Balticon 37 will feature continuous programming throughout the 4-day weekend plus fixed functions such as our Art show, Dealers Room, Computer Gaming Room etc. Our goal is to reawaken the sense of wonder that brought you to SF/F.
Formal panel discussions with SF professionals (writers, artists, agents, etc.), informal discussions among devoted fans, skill demonstrations, readings and performances are included.
Cafe Balticon will have a coffeehouse atmosphere. We'll present Balticon's academic track, informal discussions of genre and social issues, con running and a reader's track and Kaffeklatches.
The following program participants have confirmed they will be attending Balticon 37.
More are responding every week.
Features 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. Poetry, academic, literary and media are integrated into the program.
Once again, there will be a presentation of papers on science fiction, fantasy & horror in books, film & television. Deadline for entries: January 31, 2003. Papers accepted will be published in the BSFAN souvenir book.
Once again hosted by The Lite Circle, Inc., publisher of Lite: Baltimore's Literary Newspaper, poetry programming explores the arena of verse from inspiration and writing to submitting for publication and an overview of small press publishing. There will be a poetry workshop and a poetry reading featuring winners of the Balticon 37 SF Poetry contest 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.
In this workshop, we'll be working with opening lines and paragraphs of stories. For this, each participant will send in a copy of the opening lines and/or paragraphs of stories they have written(it doesn't matter if they're published or not--but PLEASE DO NOT SEND THE WHOLE STORY). Everyone will be sent a copy of everyone's material to read before the workshop. We will devote two hours (roughly) of debate about how effective each person's opening lines are. The third hour, we will have a guest(I hope an editor, but it may be an author) talk to us about what they've seen and used in the way of opening lines. The cutoff date for submissions will be the second week of March 2003. For more information contact writersworkshop@balticon.org
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 responsibility for children during this program. Kids may pop rockets, build volcanoes, hold real fossils, hunt for treasure and meet Mr. Polymer.
Share your opinions and tell others about any groups or clubs you represent or know of. Topic suggestions are most welcome. Fan organizations are encouraged to contact program@bsfs.org with program ideas or hal@bsfs.org if they are interested in having a table fan club table. There are a limited number of tables. We will also accept con or club flyers to distribute at Balticon. Organizations wishing to trade ads should email bsfan@balticon.org by Feb. 15, 2003.
Art techniques, tips and demos from the experts.
There will be panels, workshops, concerts and music Friday through Sunday. Check out the internet newsgroup rec.music.filk for more details, e-mail filk@balticon.org or check the filk box on the registration form.
In addition to our traditional filk track in multiple rooms held toward evening, we will be running major concerts on Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the main ballroom. Laura Lingle (formerly of the Women of Wimsey) [http://teachout.net/WoW/] will perform her mix of silly, sweet, seductive, sad, sultry songs to scintillate your soul. We have a concert by the beloved local comedy and parody music troupe the Boogie Knights. Pegasus Award winner Steve Macdonald, our Filk GOH, will perform a triumphant concert featuring his original music. [http://www.smacdonald.com/]
There will be a track of costume programming with items of interest to beginners and experienced alike. Check the web site prior to the con for more details.
On Saturday night Balticon hosts one of the oldest and largest masquerades on the East Coast. 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 by checking off the masquerade box on the registration form. Questions? E-mail to masq@balticon.org. Hall Costumes as well will be encouraged on stage this year.
This year Balticon's original play is AN ODD SPACEDY - While on a mission to contact aliens, the crew of an advanced spaceship have to deal with a psychotic computer. Sound familiar? Well, it's the only thing that will be in this comedic romp towards the Ort Cloud. Warning : some full-frontal silliness and unhinged nudity.
