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Wikipedia

Westercon

March 04, 2023

Westercon (occasionally WesterCon; long version West Coast Science Fantasy Conference) is a regional science fiction and fantasy convention founded in September 1948 by Walter J. Daugherty of the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society.[1][2] The original full name was West Coast Scienti-Fantasy Conference.[3]

Westercon
StatusActive
GenreScience fiction
CountryUnited States
Inaugurated1948
Websitehttp://westercon.org/

Organization

The location of Westercon each year is determined by a bid and voting process by the convention's members. Sites are selected two years in advance. Acceptable locations are cites on the continent of North America, west of the 104th meridian west, or in the state of Hawaii.[4] (Sites in Australia would be eligible as well if either Australia or the United States were to annex the other, as a consequence of a whimsical provision added to the convention's bylaws in 1998 at the suggestion of Down Under Fan Fund delegate Terry Frost.[5] Although this provision may have little practical effect, an attempt to repeal it at the 2003 Westercon Business Meeting failed.)[6]

Guests of Honor are traditionally chosen to showcase professionals who reside in the Westercon region.[7] Given that there are hundreds of potential honorees, it is preferred that guests are chosen that have not been guests of honor at a previous Westercon.

Westercon is traditionally four days long, and is traditionally held on a weekend adjacent to or including the American Independence Day holiday.[8][9]

The name "Westercon" is a service mark of the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society,[10] and LASFS retains certain responsibilities regarding Westercon site selection[11] and provisions in case of the failure of a Westercon committee.[12] In practice, Westercon is left to organize itself, with each year's committee acting independently and in its own name, with the general organization (primarily rules for site selection and self-governance) managed through the convention's Bylaws[13] and a Business Meeting (open to all members) held at each Westercon.[14]

Traditions

Through the years several events and activities are traditionally held at Westercon. These events are common to most science fiction and fantasy conventions. Westercon is traditionally four days long; however, due to it traditionally being held near the American Independence Day holiday, the actual days of the week on which it is held vary from year to year, and this can affect the precise timing of events.[15]

Westercon traditionally includes those functions that other general science fiction and fantasy conventions have, including programming on a variety of subjects related to science fiction, fantasy, and fandom. Westercon also includes an art show and a dealers room.[16]

The First Night Icebreaker or "Meet the Guests" event is held on the first evening of programming to allow an informal setting for members to meet the professional attendees of the convention. Mike Glyer introduced the ice cream social as a convention icebreaker in 1978 — borrowing it from Loscon — but it has not been a part of every convention.

A costume contest called a Masquerade is typically held on the second night sometimes of the convention (or sometimes on Saturday night, regardless of when the convention started).[16]

A Regency dance has been a staple for many years, with a rock and roll dance being held as well at least one night of the convention.

Because Westercon members vote on where the Westercon two years hence will be held, site selection voting is generally open on the first and second days of the convention, with the results announced on the third day.

A Business Meeting at which all members of Westercon may propose, debate, and vote upon changes to the convention's bylaws is usually on the second day of the convention, and, if necessary, also on the third day to deal with issues not resolved at the first meeting.

In the evenings, groups host parties for various reasons. Some are promoting other conventions or bids for future Westercons or Worldcons. Others are publicizing groups or clubs and many are just for fun.[17]

Legacy

A group of attendees who ran a portable bookstore at the convention went on to found The Other Change of Hobbit in Berkeley, California, in 1977.

Recent and upcoming conventions

References

  1. ^ Westercon history
  2. ^ a b "Sci-fi fans bound for FiestaCon". The Arizona Republic. Phoenix, AZ: Gannett Company. July 1, 2009. p. 23. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
  3. ^ Westercon I Program Book
  4. ^ Westercon bylaws, section 3.1
  5. ^ Minutes of 1998 Westercon Business Meeting, item 4.2
  6. ^ Minutes of 2003 Westercon Business Meeting, item 4.6
  7. ^ Westercon bylaws, section 1.2
  8. ^ Westercon bylaws, section 1.1
  9. ^ Martin, Sue (November 1, 1984). "Science Fiction Club Looks Ahead at 50". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles: Tribune Company. p. V-2. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
  10. ^ Westercon bylaws, section 1.7
  11. ^ Westercon bylaws, sections 3.10 and 3.17
  12. ^ Westercon bylaws, section 1.9
  13. ^ Westercon bylaws
  14. ^ Westercon bylaws, article 2
  15. ^ Martin, Sue (July 6, 1983). "Independence Daze for Space-Minded". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles: Tribune Company. p. VI-1. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
  16. ^ a b c Meyer, Carla (June 28, 2013). "Time to suit up for Westercon 66". The Sacramento Bee. Sacramento, CA: The McClatchy Company. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
  17. ^ Bravin, Jess (July 3, 1989). "Anaheim Sci-Fi Fans Let Imagination Be Their Space Vehicle". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles: Tribune Company. p. 6-1. Retrieved June 29, 2013.

