September 16, 2011

What to Expect at the 40th Anniversary

By Robin W. Bailey

The Writers Place: 3607 Pennsylvania, KCMO

In honor of the 40th anniversary of KaCSFFS, the Writers Place will transform into a museum as we celebrate the many accomplishments and highlights of Kansas City fandom.  Along with LASFS (Los Angeles SF Society), NESFA (New England SF Association) and only a few others, KaCSFFS now standsas one of the oldest, continuously operating science fiction fan clubs in the country.  

We think that’s worth honoring.

Your ticket down memory lane!
Memory Lane Awaits! 
Take a trip down Memory Lane.  Attendees can look forward to a number of special displays and collections.  

We’ll have a nearly complete collection of ConQuesT tee shirts through the years, as well as badges and KaCSFFS newsletters.  Look for a display of the many terrific fanzines published right here in Kansas City during the great heyday of fan publishing.  Check out the numerous gubernatorial and mayoral proclamations honoring our Nebula Awards weekends, and see the original Science Fiction Hall of Fame plaque and trophy once again.
  
In keeping with this museum theme, be sure to check out the KaCSFFS Facebook page where, under the heading of “Countdown to the 40th Anniversary,” Robin Bailey has spent the past month posting many interesting photographs and bits of KaCSFFS history.

Special Awards and Swag!
But that’s not all!  Jim Murray is producing a commemorative 40th anniversary fanzine.  Tracy Majkol is preparing a special slide show highlighting members and events.  Joyce Downing, a longtime member and terrific musician, will entertain us with several songs.  We’ll make the evening special in other ways, too, and we’ll offer a few surprises.  Among them, a very special surprise autographing event.  You won’t want to miss it.

 But that’s not all!  One of the highlights of the anniversary will come when Ken Keller, who along with Gary Mattingly co-founded our club, is honored with an award and lifetime honorary membership to recognize his achievement.  This is an overdue and much-deserved recognition, and we’re very happy to make it on this special night.

And that’s still not all!  The anniversary will also feature the launch and first-time presentation of a brand new, board-approved KaCSFFS honor -- The Tom Reamy Award for Excellence in Science Fiction Endeavors.  We’ll explain the origin and purpose of the award as we name its first recipient.  We think everyone will be pleased.

Food!
Don’t forget that the Marrakech CafĂ© is catering our event.  Expect an array of appetizers, hors douerves and desserts, along with coffee and tea.  Attendees are also encouraged to bring any additional beverages of your choice.  Hey, BYOB is always in vogue in this group!  By the way, we’re very pleased that we’ve been able to finance this entire evening with advance ticket sales and contributions without dipping directly into the club’s treasury.  

Your Master and Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening: Robin Wayne Bailey and Sherri Dean.

PHOTO/IMAGE CREDITS:
The photo of the Writers Place is from their website.
The 40th Anniversary Ticket SAMPLE was compiled by Jan S. Gephardt.
The 1971 "K.C.S.F.F.S."  organizational flier is from the collection of Robin W. Bailey.

September 08, 2011

Calling KaCSFFS Creatives!

Creative KAXFEN! Take a bow in the spotlight!

KaCSFFS was established to promote the art forms of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and all kinds of speculative fiction, in all of their various media of expression.

Many of our members or friends are writers, artists, filmmakers, musicians, costumers, reviewers, or are otherwise involved in creating work, and/or educating others about the work being done in our favorite genres.

Let us put you and your work
in the spotlight!
If that describes you, we'd like to profile you on this blog.

If you would like for us to shine our spotlight on you, please send us some information about yourself and the creative work you do.


Absolutely essential is a description of who you are, what you do, and how long you have been involved in this work. You may include an artist's statement, mission statement, CV, resume or other descriptive information.

We definitely need at least one image/photo/logo that applies to your work, as well.

Please include any of the following that apply to you:

  • Pictures of your book covers, artwork, promotional posters, etc.
  • A photo of yourself, your studio or work space, and/or your logo.
  • A URL (web address) where interested blog-readers can find more detailed information, or may buy your work. 
  • The URL of your blog.
  • Any contact information you wish to share.
  • Video or audio clips, resources for downloads, or other multimedia resources.
  • If you want to offer KAXFEN a discount, please include that information!
We will review your information and create a short profile using your information. Before it is posted we'll email it to you, and ask you to check it for accuracy (please reply quickly!). Please note: We reserve the right to refuse any images or information that we deem to be inappropriate or at odds with our mission. 

