Balticon 35 will feature a dozen continuous program rooms throughout the 4-day weekend plus fixed functions such as our Art show, Dealers Room, Computer Gaming Room etc. Our goal is to amaze and inspire your sense of wonder by broadening your understanding about the genre and art-form of science fiction & fantasy beyond the everyday world...
Formal panel discussions with SF professionals (writers, artists, agents, etc.), informal discussions among devoted fans, skills demonstrations, readings and performances are included.
So far these guests have confirmed that they will participate in this years 's BALTICON program:
Roger MacBride Allen, author
Catherine Asaro, author
Bob Biedeman as Carpathian the Ghost story teller from Videos and
HallowScream/Fright Fest
Blessing Bird, American Indian Storyteller
Brick Barrientos and his SF Trivia Contest
Nina Boal, fantasy writer (short stories)
Conrad Brooks, actor
Stephen L. Burns, author
Jim Butcher, author
Jack L. Chalker, author
Robert R. Chase, author
Frank Cho, Liberty Meadows comic artist
Dan Cragg, author
Vonnie Crist, author
Darkon: Live fantasy combat demo team
Scott Edelman, editor
Scott Edeman, editor
Terilee Edwards-Hewitt, author
Glenn Engel-Cox, reviewer
Sheila Finch, author
Rick Frane, artist
Rob Gates, reviewer
Alexis Gilliland, author, cartoonist
Charles Gilliland, fan artist, anime
Alan Gross, comic artist
Charles Harness, author, His new original Novel by Old Earth Books premiering at Balticon
Marc Hempel, comic artist
Kory Kaese, Mystic Station Game Designs
Robert I. Katz, author
John G. Hemry, author
Inge Heyer, scientist
Dr, Thomas Holtz, dinosaur expert
Daniel Horn, artist
Muriel Hykes (Dr. Mom)
Mary Ann Johanson, reviewer
Peter Knapp, author
David Kriebel, publisher
Yoji Kondo, editor and Heinlein scholar
Eric Kotani, author
Dave Kratz, NASA scientist
Paul Levinson, author, President of Science Fiction Writers of America
Bill Linthicum, MD
Hugh Loebner, Of the Loebner Prize for an AI passing the Turing Test.
Kristin and Andy Looney with the Looney Labs "Pop Tart Caf
Andrew Love, Physicist and Juggler Extraordinaire
Steve Lubs, author
Perrianne Lurie, MD
Bill Mayhew, Folk storytelling
Ron Miller, author and artist
Syne Mitchell, author
John Norman, author
Eric Nylund, author
Wendie Old, author
Severna Park, author
Misty Pendragon, Fan Fiction Writer
Ray Ridenour, artist
Rock Savage, Actor & Film Producer
Dr. Lawrence M. Schoen
Darrell Schweitzer, author
David Sherman, author
Susan Shwartz, editor and author
H. Paul Shuch, scientist
Dr. Robert D. Shull; Magnetic Materials Group, NIST, Leading NanoTechnology Expert.
Bud Sparhawk, author
Steve Stiles, cartoonist
Ian Randal Strock, author, editor
Louise Titchener, author
Shane Tourellotte, author
Mark L. VanName, author
Michael Walsh, publisher
Mark Wheatley, artist
Ramona Louise Wheeler, author
Martin Morse Wooster, author
John C. Wright, author
Jagi Lamplighter Wright, author
Balticon 35 Art Show Participating Artists (as of 05/18/01)
Bonnie Atwood* = Mail-In Artists (The artist will not be physically present at Balticon)
** = Artists represented by a Carrier: (The artist will not be physically present at Balticon)
This year's programming tracks will feature philosophical debates, story crafting tips and ideas, author readings, book signings and outrageous speculation by every science fiction author we can lure to the convention and we do lure quite a few. There will be separate poetry, academic, literary and media tracks. Meet our Guest of Honor, Hal Clement and last year's Compton Crook Award winner, Stephen L. Burns, for best first novel! The Balticon website will list many of the ideas we are developing.
As part of our expanded four-day schedule, a Sunday Night Extravaganza has been planned honoring the birthdays of Hal Clement and Robert Sacks.
