The Guests are coming, the Guests are coming!

The Farpoint web site, www.farpointcon.com, has been updated with our first guests for 2010.

Mira Furlan!
Keith R.A. DeCandido!
Tee Morris!
Marc Okrand!
Terri Osborne!
2010 Mid-Atlantic Podcasters Summit!

LIVE Performances By:
Prometheus Radio Theatre!
Boogie Knights!
Coskumite and C.L.A.N.S.!

More information will be available as plans develop.

Folks are blogging about Farpoint.

Someone mentioned to me that Farpoint had been mentioned as a possible home for ‘bloggercon’ whatever that may be. In trying to ferret this out I came across some mentions of our con to ping. Since our page views were down to 8 yesterday I figured some new blogfodder couldn’t hurt. For your reading pleasure:
A dealer:
http://anapurnagirls.blogspot.com/2009/02/con-report-farpoint-2009.html
BrownCoat Redemption:
http://www.cayusa.com/randomonium/?cat=981
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cayusa/3283230661/
Pamela Kinney:
http://pamelakkinney.blogspot.com/2009/02/to-farpoint-and-back-home-again.html

J.R. Blackwell
http://blackwell.livejournal.com/248940.html

Julio Angel Ortiz:
http://julioangelortiz.livejournal.com/335495.html

???:
http://socialnetwork.meetup.com/1253/calendar/9727536/

Fan Cinema Today:
http://fancinematoday.com/tag/farpoint-convention/

Library Thing:
http://www.librarything.com/venue/40666/Farpoint-Convention

Chronic Rift:
http://www.chronicrift.com/node/400

Coskumite:

http://cosplay.meetup.com/191/calendar/9735883/

And you should see the old stuff that is out there.

-E

Farpoint is Coming

We’re looking forward to seeing everyone starting the day after tomorrow! If you’ve looked at the advance schedule posted to the blog and website, you’ll see that every day is very busy.

Friday starts with activities and panels in the early afternoon and culminates on Friday evening with the Opening Banquet, a live performance by Prometheus Radio Theatre, Charity Auction, Vic’s Place karaoke and the premiere of “Trenches” from X-ile Pictures. While the banquet requires an extra ticket, all of the other activities on Friday and the rest of the weekend are open to all convention members.

This year, our Charity Auction will take place in two parts – Friday evening and Saturday evening as part of the Masquerade halftime. Not to spoil things, but we’ve got some awesome items donated this year – including lunch with Harve Bennett, and a signed copy of William Shatner’s new book (donated by Phil Weyland). Remember, all of this year’s proceeds benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in memory of Robbie Greenberger and the National Kidney Foundation in memory of Nancy Kippax.

Saturday’s activities include live Light Saber workshops in the atrium conducted by CosKumite. live performances by The Boogie Knights and Luna-C, lots of panels, films and gaming, and will end in our annual Masquerade.

Sunday will feature a performance at 2pm by The Usual Suspects: P For Producer, a live performance by Insane Ian Bonds, with our annual Meeting with the Farpoint Committee closing the show.

Throughout the weekend, check into all of our exciting panel tracks. Our programming team has gone above and beyond to provide lots of programs featuring the largest variety of topics we’ve ever had: Podcasting, Science, Comics and Anime, Film Production, Costuming and more. There will be activities throughout the weekend that are designed for our younger fans, too. The Gaming Oasis is featuring special activities and tournament games throughout the weekend. Your pocket program and signs at the Oasis will provide additional information.

For the Art Lovers: The Art Show is featuring a wide variety of returning and new artists presenting work for you to enjoy (and hopefully purchase!). The Art Auction will once again be on Sunday morning at 10:00 am. NOTICE TO ALL: There is a piece of artwork in the show inspired by the “beloved” carpet from our previous home at the Hunt Valley Inn. And yes, we take credit cards.

You won’t be able to miss our Dealers Room and Fan Club Bazaar this year, as it’s right in the middle of the atrium of the beautiful Crowne Plaza. You’ll be able to enjoy the market atmosphere with fellow fen, and when you’re tired from shopping can stop in at Quark’s Place, our con suite located right off the atrium in the Timonium room. Quark’s provides everyone a place to take a break and get a quick snack throughout the weekend.

New this year is our ConOps office. While primarily used by the convention committee, it is a place for anyone in need of assistance to stop in for help. It is located in the Board Room off the atrium. The Farpoint Registration desk will, as always, be in operation throughout the weekend. This year, it is located at the coat check desk at the Convention Center entrance to the hotel. If you’re at the hotel facing the lobby doors, look to your left and you’ll see the Convention Center entrance portico where you can directly enter into the convention area.

I’ve probably forgotten as much as I’ve written here. We’re looking forward to this weekend at our new convention home, and hope you will enjoy the experience as much as we enjoy bringing it to you. Everyone travel safely!

Sharon and Sandy
Farpoint co-chairs

Hotel Update

The committee held a pre-con meeting with the Crowne Plaza staff last night, and all we can say is “WOW!” This group is relaxed, friendly, prepared and obviously thrilled to host Farpoint. We’ve worked with a LOT of teams in hotels over the years, and never seen one quite this enthusiastic about our event. We think you’ll notice the difference, particularly in that area near and dear to all our hearts — Food!

The food and beverage staff will be running concessions throughout the day Saturday, breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus breakfast and lunch on Sunday. The prices are the best we’ve seen for this kind of concession, and the selection much broader. And, of course, the hotel restaurant will be available for sit-down dining with a reasonably priced buffet. In addition, Larry the restaurant and bar manager has created a special themed drink menu for us — he’s either a fan or he’s really done his homework.

