SF/SF Science Fiction/San Francisco The nothing special, sorta weekly news zine for the San Francisco Bay Area. Issue 7 August 31, 2005 email: [email protected] Editor: Jack Avery

TOC You know, I forgot to mention that ings, though probably not many. Kevin also made Dr. Who fan films back Sounds like the Lord of the Rings thing eLOCs ...... 1-2 in the day, I think while he was at col- was very fun. The Gusts are on one of Scotty Tribute...... 3 lege. That’s a big deal for me to forget, as the committees of the Computer History Pitchfork War...... 4-7 I’m a fan filmmaker myself and I should Museum and they are also fantastic cos- Further Confusion Picnic...... 8-9 always remember to mention that when tumers. Their costumes for the BayCon BASFA Minutes ...... 10 I’m writing about my fellow fools…I Masquerade were really great. All the cos- Schedule...... 11-36 mean directors. tumes looked great in the photos, which The SCA once had a serious grip isn’t surprising since Lord of the Rings is eLOCs on me, but that was back when I was one of the longest standing inspirations for in High School. I’m fairly decent with costumes in fandom. The costumes for the Chris Garcia writes: a boffer, though the few times I used Firefly folks were amazing too, especially actual swords, I got my butt handed to that recreation of Kaylee’s dress. The pink Cruisin’ along with the SF/SF, issue me. There are people who know me be- monstrosity may indeed have been shiny, six has come and it’s easily the best yet. cause of the fact that I once was wearing but it was also God Awful and the single (and now you can see why I never be- a helmet and a single blow from my pal photo of it captured that completely. came a songwriter) Charles cracked it clear in half. My head, Water Wars. The name alone sounds One of the things that makes SF/SF though, was only nominally destroyed. like an SF novel that David Brin would so great is not only the hugely varying Good to see Mike Deckinger talking push out in the space of an hour or two. calendar but the wide-range of things about the Little Men. They were respon- Of course, I’d also buy it and read it imme- that you cover. I’m sure that will bring sible for the 1953 WorldCon, though diately. Sounds like a good time. Poor Au- more and more people to SF/SF as time I’m not sure what role they played in the gusta Ada with no points. Named after the goes by, and hopefully they can be turned later BArea WorldCons. I know that my into Staff Writers as well! Dad attended some Little Men’s meet- Continued next page 1 patron saint of female programmers who of the issue for me being Jean P. Martin’s Railway Rivals. Chosen not just because it actually had little to no effect on the art of superb article on the Browncoats. I was a was appropriate, but also because, being a programming. I think I was a member of fan of Firefly when it aired on FOX, and, pen-based game, there were fewer counters the group at one point, too. naturally, was frustrated by the network’s to go astray as we went round especially And according to the BASFA minutes, inability to air the episodes in the proper bumpy corners. Of course, train trips in I’m on my own enemies list. It was bound order. No wonder it didn’t stand a chance. the UK tend to be measured in hours rather to happen sooner or later. It’s encouraging to see that the show has than, as in the US, days. You know, I can’t remember Arnie Katz such a strong fan base. Jean Martin’s article Anyway, keep up the good work both ever putting out a 42 page edition of Vegas gave a good, basic summary of the show, with SFSF generally and with the listings. Fandom Weekly. I can’t even remember explained why the fans believe so strongly I personally would stick with doing the him doing a 20 page (which is the count in that universe, and revealed plenty of full listing each time, as it makes each is- once you take out the calendar). You’ll details of the Browncoats organization. It sue comprehensive in itself, and in a bizarre probably lap him for page count soon! sounds like a very welcoming group. way is probably easier for you than having I’m eagerly looking forward to the next to keep edit stuff up or down (a classic Well, this issue is a bit shorter this time, issue! example of “more is less”). But what do I but the calendar is still growing and I think know? At least (unlike Chris Garcia) I don’t I’ve managed to find a reasonably wide range need to feel guilty about all the good stuff of subject to cover. Peter Sullivan writes: going on nearby that I’m missing.

A small (and possibly late) LoC for a Not late, but rather just in time to help me Rich Berman writes: large issue. fill in the last little bit of white space before I Re. Kevin Standlee. Travelling by train go to “press”. Dear Jack, to conventions is more normal over here, I’ve attended conventions by train before, even with the existance of cheap airlines I went to one con in San Jose a while back Congratulations on the great zine! I don’t these days. Before I could drive, it was my when I was living in Martinez, up the road live in the Bay Area, but it is very nice to see standard way of getting to UK games con- from the Amtrak station, and it was a pleas- all of the great events that are available. As ventions, both of the main ones being con- ant way to get there, even if it wasn’t as fast as you know, the only fan activity around my veniently located in Birmingham, the cen- driving. I’ve also taken the train to Reno. One stomping grounds consists of me watching tre of the UK train network. I remember thing about the American passenger train the SciFi channel’s Friday lineup, so it’s nice travelling to one of these with a group of system, Amtrak, is that the trains never run to live vicariously a little through SF/SF. friends, and we were able to start our own on time. I’ve never heard of a train actually Issue #6 was very good, with the highlight personal convention on the train, playing arriving when it was supposed to. 2 Edinburgh Castle Pub Hosts a Tribute to Scotty and James Doohan

By Dr. Noe “Trouble with Tribbles” and Scotty and who made quite an accomplishment. “To Kirk talking about how the fight actually become the engineer of The Enterprise he On July 20, 2005, the world lost started. had to be the top physicist in the world.” a great actor, made famous by portraying But why would Scotty be given his “He was also a metaphor for being one of the greatest starship engineers and own tribute? Sure he was on the main cast Scottish,” Black continues. “He drank a lot Scotsman (sorry William Wallace) ever. and saved the ship, but everyone loves Kirk, and saved the ship at the end (of the show). Within the next month, The don’t they? There he was, behind the scenes saving the Edinburgh Castle Pub in San Francisco According to the Edinburgh’s Bar ship. threw a tribute to one Montgomery Manager Alan Black (who was dressed And, as Black notes, “Doohan “Scotty” Scott. proudly in his Scotty uniform) Scotty was captured the Scottish essence in his Included in the tribute to James the epitome of a Scotsman, and when Black character.” Doohan’s most famous role were poetry learned of Doohan’s death, tributes heralding some of the Scotsman’s he immediately began finest moments, a Scotty impersonation planning the tribute. contest, music from band Savage Curtain, Black, himself a bagpiper, a video tribute to the man Scottish, was a fan of the himself, and, of course, lots and lots of “intergalactic D.U.I.” whiskey. since he was a child. Costumes were encouraged, but few Watching Star Trek was actually wore them. part of Black’s regular Included in the video tribute were evening of watching TV. various snippets of Scotty saving his Scotty’s position on the beloved ship, The Enterprise from certain ship also appealed to doom. Of course, the most famous was Black. his out drinking Tomar in “By Any Other “He was the future Name.” Unfortunately missing was the representation of The fight scene on the K-7 Space Station from Scottish,” he explains Savage Curtain plays the Scotty Tribute 3 SCA Pitchfork War Pits Gryphonsgaurd against Shire of Teufelberg

