ConQuesT 45

Join us in Kansas City, May 23-25, 2014
ConQuesT 45 marks another milestone for one of the longest-running sf conventions in the U.S.  Come to Kansas City in May to see why we've remained strong for so long!

We have a great Hotel!
ConQuesT 45 is moving to a new hotel, the Kansas City Marriott Downtown.  We chose this site for its excellent facilities, adequate size, and reasonable price.  We believe our members will enjoy this jewel of the Kansas City downtown.

The special ConQuesT room rate includes bookings from May 22-26, 2014. Get all the details on our website!


We have great Guests coming!

Glen Cook

Our Guest of Honor lineup promises to be a strong group: A beloved veteran writer, a gifted actor/entertainer, an award-winning artist, and a pair of devoted fans who have left an indelible mark on the wardrobes of sf/fantasy fans everywhere.

Read more about them on our Guests page.

Author GoH Glen Cook is best known for for his The Black Company fantasy series, Garrett P.I. series, and Dread Empire series.

Tadao Tomomatsu

Toastmaster Tadao Tomomatsu was such an awesome Fan Guest at ConQuesT 42, we jumped at the opportunity to invite him back as TM! Tadao is a talented actor, comedian, and entertainer. You might remember him as Mr. Shake-Hands Man, or as a detective in the Heroes episode "Don't Look Back."

Artist Guest David Lee Pancake has been delighting art lovers at the ConQuesT Art Show for several years, so we were delighted when he accepted our invitation to be our Artist Guest. Best known for resin sculptures that feature amazing detail and textures, and for unique jewelry designs, we think you'll find the man behind the artwork equally interesting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

L-ctr: Sculptural artworks Thorn and Splinter by David Lee Pancake (pictured at R)

Ray and Barb VanTilburg

Many of our readers probably own T-shirts produced by our Fan Guests, Raymond and Barbara VanTilburg. They've been creating some of fandom's favorite shirts since 1990, and distributing them through their company OffWorld Designs. 

There's way more to Ray and Barb than T-shirts, however.  Enjoy getting to meet "the rest of them" at ConQuesT 45! 

We have Great Get-Yours-Now Membership Rates!
Regular Adult Memberships are only $30, now through Dec. 31.  Only $25 with a Military I.D., and $15 for children ages 6-12. Order online now!

IMAGE CREDITS: All photos except the two sculptures by David Lee Pancake are from the ConQuesT website.  The images of "Thorn" and "Splinter" are courtesy of David Lee Pancake, and available for sale via his online store. They were originally released for use on the ConQuesT Art Show Facebook page, when Pancake was the featured Artist of the Week.

September 2013 KaCSFFS Meeting

Tonight: George R. R. Martin Program
Who: You, we hope!
What: Monthly KaCSFFS Meeting
When: BoD 5:30 p.m., General meeting 7:00 p.m. TONIGHT Sept. 21, 2013
Where: The Writers Place, 3607 Pennsylvania Ave., Kansas City, MO 64111
Why: Because it's fun and interesting! 
Food Theme: Cookies and Salad (NO broccoli; it's an exercise in futility)

GRRM in the Land of Enchantment:
Founding member Ken Keller (AKA Sir Kennos of Kayce) traveled to visit his friend George R. R. Martin in August, and we are the richer for it, tonight.  As Ken announced in a message on the KAXFEN list:

Jean Cocteau Cinema: Santa Fe's new/historic gem.

 

"I'll be presenting and narrating a photo show I shot in early August while visiting George and his wife Paris in Santa Fe, NM. I was in Santa Fe for the grand reopening of the Jean Cocteau Cinema, which George had purchased in early 2013 and then had completely refurbished.
 
"The first film shown at the theater was the classic Forbidden Planet, George's favorite science fiction film. One of the film's most famous stars was also in attendance at the theater' s sold-out first screening; many pictures were taken with this celebrity by everyone, including me.
 

George R. R. Martin

"I'll also be giving a photo tour of George's large office house, his personal working office, his astonishing collection of medieval miniatures and original art, and I'll have photos of most of his staff, too.
 

Melinda M. Snodgrass

"Concluding the show will be my and George's visit to SF writer Melinda Snodgrass' beautiful mountain vista custom home in the wilds of Santa Fe. Melinda is one of George's oldest friends and writing collaborators, having been his right-hand in the on-going (for 26 years!) Wild Cards series from Tor Books. Melinda has also worked in Hollywood on many of TV's science fiction and fantasy series, including Star Trek, The Next Generation, among others. Melinda is also a past Writer Guest of Honor here at ConQuesT."