Prometheus Radio Theatre presents the Arbiter Chronicles a series relating the adventures of young officers in a space navy, their captain, and their century-old Wiccan ship’s doctor. Prometheus Radio Theatre is a Baltimore-area based group of fans, making their third Balticon appearance. For three years, the troupe has performed episodes from its ongoing series, The Arbiter Chronicles at area cons. Steve Wilson, our writer, has especially geared this episode to be new-listener friendly. Prometheus Radio Theatre has featured performances by such visiting talents as George Takei, Robin Curtis, Eric Pierpoint and Gary Graham. The Arbiter Chronicles is currently beginning studio production for CD release. (If they can get some electricity into the studio, that is...)
This year we are using a projector that is six times as bright and has twice the resolution as the one everyone thought was fine last year so the images should blast off the screen. This will be a Main Tent Event capable of holding 350 people and just like last year we expect the room to be full. We have a World Feature Film Premier from Timewarp films (see below) and World Premier of Carpathian and the PATIENT CREATURES in "The Knife In The Grave" (http://www.patientcreatures.com/) and are working on several other video events including a very popular feature film from last year. Of course the rest of the convention will be continuing overnight as well, but we hope you will forgive us for giving you too many great events on Sunday night.
They say 35 percent of all websites advertise sex in some way and they say vampires don't exist. At least they're right about one thing. Timewarp Films invites you to join this erotic tale of three of the world's most beautiful yet horrific creatures, who engage in the world's oldest profession. Utilizing the web to entice victims to their lair, they seductively work their beauty to fulfill their unholy desire to feed on human blood. So click here and see why "the net" has a whole new meaning. "Vampire Sisters," produced by Don Dohler, directed by Joe Ripple. Rated "R" for language, nudity, sexual situations and violence. A Timewarp Films production, distributed by Chesapeake Releasing. For more information check out http://www.timewarpfilms.com/
Space Specks is a SF film produced in Virginia by Dunbar Productions and features brilliant CGI effects in support of a plot mixing media SF conventions with a hard SF practicality. Notably they use the proper names and explanations for technology and scientific principles instead of inventing their own techno-babble. Space Specks will show during the Sunday Night Film Event as part of our never ending quest to bring you the inside scoop on SF works before a general public release. For more information including a trailer see http://www.dunbarproductions.com/
The amazingly popular Maryland play Silver Scream has been made into a movie with a grant from the Maryland Arts Commission. Silver Scream is, put quite simply, a satire filled with parodies. It has been called a "Tribute" to the best and worst of Hollywood. The songs in the show are quick little parodies of some of the best known "Horrorwood" films. They tell the story and act as the protagonist to our heroes, Tobe and George as they race though the movies to save Tobe's sister. For more info see http://www.silverscream.org/main_stage.html
Maryland film producer Rock Savage of the Savage Film Group will be screening "Over Your Dead Body" a tough guy anthology, with 3 tales of supernatural crime! Due to the mature nature of this film it will be shown after midnight. See details at http://savagefilmgroup.com/PAGE1.htm
Each year we look for the most colorful, unusual and imaginative hall costumes. Whether novice or expert, Balticon wants you to dress up.
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 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.
For a complete set of artshow rules and entry form please click here. [PDF Format]
Continuing this year, The Joe Mayhew Phan Artist award will be presented for the best Phan artwork on display during the convention.
The following artists have confirmed they will exhibit at Balticon 37 as of 4-25-03.
( * = Mail-In Artists )
For the second year we will be hosting a special art exhibit of SF and Fantasy works from the collections of local SF fans. This is an opportunity for the SF community to share viewing of their prized possessions with the convention attendees. If you have work you would like to display on Monday please contact artshow@balticon.org with your offer and mention Monday in your e-mail to avoid confusion. Please remember this not a continuation of the art show and is intended to show off works people love and not as a sales venue. (Even though owners contact information will be allowed.)
Features 4500 square-foot of tables with everything a Fan might want, from hard- to-find books to ancient weapons, costumes, collectibles, models and more. This year, the room will be open late Sunday and until 2pm Monday. Dealers in SF and Fantasy related merchandise may inquire about availability by writing: Balticon 37 Dealers Room, c/o P.O. Box 70013, Baltimore, MD. 21237 or by e-mail at dealers@bsfs.org.
