Scorpio (convention)

Scorpio was a series of fan-run conventions held in Oak Brook, IL, USA; it was named after the spaceship in the fourth series of Blake's 7. British actors and the creator/writer/directors of British shows were the featured attraction of the convention - Blake's 7, Robin of Sherwood, The Professionals. It was also where the Zen Award winners were announced.
Boutique conventions; they were noted for their personal touch and the ability of attendees to make meaningful contact with the guests - you could find your favorite actor hanging out at the bar or sitting in the lobby of the convention hotel, playing Trivial Pursuit with your friends and swapping stories.
Scorpio is also the setting for The Totally Imaginary Cheeseboard, an early RPF fanzine. Ashton Press has a gallery of convention images here.
The con generated a con zine: See Scorpio.
 
==Scorpio I - 1983==
==Scorpio II - 1984== 
Scorpio II was held on August 10-12,1984.
Guests included Paul Darrow (Avon), Michael Keating (Villa), Brian Croucher (second season Travis) and Terry Nation (Creator of Blake's Seven).
The con committee: Cherry Steffey (chair), Nancy Kolar (art director), Melissa Keck ((registration), Crystal Taylor, Michael Mullen (guest liaisons), Jean Sellar (gohers and security), Deb Walsh (art show), T.J. Burnside (masquerade), Dick Spelman and Melissa Clemmer (dealer's room), Fran Bulman, Susan Pyle, Emma Abraham (program room).
There are many photos of this con, including several with fans, at Ashton Press (scroll down a bit).
Terry Nation talks about this con in Having scrambled British SF TV expectations, Terry Nation considers reshaping fan conventions.
Image:scorpiotwocon.jpg|cover of the 1984 con program
Image:scorpio2.jpg| print flyer for the 1984 con
Image:scorpio2flyer.jpg|online flyer for the 1984 con, posted to net.sf-lovers
 
Image:returnoftheseven1-7.jpg|from Return of the 7 #1, the artist is Vikki Weidner, some guests of honor at Scorpio 
Image:returnoftheseven1-8.jpg|from Return of the 7 #1, a poem about Scorpio 
===Scorpio II - 1984: Con Report by Paul Darrow: "My Kind of Town"===
===Scorpio II - 1984: Con Reports===
 
==Scorpio III - 1985==
Scorpio III was held in the first weekend of July 1985 at the Hyatt Oakbrook Hotel. 
Guests were Gareth Thomas (Blake), Sally Knyvette (Jenna), Brian Croucher (second season Travis) and Sheelagh Wells (makeup artist, Mrs. Gareth Thomas). 
The con committee: Cherry Steffey, Nancy Kolar, Michael Mullen, Melissa Keck, Chrystal Taylor, Fran Buham, Sue Pyle, George Fergus, Melissa Clemmer, Deb Walsh, T.J. Burnside, Heather Nachman, Barbara Warne, Bonnie Vitti, and Rosemary Batz.
It was first American convention appearances for Gareth Thomas and Sheelagh Wells. 
Images from the convention can be found here.reference link; reference link.
From the program book, the first page of a long essay: 
 
===Scorpio III - 1985: Con Reports===
See additional con reports in Avon Club Newsletter #23.
==Scorpio IV - 1986==
 
Scorpio IV was held in August 15, 16, 17, 1986. 
The con committee: Cherry Steffy and Nancy Kolar (co chairs), Barbara Abraham, Emma Abraham, Fran Buhman, Melissa Clemmer, Laurie Cohen, Linda Dawe, Alex Delicado, George Fergus, Melissa Keck, Michael Mullen, Heather Nachman, Leslie Newcomer, Sue Pyle, Joanne Stone, Crystal Ann Taylor, Deb Walsh, Barbara Warne, and Sheila Willis.
Videotape footage from the Scorpio IV can be found as part of the Sandy Hereld Memorial Digitized Media Fanzine Collection located at the University of Iowa fanzine archives. 
A flyer was posted at net.sf-lovers and can be seen here.
There are many photos of this con, including several with fans, at Ashton Press (scroll down a bit).
Scheduled guests: 
===Scorpio IV -- 1986: Con Reports===
See additional con reports in Avon Club Newsletter #26.
In March 1993, a fan wrote: 
==Scorpio V - 1987 ==
Scorpio V was held Jul. 31-Aug. 2, 1987. 
Actors from both Blake's 7 and Robin of Sherwood were invited guests: Gareth Thomas, Peter Tuddenham, Sally Knyvette, Michael Keating, Jan Chappell, Michael Praed and Mark Ryan.
Gareth Thomas also conducted a separate interview with a local radio station during his time in town for the con.
The con committee: Cherry Steffey and Nancy Kolar (co chairs), Mary Brown, Sandy Krinnard, Heather Nachman, Linda Terrell, Emma Abraham, Melissa Clemner, Lizette Koehler, Sue Pyle, Deb Walsh, Corsmeary Batz, Jean Clissold, Anne Macko, Katharine Scarritt, Barbara Warne, Karen Brandl, Laurie Cohen, Jon Manzo, Kathy Sullivan, and Sheila Willis.
Images from the convention can be found here.reference link. There are many photos of this con, including several with fans, at Ashton Press (scroll down a bit). 
At the convention, one of the guests, Gareth Thomas, stated:
Regarding an incident with slash fanworks and "the talent": 
 
===Scorpio V -- 1987: Con Reports===
==Scorpio VI - 1988==
Scorpio 6 was held Aug 5-7, 1988 in Oak Brook, Illinois.
Guests were Clive Mantle, Lewis Collins, Michael Praed, and Sheelagh Wells. 
See photos of Lewis Collins at the con here: 
Image:scorpiocon6.jpg|cover of 1988 con program
File:Scorpio 6.jpg|convention badge for Scorpio 6 (1988)
Image:hernesson1-4.jpg|from Herne's Son #1, commentary on an incident at Scorpio involving Blake's 7 and Robin of Sherwood actors/characters
===Scorpio VI -- 1988: Con Reports===
==Scorpio VII - 1989==
Scorpio 7 was held Jul 7-9, 1989. It was the last Scorpio event. 
Gareth Thomas, Terry Nation, Jacqueline Pearce, Michael Praed, Sheelagh Wells, Mark Ryan, Brian Croucher, and Jason Connery were the invited guests.
 
File:Horizon23-1.jpg|from Horizon Newsletter #23, Gareth Thomas disrobes at Scorpio #7
 
File:Horizon23-3.jpg|from Horizon Newsletter #23, Scorpio #7
 
 
===Scorpio VII -- 1989: Con Reports===
==References==
Category:Blake's 7 Conventions
Category:1983 Conventions
Category:1980s Conventions
Category:Conventions in United States