By Jack Avery the event drew Editor several dozen participants to the The Pitchfork War, a Society for Camp Herms Boy Creative Anachronism event held on Scout camp site August 20, featured classes on medieval in El Cerito. The technology, an archery tournament, battles Shire of Tuefelberg between armored fighters and a feast that is an SCA regional was probably better than anything actually group based in served in the middle ages. Contra Costa Sponsored by the Shire of Teufelberg County, while and the Free Company of Griphonsguard, Gr i p h o n s g u a rd

is a war band, a middle ages and cooking for feasts; and group of SCA middle eastern dance. members who share Woodworking, sewing, dance, music, a common interest. cooking. Classes were SCA events in the jurisdiction of the conducted in Principality of the Mists, which covers the e m b r o i d e r y , Bay Area, occur about three weekends out i n c l u d i n g of four, according to Anastacia of Warwick, techniques used to the Seneschal, or chief administrator, of the create the Bayeux Principality. Tapestry; cooking, While the weather was a bit overcast including what and cold for the non-combatants, the food and utensils fighters benefited from the cooler weather, looked like in the although many of the combats still took 4 weapons must be larger than the largest allowed eye slits on the helmets used to protect against eye damage. No blows are allowed at the knee or below and the hands and wrists are not legal targets. Even with the precautions, Anastacia of Warwick said several people each year do get hurt in the combats. Even without serious injuries, several participants in the battles at the Pitchfork War had withdrawn from the fighting by early afternoon because of minor injuries or because they were tired. Winners of combat are determined on the honor system. The person being hit decides if the caliber of blow delivered would have been sufficient to penetrate armor had the weapons been real. “It’s the only sport I know of where your opponent decides if you win,” Alderan of Blackwood said. “When I strike a blow, it’s up to my opponent to decide if it’s good enough. “Everybody plays fair.” Not all blows are fatal, Alderan said. If a hard blow hits an arm or leg, the person place under shady trees. to minimize injuries. hit loses the use of the arm or leg. On a break between fights, Alderan “We’re crazy, we’re not stupid,” The El Cerito event was called a of Blackwood, Captain of the Free Alderan said. “We use real armor and fake war because it was between two sides, Company of Gryphonsguard, said the weapons.” with fighters from the Shire of Teufelberg combat between armored opponents is a “Blades” are made out of rattan, on one side and fighters belonging to full contact martial art, with rules designed which doesn’t splinter when it breaks. All Griphonsguard on the other. Tournaments 5 safety. Because the arrows do not hit with a gaming convention. lot of force, hits are often declared by visual “Shortly thereafter I was fighting evidence rather than how they feel upon and enjoying the chivalry of it,” he said. impact. But martial combat is not the only At the same time as the combats attraction to the SCA, he said. People join were being conducted, other SCA members because of an interest in history, costuming, were taking part in an archery tournament, woodworking or other pursuits. using normal bows and arrows, instead of “There’s a lot of different aspects to the modified weapons used in combat. the group,” he said. “It’s something me and In addition to competing to try my lady can do together. to split a stake, and hit cards to make a Upcoming SCA events in the poker hand, there was also a competition Bay Area include the October Crown to hit a Barney doll. The archers were very Tournament in Petaluma, which is enthusiastic about trying to hit this last expected to draw about 1,000 participants. target. At that event, combat between fighters Alderan of Blackwood has been a will determine who will reign as King member of the SCA since 1981, when he and Queen of the Kingdom of Mists, the joined after seeing a demonstration at a executive and ceremonial head of the local have combats that take place between individuals. In addition to even fights between the two sides, a small fort was constructed, allowing one side to lay siege and try to overcome the defenders. These tended to be long combats with archers trying to eliminate enough defenders from long range to allow for a successful charge. There were a number of archers taking part in the combats. Arrows are tipped with hard rubber heads and have tails that are specially constructed for 6 group, for the next four months. There are about 2,000 active members of the SCA in Northern California, according to Anastacia of Warwick, and more than 20,000 members world wide.

7 Further Confusion Annual Picnic Draws Large Crowd

By Melchar Special to SF/SF

The annual Further Confusion picnic was held at Lake Chabot, August 20. Roughly 150 fannish folk attended, happily eating all manner of picnic foods: hot dogs (both meat & vege-dogs), burgers, ribs, salads, cookies, chips, brownies, soda - and some adventurous souls picked wild blackberries of the thick hedge that bordered the entire picnic site. During the fun, Empress Rhea and Omega presented long-time fan Smash with a sash of fannish merit badges that included badges for first aid, camping & night hiking. There was also a FurryMUCK cribbage tournament, held live between Genevive and Hunter Kitty. “I drove all the way from LA just to play cribbage .... and come to the picnic, of course,” Hunter said. “It sure was an expensive cribbage game.” Left, Further Confusion Vice Chair Squirel, and At the end, Genevive won the Further Confusion Chair Loran Skunky enjoy the picnic at Lake Chabot. Continued next page 8 match. The day was hot, but thankfully there were deep pools of shade to hide with and watch fans play frisbee, run with their dogs, talk about costuming and watch as a few brave fans wore big mascot outfits. (It–was– a furry picnic, after all.)

9 BASFA Minutes: meeting 788

Aug 29, 2005 could give them. (They are moving to Show as getting there early is a must, there downtown San Jose.) were lots of fannish goodies there - many of Trey Haddad, President Dierdre happily announced she will which he bought Nathan Slerm-r & Chris Garcia, Vice- be gainfully unemployed tomorrow & & worth full price; Julie follow-on’d that President she’s looking for a software development she meant to go there but was sucked into a Dave Gallaher, Treasurer position. computer surplus sale instead. Galen Tripp, Sargent at Arms Dave C announced he heard bad Trey reviewed ‘Saint Vidicon to the Barbara Johnson-Haddad, Secretary monster movies will be hosted on KTEH Rescue’ as a book he read ‘so you don’t have on weekends real soon now. to’ & that it had some rough edges - worth Began at 8:04 p.m. Julie reminded us that ‘Tapestry & library. 14 people attended Talent’ is this weekend and we should Nathan admitted he likes the new Secretary’s report: the minutes of attend it. Battlestar Galactica; Dierdre says it meeting 787 were accepted as ‘ewwww, It was also announced that there are is well-written & Rick also likes the thank you’. fanzines - so take them. writing. Treasurer’s report by phone-age was that Reviews: Dave C. reviewed ‘Point of Honor’ by last week we took in $8.70. ‘Brothers Grimm’ was reviewed as Madeleine Robbins as pretty good & worth VP reports = pre-eminent VP Nathan don’t take small kids to it; it was visually new in paperback. reported that he has a car full of stunning but had a muddled & disjointed Rick reviewed Glasgow cuisine as wild & boxes that need a new home & VP Chris plot; worth matinee. wonderful - especially if you like everything was AWOL. Julie reviewed the Rasselon meeting as fried & he survived eating haggis - it was The President commented that Labor the new episodes look interesting but she worth every pound. Day was coming up and to go attend doesn’t like the new Tardis design & worth We auctioned off stuff: a Grinch conventions. seeing it when you are able to so do. musical stocking for $2.00 and a calendar Announcements: Dave C. reviewed the Ultraman festival for $0.50. Dave G. announced by phone-age proxy at the Castro Theatre - as he learned way We adjourned at 8:47 p.m. that Kevin will have his board of inquiry at too many Ultraman facts for his peace of And the rumor of the week was “that Cascadia Con - so go there. mind & rates it as worth full price. Chris Garcia will exact a terrible revenge on Joanie announced they will be moving Mike couldn’t remember his review. himself for making his own enemy’s list for Sunday & would appreciate any help folks Nathan reviewed the Santa Clara Toy 2 weeks straight”.

