing it. I had no idea an “adorable little café, which my husband WonderCon last February and Comic-Con what I’m doing. I’ve never participated owns, so it’s a very nice arrangement. We just this past July. in any fandom before. Everyone was so can take over the place without the owner “What really was the turning point for helpful and supportive. Answered all my getting upset.” our group was when I found out that Joss really stupid and obvious questions. That’s She estimates the core membership Whedon was coming to WonderCon in San when I intensely put out a call to the to be around 20 to 30 people that have Francisco,” been showing up regularly for a long time. R e n e e But they’re always seeing new faces and m u s e d . welcome new members. “I was so So if anyone wants to get involved, excited that Renee invites you to join the SF Browncoats my idol is Yahoo Group. There you’ll get information coming right on meetings and activities they’re doing. into my own “It’s also a very active online community backyard. I with a strong presence in the Bay Area… wanted to even internationally. There are conversations participate happening almost all of the time!” She in the fan estimates that the Yahoo Group has about booth; I 250 members from all over the world. They wanted to also have a web site: SFBrowncoats.com. help in some As to what they do at meetings, Renee way. I kept said, “it depends what’s going on. The posting that original plan was just to hang out and talk on various about the show and talk about life and web sites Browncoats table at the San Diego Comic Con. 10 community to help, who’s going to come table “was a was a huge event… we couldn’t ago. to this convention in SF, who can help with possible have ran that all by ourselves. We “When I got into the fandom it was the table. The Browncoat community is built together a committee. We had help just announced that the movie had been such a wonderful community. These are from the Sacramento Browncoats, the greenlit. So we were just excited and people I’d never met before, they didn’t San Jose Browncoats, Los Angeles and San anticipating and helping the movie do know me. They only knew we all liked Diego. It was really a team effort.” well.” “Firefly”… and everyone showed up and Renee clarified that some of these So other than conventions, Renee and they were very helpful and sweet. Always Browncoat organizations existed in other the gang are working hard to publicize someone ready to pitch in and help. It was cities in the U.S. before she launched “Serenity.” Which she said is very such a wonderful experience and brought her San Francisco branch. These groups’ enjoyable. “That’s what’s so exciting and the team together. So WonderCon was original goal “was to keep the show on the fun about being a Browncoat. I guess if amazing and got us prepared for Comic- air, which didn’t work. Then it was to try to you’re a fan of “Star Wars” or “Star Trek” Con.” get a movie made and that succeeded.” So at this point you just kind of hang out The SF Browncoats ran the WonderCon she wishes the SF Browncoats could take and talk and enjoy and reminisce. But booth with the help of volunteers from all credit for the movie being produced but “Firefly’s” just getting started. It had a very over the place. However, the Comic-Con fan her chapter only started only about a year rough start and it should be dead at this

Browncoats, including Jean Martin, portraying the crew of the Serenity at the Masquerade at the San Deigo Comic Con. Photos courtesy of www.consplayers.com 11 point except the fandom would not let it only did I not get to see the screening, premier of “Serenity” on September 30th, of die… and kept making its presence known. the people (including Joss) who would course. We really do have a mission statement that have appreciated our “Firefly” entry “We’re so excited now that we’re binds everyone together. We all know what where somewhere else at the convention! coming down to the wire with the movie we have to accomplish. Right now that the Renee has seen the movie four times now and all the publicity that they’re getting,” movie has been made, we want to make sure because her group also organized three pre- Renee enthused. It’s a testament to the fan when it hits the theaters that the numbers screenings with Joss in San Francisco earlier movement that Entertainment Weekly will be huge. That everyone’s aware of this year. The Browncoats also raised over mentioned the Browncoats so prominently it. Hopefully, that will start a franchise $12,000 at Comic-Con for Joss’s favorite in a recent feature article. Then there’s and we’ll get a second and third movie… charity, Equality Now, which aims to end SiliCon in San Jose in October, which comics and who knows what else.” Quite violence and discrimination against women they’re hoping to take part in. So I’ll sign lofty goals but seem very doable with such and girls around the world. off for now but I’ll be sure to report back on proactive and PR savvy fans! What’s up next for the amazingly the continuing saga of the SF Browncoats Another side benefit of being a dynamic SF Browncoats? Well, there’s the that I’m now happily a part of. Stay tuned! Browncoat is that Joss Whedon posts Cosplay Contest Winners regularly to the fan boards. Renee also reveals that Adam Baldwin, who plays Many talented cosplayers Jayne, is “as addicted to the forums as we showed up in costume for the are. He’s there almost every day posting Sunrise Mall Anime Show in late completely random non-“Firefly” stuff. July. Winners of the costume So there’s this absolute love between the contest conducted by Ryochan creators and cast and the fans. It’s so fun were: being a fan of “Firefly” because the people 1st Place - Minnie Saucedo and involved in the show really appreciate the Kai the Pikachu in “God’s Servants”, fans. They’re very responsive very open and cosplaying Rosette Christopher and warm and they love the fans back.” Chrono from Chrono Chrusade For instance, at Comic-Con, it was 2nd Place - Dragon Illusions Reiko of Final Fantasy Shiny Things in “absolutely amazing because Joss was there. Shawny Wong as Sakura Shinguji from “R&R”, cosplaying Rydia of Mist from It was the first screening of the actual final Sakura Wars Final Fantasy 4 and Rinoa Heartily from cut of ‘Serenity.’” Ironically, the Comic- 3rd Place – Ellen Pevey as Sakura from Final Fantasy 8. Con screening happened at the same time Card Captor Sakura Many more photos of the show are as the masquerade competition so not Honorable Mention - Selphie and available from www.consplayers.com. 12 A Medieval Summer Night in the Heart of Silicon Valley

By Jean P. Martin Forward to the present, just months later was set in a garden behind the library. Staff Writer after I started learning Italian Renaissance It was quite a magical setting as we were dances, I found out about an SCA demo at surrounded by trees and bushes and behind I heard of the Society for Creative the Palo Alto Children’s Library on August the stage was a building with a medieval- Anachronism (SCA) about a year ago 17. Organized by Leonor La Obstinada, looking wooden gate, wrought-iron while I was at a local renaissance faire. As a Seneschal of the Province of Southern balconies and turrets with red pennants. history buff, historical costumer, long-time Shores, the Lord of the Rings fan and former Dungeons demo offered and Dragons player, I was intrigued by the children and concept of a worldwide medieval society that their parents existed parallel to our “real world.” I didn’t a chance hear about it again until in the spring of to see what this year when I began to run into members the SCA is of the SCA who are currently involved, or about and at one time or another, in the organization. gave them a Aside from dressing in Middle Age and slice of what Renaissance garb at events, I found out the life was like SCA holds classes and meetings on a variety in pre-17th of topics such as calligraphy, cooking, c e n t u r y dancing, singing, armored combat and E u r o p e . the like. Cynthia, a dance friend of mine, At least invited me to check out the Wednesday 80 people night dance practices that she frequents. were in Thus began my participation in the SCA’s attendance. Kingdom of the West. The stage 13 Society (BAERS) so I felt was amazing how they were able to move comfortable doing these. much less fight. Sir John did a play-by-play The last three were the more of what was going on as men fought in elegant Italian Renaissance twos and then in fours. Each