ConFusion

Convention
Name:	ConFusion
Dates:	1974 - present?
Frequency:	annual
Location:
Type:	fan-run fan con
Focus:	Science Fiction
Organization:	originally Stilyagi Air Corps, now Ann Arbor Science Fiction Association
Founder:
Founding Date:
URL:	at Wikipedia
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ConFusion is held the third weekend of January. It is the oldest science fiction convention in Michigan.

1975 (ConFusion 13)

Mike Glicksohn was fan guest of honor.

1975 (ConFusion 13): Con Reports

About eight months ago, I left the environs of Ann Arbor, swearing never to return; U of Michigan had thoroughly depressed me. Well, more fool I, I returned there for Confusion, brought to you by Cap'n Ro and the Stilyagi Air Corps.

There must be something in the air, a general miasma, or perhaps curious vibrations from the accelerator in the basement of the physics building, something which causes the omnipresent screwing (authoritative, not amorous) in A2. I first got it in that city from the U, one reason I left, but the Hilton Motor Inn, the site of the con, was obviously another experienced master of the art. Exemolum gratia, a friend of ours held a confirmed registration for a single $18 per diem; when she went to pay the bill, they wanted $30 a night. We were promised a quad at what I was later told by D. Goldstein, who'Ka'd made the ar rangements, was $21 per night; when I registered, I was informed the price was 38 bucks "plus tax". Jolly. Then, Friday night, the blasted night manager, who finally figured out that we were a convention, called in the state cops. Seems he thought we were Shriners or something, arid was fearful of damages (which was, by conend, maybe 3 water rings and a dropped ash; fen are usually not terribly destructive). Eight bills for the banquet, shorting on towels, only three keys to the four (well, eight) of us—in all, not too cool.

The con, however, was a different matter. Avoid the panels ("Laser Fusion Technology!"), hit the Art Auction only to bid on Randy Bathhurst and Phil Foglio ($25 and $21 respectively; cheep at half the price), sleep all afternoon 'cause nothin's goin' on, and be ready for the evening, because that's when it all comes down—sort of a Nytecon. Any time you can gabble with Fredrik Pohl, Gordie Dickson, Lloyd Biggie, Cy Chauvin, Joe Haldeman, Rusty Hevlin, Howard DeVore, Ann-Hawkeye-Anne- Jubei-Ann-Bork-an'-Yang-plus-De, Randy B, ol' Phil, Todd Bake, Leah Zeldes (big name neo), Roger Sween, Marty! Coady and sib., Sharon Ferraro and even little Larry Downes till four am is a not bad con. More is less, or something. NB, Dominoes is the best delivered pizza in A2.

The only other problem was that typical of January: Plague Con. A lot of people came sick and more left with colds. I myself arrived with the jumping cold robbies, and didn't feel any too good leaving. Then there was FondleCon I. Obviously, it's all a plot on Ro's part to kill off most of fandom thru complications of Type B, so he can be the only trufan in the lower peninsula, mainly cause he's the only fan in the lower peninsula. But what the hell, it's training for Worldcons.

1992 (Hardwired ConFusion)

Rusty Hevelin was the fan guest of honor.

1992 (Hardwired ConFusion): Convention Reports

The art show was filled with all kinds of beautiful art this year. There were a few new artists, and some of the nice old familiar faces. Some of the 3D work just took my breath away! As the Team, Eh took possession of the room, we found a great big leak in the ceiling. It took some interesting juggling to make sure that no art was anywhere near the drip. The show was sold out, but with two no-shows we managed to fit everyone in I think. Trying to get all the art into the shortened space made things really interesting.

Our new book, A Palette of Artists, made it's convention premier here. We sold copies in the dealer's room, the art show print shop and at the book signing. We had left space in the back of the book for us to remark them with pictures, so we spent a good part of the weekend drawing.

We had a bit of confusion while trying to sweep bidders from the room. Some bidder pretended he was art show staff and shooed away another bidder. When the people left the panel, he turned and put his name on the piece for the second bid (3 bids to auction system). The original bidder saw this, doubled back and put her name down to send it to auction - but she still thought this was art show staff. She complained (correctly), and we had to straighten the situation out with the con-chair. The original bidder got it for original bid - which wasn't fair to the artist involved. But it is a problem area I wasn't quite aware of before.

The auction was lively. The guys got another $100 or so for Ruth's big print (that starts at $25). We finished the computer work just after they sold the last pieces. So we could practically run right away to the late night sales and pickup.

Ribbons were awarded, and went to some new faces as well as the old.

Diana showed 21 and sold 14

Heather showed 17, sold 16

Frank showed 4, sold 3

Sandy showed 7, sold 4

Denise showed 12, sold 3