New games and SF related software and demos of new computer hardware provide an opportunity for you to see what's cutting edge. Twenty computers and networked game play create an interactive universe for cyber warriors. Computer gaming sponsored by HP/Compaq through donation of hardware rental.
Presenting multiple tournaments and role-playing games. Some games will feature prizes, some will be or the honor of the win. We will also have free-form gaming. Contact the gaming czar at gaming@balticon.org
During the Clone Wars a secret hides on the planet Karin. A secret that could effect the outcome of the war and the fate of all Jedi. Feel the Force through this thrilling live action role-playing game set just after the end of Episode II. LARP fee to cover material cost is $5.00 if pre-registered and $10.00 at the door. All participants must have a valid Balticon membership. For more information contact us at e-mail larp@bsfs.org
The Looney Labs Pop-tart Cafe will return to Balticon 37 on Saturday and Sunday. The Pop-Tart Cafe is a gaming parlor that manifests itself at science-fiction and gaming conventions. Imagine you're at Balticon. You're wandering around, checking out the programming and looking for something to do. You drift into this one room drawn by the intoxicating aroma of warm sugary pastries. As you look around the room you see several little gaming locations, many occupied by folks who are playing Looney Labs games like Fluxx, Aquarius, and any of a whole bunch of games played with attractive little pyramids. And just as you're getting drawn into a game of Fluxx near the back, the Pop-Tart Chef brings a POP-tart saying, "Be careful, it's hot," she warns as she hands you the tart, on a little paper plate.
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 web page with panels, events and anime guests.
See the hottest new SF movies selected from some of the brightest movie/video studios in the world. Share a screening with friends. Video producers with works they wish to share with the Balticon audience should e-mail details to video@balticon.org. We are working on video premieres and possibly UK material never seen in the USA.
Balticon in association with the Heinlein Society will be hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive on Sunday May 25, 2003 from 11:00am-4:30pm at the Balticon Hotel. There will be a sign up sheet outside to con-suite or even better you can sign up in advance at http://www.heinleinsociety.org/bloodconform.html to give the Red Cross volunteers an idea of SF fandom's generosity in advance.
Omar Rayyan has agreed to provide a painting as prize for the donors in the Balticon 37 Blood Drive on Sunday May 25, 2003. Everyone who donates blood will place their name in a jar and at the end of the blood drive we will draw a name for the winner of the painting. Omar is still working on the painting in question and will have it ready for display in the Art Show. There will be at least one consolation prize which we will draw in a similar manor, a toy bear that looks like Grandpa Munster from the TV series and perhaps other stuff...
This contest is for young Maryland writers (age 14-18) 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, 2003. 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 web site.
The BSFAN is our annual color-cover, 8 1/2 x 11 souvenir book distributed to all attendees. Submissions of art, short stories, research articles and poetry are greatly encouraged. Advertising Rates: Full page ad: $200; Half-page ad: $110; Quarter-page ad:$70. There is a 50% discount for fan organizations. Camera ready business card sized ads are available for $30. Rates for center spread may be negotiated. Deadline for submissions is March 31, 2003. Submissions and questions should be sent to the main address, attention BSFAN or e-mail: bsfan@balticon.org
For only $.06 per item, we will place your brochure, catalog, flyer or novelty item in each registration packet. Special rates for sponsorship of events are available upon request. Contact chair@bsfs.org
Send all correspondence and membership fees to the appropriate department at the address below. Please add your phone number & address when sending e-mail so we may respond with the most effective information package. Updates will be posted on the Balticon web page as they become available.