wore different dances: “Fiamma colored shields, tabards and heraldry. Quite d’Amore,” “Villanella” a spectacle! and “Contrapasso.” With I’m looking to going to a full-scale SCA the music playing in the event in the near future. If their demos background and all of us in are this much fun, their tournaments and costumes, I felt transported feasts must just be awesome! If you’re into another time and place interested in finding out more about the while I was dancing. SCA, the Kingdom of the West and the The festivities started with a performance Next up was the West Kingdom Choir, West Kingdom College of Dance, go to: by our dance group, the West Kingdom directed by Alessandro Cantori. Geoffrey www.sca.org, http://westkingdom.org/ and College of Dance. Led by Geoffrey and and my other dance friend Na’arah were http://westdance.org. By the way, all the Crystal, we presented six dances. The first also in the choir. Among the songs they names used in this article are SCA names… three were lively English Country Dances performed were three rounds: “The Great mine is Francesca. (ECD): “Rufty Tufty,” “Chestnut” and Bells of Osney,” “Hey Ho What Shall I Say” “Cuckolds All in a Row.” Fortunately, and “Three Blind Mice.” They also sang a I’ve been doing ECD for two years now tune composed by Henry the VIII himself with the Bay Area Country Dance Society entitled “Pastime with Good Company.” (BACDS) and the Bay Area English Regency Then came the heavy weights of the evening… the armored fighters! Attired in movie-quality medieval gear, they performed on the lawn as they didn’t want to fall off the stage. With helmets on, the men didn’t have very good peripheral vision. Their armor was also quite heavy. One of the knights said his whole outfit weighed 100 pounds in total! It 14 Concord WaterWars draws Klingons, Federation

By Mike Wilson We had 6 complete Water War battles gun we have used for the last 5 years is not Article courtesy of www.ikvbloodlust.net and each ship would earn points for in great condition. participating and more for wining, plus Now on to the Water War Battles. As Photos courtesy of Mike Wilson and there were points awarded for 1st, 2nd, and usual we setup the battlefield with the Diane Diamond 3rd place in the Kombat Kourse and the River sQral dividing the two sides with More photos of the Glory Days Artillery Competition. only a small bridge to cross the river. Water War VII event available at As in previous years we started the Step into the river and you instantly die www.ikvbloodlust.net Kombat Kourse for those that arrived from the extreme cold temperature. We early. Targets were arranged so that using divided ourselves Klingon and Federation Klingons defeated the outnumbered the CPS 2000 Super Soaker they were just and quickly noted that the Federation was Federation Saturday in Concord at the within range. We had only six targets this vastly out numbered so we had to assign seventh annual Glory Days WaterWars year as 2 targets where not repaired from them some Klingon help. To win you had event between Klingon ships from the last year. We also had to change from the to kill everyone on the opposing team and StarFire Region of the Ring of Fire Fleet CPS 2500 to a CPS 2000 as the original have a least 1 member of your own team and Federation ships from Star Fleet Region Four. This year we welcomed back the USS Augusta Ada and saw the USS Northern Lights for the first time. The Klingon ships were the IKV Black Dragon, IKV Bloodlust, IKV Midnight Dagger, IKV Silent Warrior, and the IKV Sons of Honor. It must be noted that only one member of the IKV Silent Warrior made the trek from Reno, Nevada to Concord and it makes me wonder what happen to the rest of the crew. Just one other note: None of the originally challenged Feddie ships made an appearance this year. 15 still standing - there was some simultaneous Northern Light, IKV Black Dragon each ship. kills. - 3pts for each ship. Federation: USS Augusta Ada, USS The first 3 battles had the Klingon side Northern Light, IKV Bloodlust - winning each time. No matter who helped #2 Klingons: IKV Bloodlust, Black 3pts for each ship. the Federation they lost each and every Dragon - 5pts for each ship. game - this is a new record. The teams we Federation: USS Augusta Ada, USS Each game had the Klingons blowing assigned as follows: Northern Light, IKV Silent Warrior, the Federation apart. IKV Sons of Honor - 3pts for each Notable Kills where KataH using a #1 Klingons: IKV Bloodlust, IKV Silent ship. grenade he was able to kill Moragh in games Warrior, IKV Sons of Honor - 5pts 1 and 3, both hits where in the chest. for each ship. #3 Klingons: IKV Black Dragon, Silent Honorable Deaths: Motat who charged Federation: USS Augusta Ada, USS Warrior, Sons of Honor - 5pts for into the enemy lines in all 3 games and died while doing so. He does this each and every year and always takes out a number of the enemy. It was time to break for lunch as most of us where exhausted. After lunch we opened the Kombat Kourse for those that wanted to try it for the first time or to better their previous score. The next 3 Water War battles, numbers 4,5 and 6, had the Klingons again ‘helping’ the Federation and again it was to no avail. For games 4 and 5 a target Worf was placed in the middle of the bridge and the Klingons had to capture him while the Federation had to rescue him. The objective was to grab Worf and bring him back to your side. As it has happened in the past one team or the other forgets about the object so in both games 4 and 5 it was a very easy victory for the Klingons as the 16 Federation was just not aggressive enough got down to 2 players on and forgot to go after Worf. each side exchanging shots Game 6 was a little different. Seeing and this went on for some that this was going to be the last game time. So it was decided that we changed the rules. Still in effect was they each had one life left if you are killed you must exit the game and to end the game quickly. however if you still had water in your gun The Klingons did just that or grenades to through you can return as and had the sole survivor. a reinforcement. Once you are killed and Results: out of water then you must leave the game. The Federation tried to use the strategy #4 Klingons: IKV of conserving their water and making the Bloodlust, IKV Klingons waste their by killing the Feddies Midnight Dagger, over and over again, it almost worked. It IKV Silent Warrior - 5pts for each ship. Crew of the IKV Black Dragon Federation: USS Bloodlust, IKV Midnight Dagger, Augusta Ada, USS Northern IKV Silent Warrior - 5pts for each Light, IKV Black Dragon, IKV ship. Sons of Honor - 3pts for each Federation: USS Augusta Ada, USS ship. Northern Light, IKV Black Dragon, IKV Sons of Honor - 3pts for each #5 Klingons: IKV ship. Bloodlust, IKV Midnight Dagger,- 5pts for each ship. After Battle #6, the Artillery Federation: USS Competition was setup. Teams of three had Augusta Ada, USS Northern three water balloons to hit the target. The Light, IKV Black Dragon, IKV target was a Borg ship some 100 feet away. Sons of Honor, IKV Silent It would be easy to overshoot the target so Warrior - 3pts for each ship. you had to be careful. Many teams tried and some teams alternated their personnel Crew of the USS Northern Lights #6 Klingons: IKV between shots while others traded members 17 to form new teams as the competition when Vennemeyer (IKV Bloodlust) and on. Teams could be a mix of any ship and Karen Katich (IKV Midnight each member of the team earning an equal Dagger), with a distance score of 3’ set of points 11”. (3pts total for each ship) After the Artillery Competition we resumed the Kombat Kourse for those that 3rd Place: Place: USS Northern Lights were interested. - They did not give their individual Battle and Competition results: names, with a distance of 6’ 9”. (1pt Ship scores from the Water War total for the ship) Battles: IKV Black Dragon: 22pts. As of 7 years of the Artillery IKV Bloodlust: 28pts. Competition, not one team has hit the IKV Midnight Dagger:15pts. Borg Cube. There is always next year. IKV Silent Warrior: 26pts. Ship scores from the Artillery IKV Sons of Honor: 22pts. Competition:

Crew of the IKV Silent Warrior USS Augusta Ada 18pts. USS Northern Lights: 18pts.

Artillery Competition:

1st Place: Mike Wilson (IKV Bloodlust), Mitchell Johnson (IKV Midnight Dagger), and Pete Briggs (IKV Black Dragon) with a distance score of 3’ 10”. (5pts total for each ship) - Note: This team has now won this competition 2 years in a row.

