Anglicon
| Convention | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Anglicon |
| Dates: | 1988-2004, 2015 |
| Frequency: | yearly |
| Location: | Seattle-area |
| Type: | fan-run professional-guest con (fan con) |
| Focus: | British TV |
| Organization: | ? |
| Founder: | DJ Driscoll |
| Founding Date: | 1988 |
| URL: | anglicon.com archived old site |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Anglicon was a friendly midsized mediacon in the Pacific Northwest, specializing in British and international media. It ran from 1988 to 2004.
Anglicon was canceled in 2006 due to lower-than-expected pre-registrations and hotel reservations, but then revived in 2015.
About
From the 2004 website:
Anglicon celebrates British and international media. Participants at Anglicon have the opportunity see many British television programs, both new and old, some not even available in the U.S.! Attendees also may participate in panel discussions of various shows and genres of media such as British theater. There are also appearances by actors and writers, a casino, the dance, an art show and more. Now in our seventeenth year, Anglicon remains the Northwest's only annual media convention. Unlike science fiction conventions we are not science oriented. Costumes are worn by some people but not by most. Weapons of any sort including costume accessories are strictly banned. Overall Anglicon is a very relaxed and friendly convention. Attendance ranges around a cozy three hundred people. You will never face mobs of crazed fans at an Anglicon.
From a fan in 1993:
Cons with actors, like Shore Leave, Farpoint, Visions, Unicon, Anglicon, including professional for-profit cons such as those run by Creation. People may sell slash there, usually 'under the table,' but there (probably) won't be panels about it. [1]
History: 1987-2006
Before Anglicon, media conventions in Washington State had not fared very well. In the 1970s, small cons like Seacon and KingCon gave way to the Puget Sound Star Trekker's conventions and PSST Con II in 1978. Although it was a great experience for attendees, PSST Con lost $13,000. In 1983, Futurefest, held in downtown Seattle, failed to attract enough attendees to break even. It was followed by two disasters in Spokane in 1986, one for "Doctor Who" and one for "Star Trek."
Understandably, by 1987 the phrase "media con" was not very popular.
A small group of fans thought they could mount a small, cost-effective media convention for fans of every series to come celebrate their favorite movies and shows. In March 1987, during Alternacon, the first proto-Anglicon meeting was held. Attendees included DJ Driscoll, Eleanor Fadgen, Jeanne Hutton, Paul Johnson, Ryan K. Johnson, Pat McMahon, Michelle Roberts, and Sally Woehrle. They resolved to hold a small, media-oriented convention in 1988 with one guest and an expected 300 fans.
They decided that Anglicon would be a British media convention and, for its first year, would hilight the British series "Blake's 7" and writer Terry Erdman. With DJ Driscoll as Chair, they sent invitations to Paul Darrow and Michael Keating, but only Mr. Darrow was able to attend. Paramount Pictures publicist Terry Erdmann also attended. They chose Ryan K. Johnson as the Fan Guest.[2]
More History
A more detailed history of the convention and the guests can be found archived here.
Anglicon 1
Anglicon 1 was a small, media-oriented convention May 6–8, 1988 at the Seattle Hyatt (now Quality Inn) Hotel) with one guest. Attendance was 330 fans attended and, "due to fantastic sales of videotapes, an excellent art show, and incredible enthusiasm of Mr. Darrow, the con was a big hit both financially and with the members of fandom." [3]
The con com "decided that Anglicon would be a British media convention and, for its first year, would hilight the British series "Blake's 7" and writer Terry Erdman. With DJ Driscoll as Chair, they sent invitations to Paul Darrow and Michael Keating, but only Mr. Darrow was able to attend. Paramount Pictures publicist Terry Erdmann also attended. They chose Ryan K. Johnson as the Fan Guest." [4]
programming schedule from the 1988 Anglicon. Among the programs are panels: "Liberated Sex," "How To Build A Costume Out of Almost Anything," "My Fandom and Welcome To It."
video room schedule from the 1988 Anglicon with fan's pencil marks circling interesting shows.
Anglicon 1: Convention Reports
See more con reports in Avon Club Newsletter #33.
It's true. Elvis is alive. He showed up in Seattle in early May--sans guitar, but complete with sideburns and shades--as Paul Darrow made his usual fan-pleasing appearance at Anglicon, as the Northwest's first B7 con guest, appearing along side non-B7 (but still popular) publicist Terry Erdmann. A major topic of the weekend, not unnaturally was Paul's current play, 'Are you lonesome tonight?' which follows the last six hours of the singer's life. Paul had taken advantage of the short break between the show's preview performances and the main tour tour to appear at Anglicon. And, every so often during the con, he provided fans with something of the role's flavor .. speaking a line or two like Elvis or singing a bit here or there. Whether as Elvis or himself, Paul managed to liven up the proceedings, as when he walked into one question and answer session with a large blaster which he pointed at the audience. (Would you like to have someone who looks like a deceased rock star and non-existent galactic terrorist with a penchant for mayhem pointing an energy weapon at you?) Fortunately, the fans survived this improbable combination to enjoy a Space City Casino Friday night with games of blackjack, roulette, poker ... plus a bank to rob (or get a loan from, for the faint-hearted). 'Elvis' made an entrance (causing a considerable stir) with his vintage shades and midnight black suit -- showing himself a master of poker. Working in concert with Terry, Paul rounded out his con activities by MCing the art auction and dancing with some fortunates at the Neutron dance. [5]
Anglicon 2
It was held May 5–7, 1989 at the Seattle Hyatt. The con's focus was "Robin of Sherwood" and the guest of honors were Michael Praed, Michael Keating and Mark Ryan.
