ConChord 14

September 22-24, 2000

Guests of Honor: Jeff & Maya Bohnhoff

Special Guests: Echo's Children

Toastmistress: Debbie Baudoin

Interfilk Guest: Dave Luckett

Van Nuys Airtel Plaza

This is the 14th not-quite-annual Southern Californian Filk convention ConChord. What can you expect? Music, merriment, and socializing. Filk music is an outgrowth of Science Fiction Fandom, with a variety of definitions and descriptions available at http://www.blars.org/filk.html.

Jeff and Maya Bohnhoff have a CD of their compositions available entitled Manhattan Sleeps. They've also done a number of seriously twisted lyrics to rock'n'roll standards such as the semi-autobiographical There's a Bimbo on the Cover of My Book (co-author Roland Shew) and Knights in White Satin. Maya is a SF/Fantasy author with four books published and has appeared many times in Analog and Interzone.

Echo's Children: Cat Faber is the offspring of a sasquatch and a space alien; Arlene 'Callie' Hills sprang from the musings of a journalist and a philosopher. Their first gig was to entertain a dozen princesses; they naturally joined forces in the face of so much royalty and decamped from the area, winding up serenading some bemused peddlers instead. They have since travelled over much of the country, changing costumes and instruments frequently to throw off pursuit, while writing, arranging and performing songs about subjects ranging from fairies and gypsies to computers and spaceships. Many of these performances, until now only seen in the wild, were captured in 1997 and are displayed in lifelike settings and attitudes in Under the Gripping Beast, their first CD. More recent RPG adventures and musings about modern life became the basis for their second CD, As Good As Any, which debuted in 1999 at BaltiCon 33. A third CD, yet to be titled, is rumored to be in the works.

Debbie Baudoin is one of the Duras Sisters. They have two CDs available Masquerading as Human and Rubenesque, and have appeared on a number of convention and compilation albums.

Interfilk is sending us Dave Luckett from Austrailia. Interfilk is a non-profit orginazation that raises money to send people to filk conventions that they wouldn't otherwise be able to attend.

Programming and activities

Quite a few things happen at our friendly little convention:

A few pictures from a previous con are available online.

Based on requests we have been getting for BOTH more programming and more open filk area, we have arranged for a slightly improved layout. We expect to have an expanded con suite area, with an adjacent room for either the kids' room or workshops, in either case freeing up a program room.

What we need are:

Please send your responces or questions about the con to conchord@sundry.hsc.usc.edu or the Zen Nine address below. Comments about the web page should go to conchord-web@sundry.hsc.usc.edu.

Hotel:

We're back to enjoy the Van Nuys Airtel Plaza for the fourth time. The sound insulation is good, you can't hear the (general aviation) airport next door from inside. There is a resteraunt, swimming pool, and 3 spas. Besides standard rooms, both small and full size suites are available. (Call the hotel for details -- $135-$145.) When making your reservation, please mention ConChord. Room Rates: $87 for one to four people sharing a room

Van Nuys Airtel Plaza
7277 Valjean Ave
Van Nuys, CA 91406
(818)997-7676 or (800)2AIRTEL
Room rates: $87 for 1-4, Suites $135-145

Getting Here:

Shuttles are available at reasonable cost from both Burbank Airport and LAX. From I405, take the Sherman Way West exit and go about 1 mile to Valjean. Turn right on Valjean and left into the first driveway. The main parking area is behind the hotel. Parking is free, the hotel is on the corner of Valjean and Sherman Way.

Membership:

Advance membership is $30 until Sep 15, 2000. At the door membership will be $35, daily rates to be announced. Please send your check to:
Zen Nine Productions
P.O. Box 61172
Pasadena, CA 91116


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