Arisia A to Z — New to Arisia? Info you need...
Arisia
Arisia is an annual gathering of
individuals with a common interest in Science Fiction and Fantasy. Our
many interests include literature, gaming, costuming, films and TV
shows, music, collecting, art, performing, etc., so we like to have a
“big tent” (or “three-ring
circus”) convention.
The name Arisia comes from E.E.
“Doc” Smith’s classic Lensman novels; in
those stories Arisia was the name of the “good
guys.” The symbol of the Arisians was the mystical lens,
which is why we call our logo the “Arisia Lens.”
Arisia is a non-profit corporation and
entirely volunteer run. If you wish to help out, we’d love
some extra people.
Other conventions or convention-like
events in the Boston area include Vericon (January), Boskone (whose
name is also from Doc Smith; in February), The Science Fiction Film
Marathon (February), AnimeBoston (April), and Readercon (July).
Anime Program
Anime is a style of animation from
Japan, which has a very active and devoted fan following in North
America. There are all kinds of anime, from romance to science fiction.
Arisia TV
Yes, we have our own television
station! Arisia TV can be seen on one of your hotel TV’s
channels. Programming may include live simulcast of the masquerade,
selections from the Video and Anime programs, past Arisia events, and
interviews with the Guests of Honor.
Art Show
The Art Show features art by our Artist
Guest of Honor and many other artists. All members are free to look and
admire. Prints are available for purchase at the Print Shop. Original
art is for sale using a “silent auction” bid sheet
system. See the art show staff for details.
The Art Show also hosts Art program
items, such as the ever-popular Dueling Easels panel, where artists
draw from their wildest imaginations in real time.
Babysitting & Child Care
Ah yes... fans love sex, and one of the
side effects is... Arisia is proud to encourage more by providing
supervised babysitting for those too young to enjoy the convention on
their own (18 months to 6 years old). For other options, especially for
older children, see the “Fast Track” and
“Kids’ Stuff” entries.
Blood Drive
Look for our famous “Naughty
Nurses” who will help convince you to open your veins. The
blood drive is run in cooperation with the Heinlein Society. Robert A.
Heinlein was a big supporter of blood drives, and was instrumental in
encouraging the first one at a convention, at the 1976 World Science
Fiction Convention, where he was Writer Guest of Honor.
Cheeblemancy
“Cheeble” is the
cry of an Enraged Bull Hamster (according to Esther
Friesner’s son). The ancient and revered art of Cheeblemancy
was born due to silliness beyond the power of mere mortals to control.
It is the arcane art of fortune-telling using hamsters. (Not live
hamsters! Not dead ones either! Toy, stuffed hamsters, okay?) It is
performed solely for entertainment purposes and to raise money for
various charities. The charity at Arisia is the Revlon Run/Walk for
Women, whose funds go to the cause of fighting women’s
cancers.
Con Suite
The Con Suite is an informal area (as
if the rest of Arisia wasn’t informal) to go for a quick
snack, tonic, conversation, good company, and comfy furniture. Some
limited programming will take place in the Con Suite area as well.
Dances
We can dance if we want to...and we do!
We have everything from the 1860s to the 1980s to the 21st century;
you’d need a time machine to get all this anywhere else! So
no matter the style or the skill level (some dances come with
instructors to help get you moving and assist those with multiple left
feet), come dance ’til you can’t dance no more.
Dealers’ Room and Dealers’ Row
Want a book, some jewelry, a bit of
sculpture, or clothing? How about something unusual? The
Dealers’ Room is basically a big Science Fiction flea market
where you can find all sorts of books, garb, jewelry, and a wide range
of items of interest to our attendees. Dealers’ Row is a
block of hotel rooms, where each room is open at the individual
dealer’s discretion (whenever the door is open and the dealer
is willing to take your money).
Divisions & DivHeads
Just to spread the blame around a bit
more, the Arisia Convention Committee uses a “Division
Structure.” This means that Gophers, err Volunteers work for
Staff Members who report to Assistant Department Heads who work for
Department Heads who sometimes answer to Assistant Division Heads who
allegedly work for Division Heads who ignore Assistant ConChairs who
totally ignore the Con Chair who in theory answers to the Arisia
Executive Board who are elected by Arisia Corporate Members, some of
whom work as Gophers, err, I mean Volunteers.
[Ed. Note: Microsoft Word does not
recognize “DivHeads”, and suggests Bigheads,
Pinheads, and Airheads as possible replacements.]
Drum Circle
Drumming is primal and powerful and
invariably attracts those who dance. We host a drum circle and
encourage you join with others in laying down some intoxicating rhythms
for the dancers amongst us.
Events
If it doesn’t fit into a
panel format, it’s an event, and there are plenty of events
to go around; from concerts to dances to juggling to fortune-telling
hamsters, we’ve got something for everyone. If we
don’t, in fact, have something for you, please see the Events
DivHead for a full refund (minus shipping, handling, import duties,
taxes, and a small re-stocking fee).
Fast Track
Fast Track is a convention within a
convention, geared to fans ages 6–12. Fast Track is also part
of convention programming, and is open to fans of all ages; parents
must accompany their younger children. Fast Track features panels and
activities such as storytelling, crafts, costuming, and juggling. There
is a separate Fast Track program guide available.
