Southern Con-Federacy
| Convention | |
|---|---|
| Name: | |
| Dates: | 1980-1983 |
| Frequency: | annual |
| Location: | Troy, Alabama |
| Type: | fan-run |
| Focus: | Starsky & Hutch |
| Organization: | |
| Founder: | Linda Walter and Theresa Wright |
| Founding Date: | |
| URL: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Southern Con-Federacy was a Starsky & Hutch fan con held in Troy, Alabama.
It was very, very small (perhaps 10-12 people) and was by invite only.
There were three of them, with the suggestion of a fourth one in 1986, three years later. This later suggested con did not occur.
Who Was Invited?
Unlike most conventions, where high visibility and turnout was desired, Southern Con-Federacy was a closed con.
No Outsiders
The con organizers specifically asked that only fans themselves attend, no friends, spouses, children, or "creatures from outer space." [1]
From a flyer for the first con (1981):
First of all, this is NOT an open, 'come-one-come-all' con, but a gathering of a few old (and new) friends who want to talk S&H to all hours of the Day and Knight [2]. We ask, therefore, that you not pass along your invitation, but DO RSVP as soon as possible. Bringing along a friend, a child, a spouse or creatures from outer space is highly discouraged. Y'ALL CUM!! [3]
From a flyer for the third con (1983):
Per our usual nastiness, this is once more a closed (mouth) con, and the management requests that you keep ya mouth shutta!
No Slash Fans
The con organizers were also very, very "S&H" and NOT "S/H" fans. The con organizers requested over and over again that slash fans either not attend, or if they did, to NOT talk about the premise.
From a flyer for the second con (1982):
DISCLAIMER: Once again, please remember that this is an "& con. Leave the "/" behind where it belongs ... in the desert ... the Falklands ... Arctic Circle ... garbage dump .... Love Canal...
From a flyer for the third con (1983):
DISCLAIMER: This is a Starsky AND Hutch con, not S/H. We recognize your right to enjoy this premise, however, neither of your hostesses (nor the majority attending) believe in it, so we ask that you leave the subject at home. This is strictly an & con, so contrary discussions are better left unspoken.
The Anti-Slash Insistence, and Some Context
The nature of Starsky and Hutch's relationship was by far one of the biggest topic of discussions in this fandom.
The topic: The gen-only fans believed that Starsky and Hutch very, very good friends who meant EVERYTHING to each other, would gladly sacrifice their life for the other, would never marry as no woman could come between them (nor deserved to), and were an intense bonded pair in an emotionally intimate way, but that this did not include sexual intimacy.
The slash fans believed that Starsky and Hutch were all that, and more, that they were also physically and sexually active with each other. Many of the slash fans in the early 1980s (and beyond) were also insistent that the two characters were NOT gay (they did not identify as such, were not part of gay culture, and would never be with anyone other than the other man, aka a prevalent trope, We're Not Gay, We Just Love Each Other.)
Letterzines (and private correspondence) burned with fan comments, many of them extremely heated. Gen fans accused slash fans of distorting the characters, of wishful thinking, making the characters "weak," ruining a "good" gen friendship, and of trying to convert gen fans to slash.
The slash fans accused the gen fans of having a lack of imagination, of having closed and bigoted minds, and and because of rules and requests of many zine editors to avoid the topic, of feeling censored in fan discussions.
1981
The first Southern Con-Federacy took place June 26-28, 1981.
The location was a fan's home in Troy, Alabama.
The cost was $5.00 which covered a spaghetti supper, a taco supper, and snacks. Fans were encouraged to go to the grocery store to buy frozen pizzas or TV dinners and use the house's oven. The lodging was free, but fans were encouraged to bring a sleeping bag.
From a flyer for the first con:
Due to a dearth of Starsky & Hutch cons (especially in the Deep South), we have decided to remedy the disastrous situation and hold one ourselves. After many trials and tribulations (like finding a suitable date a majority could agree upon), the plans have been set. First of all, this is NOT an open, 'come-one-come-all' con, but a gathering of a few old (and new) friends who want to talk S&H to all hours of the Day and Knight [4]. We ask, therefore, that you not pass along your invitation, but DO RSVP as soon as possible. Bringing along a friend, a child, a spouse or creatures from outer space is highly discouraged. Y'ALL CUM!!
From a flyer for the first con:
This is YOUR mini-con, and we want you to enjoy yourself. We’ll try to be as flexible as possible in scheduling for rescheduling! events. Be patient with us, this is our FIRST attempt at such a gathering (and, as Starsky would say: "I'm a virgin in these here woods!" If things go well, this could become an annual event. We admit it — we're masochists! After all, we put Casa Cabrillo together, didn’t we? See ya soon — ya’ll cum!!!
Some activities:
TAPES: VCR-BETA. Numerous episodes, but not all. We have the blooper film plus assorted other guest starring role shows, some interviews, etc. If you can bring a VCR, advise. We have two color [television] sets. Please, if attending, list 15-20 episodes (S&H, of course) you’d like to see and we'll make up a schedule from this. Repeats — Yes! By popular demand!