We generally cannot guarantee that information you provide will be posted within any set time frame, though we will try to post it as promptly as is practical. If you wish to announce a time-sensitive event such as a book-signing, concert, show opening, or theatrical production, please alert us with at least two weeks to spare! 

IMAGE CREDIT: The star in the spotlight was provided by 123RF Stock Photos.

September 02, 2011

Return of the Laser Rangers!

Brand new HDTV 51-inch plasma debuts Sunday!

Chosen for action sequences: Tron:Legacy
Date: Sunday, September 3, 2011
Time: Around 4:15 p.m., "fan time"
Place: David Sooby's home theater
Food Theme: TBA (fresh, theater-style popcorn available throughout the evening)
Captain Laser: Not announced.
On the Program: Two recent action science fiction films in Blu-Ray, chosen to show off the brand new 51-inch Samsung HDTV Plasma, with full 1080P, in the standard 5.1 home theater Surround format.

Tron: Legacy
The first feature is Tron: Legacy, from 2010.
View Trailer.
Joseph Kosinski directed, from a screenplay by Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz.
Jeff Bridges (Kevin Flynn/Clu), Garrett Hedlund (Sam Flynn), Olivia Wilde (Quorra) and Bruce Boxleitner (Alan Bradley/Tron) star.

Battle Los Angeles is the 2nd feature.
Battle Los Angeles
After the dinner break, the Laser Rangers will return to the theater for Battle Los Angeles (2011)
View Trailer
Johnathan Liebesman directed, from a screenplay by Chris Bertolini.
Stars include Aaron Eckhardt (Sgt. Michael Nantz), Ramon Rodriguez (2nd Lt. William Martinez), Cory Hardrict (Cpl. Jason Lockett), Michelle Rodriguez (TSgt. Elena Santos), Lucas Till (Cpl. Scott Grayston), and Bridget Moynahan (Michele).

Ken Keller notes: "This is *not* our regularly scheduled session for September, but a special inaugural preview of our new state-of-the-art capability. What better way to do so than with two recent science fiction action/popcorn movies?

"If you're not otherwise engaged on Sunday afternoon (remember, Monday is the Labor Day holiday), please join us for this special kick-off session. Help us celebrate a New Era for the Laser Rangers, as the group begins its 12th year!"

Regular Schedule Resumes September 24!
After some suspense when the Soobys' former screen came to an unfortunate end, the main September program will proceed as scheduled.

Theme: Be Careful What You Wish For
Date: Saturday, September 24, 2011
Time: Around 4:15 p.m., "fan time"
Place: David Sooby's home theater
Food Theme: TBA (fresh, theater-style popcorn available throughout the evening)
Captain Laser: Ken Keller.
On the Program: Quite a different pair of features from the previous Sunday!

13 Going On 30
View Trailer
2004 movie; Directed by Gary Winick; screenplay by Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa.
Stars: Jennifer Garner (Jenna Rink), Mark Ruffalo (Matt Flamhaff), and Judy Greer (Lucy Wyman).

Big
View Trailer
This 1988 movie directed by Penny Marshall and written by Gary Ross and Ann Speilberg, stars a very young Tom Hanks (Josh Balkin), along with Elizabeth Perkins (Susan) and Robert Loggia (MacMillan).

The home of the Laser Rangers is located about two miles north of the Kansas Speedway, northwest of the I-70/I-435 intersection, on the Kansas side of the KC metro. For the exact address an directions, email David Sooby (see at left).

Our home theater has comfortable seating for about 15. The dinner between features is potluck, usually based on a pre-announced theme.

PHOTO AND OTHER CREDITS:
Many, many thanks to IMDB, without which this post would have been much shorter and way less informative! The poster, trailer, and cast information for each of the following may be found by clicking their respective links: Tron: Legacy; Battle Los Angeles; 13 Going On 30; Big.
And as ever, thanks to Psychology Today Online, for the movie screen frame image used for the Laser Rangers contact information.