2nd Place: Mike Wilson and Mark Crew of the IKV Midnight Dagger Crew of the USS Agusta Ada 18 IKV Black Dragon: 5pts. IKV Bloodlust: 8pts. 2nd Place: A four way IKV Midnight Dagger: 8pts. tie! Mark Vennemeyer IKV Silent Warrior: 0pts and Gene Paxton (IKV IKV Sons of Honor: 0pts. Bloodlust), Rachel USS Augusta Ada 0pts. Tumey (IKV SIlent USS Northern Lights: 1pt. Warrior) and Celeste Miller (USS Northern Kombat Kourse: Lights), with a score of 5 Note: This year course was rather easy (1 pt total for each ship) so the scores were very close. 3rd Place: Pete Briggs 1st Place: Richard Mathis (IKV (IKV Black Dagger) Bloodlust) with a score of 6. Perfect and Rachel Tumey (IKV Score! (5pts total for the ship) Silent Warrior), with a score of 4 (.5 Crew of the IKV Sons of Honor pts total for the ship) USS Northern Lights: 1pt. Ship scores from the Kombat Kourse: GRAND TOTALS: IKV Black 1st Place: IKV Bloodlust with 42 pts - Dragon: .5pts. Two years in a row! IKV Bloodlust: 2nd Place: IKV Black Dagger and IKV 6pts. Silent Warrior both with 27.5 pts IKV Midnight 3rd Place: IKV Midnight Dagger with Dagger: 0pts. 23 pts IKV Silent 4th Place: IKV Sons of Honor with 22 Warrior: 1.5pts. pts IKV Sons of 5th Place: USS Northern Lights with 19 Honor: 0pts. pts USS Augusta 6th Place: USS Augusta Ada with 18 Ada 0 pts. Crew of the IKV Bloodlust pts 19 BASFA Minutes: meeting 787

Meeting 787 Announcements: Oxford was cool, Stratford was wet & he Carole announced that there is a doesn’t know if it was worth full price yet Aug 22, 2005 Silicon programming meeting this Saturday because he hasn’t gotten his credit card bills & if anyone wants to submit panel ideas yet. Trey Haddad, President to go to the Silicon website & use their There were many driving in Britain Nathan Slerm-r & Chris Garcia, Vice- suggestion form. follow-ons. President Pam announced there are Silicon Andy reviewed Worldcon as jet-lag Dave Gallaher, Treasurer flyers on the back table, so take one. bites, Nemo in 2011, thank you Mark Galen Tripp, Sargent at Arms Dave C. announced there is an Olson, mediocre food, that Costco in Barbara Johnson-Haddad, Secretary Ultraman movie series 2 nights in SF & to Scotland is more confusing than in the check KFJC.org for more info. Then Mike US, that crisps are weird food, the parties Began at 8:01 p.m. suggested there might be free were okay, the Swedes & Aussies had good tickets there, too. parties, he thinks he went to panels, he 22 people attended. Nathan announced that there’s a skipped the Hugos but the Hugo losers super toy show at the Santa Clara party was good; that the Russians ran out of Secretary’s report: the minutes of fairgrounds this Saturday. vodka and the Finns gave them more; that meeting 786 were accepted as ‘interthingy’ Kevin announced that the North he slept on Monday & the Dead Dog party & a motion to re-accept the minutes of American premiere of ‘Ready, Steady, Sew’ was great; then there were various follow- meeting 784.5 failed. will be at this year’s Silicon. ons. Treasurer’s report was that last week Mike announced there is a Legion of We auctioned off stuff: a kit for we took in $9.60 Rasselon meeting this Friday. $3.50, a game demo & magazine for VP reports: pre-eminent VP Chris Reviews: $0.25, 2 books on CD & booklet on CD was AWOL & Nathan reported that he has Kevin reviewed the photo’s of himself for $1.50, 2 books for $0.50 & a 3 boxes of party gear that need a new home in uniform as ‘the subject’s no Venus’. book for $1.25. because he’s moving on Dave G reviewed travel in Britain as We adjourned at 9:28 p.m. Saturday. ‘we toured’. He drove more than Spring, The President commented that he they went to Weymouth & stayed in a new And the rumor of the week was that had fun at the Further Confusion picnic place, only 150 years old, went to Brighton Chris Garcia is now on his own last Saturday. & saw Dr Who, went to a lot of old places, enemy’s list.

20 The Bay Area Fannish Calendar

While some effort (OK, OK, damn Hosts a weekly game night. For club Muddy’s Coffeehouse little effort) is made to verify event and game night details send email to: 1304 Valencia Street near 24th listings, please check on events before [email protected]. (Not confirmed, check San Francisco attending as events are sometimes before attending.) 7:00 p.m. to midnight cancelled or times and locations Free changed. Friday, August 26 SF Games is a collective name for a Anime Style Drawing and Animation bunch of people who get together and New listings are in red. Techniques play board games and card games every Frank Bette Center for the Arts week. Also has a cards night on Tuesdays at Now through Sept. 11 www.frankbettecenter.org/ Café Macondo, 3159 16th Street between Wicked 1601 Paru Street Guerrero and Valencia. www.bestofbroadway-sf.com/goldengate Alameda, CA 94501 Golden Gate Theatre 510-523-6957 Wednesday – Thursday, August 24-25 1 Taylor St. 4 p.m – 6 p.m. Barbarella San Francisco $10 teens per session Red Vic Movie House $35-$85 $35 adults per session 1727 Haight Street Broadway production based on the Professional illustrator and fine artist San Francisco novel by Gregory Maguire. Ken McGhee helps participants develop From the Red Vic website: See website for schedule. the skills they need to draw characters, Who can save the universe? Cosmically- taking the class on a journey through the clad Barbarella can! In this kinky tale of a Wednesday, August 24 process and techniques of manga. Drop-in comic book style heroine of the future, she Bay Area Role-Playing Society class, all skill levels welcome. (not verified, finds herself caught up in all kinds of space- www.BayRPS.com check before attending) age adventures - sexual and otherwise; a Go-Getter’s Pizza camp classic. 1489 Beach Park Boulevard Friday, August 26 Foster City SF Games 6pm to 10pm vax.hanford.org/dk/games More Events Next Page 21 Friday-Saturday, August 26-27 Please note: the date is corrected from Saturday, August 27 - Sunday, August 28 Ultraman Festival earlier calendars. San Francisco Ren Faire Castro Theater Join the yahoo group at legion_of_ www.sffaire.com www.bayareafilmevents.com rassilon for more information. Speedway Meadow Put on by the folks who did the Godzilla Golden Gate Park Festival earlier this year. There will be deal- Friday, August 26 San Francisco, CA ers upstairs, a live Ultraman Stunt Show on Raiders of the Lost Ark 10am-6pm Saturday Saturday, prize drawings, and lots of Ultra- www.cameracinemas.com 10am-5pm Sunday man on the screen. Camera 7 Pruneyard $15.00 For adults 1875 S. Bascom Avenue $10.00 for seniors, military, and ages 13- Friday, August 26 Campbell 17 Sci-Fi / Fantasy Book Group Midnight $5.00 for children 6-12 Barnes & Noble $7 under six free. Weberstown Mall The account of Queens Jane Gray and 4950 Pacific Avenue, Space 319 Saturday, August 27 Mary Tudor, and of the young Princess Stockton Toy Show Elizabeth, of the struggle for power, for the 209-472-1885 Santa Clara County Fairgrounds crown and for the heritage of religion is one 6:30 p.m. 344 Tully Road of the most fascinating periods of English Free San Jose history. The story is so captivating that it Early Bird 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. bears telling… Friday, August 26 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. On August 27th and 28th in Golden Legion of Rassilon Admission: $5.00 Gate Park this chapter of history will Doctor Who fan group Kids Under 12: $2.50 come to life as premier courts and guilds Carl’s Junior Early Bird: $15.00 of California will assemble to re-create this 2551 N. First Street period of English history and lives and San Jose times of Jane, Mary and Elizabeth. 