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Yipe!Volume 2 Issue 10 What a Drag YIPE!

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issue 10: What a drag

p3 Letter from the Editor by Jason Schachat p4 Tiaras, Teeth, and Tips by Kevin Roche p9 Sheriff Don’t Like Itby España Sheriff p13 The Queen and I by Mette Hedin p21 How to Drag by Anti-Kevin ehcoR p25 Letter from the Other Editor by Kevin Roche The Costume Fanzine of Record Yipe! Staff & Contributors

Jason Schachat Kevin Roche Andrew Trembley Editor Editor Photographer

España Sheriff Anti-Kevin ehcoR Mette Hedin Associate Editor Mistake Writer

Photograph credits: Andrew Trembley p4,5, 26 Jason Schachat p7,8,10, 12 Mette Hedin p6, 13-20 Richard Man p11 C Letter from the

SendEditor all complaints to: [email protected]

So, it’s been about a year since I last apologized for not presenting you, our loyal readers, with a Halloween- themed issue.

Oh, you think I’m apologizing now? With all the other atrocities we’ve committed on these pages, failing to been a real drag. stick to a Halloween theme seems pretty mi- nor. You’re not going blind from the back- Hey, look! A segue. ground pattern right now? Good, because I didn’t intend to apologize for that, either. This month has Kevin exploring the intrica- cies of the Imperial Court, España pondering But we are sorry for the tardiness that’s hit the rise of crossplay in fandom, and Mette’s the Yipe! offices of late. A combination of in-depth feature on the inimitable Chika. disease, vacations, work-related stupidity, and costume malfunctions have kept us away We may be late, and it’s drag, but it’s also our from our keyboards whenever deadlines are first issue dedicated to Drag, and that’s no-- near. Oh, you get it.

No, it’s not the booze. We can handle that. Happy Halloween!

So, I do apologize for the lateness of our Jason Schachat postings. We have millions of excuses, but fact is we’re late. Really, really late. And it’s Tiaras, Teeth and Tips C The Imperial Court System: Looking Fabulous while raising money for charity, one dollar bill at a time.

By Kevin Roche, The Sapphire and Steel Leather Emperor Absolute Emperor 34 of the Imperial Royal Lion Monarchy, Inc. of San Jose The roots of the Imperial Court System (also known as the drag court system) can be traced back to the 1965, when Jose Sarria, upon being proclaimed Queen of the Ball at the Beaux Arts Ball, declared “I’ve been a queen all my life; I hereby declare myself Empress of San Francisco!”* GLBT groups in San Francisco and Portland were putting on formal drag balls, the precursors to todays Imperial galas. Over the years the drag courts have evolved into the ICS, an international (North American) network of independent charity groups and 501(c)3 non- profits. For many years the chapters cooperated by means of a gentleman’s agreement on How Things Are Done, which in the mid-1990s was formalized into the Imperial Court Council. As the dizzyingly long the organization in their granted me the lifetime title byline suggests, I have some local community. I was the of “Absolute Emperor 34”. I personal experience in the Emperor of the 34th Reign of still lend a hand a few times Imperial Court. While there the IRLM, San Jose’s chapter a year with IRLM events, are variations in how they are of the Imperial Court (and and attend other events put selected, in most ICS chapters the latest incarnation one on by assorted Imperial and the Emperor and Empress of the longest established Ducal courts in the ICS. The are the titular heads of that chapters in the system); in my Reader can learn more about year’s court, the group which, year we raised around $23,000 the Imperial Court System via in return for the privilege of to donate to local charities. the official ICS website, www. bearing fancy titles, actually My Reign met its fundraising impcourt.org , and the IRLM do the fundraising work for goal, so the IRLM board has has its website at www.irml. webs.com . a distance to attend; this tiaras and crowns in evidence extending networking is one appear capable of pulling in The point of this article, of the linchpins upon which extragalactic transmissions. however, is not to promote the the Court system thrives. The My trademark “Shiny Hat” good works of the ICS, but Balls are the events where is a unique piece of my own to focus on one of its unique the “crowns and gowns” design, of polished machined aspects: Imperial Court appear, and some of the aluminum hinged to open up events offer everyday people an opportunity to dress to the nines – to pull out all the stops and dress up with (literally) glittering formality. Contemporary life offers few chances for most of us to emulate the dress and traditions of the upper class at balls and gala events; most of us were not born with a silver spoon in our mouth. While the wardrobe seen at grandest Imperial events not infrequently resemble opening night at the Opera, even smaller ones tend to sparkle. A lot. Of particular appeal to me is the fact that everyone dresses up, not only the drag queens, so I can indulge my taste for shiny jewelry and rhinestones freely. I also not infrequently get to lend my talents as a vocal entertainer in the shows, a talent I can’t indulge in most Masquerades. Some events are simple revues or drag shows held in bars, but every year includes an assortment of Balls, organized by particular members of the reigning court. Guests from other courts will travel quite flat for transport. Some of crowning of the Monarchs long and grueling, but it also the owners of the rhinestone for the next. Attire for presents a panoply of amazing confections need a separate Coronation can be both ensembles for those awaiting case just for their crowns; more formal and occasionally their moment in the spotlight. mine just slides into my more over the top than any suitcase in its flat packer. other Ball. Much of the Entertainment at Imperial evening consists of protocol, Court events is primarily, Coronation is the grand during which all the visiting but by no means only drag celebration at the end of a courts and other dignitaries performances. Depending Reign’s year; it celebrates the are formally presented on the occasion, they can run work of the Monarchs and (on stage) to the outgoing from simple lip-sync numbers the court members for the Monarchs in front of the to full-on extravaganzas past year, and ends with the audience. Protocol can be featuring elaborate costumes, props and choreography. North America; you can If you have access to a There’s also a place for visit http://www.impcourt. chapter of the Imperial vocalists like me and every org to see if there is one Court, visit their website. kind of cabaret act you might near you. (Interesting bit of Find a chance to put on ever run across. Acts can trivia: most states are either you glad rags, go out to a range from tawdry to elegant, “pageant” states, feeding into fabulous show and do some but at their best they’re all the international Ms Gay good for the community done in a spirit of community Universe competition, or while you’re at it! Maybe and fun. Imperial Court states. Both you’ll even decide you want offer outlets for the same kind to lend a hand. While not every town of talent; few states support boasts a chapter of the ICS, both systems.) they’re spread all across C