Once again, there will be a presentation of papers on science fiction, fantasy & horror in books, film & television. Deadline for entries: January 31, 2001 Papers accepted will be published in the BSFAN souvenir book.
Once again hosted by The Lite Circle, publisher of Baltimore's literary newspaper Lite, our poetry track continues to explore the arena of non-prose literature from inspiration and writing to submitting for publication and an overview of small press publishing. There will be featured readers and an open reading. To contribute or participate either e-mail: poetry@balticon.org or check the Poetry Track/Workshop box on the registration form.
Enter the Man & Machine Poetry Contest
The Balticon Writers' Workshop is now a discussion group. We cover various topics of special interest to writers, with the aim of improving not only our writing, but also our chances of selling what we write. Examples of topics are: How To Read an Editor's Mind, What Is Wrong With My Story.
The discussion is done in round-robin format, with each participant contributing to the discussion. Any critique being made are of examples given during the course of the workshop.
For those of you who prefer story critiques, special sessions of the workshop will be held at times other than the convention. These will use our previous format, of each participant sending in their story ahead of time, reading all submissions before, and offering critiques during the workshop.
Pre-registration is required for participation at the workshop. Please check the box on the membership form to pre-register and receive an information package. Please do not send manuscripts before receiving the workshop information package. For more information e-mail: writersworkshop@balticon.org. You can also write or call for details.
Our famous science program continues with the kind of briefings you see for industry, academic and government leaders. Topics include NASA and space industry planning, launch systems, paleontology, DNA research and more. For information and suggestions, email science@balticon.org.
Games, projects and stories for children ages 4-12 to inspire your kids to appreciate the convention experience. This is not daycare; parents retain full responsibilty for children during this program. Kids can pop rockets, build volcanoes, hold real fossils, hunt for treasure and meet Mr. Polymer.
Informal discussions of your favorite part of the SF universe moderated by the people who know it best. Share your opinions. Tell others about any groups or clubs you represent or know of by voice, e-mail or snail mail. Topic suggestions are most welcome.
Marvel at the themes of visual imagination. Learn about the skills and techniques that created the beauty.
Returns to Balticon bringing science-fiction folk music to life. There will be panels and workshops and concerts. Our Filk Guest of Honor, Frank Hayes, will perform. Of course, there will be Bardic circles through Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Yep, that's 24 hours on both nights. Check out the internet newsgroup rec.music.filk for more details as well as e-mail filk@balticon.org or check the filk box on the registration form.
The musical group Clam Chowder returns to Balticon for a late Friday night concert celebrating the debut of their third CD. Clam Chowder's four or five part harmony music has been a treasured memory for many SF Fans who attend Science Fiction Conventions for decades. They return to Balticon for the first time in years to enchant all with their blend of philosophical whimsy, parody songs and heart wrenching ballads. Clam Chowder will appear after the play on Friday night, so even folks from far away should have time to reach the hotel, settle into a room and then have a Clam good time. See Clam Chowder info at: http://members.aol.com/sirharper/chowder/
Boogie Knights at Balticon
The Boogie Knights have entertained audiences from Boston to Atlanta with their astounding blend of parody music and comedy shenanigans for over 18 years. They return to Balticon this year spreading their own brand of costumed theatrical musical parody.
This year, Balticon will hold the dance on Saturday Night and will feature music of the seventies, eighties and nineties. Thomas Summerville, known for the "10 Forward" dance at local cons, will be the DJ. The Friday night dance has been converted into the Clam Chowder concert.
Learn new skills to make your own costume dreams a reality for the hall or stage. We have workshops, demos and panels. Sign up in advance by e-mail at costume@balticon.org or check the Costuming Track/Workshop box on the registration form. Check the website prior to the con for more details.
MASQUERADE:
On Saturday night Balticon hosts one of the oldest and largest masquerades
on the East Coast. This
event features a clever and creative variety of costuming art. Marvel at
the participants crafting of fabric and other materials into imaginative and
extraordinary costumes. The masquerade competition will be judged on the
experience skills division system to give beginners a chance to go home
winners. Masquerade rules are available on the web page, or request them by
mail by checking off the masquerade box on the registration form.
Questions? E-mail to masq@balticon.org.