10 The Bay Area Fannish Calendar

While some effort (OK, OK, damn 9 p.m. Scheduled shows: little effort) is made to verify event $10 at the door Initial D 4th Stage 10 listings, please check on events before Genre film actor and Heavy Metal Full Metal Alchemist 36 attending as events are sometimes God Thor performs his brand of metal. Jinki: Extend 1 cancelled or times and locations See September 14 for a showing of Thor’s Air 1 changed. Heavy Metal Nightmare. Marimite 1 School Rumble 12 New listings are in red. Wednesday, August 31 For directions, see the website. Bay Area Role-Playing Society Now through Sept. 11 www.BayRPS.com Thursday - Monday, September 1-5 Wicked Go-Getter’s Pizza The Las Vegas-nauts www.bestofbroadway-sf.com/goldengate 1489 Beach Park Boulevard New Langton Arts Golden Gate Theatre Foster City 1246 Folsom Street (between 8th and 9th 1 Taylor St. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. streets) San Francisco Hosts a weekly game night. For club San Francisco $35-$85 and game night details send email to: Doors: 7:30 p.m. Broadway production based on the [email protected]. (Not confirmed, check $17- $20 sliding scale novel by Gregory Maguire. before attending.) The Thunderbird Theatre Company’s See website for schedule. comedy featuring the Swiss Mafia, super Thursday, September 1 heroes and mutant villians. Set in Las Ve- Wednesday, August 31 Tsunami Anime Showing gas, it of course features an Elvis imperson- Thor WSQ 109 ator, “E” the last son of Graceland. The Lord Weird Slough Feg San Jose State University www.12galaxies.com San Jose 12 Galaxies www.studiokyuu.com/tsunami 2565 Mission Street Free San Francisco 7 p.m. 11 Friday, September 2 Guerrero and Valencia. www.beefbowl.org Anime Style Drawing and Animation Free Techniques Friday, September 2 12:15 ish -4:15 ish Frank Bette Center for the Arts Spider-Man 2 Scheduled shows: www.frankbettecenter.org/ Fruitvale Outdoor Cinema Rurouni Kenshin : TV # 47 1601 Paru Street Fruitvale Village R.O.D : TV # 23 Alameda, CA 94501 Corner of 34th Ave. and E. 12th St. One Piece : TV # 32 510-523-6957 Oakland Naruto : TV # 33 4 p.m – 6 p.m. 8 p.m. Prince Of Tennis : TV # 33 $10 teens per session Free Hikaru No Go : TV # 33 $35 adults per session Shown in English with Spanish sub- Yakitate Japan : TV # 8 Professional illustrator and fine artist titles. Project D : TV # 10 Ken McGhee helps participants develop Fafner In The Azure : TV # 5 the skills they need to draw characters, Friday-Monday, September 2-5 taking the class on a journey through the ConquestSF Saturday, September 3 process and techniques of manga. Drop-in SF Airport Marriott The Three Musketeers Ball class, all skill levels welcome. (not verified, 1800 Old Bayshore Hwy. A 17th Century Tavern Dance check before attending) Burlingame PEERS Event www.conquestsf.com www.peers.org Friday, September 2 $40 before Aug. 20 Masonic Lodge of San Mateo SF Games Gaming convention. ConQuest features Doors Open: 6:15 p.m. vax.hanford.org/dk/games many different kinds of games, including Dance Lesson: 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Muddy’s Coffeehouse miniatures games, role playing games Dancing begins: 8:00 p.m. 1304 Valencia Street near 24th (RPGs), board games, collectible card Tickets: $15.00 in advance (by August 27) San Francisco games (CCGs), and live action role playing At the door: $20.00 7:00 p.m. to midnight games (LARPs). Advance tickets may be ordered by Free sending a check or money order to: SF Games is a collective name for a Saturday, September 3 PEERS bunch of people who get together and Beefbowl Anime Showing 2144 B Buena Vista Ave play board games and card games every Albany Library Community Center Alameda CA 94501 week. Also has a cards night on Tuesdays at 1247 Marin Ave. You may also purchase tickets until Café Macondo, 3159 16th Street between Albany August 27 with a credit card using the 12 PayPal system. the ball). - Blood Bucket Ballyhoo! From their website: Entertainment includes displays of Also returning are the Hypnodrome’s no- It’s One for All and All for One at this Baroque courtly and country dance and torious “Shock Boxes” - devilishly renovated swashbuckling early 17th century ball set at there will indeed be a no host (cash) bar as - in which audience members will actually the Musketeers’ favorite inn, Le Cerf Agile. well as a light snack buffet. Your potluck feel the effects of bizarre mind control, rat Bangers & Mash - the Bay Area’s premiere contributions to the buffet will, as usual, be catcher’s poisonous gas and Blood Bucket country dance band - plays elegant and welcomed at the kitchen. Ballyhoo’s electro-magnetic lights-out finale! dashing English and French country dances Gorgeous Baroque music and dancing, (Patrons who book these private “Shock Box” and a number of gorgeous, if anachronistic, beautiful waltzes, swordplay, tight bodices, seats for two are advised to bring someone waltzes. and a great bar - what mortal could ask for they enjoy clutching in terror.)” Don’t know anything about 17th more? If anybody goes to see this, I’d love a century dance? Never fear. All set and review. 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 Rocky Horror Picture Show Mr. Alan Winston, dance master of the Bay At The Hypnodrome www.picturepubpizza.com Area English Regency Society and a popular 575 10th Street, SF Parkway Speakeasy Theater caller with the Bay Area English Country “A Grand Guignol tripple terror stage 1834 Park Blvd. Dance Society. At the pre-ball class, Mr. show” Oakland Winston will teach the basic footwork and 8 p.m. $6 patterns of early English Country Dance Tickets $18-$69 Midnight along with several of the dances on the Held over for six more performances, Barely Legal Productions presents the program. You’ll be dancing these dances each Saturday at 8 p.m. through Sept. 24. classic midnight movie every Saturday with elegance, grace and confidence in no From their website: night. No one under 17 admitted. time! “The world’s only Grand Guignol 17th century costume (any class) is triple terror stage show is back! Following More Events Next Page admired, but not required, at the ball. Yes, the spectacular success of last fall’s wildly most of your Renaissance Faire garb would popular Welcome to the Hypnodrome (a also be perfectly appropriate for the ball, Halloween treat held over till Christmas!) and generic swashbuckler costume, peasant Thrillpeddlers, veteran purveyors of per- attire, or modern evening dress is just fine verse stage shenanigans, return with an even (Please note that there is no dress code for more elaborate evening of hospitable horror 13 Sunday, September 4 6 (sub) before attending.) Sacramento Comic Book Show Ebichu Minds the House #5-6**(sub) www.sacramentocomics.com ** Not for children 18+ only. Wednesday, September 7 Scottish Rite Center Them 6151 H. Street Monday September 5 Panic in the Year Zero Sacramento Bay Area Science Fiction Association www.castrotheater.com 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. The Original Hick’ry Pit Castro Theater $5 ($4 with coupon from website) 980 E. Campbell Ave. 429 Castro Street Comic book convention with anime Campbell San Francisco viewing room, dealers, cosplay contest at 2 8 p.m. Double feature as part of the cold war p.m. For a report on the February show, see Free film series. Don’t Shake Me at www.efanzines.com. www.basfa.org. More Events Next Page Special guest: Mark Waid. Tuesday-Thursday, September 6-8 Sunday, September 4 Howl’s Castle Foothills Anime Showing Red Vic Movie House Room 1500 1727 Haight Street Foothills College San Francisco 12345 El Monte Road Miyazaki’s (Spirited Away, My Neighbor Los Altos Hills Totoro) latest movie is based on an English foothill.anime.net fantasy novel by Diana Winn Jones. 