by España Sheriff

Crossplay seems to be this issue I am interested in Doctor. The David Tennant more popular than ever, my the costuming community and Peter Davison regener- admittedly limited under- I am more familiar with, ations seem to be the most standing is that it’s especial- and the place where I see popular, with their slim, ly common in anime circles it most often myself; Gal- youthful looks that are often due at least in part to the lifrey One, the Lost Angeles a surprisingly good match large amount of pretty bish- based Doctor Who conven- for a lot of women, but they onen characters. Although, tion. The Torchwood fans are far from the only ones of course there’s seems to be in particular seem to have, represented. a whole lot of cross-dressing ahem, embraced it enthu- within the stories them- siastically as both a simple The ‘femme’ Doctors are selves, so there are levels costuming exercise and a a popular trend of fairly within levels to be explored way to explore the show’s, recent coinage as well, not there which I shan’t get into and sometimes their own, simply crossplay but adap- right now. I am on a dead- gender and sexuality. But tations of the iconic out- line after all. in addition there are also a fits in female designs. Not lot women crossplaying the counting the pink version of But for the purposes of Tom Baker’s costume that Leela Ward wore on the ac- fan and first-time Gally at- transvestite is that he is gay, tual show, Johanna Mead’s tendee who had probably although that is most often pinstripe Tennant outfit never quite thought of the not the case. But beyond from 2006 seems to be the Doctor that way before. that a large part of the issue first of the Femme!Doctor appears to be about camp; costuming lineage and it The reverse, however is not even if the crossplayer is has caught on like wildfire. true at all. At least at the actually gay and therefore Last year there were a host conventions I attend, male not worried about being of variations of practically to female crossplay is prac- misidentified as such, or is all the regenerations in- tically non-existent. Girls straight but comfortable cluding a very memorable can butch it up and retain enough with his sexuality version of Colin Baker’s their femininity and even not to be particularly both- Technicolor monstrosity enhance their sex appeal to ered by the assumption, the done as a pretty fantastic both men and women alike, act of dressing as a woman 18th Century gown, as well whereas the reverse seems is almost exclusively done as an absolutely adorable to be a far more complex for laughs or absurdity. Peter Davison outfit which undertaking. Certainly the Such is the society we live greatly impressed my room- commonly held assump- in. mate, a longtime Davison tion when seeing a male crossdresser, drag queen or I am hardly expert enough seem particularly odd, does it? And then there’s the rock and roll lovelies, from the gender-bending glam crowd to the butch-as-you- like heavy metal bands, peacocks the lot of them. I know I wasn’t the only one who thought James Purefoy looked his best in HBO’s Rome when they decked him out in Egyptian garb and kohl eyeliner. Now, I certainly under- stand that the way a great many female characters are portrayed in anime and comics, crossplaying them is difficult at best unless the sexuality is the whole point. To be honest simply cosplaying them at all can be problematic. A lot of fe- male characters in these and other subgenres are overly sexualized to a degree that I will surely have a chance to complain about in some other column. But that brings me back to Doctor Who, for the most part the companions outfits over the tears have been to explore all the doubt- makeup and some more simply street clothes of one less fascinating and almost imaginative colors can do type or another and not certainly depressing reasons wonders. Don’t believe me? what you would call over the for this double-standard, Well, historically men of all top, certainly no more so but I will say it’s a shame. cultures have worn makeup, than several of the Doctor’s And I’ll tell you why; for wigs and bright fashions ensembles. Rose, Martha, starters there are many guys without their bits falling off, Amy, Donna, Ace and sev- who look simply amazing and when we see paintings eral others have all worn a femme’d up a bit, a little or period movies it doesn’t easy to recognize outfits that are simply jeans and a t-shirt with optional jacket, so why have I never seen a hot blonde guy in a Union Jack tee? For that matter many of them would be easy enough to … uh, well ‘butch’ up would be the opposite of ‘femme’ up I guess, unless there is a specific costum- ing term I am unaware of. How fun would it be to see a guy in leather pants and some version of the awe- somely 80’s abstract print shirt Tegan wore in ‘Resur- rection of the Daleks’. Surely that couldn’t pos- sibly be more embarrassing than what poor Colin Bak- er had to sport during his run on the show, could it? C The Queen and I by Mette Hedin