Hall Costumes will be allowed on stage this year. Darkness collects, ready to challenge the levity of our lives. Only one
patrol ship between this massive strike to depress the universe under the
heel of eternity! Too bad they haven't got a clue! The year is 2001, do
you know where your funny bone is? Don't miss this new parody play Friday
night at 8pm, and bring your space opera glasses! Presented on stage in
Amazing 3-D! At Farpoint 2000, Steven H. Wilson (Cheap Treks), along with a very talented
cast, revisited the oft-neglected realm (on a convention stage) of SF Drama.
Farpoint Radio Theatre featured the first in a series of radio adventures of
the space vessel Arbiter. We like to think it's episodic drama with a
little more of a flavor of SF's Golden Age than media SF usually captures.
And now, we're proud to bring the show to Balticon! This weekend's all-new
entry in the series features original music by Scott D. Farquhar. MST3K
will be featuring 2001: A Space Odyssey
Live Action Fantasy Combat Demo
The Darkon people will be bringing their live action fantasy combat demo back to Balticon this year.
Every year we look for the most colorful, unusual and imaginative hall costumes. Be you a novice or an experienced costumer, Balticon wants you to dress up. The "HAL" costume awards, our latest incarnation of the Hall costume awards, will be presented by our wandering judges. This years theme is "Computers Gone Wrong," so you costumers will have your work cut out for you!
Visit one of the biggest and best regional art shows on the East Coast. There will be over thirty-two hundred square feet of exhibits packed with both original art and prints. Most of the works and prints are available for sale. Artists must pre-register to be included in the art show. Information will be mailed in January. For details, send a request to artshow@balticon.org or write:
Balticon Art Show PMB 61,
8775 Cloudleap Court,
Columbia, MD 21045
Starting this year, The Joe Mayhew Phan Artist Award will be presented to the most promising Fan artist whose work will be on display.
Features a 4500 square-foot space with room for over sixty tables. Everything a Fan might want! From hard-to-find books to ancient weapons, costumes, collectibles, models and more can be found. This year, the room will be open late Sunday and until 3pm Monday. Dealers in SF and Fantasy related merchandise may inquire about availability by writing:
Balticon 35 Dealers Room,
c/o P.O. Box 70013,
Baltimore, MD., 21237.
Write to us now since the reserved space fills up well before the con.
New games and SF related software and demos of new computer hardware provide an opportunity for the Fan to see what's cutting edge. To help, or if you have questions, e-mail: computerroom@balticon.org.
Looney Labs Returns:
Looney Labs creators of the games, Fluxx, Aquarius, Icehouse, Q-Turn, Proton and Chrononauts return to Balticon with their "PoP-Tart Cafe" gameroom. The PoP-Tart Cafe will be running both Saturday and Sunday 2 pm - 2 am on the party-floor giving game demonstrations, playing games and serving POP-Tarts to game participants. Looney Labs is a Maryland based company with the mission to create innovative, attractive, and above all, really fun parlor games (i.e. non-electronic card and board games) that can be enjoyed by adults and children alike.
Presenting multiple tournaments and role-playing games. Some games will feature prizes, some will be for the honor of the win. We will also have free-form gaming. Contact the gaming czar at gaming@balticon.org.
This year, Balticon will have a Live Action Role Playing event sponsored by Anne & Dave Dearholt entitled "Veils, Blood and Treasures." Swashbuckling, Buccaneers, pirates and musketeers. Come one come all and sail the seven seas! Join us for an adventure of epic proportion with intrigue, romance and treasure! Thus year's LARP will be based on 7th Sea role playing game. 7th Sea is a fantasy world mirror of 16th century Europe. Players will receive characters at game central. If you want more choices, pre-register for a nominal fee of $5.00. Make checks payable to "David Dearholt." Players who wear a costume for the game will earn extra points for their character. Please do not bring anything that even faintly resembles a weapon!!!
Send checks to:
David DearholtFor more information, call Dave at 410-663-2958 or by e-mail: dearholt@bsfs.org.
