Zebra Con/1988

Zebra Con 8 (1988)

Zebra Con 8 was held October 21–23, 1988 in the Chicago area.

Membership was capped at 150 and the convention was sold out by the fall of 1988. A waiting list was set up to handle the overflow.

The vid show "returned" (it may have been skipped a year) and ran for 3 hours.

cover of the 1988 program book

The con skit was “Murmur on San Carmelapples," a parody of Murder on San Carmelitas.

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  flyer from The Hatstand Express #8

Art and Fiction Awards

See Huggy Awards.

Convention Reports

The weekend was one long, glorious high, from meeting Carol and Merle in the lobby while registering Thursday, to the group gabfest in "The Pits" before leaving Sunday afternoon. While I was blathering on to Carol and Merle, Lily Fulford offered us all buttons which proclaimed "I'm a member of the Marian Kelly Fan Club". This inspired idea grew to epic proportions over the weekend, as the buttons multiplied and strangers not associated with the con began inquiring about the identity of this mysterious heroine. Scene: dinner at the Marketplace. A voice rings out: "Isn't that Marian Kelly?" In the snack bar: "Look! It's Marian Kelly!" From the audience at the Writer's Panel: "Ooh! It's Marian Kelly!" It was the name on everyone's lips. Poor Marian was a great sport, enduring the pointed fingers and loudly delivered remarks with grace (not to mention rosy cheeks). I heard that one "tourist" even had his picture taken with this Famous Author, but I'll leave it to Marian to confirm or deny this rumor.

The coincidence of there being two [Linda Ms] registered at the hotel that weekend added more confusion and entertainment. Our reservations were made in my name, so of course, when [Nancy G] and Megan Kent arrived, exhausted by their all-night drive from the OC area, the clerk checked them into the wrong room. Nancy and [Megan] thought it a bit strange when they were told that I had specifically requested one king-sized bed (for four of us?), but were too tired to question it much. They just told the clerk that no, we wanted two doubles. Then they blithely went to this poor woman's room, unpacked, showered, and took a nap. They even ate her mints! When the three of us met and discovered what had happened, they hastily vacated the premises. We never saw "the other [Linda M]", and have no idea whether she ever got an unused room, and her king-sized bed!

Other memorable moments included meeting [Chris P], the other half of SH fandom's wonderful writing team, being part of the SH team in the trivia contest, and trying to explain fandom (and the "Marian Kelly Fan Club") to a befuddled but sincerely interested gentleman our group kept bumping into in the halls and elevators. The fact that he had caught Nancy doing her "Larry" character down the hallway (picture a cross between Igor and the Hunchback of Notre Dame) didn't make matters easier!

Health and Safety Tip: NEVER wear your name tag into the bar at a con. Unless, Of course, you're in the market for drunken pick-up attempts.

Saturday night was a special evening, with the hors d'oeuvres buffet, the Huggy Awards, and the art auction. The food was outstanding this year. The hotel did a great job. Congratulations and thanks to all the Huggy Award winners for their contributions to this fandom. Thanks, also, to [April Valentine], for your songs. I only wish your voice hadn't been giving you trouble, so you could have sung "Whisper My Name", which is one of my favorites. Maybe next year?

At the art auction I threw caution (and sanity) to the winds, and bought another treasure from Suzan Lovett — the "Sunrise" illo inspired by Decorated for Death. Suzan, do you have any memories of being Michelangelo in a former life? NO, I won't tell how much I spent for it. Suffice it to say that I was in dire need of reassurances afterward, of the "Yes, you did the right thing. You'll never regret it, variety. As I was telling myself that "Some people spend more than this just shopping for clothes," my pal, [Betsy B] chimed in with, "Or a major appliance." Thanks, that's what friends are for. I'm pleased to announce, though, that I don't regret it! I love that drawing! I'm also happy to say that John was too concerned with "You want to hang that in our bedroom?!" to ask how much I'd paid for it. (Another benefit of separate checking accounts.) Being the special and truly non-bigoted person he is, my guy agreed to my hanging it, so all's well.