A group of cowboys are cooked over portable stoves sassy exclamations and sitting by their tents in the and barbecues, when a tall retorts, quickly shattering campground that is dimly woman in a colorful dress and the silence. The cowboys lit by the twilight of early dramatic make-up storms into light up, far from disturbed evening. They are quietly the camp. Her name is Chika by the interruption. Several finishing up the dinner and she is a powerful presence, of them try to get her they have painstakingly arriving with a barrage of attention, clearly delighting in the excitement of the a drag queen, I politely ask if it verbal sparring that follows. would be OK for me to watch him prepare. The costumer in We’re camping out at the me is curious about techniques Best Buck in the Bay Gay and parallels to my own craft, Rodeo and I have met and somewhat to my surprise Chika only minutes earlier. he agrees. I guess I expect The exact time is hard to him to say no because I don’t pinpoint, because I have seen normally like to have people her slowly appear before my watch me apply make-up eyes for the last 45 minutes. myself, as I tend to be much To make matters more more prone to mess up with confusing for you, we really an audience. Furthermore, the met much earlier in the day, whole process of temporarily but then he was wearing switching genders seems jeans and introduced himself to me as an outsider like make-up of a similar as Phillip Evans. If you are a potentially fairly private brand to my own hides the still confused, it is really quite activity. He doesn’t seem to rougher skin and beard simple: Chika is a drag queen have a problem with it at stubble. The actual make- persona and Phil is the real all however, so after some up on top of the foundation person under the make-up. afternoon cocktails I hang out seem more similar to the on a chair by the tent opening techniques a woman would as he gets ready. use, but in more exaggerated Let’s rewind to earlier in the proportions and with a day. We are on our second higher degree of contrast. day of camping, and Phil The foundation of the facial When his face is fully made happens to have the camping transformation requires the up, he is all of a sudden in spot opposite ours. We soon make-up equivalent of power a strange twilight zone of discover that he is friendly, tools. The masculine eyebrows male and female because his funny and kind and very easy gets flattened down with a face is in such contrast to his to like, and we become fast glue stick, and a heavy layer hair and clothing that it is friends. Once I hear that he is of professional theatrical difficult to imagine the end more and less confidence than a chair to sit on and I even result. My uncertain look Phil. She is clearly a lot more buy her a few drinks. I am a probably doesn’t help his forward and out there than bit of a tomboy, and not very confidence, but by now the he is. She says things that the feminine to begin with, but heavy lifting has been done, more polite Phil I met earlier somewhere along the way we and all that remains is some wouldn’t, but at the same time have subtly changed roles in undergarments, clothing and Phil’s quiet self-acceptance the interaction. a wig, so there is no point has been replaced with a in turning back. Very soon subtle nervousness about When the rodeo is over I Chika is standing before me small things. Chika fusses decide to delve deeper into instead of Phil. over her clothing and seems the world of drag to see if to need others acceptance there are other things queens What is almost more more than Phil, and she is and geeks have in common, interesting than the physical at first constantly checking so I meet up with Phil at a transformation is the change where I am, to make sure I bar called Marlena’s in San in attitude. Phil has remained haven’t gone off somewhere Francisco on a Saturday Phil for most of the process, else. What surprises me even in September. Chika is a but in the last 5 minutes a more is that my own behavior regular performer here every new personality has clearly changes too. I find myself 3rd and 4th Saturday of the emerged, and once the wig offering Chika my arm on the month in a weekly show that is on, Chika is exuding both way to the dance, finding her is run by another drag queen called Miss Galilea. When in the process. He says that his drag career. He says that I get there mid-afternoon, originally he had no interest the experience made him Phil is waiting in the bar, in drag, and had only done it realize that he liked being looking like just one of the for fun at Halloween. Then, in drag but Berlin told him guys, a typical Saturday for one Cinco De Mayo party he was only going to do his afternoon beer-drinking bar about 7 years ago, his friend make-up 3 times, and then patron. That is, until I get up Berlin decided to put him in he was on his own. Phil both close, and I notice a heavy full drag, and Phil remembers laughs and shivers when sprinkling of glitter left over everyone freaking out when he thinks about his first from last night’s make-up. I he got to the party. He had stumbling attempts and even follow him to the basement always been the masculine asks the other two what they below the bar where he is type, including winning the thought of his initial look, a about to start the process title of Mr Gay San Francisco question they very politely all over. Galilea as well as in 2001, and the female attire pretend not to hear, even another of the evening’s seemed to clash with the though it is repeated a few performers, Patrice, are image everyone had of him. As times. already half-way through Phil is recalling the evening, their preparation. he seems to revel in the idea He clearly has it down to of messing with people’s routine at this point though, We chat as he prepare, and I expectations and I wonder if applying make-up and find out a lot more about Phil this perhaps helped kick-start chatting simultaneously without skipping a beat. He a non-profit organization recalls his several attempts at focusing on