12 Noon - Free Wednesday, September 7 Schedule: Bay Area Role-Playing Society Space Cruiser Yamato #2 (sub) www.BayRPS.com 2X2 = Shinobuden #12 (sub) Go-Getter’s Pizza My:Hime #17-18 (sub) 1489 Beach Park Boulevard Monster #29-30 (sub) Foster City Tsubasa #3-4 (sub) 6pm to 10pm Send your items for inclusion in our Hale Nochi Guu Final #13-14 (sub) Hosts a weekly game night. For club calendar section to: Beck #17-18 (sub) and game night details send email to: [email protected] Beat-to-Death Angel Dokuro-chan #5- [email protected]. (Not confirmed, check 14 September 7- September 18 comedy featuring the Swiss Mafia, super Join Borderlands Books and dozens of The Werewolf heroes and mutant villians. Set in Las Ve- other vendors in Santa Rosa’s Courthouse San Francisco Fringe Theater Festival gas, it of course features an Elvis imperson- Square for this sixth annual celebration of EXIT Theater ator, “E” the last son of Graceland. the literary arts. There will be author ap- 156 Eddy Street pearances, panels, readings, special events for $9 Friday- Saturday, September 9-10 kids, and much, much more! (Note: this is Denis is the last in a long line of Brazil a general book festival, not genre specific) intelligent wolves living unnoticed in Red Vic Movie House woods north of Paris. But when he is 1727 Haight Street September 10 – Oct 16 bitten by a werewolf he wakes on the day San Francisco (Saturdays and Sundays) of the next full moon to find that he has Northern California Ren Faire become human. How will he survive the Friday, September 9 http://www.norcalrenfaire.org world of men? Boris Vian’s surreal fairy tale USS Northern Lights Meeting Pacheco Pass Highway translated and adapted by John Rackham Starfleet Chapter Hollister and performed by an international cast. www.ussnorthernlights.org 10 am. to 6 p.m. Schedule: Great Mall Foot Court $15 in advance Wednesday, Sept. 7, 7 p.m. Great Mall $20 at gate Saturday, Sept. 10, 10 p.m. Milpitas Sunday, Sept. 11, 7 p.m. Free Saturday, September 10 Friday, Sept 16, 10 p.m. 7 p.m. Bard of The Mists Competition Saturday, Sept. 17, 4 p.m. Society for Creative Anachronism Event Sunday, Sept. 18, 8:30 p.m. Saturday, September 10 santiagosmagic.com/bardic/ Sonoma County Book Festival Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto Thursday - Monday, September 8-12 /www.sonomacountybookfair.org/ 505 East Charleston Road The Las Vegas-nauts index.html Palo Alto New Langton Arts Courthouse Square (Mendocino Ave. 11 a.m. – 9:30 1246 Folsom Street (between 8th and 9th between Third and Fourth Streets. Take the $15 streets) downtown exit off of 101 and go under the Feast plus a multi-round competition to San Francisco mall.) determine successor as Bard of The Mists. Doors: 7:30 p.m. Santa Rosa Only 100 seats available. $17- $20 sliding scale 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. The Thunderbird Theatre Company’s Free More Events Next Page 15 Saturday, September 10 Saturday, September 10 Sunday, September 11 SF Browncoats Blood Bucket Ballyhoo Robin Hobb appearance sfbrowncoats.com www.hypnodrome.com Borderlands Books Cafe Murano At The Hypnodrome www.borderlands-books.com San Francisco 575 10th Street, SF 866 Valencia St. Noon “A Grand Guignol tripple terror stage San Francisco Free show” 3 p.m. Serenity/Firefly fan group. Meets every 8 p.m. Free second Saturday of each month. Tickets $18-$69 From the Borderlands newsletter: Join the yahoo group from the link on Held over for six more performances, Borderlands is delighted to welcome the their website for schedule updates. each Saturday at 8 p.m. through Sept. 24. prolific and talented Robin Hobb, author of the beloved Farseer books. Shaman’s Crossing Saturday, September 10 Sunday, September 11 is the first in a brand-new series, The Soldier No Name Anime Showing Shire of Teufelberg Anniversary Tournament Son Trilogy. Haman’s Crossing is dedicated Saratoga Library SCA Event “To Caffeine and Sugar - my companions 13650 Saratoga Ave. www.phmoms.com/shiretourney through many a long night of writing.” Saratoga Camp Hermes We know you’re going to love Robin Hobb! 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. or so El Cerrito Check out her thoroughly entertaining web- Free 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. site here: ( http://www.robinhobb.com/) $6 - $9 More Events Next Page Saturday, September 10 Fighter tournament, target archery Michael Blumlein appearance (loaned gear available), javelyn throw, Cover to Cover games, more. Potluck lunch at 1 p.m. 307 Castro Street San Francisco 7 p.m. Sunday, September 11 Free Terry Pratchett appearance Signing by local author Michael Kepler’s Books Blumlein (The Healer). 1010 El Camino Real Menlo Park Noon Free 16 Sunday, September 11 5:45 p.m. wine and cheese reception author of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Nor- Gay Men's Science Fiction Book Club 6:30 p.m. program rell. Borderlands Books The Hugo-award winning author of www.borderlands-books.com Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell in conver- September 13-14 866 Valencia St. sation with Barbara lane. Spirited Away San Francisco Red Vic Movie House 5 p.m. Monday, September 12 1727 Haight Street Free Cal Animage Alpha San Francisco This month’s book is Inversions by Ian Location TBA M. Banks. Univeristy of California Tuesday, September 13 Please contact the group leader, Christo- Berkeley Sci-Fi Book Club Book Group pher Rodriguez, at [email protected], 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Barnes & Noble for more information. Free 3501 McHenry Avenue, Suite E Schedule: TBA Modesto Sunday, September 11 209-521-1118 Speculative Fiction Book Club Monday September 12 7:00 p.m. Kepler’s Books Bay Area Science Fiction Association Free 1010 El Camino Real The Original Hick’ry Pit Menlo Park 980 E. Campbell Ave. Wednesday, September 14 7 p.m. Campbell Michael Blumlein appearance Free 8 p.m. UC Bookstore This month’s book is Solaris by Stanislaw Free 500 Parnassus Lem. www.basfa.org. San Francisco Noon Monday, September 12 Tuesday, September 13 Free Susanna Clarke in conversation. Susanna Clarke Signing Local author Michael Blumlein (The Commonwealth Club of San Francisco A Clean Well Lighted Place For Books Healer) signing. 595 Market St., 2nd floor 601 Van Ness Avenue More Events Next Page Corner of Market and Second Street San Francisco San Francisco noon Free for members Free $18 for non members Signing by the Hugo-award winning 17 Wednesday, September 14 html#party his book A Year At The Movies - One Man’s Rock and Roll Nightmare 22855 Moscow Road Filmgoing Odyssey. www.ybca.org Duncan Mills Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Noon Friday to 4 p.m. Sunday Saturday, September 17 700 Howard Street $12-$15 Brian Keene appearance San Francisco Tourney to determine successor for Phil Nutman appearance $8 the Principality of the Mists. Camping Borderlands Books 7:30 p.m. event along the Russian River. Equestrian www.borderlands-books.com I have no idea why anyone would want demonstration Saturday morning, arts and 866 Valencia St. to see this moive, but wannabe Heavy Metal sciences competitions, archery and hurley San Francisco God Thor battles Satan in this very low allowed, war practice Sunday, Russian- 4 p.m. budget horror movie, thus qualifying it as theme party. Free speculative fiction. From the Borderlands newsletter: Showing as part of the Heavy Metal Cin- Saturday, September 17 We’re pleased to welcome Brian and Phil ema: Rock, Shock and Schlock program. Pokemon Rocks America for a zombie double-header! Brian Keene I guess this covers the Schlock portion of www.pokemon.com (City of the Dead, Terminal) is the charismatic the program. San Jose McEnery Convention Center author of THE RISING, and many, many 150 San Carlos St. forthcoming books. Philip Nutman (Wet Thursday, September 15, 2005 San Jose Work) is a novelist, short story writer, comic Sci-Fi & Fantasy Book Group Free book scriptwriter, and screenwriter. Join us Barnes & Noble for a whole afternoon of the living dead! Creekside Town Center Saturday, September 17 1256 Galleria Boulevard Kevin Murphy appearance and reading Saturday, September 17 Roseville Dimensions in Time Grand Opening Manga Otaku Book Group (Graphic Novel) 916-788-4320 www.dimensionsintime.com Barnes & Noble Booksellers 7:00 p.m. 4235 Arden Way Weberstown Mall Free Sacramento 4950 Pacific Avenue, Space 319 Free Stockton September 16-18 Noon - 4 p.m. 209-472-1885 Principality of the Mists Fall Coronet Kevin Murphy (Mystery Science The- 6 p.m. Society for Creative Anachronism Event ater 3000’s Tom Servo and Professor Bobo) Free mists.westkingdom.org/2005FallCoronet. will be signing memorabilia and copies of More Events Next Page 18 Thursday - Saturday, September 15-17 Saturday, September 17 Sunday, September 18 The Las Vegas-nauts Christopher Paolini David Morell appearance New Langton Arts San Ramon Valley High School Borderlands Books 1246 Folsom Street (between 8th and 9th 140 Love Lane www.borderlands-books.com streets) Danville 866 Valencia St. San Francisco 925-837-7337 San Francisco Doors: 7:30 p.m. Ticket with purchase of Eldest at Rakestraw 3 p.m. $17- $20 sliding scale Books Free The Thunderbird Theatre Company’s 6 p.m. Signing in support of his new novel comedy featuring the Swiss Mafia, super Creepers. heroes and mutant villians. Set in Las Ve- Saturday, September 17 Note corrected day and time gas, it of course features an Elvis imperson- Blood Bucket Ballyhoo ator, “E” the last son of Graceland. www.hypnodrome.com Sunday, September 18 At The Hypnodrome Science Fiction Book Club Friday, September 16 575 10th Street, SF Borderlands Books Christopher Paolini signing “A Grand Guignol tripple terror stage www.borderlands-books.com Maria Carrillo High School Auditorium show” 866 Valencia St. 6975 Montecito Blvd. 8 p.m. San Francisco Santa Rosa Tickets $18-$69 6 p.m. 707-823-2618 Held over for six more performances, Free Receive one ticket with purchase of Eldest each Saturday at 8 p.m. through Sept. 24. This month’s book is Red Shift edited at Copperfield’s Books by Al Sarantonio. Please contact Jude at $10 for additional tickets Sunday, September 18 [email protected] for more 7 p.m. Northern California Mars Society information. San Jose Public Library San Jose More Events Next Page 1 p.m. Free