External links

  • Westercon official website

March 04, 2023
westercon, occasionally, westercon, long, version, west, coast, science, fantasy, conference, regional, science, fiction, fantasy, convention, founded, september, 1948, walter, daugherty, angeles, science, fantasy, society, original, full, name, west, coast, s. Westercon occasionally WesterCon long version West Coast Science Fantasy Conference is a regional science fiction and fantasy convention founded in September 1948 by Walter J Daugherty of the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society 1 2 The original full name was West Coast Scienti Fantasy Conference 3 WesterconStatusActiveGenreScience fictionCountryUnited StatesInaugurated1948Websitehttp westercon org Contents 1 Organization 2 Traditions 3 Legacy 4 Recent and upcoming conventions 5 References 6 External linksOrganization EditThe location of Westercon each year is determined by a bid and voting process by the convention s members Sites are selected two years in advance Acceptable locations are cites on the continent of North America west of the 104th meridian west or in the state of Hawaii 4 Sites in Australia would be eligible as well if either Australia or the United States were to annex the other as a consequence of a whimsical provision added to the convention s bylaws in 1998 at the suggestion of Down Under Fan Fund delegate Terry Frost 5 Although this provision may have little practical effect an attempt to repeal it at the 2003 Westercon Business Meeting failed 6 Guests of Honor are traditionally chosen to showcase professionals who reside in the Westercon region 7 Given that there are hundreds of potential honorees it is preferred that guests are chosen that have not been guests of honor at a previous Westercon Westercon is traditionally four days long and is traditionally held on a weekend adjacent to or including the American Independence Day holiday 8 9 The name Westercon is a service mark of the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society 10 and LASFS retains certain responsibilities regarding Westercon site selection 11 and provisions in case of the failure of a Westercon committee 12 In practice Westercon is left to organize itself with each year s committee acting independently and in its own name with the general organization primarily rules for site selection and self governance managed through the convention s Bylaws 13 and a Business Meeting open to all members held at each Westercon 14 Traditions EditThrough the years several events and activities are traditionally held at Westercon These events are common to most science fiction and fantasy conventions Westercon is traditionally four days long however due to it traditionally being held near the American Independence Day holiday the actual days of the week on which it is held vary from year to year and this can affect the precise timing of events 15 Westercon traditionally includes those functions that other general science fiction and fantasy conventions have including programming on a variety of subjects related to science fiction fantasy and fandom Westercon also includes an art show and a dealers room 16 The First Night Icebreaker or Meet the Guests event is held on the first evening of programming to allow an informal setting for members to meet the professional attendees of the convention Mike Glyer introduced the ice cream social as a convention icebreaker in 1978 borrowing it from Loscon but it has not been a part of every convention A costume contest called a Masquerade is typically held on the second night sometimes of the convention or sometimes on Saturday night regardless of when the convention started 16 A Regency dance has been a staple for many years with a rock and roll dance being held as well at least one night of the convention Because Westercon members vote on where the Westercon two years hence will be held site selection voting is generally open on the first and second days of the convention with the results announced on the third day A Business Meeting at which all members of Westercon may propose debate and vote upon changes to the convention s bylaws is usually on the second day of the convention and if necessary also on the third day to deal with issues not resolved at the first meeting In the evenings groups host parties for various reasons Some are promoting other conventions or bids for future Westercons or Worldcons Others are publicizing groups or clubs and many are just for fun 17 Legacy EditA group of attendees who ran a portable bookstore at the convention went on to found The Other Change of Hobbit in Berkeley California in 1977 Recent and upcoming conventions EditWestercon 56 Westercon 56 SeaTac Washington July 3 6 2003 Westercon 60 Gnomeward Bound San Mateo California June 30 July 3 2007 Westercon 61 A Gathering of Fen in the Desert Las Vegas Nevada July 3 6 2008 Westercon 62 FiestaCon Tempe Arizona July 2 5 2009 2 Westercon 63 Confirmation Pasadena CA July 1 4 2010 Westercon 64 Westercon 64 San Jose CA July 1 4 2011 Westercon 65 ConClusion Seattle WA July 5 8 2012 Westercon 66 Westercon 66 Sacramento CA July 4 7 2013 16 Westercon 67 Trailblazers to the Future Salt Lake City UT July 3 6 2014 Westercon 68 Westercon 68 San Diego CA July 2 5 2015 Westercon 69 Westercon 69 Portland OR July 1 4 2016 Westercon 70 ConAlope Tempe AZ July 1 4 2017 Westercon 72 Spikecon Layton UT July 4 7 2019 also the 2019 North American Science Fiction Convention Westercon 73 Seattle WA CANCELLED Originally planned for July 1 4 2020 was postponed to 2021 disbanded April 2021 Westercon 74 Westercon 74 Tonopah NV July 1 4 2022 postponed from 2021 References Edit Westercon history a b Sci fi fans bound for FiestaCon The Arizona Republic Phoenix AZ Gannett Company July 1 2009 p 23 Retrieved June 29 2013 Westercon I Program Book Westercon bylaws section 3 1 Minutes of 1998 Westercon Business Meeting item 4 2 Minutes of 2003 Westercon Business Meeting item 4 6 Westercon bylaws section 1 2 Westercon bylaws section 1 1 Martin Sue November 1 1984 Science Fiction Club Looks Ahead at 50 Los Angeles Times Los Angeles Tribune Company p V 2 Retrieved June 29 2013 Westercon bylaws section 1 7 Westercon bylaws sections 3 10 and 3 17 Westercon bylaws section 1 9 Westercon bylaws Westercon bylaws article 2 Martin Sue July 6 1983 Independence Daze for Space Minded Los Angeles Times Los Angeles Tribune Company p VI 1 Retrieved June 29 2013 a b c Meyer Carla June 28 2013 Time to suit up for Westercon 66 The Sacramento Bee Sacramento CA The McClatchy Company Retrieved June 29 2013 Bravin Jess July 3 1989 Anaheim Sci Fi Fans Let Imagination Be Their Space Vehicle Los Angeles Times Los Angeles Tribune Company p 6 1 Retrieved June 29 2013 External links EditWestercon official website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Westercon amp oldid 1120811083, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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