charity work the Miss Gay title, where he to collect contributions to a nearly won twice, losing to variety of worthy causes, and the the other two performers the Emperor and Empress in the room, first one and then are the figureheads of the the other. Instead he turned organization, elected for a around and won the Empress year at a time and backed title in 2007. I ask about the by a whole court to help title, because I know that them. This was why Phil first there are yearly coronations, became involved in the court but I don’t really know what system; he felt he had done it entails. He tells me stories his party years and wanted to of grueling travel all over the start giving back. state, only made worse by the fact that he insisted on driving I am trying to get a grip on everywhere. The positionwhether he prefers to stay involves a lot of time, energy in the same sort of look, or and resources, and the royals switch it up, so I ask him perform a lot of charity work if he has any particular as well as making a lot of other genres that he prefers. This appearances. The Imperial question does not mean Council of San Francisco that the same in the drag queen gives out the title is really community as it does in the costuming world however, so he starts listing musical genres and singers that he likes to perform. Some of my questions are clearly so solidly based in my own personal costuming experience that they frequently get more or less misunderstood. Even so, it is becoming clear to me that even though we may not always speak the same language, we have a lot of experiences in common. We both spend a lot of money and time on pretending to be someone we’re not, and we have both done it for so long that the edge of separation between the two blur at times. We both get up on a stage and perform in character for often not much more than the love of of the art. We can both cheer up a room just by showing up, and plenty of people we don’t know take our pictures. We definitely both know how to have a few drinks, or a few too many, while wearing something that is anything but comfortable. We have both experienced people we know and love reacting to us do a lot more variety in my out there working for charity. in a different manner than costuming, whereas Phil tends Sure, the fandom community usual due to our assumed to stick to a slight variation does do a lot of charity too, personas. We have so much of the same style of make- but in all honesty it does tend in common even if I can’t up every time, tweaking it to be somewhat secondary seem to convey it. gradually over time, perfecting to just getting together and his one character. A more celebrating our friendships The differences between our fundamental differenceand right to be different. I two life-styles do not reflect however, is that when I am do most of my costuming at as well on me as they do on sitting at home crafting away conventions where I don’t get Phil however. I probably at my costumes, he might be too many stupid questions activities involve the rodeo, but when I come charity, but even back later in the evening for so, Chika truly the show, I start to realize works hard at her that this may be a matter of craft. As we wrap circumstance and location. up our informal At Marlena’s we are clearly interview, she on Chika’s turf, and at the is about to get rodeo everything was a bit into the first of 5 more unfamiliar. Chika different outfitsworks it on stage during of the evening her musical numbers, and before heading off it makes me laugh because to represent the it is liberating to see her Imperial Council give it her all in front of a as a former crowd of both friends and Empress. Before strangers. When I perform the bar does last in masquerades I tend to get call in the early paralyzed with fear, so I envy hours, she will her ability to immerse herself also have done 3 in the experience. Chika musical numbers seems to let Phil express on stage in front a lot of himself and gives of a fairly rowdy him enough of an armor to crowd. Regardless not be embarrassed about of wether she anything. He seems really loves it, that is genuinely happy with being a lot of work, a drag queen. In fact, the twice a month, only thing I really hear him year round. I’ll complain about all evening is do 3 masquerades that some of his friends refer in a year, when to him as Chika even when I am feeling he isn’t in drag. It is as if he particularly active. is is own more charming and attractive sister, so I get One of the things the impression that at the whereas Chika purposefully I asked Phil was about how same time as he enjoys the goes to places she would he feels when he’s in drag, experience he sometimes not always be expected to be and he says it makes him feel finds himself in the shadow welcome, such as working totally different. He says the of his own creation. class bars South of Market. insecurities leave when the She clearly sees herself as wig comes on, and he feels At some point I ask Phil an entertainer, whether it like he can talk to any guy in how long he thinks he will be on stage or just cheering the room. This surprises me as keep doing drag, and he people up, not to say she I saw a distinct nervousness reflects on it a moment and doesn’t do it to have fun. It is underneath all the bravado at then says «Until I can’t do clear that not all drag queen it anymore». I ask if he will keep performing on stage that long too, but he has to think about that one a bit longer. I can tell he really doesn’t want to stop, but at the same time he is trying to be realistic. There may be a day when he doesn’t have the stamina anymore, but I can tell the idea pains him, and he finally suggests he may try to keep doing a number here or there like Marlena, the matriarch of the bar, who has given it her name. Finally he decides that if he does keep performing that long, it will at least not be in 6 inch heels. I hope to see Chika perform for many more years and if you happen to live in the bay area, a Saturday night at Marlena’s is well worth the detour.