7:30 p.m. Lose yourself in the world of Renaissance Free Europe. Come and experience the best of Showing episodes of the new Dr. Who live theater and shows aplenty; jousting, series, news, discussion of recent movies singing, dancing, storytelling, comedy acts, and a raffle. feasts, merchants and re-creations of sword This week is episodes nine and ten. fighting, and battles. 22 Saturday, August 27 Saturday, August 27 torious “Shock Boxes” - devilishly renovated Beefbowl Anime Showing USS Augusta Ada Meeting - in which audience members will actually Albany Library Community Center Starfleet Chapter feel the effects of bizarre mind control, rat 1247 Marin Ave. trek.starshine.org catcher’s poisonous gas and Blood Bucket Albany Round Table Pizza Ballyhoo’s electro-magnetic lights-out finale! www.beefbowl.org 5160 Geary Blvd (Patrons who book these private “Shock Box” Free San Francisco seats for two are advised to bring someone 12:15 ish -4:15 ish Free they enjoy clutching in terror.)” Scheduled shows: 1 p.m. If anybody goes to see this, I’d love a Rurouni Kenshin : TV # 46 review. R.O.D : TV # 22 Saturday, August 27 One Piece : TV # 31 Blood Bucket Ballyhoo Saturday, August 27 Naruto : TV # 32 www.hypnodrome.com Raiders of the Lost Ark Prince Of Tennis : TV # 32 At The Hypnodrome www.cameracinemas.com Hikaru No Go : TV # 32 575 10th Street, SF Camera 12 Yakitate Japan : TV # 7 “A Grand Guignol tripple terror stage 201 South Second Street Project D : TV # 9 show” San Jose Fafner In The Azure : TV # 4 8 p.m. Midnight While this group revels in a bad-boy Tickets $18-$69 $7 reputation, the showings I've attended have Held over for six more performances, been much the same as those of any other each Saturday at 8 p.m. through Sept. 24. Saturday, August 27 group. The only downside is the regulars From their website: Rocky Horror Picture Show sometimes talk about computers in the back “The world’s only Grand Guignol www.picturepubpizza.com while the anime is being shown. triple terror stage show is back! Following Parkway Speakeasy Theater the spectacular success of last fall’s wildly 1834 Park Blvd. popular Welcome to the Hypnodrome (a Oakland Halloween treat held over till Christmas!) $6 Thrillpeddlers, veteran purveyors of per- Midnight verse stage shenanigans, return with an even Barely Legal Productions presents the more elaborate evening of hospitable horror classic midnight movie every Saturday - Blood Bucket Ballyhoo! night. No one under 17 admitted. Also returning are the Hypnodrome’s no- More Events Next Page 23 Monday Aug. 29 Tickets: $15.00 in advance (by August 27) with elegance, grace and confidence in no Bay Area Science Fiction Association At the door: $20.00 time! The Original Hick’ry Pit Advance tickets may be ordered by 17th century costume (any class) is 980 E. Campbell Ave. sending a check or money order to: admired, but not required, at the ball. Yes, Campbell PEERS most of your Renaissance Faire garb would 8 p.m. 2144 B Buena Vista Ave also be perfectly appropriate for the ball, Free Alameda CA 94501 and generic swashbuckler costume, peasant www.basfa.org. You may also purchase tickets until attire, or modern evening dress is just fine August 27 with a credit card using the (Please note that there is no dress code for Friday-Monday, September 2-5 PayPal system. the ball). ConquestSF From their website: Entertainment includes displays of SF Airport Marriott It’s One for All and All for One at this Baroque courtly and country dance and 1800 Old Bayshore Hwy. swashbuckling early 17th century ball set at there will indeed be a no host (cash) bar as Burlingame the Musketeers’ favorite inn, Le Cerf Agile. well as a light snack buffet. Your potluck www.conquestsf.com Bangers & Mash - the Bay Area’s premiere contributions to the buffet will, as usual, be $40 before Aug. 20 country dance band - plays elegant and welcomed at the kitchen. Gaming convention. ConQuest features dashing English and French country dances Gorgeous Baroque music and dancing, many different kinds of games, including and a number of gorgeous, if anachronistic, beautiful waltzes, swordplay, tight bodices, miniatures games, role playing games waltzes. and a great bar - what mortal could ask for (RPGs), board games, collectible card Don’t know anything about 17th more? games (CCGs), and live action role playing century dance? Never fear. All set and games (LARPs). country dances will be briefly taught or Saturday, September 3 called at the ball, and there will be a pre- Blood Bucket Ballyhoo Saturday, September 3 ball dance class starting at 630 p.m. with www.hypnodrome.com The Three Musketeers Ball Mr. Alan Winston, dance master of the Bay At The Hypnodrome A 17th Century Tavern Dance Area English Regency Society and a popular 575 10th Street, SF PEERS Event caller with the Bay Area English Country “A Grand Guignol tripple terror stage www.peers.org Dance Society. At the pre-ball class, Mr. show” Masonic Lodge of San Mateo Winston will teach the basic footwork and 8 p.m. Doors Open: 6:15 p.m. patterns of early English Country Dance Tickets $18-$69 Dance Lesson: 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. along with several of the dances on the Held over for six more performances, Dancing begins: 8:00 p.m. program. You’ll be dancing these dances each Saturday at 8 p.m. through Sept. 24. 24 Sunday, September 4 September 7- September 18 Friday, September 9 Sacramento Comic Book Show The Werewolf USS Northern Lights Meeting Scottish Rite Center San Francisco Fringe Theater Festival Starfleet Chapter 6151 H. Street EXIT Theater www.ussnorthernlights.org Sacramento 156 Eddy Street Great Mall Foot Court 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. $9 Great Mall $5 ($4 with coupon from website) Denis is the last in a long line of Milpitas Comic book convention with anime intelligent wolves living unnoticed in Free viewing room, dealers, cosplay contest at 2 woods north of Paris. But when he is 7 p.m. p.m. For a report on the February show, see bitten by a werewolf he wakes on the day Don’t Shake Me at www.efanzines.com. of the next full moon to find that he has Saturday, September 10 become human. How will he survive the Sonoma County Book Festival Tuesday-Thursday, September 6-8 world of men? Boris Vian’s surreal fairy tale /www.sonomacountybookfair.org/ Howl’s Castle translated and adapted by John Rackham index.html Red Vic Movie House and performed by an international cast. Courthouse Square (Mendocino Ave. 1727 Haight Street Schedule: between Third and Fourth Streets. Take the San Francisco Wednesday, Sept. 7, 7 p.m. downtown exit off of 101 and go under the Miyazaki’s (Spirited Away, My Neighbor Saturday, Sept. 10, 10 p.m. mall.) Totoro) latest movie is based on an English Sunday, Sept. 11, 7 p.m. Santa Rosa fantasy novel by Diana Winn Jones. Friday, Sept 16, 10 p.m. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, 4 p.m. Free Wednesday, September 7 Sunday, Sept. 18, 8:30 p.m. Join Borderlands Books and dozens of Them other vendors in Santa Rosa’s Courthouse Panic in the Year Zero Friday- Saturday, September 9-10 Square for this sixth annual celebration of www.castrotheater.com Brazil the literary arts. There will be author ap- Castro Theater Red Vic Movie House pearances, panels, readings, special events for 429 Castro Street 1727 Haight Street kids, and much, much more! (Note: this is San Francisco San Francisco a general book festival, not genre specific) Double feature as part of the cold war film series.

