From: john@ontek.com (John Alan Stanley)
Newsgroups: alt.fan.furry
Subject: ConFurence 4 Progress Report Number 3
Summary: The lastest scoop on CF4
Keywords: confurence progress report
Date: 12 Dec 92 02:48:04 GMT
Followup-To: alt.fan.furry
Organization: ConFurence- The Anthropomorphic Seminar/Convention

ConFurence Four Progress Report

ConFurence Four, In Search Of Ancient Furries, is henceforth dedicated
to the memory of Deal Whitley, comic creator and furry artist.  At the
request of Deal's friends and associates, we will be setting up a
charity fund at ConFurence Four for Du Cret School of the Arts, which
Deal was attending last year.  The idea is to fund a cartooning program
at that school, or a series of guest lectures featuring local
cartoonists, with money donated in Deal's name.  ConFurence will be
supporting this fund through several fund-raising events, as well as
through collection kitties at several locations throughout the con. 
More information is below... 

The Guests
==========

We are happy and proud to say that we are presenting one of Larry Dixon
and Mercedes Lackey's only appearances on the west coast for the
entirety of 1993!  The books just keep coming from these folks--Winds of
Fate just hit the stands in hardcover (and shot up the sales charts),
along with new books in the Serrated Edge Series.  Firebird Arts and
Music, a major producer of filk music recordings out of Portland,
recently began offering Freedom, Flight, and Fantasy, a new tape/CD with
lyrics by Mercedes, music by Leslie Fish, and performances by Heather
Alexander and others.  On the same label, the celtic folk-rock group
Tempest has released Serrated Edge, a project inspired by Mercedes'
books.  (Firebird can be reached at P.O.  Box 14785, Portland, OR
92714.) We're expecting to get a lot of new people at ConFurence Four,
just there to see Mercedes and Larry.  We'll be more than happy to
introduce them to many other interesting stories and characters, too! 

And don't forget, in addition to our other special guest, long-time fan
and fanzine editor Ken Fletcher, ConFurence Four will feature many of
the well-known furry names you've come to expect at ConFurence.  Names
like Terrie Smith, Jim Groat, Edd Vick, Dan Flahive, Phil Morrissey,
John Cawley, Fred Patten, and plus a host of fresh new talent.  But
remember, our most important guest is always--you! 

The Hotel
=========

We're more than pleased with our new hotel--and they seem pretty happy
with us!  That's because already lots of good furries are calling up and
getting their rooms reserved early.  But that means you had better get
yours soon too!  We're expecting to handily fill up our block by
convention time, so don't get left out!  Remember, single and double
rooms are only $65.00 a night (same as ConFurence Zero!), triples and
quads are only $75.00 a night, and the Executive Level is only $85.00 a
night with all the extra goodies that go with it (call the hotel for
more info on that!).  But we have some special goodies planned for all
of you!  We've mentioned that our hospitality suite has its own private
hot tub--but did we mention that the tub also has its own private VCR
and monitor?  How about some furry films in the jacuzzi, anyone?  That
plus the big pool, the weight room, the two great restaurants and the
bar, and one entire floor of convention rooms to ourselves.  This hotel
is something!  Call (714) 540-7000 right now and make your reservations
right away.  And be sure to mention ConFurence Four! 

The Dealers' Den
================

Folks, we'll put it simply--Hurry!  Tables in the Dealers' Den have just
about sold out, and we expect the rest to go fast!  Remember, this hotel
has our convention level right across from the underground parking
garage, with no steps up or down between them, so set-up and breakdown
should be a snap!  Here's the deal: Full 6 ft.  by 2 1/2 ft.  tables
sell for only $50.00 with two full memberships included, and additional
tables are only $20.00.  Or, half-tables (3 ft.  by 2 1/2 ft.) sell for
only $30.00, with one full membership included.  Contact Rod O'Riley at
ConFurence for more dealers' information. 

In front of the Art Show is our Artist Alley, a less formal (and
cheaper!) gathering place for creative people to show off and sell their
stuff.  Half-tables (same as above) are available free of charge, on a
daily first-come, first reserved basis only (no reservations).  Sign-ups
are first thing each morning, so come early and get yours!  And speaking
of... 

