MarsCon 2001 will take place at the Radisson South Hotel, located at 7800 Normandale Boulevard in Bloomington Minnesota.MarsCon returns to the Radisson South Hotel the weekend of May 11-13, 2001, for another fan-run science fiction / fantasy convention for all ages. MarsCon offers great programming, fun and unique parties, a masquerade, a science room, an art show, film / anime room, gaming room, a charity auction ... and many other fun activities.
In this edition:
| Jane Yolen | Author Guest of Honor. Children's author and past president of the Science Fiction Writers of America. Newsweek calls her "America's Hans Christian Andersen." (Jane Yolen Official website) |
| Bill Blair | Actor Guest of Honor. Or perhaps our Alien Actor GoH; he has played many species in Babylon 5 and Star Trek episodes. (Bill Blair's official website) |
With Bill will be professional makeup artist | |
| Carl Talliaferro | who will be demonstrating character makeups. |
| Christopher Jones | Fan / Artist Guest of Honor. In addition to being a great comic artist, Christopher has been responsible for much of the artwork at MISFITS and CONvergence. Check out his work |
| Michael Liebmann | Music Guest of Honor. Michael is active in GaFiA - Georgia Filkers Annonymous - and GAFilk - the Georgia Filk Convention - and is the owner of Southern Fried Filk, LLC., a purveyor of Celtic, Filk and Folk music. (Michael Liebmann's website) |
We'll also have return visits from GoHs from MarsCon's first two years: | |
| Debbie David | Returning Guest of Honor. (1999) |
| Lisa Getto | Returning Guest of Honor. (2000) |
| Stanley Kubrick | Posthumous Guest of Honor. We just had to, considering our theme! |
Every once in awhile we get inquiries from folks who are new to conventions asking why people come to and participate in volunteer-run SF / Fantasy conventions like MarsCon in the first place. Con veterans know the answers well, but for those of you who are new to conventions, here's a list of a few of the reasons why people come to MarsCon:
TOP TEN REASONS TO COME TO MARSCON
#10 - Gaming, anime, comics, television, movies and just plain fannish zaniness & fun...it's all there!
#9 - I love to sing and dance... especially in costume. MarsCon has concerts, karaoke, filk, and a masquerade ball as well as other activities that provide me with many opportunities to do both.
#8 - The Dealers Room is full of the kinds of books, toys, jewelry, and novelty items that I like to admire and collect.
#7 - I want to hear news about the space program and prospects for future manned space missions and colonization of other planets, and I'd like to see the exhibits on display in the Science Room.
#6 - MarsCon is a wonderful place to display the costumes I've created and admire the costumes of others. I might even compete in the Masquerade costume contest this time around.
#5 - Discussing concepts like time travel, alien invasion, and alternate universes with open-minded people is my favorite way to spend a weekend, whether in a structured programming setting or during a casual conversation held in the Con Suite or a party room.
#4 - Star Trek, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Farscape, Xena, Babylon 5 and <<insert favorite sf / fantasy tv series or movie here>> are my all-time favorites, and I'd like to meet other people who enjoy these shows as much as I do.
#3 - I collect science fiction and fantasy artwork, and MarsCon has an art show that seems designed just for me!
#2 - The Guests of Honor are diverse and interesting, and I want to meet them all.
And the #1 reason to attend MarsCon: - It's a great place to play, with lots of theme party cabanas centered around a hot tub and swimming pool. The people there are friendly and fun.
There are many more reasons to come to MarsCon, and, of course, the best way to learn them is to come and discover them for yourselves.
by Christine LaBounty, Programming Chair
Working on programming for MarsCon 2000 was an absolute blast, and I can't possibly thank programming participants enough for all their wonderful ideas and the hard work that went into panels and performances at our last convention. You are all the BEST, and I hope to work with you again for 2001: A Space Oddity!
The programming space will be slightly more centered around the registration area for next year. We'll have the Main Stage, regular programming rooms, specialized programming cabanas AND the Garden Court in which to play. As always, programming will be geared toward embracing and celebrating all facets of Science Fiction, Fantasy, Gaming and Fandom. That includes costuming, hard sciences, the music of fandom, television, movies, radio, comic books, fan fic, poetry, novels, sf/fantasy art, and the usual fanish zaniness. After all, the ultimate goal of programming is FUN! Just to give you a taste, here's some of what to expect:
Great ideas are already starting to fly fast and furious through the email, but we could always use a few more. If you have an idea for an event, panel, special room, theme or ??? you would like to see at MarsCon, please let us know! You may want to volunteer to see that your idea happens, or you may just think some should do it. In either case, tell us. If you know of any people or organizations which might be willing to help out please include any contact information you can. You can use the form provided on our website to send your suggestions, or snail mail, email, or call us with them. And, just remember, there is no such thing as a dumb idea, only dumb cows... or something. Thank you for ALL your ideas, and keep 'em coming.
December, 2000 - First Call for Programming Ideas: in Progress Report #1 [this is it!];
February 11, 2001 - First Programming Deadline: Finalize Guest of Honor / Featured Guest Programming & prepare Main Stage programming schedule;
February 18, 2001 - Programming Subcommittee Breakout Session at ConCom meeting, 1-4 pm, Radisson South Hotel;
March 10, 2001 - Last Call for Programming Ideas;
March 17, 2001 - Final Programming Deadline: All programming titles & descriptions in final form for printing in the Program Book;
April 30, 2001 - Last Minute Programming Revisions, Corrections & Deletions due for Eratta Sheet & Pocket Program Guide.
Artists who participated in the MarsCon 2000 Art Show will receive a packet of information plus the appropriate forms a few months before MarsCon 2001. Anyone who wishes to receive a packet or who has questions about the Art Show should contact us by email, snailmail, or by calling us.
