SHarecon (Starsky and Hutch convention)
(Redirected from SHarecon (Convention))
| Name: | SHarecon | |
| Dates: | 2000-present | |
| Frequency: | biennial | |
| Location: | Maryland | |
| Type: | fan-run | |
| Focus: | slash fans, gen friendly | |
| Organization: | ||
| Founder: | April Valentine & Flamingo | |
| Founding Date: | 1987 | |
| URL: | http://sharecon.org/
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| Click here for articles related to this site on Fanlore. | ||
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SHarecon is a Starsky & Hutch slash convention that is held once every two years in Maryland. The convention was originally held intermittently in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It was resumed in 2000 when Flamingo and Kath Moonshine took over the organizing with the intent of hosting the convention during Zebracon's off years (2000, 2002, 2004 etc). It bills itself as a slash convention that is gen friendly. It has a program with fan led panels, an art show and print shop, a vidshow and a dealers' room for fanzines, fanart and other merchandise. Beginning with 2007, after Zebracon ended, the Paula Wilshe Award For New Writers winners are announced at the convention. The convention also publishes a commemorative fanzine, Sharecon. It averages around 100 attendees. The latest convention was held in 2008.
The convention also runs a charity auction. From the 2008 convention website:
- "In the first three SHareCons, we held charity auctions to benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation, and raised thousands of dollars. The generosity of SH fans, who donated many valuable items, including original art, rare zines, scrapbooks, posters, photos, and many other items, has been amazing.
- At the 2006 SHareCon, we split the charity auction proceeds 50-50, with half going to EGPAF, and half going to pay the con's bills. In 2008, with lowered membership, higher costs, and a tight economy, we'll be running two auctions -- a multi-fandom internet auction and a classic all-SH SHareCon acution at the con itself. The auctions will be run for the benefit of the con to help pay the bills and support the con functions. However, any money raised in excess of con costs will be sent, as always, to EGPAF.
Sharecon has also inspired other fans to put on similar conventions: "The seeds of Close Quarters were planted when I went to my first SHareCon (a Starsky & Hutch slash con) in October 2004. I was impressed by the spirit I felt at that con and just tranfixed by the idea of a single-fandom con. I wanted one of those for my fandom." (From About Close Quarters).
The convention has also been the focus of press. In the 2006 article "Holy Liplock" the New York Post lists SHarecon as an example of slash fan culture.
- "We do this because it's hot," says a 56-year-old lesbian who writes "Starsky & Hutch" slash and goes by the screen name Flamingo. "In every porno movie for men, there's a girl-on-girl scene. I don't understand why so many are surprised that women find two men together erotic."
- Other fans evidently agree. This fall, Flamingo is organizing the fourth annual SHareCon, a get-together in Maryland of more than 100 "Starsky & Hutch" slash lovers from around the world - just one of a handful of slash-oriented conventions.
- And you thought your hobby was niche. [1]
Programming
2004
- Alternate Universe Fanfic: The interest in this genre has been growing by leaps and bounds in recent years. This panel will cover stories already published and imagine plots for stories yet to be.
- Anger in S&H: Starsky's chair-breaking, the Hutchinson Pointy Finger of Doom: We'll discuss how the boys display anger, sometimes at each other, but especially at outsiders.
- Breakfast with the Vidders: A small number of fen have expressed interest in a panel on vidding. There's not enough interest for a panel, but we'll have a sign-up board by the registration table for anyone who wants to get a meeting together over breakfast on Saturday.
- Canon vs. Fanon: Did Hutch really go to medical school? Did Starsky really serve in Vietnam? Are you sure??
- Davy & Kenny: Another canon vs. fanon panel, this time specifically focused on their childhoods. Based on last year's C vs. F panel, we decided to break this one out into its own time slot.
- Favorite Sex Scenes: The title is pretty self-explanatory, yes? A two-hour panel. The best part of this panel may be the pre-con research!
- Fears and Phobias in S&H: ghosts, vampires, and voodoo, oh my!
- The Gen Panel: Okay, it's not the best title. We're hoping some of our gen friends will suggest something they're really interested in. We've always had genners join us for SH fun at SHareCon, and many of our panels include discussion of the gen aspects of this fandom along with slash. But this year, since we have more room, we wanted to have a panel focused specifically on a gen topic. As is the case with all our panels, everyone's invited.
- Movie S&H: Criticism, Constructive & Not: Feeling a little used by Stiller & Co.? Did you love all the fannish nods? Hated the way they portrayed Starsky and (especially) Hutch? Were you just glad to see the (real) boys again? This panel is for anyone who wants to discuss the movie, happy or not.