BALTICON 37If you would like to receive Balticon and Maryland SF News updates, send an e-mail to info-request@bsfs.org with the word "subscribe"(without quotation marks) as the body of the message. An e-mail message will return to you asking to confirm your interest and instructing you about how to un-subscribe. Year round monthly Maryland SF cultural event information will also be sent to this list with Balticon updates. These will be posted on the BSFS website at www.bsfs.org under Balticon News.
Balticon will be held at the Wyndham Inner Harbor Hotel. Room rates are $122, plus applicable tax for up to four occupants. Members should make their reservations directly with the hotel by calling (410) 752-1100 or by calling toll free, 1-800-WYNDHAM. The hotel does not guarantee our room block after May 2, 2003; so make your reservations soon. The hotel will provide the Balticon rate on a space available basis right up until the con starts, however, the web site and national 800 number may not be aware so call the hotel directly if you are told otherwise. When vou call thehotel, remember to tell them that you are a member of Balticon to get the convention rate. 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. Last year we sold out our block of hotel rooms in the last two weeks and lost rooms to others. If you are told the hotel is full, e-mail dale@balticon.org and he will make sure.
Use the link from our web site: http://www.balticon.org/bconhtl.html. The Wyndham registration site uses a secure server and has a guarantee from American Express. Remember to change the check-in dates as desired. Use the group code "05463BT" to get the proper room rate.
From points north, take 1-95 south through the Fort McHenry tunnel. Take Exit 53(1-395) toward the Inner Harbor. Proceed north on 1-395 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 1-95 north to Exit 53(1-395) and follow the directions above.
From 1-83: At the southern end of 1-83, turn right onto Fayette Street. The Wyndham is approximately eight blocks on your left.
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 which is 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 the limited route. Check www.mtamaryland.com for subway, lightrail and bus schedules. Try the Baltimore MTA bus routes 3, 61 and 64 that pass the Wyndham as the best connections. There is a Greyhound Bus terminal just northwest of the Wyndham within visual distance; for their schedules check www.greyhound.com Amtrak has a number of trains available to reach Balticon. Check www.amtrak.com for your preferred schedule. From the Amtrak station, ride the light rail to stop near the hotel (see above).
The Wyndham parking is valet only with 280 spaces available 24 hours a day. Valet parking at the front of the Wyndham is $22.00 per 24 hours or $15.00 for the day. 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 $15.00 per 24 hours Monday- Friday and $7.75 on Sat-Sun. Edison Parking is located at 100 West Fayette Street, phone: 410-659-5824. 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 (410-727-6811) just one block west of the Wyndham. They have 550 spaces and charge $10.00 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 lot is 3/10th of a mile east on Baltimore Street. Rate is $7.00 a day on weekends. Pratt & President Streets lot (Little Italy parking lot) is $8.00 per day maximum and a $7-8 cab ride or a 6-block walk to the hotel. (prices subject to change)
Open parties will be registered and grouped on a low floor easily accessible to 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 Baiticon will collect before the convention based on the number of nights you plan to hold an open party in your room. If you plan on holding a private party you should 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. Requests received by March 31, 2003 will receive priority.
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 the area outside the Hopkins. These will be open 24 hours a day or as close to that as our volunteers can manage.
Maryland law prohibits indoor public smoking except in designated areas. The Wyndham provides designated smoking hotel sleeping rooms and smoking sections in the restaurant and bar.
Pets are not allowed in the hotel.
If you require special access services from the convention, please contact us before March 1, 2003 and we will attempt to accommodate you.
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.
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. Volunteers who work more than 10 hours receive our exclusive volunteer T-shirt. Work more than 20 hours and 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 7th 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
Share this flyer by photo-copying the front page and posting it wherever SF and Fantasy fans might see it. We try to cover as much of the region as we can and are always looking for new friends to come to Balticon. But, we can't reach everyone without your help so, if you have friends, family, co-workers or some like minded acquaintances who would be interested in attending, please copy the front page which has all the vital information and hand it out! The more the merrier.
Printable Balticon Flier as PDF