SLIDES: Bring your collection. Should have projector here. Anyone got Zebra-Con on film?
DISPLAYS/COLLECTIONS: Bring those goodies with you!! (But please label them for safety's sake) We will go through Linda's collection (a good 10 hours or so of drooling, slobbering, coveting ... sighing ...) as time permits. Other TV series/movies welcome -- but do give preference to S&H. After all, that's what we’re here for.
DEALERS: Got something to sell? Bring!! Numbers attending are small, but if you can bring sales/trade items, please do so. No commission charged; no sales table fees.
If enough items are brought, tables can be made available. Will keep sales area away from other activities and will be happy to advise dealers of the number attending so you can plan accordingly. UPS ahead to Linda is okay.
GIFT BOOK: We'd like very much to have each attendee bring a small, personal gift, i.e.. a poem, drawing, something made by hand, to serve as mementos of the convention.
After the con, Linda will consolidate the gifts into two separate books and send them to Paul and David.
QUESTIONS?? Ask us!! News Note #2 (with more plans/ideas, etc.) will be out as soon as we hear from ALL invitees. SO RSVP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!! Some of you we've met before; others are new (but very welcome). We're all friends of Starsky & Hutch, David Soul and Paul Michael Glaser, so come on down (or up, as the case may be) and join us for an S&H weekend. THE LEGEND LIVES ON!
The VCR reigned supreme and was a highlight for many:
TAPES: Bring your tape recorders and blank tapes if you want to record records/episodes. VCR -- we may be able to clone a few tapes as time allows, so if you want something done, advise us BEFORE the con. At this time we hope to have two machines —one for S&H episodes only and the other for movies and other TV shows popular within our group - Star Trek, Tenspeed & Brownshoe, Hill Street Blues! Some movies we have available are MAGNUM FORCE 1, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, TRAPPED BENEATH THE SEA, BUTTERFLIES ARE FREE.
The planned gift book for Paul Michael Glaser and David Soul [5]:
THE GIFT BOOK: Items may be three-dimensional. We prefer just one item per guy (a poem, a drawing, a handcrafted item, whatever!, but if you want to submit something for just one, that’s okay too. We would also like to suggest that each attendee bring along a few postcards from each respective state, something that shows your area of the country ... kind of a travelogue of where each fan came from. This will also go into the book next to your item. Hopefully, photos of con attendees and activities will be added by us. If you cannot attend after all, you may still submit your gift.
flyer for 1981: "First
flyer for 1981
progress report for 1981
progress report for 1981
1982
Southern Con-Federacy took place June 25-27, 1982 at the same locale.
The cost was $10.00: "Stupid inflation!!"
The schedule:
If you can bring a VCR, preferably Beta format, let us know! TW-K's machine is still limping badly.
[...]
Thursday, June 24: Early arrivals in, getting acquainted and reacquainted, sorted out, rooms assigned, kittens given away, bathrooms overworked ....
Friday, June 25: More people coming (stampede!!!), sharing of collections, anecdotes, tattoos, blood, some VCR watching, trivia test, slides ...sales, VCR viewing .... and viewing supper .... retire to more viewing and talking and talking and viewing ....
Saturday, June 26: VCR, raid on used paperback book shop, local discount shops, studio, warehouse (if interested in old cars), VCR, collection sharing, profit sharing, dinner, the "unknownevent," VCR, etc zzzzzzzzzzz
Sunday, June 27: Where did all the time go? Tapes and table talk, frisking ... good-byes ... sniffle ... (Break out the little red and white striped strait jackets for LLW and TWK.)
DEALERS: of stuff. We should have clips, plaques, dolls, puzzles, articles, kittens, all sorts. If you have things to sell-trade and can bring (or if you've just got something out of the ordinary to show and tell — PG rated, of course), do so. At last count, there were 10 slated attendees, so plan accordingly.
Items of interest on other fandoms (there are others?), i.e.. Smith & Jones, Trek, SWars, welcome.
TAPES: May clone as time allows (and if we can figure out how to do it). Some movies available, and we'll play what we can as time allows. Titles will be posted — if we can get a second VHS or VCR, two tv's are available.
[...]
This is your mini-con, so we hope to please you all. We'll try to be as flexible as possible in the second "gathering," so welcome! If things go well again (pray harder!), this may become an annual (argh!) event. Have fun — or else!
from a flyer for the second con
from a flyer for the second con: "DISCLAIMER: Once again, please remember that this is an "& con. Leave the "/" behind where it belongs ... in the desert ... the Falklands ... Arctic Circle ... garbage dump .... Love Canal..."
from a flyer for the second con
from a flyer for the second con
1983
Southern Con-Federacy 3 took place June 23-26, 1983 at the same locale.