We'll post the schedule of the Art Show hours and auction times on our website and in PR2.
Here's some of the programming planned in the Art Show:
By Ron Patire, TCAAMS
Twin Cities Anme and Manga Society (TCAAMS) is proud to bring Anime to MarsCon 2001! We plan to show an assortment of anime titles both new and old, both Sci-Fi / Fantasy and some just plain amusing. Come enjoy Anime on the big screen with surround sound for your viewing experience. We are working on the titles to be shown, and will have a complete listing in the program guide. If you want more information on TCAAMS, visit us on the web at http://anime.at/tcaams.
Blue Mars will once again be providing a cozy place to view an eclectic max of genre films. From the classics to more recent fare, with fan films, anime, and hard to find obscurities, we hope to bring you the best in genre entertainment. We'll be right next door to the consuite, overlooking the pool.
This year the MarsCon 2001 Gaming Suite will be sponsored by the SOURCE Comics and Games! We're pretty excited about this association and know the SOURCE is already planning some top-notch games and tournaments designed to please gamers everywhere. Of course, volunteers are always needed, so if you have suggestions for games you'd like to see or would like to volunteer to GM some games, please contact us.
<shameless plug> Also, please visit the SOURCE at their store at Larpenteur and Snelling in Falcon Heights or check out their website at www.sourcecandg.com for all your comic / gaming / SF collectible needs!<shameless plug>
For the third year in a row, our Charity Auction will benefit the Camp Heartland Project. This is a national organization, with a permanent campsite in Minnesota, dedicated to assisting children and families impacted by HIV and AIDS. Camp Heartland's website may be found at www.campheartland.org.
Thank you to all who helped by donating items for the auction these past two years. We hope you will consider helping out again. Anyone who wishes to donate items to the 2001 Charity Auction for Camp Heartland is encouraged to contact us for further infomation.
There will also be a food drive at MarsCon 2001. We will be collecting non-perishable food items by the Registration desk throughout the convention. All food will be donated to the St. Paul Second Harvest Food Shelf. Thank you in advance for your donations.
MarsCon 2001 will take place at the Radisson South Hotel, located at 7800 Normandale Boulevard in Bloomington Minnesota.
It's Time To Book Your Rooms
The Radisson South is now accepting reservations for sleeping rooms for MarsCon 2001. Call the Radisson at 952-835-7800 or 800-333-3333 and be sure to tell them you're with MarsCon to get the convention room rate. In addition, we will have the pool-side cabanas available for groups or individuals hosting a party.
Party Cabanas
Once again, our very own Mistress of Mischief Malasondra will be taking requests for party cabanas. As always, she will need to know when you are coming in, and whether you have a preference for 1st or 2nd floor. Cabanas need to be booked for the weekend, so although you do not need to throw a party in the room both nights (you could even share your room with another group), you must take the rooms for Friday and Saturday nights. The deadline for cabana requests will be April 23, 2001. Email us at 2001info@marscon.org or send us this handy form to reserve your party room.
Advertise with MarsCon and your ad will reach an audience of SF / Fantasy fans, gamers, readers, collectors and other like-minded people. Please contact us at 2001info@marscon.org, by our P.O. Box, or by calling 612-724-0687 for information about the ad specs for PR2 and the Program Book. Rates are determined by who is advertising - a fan club or non-profit group would use the Fan rate. A business would use the Pro rate. All ads would print in black and white. Please call for details.
Here are the ad rates for PR2 and the Program Book:
| PR2 | Fan | Pro |
|---|---|---|
| 8" x 5" | $25 | $50 |
| Business Card | $10 | $20 |
| Ads for PR2 are due by March 1, 2001. | ||
| Program Book | Fan | Pro |
| Cover | $100 | $150 |
| 8" x 6.5" | $50 | $75 |
| 4" x 6.5" | $25 | $40 |
| Business Card | $10 | $20 |
| Ads for the Program Book are due by April 1, 2001. | ||
Yes, we need volunteers! No convention can happen without volunteers. One hour, one day, or whatever time and talents you have to offer will be appreciated. Volunteer for fun, volunteer to contribute to fandom, or volunteer for the perks - doesn't matter to us, just volunteer! Send us the Volunteer Form, contact us at 2001info@marscon.org, or come to one of our ConCom meetings (see below) to see what we are about.
Here are dates and times for upcoming ConCom meetings. At ConCom Meetings we talk about the status of the convention and its various departments. We look to see what areas need help, what policies need to be set, and how closely we are following our deadlines and goals. If you want to know a lot about planning MarsCon, or if you want to volunteer for a particular department in advance of the convention, a ConCom Meeting is a good place for you to be. ConCom Meetings are typically held the third Sunday of the month at 1:00 pm at the Radisson South Hotel in Bloomington Minnesota, the same place where the convention is held. Directions and other information about the Radisson South may be found here. Or you may call us on our hotline: 612-724-0687 for directions. Concom meetings are open to the public, and you are welcome to attend whether as a spectator or an active participant in planning the convention. The more the merrier!
Jan. 21, 1-4pm, Radisson South, Bloomington, MN
Feb. 18, 1-4pm, Radisson South, Bloomington, MN
Mar. 18, 1-4pm, Radisson South, Bloomington, MN
Apr. 15, 1-4pm, Radisson South, Bloomington, MN
Apr. 29, 1-4pm, Radisson South, Bloomington, MN
May 6, 1-4pm, Radisson South, Bloomington, MN
Hope to see you there!
You may now use credit cards to pre-register online. We are also very happy to accept registrations by mail as well. Registration rates will be increasing after January 31st, so we encourage everyone to pre-registre before that date to save $$.
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This page last revised January 12, 2006 at 01:50 PM