Send your items for inclusion in our calendar section to: [email protected]

19 Sunday, September 18 Monday, September 19 September 22 - September 24 Bad Movie Night: Sheena Cal Animage Alpha The Werewolf The Dark Room Theatre Location TBA The Dark Room Theater 2263 Mission St. Univeristy of California 8 p.m. San Francisco Berkeley Denis is the last in a long line of Between 19th and 18th streets, between 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. intelligent wolves living unnoticed in the pawn shop and the Free woods north of Paris. But when he is laundromat Schedule: bitten by a werewolf he wakes on the day 415-401-7987 Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid of the next full moon to find that he has www.darkroomsf.com become human. How will he survive the 8 p.m. Monday September 19 world of men? Boris Vian’s surreal fairy tale $5 Bay Area Science Fiction Association translated and adapted by John Rackham With Patrick Simms, Stoo Odom and The Original Hick’ry Pit and performed by an international cast. Jim Fourniadis. Pirate cat radio night. 980 E. Campbell Ave. From their website: Campbell Thursday, September 22 We’ve taken all the guess work out of the 8 p.m. Terry Pratchett Reading age ole question, “Will this movie suck?” Free Park Branch Library It will suck. www.basfa.org. 1833 Page Street And we’ll have a slew of hosts to point San Francisco that out. Every Sunday for a measly 5$ Wednesday, September 21 Booksmith-sponsored event you can put your feet up, enjoy a crummy Terry Pratchett appearance 7 p.m. movie, scarf down popcorn, listen to the Cody’s Pratchett will read from his new hilarious ravings of our special guests and 2454 Telegraph Avenue Discworld novel Thud. yes, you too can yell at the movie screen. Berkeley CA, US, We will have rotating hosts chosen from 7:30 p.m. More Events Next Page the brilliant comedic flock of freaks circling Free our fair city. Guaranteed bad movies. Byob. Diskworld creator Terry Pratchett Free popcorn. Feet on the furniture. What (Thud) signing. more could you ask for of a Sunday night. We promise to have you in bed by 11pm. Send your items for inclusion in our calendar section to: [email protected]

20 Friday, September 23 Saturday, September 24 Tuesday, September 27 Legion of Rassilon Blood Bucket Ballyhoo Japanimation Book Group (Graphic Novel) Doctor Who fan group www.hypnodrome.com Barnes & Noble Booksellers Carl’s Junior At The Hypnodrome 6111 Sunrise Blvd. 2551 N. First Street 575 10th Street, SF Citrus Heights San Jose “A Grand Guignol tripple terror stage 916-853-1511 7:30 p.m. show” 7 p.m. Free 8 p.m. Free Showing episodes of the new Dr. Who Tickets $18-$69 series, news, discussion of recent movies Held over for six more performances, Tuesday, September 27 and a raffle. each Saturday at 8 p.m. through Sept. 24. Mr. Cleaver www.picturepubpizza.com Saturday, September 24 Monday, September 26 Parkway Speakeasy Theater USS Augusta Ada Meeting Cal Animage Alpha 1834 Park Blvd. Starfleet Chapter Location TBA Oakland trek.starshine.org Univeristy of California $5 Round Table Pizza Berkeley Slasher movie made by local slasher 5160 Geary Blvd 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. fans. San Francisco Free Free Schedule: Wednesday, September 28 1 p.m. Tsubasa Chronicle Neil Gaiman appearance Kepler’s Books Saturday, September 24 Monday, September 26 1010 El Camino Real Tachyon Publications Anniversary Party Bay Area Science Fiction Association Menlo Park Borderlands Books The Original Hick’ry Pit 7:30 p.m. www.borderlands-books.com 980 E. Campbell Ave. Free 866 Valencia St. Campbell At this event, Gaiman will sign as many San Francisco 8 p.m. copies of Anansi Boys as are purchased and 2 p.m. Free up to two other items per customer. Free www.basfa.org.