I did have one problem with this convention. It was over way too soon! But, I brought home a treasure trove of memories to carry me through the post-con let down of geographical isolation and kindergarten report cards. And if I do forget, I still have my favorite button: "Possessor of a mind not merely twisted but actually sprained." Guess that says it all for all of us.

Special thanks to: Karen and Jean - for the planning, work, and headaches that must go Into putting this con on every year. Cheryl and Lucy - for supplying an eager audience with two new zines this year. Commitment and Penal Code. (And to Lucy for credit undeserved: Reading over one story doth not a "proofreader" make, but thanks for the thought!) Betsy and [April] - for you lovely songtapes. And we all want copies! Paula and Jody and all the cast members - for another delicious con skit! Nancy, Betsy, and [Megan] - my "roomies" - for everything. And all of fandom - for the warmth and closeness we share, and the happiness "our guys" have added to my life. Long may we endure ...

Several people mentioned that they would like a ZCon report, since they would not be able to attend. I can't promise a comprehensive report or even terribly accurate one (since I've been to three cons in the last four weeks), but I'll do my best.

[snipped]

We had dinner that night with a large group, and encountered the "Marian Kelly Fanclub" phenomenon. Lily had distributed (and continued to distribute throughout the weekend) buttons proclaiming "I am a member of the Marian Kelly Fan Club." We got to explain to mundane guests in the hotel that Marian was one of the great writers of our time, and why hadn't they heard of her? Friday, dealers' room opens. Feeding frenzy, especially at Ohlinger's table. Idroppedthirtydollarsondelicious8x10s. I picked up Penal Code and Commitment, as well as an old zine or two, and Martha had the new Fix (#4) out. Ruth was selling off zillions of photos and stuff, Paula Smith was hawking the UNCLE comic book with the story that she wrote in it, and there were many other things that I can't remember now.

The art show was glorious. There were pieces by Lovett (from No Easy Answers), Clissold, Merle Decker, Taz and others. I dropped a pretty penny in the auction, and am delighted with my purchases. Now all I need is the cash to frame them properly.

What else happened? Well, there were episodes, panels, we raised money for Greenpeace and bats, and we talked and ate and talked some more. The play was a spoof of Murder on San Carmelitas and the highlights were Anita Raj as Dobey and Terri Beckett as "Bent Outta Shape".

I can't remember who got all of the Huggys, but I know that Martha got it for best writer, and best zine for The Fix, Merle got best cover for The Fix 1 (I think), and [Arleen G] got best portrait for her Hutch in one of the Fixes, I don't remember which. (That is to say, I remember the illo, but not the ish.)

God, this is getting long! I should tell you that I spent the weekend handcuffed to a madwoman from California named Christine. She's a new member of this APA, so look for her input in these pages. I met Maria, Ruth, Linda McGee, Pat Massie, Marian Kelly, Betsy Barr, and others who had just been names to me before. I had a wonderful time!

I don't think I can really write a Con Report — I mean, I didn't attend everything. I hardly touched the video-room I was conspicuous by my absence during the auction... But I did most definitely have a terrific time. And after being fortunate enough to attend three ZebraCons, I would be surprised if I didn't have a terrific time at any future events. Karen and Jean do a marvellous job. That, first and foremost. The organisation and hard work that goes into a good Con, as all the Zebras have been, are considerable. And we all owe them a great debt, even if they contributed nothing else to fandom (and they do!). We get out of fandom what we put into it...

The Three Weird Sisters - that is, me, [Chris P] and [Jody N] - got to the Rosemont at about midday, after a stop to pick up supplies for the LemonAid Gather — and after a preliminary round of hugs and some brief catching-up with, people I hadn't seen for a year, we started settling in for the duration. [snipped] Much of the day was taken up by my favourite occupation -- that is, talking to friends - and by several rehearsals of the Con play, yet another smash from the now-infamous team of Paula Smith and [Jody N], I couldn't decide whether to play Bent Outashape as Lord Lichfield or David Bailey, and ended up as nothing like either one. I'm just a ham at heart...

