ESCAPADE Progress Report #2

ESCAPADE 9: Believe me, the cure is worse than the disease.
Greetings, everybody! There are only 37 days left until ESCAPADE, and we can't wait to see you there! Right now we're putting the program together, laminating large-print, easy-to-read-when-sloshed copies of our sinus-cleaning margarita recipe, and rousting the criminal element out of the hotel in anticipation of your arrival. If you haven't yet taken the time to make your hotel reservations or persuade your friends to register, we suggest you do so without delay! We need your help to ensure that ESCAPADE 9 has the same unique, controversial, so-cool-you-could-zone-on-it high quality that over the years has come to characterize ESCAPADE. You don't want to miss this one-- it's gonna be, like, mind-blowing, man!

The Holiday Inn: Your Blessed Protector's gonna kick your ass down seven flights to the lobby
If you don't reserve your room! Our block of rooms is filling up quickly, and will only be held until February 1. So give them a call, and make sure to tell them that ESCAPADE (ESC-2) sent you. Due to idiocy at Holiday Inn corporate, please call the hotel directly at 805- 964-6241 (ask for Shannon or Kim). Our room rate is $79 per night for 1-4 people. If you're sharing a room, don't forget to give the hotel all of the last names of your roommates when you register, so that whoever arrives first will have no problem locking everybody else out.

Registration: Oh, yeah. This is gonna be a lot of fun!
ESCAPADE 9 registration now costs $45.00, with Dealer's Tables available for $35.00 each.

The ESCAPADE 9 Overview:
This -- wasn't, like, a typical day for you, was it?

Art Show: I've been thinking about getting a Cascade PD insignia tattooed right on my chest
Shoshanna Green will be handling the Art Show with her usual panache. If you need control and bid sheets, want to volunteer, or just want to show her your tattoo, send a SASE or E-Mail to Shoshanna.

The Songvid Show: Hey, turn that jungle music down!
This year Katherine Scarritt will be braving the wilds to bring us the best of everything new for the ESCAPADE song video show. New vids from all fandoms are welcome. Things will run a little differently, so be sure to scope the vid show rules before you show up. If, after reading it, you still have questions, please E-Mail Katherine.

Slash Swap Meet: C'mon, detach with love!
Make sure to clean out your fannish closets and then schlep all that stuff with you to the con, because there just might be that one special item on the Swap Meet table that catches your eye: old favorites, odd surprises, stuff that might look real good in a loft

Once again, Escapade's designated charity is Good Hearted People, an organization that helps women and men get jobs by loaning or giving them interview clothes, helping them with their appearance, and training them in job skills. In addition to charity items in the auction, and the swap meet, we collect clothing (appropriate for work), cosmetics, accessories, and shopping bags to benefit this cause. Bring anything you'd like to donate, we'll have boxes available in the con suite.

Dealer's Information: I think he's waiting for the books on tape version.
There are 6 dealer's tables available at a cost of $35.00 each. Reserve your table by sending a request and a check to Jennifer. Presently registered dealers include: Buffalo Chip Press, Orphan Zines, IDP Press, Futures Without End, Arellanes, Designs of the Equinoxe, Oblique Publications, Beth Friedman, Bonnie's Videos, Resch, Martha Bonds Sayre, and Kandy Fong.

Volunteer and Member Services: I knew I should've taken auto shop...
Aw-- c'mon You know you want to volunteer! It's fun! Well, at least, it's *supposed* to be fun You don't have to do much. Just whatever we tell you to do; whether that's serving as Guardian for the Dealer's Room, slicing the ever-present cucumbers, or keeping your head down and out of the line of fire. If you want to volunteer, or you want to contribute your 5 hours so you can receive $10.00 off next year's membership, please get in touch with Misti Wright.

ESCAPADE 9 Panel Scheduling: Vow of silence? Me? Not possible...
Yes, this year we've got a hot and heavy selection to choose from (over 130 topics nominated for 31 spots); panels guaranteed to keep you hopping with excitement, even if you only have the attention span of a gerbil. The following panels and workshops have made the prelminary cut. There may be changes between now and the convention, but you can expect to see most of the following:

Workshops: Writing (Dialogue), Macros, macros everywhere (formatting fanfic), A Vanishing Art (Fanzine publication).

General Panels: Damaged Characters; When does evil become irredeemable?; Does print fandom have a future?; Objects of Torture; Yes, Virginia, Canon does matter; Sex Scenes 101, Paper: Homoerotic Subtext; History of Fandom; Cliché Central: Popular Fantasies & Outdated Stereotypes, Sunday Morning Vid Review; Sleeping with the Enemy; What about each pairing is attractive?; Male Slash Fans; Walk on the Wild Side; Slash & Sexuality; Songvid Aesthetics; Fan Hierarchy.

Fandom Panels: Sentinel--Mush; Buffy & Slash, HL--Themes of Atonement; XF--Skinner; Pros--A/Us; Homicide--Too Intense; HL--Duncan Haters; Due South--Can this fandom grow and survive with two Rays?; XF--Mulder; Sentinel--The Capital-G "Guide"; Wiseguy--Who's more damaged; Xena--The Troubles.

Sad that your favorite panel didn't make this list? Feel free to sign up for "Alternate Programming" time. You can hold your own panels, show videos, and generally brainwash your unsuspecting friends. Drop us a note, or sign up in the con suite when you register.

Rides & Roomies: Friends are like, so easy to make, dude
We have several fans who could use a hand getting to Escapade, or a place to crash once they get here. Check the website for the latest updates, but at this writing, the following people have expressed the following needs:

Lily Fulford (562) 427-6192 is looking for a place to stay
Wingbow (Wingbow@aol.com) is looking for a non-smoking roomate.
Megdelyn will be in LA the week before Escapade, and would love to connect with local fans. If you want to meet her, contact her at MacSlash@aol.com
Stuart Carroll (minotaur@gis.net) is looking for roomies, and a ride-share from Los Angeles.

Directions to ESCAPADE: Is it just me, or is Santa Barbara the most dangerous city in America?

From the south-Take US 101 North through Santa Barbara. Exit Fairview Avenue. Turn right at the end of the exit, and immediately right again on Calle Real. Go 3/4 mile and turn left into the Holiday Inn's parking lot.

From the north-Take US 101 South to Goleta, exit Fairview Avenue. Turn left at the top of the ramp and cross over the freeway. At the next light, turn left. Move right immediately as it is a very short block to Calle Real. Turn right on Calle Real, go 3/4 mile, and turn left into the Holiday Inn's parking lot.

From the airport-The hotel offers a free shuttle from the Santa Barbara airport, and if you fly into LAX, the Santa Barbara Airbus runs seven times a day and stops next door to the Holiday Inn. Round trip Airbus fare is $60 if you purchase by credit card at least 24 hours in advance (more if you don't reserve in advance). They will do discounts for multiple people. Their numbers are 800-733-6354 and 805-964-7759.

From the train-AMTRAK stops in downtown Santa Barbara. There is no free shuttle from the hotel. Ask a friend, or call a cab to get out to the hotel.

Problems or additional transport questions? Call the hotel at (805) 964-6241. See you there!

ESCAPADE Registered Members (as of 1/18/98): (List suppressed for web display. Please check your private e-mail for this information.)

Now go away and pack for ESCAPADE-- C'mon, let's go, radar up!

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