We left the meeting with high hopes for a great Farpoint. We think we’re all going to love our new home!

Farpoint 2009 Banquet – Final Announcement

Dear Friends of Farpoint,

The convention is almost here and we can hardly wait to see you on Friday!
Our gala dinner is being held at the Arkham Asylum for the Criminally Insane – now under new management! (See Below.) This lovely gothic manse, simply dripping with atmosphere, is located in the Atrium at the Crowne Plaza Hotel – Baltimore North. Hilarity ensues on Friday, February 13, 2009 beginning with an Insanely Happy Hour at 7:00 p.m. Dinner service will commence at 7:45 p.m.

Your entree selection ticket will be given to you when you arrive at the Asylum on Friday evening. The Asylum’s bar will be open during the banquet and is just a step away from the banquet area. Many of our attendees have taken the time before dinner service to mingle and socialize with committee, staff, and our guests.

Following the banquet, the Asylum Administration will present special recognition awards such as the Volker/McChesney Award, The Robbie Greenberger Originality Award, and others.

The inmates will entertain you with old-style radio comedy. Be prepared to enjoy the following:

Sky Cadets Episode Two by Eli Senter
Funny Pages by Ethan Wilson
Lux Radio Theatre: It Happened One Flight by Steven H. Wilson

You are also invited to stick around after the festivities for our Charity Auction. Your support is greatly appreciated!

If you have already paid the $40.00 deposit you will be politely asked to provide the $5.00 difference when you pick up your membership badge at the convention, and then, if you’re surly, one of the Joker’s associates may hold you by your ankles and shake you to see what falls out of your pockets!

Jeremiah Arkham, current head administrator, has expressed the hope that the Farpoint 2009 Banquet attendees enjoy their visit. At least, I think that’s what he said. It might have been “Please kill me now, I can’t
take anymore.”

You may attend in street clothes, if you wish to be considered collateral damage, or you may dress in appropriate costume.

Never heard of Arkham? Try visiting http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman_villains or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arkham_Asylum.

If you have any questions please contact Cindy at cindybelle@msn.com.

We Look Forward To Seeing You On Friday!
Cindy Shockey & Renee Wilson
On Site Banquet Coordinators
Farpoint 2008

P For Producer

If any of you Firefly fans out there have ever fantasized about taking revenge on a certain network for that abrupt and unfair cancellation, make sure you’re in the Greenspring ballroom at 2pm on Sunday to see the latest production by The Usual Suspects: P For Producer. There will be mayhem, explosions, and jazz hands. Did we mention it’s a musical?

Alright, for real this time…

The schedule, with changes, and, per one helpful comment on the blog, dates and days.  You’d think I’d have thought of that.  Link below.

-Eli

2009schedulefinalv201

Farpoint Map of Crown Plaza

Some folks have been asking for a map of the hotel and the convention spaces.  I’ve attached it here.  My thanks to Lew Aide who put it together.

http://farpoint.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/crowne-plaza-floorplan-for-farpoint09.pdf

Farpoint 2009 schedule

117 hits each yesterday and today. I guess some of you are excited to see the schedule. I warned you it was subject to change. Some small changes were made… and dealers room times are still coming Real Soon Now.

2009schedulefinal

-Eli

Lightsaber Duel Workshops coming to Farpoint 2009

A new hotel, with new programming spaces. So we are trying something new this year. On Saturday in the Atrium Rear Coskumite (description below) will be running a series of Lightsaber choreography workshops. The workshops will be good exercise and promise to be a lot of fun.

Availability for these workshops is limited to around 15 participants each, so sign up at the Coskumite fan table when it is open to ensure a spot.

Workshops will run on Saturday at 10:00, 11:00, 12:00 and 14:00. Wear comfortable close and bring a shinai or lightsaber if you have one.

There will be a Q&A with Chuck and his crew at 18:00 in Chesapeake 6 (across from the Game Room) where you can ask about light sabers, fight choreography, stunt work, everything.

About our workshop presenters:

C.L.A.N.S. of the Revolution / MD Jedi is a group of Light Saber enthusiasts from the Maryland, DC, VA area. They also represent the Maryland area as “MD Jedi”, part of an international coalition of saber enthusiasts started by the NY Jedi (SaberWars).
C.L.A.N.S. (Clans, Legions, Aliens, Nobles, & Soldiers) of the Revolution is an off-shoot of CosKumite, the Art of Cosplay Combat.

Helmed by Maryland based professional stuntman, fight choreographer, and actor
Chuck Jeffreys (Blade, Spiderman 1, Freddy Vs. Jason, Blade Trinity).
Jeffreys created CosKumite to help cosplayers (Anime, Fantasy, Pirate,
Klingon, Ninja, Predator, etc.) create safe and creative mock combat routines to spice up their cosplay skits. CosKumite also adds a whole other level of enjoyment, skill, and fitness to the fun that is costumed role play.
various links:
C.L.A.N.S. / MD Jedi (http://www.clansoftherevolution.com)
NY Jedi (http://www.newyorkjedi.com)
Chuck Jeffreys IMDB page (http://www.imdb.com)/name/nm0420333/)

Chuck Jeffreys’ Combattitude
(http://www.combattitude.com)
C.L.A.N.S. / MD Jedi video various clips (http://www.youtube.com/user/combattitude)