Poster:	kukla_tko42
Date:	2009-06-22 19:24
Subject:	Looking to the future...
Security:	Public

Just because there are no room parties does NOT mean that Archon will shut down at 11pm, people. It will be running full-tilt until 3am.

I had to speak up because I keep hearing statements that tell me that no one seems to be actually reading the entirety of the Archon Website, or paying attention to the actual things being stated there. "Archon won't have room parties! Archon won't have a hotel! Archon is going to be boring this year!"

Just to be clear, I want to say that I am not on the committee, nor am I on Staff this year. With the exception of the Mad Scientists' Tea Party on Friday afternoon, I'm not in charge of or responsible for any decisions that Archon makes this year.

But it all seems pretty straightforward: Archon is consolidating. Period.

Why? Well, two things intersected to create this new change: The hotel we had always worked with changed all the rules and refused to allow programming past a certain hour, and the Convention Center decided that we could have access to it until 3am.

For those of you who have actually gone to the convention part of the convention for the past couple of years, did you *notice* that the convention center is nearly twice its original size? That there's a whole hallway that gets very little use or traffic? Did it not occur to anyone that having club-sponsored parties and actual programming until 3am in one building (instead of spread across the acres of the Gateway Center area) might actually be more fun? Frankly, I've been crying out for later real (and/or silly) programming over in the Gateway Center for years now.

Now, this means that if you want to throw a party, you might have to foot the bill for catering from the Convention Center. (It might *not* mean that, but you'd have to take that up with the powers that be.) It means that you might have to plan it in advance and discuss it with the Convention Committee member in charge of such things. But keep in mind that for the last several years, one had to go through the Con if one wanted to throw a room party anyway.

And folks, I'm just plain going to say it: The room party as an art form was nearly dead in St. Louis. The Zombie Squad threw a pretty good rave/booze pit, but one couldn't actually have a conversation in their room. Other than that, I was seeing the room parties thrown in this town getting lamer and lamer. And fewer and fewer! It seems that St. Louis fans want to show up, drink the booze, loll about on the beds, eat whatever paltry food offerings there are, then move on to the next free booze stand. St. Louis folks don't actually want to pony up the extravagant hotel night fee, pay for booze, pay for food, and put up with a trashed room for the rest of the con.

Let it go, folks. Embrace the future. Choose to seek out new life in new party configurations. Boldly go where no fan has gone before and talk to the committee about throwing a party (er, I mean "Running a Late Night Panel") in the Convention Center.

And like I always say: If a con comm does something you don't like... VOLUNTEER to help out next year. Or quit complaining. No one on the Archon Committee or staff gets paid for this, folks. Everyone's a volunteer. The men and women of the Archon Committee are doing their flat level best to make every Archon better than the last, and they're having to do so under dire circumstances this year.

Just quit spreading rumors that Archon is going to be lame after midnight. It's going to be AWESOME, and if you can't believe that, perhaps it is best if you do stay home this year. The rest of us are going to party like it's 2009 ...AND BEYOND!

Poster:	tygercowboy
Date:	2009-06-22 14:35
Subject:	St Louis Pride this weekend
Security:	Public

I have had a few asking what the plans were for Pride this weekend. I'm going to try and get over to the festival probably on Sunday after the parade. and maybe sneak over Saturday afternoon for a while.

I will be working a lot of the weekend at the bar so if anyone wants, here is the schedule of things for there. We will be in the parade with the Bad Dog this year. Fursuits, ears, tails are welcome.

here is the stuff at the bar this weekend


Bad Dog is BURSTING with PRIDE!

Our first PRIDE at our new location is gonna knock your socks (and other clothing) off!

First off Friday

Come out and kick up your boots with your Central Plains Leather SIR 2009 Master Sampson, Leatherboy 2009 pup sparkie. and Community Bootblack 2009 boy blu for the event "Cowboy Up". During the night the CPLSb family will be selling shots, holding a silent auction, and providing live entertainment by Kevin James a local Country singer. Come and join the family Friday June 26th from 8 PM to Midnight at Bad Dogs Bar. Proceeds go to the Central Plains Leather Travel Fund.

You ain't seen nothing yet! The back bar will have it's new name unveiled in a special ceremony. In honor of this we will have our first Bad Dog Fetish Bash!!! This will become a regular happening and during this special event, the "Gear Code" will be enforced for the back bar. You want in? You better be decked out in your best (street legal) Fetish Gear!! Also no perfume or deodorant allowed.

Then on Saturday..

Bad Dog will be hosting our first Pride Cruise-In from 11am - 3pm!! We will be having specials for those arriving on motorcycles including a free lunch for all bikers and prizes! Also anyone that would like can join us on their motorcycles in the parade!

Saturday night -

The Royalty team of the Gateway Gay Rodeo Association, I would like to invite you to the Studio 54 Party on June 27, 2009. This fundraiser will help your host and hostess for the evening Mr. GWGRA 2009 (Gene Cheek) and Miss GWGRA 2009 (Crystal Wolf) raise funds for their chosen charities in our community, Bethany Place, in Belleville, IL and PWA (People With Aids).


We hope you will join us for what’s turning out to be the biggest party of the season, as we take you back to yester year when Disco was king, Studio 54 was the place and every night was a party. Dance the night away to the greatest hits of the disco era with special guest DJ’s from the GC Entertainment Company. There will be 50/50 raffles, Jell-O shots and much more available.


Then stick around for Midnight as we pop the corks on the champagne, hors d'oeuvres are served by some of the sexiest shirtless waiters in town and the prize balloons drop with such door prizes as DVD players, DVD’s, music CD’s, a Leather Candle basket set, T-Shirts, Bar tabs and much, much more. So when the balloons drop from the ceiling, pop them for the ticket inside and match it to see if you won one of the great gifts we have waiting for you.


