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Return to ProgammingBetween the guests and their interests, we've got a wonderful start on a diverse schedule sure to pique anyone's interest! In addition to SF Trivia, interviews, and author readings, there will be panels like "Fantasy Illustrators I Like" [with Charles Vess], "Why Recombinant DNA Technology, Airplanes and Rollerblades Have a Place in the High Fantasy Novel" [with Holly Lisle], and "The History of the CBLDF". There'll be something for everyone!
[Please note that this schedule is written in VERY WET, SLOW DRYING CEMENT and is subject to last minute change. Still, this is what we intend to offer at this year's Tropicon for programming. Program changes will be noted here as soon as they become necessary -- Shirlene Rawlik, Tropicon XVII co-chair]
Yes, we're hoping Neil can cram the entire history of NEVERWHERE's development into twenty-nine minutes...right before we show the first thirty minute segment. (the other segments to be shown in the Video Room, please check that schedule).
Audience participation is a must as our panel leads off a spirited discussion on the good and bad of the past year...and possibly predict some Hugo nominees!
Our panel discusses the pros and cons of having to share a created "universe".
Join us for the official opening of this year's convention!
There will be chaotic fun for all at the GOBLIN MARKET! Add to your "cup o'loot" through games of skill and chance before trying to bargain with the goblins for a variety of items ranging from tubes of "fairy poop" to hardcover books to bags of shells and a plethora of stuff in-between. Our guests will be available for signatures at this time.
This will be limited to one hour. We request that everyone observe the 3 item limit per guest, so that everyone will have an opportunity.
Local band favorites, INHOUSE, will be playing their original songs off their three albums, and a few "cover" songs from their favorite artists. They are wonderful musicians who had the distinction of participating in Lilith Fair this past July. We ask that everyone planning to attend the concert pick up at free ticket at registration desk. This will enable the concomm staff the ensure that we do not go over the room's meeting capacity of 130 warm bodies. Only con participants will be permitted to attend the concert and you must have both badge and ticket at the door to enter.
Once again, Hal Clement will be providing an informative slide presentation. This year s topic will be asteroid 624 Hektor (A Jupiter L4 Trojan).
Readings from the SFSFS Writers' Workshop
Got questions? We do...and if we don't ask it, you can!
While the title is somewhat self-explanatory, our moderator (the author of the panel title) will lead us on a discussion on why everything is possible in fantasy.
An opportunity for use to enjoy a slide show of Fantasy Illustrators, both historical and contemporary, presented by our own Guest of Honor!
How does modern science fiction compare to early science fiction of the 30's, 40's, 50's, and 60's.
Yes, our Trivia Contest Winner from last year, Donna Penz, will be returning to ask the tough questions, and merrily fling wooden nickels (after 30 seconds of training from the master, Joe Siclari) and those of you fortunate enough to yell the correct answer out in time. Not for the faint at heart...or those with slow reflex action!
Ms. Abbey and Ms. Kiernan will be available in the Atrium area immediately after their readings for autographs.
Due to the CBLDF Auction immediately following, this will be limited to one hour. We request that everyone observe the 3 item limit per guest, so that everyone will have an opportunity.
Neil Gaiman and Chris Oarr (from the CBLDF) will be giving a short presentation on the history and purpose of the CBLDF. Immediately afterwards, the auction will commence!
Mr. Clement and Ms. Lisle will be available in the Atrium area immediately after their readings for autographs.
Mr. Cool and Mr. Resnick will be available in the Atrium area immediately after their readings for autographs.
At this time, all items from the Art Show that have three or more bids will be auctioned off.
Ever wondered how comic books evolve from idea to finish product? Well, we have...and now we've got panelists ideally suited to answer our questions on the process!
A cash bar will be open for everyone (of age) wanting something stronger than iced tea with their meal.
See the Banquet section of this website for more details.
At this time, the Banquet area will be open to all con participants.
We had SO much fun last year, we're going to do it all again! Join us for milk and cookies and the last minute chance to submit your entries (limit of 3 per person) to the Cheeblecon Art Show and Auction. All entries will be judged by a panel and prizes will be awarded for several "Best" categories (to be decided).
