Darkover 2005
DARKOVER GRAND COUNCIL MEETING XXIX
NOVEMBER 25-27, 2005
TIMONIUM, MARYLAND
NEWS FLASH!!!
This year, Darkover Con raised over $5,000 for Children's Hospital in the B.O.G.S. Fundraiser - we will be trying to find out from Guiness (once the total is finalized) if we have broken the world record for "most money paid to hear a dirty song!"
And already plans are in the works for next year's B.O.G.S. Fundraiser! Not only will Kathy sing "Bend Over, Greek Sailor," if we raise enough moeny, then John will sing "Sweet Transvestite" (from The Rocky Horror Picture Show) IN COSTUME! The fundraising goal for next year is $10,000.00! Let's try and make it, and not just to see John in drag... Children's National Medical Center is a great hospital that cares for children regardless of their family's ability to pay. Please help us support this great charity! Check out the B.O.G.S Bulletin Board for fundraising ideas!
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!
Problem with public transportation to Darkover!
We have just found out that the light rail is not running to the Holiday Inn Timonium this year.
Here is a link to the service map: outage map.
This is where they describe what is going on: explanation...
The Holiday Inn is not doing any sort of shuttle service to compensate for the lack of public transportation. If you want to take public transportation, you can take their free shuttle from the last light rail stop on the list to the fairgrounds stop and walk from there, or IF they have a conceierge on duty, they MIGHT be able to pick you up. The safest way to do things is spend the money for a taxi.
Taxi from BWI: $40-50 (or there is a shuttle for less)
Taxi from Penn Station: $25-35
Sorry for any inconvenience this might cause!
Our Bulletin Boards have been recreated and are back online; if you had a login before, you will need to recreate it, but please use the Transportation board if you want to arrange a lift from or to the con or are willing to be a driver!
MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
Regular memberships are $40.00 each until November 1, 2005. After that, and at the door they will be $45.00. Make checks payable to Armida Council (PO Box 7203, Silver Spring, MD 20907. If you wish membership confirmation, please include a Self Addressed Stamped Postcard [not an envelope].
The Holiday Inn, Timonium in Timonium, Maryland. It has 250 rooms on five floors with four elevators, an indoor pool and hot tub. Room rates are $85.00 a night (plus a 13% room tax). There is no additional charge for up to four people in a room. You can reserve on line by using the link from our web site, by using the hotel form or by calling (410) 252-7373. Be sure to say you are part of the Darkover convention to get the group rate. Click for directions to the hotel.
GUESTS
Our Guest of Honor is: C.S. FRIEDMAN. Our Artist Guest of Honor is: TBA. Our Special Guest is: KATHERINE KURTZ.. Our Musical Guests of Honor are: CLAM CHOWDER. Other author/artist guests include: Debra Doyle, Nancy Janda, Heather Rose Jones, Aimee Kratts, Scott MacMillian, James MacDonald, Alanna Morland, Diana Paxson, Tamora Pierece, Don Sakers, and Hannah Shapero. Musical guests include: Bob and Sue Esty, John Huff, Ellen James, Myfanwy, and Ed and Kathy Sobansky.
HUCKSTERS ROOM
Our hucksters' room is SOLD OUT. It will open for business Friday 4PM to 8:30PM, Saturday 10AM to 6PM and Sunday 10AM to 4PM. Dealers may start setting up Friday at 11AM.
ACTIVITIES
Besides main programming, alternate programming, esoteric programming, videos and workshops, there will be a Huckster's Room, Art Show and Con Suite. We also have filking, a pool, a costume contest FRIDAY NIGHT, a jacuzzi, a Bardic Circle, a Regency Ball, and two art auctions. There will be a track of musical performances Friday, and Saturday, including a performance by Clam Chowder on Saturday. Note: you must have a convention membership to attend the concert.
There will be two art auctions, the first on Saturday night and the second on Sunday at 1PM. There is no hanging fee for art at the con, but we take a 10% commission on all sold pieces. For more information about the art show or art auctions, contact our art show director c/o the Darkover PO Box., or email him at artshow@darkovercon.com., or check our web site for the art show rules including mail-in rules.
COSTUME COMPETITION
There will be a costume competition, run by Marty Gear, on FRIDAY NIGHT.
INFORMATION
For further information, contact us at members@darkovercon.com or Jaelle@darkovercon.com jaelle@radix.net or at the PO Box (address below).
REGENCY BALL
There will be a Regency Ball Saturday afternoon. Regency dress is strongly encouraged, but not required. There will be Regency era dances and classes (including waltzes) Friday and Saturday.
VIDEO ROOM
We will have a video room running Friday evening/night, Saturday late afternoon through early Sunday morning, and Sunday during the day.
WEAPONS POLICY
The only weapon allowed to be worn publicly during the convention, except as part of the costume competition, will be knives. All knives (and weapons used for the costume competition) must be sheathed and peace strapped at all times. We will enforce this policy, and will ask people who do not obey it to leave the convention.
VOLUNTEERS
Darkover, like all SF cons, runs on volunteer labor. We need you. We are always in great need of people to help out by guarding doors, setting up art show hangings, work at registration, etc. If you are willing to help out, either contact me, Jaelle, in advance, or at the con. Jaelle can be reached by E-mail at Jaelle@darkovercon.com or at Jaelle@radix.net Note: if you do not get a response in two weeks, email again, as the first email did not get through. For best results, use both email addresses.
REGISTRATION HOURS
Registration will open Friday morning at 10AM and continue until 9PM Friday night. It will reopen Saturday at 10AM.
CLAM CHOWDER AND CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
Once again Clam Chowder will be performing (Saturday evening), and there will be the annual fund raiser for Children's Hospital. See our web site for more details.
CHECK POLICY
Due to problems in the past, all returned checks will be charged a $25.00 returned check fee.
Armida Council
PO Box 7203
Silver Spring, MD 20907