The Art Show had treasures to be admired (my favourites were by Suzan Lovett, but what else is new), and there were goodies in the Dealer's Room — but not anywhere near the number of new zines that I'd have liked to see. Now before anyone jumps on me, I know we had announced that NEA would premiere at ZCon. And it didn't. For which we apologised and gave reasons. But apart from the delayed SHADOWPLAY, what else would there have been? Not a lot. Is it just taking longer to produce zines, or are there simply less of them coming out? PENAL CODE was available — so was COMMITMENT. That TWO. That's not a lot, is it?

However... Friday evening was the appointed time for the LemonAid Gather, at which we had a dramatised rendering of MOTEL CALIFORNIA, and munchies, and plenty of good conversation. And by the time we'd thrown the last merry-maker out, it was time to crash. I did spend some time thinking about Paula's edit of NEA, and the rewrites, and wondering if fandom was ever likely to forgive me...

Saturday was my day for Panels — I had three. I enjoyed all of them enormously — thanks to all who attended — and got progressively more hoarse as the day went on — I don't think I stopped talking, other than to eat or sleep, throughout the weekend! (Did anyone else try the Jacuzzi? What a place to get ideas!)

The entertainment was hilarious. and, to our surprise, we won a couple of prizes (Limerick and Caption contests")... The limerick, for the benefit of those not there, went like this.

When Hutch, who was underneath, cried

"Oh, Starsky, I'm fit to be tied,"

Starsk ran for the rope,

So his pal wouldn't mope,

And the whips and the handcuffs bedside.

As you can see, it takes a deranged mind to come up with something like that...

The play was everything we thought it would be, even with various of the actors having hysterics, and I wish Lynna had "been there to see it — there is surely no more certain mark of fame than having your work parodied at ZCon!

And then we sang THE ROSE. As Karen said 'We just get better every year.'

Sunday is always sad, because the Con is winding down, but happy because this is a chance to chat to anyone who may have been too busy before. And, yes, I want to come back next year!

Z-Con 9 was another wonderful gathering. Although a number of familiar faces were absent (and missed), it was good seeing old acquaintances again and meeting new ones (hi, Jennifer). Ruth Kurz had a large table in the Dealers' Room sagging under the weight of all her marvelous S&H memorabilia — much of which she most graciously gave away to very appreciative collectors (THANKS, Ruth). It was great having the song tapes back; they were 3 hours of well-done, funny and touching entertainment. Congratulations to Linda McGee, Trivia Contest winner — S&H prevailed again! The miniature, stuffed, battery-powered, leaping zebra with a jingle bell and red ribbon around his neck, whom I've named "Torino", was a darling, most appropriate 2nd place prize for me — he's adorable and I promised his admirers I'd bring him back next year. Karen scheduled a few different videos this year and regardless of how often an episode is viewed, it's always a new, rewarding experience sharing it with other fans, especially those you don't see too often and whom you discovsr have a similar sense of humor. Terri Beckett and I both showed up to watch Playboy Island and I'm sure she'll agree that neither of us will ever view that silly (though eye pleasin; episode in quite the same way! What fun to find that we groaned and cringed and giggled ir. embarrassment/incredulousness at the same scenes in unison! (How's that fair an iron-clad reason to return next year, Terri?) The best video experience however, was watching Sweet Revenge- It was a very pleasant surprise to find Pros fans in the room and that everyone reacted as one during each of the tense/tender/funny moments. How lovely it was hearing all in the room say "awwwww" after S had awakened and was settling down to sleep again whil H attempted to joyfully, excitedly read his pal the computer printouts. And it especially warmed my heart that after we all laughed appreciatively during the tag, the entire room applauded as the credits rolled. Beautiful and unforgettable.