Swap & Shop Tonight:
President Ty Gephardt has scheduled a Swap & Shop event tonight, in addition to Ken's presentation, and a general business meeting; however, we do not have an advance-list of anyone who may be bringing things to sell.  

Next Month: Halloween Costume Party!  

Photo Credits: the image of the Cocteau Cinema is from its website. The profile pic of George is from his "Not a Blog" on LiveJournal. The photo of Melinda M. Snodgrass is from her website.

KC Horror Book Club September 2013 Meeting

Sharp Teeth

By Toby Barlow

Details:
Date and Time: September 15, 2013 (Sunday) from noon to 1:30.
Location: The Green Room Burgers and Beer
Address: 4010 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite D, Kansas City, MO.
Event Notes:Come and talk about Sharp Teeth, "winner of the 2009 Alex Award and is the Horror entry on the 2009 Best Adult Genre Fiction Reading List. We will also be selecting our next books."-Wikipedia

Sharp Teeth is about "an ancient race of lycanthropes has survived to the present day, and its numbers are growing. Bent on dominance, rival factions are initiating the down-and-out of L.A. into their ranks. Caught in the middle are Anthony, a kindhearted, lovesick dogcatcher, and the object of his affection: a female werewolf who has abandoned her pack." -Amazon Blurb


Check the Facebook Event Page for more information.

Please contact Earline Beebe for more information on the Facebook event page. Synopsis from Amazon.com
Image from: amazon.com. Owned by Harper Perennial.

Laser Rangers 2013 September Meeting

"Quis Custodiet Ipsos Custodes?

Special Briefing Specs: Redacted*

Date: September 14, 2013

Time: 4:15pm Hang with us at 3:45pm to chill out. NEW EARLY TIME!!!
Secret Base: Laser Visions Institute - David Sooby’s home theater with 51-inch Samsung HDTV, a 5.1 Surround Sound Dolby Digital sound system, a full set of audiophile-grade speakers, and upgraded seating for about 15 people without crowding.
Fearless Leader: Jaymes Logan Williamson
Check out Jayme's Geekvolution site at WeAreGeeksNotNerds.com.
Superfoods: Barbequed and Fried.
Attire: Superhero Costumes

*Highlight to reveal text.

  Additional mission specs and sign-up can be found at the Facebook Event Page. 

Special Presentation by Ken Keller after the main program.

The Watchmen

MAIN PROGRAMMING!

(2009, 215 minutes, Blu-Ray)

Synopsis

In an alternate 1985 where former superheroes exist, the murder of a colleague sends active vigilante Rorschach into his own sprawling investigation, uncovering something that could completely change the course of history as we know it. -IMDB

Cast

Malin Åkerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Carla Gugino, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and Patrick Wilson

Behold! The trailer!





Next month: Atom Age Monsters: A Tribute to Bill Ostrander!

Featuring: Godzilla King of the Monsters and Them
(For real this time!)

 
The home of the Laser Rangers is located about four miles north of the Kansas Speedway, NW of the intersection of I-70 and I-435 on the Kansas side of the Greater Kansas City area.

IMAGE CREDITS: The information for all of these shows come from the invaluable IMDB. The movie posters come from Wikipedia or the movie's respected distributors.

The movie screen frame image used for the Laser Rangers contact information is courtesy of Psychology Today Online. Many thanks to these websites!

KaCSFFS Meeting TODAY!

Editor's note: SORRY!  I thought Ty was doing this post, and I guess he thought I was.  Anyway . . . 
Who: Us
What: August KaCSFFS Meeting
When: Yikes! TODAY, August 17, 2013
     Open Board Meeting: 5:30 p.m.
     Regular Monthly Meeting: 7:00 p.m.
Where: The Writers Place, 3607 Pennsylvania Ave., Kansas City, MO 64111
Why: Because it's what we do on the Third Saturday of the Month!
Summer Flip-Flop!
As posted on the KAXFEN list, we're experimenting with a new order of business for the meeting: Food and program first, then business!

The food theme is "Back to School," so break out the Mystery Meat?  Or maybe something a bit more along the new-style line of school nutritionists attempting to make cafeteria food more fresh and locally-sourced?