Imperial Klingon Battle Fleet:
"In space, all warriors are cold warriors." Join the Imperial Klingon Battle Fleet for starship combat. Return to the days of Chang, Kirk and Kruge! Command your own starship in combat against the Klingons, Romulans or Federation. Participate in strategy & tactics using miniatures you need two hands to pick up. Crawl around on the floor with your enemies. Blatantly defile the peace! DaHjaj jlHeghrup 'ej jlQuch! (Today is a good day to die!) This mock war-game with model ships and officers in costume inspires a vision of the Klingon Empire war-room.
A high-resolution screen with home theater surround sound will be open 24 hours and present a dazzling array of the latest SF and Fantasy anime. The anime schedule will be posted on the Balticon webpage with panels, events and anime guests.
We run the hottest new SF movies selected from some of the brightest movie/video studios in the world. Share a screening with your friends. Video producers with works they wish to share with the Balticon audience should e-mail details to video@balticon.org. We are also working on some video premieres.
This contest is for young Maryland writers (age 12-18) of SF and Fantasy, sponsored by the Baltimore Science Fiction Society. Share your stories and compete for fame and cash prizes. The deadline for submissions is February 28, 2001. Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Saturday. Check the Young Writer's information box on the registration form for more information or e-mail: ywc@balticon.org. Contest rules will be available on the website.
The BSFAN is our annual color-cover, 8 1/2 x 11 perfect-bound, eighty-page souvenir magazine appealing to the Balticon fan. Attendees will receive a copy of the BSFAN at registration. Submissions of art, short stories, research articles and poetry are greatly encouraged. Advertising Rates: Full page ad:$190; Half-page ad:$100; Quarter-page ad:$60. There is a 50% discount for fan organizations. Balticon dealers can submit a camera ready business card sized ad for $25. Rates for center spread may be negotiated. Submissions and questions should be sent to the main address, attention BSFAN or e-mail: bsfan@balticon.org.
Please send all correspondence and membership fees to the appropriate department at the address below. Please send us your telephone number and postal address when sending e-mail so we may respond with the most effective information package. Updates will be posted on the Balticon webpage as it becomes available.
BALTICON 35
P.O. Box 686
Baltimore, MD., 21203-0686
Phone(410)JOE-BSFS [410-563-2737]
e-mail: BSFS@balticon.org
WWW: http://www.balticon.org
Fax # 410-879-3602
If you would like to receive updated information about Balticon, subscribe to our info update list by sending e-mail to: majordomo@balticon.org with "subscribe info" as the body of the message minus the quotes.
Unless there are cancellations (you could still try if you want, but the odds are poor now) the Wyndham is sold out. If this had happened earlier we would have looked for another block of rooms in another hotel, however, it is too late for securing a special deal. As of 5-17-01 there are still rooms at the Raddison(Before that The Hilton Towers and before that the Lord Baltimore) across the street from the Wyndham at $189.99 per night, but they only have Queen and King beds left. Call the Raddison at 410-539-8400. The Tremont Plaza is four blocks away from the Wyndham and they have many rooms at $169.00 per night. Call the Tremont Plaza at 410-727-2222
Balticon will be held at the Wyndham Inner Harbor Hotel. (formerly the Omni) Room rates are $119, plus applicable tax for single, double, triple or quad. Members should make their reservations directly with the hotel by calling (410) 752-1100 or by calling toll free, 1-800-WYNDHAM. Use the 410-752-1100 number during business hours if the 800 number tells you the hotel is full, they are more accurate. Due to a software glitch the National number has been deleting our block because our block expiration date is later than typical for other types of events. Although the hotel does guarantee the convention rate until the start of the con, the room block becomes open to the general public on May 3, 2001, so make your reservations soon or you will be in a race with non-SF-Fans to snap up rooms. When you call the hotel, mention that you will be attending Balticon; you must be an attending member of Balticon to get the convention rate.
Please register for your room early. If fate prevents you from attending Balticon, call at least 3 days prior to your arrival date to cancel and you won't be charged. You can use your credit card to guarantee your reservation with confidence because the hotel can't charge your card until your arrival date. Early registration helps you and it helps your favorite SF conventions. Last year we sold out our block of hotel rooms in the last two weeks and were then out competed for rooms by others. If other groups reserve rooms early, as they did last year, then we need to reserve our rooms earlier as well. We have been saying this for years. When booking a room please call the hotel directly because the 1-800 national booking number tells folks the block is full when it isn't. If a hotel employee tells you the hotel is full, e-mail dale@balticon.org and our hotel liaison will check the status and make sure. Last year a new employee was misreading the database and telling people the hotel was full too early, This was rectified when a fan alerted us to the problem.