More Events Next Page 25 September 10 – Oct 16 Saturday, September 10 Sunday, September 11 (Saturdays and Sundays) Michael Blumlein appearance Terry Pratchett appearance Northern California Ren Faire Cover to Cover Kepler’s Books http://www.norcalrenfaire.org 307 Castro Street 1010 El Camino Real Pacheco Pass Highway San Francisco Menlo Park Hollister 7 p.m. Noon 10 am. to 6 p.m. Free Free $15 in advance Signing by local author Michael $20 at gate Blumlein (The Healer). Sunday, September 11 Robin Hobb appearance Saturday, September 10 Saturday, September 10 Borderlands Books Bard of The Mists Competition Blood Bucket Ballyhoo www.borderlands-books.com Society for Creative Anachronism Event www.hypnodrome.com 866 Valencia St. santiagosmagic.com/bardic/ At The Hypnodrome San Francisco Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto 575 10th Street, SF 3 p.m. 505 East Charleston Road “A Grand Guignol tripple terror stage show” Free Palo Alto 8 p.m. From the Borderlands newsletter: 11 a.m. – 9:30 Tickets $18-$69 Borderlands is delighted to welcome the $15 Held over for six more performances, prolific and talented Robin Hobb, author of Feast plus a multi-round competition to each Saturday at 8 p.m. through Sept. 24. the beloved Farseer books. Shaman’s Crossing determine successor as Bard of The Mists. is the first in a brand-new series, The Soldier Only 100 seats available. Sunday, September 11 Son Trilogy. Haman’s Crossing is dedicated Shire of Teufelberg Anniversary Tournament “To Caffeine and Sugar - my companions Saturday, September 10 SCA Event through many a long night of writing.” No Name Anime Showing www.phmoms.com/shiretourney We know you’re going to love Robin Hobb! Saratoga Library Camp Hermes Check out her thoroughly entertaining web- 13650 Saratoga Ave. El Cerrito site here: ( http://www.robinhobb.com/) Saratoga 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. or so $6 - $9 Free Fighter tournament, target archery (loaner gear available), javelyn throw, games, more. Potluck lunch at 1 p.m. More Events Next Page 26 Sunday, September 11 Tuesday, September 13 Showing as part of the Heavey Metal Gay Men's Science Fiction Book Club Sci-Fi Book Club Book Group Cinema: Rock, Shock and Schlock pro- Borderlands Books Barnes & Noble gram. www.borderlands-books.com 3501 McHenry Avenue, Suite E I guess this covers the Schlock portion of 866 Valencia St. Modesto the program. San Francisco 209-521-1118 5 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Thursday, September 15, 2005 Free Free Sci-Fi & Fantasy Book Group This month’s book is Inversions by Ian Barnes & Noble M. Banks. Wednesday, September 14 Creekside Town Center Please contact the group leader, Christo- Michael Blumlein appearance 1256 Galleria Boulevard pher Rodriguez, at [email protected], UC Bookstore Roseville for more information. 500 Parnassus 916-788-4320 San Francisco 7:00 p.m. Sunday, September 11 Noon Free Speculative Fiction Book Club Free Kepler’s Books Local author Michael Blumlein (The September 16-18 1010 El Camino Real Healer) signing. Principality of the Mists Fall Coronet Menlo Park Society for Creative Anachronism Event 7 p.m. Wednesday, September 14 mists.westkingdom.org/2005FallCoronet. Free Rock and Roll Nightmare html#party This month’s book is Solaris by Stanislaw www.ybca.org 22855 Moscow Road Lem. Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Duncan Mills 700 Howard Street Noon Friday to 4 p.m. Sunday September 13-14 San Francisco $12-$15 Spirited Away $8 Tourney to determine successor for Red Vic Movie House 7:30 p.m. the Principality of the Mists. Camping 1727 Haight Street I have no idea why anyone would want event along the Russian River. Equestrian San Francisco to see this movie, but wannabe Heavy Metal demonstration Saturday morning, arts and God Thor battles Satan in this very low sciences competitions, archery and hurley budget horror movie, thus qualifying it as allowed, war practice Sunday, Russian- speculative fiction. theme party. 27 Saturday, September 17 Saturday, September 17 Sunday, September 18 Pokemon Rocks America David Morell appearance Science Fiction Book Club www.pokemon.com Borderlands Books Borderlands Books San Jose McEnery Convention Center www.borderlands-books.com www.borderlands-books.com 150 San Carlos St. 866 Valencia St. 866 Valencia St. San Jose San Francisco San Francisco Free 3 p.m. 6 p.m. Free Free Saturday, September 17 Signing in support of his new novel This month’s book is Red Shift edited Brian Keene appearance Creepers. by Al Sarantonio. Please contact Jude at Phil Nutman appearance [email protected] for more Borderlands Books Saturday, September 17 information. www.borderlands-books.com Manga Otaku Book Group (Graphic Novel) 866 Valencia St. Barnes & Noble Booksellers Sunday, September 18 San Francisco Weberstown Mall Bad Movie Night: Sheena 4 p.m. 4950 Pacific Avenue, Space 319 The Dark Room Theatre Free Stockton 2263 Mission St. From the Borderlands newsletter: 209-472-1885 San Francisco We’re pleased to welcome Brian and Phil 6 p.m. Between 19th and 18th streets, between for a zombie double-header! Brian Keene Free the pawn shop and the (City of the Dead, Terminal) is the charismatic laundromat author of THE RISING, and many, many Saturday, September 17 415-401-7987 forthcoming books. Philip Nutman (Wet Blood Bucket Ballyhoo www.darkroomsf.com Work) is a novelist, short story writer, comic www.hypnodrome.com 8 p.m. book scriptwriter, and screenwriter. Join us At The Hypnodrome $5 for a whole afternoon of the living dead! 575 10th Street, SF Note: this replaces the previously “A Grand Guignol tripple terror stage announced showing of Battlefield Earth. show” With Patrick Simms, Stoo Odom and 8 p.m. Jim Fourniadis. Pirate cat radio night. Tickets $18-$69 From their website: Held over for six more performances, each Saturday at 8 p.m. through Sept. 24. More Events Next Page 28 We’ve taken all the guess work out of the Denis is the last in a long line of Saturday, September 24 age ole question, “Will this movie suck?” intelligent wolves living unnoticed in USS Augusta Ada Meeting It will suck. woods north of Paris. But when he is Starfleet Chapter And we’ll have a slew of hosts to point bitten by a werewolf he wakes on the day trek.starshine.org that out. Every Sunday for a measly 5$ of the next full moon to find that he has Round Table Pizza you can put your feet up, enjoy a crummy become human. How will he survive the 5160 Geary Blvd movie, scarf down popcorn, listen to the world of men? Boris Vian’s surreal fairy tale San Francisco hilarious ravings of our special guests and translated and adapted by John Rackham Free yes, you too can yell at the movie screen. and performed by an international cast. 1 p.m. We will have rotating hosts chosen from the brilliant comedic flock Thursday, September 22 Saturday, September 24 of freaks circling our fair city. Guaranteed Terry Pratchett Reading Blood Bucket Ballyhoo bad movies. Byob. Free Park Branch Library www.hypnodrome.com popcorn. Feet on the furniture. What more 1833 Page Street At The Hypnodrome could you ask for of a San Francisco 575 10th Street, SF Sunday night. We promise to have you in Booksmith-sponsored event “A Grand Guignol tripple terror stage bed by 11pm. 7 p.m. show” Pratchett will read from his new 8 p.m. Wednesday, September 21 Discworld novel Thud. Tickets $18-$69 Terry Pratchett appearance Held over for six more performances, Cody’s Friday, September 23 each Saturday at 8 p.m. through Sept. 24. 2454 Telegraph Avenue Legion of Rassilon Berkeley CA, US, Doctor Who fan group Tuesday, September 27 7:30 p.m. Carl’s Junior Japanimation Book Group (Graphic Novel) Free 2551 N. First Street Barnes & Noble Booksellers Diskworld creator Terry Pratchett San Jose 6111 Sunrise Blvd. (Thud) signing. 7:30 p.m. Citrus Heights Free 916-853-1511 September 22 - September 24 Showing episodes of the new Dr. Who 7 p.m. The Werewolf series, news, discussion of recent movies Free The Dark Room Theater and a raffle. 8 p.m. More Events Next Page 29 Tuesday, September 27 Friday, September 30 September 30, October 1-2 Mr. Cleaver Sci-Fi / Fantasy Book Group Crown Tournament www.picturepubpizza.com Barnes & Noble Booksellers Westkingdom.org/calendar/ Parkway Speakeasy Theater Weberstown Mall OctCrown2005.php 1834 Park Blvd. 4950 Pacific Avenue, Space 319 Sonoma-Marin County Fairgrounds Oakland Stockton Petaluma $5 209-472-1885 Noon Friday – 4 p.m. Sunday Slasher movie made by local slasher 6:30 p.m. $12-$15 fans. Free Tourney to determine successor for the Kingdom of the West. Wednesday, September 28 Friday, September 30 Neil Gaiman appearance Neil Gaiman appearance September 30-October 5 Kepler’s Books First Congregational Church Mirrormask 1010 El Camino Real Berkeley www.calfilm.org Menlo Park 7 p.m. Rafael Film Center 7:30 p.m. (hosted by Cody’s Books; ticketed event) 1118 Fourth Street Free Neil Gaiman (Anansi Boys) reads and San Rafael At this event, Gaiman will sign as many signs. 415-454-1222 copies of Anansi Boys as are purchased and From the Cody’s Books website: $9.25 up to two other items per customer. Tickets are required; they’ll be available Limited engagement run of the new beginning September 20 with the purchase movie by Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean. Thursday, September 29 of Anansi Boys at any Cody’s location Michael Chabon and Neil Gaiman in (Berkeley and San Francisco). Saturday, October 1 Conversation Ellen Steiber reading and signing Book Passage The Other Change of Hobbit 51 Tamal Vista Blvd. 2020 Shattuck Ave. Corte Madera Berkeley 7 p.m. 5 p.m. Free Free The author will read from and sign her first adult fantasy novel A Rumor of Gems.