"We regret that this is the last official con for the Southern Contingency, but watch for us in 1986!!! Or Else!"
From a flyer:
Due to circumstances beyond your (or our) control, SOUTH CON-FEDERACY III will take place.' (Sorry, bombs in the mail or dire threats do not work with us!) Our plans once more hinge (or are unhinged) on your availability. Since togetherness has proved to be so much fun (and the mass shower-a-thons fascinating), we're gonna invite you to come here once again. We considered a lovely site with cabins, a lake and rustic wonderfulness, but they charged too much for the rattlesnake. Per our usual nastiness, this is once more a closed (mouth) con, and the management requests that you keep ya mouth shutta! Please — no children (we are childish enough as it is), pets (unicorns excepted) or mad scientists permitted.
From a flyer:
Since we couldn't talk you all out of it, the third (and possibly final for a couple of years) mini-con will take place June 24th -26th. We regret not everyone will be able to attend because your co-hostess (& VCR runner) Theresa is heading for W. Germany shortly after the con-date. But the four or five or six or eight of us (plus a "definite maybe") will think of all of you. What we think, we'll never tell!! So there!![...]
If there's a good movie on, we'll catch it to keep up with Tradition. (1st year: Raiders; 2nd year: ST-TWK; 3d year: [Return of the Jedi]... We will watch S&H (Of Course!!) and other goodies, and yes, we will most definitely bannish [sic] LW from the room or put a sock in her mouth to see the Man from U.N.C.L.E.
From a flyer (which includes a tasteless joke):
LODGING: Many beds available, but due to the recent upsurge of KKK activities, you'll have to bring your own sheets. (Just kidding. Just kidding.) The attic, dungeon and floors await those who dare dark, dank and dismal domiciles. If you prefer civilization, good luck. You're in Alabohemia now. Oh, you mean a motel? No problem -- Troy has a nice Holiday End and other equally depressing places. We hear they plan to install indoor plumbing any day now. Sleep? If we can't, you can't.' NO SMOKING or DRINKING IN THE HOUSE.' No spitting on the floors. No nice things said about certain people allowed.
FOOD: The spaghetti from last year is still in the deep freezer, so we don't have to worry about what to serve. Whaddaya mean you hate leftovers?? Well, in that case, we'll make fresh. We'll also go for the Third Annual Taco Gorge Yourself Banquet to be held on Saturday or whenever we can take a break long enough from TV viewing, talking, giggling, munching more than flower beds...
(The Con Cuckoos will provide snack chips and soft drinks and there will be plenty of dips around.) If you've run out of official food testers and want to bring your own food, we'll provide the stomach pump).
[...]
TAPES: VHS-BETA, Oh boy. Again this year we'll list what's available and let the good times roll. If you can bring a machine (either type), please let us know soon so that we can advise on compatibility with tapes here. Color set's rarin' to go. Send in the clones!
OTHER ACTIVITIES: Once again we’ll attempt the infamous Name the Episode contest. Since we had no real test last year (everyone was disqualified and the cat wouldn’t write her answer legibly), the same rancid prizes will be awarded this time. (Guess what else has been decomposing in the deep freeze?). Come and make fools of yourselves, make that ’yourself'.
[...]
DISPLAYS/COLLECTIONS: If you've scrapbooks, bring them. We also love to get into scraps. (What do you think we'll be serving here, hmmm?) Prize for the best frisking job after the con is over. You've probably seen part of Linda’s collection, and one of these cons we'll get thru all of it...maybe, maybe in 2001 perhaps.. For any new folks, bring your eye drops to avoid eyestrain. For those of you wishing to curl up in a corner with a fanzine, we'll hand you a dustcloth and you may clean your own spot.
DEALERS: Got goodies to sell? Haul it over here. We'll advise hew many are coming so that you may plan accordingly. Again this year, MUNCLE, SWARS, ST and all of those other strange shows arc welcome too. However, remember, this con is for S&H, PMG & DS appearances.
flyer for the 1983 con
flyer for the 1983 con: "LODGING: Many beds available, but due to the recent upsurge of KKK activities, you'll have to bring your own sheets. (Just kidding. Just kidding.)"
flyer for the 1983 con, "DISCLAIMER: This is a Starsky AND Hutch con, not S/H. We recognize your right to enjoy this premise, however, neither of your hostesses (nor the majority attending) believe in it, so we ask that you leave the subject at home. This is strictly an & con, so contrary discussions are better left unspoken."
References
- ^ "creatures from outer space" may refer to slash fans. Another example of fans using "aliens" to exclude was in the contemporary British letterzine, A.P.B.; in those instances, the term meant other fandoms/or fans of other shows.
- ^ "Knight" is a reference to Kenneth Hutchinson as White Knight.
- ^ The use of "cum" was one of naivete rather than as a sexual term, as this con was militantly "PG."
- ^ "Knight" is a reference to Kenneth Hutchinson as White Knight.
- ^ A similar fan creation was The Love Book.