No entries submitted will be returned because there will be an auction immediately following the award of prizes. The proceeds from the auction will go to the "Cheeblecon Good Health to Karen Fund" to benefit Karen Shaffer (wife of Charles Vess, who is currently recouperating from serious car accident- related injuries). Monetary donations will also be accepted at this time.
A presentation by Paul Cordmeyer on this socio-political ideology.
Okay, so there won't really be a microphone there, but this will be the opportunity for folks to gather and hear readings of poetry and short fiction.
Our panel discusses the current and future trends of literature written for children.
This is it, the semi-finalists with the most wooden nickels face off in a winner-take-all for the ultimate honor of compiling the questions for Tropicon XVIII!
Anything past, present, or in the works by Neil Gaiman. He'll decide what to read, we'll sit back and enjoy he cool Brit accent!
Another self-explanatory title, join the panel as they discuss the latest developments around the world and what it all means for us.
Mr. Castro and Mr. Fontenay will be available in the Atrium area immediately following their readings for autographs.
Anything that needs to be auctioned off will be auctioned off at this time.
Jeff Mitchell, a rocket scientist from MIT, presents details about the international space station set for launch in 1999.
This will be limited to one hour. We request that everyone observe the 3 item limit per guest, so that everyone will have an opportunity.
Parting will be such sweet sorrow, but all good things eventually come
to an end. Join us as we thank guests and staff and attendees. Also,
we'll get to introduce next year's
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A consistent crowd pleaser for Tropicon has always been the Art Show which promises to be bigger and better this year. In addition to the display by our Artist Guest of Honor, we will have works from a variety of artists from around the country! Remember the gift giving season will be just around the corner and what better gift for a loved one, or for yourself for that matter, than a unique example of Science Fiction or Fantasy art from this great collection.
If you are an artist interested in displaying your works for purchase, the prices are as follows:
For more information or to sign up for space, please contact Becky Peters via Tropicon XVII's mailing address (see Registration) or send e-mail to her at tropicon§scifi.squawk.com.
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The Velvet Comet has been overrun by goblins! This year's VIP Party will be transformed into the Goblin Market, complete with new games and new rules. The best part is that there will be lots of prizes (anything from bits of driftglass to hardcover editions of Neil's latest novel) for you to acquire from the goblin vendors...that is, if you've got enough money and the right combination of previously purchased items. Sound intriguing? intriguing? You've got to be th ere Friday night to meet the guests, play a few games of chance, and try your luck at outwitting the goblin vendors!
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It will be November and those gift-giving holidays will be just around the corner. What better time and place to look for those unique items to give your family, friends, current and former lovers!
Attention all interested dealers! All tables for Tropicon XVII's Dealers' Room have been sold and/or spoken for. At this time, we will be maintaining a "standby list" in the event of last minute cancellations. Please contact Pete Rawlik for further information or to be placed on the list.
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Negotiations have concluded and we are happy to announce that we've got two choices this year for the Saturday night banquet! The two entree choices are cornish hen or salmon in champagne sauce. Additionally, everyone will be served a garden salad, vegetable medley, rice, rolls and iced tea. The dessert will be chocolate mousse with almonds and coffee.
If you have already purchased a banquet ticket and you are someone who is either a vegetarian or requires a special dietary meal, please contact the Rawliks at prawlik§concentric.net and arrangements will be made. Additionally, everyone who has already purchased a ticket, please contact the aforementioned Rawliks and let them know which of the two entree choices you would like to have.
If you haven't already purchased your banquet ticket, there's still time! Tickets are $25.00 and seating is limited, so don't delay! Lastly, participants will be automatically entered into a drawing for several mystery door prizes.
Please remember that the banquet will be followed by a rare chance to hear our guests at their very best as they expound on the things that make their lives so fascinating. This is a unusual opportunity for most of us that live in the humdrum real world to catch a glimpse of the ratified lives of the professionals in the world of letters and art.
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Keeping with tradition, we will once again sponsor the Robert A. Heinlein Memorial Blood Drive on at Tropicon. Virginia Heinlein has authorized the use of her husband's name in memory of the importance he placed on donating blood. Members are urged to donate year round but our special time will be at Tropicon XVII in November. (Tropicon account codes for later donations can be obtained at the convention.) The bloodmobile will be parked outside and there will be special goodies for those who contribute.