But if you don’t enjoy a lively bar experience, my short term project is to try to get Chika to a local convention. She’s been gracious about welcoming me to her world, and it is time to return the favor. So if you see me at a convention next to a tall loud brunette with an impossibly winning smile, come over and say hello, she probably has more in common with you than you might think! How to Drag C by Anti-Kevin ehcoR

fairness (making sure drivers • Nitrous bottle monted to not make each other heads fell outside incase enemy shells THE RACING PLACE off ). A mechanical advantage pearce armour. THING WHERE RACING is a traffic sign to obesity! • Seat is comfy. CARS IS Many standard racing tracks • Seat belt not made of For the racing of said racing standardize like this: spaghetti or licorice unless carts, take one (1) quarter otterwise knotted. mile or eighth mile concrete The Battery terminals? Tight! •All loose objects glued to strip, making sure it’s being • Battery is inside car, not ceiling. 60’ wide. WARNING: exploded, and heavy.. •Pants and shirt not optional. Concrete pad for first few • Coolant overflow tank exists Dresses to empresses! hundred feet, then whatever’s Hoses connect to things. •No passengers in or outside left/right make agrate mix of • Car not spewing flaming oil vehicle. Pets aloud with concrete and asphalt. Pre- unintentionally. deposit. heat oven to 350. • Drive belts not on fire or • All car thingies running missing. 13.99 or quicker require INSPEKSHUN • Wheel studs are hot, lug After all ingredients added driverman wear a snell 90 nuts stored away for winter & helmet. Or knot. to bowl and thoroughly torqued. battered, tech inspekshun • Tire streets have STAGECOACH LANES - happen! Why? So drivers MINIMUM tread depth of 1 WATER BOX heads not fall off in middle ladybug. When entrance earth (or beginning) of race and the atmosphere commance 3-2- Tree ~40’ ahead of the starting driverman should throttle 1 fire retrorocket, the racer line like Eye of Sauron. As and slowly apply brakes while come area called head of cars approach Mt. Doom, whooping, screaming, and staging. Not stage manager. two small yellow bulbs at top making obscene hand gesture At cranium of staging, racer is of tree signal driver to annoy at oppponent. Absolutely burned out in a box by staging him. Thereafter, vehicle roll NO HARD BREAKING, lane monkey. From burnout up sleeves and seven more as it will induce a skid and box, when screeched at by inches. This set off alarums kill evryone. Based on turn- water box monkey, staging and second set of yellow off location, vehicle has turn vehicle on the starting line bulbs, known as stage (but not off location on his/her side (not stage) commences. Street a stage), activate Christmas exists first (unless their is tires cars should not burnout Tree count down. Three large speed difference largeness). and go around the water, for amber bulbs will fall down at a No matter circumstance, do that is rude. Slick tire vehicles .5 second difference followed not turn around. This cause perform a short burnout but by green bulb. Not a merry death. If your vehicle breaks, stay cool. Chrismas this year. If a stop. Is easy, car broken. vehicle leafs previous to green Supply breaks and pull THE L