More Events Next Page 21 Thursday, September 29 September 30, October 1-2 rinan, Tim Vigil, Joe Vigil, Nate Watson. Michael Chabon and Neil Gaiman in Crown Tournament Conversation Westkingdom.org/calendar/ Saturday, October 1 Book Passage OctCrown2005.php Ellen Steiber appearance 51 Tamal Vista Blvd. Sonoma-Marin County Fairgrounds Borderlands Books Corte Madera Petaluma www.borderlands-books.com 7 p.m. Noon Friday – 4 p.m. Sunday 866 Valencia St. Free $12-$15 San Francisco Tourney to determine successor for the 2 p.m. Friday, September 30 Kingdom of the West. Free Sci-Fi / Fantasy Book Group Barnes & Noble Booksellers September 30-October 5 Saturday, October 1 Weberstown Mall Mirrormask Ellen Steiber reading and signing 4950 Pacific Avenue, Space 319 www.calfilm.org The Other Change of Hobbit Stockton Rafael Film Center 2020 Shattuck Ave. 209-472-1885 1118 Fourth Street Berkeley 6:30 p.m. San Rafael 5 p.m. Free 415-454-1222 Free $9.25 The author will read from and sign her Friday, September 30 Limited engagement run of the new first adult fantasy novel A Rumor of Gems. Neil Gaiman appearance movie by Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean. First Congregational Church Saturday, October 1 Berkeley Saturday, October 1 Terry Pratchett appearance 7 p.m. Hayward Comic Con The Booksmith (hosted by Cody’s Books; ticketed event) www.borderlands-books.com 1644 Haight Street Neil Gaiman (Anansi Boys) reads and Centenial Hall San Francisco signs. 22292 Foothill Blvd. 7 p.m. From the Cody’s Books website: Hayward Free Tickets are required; they’ll be available 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Terry Pratchett (Thud) reads and signs. beginning September 20 with the purchase $5 of Anansi Boys at any Cody’s location Dealer’s room. Guests: Marshall Rogers, (Berkeley and San Francisco). Alex Suviak, Tony DeZuniga, Chris Mar- More Events Next Page 22 Monday, October 3 A small general science fiction conven- Saturday, October 8 Cal Animage Alpha tion. Anime track, dealers room, programing SF Browncoats Location TBA track. sfbrowncoats.com Univeristy of California Cafe Murano Berkeley Saturday, October 8 San Francisco 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Lord of the Rings Feast Noon Free Greater Bay Area Costumers Guild Event Free Schedule: GBACG $39.50 Serenity/Firefly fan group. Meets every Eyeshield 21 Non-members $44.50 second Saturday of each month. Sequoia Lodge, Oakland Hills. Come to Join the yahoo group from the link on Monday, October 3 the House of Elrond in Rivendell, whether their website for schedule updates. Bay Area Science Fiction Association you like food or story-telling or singing or The Original Hick’ry Pit a pleasant mixture of them all. The evening Saturday, October 8 980 E. Campbell Ave. will be filled with the faint scent of trees Fiona Avery appearance Campbell and flowers, as if summer still lingers in Borderlands Books 8 p.m. Elrond’s gardens. . GBACG members may www.borderlands-books.com Free purchase tickets Aug. 12-31. Tickets go on 866 Valencia St. www.basfa.org. sale to the General Public September 1. San Francisco 2 p.m. Tuesday, October 4 October 8 Free Stanford Newtype Anime Club 5th Annual Metreon Festival of Anime Author of The Crown Rose will sign. www.stanford.edu/group/newtype Metreon Loction TBD 101 4th Street Saturday, October 8 Palo Alto San Francisco John Ringo appearance 8 p.m. 11 a.m. - Borderlands Books Free Free or ? www.borderlands-books.com This is usually a small, but nice event. 866 Valencia St. October 7-9 The price is free since most of it is held in San Francisco Silicon 2005 the public areas of the Metreon, but if you 4 p.m. www.siliconventions.com want to watch the anime being shown or be Free Doubletree Hotel eligible for a prize in the costume contest, San Jose you have to buy a membership. More Events Next Page 23 Sunday, October 9 3501 McHenry Avenue, Suite E Sunday, October 16 Speculative Fiction Book Club Modesto Science Fiction Book Club Kepler’s Books 209-521-1118 Borderlands Books 1010 El Camino Real 7 p.m. www.borderlands-books.com Menlo Park Free 866 Valencia St. 7 p.m. San Francisco Free Thursday, October 13 6 p.m. This month’s book is Alphabet of Thorn Thrillville’s Horror Host Palooza 2005! Free by Patricia McKillip. Dracula vs. Frankenstein This month’s book is Bloodsucking Fiends Astro Zombies by Christopher Moore. Monday, October 10 www.picturepubpizza.com Cal Animage Alpha Parkway Speakeasy Theater Monday, October 17 Location TBA 1834 Park Blvd. Cal Animage Alpha Univeristy of California Oakland Location TBA Berkeley $10 Univeristy of California 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Berkeley Free Will the Thrill and Tiki Gossess Monica 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Schedule: present a double feature of Dracula vs. Free Loveless Frankenstein and Astro Zombies with live Schedule: theremin by Robert Silverman, and guest Law of Ueki Monday, October 10 appearances by horror hosts John Stanley, Bay Area Science Fiction Association Doctor Goulfinger, Mr. Lobo, Ms. Monster, Monday, October 17 The Original Hick’ry Pit Rock ‘n’ Roll Ray and Son of Ghoul. Bay Area Science Fiction Association 980 E. Campbell Ave. The Original Hick’ry Pit Campbell Saturday, October 15 980 E. Campbell Ave. 8 p.m. Manga Otaku Book Group Campbell Free Barnes & Noble Booksellers 8 p.m. www.basfa.org. Weberstown Mall Free 4950 Pacific Avenue, Space 319 www.basfa.org. Tuesday, October 11 Stockton Sci-Fi Book Club 209-472-1885 Barnes & Noble Booksellers 6 p.m. More Events Next Page Free 24 Tuesday, October 18 Thursday, October 20 Burlingame Nightmare in Blood The Chainsaw Mafia 2005 Indie Horror Film Time: TBA www.picturepubpizza.com Festival Cost: TBA Parkway Speakeasy Theater www.picturepubpizza.com The Northern California premiere 1834 Park Blvd. www.thechainsawmafia.com of this horror movie tribute to the great Oakland Parkway Speakeasy Theater horror movies of the past. Filmed in $5 1834 Park Blvd. black and white, and featuring not only 9:15 p.m. Oakland Frankenstein’s monster amd the Creature, Director and local horror host legend $6 but also a werewolf. John Stanley will appear at this showing The Chainsaw Mafia is now acceepting This event will be hosted by legendary of a locally-filmed but rarely seen vampire entries for this festival of short horror films, horror movie host The Ghoul. Cast and movie. science fiction and cult films also considered crew will also be present. Question and if they have horror elements. Films may answer session with director William Wednesday, October 19 include nudity, gore and violence “and, Winckler. Plus horror shorts. Gregory Maguire appearance please, lots of it.” Books Inc. The showing will be hosted by Shannon Friday, October 21 2275 Market Street Lark and her Zombie Dancing Girls. Futurist Salon Book Group San Francisco Barnes & Noble Booksellers 7:30 p.m. October 20-26 Hillsdale Shopping Center Free Zombie Honeymoon 11 West Hillsdale Blvd. Greogry Maguire, the best selling author Red Vic Movie House San Mateo of Wicked, will introduce his new book, Son 1727 Haight Street 650-341-5560 of a Witch. San Francisco 7:30 p.m. San Francisco premiere of this zombie Free Thursday, October 20 movie. Sci-Fi & Fantasy Book Group Friday, October 21 Barnes & Noble Booksellers Friday, October 21 Chris Ware appearance Creekside Town Center William Winckler’s Frankenstein vs. The The Booksmith 1256 Galleria Boulevard Creature From Blood Cove 1644 Haight Street Roseville www.bayareafilmevents.com San Francisco 916-788-4320 Hyatt Theater Time: TBD 7 p.m. Highway 101 Broadway Overpass Free Free 25 Saturday, October 22 525 South Winchester Boulevard Monday, October 24 William Winckler’s Frankenstein vs. The San Jose Cal Animage Alpha Creature From Blood Cove 6 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. Location TBA www.bayareafilmevents.com $31 Univeristy of California Auctions by the Bay Berkeley Alameda October 22-30 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Time: TBA Monster Movie Marathon Free Cost: TBA www.castrotheater.com Schedule: A second Northern California showing Castro Theater Glass Mask of this horror movie tribute to the great 429 Castro Street horror movies of the past. Filmed in San Francisco Monday, October 24 black and white, and featuring not only From the Castro website: Bay Area Science Fiction Association Frankenstein’s monster amd the Creature, Everybody’s favorites: Frankenstein, the The Original Hick’ry Pit but also a werewolf. Mummy, Wolf Man, Dracula, Night Of 980 E. Campbell Ave. This event will be hosted by legendary The Living Dead spooktacular! and dare Campbell horror movie host The Ghoul. Cast and I say, Get HAMMERED at the Castro, 8 p.m. crew will also be present. Question and if you know what I mean, scares, frights, Free answer session with director William chills and thrills for nine spooky nights. www.basfa.org. Winckler. Plus horror shorts. Tuesday, October 25 Tuesday, October 25 Saturday, October 22 Night of the Comet Clive Barker Chris Ware signing www.picturepubpizza.com Stacey’s Books Kepler’s Books Parkway Speakeasy Theater 581 Market Street 1010 El Camino Real 1834 Park Blvd. San Francisco, CA 94105 Menlo Park Oakland 415-421-4687 5 p.m. Free Noon Free 9:15 p.m. No that’s not a typo, this is showing as Send your reviews, reports and notes Saturday, October 22 part of their audience appreciation nights. about Bay Area fans and fan activities Flashlight Tour to: Winchester Mystery House www.winchestermysteryhouse.com More Events Next Page [email protected]. 26 Tuesday, October 25 Tuesday, October 25 The Planets Japanimation Book Group (Graphic Novel) Thursday, October 27, 2005 Dava Sobel lecture Barnes & Noble Booksellers Robert Jordan appearance Mechanic’s Institute 6111 Sunrise Blvd. Bay Book Co. Mechanic’s Institute Library Citrus Heights Strawflower Shopping Center 57 Post Street 916-853-1511 80 F. Cabrillo Hwy. San Francisco 7 p.m. Half Moon Bay 12:30 pm Free 7:00 p.m. Members free; Free Public $7 Tuesday, October 25 The best-selling author of Longitude Clive Barker appearance Thursday, October 27 and Galileo’s Daughter, presents a luminous The Booksmith Lost Boys exploration of our solar system. Weaving 1644 Haight Street www.picturepubpizza.com cosmic history with up-to-the-minute San Francisco Parkway Speakeasy Theater science discoveries, Sobel describes the Time: TBD 1834 Park Blvd. planets as objects of beauty, sources of Free Oakland legends and myths, inspirations for poems, $6 paintings and science fiction, and the cause Wednesday, October 26, 2005 9:15 p.m. of social revolutions. Robert Jordan appearance Trivia, prizes, contests. Dava Sobel is an award-winning former Cody’s Stockton Street science writer for The New York Times. 2 Stockton Street October 28-30 Her work has also appeared in Audubon, San Francisco Yaoicon 5 Discover, Life, and The New Yorker. 7:30 p.m. www.yaoicon.com Free The Westin San Francisco Airport Tuesday, October 25 1 Old Bayshore Highway Clive Barker Thursday, October 27, 2005 Millbrae Booksmith R. A. Salvatore appearance A celebration of male beauty and 1644 Haight Street Barnes & Noble Booksellers passion in anime and manga. Dealers San Francisco 3600 Stevens Creek Blvd room, programming, cosplay contest, bishi 415-863-8688 San Jose auction. Must be 18 years of age or older to 7 p.m. 408-984-3495 attend. Free 7:00 p.m. More Events Next Page Free 27 Friday, October 28, 2005 Friday, October 28 Saturday, October 29 Sci-Fi / Fantasy Book Group Legion of Rassilon Flashlight Tour Barnes & Noble Booksellers Doctor Who fan group Winchester Mystery House Weberstown Mall Carl’s Junior www.winchestermysteryhouse.com 4950 Pacific Avenue, Space 319 2551 N. First Street 525 South Winchester Boulevard Stockton, CA 95207 San Jose San Jose 209-472-1885 7:30 p.m. 6 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Free $31 Showing episodes of the new Dr. Who Friday, October 28, 2005 series, news, discussion of recent movies Monday, October 31 Robert Jordan appearance and a raffle. Flashlight Tour Barnes & Noble Booksellers Winchester Mystery House 3600 Stevens Creek Blvd Saturday, October 29, 2005 www.winchestermysteryhouse.com San Jose Robert Jordan appearance 525 South Winchester Boulevard 408-984-3495 Borders Books & Music San Jose 7:00 p.m. 1200 Pacific Ave., Suite 100 6 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. Free Santa Cruz $31 4:00 p.m. Friday, October 28 Free Monday, October 24 R. A. Salvatore Q and A, signing Cal Animage Alpha The Other Change of Hobbit Saturday, October 29 Location TBA 2020 Shattuck Ave. Ghost Train Univeristy of California Berkeley www.roaringcamp.com Berkeley 7 p.m. Roaring Camp 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Free Felton Free The author will hold a question and $20 adults Schedule: answer session and sign his latest forgotten $15 Children Glass Mask Realms novel Promise of the Witch-King. Ride to Bear Mountain through a haunted redwood forest as the Legend of Sleepy Hollow is portrayed. Reservations required. 1-888-25-EVENTS for tickets.