This year's Blood Drive will be held from 9 AM to 5 PM on Saturday, November 14th. Everyone is encouraged to donate!The blood supply in our country is becoming an endangered species as it is so dangerously low. Pints check out but they don't check in the way they used to. This is especially needed in South Florida in November as we enter the winter season and the many visitors increase the need for blood in local hospitals. Giving blood is safe and easy. Donate a pint at Tropicon (or even afterwards) and give the gift of life.
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Gaming Of course there will be gaming at Tropicon! And, as always, we are looking for volunteers willing to participate as Game Masters for a variety of games.
David Guillot (guillotdavid§hotmail.com) has volunteered to run two games: Toon and a second game still to be determined.
Ned Bush (nedbush§gate.net), who is also our Gaming Coordinator, plans to run a Champions/Fuzion scenario with pre-made characters. He welcomes anyone -- from interested beginners to "seasoned veterans" -- who would like to participate.
We are sorry to report that Scott von Berg, who was planning on running a GURPS Old West/Horror game and a GURPS Black Ops/Warehouse 23 game, will be unable to attend Tropicon XVII. He will be missed.
David Harper (FooShav§aol.com) has volunteered to run a Star Wars adventure. It will probably be the 14th or 15th. It will be open to all players, and their characters, no matter what level.
Adam Kay (tredecim§yahoo.com) is slated to run a number of AD&D games throughout the weekend. These games will be free flowing experiments of wonder and role playing. All are welcome, but there is a limit of six people per game (to keep Mr. Kay sane!).
Alex Lyman (drwho13§hotmail.com) has volunteered to run a GURPS Ranma½ game on either Friday or Saturday in the last timeslot. The number of players for Alex's game: At least 2 or 3, maximum 12.
If you are interested in suggesting a game that you would like to have run during the weekend, or for more information about the games that will be available at Tropicon XVII, please contact our Gaming Coordinator, Ned Bush, by phone at (954) 584-2140 (Cell phone (954) 294-2190) or send him e-mail at nedbush§gate.net.
Please keep watching this space for further details on what is being planned for Tropicon XVII in the gaming department.
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Video Room This year's video room promises to be chock-full of new visual sensory pleasures from the laserdisc library of Joe Siclari, our own Father of SFSFS. Due to copyright restrictions, we cannot mention those films by name, but y'know, it's the one with that blonde girl...and the enchanted thing...then the monster comes along and, well, we all know what happens next!
We're sure that you'll have a hard time deciding between many of the panels and catching a viewing of the eclectic gems that Joe will have running.
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The Con Suite is usually full of surprises. Come in Friday evening for a late night chat and a handful of chips. Saturday, after the banquet, come by for our own South Florida special event. The music will be lively, and so will the talk. The Con Suite is open during the regular Tropicon activity hours, plus quite a few into the wee hours of the night/morning. So, drop in and kick your feet up. See ya there.
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This year's charity auction promises to hold a plethora of wonderful donations sure to encourage a lot of good spirited, enthusiastic bidding from the audience. In recent years, it has become a tradition for the Guest of Honor to choose a charity that will benefit from the proceeds of the auction. This year will be no different. Neil Gamin's favorite charity of choice is the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF).
Very simplistically put, Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF) is a non-profit organization that helps individuals within the comic book industry to defend their own first amendment rights. Neil is a major supporter and fund raiser for the Fund and he often does benefits to educate others about the CBLDF, what it does, and why it should be supported.
There will also be items auctioned off on behalf of the SFSFS Clubhouse Maintenance Fund. For those of you who don't know, SFSFS has a small clubhouse. We hold mini auctions throughout the year to raise money to maintain the clubhouse.
Both charities are accepting donations at this time. If you have anything that you think would be someone else's potential treasure, please donate it! Make sure to let us know which charity should receive the proceeds of your donation.
For more information please contact Dan Foster via Tropicon XVII's mailing address (see Registration) or send e-mail to him at tropicon§scifi.squawk.com.
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