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Ah, October -- the month when, if you are a costumer, it seems that every other (non-costumer) person you know breath- need to build something entirely new. It’s nice lessly wants to know, “What are you going to to have options already available (as long as wear for Hallowe’en?” they still fit). Well, for the record, I don’t know yet. So far this year, Andy and I have 4 outstanding One advantage of being a costumer is that I invitations for celebrations on October 31; we can indulge my sartorial fantasies, my whims have not quite decided which (or how many) of alter-ego, or my deep-seated mischievous to accept. It is certainly an improvement over need to make other people plotz whenever I the years when the only option was going to a choose. I don’t need to wait until the eve of All party in a bar! Saints to dive into the studio (well, these days, it’s more like spelunking. If I’m not back in a This months’ special focus on Drag is one week send in the National Guard) and whip we’ve been considering for a while and just something up. kind of came together, in large part because Philip (Chika) was so kind and approachable There’s also the fact that most of the time, I at the Best Buck in the Bay Rodeo. I think it’s can root through the wardrobe and pull out a great way to start our second full year of pub- something appropriately inappropriate with no lication. Big air kisses to Chika for being so need to build something new. Or at least no cooperative! *Photos/Artwork/Poetry/Stories/Reviews/Ar- As I mentioned in my column in the second ticles/Whatever? We Want It! Issue Xero, where we go this year depends in large part on you. Besides the usual request (PAPSRAW?WWI!*), let us know if there is something you’d like to see us cover, or some- one you believe could contribute material for Yipe!, drop us a note to [email protected]. The best way to expand the reach of Yipe! is for you to share and spread the word! It’s been all my fault for a year now Kevin Roche Kudos/Brickbats to [email protected] Dear Yipe! Editors: more… a policy of being inclusive, and of creating non-anime programming to tell its members there’s other stuff Thank you for Vol. 2, No. 9 I wish Jason’s statement other than anime, and you of Yipe!, the early warning about anime fandom being should go enjoy that, too! It system worked a treat. That the foundation of the next actively tries to direct their giant robot on the front cover generation of fandom was members to the other local looks menacing enough, wrong, but I think it’s right. conventions, and bless them especially when coated with When I see the attendance for that. Maybe they’ve read manga, so I’d better get with figures of our local fan-run that Vernor Vinge book… it, and write a letter. conventions, the biggest of the bunch is Anime North’s We’ve done two steampunk 18000+, and it increases in fashion shows for Anime size each year. We have our North, and they may very well Is Andy’s picture out of focus, own gateshow convention, have us back again next year. or does he always look that Fan eXpo, which I think may way? Jason looks like he’s had Anime LA is another anime have attracted the high five- a hard night, and Kevin looks convention that connects the figures this year, but they are perfectly posed. And there’s generations. Its run by older offering anime each year, and my friend Dawn, who I shall fans and has a very healthy I think that brings people see shortly, I hope. Mette young fan membership. It›s in more than anything they and I have had a long e-mail a model that is working so have in the way of literary, conversations going, nudge, far; we ran the masquerade a media, gaming, comics or nudge, wink, wink, say no couple of times with Lindsay horror. Anime North has had assisting in preparation for thousand costumes, but that’s your own flyers, preferably at her taking over, and it›s still okay, they are there enjoying your own fan table. No con going strong. themselves and enjoying suite they way we know it, the fruits of their costuming except for the Cafe Delish labours. It’s now on our perhaps, and definitely no When Anime North is on, regular convention schedule. private parties at the end of Dixon Road, the street the the day. At least, none I found convention centre and main out