- Movie S&H: Two Thumbs Up: Did you absolutely love the movie? Are you now renting everything that Ben and Owen have ever been in and going to the zillion movies Ben has out this year? Did you even find SH fandom because of the movie? This panel is for lovers of the film only.
- S&H Reminiscing: Got some funny tales to tell about how you first caught S&H fever or something that happened at a previous SHareCon? This will be a big getting-to-know-you panel for the entire con on Friday night.
- Timewarped S&H: What if the whole show was picked up and dumped into 2004? How would cell phones, computers, the Internet change their cases? Would a more diverse society be reflected in their relationships with Dobey and Huggy? Is LA just as dangerous or even more so?
- What Are Two Nice Boys Like Starsky & Hutch Doing in a Kinky Scene Like This?: For all our BDSM-loving SH fen. (The CONspirators are going to make sure MamaBird makes it to this panel this year if we have to tie her up and throw her into the room ourselves, which she will no doubt truly enjoy!)
- Where Have All the Novels Gone?: This will either be a panel or a Sunday breakfast meeting. Three authors who have written SH novels will discuss the freedom and difficulties of writing a zine-length story.
- You CAN Publish an SH Fanzine! Kath Moonshine--fannish publisher for 15 years--will present practical advice on how to avoid many fanzine-publishing pitfalls while presenting the best possible product for the most affordable price. Humorous tales will be liberally sprinkled with hard-won knowledge. (Flamingo sez: I would've never had the nerve to publish my own zines without having Kath's hard-won experience, design sense, and practicality as my best, most reliable, resource. Don't pass up this opportunity to either get started on the road to publishing, or to pick up incredibly useful tips if you've already gotten bitten by the publishing bug. I'll be there!)
- "You Sold My Car!" : Did you fall in love with the S&H in the cameo in the movie? Have you dreamed about what their lives are like now?
Games
- SHarades: Ever seen a roomful of fen trying to guess "The Las Vegas Strangler" by watching someone throw air dice in front of an imaginary craps table? Or someone trying to act out the words, "Soon Henry"? You haven't lived 'til you do. Participate in the lunacy or just come to watch, it's all for fun.
- Huggy Bear Presents a day at Mouse Downs: Huggy Bear (otherwise known as Suze777) will be hosting the ever-popular Mouse Downs. Six radio-controlled mini-Torinos will stand in for the mice, since the hotel does not permit pets. Come and drive like Starsky down the raceway, or perhaps you like to take Huggy Bear up on a little friendly wager? Maybe Charlie or Ramon will drop in if we're lucky!
- S&H Jeopardy: Hmmm. I'll take "Snitches" for 600, Alex.
- $20,000 Torino: Based on The $20,000 Pyramid, this game is a SHareCon classic.
Special Events
- The Carol & SHaron Show: These two fellow fen were lucky, lucky gals this year. Carol won a contest on the "Ryan Seacrest" show to attend the premiere of the movie in LA and meet David and Paul. Sharon attended the London premiere and was also able to spend time with David and Paul. Come hear these two lovely ladies discuss their experiences.
- SH101: A two-hour journey through the history and culture of SH fandom. It's fun for both newbies and old-timers and, best of all, there's no final exam!
- Bedtime Stories: Dress in your jammies and bring your favorite sex scenes to read at this pre-slumber party held in the CONspirator's suite Friday night.
- Saturday Night Blast: Where we all get together and go a little nuts! We've got a parody play, the infamous Golden Boy awards, and the vid show all lined up in the auditorium, starting at 7:30.
History
On the origins of SHarecon:
- "Sharing, thus, has always been a part of Starsky and Hutch fandom. Unlike so-called 'live' fandoms, ours is one that has been around for a long time and has been off the air, not making new episodes, for many years. So the amount of 'stuff' available to SH fans is finite, in that things from years ago aren't getting reprinted, magazines are lost, posters no longer available, tapes gradually degrading. So we have to share with each other what we have...
- Just as it is today, SH was a vital community of friendly fans. I vividly recall the inception of SHareCon as we sat around the hotel after ZCon (Zebracon) one year. I believe this was in about 1987. We were saying those long good-byes common in fan circles and still non-stop talking SH with anyone still around. We started telling about some of the goodies we had at home, posters, records, stuff on video tape, and it occurred to us that it would be really cool if we got together to share all those items, to have a whole weekend where there would be nothing but SH going on. My Trek group used to have a retreat type of weekend we called KSCon (Kiss Con) and we borrowed some of the ideas from it for our planned get together.
- That's how SHareCon was born, out of the idea to share our SH memorabilia, out of the sharing offered between Starsky and Hutch in that very first episode of the show we love." (From The Herstory of SHarecon by April Valentine).