Or maybe we could break out the carrot sticks, raisins and PB&J, in our cool new lunchboxes!  (Of course, they never let us bring the good libations in grade school, but don't let that stop you tonight!)

Tales from the Cryp--er, the Early Years!
Stroll with us down Memory Lane with Ken Keller, David Sooby, and Robin W. Bailey, as they reminisce about some of their best stories and adventures from their fhannish lives.  Believe us, these guys have some tales to tell.  Audience participation is also encouraged!

Plus just a little Business:
We don't have any Old Business on the meeting agenda, and New Business will mostly consist of Board of Directors reports and announcements from some of our affiliated groups, such as Laser Rangers, KC Horror Club, SF&F Literati, and anyone else who has an announcement to share.

One announcement we already can share: Our own Rob Chilson has a story in the current (Sept/Oct) issue of Fantasy and Science Fiction.  On newsstands now!  Here's a review.

PHOTO CREDITS: Image "Blue flip-flops on a beach" courtesy of Wikimedia Commons;  School lunch tray image is from The Nutrition Post.  The F&SF cover is courtesy of Tangent.

Kansas City Horror Book Club

Anno Dracula

By Kim Newman

Details:
Date and Time: August 11, 2013 (Sunday) from noon to 1:30.
Location: The Green Room Burgers and Beer
Address: 4010 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite D, Kansas City, MO.
Event Notes:"Come and talk about Anno Dracula a Bram Stoker award nominee. We will also be selecting our next books."

Anno Dracula is the definitive account of that post-modern species, the self-obsessed undead." In this first of what looks to be an excellent series, Victorian England has vampires at every level of society, especially the higher ones, and they engage in incessant intrigue, power games, and casual oppression of the weak--activities, as we know, that are all too human. Numerous characters from literature and from history appear in both major and cameo roles. Spectacular fight scenes, stormy politics, and a serial vampire killer keep the action lively. A scholarly bibliography is included. Amazon.com Review


Check the Facebook Event Page for more information.

Quoted text written by Earline Beebe. Please contact her for more information on the Facebook event page. Synopsis from Amazon.com
Image from: amazon.com. Owned by Titan Books publishers.

Laser Rangers 2013 August Meeting

The Beatles in Song and Parody

Date: August 10, 2013
Time: 4:45pm (Fhanish time) Hang with us at 4:15pm to chill out.
Crashpad: David Sooby’s home theater with 51-inch Samsung HDTV, a 5.1 Surround Sound Dolby Digital sound system, a full set of audiophile-grade speakers, and upgraded seating for about 15 people without crowding.
C.O.: Tim Keltner
Munchies: New wave/ health food/ vegetarian Tofu and alfalfa sprouts. Hey, blame Tim for this . . .Yuck - David S
Rags: Hippy Sixties

Learn more at the Facebook Event Page. You Dig?

Programming:

Short flicks will precede our first!

Across the Universe

(2007, 133 minute), Jim Sturgess, Evan Rachel Wood, Joe Anderson, Dana Fuchs, Martin Luther McCoy, T.V. Carpio.

The music of the Beatles and the Vietnam War form the backdrop for the romance between an upper-class American girl and a poor Liverpudlian artist.

Far out trailer for you!







~~~~~
Between features, we will have our traditional potluck. Please bring something that matches our food theme above or bring something for yourself.

More short flick will precede our main feature.
~~~~~

All You Need Is Cash

MAIN FLICK!
(2000, 101 minutes); Eric Idle, Neil Innes, John Halsey, Ricky Fataar, Michael Palin, George Harrison, Bianca Jagger, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray.

Charts the adventures of the prefab four, possibly the most famous band of all time.









Next month: Atom Age Monsters: A Tribute to Bill Ostrander!

Featuring: Godzilla King of the Monsters and Them

Hang Loose!

 
The home of the Laser Rangers is located about four miles north of the Kansas Speedway, NW of the intersection of I-70 and I-435 on the Kansas side of the Greater Kansas City area.

IMAGE CREDITS: The information for all of these shows come from the invaluable IMDB. The movie posters come from Wikipedia or the movie's respected distributors.

The movie screen frame image used for the Laser Rangers contact information is courtesy of Psychology Today Online. Many thanks to these websites!

Tevan Keltner Reviews Star Trek: Into Darkness

Please note: Tevan submitted this review to us on 5/19/2013.  It would have been MUCH timelier then!  The Editor's personal life (and ConQuesT 44) intervened, and the review did not get posted.