The Art Show
============

This year is going to once again be bigger than ever.  We know because
the whole room is bigger than any we've had before!  That means lots
more room in which to display lots more furry drawings, paintings,
sculpture, and other media--even computers!  Once again, with the
standard demand for space at a ConFurence Art Show, not to mention our
never-full policy, we're requesting that anyone planning to sell art
through our show please register your total number of panel/table spaces
with us prior to the convention.  Remember, one 4 ft.  by 4 ft. 
horizontal or vertical space is available free with your paid attending
or supporting membership, but we need to know if you intend to use it! 
Additional 4 by 4 ft.  spaces are available for only $5.00 each, but
again we need to know how many you'll need, whether it's for art to
auction or art to display.  Mailed-in art, agented art, or art you bring
in yourself are all acceptable, but you must fill out an art
registration packet prior to displaying in the show.  Contact John
Stanley at ConFurence for more Art Show and Auction information. 

The Costumes
============

Furry Costumers have an opportunity to show off their stuff at a special
SIG meeting on Saturday afternoon, or just wear their costumes around
the con.  All costumes seen will be photographed, and the photos
displayed at the Saturday Night Feed for voting by all those who're at
the dinner (hint hint!).  Prizes will be awarded for the first and
second most popular furry suits, plus maybe some special recognition
prizes.  If you plan on presenting a costume Saturday, and have any
special sound or lighting needs, make sure to get in touch with
ConFurence right away! 

The Games
=========

No, this is not where the elk and gazelle gather!  This is where the
players gather, be it for Justifiers, or GURPS, or Albedo, or Other
Suns, or Toon, or whatever!  Play the dice to your heart's content
through the night.  Contact Shayn Raney at the ConFurence address for
more information, or to arrange specific games. 

The Filking
===========

With a guest like Mercedes Lackey, we are not going to pass up the
opportunity to have a real whiz-bang of a Saturday night filk contest! 
Those who write or parody songs of a science fiction nature (especially
furry!) can sing or read their lyrics, or find some brave soul to do it
for them.  Then, the audience votes the best song!  Songs can be of our
special theme, creatures of legend and fantasy, or any topic of furry
interest.  Following the contest, it's singing as you please into the
wee hours of the mornin'.  Write to Rod O'Riley at the ConFurence
address for more filking info. 

The Machines
============

And welcome to it!  Whether your bit is computer games, graphics,
animation, networking, or virtual reality role playing, you'll find
plenty of kindred here!  Displays and live network tie-ins will be
available at ConFurence, so bring your imagination and your curiosity. 

The Happenings--
================

The Cabaret
-----------

Once again we'll be presenting our Saturday Night Cabaret, which was so
successful as a fund raiser for Reed Waller last year.  This year we're
raising funds for the Du Cret School of the Arts, in memory of our
friend Deal Whitley.  Tickets will be available for a separate charge at
Registration--18 and over only, please!  Come spend the night with us
and see the furry, the funny, and the truly outrageous! 

The Food
--------

As before, Friday night we'll be presenting our special all-you-can-eat
ice cream social, included free with your membership.  Come hob with the
nobs and chill for the ill.  But, Saturday, it's an all new
story--Pizza!  Stacks and stacks of your favorite toppings and drinks,
all at a modest price-per-slice.  Tickets for this special event go on
sale Friday, so get yours early--you know how fans can polish off pizza! 

The Furries
-----------

Once again you'll see our popular round-robin style SIG (special
interest group) meetings, dedicated to comics, art, writing, universe
creating, computers, networks, and many other topics.  Special SIGs will
be dedicated to our special theme, In Search Of Ancient Furries.  That
is, furries in myth, legend, and history of many cultures, from dragons,
unicorns, gryphons, satyrs and everything else you can think of.  We'll
have another special SIG meeting for fans of legendary furry
characters--be that Coyote, the Monkey King, Reynard, or what have you. 
Also, Four will see the return of the popular species SIGs, for people
with an interest in particular types of animals.  We've got club
meetings exclusively for each of you! 