28 Monday, October 31 9 a.m. – 11 p.m. mazurkas, to cool blues fox trot and tango Bay Area Science Fiction Association The second year for this very fun one- to early Swing and classic Rock at this very The Original Hick’ry Pit day convention sponsored by one of the eclectic Gathering of Kindred. As usual, all 980 E. Campbell Ave. oldest anime clubs in the U.S. set dances will be taught or called at the Campbell Anime track, programming, concert ball. 8 p.m. by j-rock group Beautiful Losers, cosplay Suggested costume is evening dress or Free contest, dealers, swap meet. dress uniform from the century and country www.basfa.org. of your “rebirth,” or modern evening dress. Saturday, November 5 While there is no dress code for the ball November 4-6 Le Bal Des Vampires (and we certainly don’t expect Spike to dress Bascon PEERS (The Period Events & up for the occasion!), you will see some of Embassy Suites Entertainments Re-Creation Society) the most gorgeously costumed guests of the 250 Gateway Boulevard Event social season at this ball. South San Francisco www.peers.org The ball’s half-time show will be another Memberships: $70 to 10/31/05 or until The Lake Merritt Dance Center cutting edge performance by Le Theatre des sold out At The Oakland Veterans’ Memorial Hall Vampires, the most feared theater company Information: BASCon, P.O. Box 282197, 200 Grand Ave., Oakland, CA on the West Coast. Not recommended for San Francisco, CA 94128-2197 Waltz the night away in a romantic the faint of heart. Email: [email protected] ballroom with the San Francisco Bay For those wishing to learn or practice The fifth Bay Area Slash Convention. Area’s most glamorous Undead at the 12th the dances before the ball, there will be an Open to those 18 years or older. Annual Le Bal des Vampires. optional pre-ball dance workshop (details Dealers’ room, art show, panels, video The evening will, as usual, feature TBA). show, con suite. truly haunting 18th, 19th, and 20th century ballroom dance music by Brazen Monday, November 7 November 5 Hussey, one of the most exciting dance Lemony Snicket appearance AnimeDestiny 2005 bands around, equally at home playing The Booksmith www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~animage/animed/ classical music, vintage dance music, Celtic 1644 Haight Street University of California Berkeley fusion, Swing, blues and hard rock. While San Francisco Berkeley the program, as usual, has a strong waltz Time: TBD $10 in advance, $15 at the door bias, the program includes everything Free Members of Cal-Animage Alpha get in from elegant 18th century country and free. set dances to Viennese waltzes, polkas and More Events Next Page 29 Monday, November 7 San Francisco the same traditional story that Rumiko Taka- Cal Animage Alpha Time: TBD hashi used as the basis for her Mermaid Forest Location TBA Free manga so anime fans might be particularly Univeristy of California interested in this show. Berkeley Friday and Saturday, November 11-12 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Mermaid Meat Saturday, November 12 Free Eugene & Elinor Friend Center for the SF Browncoats Schedule: Arts sfbrowncoats.com Mar Kanbar Hall Cafe Murano Jewish Community Center of San Fran- San Francisco Monday, November 7 cisco Noon Bay Area Science Fiction Association 3200 California Street Free The Original Hick’ry Pit San Francisco Serenity/Firefly fan group. Meets every 980 E. Campbell Ave. Tickets: (415) 29201233, www.jccsf.org/ second Saturday of each month. Campbell arts Join the yahoo group from the link on 8 p.m. Group Discounts: (415) 346-7805 their website for schedule updates. Free $25 www.basfa.org. Brenda Wong Aoki and Mark Izu present Saturday, November 12 Mermaid Meat: The Secret to Immortality No Name Anime Showing Thursday, November 10 and other Japanese ghost stories. Saratoga Library Charles Burns I can't recommend this highly enough. 13650 Saratoga Ave. Diesel, A Bookstore See my review in issue two of the perfor- Saratoga 5433 College Avenue mance of Black Hair at the SF Theater Fes- 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. or so Oakland tival. In addition to the title story and Black Free 510-653-9965 Hair, they will also be performing The Bell 7:30 p.m. of Dojoji, Dancing in California and a new More Events Next Page Free work. Aoki is a wonderful performer, using Friday, November 11 her voice and acting skills to bring to life Charles Burns appearance traditional Japanese ghost stories with Izu The Booksmith providing musical accompaniment. 1644 Haight Street I suspect that Mermaid Meat is based on 30 Saturday – Sunday, November 12-13 Free Friday, November 18 Robot Fighting League 2005 National Schedule: George R. R. Martin Appearance Championship Zipang Kepler’s Books www.botleague.com 1010 El Camino Real combots.net/index Monday, November 14 Menlo Park Herbst Pavilion, Fort Mason Center Bay Area Science Fiction Association Noon San Francisco The Original Hick’ry Pit Free $20 980 E. Campbell Ave. Noon – 11 p.m. Campbell Friday, November 18 8 p.m. George R. R. Martin Appearance Saturday and Sunday, November 12-13 Free Bay Book Co. Creation’s Salute to Sci-Fi TV www.basfa.org. Half Moon Bay Wyndham San Jose 7:00 p.m. 1350 N. First Street Wednesday, November 16 Free San Jose George R. R. Martin Appearance Copperfield’s Books Sunday, November 20 Sunday, November 13 140 Kentucky St. Science Fiction Book Club Speculative Fiction Book Club Petaluma Borderlands Books Kepler’s Books 7 p.m. www.borderlands-books.com 1010 El Camino Real Free 866 Valencia St. Menlo Park San Francisco 7 p.m. Thursday, November 17 6 p.m. Free George R. R. Martin Appearance Free This month’s book is Gun With Stacy’s Books This month’s book is Tamsin by Peter Occasional Music by Johnathan Lethem. 581 Market Street Beagle. The author will visit. Please contact San Francisco Jude at [email protected] Monday, November 14 12:30 p.m. for more information. Cal Animage Alpha Free Location TBA Univeristy of California Berkeley 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. More Events Next Page 31 Monday, November 21 Monday, November 28 event, Mad Science’s specially trained Cal Animage Alpha Cal Animage Alpha instructors will present a host of interactive Location TBA Location TBA demonstrations designed to introduce Univeristy of California Univeristy of California young spectators to science. Berkeley Berkeley 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Monday, December 5 Free Free Bay Area Science Fiction Association Schedule: Schedule: The Original Hick’ry Pit Sosei no Aquarion Initial D: The 4th Stage 980 E. Campbell Ave. Campbell Monday, November 21 Monday, November 28 8 p.m. Bay Area Science Fiction Association Bay Area Science Fiction Association Free The Original Hick’ry Pit The Original Hick’ry Pit www.basfa.org. 980 E. Campbell Ave. 980 E. Campbell Ave. Campbell Campbell Saturday, December 10 8 p.m. 8 p.m. Wintershoppingland Free Free Hayward Centennial Hall www.basfa.org. www.basfa.org. 22292 Foothill Blvd. Hayward Friday, November 25 Tuesday, November 29 www.wintershoppingland.com Legion of Rassilon A Zathura Science Spectacular with the Mad 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Doctor Who fan group Scientists $2 (Free 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.) Carl’s Junior Kepler’s Books This is an anime event organized by the 2551 N. First Street 1010 El Camino Real group that puts on Yaoi Con and Tales of San Jose Menlo Park Anime. Costume contest, dealers room, 7:30 p.m. 5 p.m. programming to be announced. Free Free Showing episodes of the new Dr. Who Mad Science’s Zathura event offers series, news, discussion of recent movies children a spectacular exploration of space and a raffle. science in honor of Chris Van Allsburg’s classic book and the November release of the Zathura movie! In this 45-minute More Events Next Page 32 Saturday, December 10 Sunday, December 18 Sunday, January 15, 2006 SF Browncoats Science Fiction Book Club Science Fiction Book Club sfbrowncoats.com Borderlands Books Borderlands Books Cafe Murano www.borderlands-books.com www.borderlands-books.com San Francisco 866 Valencia St. 866 Valencia St. Noon San Francisco San Francisco Free 6 p.m. 6 p.m. Serenity/Firefly fan group. Meets every Free Free second Saturday of each month. This month’s book is Cat's Cradle This month’s book is The Stars My Desti- Join the yahoo group from the link on by Kurt Vonegut. Please contact Jude at nation by Alfred Bester. Please contact Jude their website for schedule updates. [email protected] for more at [email protected] for information. more information.