DIRECTIONS:
From points north, take I-95 south through the Fort McHenry tunnel. Take Exit 53(I-395) toward the Inner Harbor. Proceed north on I-395 until it becomes Howard Street. Continue up Howard Street four blocks until you are just past the Baltimore Arena, then turn right onto Baltimore Street. Proceed east on Baltimore Street for one-and-one-half blocks, looking to your left for the Wyndham Hotel. The hotel is bounded by Baltimore street on the south, Fayette Street on the north and Liberty Street on the west.
From points south take I-95 north to Exit 53(I-395) and follow the directions above.
From I-83: At the southern end of I-83, turn right onto Fayette Street. The Wyndham is approximately eight blocks on your left.
Baltimore City Transportation Resource Page
For folks coming from BWI, or who have parked at a commuter lot of the light rail system, The University Center/Baltimore Street Light Rail stop, which is at the corner of Baltimore and Howard Streets, is the closest to the Wyndham. Walk east on Baltimore Street to Liberty Street, then north on Liberty to the front of the Wyndham. Distance; 3/10ths of a mile.
The closest Metro subway stop is the "Charles Center on Baltimore Street, near Charles Street and Baltimore Street, near Calvert Street" station 4/10th of a mile east of the Wyndham hotel on Baltimore Street. To find the front of the Wyndham come out on the Calvert Street side, walk north on Calvert Street to Fayette, turn left and you will see the entrance to the Wyndham. The Metro is less useful to folks commuting from outside the city due to it's limited route. We recommend the Baltimore MTA bus routes 3, 61 and 64 that pass the Wyndham as the best bus connection.
There is a Greyhound Bus terminal just northwest of the Wyndham within visual distance; for their schedules check www.greyhound.com.
PARKING:
Only valet parking is available at the Wyndham itself with only 280 space available 24 hours a day. Valet parking at the front of the Wyndham is $18.00 per 24 hours.
There are several underground parking lots near the Wyndham. The largest and closest garage open 24 hours is Edison Parking with 650 spaces. Edison is entered by a ramp in the center of Fayette street right in front of the Wyndham, so approach it on Fayette from the east. The ramp looks long but there are cameras covering the ramp and ticket machine with an attendant waiting to resolve any problem. Price is $13.00 per 24 hours with a variable lower rate on the weekend that averages out at $9.00 per 24 hours depending on your arrival and departure times. The facility is under 24 hour security with an elevator exit right across the street from the Wyndham.
The second largest underground lot open 24 hours is Arrow Parking at 210 West Baltimore Street just one block west of the Wyndham. They have 550 spaces and charge $9.00 per 24 hours. Both lots have signs indicating if they're full.
Above ground parking is limited around the Wyndham but there are a few open air lots nearby. Guilford and Baltimore Street. 3/10th of a mile east on Baltimore Street. Rate is $4.00 a day on weekends. Conway and Charles Streets, up to $22.00 a day. A cab ride is $5-6 or take a 9 block walk (1 mile). Pratt & President Streets (Little Italy parking lot). $5.00 per day maximum. A $5-6 cab ride or a 6 block walk.
For the first time, parties may be held on Sunday night. Balticon will be registering open parties and grouping them all together, which will be on a low floor in the Wyndham and easily accessible by everyone. Registering your open party will ensure that you are covered by Balticon's corkage agreement (allowing you to serve food and non-alcoholic drinks), and that your neighbors don't mind the noise generated. This is important since parties will be open until 3:00 am this year. Alcohol is not permitted at open room parties. There is a $25.00 per party night cleaning fee that Balticon will collect before the convention based on the number of nights you plan to hold an open party in your room. This will avoid the billing confusion with the hotel. If you do not register your open party with Balticon, you run the risk of being charged by the hotel for the food and drink you serve and are likely to get closed down early for noise complaints. If you plan on holding a private party or usually like to have a group of your friends you can let us know at party@balticon.org, we will put you with the other open parties so you can stay up all night talking and laughing without worrying about potential noise complaints. If your room is on the party floor but you are not throwing an open party, you will not be charged the additional cleaning fee. Please check the box on the registration form if you would like to receive the open party information packet or send mail to party@balticon.org.