The Folks
---------

Each of our special guests will have a special solo meeting to meet with
their fans, answer questions, and tell us everything about becoming a
name--except what they don't want to tell us!  And, our guests will be
available at their own tables for autographs and other socializing
things. 

The Film
--------

Video, actually.  The amount of anthropomorphic material available, from
movies and TV around the world, has exploded lately!  And we plan to
take advantage of it.  Plan to see an amazing spread of movies,
episodes, shorts, and other goodies--some you may not believe!  If you
have suggestions or stuff to offer, get in touch with Jim Lomax at the
ConFurence address. 

The Help We Need... 
===================

Our Sponsors
------------

Sponsors are the wonderful people who help keep ConFurence going by
giving just a little extra bit (or a lot extra bit!) of financial help. 
This is money for transporting, lodging, and feeding our special guests,
as well as off-setting complimentary memberships.  How can you become a
sponsor?  Just contribute a minimum of $20.00 over and above your
membership fee, up to $99.00.  Indicate which of our special guests this
money is to help toward, or just mark it "general fund"--we'll split it
among all of them.  More importantly, what do you get for being a
sponsor?  Sponsors are the only folks (besides committee and guests)
allowed in the VIP Lounge, a special place set aside where folks can
relax away from the hubbub of the con.  Guests and sponsors can attend a
free sandwich-feast on Sunday evening, after the con.  And, sponsors get
some special prices on materials from the ConFurence store.  And,
sponsors get--our unending gratitude!  (Not to mention, their name in
the souvenir book!)

Soooooooper Sponsors! 
---------------------

Super Sponsors are people who really want to help out the
convention--and think they deserve something special in return.  Supers
sponsors are wonderful people willing to contribute $100.00 or more
above their membership costs toward our special guests.  Super Sponsors
get all the same neat stuff as other Sponsors, plus an added bonus of a
personalized commission from a famous furry artist!  (Write for a list
of participating artists.) Don't have $100.00 sitting around handy? 
Make installments!  That's right, we'll take two payments of $50.00, or
four payments of $25.00--it still counts you as a Super Sponsor! 

Our Souvenir Book
-----------------

The ConFurence Souvenir Book is one of the high points of any
ConFurence; a compact collection of Furry reflections and artwork, with
no convention biz to clutter it up (that stuff all goes in the Pocket
Program).  Once again, our convention/book theme for this year is In
Search of Ancient Furries. 

Art Work: We need black & white anthropomorphic art in an 8 1/2 by 11
inch vertical format, on our convention theme, a tribute to Deal Whitley
and his characters, or a general furry theme.  With Mercedes Lackey as
our special guest, we'll open the doors for elven-types and medieval
folks in art as well, so long as furry themes are also included.  We are
also accepting spot-illos.  Please send only camera-ready photocopies
(no originals!). 

Articles: We need writings of 500 words or less, on any aspect of our
convention themes.  Reflections on dragons, unicorns, gryphons, satyrs,
lycanthropes, or famous creatures of legend; historical perspectives;
insider knowledge; or maybe legends we may not have heard of. 
Remember--give references, and give credit where due! 

All printed art or articles will be credited to their creators, and all
rights returned to those creators.  ConFurence retains the right to
accept or refuse any contribution, to correct spelling and grammar on
articles, and to alter artwork slightly to fit in available space.  Our
deadline is early January, so get those fingers moving! 

Furries on the Wing
===================

ConFurence now has its own official travel agency, Ladera Travel of
Southern California.  They've specialized for years in getting good
rates for travel to and from SF cons, and now that includes ours! 
Contact Rick Foss or Robin (his trusty assistant) at (800) 624-6679 from
outside California, or (310) 640-0527 inside California. 

The next In-Fur-Nation hits the mails in early January of '93.  Featured
in the ConFurence Chronicle will be all-important last-minute
information--Like how to get here! 

Until then, Keep the Tail Bushy! 
-- 
John Alan Stanley      ConFurence Four Art Show Coordinator
john@ontek.com         _Touch_ Staff Member
...!uunet!ontek!john   "Why don't you go out and see what's out there?"
                       "Well, I don't know if that's what's out there!"