420 fans attended.
The convention proceeds were donated to KYPS-TV 28, a PBS Station in Tacoma, WA.
Anglicon 3
It was held May 4–6, 1990 at the Radisson Hotel at Sea-Tac Airport, formerly the Seattle Hyatt. Guests were Roy Dotrice ("Beauty and the Beast") and Nicholas Courtney ("Doctor Who").
Michael Keating was a listed guest in ads, but it is unknown if he attended.
360 fans attended.
Anglicon 4
The fourth con was held May 3–5, 1991 at the Holiday Inn, Renton, WA. The guests of honor were Lysette Antony ("Dark Shadows"), Karen Dotrice ("Mary Poppins"), and her husband Alex Hyde-White ("Biggles: Adventures in Time").
"Due to the Gulf War and the recession, our membership was smaller than usual, but all who attended had a wonderful time." [6]
Anglicon 5
The fifth con was May 1-3, 1992 at the Radisson or the Holiday Inn, Renton WA.
From a spring 1992 ad: "Guests have not yet been announced, but Paul Darrow was featured at a previous Anglicon, so there is a possibility of other B7 stars appearing."
The last-minute guest of honor was Richard Hatch ("Battlestar: Galactica").
Anglicon 6
The six con took place in 1993. Guests were Colin Baker ("Doctor Who" - 6th Doctor) and actor/musician Michael Des Barres.
Anglicon 7
The seventh con was in 1994 at the Quality Inn. The guests were Craig Charles (Lister from "Red Dwarf") and screenwriter Terry McDonnell.
This con drew the largest attendance of all the Anglicons.
Anglicon 8
The con in 1995 was hosted Nigel Bennett ("Forever Knight") and writer/performer Randy Rogel.
Anglicon 9
The con in 1996 was featured guests Anneke Wills (companion Polly in "Doctor Who"), Gillian Horvarth and Donna Lettow of "Highlander: The Series" as writer guests of honor.
Anglicon 10
The con in 1997 was its tenth anniversary. Guests were Peter Wingfield and Marcus Testory ("Highlander: The Series"), writers Rebecca Neason, Donna Lettow and Gillian Horvarth.
"A surprise guest appearance by Phillip Segal was a tremendous hit in the Charity Auction." [7]}}
Attendance was at 395.
Anglicon 11
The con in 1998 featured John Levene ("Doctor Who") and Danny John-Jules ("Red Dwarf") and a return visit from Mr. Craig Charles ("Red Dwarf"), Eric Hoffman, and Kevin Brockschmidt. Attendance was at 407.
Anglicon 12
The 1999 event had a focus on Babylon 5. Guests were Jason Carter, Richard Biggs, Stephen Austin, and Maggie Egan.
Anglicon 13
The con in 2000 had the guests Stephen Austin (Babylon 5), Erin Gray (Buck Rogers, Silver Spoons), Michael Forrest (Star Trek, Zorro) and Robin Atkin Downes (Babylon 5, Charmed).
Anglicon 14
The fourteen con was held May 18–20, 2001 at the Seatac Radisson Hotel. Guests were Robert Trebor (Hercules: the Legendary Journeys), and Jane and John Llewellyn Moxey, and Heather Alexander.
171 fans attended.
Anglicon 15
The con onOct. 4-6, 2002 was at the Everett Holiday Inn and Conference Center. Guests were Terry English, John Moxey, and Heather Alexander.
Anglicon 16
The Oct. 3-5, 2003 con featured Bill Blair and Donna McMahon.
Anglicon 17
This Anglicon was held Oct. 15-17, 2004. It had a steampunk theme. Guest were Kaja and Phil Foglio.
After this con, there was an eleven-year hiatus.
Programming from Anglicon 17 is archived here.
The convention also hosted a charity auction, auctioning off a Doctor Who scarf. The auction page is archived here.
Anglicon 18
The con was revived in 2015 and had the title "Regeneration." It took place June 12 through June 14, 2015 The DoubleTree by Hilton Seattle Airport Hotel.
957 members joined Colin Baker, Katy Manning, Sophie Aldred, Jon Davey and Todd J. McCaffrey.
See: Anglicon: A Doctor Who and British Media Convention in Seattle, Archived version.
Video Tapes
Some of the convention programming was videotaped and later sold on videotape. A listing of the available material is here. Videotape footage from the 1988 convention can be found as part of the "S. Hereld Collection of Blake's 7 Fanzines and Fan Fiction" located at the University of Iowa fanzine archives.
External Resources
- NWConventionHistory Wiki
- The Androgums Take on Colin Baker - a convention report from Anglicon 6
- Travels With The Troll - a convention reports from Anglicon 17
References
- ^ comments by Sandy Hereld on Virgule-L, quoted with permission (April 23, 1993)
- ^ History of Anglicon, Archived version
- ^ History of Anglicon, Archived version
- ^ History of Anglicon, Archived version
- ^ from Pressure Point #6
- ^ History of Anglicon, Archived version
- ^ History of Anglicon, Archived version