Special thanks must go to [Martha B] for generously sharing her copy of "Appointment With Death" during an all-night room video party — what a treat! The film was dull, but David was STUNNING!! It's worth sitting through just to drool at David! He shold wear tuxedoes and suits with hats as often as possible! None of us fortunate enough to be viewing the exquisite creature on the tv screen could barely contain our exclamations of glee and gratefulness! Anyone who hasn't seen this film — DO so!

Then as if that showcase of gorgeousness wasn't plenty, Sunday after the con, Pat Massie and I returned to our room and around midnight, in my quest for "something good on tv", I very happily came upon "Wait 'til Your Mother Gets Home!" — the perfect finale to a lovely con. It's such a sweet, warm film and Paul's so delicious and cute in it, I never tire of seeing it! Encore! Encore!

As always, the con ends much too quickly and members are all sadly saying "good'oya" to one another before we're ready to. But at least we have Z-Con 10 to get together again for next year.

Zebra Con was wonderful again this year. I just learned from Karen B that she, Paula Smith, and I are the only three people who have attended every single Zebra Con! Naturally I signed up for next year! The lovely thing about Z-Con is that it is a group of friends. Granted, there are a lot of new people whom I don't know, and our interests have broadened from S7H to include many other partnerships, but it is still the warmest con I've ever known. I had a table in the Dealer's Room and whenever [Laurie M] or [Lisa R] or anyone else I could con ask to watch it wasn't there, I could leave it and wander around without bothering to cover it. People came up to me in the Art Sho or halls or video room or a panel and thrust money into my hand. Lovely!

I know that everything didn't run smoothly for Karen and Jean this year -- cancellations, roomless people, misunderstandings over food, footless art panels -- yet they fielded each situation with such skill and aplomb that it appeared effortless, and kept our enjoyment running on high. Thank you, thank you. You're great!

[snipped]

By Saturday we were all rushing to get our Huggy Award and Art Show Award ballots filled out, not easy, and in for tallying. I loved the caption competition on the row of 8x10 photos (which were the prizes) of our boys caught in various moods and positions. Only the winning captions were read at the award ceremony, so I had to drop by the table often to read any new ones as the con progressed.

I lost my program book, so I can't rattle of the Huggy winners. I'm sure they'll be printed in the various letterzines, and I hope someone else does a Z-Con report for the APA listing them. Meg Lewtan was there from Australia to accept her award for Stage Fright, and Suzi Lovett got a bunch of art awards, of course. Yet she still seems awed by all our praise, bless her. British Takeaway 3 word a well-deserved Huggy, too. And The Fix. After the awards, Paula Smith/K'zoo presented another one of her marvelous take-offs. This one was Murder on San Carmelapples. I'm sure I misspelled that, but I didn't miss a bit of the fun (or dialog, thanks to my new in-the-ear-hearing aids!) and got lots of pictures. Paula was Hutch, of course. Pat Massie (who had just done a stand-up comic routine for us) played a reluctant Starsky. For international flavor, Terri Beckett was a leering photographer and Chris Power, another British writer, played one of the island's gay blades. Lucy Walk looked sexy in her maid's costume. There goes my memory again, another blank. Sure hope someone else lists the rest of the cast. Were the New Zealanders in it?

As usual people came from all over for this comfortable little con. The best part for me is always getting my hugs from friends I write to all year long, or going to breakfast with them or just sitting quietly enjoying their company while we watch tapes a LOT clearer than our multi-generation copies. Those of you whose names I'm not mentioning because they are shy will know who you are, and know how good it was for me to see you again. Always. And if I've embarrassed anyone I have named, please know it was because you mean a lot to me and and I enjoy sharing that good feeling.

Sunday was goodbye time. First Laurie and I were lucky enough to give last minute hugs to Judy Darnell and Laura Scarsdale and watch them drive off in the reconstructed-to-perfection Torino. [snipped]