More Events Next Page 30 Saturday, October 1 the House of Elrond in Rivendell, whether October 11 Terry Pratchett appearance you like food or story-telling or singing or Sci-Fi Book Club The Booksmith a pleasant mixture of them all. The evening Barnes & Noble Booksellers 1644 Haight Street will be filled with the faint scent of trees 3501 McHenry Avenue, Suite E San Francisco and flowers, as if summer still lingers in Modesto 7 p.m. Elrond’s gardens. . GBACG members may 209-521-1118 Free purchase tickets Aug. 12-31. Tickets go on 7 p.m. Terry Pratchett (Thud) reads and signs. sale to the General Public September 1. Free

Tuesday, October 4 October 8 Thursday, October 13 Stanford Newtype Anime Club 5th Annual Metreon Festival of Anime Thrillville’s Horror Host Palooza 2005! www.stanford.edu/group/newtype Metreon Dracula vs. Frankenstein Loction TBD 101 4th Street Astro Zombies Palo Alto San Francisco www.picturepubpizza.com 8 p.m. 11 a.m. - Parkway Speakeasy Theater Free Free or ? 1834 Park Blvd. This is usually a small, but nice event. Oakland October 7-9 The price is free since most of it is held in $10 Silicon 2005 the public areas of the Metreon, but if you 7:30 p.m. www.siliconventions.com want to watch the anime being shown or be Will the Thrill and Tiki Gossess Monica Doubletree Hotel eligible for a prize in the costume contest, present a double feature of Dracula vs. San Jose you have to buy a membership. Frankenstein and Astro Zombies with live A small general science fiction conven- theremin by Robert Silverman, and guest tion. Anime track, dealers room, programing Sunday, October 9 appearances by horror hosts John Stanley, track. Speculative Fiction Book Club Doctor Goulfinger, Mr. Lobo, Ms. Monster, Kepler’s Books Rock ‘n’ Roll Ray and Son of Ghoul. Saturday, October 8 1010 El Camino Real Lord of the Rings Feast Menlo Park Greater Bay Area Costumers Guild Event 7 p.m. GBACG $39.50 Free Non-members $44.50 This month’s book is Alphabet of Thorn Sequoia Lodge, Oakland Hills. Come to by Patricia McKillip. More Events Next Page 31 Saturday, October 15 Wednesday, October 19 science fiction and cult films also considered Manga Otaku Book Group Gregory Maguire appearance if they have horror elements. Films may Barnes & Noble Booksellers Books Inc. include nudity, gore and violence “and, Weberstown Mall 2275 Market Street please, lots of it.” 4950 Pacific Avenue, Space 319 San Francisco The showing will be hosted by Shannon Stockton 7:30 p.m. Lark and her Zombie Dancing Girls. 209-472-1885 Free 6 p.m. Greogry Maguire, the best selling author October 20-26 Free of Wicked, will introduce his new book, Son Zombie Honeymoon of a Witch. Red Vic Movie House Sunday, October 16 1727 Haight Street Science Fiction Book Club October 20 San Francisco Borderlands Books Sci-Fi & Fantasy Book Group San Francisco premiere of this zombie www.borderlands-books.com Barnes & Noble Booksellers movie. 866 Valencia St. Creekside Town Center San Francisco 1256 Galleria Boulevard October 21 6 p.m. Roseville Futurist Salon Book Group Free 916-788-4320 Barnes & Noble Booksellers This month’s book is Bloodsucking Fiends 7 p.m. Hillsdale Shopping Center by Christopher Moore. Free 11 West Hillsdale Blvd. San Mateo Tuesday, October 18 October 20 650-341-5560 Nightmare in Blood The Chainsaw Mafia 2005 Indie Horror Film 7:30 p.m. www.picturepubpizza.com Festival Free Parkway Speakeasy Theater www.picturepubpizza.com 1834 Park Blvd. www.thechainsawmafia.com October 21 Oakland Parkway Speakeasy Theater Chris Ware appearance $5 1834 Park Blvd. The Booksmith 9:15 p.m. Oakland 1644 Haight Street Director and local horror host legend $6 San Francisco John Stanley will appear at this showing The Chainsaw Mafia is now acceepting Time: TBD of a locally-filmed but rarely seen vampire entries for this festival of short horror films, Free movie. 32 October 22 Tuesday, October 25 science writer for The New York Times. Chris Ware signing Night of the Comet Her work has also appeared in Audubon, Kepler’s Books www.picturepubpizza.com Discover, Life, and The New Yorker. 1010 El Camino Real Parkway Speakeasy Theater Menlo Park 1834 Park Blvd. October 25 5 p.m. Oakland Japanimation Book Group (Graphic Novel) Free Free Barnes & Noble Booksellers 9:15 p.m. 6111 Sunrise Blvd. October 22 No that’s not a typo, this is showing as Citrus Heights Flashlight Tour part of their audience appreciation nights. 916-853-1511 Winchester Mystery House 7 p.m. www.winchestermysteryhouse.com Tuesday, October 25 Free 525 South Winchester Boulevard The Planets San Jose Dava Sobel lecture October 25 6 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. Mechanic’s Institute Clive Barker appearance $31 Mechanic’s Institute Library The Booksmith 57 Post Street 1644 Haight Street October 22-30 San Francisco San Francisco Monster Movie Marathon 12:30 pm Time: TBD www.castrotheater.com Members free; Public $7 Free Castro Theater 429 Castro Street The best-selling author of Longitude October 26, 2005 San Francisco and Galileo’s Daughter, presents a luminous Robert Jordan appearance From the Castro website: exploration of our solar system. Weaving Cody’s Stockton Street Everybody’s favorites: Frankenstein, the cosmic history with up-to-the-minute 2 Stockton Street Mummy, Wolf Man, Dracula, Night Of science discoveries, Sobel describes the San Francisco The Living Dead spooktacular! and dare planets as objects of beauty, sources of 7:30 p.m. I say, Get HAMMERED at the Castro, legends and myths, inspirations for poems, Free if you know what I mean, scares, frights, paintings and science fiction, and the cause chills and thrills for nine spooky nights. of social revolutions. Dava Sobel is an award-winning former More Events Next Page 33 October 27, 2005 October 28-30 Friday, October 28 R. A. Salvatore appearance Yaoicon 5 R. A. Salvatore Q and A, signing Barnes & Noble Booksellers www.yaoicon.com The Other Change of Hobbit 3600 Stevens Creek Blvd The Westin San Francisco Airport 2020 Shattuck Ave. San Jose 1 Old Bayshore Highway Berkeley 408-984-3495 Millbrae 7 p.m. 7:00 p.m. A celebration of male beauty and Free Free passion in anime and manga. Dealers The author will hold a question and room, programming, cosplay contest, bishi answer session and sign his latest October 27, 2005 auction. Must be 18 years of age or older to forgotten Realms novel Promise of the Robert Jordan appearance attend. Witch-King. Bay Book Co. Strawflower Shopping Center Oct 28, 2005 Friday, October 28 80 F. Cabrillo Hwy. Sci-Fi / Fantasy Book Group Legion of Rassilon Half Moon Bay Barnes & Noble Booksellers Doctor Who fan group 7:00 p.m. Weberstown Mall Carl’s Junior Free 4950 Pacific Avenue, Space 319 2551 N. First Street Stockton, CA 95207 San Jose Tuesday, October 