HOURS OF OPERATION:
Most areas of the convention will close at 3:00 am each night with the exception of Anime, Filk and the Hopkins conversation room and it's associated lower level area. These will be open 24 hours a day or as close to that as our volunteers can manage.
SMOKING:
Maryland law prohibits indoor public smoking except in designated areas. The Wyndham provides designated smoking hotel sleeping rooms and the smoking sections in the restaurant and bar.
PETS:
Pets are not allowed in the hotel. Service or guide animals are not pets.
ACCESS:
If you require special access services from the convention, please contact us before March 1, 2001 and we will attempt to accommodate you.
COSTUME WEAPONS:
Costume weapons must be inspected and peace bonded. Taking costume weapons outside the hotel will create conflict with the police; please do not take anything that looks like a weapon outside the hotel.
COMMUNITY POLICING:
Balticon will have a uniformed Baltimore City police officer stationed inside the hotel for community policing. This means that at Balticon, our officer can explain our unique culture(peace-bonding of weapons, etc.) to the rest of the local force and provide security for everyone at the convention.
VOLUNTEERS:
Balticon is an all-volunteer managed convention and we can always use more help. Show your SF community spirit by volunteering a few hours at the con. All volunteers will have access to our staff den. Volunteers who work more than 10 hours receive our exclusive volunteer T-shirt. Work more than 20 hours; next year's Balticon membership is comped. Sign up at the convention or check the Volunteering box on the registration form.
A charity auction for the benefit of Reading is Fundamental will be held during the halftime break of the Masquerade on Saturday night. There will be SF collectibles, memorabilia and other exotic items put on the block. If you have something to donate to the auction, bring it to the con. For the sixth year in a row, Balticon is accepting donations for Reading is Fundamental. This terrific organization works nationwide to teach kids to read by getting them hooked on reading at an early age and distributes free books to many children who can not afford a book of their own. RIF listed Balticon as one of their top 100 donors in recent years. For more information on RIF please check Reading is Fundamental on the registration form or e-mail rif@balticon.org.
Other Things of Fannish Interest in Baltimore during or Near Balticon 35:
(Or more reasons to visit Baltimore and Balticon this Memorial Day)
At the Mererhoff the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra will be playing Zinman Conducts Bruckner's Ninth- David Zinman, conductor at 8:00pm on Thursday May 24, 2001 for tickets see http://www.baltimoresymphony.org/events/concert.tmpl?SKU=000808183342
Ride a Balloon at Port Discovery. The Port Discovery interactive children's museum is installing a tethered helium balloon that will lift 25 people 450 ft above the ground. Due to construction delays the balloon may or may not be operational on Memorial day weekend this year, so please call before going if the balloon is your only interest in visiting Port Discovery. There are many other fun exhibits for the whole family making a visit to Port Discovery fun regardless. From the hotel walk to the Charles street metro station just south and east of the hotel on Baltimore street and then ride to the Market Place /Shot Tower station at the entrance to Port Discovery. It would be a .6 mile walk, but a quick metro ride avoids street level messes that would make walking difficult. (particularly with kids in tow) Check them out at http://www.portdiscovery.org/
Check out the Art Exhibit; Body Space and Heroes, Legends and Martyrs at the Baltimore Museum of Art open Wednesday - Friday, 11 a.m - 5 p.m. Saturday - Sunday, 11 a.m - 6 p.m. Closed on Monday. See http://www.artbma.org/
Baltimore Herb Festival; 70 Vendors and exhibitors selling herbs and related products. May 26, 2001 between 10:00am and 5:00pm in Leakin Park. Info 410-448-1281
Visit the new Maryland Science Center exhibit, "Titanic Science: The Real Artifacts, The True Stories." After all how many time travel stories visit the Titanic. The Science Center is open Monday - Friday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Saturday - Sunday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The admission including the special Titanic exhibit is $14.00 and they advise buying tickets in advance because the Titanic exhibit is very popular. Details at: http://www.mdsci.org/