about. Yup, I’m becoming hotel are on, it’s s sight to see España’s column…even with a part of the “Get off my if you’re just driving along the lawn!” crowd. More and street. We’re not anime fans, the fun we have at Anime North, there’s some thing I more, I go to cons and feel but as said, the convention like Mom and Dad are there does try to provide non-anime went looking for some time ago, and didn’t find. Years supervising. Who invited the programming, and dealers, old people? Worldcon looks so there is something there ago, I wanted to find their flyer table…I got nothing but older and older every year, and for us. We’re usually there they literally use every rental promoting Ad Astra, and the blank stares. They don’t have one, and have never had one. wheelchair, moby and scooter steampunk shows are fun, too. within a hundred miles of I couldn’t identify one in a It’s up to you to distribute the convention centre. There are younger people at every Worldcon, but it is more difficult to market the con to that younger crowd. I think there will still be an audience for the written SF word, but that audience will have to change radically, which means the product itself may have to do the same. I prefer the big tent, but I still might feel crowded out if my interest becomes just one of a hundred interests a convention tried to cater to. I can’t like it all, but as many others, but what end up on the list of bad I will enjoy what I do, and I can I say, after we did the directors. don’t want that pushed aside. Royal Canadian Mounted StarFleet at Chicon IV, we Andy and I have learned that were hooked, but it didn’t take You folks were at Fencon, so there are in fact private parties us long to be disillusioned was Rob Sawyer, and I gather at some of these events, but with Worldcon masquerades. so was Kim Kofmel, former they are just that... 10 or 20 Steampunk costuming local fans here, and now friends invited exclusively. brought us back, and from resident of Houston. That’s There’s also a lot of churn in now on, it’s just hall costumes a con I wish I’d been able to that young fandom, as many and fashions shows, no more get to, just to see all of you of them have to drop out of competing. assembled. it once they finish school and get full-time jobs. Those that I think Worldcon FenCon was a blast. Expect a explore a bit and connect with Masquerade has succeeded bit more by way of con report some of us in big tent fandom in achieving intense but from me in the near future. do seem to catch on to a collegial competition, not bunch of the things we like nearly as cutthroat was it My loc…the Reno about the big tent, so I think was when I started in the masquerade should be a sight, there is hope yet. 80s. That doesn’t mean a because with the 25-foot bad director can’t screw it up ceilings, who knows how tall (how I feel about the 2006 Darned if I know why, but some of the costumes might LACon masquerade), but you guys asked Mette to get be? (I like the word fupuckery. the contestants seem to have in touch with me, and get me That should be added to the mostly found some mutual joy to answer the 10 questions? fannish lexicon.) in the show again. It does still Okay, you asked for it. My eat up lots of the convention. Of course, as one of the own costuming history I hope Andy and I will not Masquerade Co-directors, isn’t nearly as interesting My Lips Are Sealed. But it should be spectacular. I thought that already was part of the fannish lexicon.

My locs crash Adobe InDesign? Bonus! Now I know my secret superpower! Yvonne’s working on a steampunk accountant, and I am nearly finished my steampunk labourer. I don’t do costumes with massive guns…where do you put them? I want my hands free, and Yvonne has always put pockets in my costumes of the past. Well, we know where Captain Jack Harkness managed to hide at least one of his guns (nudge, nudge, wink, wink). My mutant superpower is even more annoying, and not fit to discuss in polite company. Jay Lake knows what it is, though.

I need to leave for work in about half an hour, so I think I’m done for this issue. Many thanks, guys, I’ll impatiently wait for the e-mail warning that tells me that another issue is nigh, and from Mette tells me, that might be any day now. Off it goes!, and thanks.

Yours, Lloyd Penney. Yipe! october 2010 Yipezine.com