27 209-472-1885 7:30 p.m. Lost Boys 6:30 p.m. Free www.picturepubpizza.com Showing episodes of the new Dr. Who Parkway Speakeasy Theater October 28, 2005 series, news, discussion of recent movies 1834 Park Blvd. Robert Jordan appearance and a raffle. Oakland Barnes & Noble Booksellers $6 3600 Stevens Creek Blvd October 29, 2005 9:15 p.m. San Jose Robert Jordan appearance 408-984-3495 Borders Books & Music Send your reviews, reports and notes 7:00 p.m. 1200 Pacific Ave., Suite 100 about Bay Area fans and fan activities Free Santa Cruz to: 4:00 p.m. Free [email protected]. More Events Next Page 34 October 29 November 4-6 Saturday, November 5 Ghost Train BAScon Le Bal Des Vampires www.roaringcamp.com Embassy Suites PEERS (The Period Events & Roaring Camp 250 Gateway Boulevard Entertainments Re-Creation Society) Felton South San Francisco Event $20 adults Memberships: $70 to 10/31/05 or until www.peers.org $15 Children sold out The Lake Merritt Dance Center Ride to Bear Mountain through a Information: BASCon, P.O. Box 282197, At The Oakland Veterans’ Memorial Hall haunted redwood forest as the Legend of San Francisco, CA 94128-2197 200 Grand Ave., Oakland, CA Sleepy Hollow is portrayed. Reservations Email: [email protected] Waltz the night away in a romantic required. 1-888-25-EVENTS for tickets. The fifth Bay Area Slash Convention. ballroom with the San Francisco Bay Open to those 18 years or older. Area’s most glamorous Undead at the 12th October 29 Dealers’ room, art show, panels, video Annual Le Bal des Vampires. Flashlight Tour show, con suite. The evening will, as usual, feature Winchester Mystery House truly haunting 18th, 19th, and 20th www.winchestermysteryhouse.com November 5 century ballroom dance music by Brazen 525 South Winchester Boulevard AnimeDestiny 2005 Hussey, one of the most exciting dance San Jose www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~animage/animed/ bands around, equally at home playing 6 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. University of California Berkeley classical music, vintage dance music, Celtic $31 Berkeley fusion, Swing, blues and hard rock. While $10 in advance, $15 at the door the program, as usual, has a strong waltz October 31 Members of Cal-Animage Alpha get in bias, the program includes everything Flashlight Tour free. from elegant 18th century country and Winchester Mystery House 9 a.m. – 11 p.m. set dances to Viennese waltzes, polkas and www.winchestermysteryhouse.com The second year for this very fun one- mazurkas, to cool blues fox trot and tango 525 South Winchester Boulevard day convention sponsored by one of the to early Swing and classic Rock at this very San Jose oldest anime clubs in the U.S. eclectic Gathering of Kindred. As usual, all 6 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. Anime track, programming, concert set dances will be taught or called at the $31 by j-rock group Beautiful Losers, cosplay ball. contest, dealers, swap meet. Suggested costume is evening dress or dress uniform from the century and country More Events Next Page of your “rebirth,” or modern evening dress. 35 While there is no dress code for the ball Friday and Saturday, November 11-12 (and we certainly don’t expect Spike to dress Mermaid Meat Saturday – Sunday, November 12-13 up for the occasion!), you will see some of Eugene & Elinor Friend Center for the Robot Fighting League 2005 National the most gorgeously costumed guests of the Arts Championship social season at this ball. Kanbar Hall www.botleague.com The ball’s half-time show will be another Jewish Community Center of San Fran- combots.net/index cutting edge performance by Le Theatre des cisco Herbst Pavilion, Fort Mason Center Vampires, the most feared theater company 3200 California Street San Francisco on the West Coast. Not recommended for San Francisco $20 the faint of heart. Tickets: (415) 29201233, www.jccsf.org/ Noon – 11 p.m. For those wishing to learn or practice arts the dances before the ball, there will be an Group Discounts: (415) 346-7805 November 12-13 optional pre-ball dance workshop (details $25 Creation’s Salute to Sci-Fi TV TBA). Brenda Wong Aoki and Mark Izu present Wyndham San Jose Mermaid Meat: The Secret to Immortality 1350 N. First Street November 7 and other Japanese ghost stories. San Jose Lemony Snicket appearance I can't recommend this highly enough. The Booksmith See my review in issue two of the perfor- November 13 1644 Haight Street mance of Black Hair at the SF Theater Fes- Speculative Fiction Book Club San Francisco tival. In addition to the title story and Black Kepler’s Books Time: TBD Hair, they will also be performing The Bell 1010 El Camino Real Free of Dojoji, Dancing in California and a new Menlo Park work. 7 p.m. November 11 Aoki is a wonderful performer, using Free Charles Burns appearance her voice and acting skills to bring to life This month’s book is Gun With The Booksmith traditional Japanese ghost stories with Izu Occasional Music by Johnathan Lethem. 1644 Haight Street providing musical accompaniment. San Francisco I suspect that Mermaid Meat is based on Time: TBD the same traditional story that Rumiko Taka- Free hashi used as the basis for her Mermaid Forest manga so anime fans might be particularly interested in this show. More Events Next Page 36 November 16 November 20 Free George R. R. Martin Appearance Science Fiction Book Club Mad Science’s Zathura event offers Copperfield’s Books Borderlands Books children a spectacular exploration of space 140 Kentucky St. www.borderlands-books.com science in honor of Chris Van Allsburg’s Petaluma 866 Valencia St. classic book and the November release 7 p.m. San Francisco of the Zathura movie! In this 45-minute Free 6 p.m. event, Mad Science’s specially trained Free instructors will present a host of interactive November 17 This month’s book is Tamsin by Peter demonstrations designed to introduce George R. R. Martin Appearance Beagle. The author will visit. Please contact young spectators to science. Stacy’s Books Jude at [email protected] 581 Market Street for more information. December 10 San Francisco Wintershoppingland 12:30 p.m. Friday, November 25 Hayward Centennial Hall Free Legion of Rassilon 22292 Foothill Blvd. Doctor Who fan group Hayward November 18 Carl’s Junior www.wintershoppingland.com George R. R. Martin Appearance 2551 N. First Street 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Kepler’s Books San Jose $2 (Free 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.) 