Filk
Filk is fannish folk singing, and can
vary from moving ballads to humorous parodies. There will be
sing-alongs, concerts, round-robins, and less formal events. Most filk
happens at night; use your ears to find the current location. Everyone
is welcome, even if you can’t sing and are tone-deaf.
Films
Arisia has one of the only 35mm film
programs shown at any regional SF convention in the country (the other
being Norwescon in Seattle). As a special feature, every year we
showcase a classic silent movie with live music accompaniment.
The 5-2-1 Rule
For a happier convention, everyone
should get at least five (5) hours of sleep, two (2) meals (and not
just M&Ms and chips), and one (1) shower daily. Violate this
last rule and others may hand you a bar of soap.
Gophers
Gophers don’t exist.
Gaming
Tabletop, fantasy, role-playing, LARP,
and other games will be found in our Gaming Room. We have both
“scheduled” games that you may sign up for, and
open gaming where people bring their own.
Green Room
The [Programming] Green Room is where
Program Participants hobnob amongst themselves and chow down great food
while pretending to prepare for their panels. The [Masquerade] Green
Room is where Masquerade Contestants first die from stage fright during
pre-show jitters, then, after the whole thing is over, collapse from
heat exhaustion, since they’ve been bundled up in a heavy
costume all night.
Hall Costuming
Hall Costuming is a way to get in
character and feel at home. You can be who you’d like to be
(or who you really are and can’t be in the mundane world)
among your friends here at the convention. Come by the Masquerade
Registration Table in the Lobby and show us your stuff. We may take
your picture, or sign you up to be in this year’s Masquerade.
Information Desk
If you find the font of all wisdom,
please let us know where it is. In the meantime, if you have a
question, need to contact anyone, or have a problem that needs solving,
this is the place to start.
Kids’ Stuff
Kids-in-tow is a free (i.e.,
“no charge”) membership for young fans designed to
make it easier for families to attend. Kids-in-tow members are required
to stick-like-glue with a parent all times. Abandoned children will be
sold to space aliens. Taking a cue from the Bush administration, all
children with paid memberships are required to carry identification
listing them as “Satellites” (their parents
don’t trust them outside of arms reach) or
“Comets” (free to roam and harass everybody else).
Masquerade
The Masquerade is a costume contest and
display of creativity by your fellow convention members. Entrants may
dress in anything interesting and fun so long as they can motor
themselves across the stage and back. You’ll find a variety
of BEMs (Bug Eyed Monsters!), Transformers, faeries, royals, dragons,
cosplayers, movie and TV characters, and just plain silly people in
costume. This is a judged event and is a highlight of Arisia. If
you’re not competing, come see the fabulous display of
creativity by your fellow fen. All entries are judged in three separate
categories (Novice, Journeyman, and Master) to give everyone a fair
chance.
Operations
aka Con Ops
The best place to find total chaos at
Arisia (or more correctly, the most chaos, since you’ll find
it everywhere). This is the convention communication nerve center where
our staff goes to coordinate activities, find (or lose) people and
things, deliver messages, or just sort through the endless piles of
paper.
Parties
In the evening, many attendees will
host parties in hotel rooms and suites. Most of Arisia’s
parties are “open,” meaning all convention members
are invited. If the door is open, go on in! Parties are the best place
to socialize with fellow fans. Sponsors throw parties on their own
dollar, either for fun or for fannish political purposes.
Throwing a party? Remember to list
your party on the Party Board (it will also be published in the
Newsletter). Also stop by the Con Suite and claim your “party
seed” of snacks and drinks to help get the action going.
Programming
Programming is panels, lectures,
discussions, and more—there’s a whole guide devoted
to it. There are generally two types of panels. The first kind is where
you sit there in awe, absorbing the wisdom of the participants as the
pearls drop from their lips. The second kind is where you
can’t believe they’re on the panel instead of you,
since you know far more than they do on the subject. If every panel you
attend turns out to be the second type, you should run for con chair,
where you’ll finally be in a situation where everyone knows
more than you.
Program Ops aka Program Nexus aka Program Central aka
“The Broomcloset”
The nerve center for Arisia’s
main programming. Program Participants and others wishing to contribute
to general disorder and several nervous breakdowns should stop by here.
Publications
Arisia publishes a Souvenir Book (which
you are holding) which showcases our Guests of Honor; a Program Guide
which provides complete descriptions of Arisia’s programming
and biographies for our Program Participants; a Pocket Program and Grid
which provides an easy tool to plan your convention schedule; a
periodic Newsletter with updates, photos and articles on convention
activities, awards, and the like; and a Restaurant Guide with maps and
listings of local eating establishments.
Security
Arisia Security can help you if
there’s a troll at your party, or a party of trolls next
door, or even if you have a minor medical emergency. They also control
lines, patrol corridors, stay up all night, and sleep ten to a room.
Volunteers
Engines need horsepower; conventions
need continuous volunteer-power. You can make Arisia a higher-power
con. Visit the Volunteer Lounge and get gratitude, a ribbon, T-shirt,
or even a membership to the next Arisia. Other ways to bribe... err...
entertain you include a large selection of books and videos that you
can take home, all-hands card games, a live feed from Arisia TV
(broadcasts of the masquerade and other events), desktop computers with
internet access, and of course plenty of junque foode.
Zephyr
It’s the hotel restaurant.
Special menus will be available for Arisia. And we needed a Z thing,
anyway.
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