HOWEVER, we still think it's an interesting review, and that you may still enjoy it!  We apologize deeply to Tevan for taking so everlasting long to get this published.

Star Trek: Into Darkness

A review by Tevan Keltner, submitted 5/19/2013

Well, ladies and gentlemen, if you enjoyed the first Star Trek then you’re in luck, because its sequel is one hell of a ride. In 2009, J.J. Abrams went boldly where not many would go by rebooting the Star Trek franchise. And while many fans were not entirely thrilled with this news, they must admit it was pretty good for what it was.

Everyone else, however, seemed to be enthralled with the franchise reboot. The cast was excellent and the special effects gave fans and newcomers a chance to experience Star Trek on a whole new level. Even including a special appearance from one of the original cast members. With the success from the first film, it was no surprise that a sequel would be underway and now we have Star Trek: Into Darkness.

Not only does this film up the action and up the dialogue but it also establishes itself as a fantastic follow up for Trekkers and newcomers alike. Like The Dark Knight, the tone is much darker and the stakes are much higher. Characters are put into situations that glue you to the screen and make you wonder how things will get resolved. I can't even describe how much goes on in just this one movie; it's incredibly overwhelming, but in a good way.

Much of the deserved credit should go to the cast. Believe me when I say that no character is pushed aside in this film. Every character gets their own screen time without it feeling rushed. We even explore relationships further between people.

Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto own their roles. They are the driving force behind this movie and in many ways shape each others’ fates as it should be.

There is also great comedy, mostly provided by Simon Pegg and Karl Urban. The newcomers are great too - the brilliantly sexy Alice Eve and RoboCop himself, Peter Weller.

But let's talk about the best newcomer of the bunch, Benedict Cumberbatch. Trust me when I say - you will remember his name. He steals almost every scene he's in with great gusto. His voice is chilling, his mannerisms unsettling and his intentions are decidedly unpleasant. This is just everything a villain should be. He has the major weight of the film and he carries it beautifully. This man will be remembered (by those who don't know his Sherlock Holmes), and I look forward to seeing him many more times throughout his career.

Star Trek: Into Darkness is brilliantly dark and action-packed. Cumberbatch gives one of his greatest performances. If you’re seriously wondering whether to see this movie or not, please take my word for it. Go see it!! 

Tevan Keltner is a second-year college student in the Animation and Game Design program at Johnson County Community College

IMAGE CREDIT: Movie poster image is from IMDB.  Many thanks to them!

SF&F Literati go to Finishing School in July

Finishing School as you've never seen it before . . .

Selection: Etiquette and Espionage, by Gail Carriger

When: July 22, 2013, 7:00 p.m.

Where: Oak Park Barnes & Noble Bookseller, 11323 W 95th Street

Overland Park, KS 66214, on the 2nd floor.

Order Etiquette and Espionage from Barnes & Noble or other fine book sellers.

If you have ideas for the next round of selections, be sure to attend the July meeting!

A fast-moving, humorous YA series-opening novel based on an unusual juxtaposition of ideas: finishing school as a Victorian young ladies' equivalent of the CIA's "The Farm" at Camp Peary.

Overview from Barnes & Noble:

"It's one thing to learn to curtsy properly. It's quite another to learn to curtsy and throw a knife at the same time. Welcome to Finishing School.  New York Times bestselling author Gail Carriger makes her young adult debut with Ettiquette & Espionage, the first book in the Finishing School series.

IMAGE CREDITS: Many thanks to Barnes & Noble for the cover of Etiquette & Espionage.

KC Horror Club Movie Screening "The Conjuring"

The Conjuring

Details: Sunday, July 21, 2013, 4:50pm; Screenland Armour, 408 Armour Rd., North Kansas City, Missouri.

Screenland Armour is located off I-29/HWY 71 near the intersection of Armour Road and Erie St.

Synopsis: The Conjuring is a 2013 American supernatural horror film directed by James Wan. The film stars Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson as Ed and Lorraine Warren, paranormal investigators who come to the assistance of the Perron family (Ron Livingston and Lili Taylor), who are experiencing increasingly disturbing events in their farmhouse Harrisville, Rhode Island in 1971. -Wikipedia



Check out The official Facebook Event page for a great offer!

This event was organized by Earline Beebe on behalf of the KC Horror Club. If you are interested in this or any other upcoming events by the KC Horror club, please join our group! Movie Poster is © Warner Brother's Pictures and New Line Cinema