1010 El Camino Real 7:30 p.m. This is an anime event organized by the Menlo Park Free group that puts on Yaoi Con and Tales of Noon Showing episodes of the new Dr. Who Anime. Costume contest, dealers room, Free series, news, discussion of recent movies programming to be announced. and a raffle. November 18 December 17-18 George R. R. Martin Appearance November 29 Japantown Anime Faire 3 Bay Book Co. A Zathura Science Spectacular with the Mad Japantown Half Moon Bay Scientists San Francisco 7:00 p.m. Kepler’s Books www.jtaf.com Free 1010 El Camino Real 6 p.m. Menlo Park Fun local anime convention with anime More Events Next Page 5 p.m. showings, dealer’s room, costume contest, panels. 37 December 18 February 10-12 2006 This month’s book is Wonderland by Science Fiction Book Club Wondercon Joyce Carol Oates. Please contact Jude at Borderlands Books The Moscone Center [email protected] for more www.borderlands-books.com San Francisco information. 866 Valencia St. Comic book convention with anime, San Francisco summer movie previews, panels, dealers, March 3-5 2006 6 p.m. costume contest, more. Consonace 2006 Free www.consonance.org/ This month’s book is Cat's Cradle February 17-20, 2006 Crowne Plaza Silicon Valley by Kurt Vonegut. Please contact Jude at Dundracon 777 Bellew Drive [email protected] for more San Ramon Marriott Milpitas information. 2600 Bishop Drive Memberships: $35 to 10/31/05, $40 to San Ramon 2/18/06, $45 at door January 15, 2006 www.dundracon.com Filk convention. Guests: Bill & Science Fiction Book Club $? Gretchen Roper, Marty Coady Fabish, Borderlands Books Gaming convention. Puzzlebox, Chris Conway www.borderlands-books.com 866 Valencia St. February 17-20, 2006 Saturday, March 4, 2006 San Francisco PantheaCon The Phantom of the Opera Ball 6 p.m. San Jose Doubletree PEERS Event Free Pagan convention. Workshops, lectures, Masonic Lodge of San Mateo This month’s book is The Stars My Desti- performances, rituals, vendors, drumming, Doors Open: 7:00 p.m. nation by Alfred Bester. Please contact Jude dancing, costume contest. Dance lesson: 7:15 p.m. at [email protected] for Dancing begins: 8:00 p.m. more information. February 19, 2006 Tickets: $15.00 in advance (by February Science Fiction Book Club 28) January 19-23, 2006 Borderlands Books At the door: $20.00 Further Confusion www.borderlands-books.com Don’t let those wild rumors of an Opera San Jose Doubletree 866 Valencia St. Ghost keep you from attending the social www.furtherconfusion.org San Francisco event of the season, the Opera Ball of the $40 6 p.m. Paris Opera Populaire. This is destined to be Furry convention. Free the most spectacular of all our masquerade 38 balls and Management assures you that March 19, 2006 Sunday, April 24, 2006 “Everything is under control.” Science Fiction Book Club 3DB Con Our special guests - Monsieur Frank Borderlands Books www.threedollarbill.com/3DBcon Beau Davis, that American trumpet www.borderlands-books.com Three Dollar Bill Cafe1800 Market Street virtuoso and his brilliant Brassworks Band 866 Valencia St. San Francisco from San Francisco, will play an evening of San Francisco 10:00 AM-10:00 PM opera and ballet tunes arranged for ballroom 6 p.m. $10 dancing and brilliant Viennese Waltzes, Free Game Convention. polkas, mazurkas, schottisches, reels, and This month’s book is Declare by quadrilles. All set dances will be taught or Tim Powers. Please contact Jude at Saturday, May 6, 2006 called and there will a pre-ball dance class to [email protected] for more The Fairy Tale Masquerade Ball help you brush up on your mid-Victorian information. Masonic Lodge of San Mateo dance skills. And, of course, they will play Doors Open: 7:00 p.m. those perennial favorites, “The Congress of April 16, 2006 Dance lesson: 7:15 p.m. Vienna Waltz” and “Sir Roger de Coverley” Science Fiction Book Club Dancing begins: 8:00 p.m. (with a distinctly Wagnerian edge). Borderlands Books Tickets: $15.00 in advance (by April 29, Suggested costume for this gala event is www.borderlands-books.com 2006) Victorian evening or ball dress (circa 1860’s- 866 Valencia St. At the door: $20.00 80’s), period fancy dress, or modern evening San Francisco dress. Masks are strongly suggested. 6 p.m. May 11-14, 2006 The fashionable young gentlemen of the Free World Horror Con 2006 Jockey Club will be pleased to know that This month’s book is Dark Beyond The Gateway Holiday Inn evening’s entertainment includes operatic Stars by local author Frank Robinson. www.whc2006.org and ballet excerpts by the company, Author will visit. Please contact Jude at The world horror con comes to the bay including the premiere of the ballet from [email protected] for more area. the controversial new opera “Sappho,” information. choreographed by the celebrated Mme. Giry for the Peerless Ballet. Refreshments will be served throughout the evening (Since we lack the catering budget of the Paris Opera Populaire, your potluck contributions will be deeply More Events Next Page appreciated). 39 May 21, 2006 August 4-6 2006 San Jose Science Fiction Book Club Anime Overdose 2006 Meets every fourth Friday at 7:30 p.m. Borderlands Books www.animeod.com (No December meeting) www.borderlands-books.com San Francisco Free 866 Valencia St. $30 to ?, $45 at door Showing episodes of the new Dr. Who San Francisco Anime convention. series, news, discussion of recent movies 6 p.m. and a raffle. Free Saturday, September 2, 2006 This month’s book is the graphic novel Captain Morgan’s Privateers (We Ain’t Pirates Bay Area Role-Playing Society Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. No More) Ball www.BayRPS.com Please contact Jude at jfeldman@borderlands- PEERS Event Go-Getter’s Pizza books.com for more information. Masonic Lodge of San Mateo 1489 Beach Park Boulevard Doors Open: 7:00 p.m. Foster City May 26-29 Dance Lesson: 7:15 p.m. Wednesdays from 6pm to 10pm Fanime Con Dancing begins: 8:00 p.m. Hosts a weekly game night. For club San Jose Convention Center Tickets: $15.00 in advance (by August 26, and game night details send email to: San Jose 2006) [email protected]. (Not confirmed, check www.fanime.com Tickets: $20.00 at the door before attending.) Price The largest annual anime convention Ongoing: SF Games in the Bay Area. Dealer's room, panels, Bay Area Science Fiction Association vax.hanford.org/dk/games costume contest, multiple tracks of anime, The Original Hick’ry Pit Muddy’s Coffeehouse Asian films, J-pop concert, much more. 980 E. Campbell Ave. 1304 Valencia Street near 24th Campbell San Francisco May 26-29 Mondays at 8 p.m. 7:00 p.m. to midnight every Friday Baycon Free Free San Jose Doubletree Inn www.basfa.org. SF Games is a collective name for a San Jose bunch of people who get together and play www.baycon.org Legion of Rassilon board games and card games every week. $45 until August 31 Doctor Who fan group The largest annual general SF convention Carl’s Junior in the Bay area. Dealer's room, panels, cos- 2551 N. First Street tume contest, anime room, much more. 40