Monday, December 12 Monday, December 19 January 19-23, 2006 Bay Area Science Fiction Association Bay Area Science Fiction Association Further Confusion The Original Hick’ry Pit The Original Hick’ry Pit San Jose Doubletree 980 E. Campbell Ave. 980 E. Campbell Ave. www.furtherconfusion.org Campbell Campbell $40 8 p.m. 8 p.m. Furry convention. Free Free www.basfa.org. www.basfa.org. February 10-12 2006 Wondercon Saturday and Sunday, December 17-18 Monday, December 26 The Moscone Center Japantown Anime Faire 3 Bay Area Science Fiction Association San Francisco Japantown The Original Hick’ry Pit Comic book convention with anime, San Francisco 980 E. Campbell Ave. summer movie previews, panels, dealers, www.jtaf.com Campbell costume contest, more. 6 p.m. 8 p.m. Fun local anime convention with anime Free showings, dealer’s room, costume contest, www.basfa.org. panels.

33 February 17-20, 2006 March 3-5 2006 from San Francisco, will play an evening of Dundracon Consonace 2006 opera and ballet tunes arranged for ballroom San Ramon Marriott www.consonance.org/ dancing and brilliant Viennese Waltzes, 2600 Bishop Drive Crowne Plaza Silicon Valley polkas, mazurkas, schottisches, reels, and San Ramon 777 Bellew Drive quadrilles. All set dances will be taught or www.dundracon.com Milpitas called and there will a pre-ball dance class to $? Memberships: $35 to 10/31/05, $40 to help you brush up on your mid-Victorian Gaming convention. 2/18/06, $45 at door dance skills. And, of course, they will play Filk convention. Guests: Bill & those perennial favorites, “The Congress of February 17-20, 2006 Gretchen Roper, Marty Coady Fabish, Vienna Waltz” and “Sir Roger de Coverley” PantheaCon Puzzlebox, Chris Conway (with a distinctly Wagnerian edge). San Jose Doubletree Suggested costume for this gala event is Pagan convention. Workshops, lectures, Saturday, March 4, 2006 Victorian evening or ball dress (circa 1860’s- performances, rituals, vendors, drumming, The Phantom of the Opera Ball 80’s), period fancy dress, or modern evening dancing, costume contest. PEERS Event dress. Masks are strongly suggested. Masonic Lodge of San Mateo The fashionable young gentlemen of the February 19, 2006 Doors Open: 7:00 p.m. Jockey Club will be pleased to know that Science Fiction Book Club Dance lesson: 7:15 p.m. evening’s entertainment includes operatic Borderlands Books Dancing begins: 8:00 p.m. and ballet excerpts by the company, www.borderlands-books.com Tickets: $15.00 in advance (by February including the premiere of the ballet from 866 Valencia St. 28) the controversial new opera “Sappho,” San Francisco At the door: $20.00 choreographed by the celebrated Mme. 6 p.m. Don’t let those wild rumors of an Opera Giry for the Peerless Ballet. Free Ghost keep you from attending the social Refreshments will be served throughout This month’s book is Wonderland by event of the season, the Opera Ball of the the evening (Since we lack the catering Joyce Carol Oates. Please contact Jude at Paris Opera Populaire. This is destined to be budget of the Paris Opera Populaire, [email protected] for more the most spectacular of all our masquerade your potluck contributions will be deeply information. balls and Management assures you that appreciated). “Everything is under control.” Our special guests - Monsieur Frank Beau Davis, that American trumpet virtuoso and his brilliant Brassworks Band 34 March 19, 2006 Sunday, April 24, 2006 May 21, 2006 Science Fiction Book Club 3DB Con Science Fiction Book Club Borderlands Books www.threedollarbill.com/3DBcon Borderlands Books www.borderlands-books.com Three Dollar Bill Cafe1800 Market Street www.borderlands-books.com 866 Valencia St. San Francisco 866 Valencia St. San Francisco 10:00 AM-10:00 PM San Francisco 6 p.m. $10 6 p.m. Free Game Convention. Free This month’s book is Declare by This month’s book is the graphic novel Tim Powers. Please contact Jude at Saturday, May 6, 2006 Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. [email protected] for more The Fairy Tale Masquerade Ball Please contact Jude at jfeldman@borderlands- information. Masonic Lodge of San Mateo books.com for more information. Doors Open: 7:00 p.m. April 16, 2006 Dance lesson: 7:15 p.m. May 26-29 Science Fiction Book Club Dancing begins: 8:00 p.m. Fanime Con Borderlands Books Tickets: $15.00 in advance (by April 29, San Jose Convention Center www.borderlands-books.com 2006) San Jose 866 Valencia St. At the door: $20.00 www.fanime.com San Francisco Price 6 p.m. May 11-14, 2006 The largest annual anime convention Free World Horror Con 2006 in the Bay Area. Dealer's room, panels, This month’s book is Dark Beyond The Gateway Holiday Inn costume contest, multiple tracks of anime, Stars by local author Frank Robinson. www.whc2006.org Asian films, J-pop concert, much more. Author will visit. Please contact Jude at The world horror con comes to the bay [email protected] for more area. information.

35 May 26-29 Ongoing: Ken McGhee helps participants develop Baycon Bay Area Science Fiction Association the skills they need to draw characters, San Jose Doubletree Inn The Original Hick’ry Pit taking the class on a journey through the San Jose 980 E. Campbell Ave. process and techniques of manga. Drop-in www.baycon.org Campbell class, all skill levels welcome. $45 until August 31 Mondays at 8 p.m. The largest annual general SF convention Free Bay Area Role-Playing Society in the Bay area. Dealer's room, panels, cos- www.basfa.org. www.BayRPS.com tume contest, anime room, much more. Go-Getter’s Pizza Legion of Rassilon 1489 Beach Park Boulevard August 4-6 2006 Doctor Who fan group Foster City Anime Overdose 2006 Carl’s Junior Wednesdays from 6pm to 10pm www.animeod.com 2551 N. First Street Hosts a weekly game night. For club San Francisco San Jose and game night details send email to: $30 to ?, $45 at door Meets every fourth Friday at 7:30 p.m. [email protected]. (Not confirmed, check Anime convention. (No December meeting) before attending.) Free Saturday, September 2, 2006 Showing episodes of the new Dr. Who SF Games Captain Morgan’s Privateers (We Ain’t Pirates series, news, discussion of recent movies vax.hanford.org/dk/games No More) Ball and a raffle. Muddy’s Coffeehouse PEERS Event 1304 Valencia Street near 24th Masonic Lodge of San Mateo Anime Style Drawing and Animation San Francisco Doors Open: 7:00 p.m. Techniques 7:00 p.m. to midnight Dance Lesson: 7:15 p.m. Frank Bette Center for the Arts Free Dancing begins: 8:00 p.m. www.frankbettecenter.org/ SF Games is a collective name for a Tickets: $15.00 in advance (by August 26, 1601 Paru Street bunch of people who get together and 2006) Alameda, CA 94501 play board games and card games every Tickets: $20.00 at the door 510-523-6957 week. Also has a cards night on Tuesdays at Fridays 4 p.m – 6 p.m. Café Macondo, 3159 16th Street between $10 teens per session Guerrero and Valencia. $35 adults per session Professional illustrator and fine artist 36