Doors open at the Bad Dog Bar, 3960 Chouteau, St. Louis, Missouri at 9pm Saturday Jun 27th. Photographers will be on hand for those that would like pictures taken on the red carpet entrance. An information booth will be setup outside with information about the evening and organizational information. Tickets can be purchased at: Bad Dog Bar, the GWGRA Booths at Belleville Pride or St. Louis Pride, or the GWGRA website at www.GWGRA.com.

Plus we will have lots of fun in the rest of the Bad Dog too!

Sunday ....we aren't done yet!!!

The Pride St Louis's 30th Anniversary Parade - Come walk with the Bad Dog Krewe as we make our way down Grand to Tower Grove. Walk, bicycle, motorcycle...all are welcome! Email us at baddogbar@gmail.com if you would like to join us, those that we we have some special surprises for!

After the parade, tired but don't want to end the weekend yet? The Bad Dog will be having our monthly Pot Luck starting after the parade. The bar will have something nummy for the main course and everyone brings something to share! Beer Bust and more fun too! See ya there

Poster:	a_silver_rose
Date:	2009-06-21 15:36
Subject:	Well, this bites!
Security:	Public
Mood:	annoyed

Didn't see the news until last night (many rl issues kept me away from Archon's home page), but it looks like there will be *no* room parties in any hotel:

http://www.archonstl.org/33/index.php

This is, in fact, making me rethink going this year.

Poster:	galen_rasputin
Date:	2009-02-13 09:19
Subject:	Gamers for Humanity
Security:	Public

Gamers for Humanity (http://www.gamersforhumanity.org/) are at it again. We have 25 gamers going to New Orleans, LA March 15th-21st, 2009 and spend a week working with the Phoenix Project of New Orleans rebuilding devastated houses in the Metarire and Mid-City region of New Orleans.

We have also received two pallets, 110 boxes, of pre-packaged boil in a bag meals designed specifically to combat malnourishment from the Iowa chapter of Kids Against Hunger (www.kidsagainsthungeria.com) and will be giving them to the Second Harvest (http://www.no-hunger.org/) organization of New Orleans.

This is where you, yes you, come in, Gamers for Humanity needs donations to cover the cost of moving the two pallets of food from Iowa City, IA to New Orleans, LA. We are also accepting donations of new and gently used books, toys, and games which we intend to distribute to the Boys & Girls club of New Orleans.

If you would like to generously donate to Gamers for Humanity please email me at donald@gamersforhumanity.org. Your consideration and generosity is greatly appreciated.

Poster:	a_silver_rose
Date:	2009-01-22 23:28
Subject:	The Archon 33 page is live!
Security:	Public
Mood:	peeved

http://www.archonstl.org/33/index.php

What bites is the fact that the Hotel C-ville won't allow room parties, and that all the programming will be in the Gateway. Yes, it has more space since the remodel, but I fear the digs will be cramped indeed.

Poster:	a_silver_rose
Date:	2008-10-15 10:23
Subject:	Argh!
Security:	Public

Didn't occur to me to post my Archon pics here, even though I posted the link in my personal journal:

http://asilverrose.multiply.com/photos/album/8/The_Adventures_of_Gibbes_the_Duck_at_Archon_32_OOC

Poster:	garylisk
Date:	2008-10-13 18:42
Subject:	Pics from Archon
Security:	Public

Here's the pics I took, most while in a drunken state. Many have no title or description yet.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28375492@N06/sets/72157608007637203/

Poster:	kukla_tko42
Date:	2008-10-13 12:44
Subject:	Appeal for Artists!
Security:	Public

Attention all artists!

I can't wait for Conflation to update its website. Dates seem to be February 20-22nd, 2009. Conflation is an adults-only (21+) SF/F convention in St. Louis, MO (USA).

Conflation's theme this year is "Steampunk". I am seeking out local artists to assist in the decoration of the event. For the dance, I intend to turn each table into a display area for a different piece of Steampunk Art. I may also wish to utilize larger pieces to decorate the con itself. I am interested in three dimensional sculpture, adaptation of electronic equipment, ray guns, cases-full-of-interesting-things, and even framable art. Wearable art will likely be worn, but if you have multiple pieces, we do have display heads for hats, ocular devices, etc.

So far, I believe that I have had a positive response from Steve Swope, Jen Patton, and Joshua Hart. If you are interested in having your art shown, please let me know as soon as possible. I want to be able to know what we have before I design the rest of the decorations. I especially need to know if your piece of art requires a power source, special lighting, careful handling, etcetera.

Here are the things I need to know from everyone (feel free to copy and paste the form into an email.) You may respond here, or directly to me via LJ message.

Name of Artist:
Alias of Artist (character name):
Title of the piece:
Brief description of the piece:
Materials Used: (optional, most of these will be "mixed media" but feel free to brag.)
Approximate size of the piece (footprint):
Need special lighting?
Need electrical outlet?
Need special stand/frame/platform?
Is the piece interactive? (Can random people touch it?)
Does the piece need to be kept free of touching hands? (such as in a glass case or behind velvet rope)
Is the piece for sale?
Your Contact Information:

If you have a wonderful piece of steampunk art that you have purchased from another artist, and wish to display it, please fill out the above form and add the line "Owner" and give your name there.

But wait, there's more!
Friday night at the event I will be putting on a Burlesque show, in the grand old tradition of low-brow comedic parody of current media. (With hoochie-coochie girls!)
I have several sketches written and need performers and additional sketches. I may have to put together a separate list for that show.
So far I have about ten people interested (but not yet committed) to the project.

Sketches planned (so far) include:
Fan of La Mancha (a brief musical parody)
Peril (A Parlor Game enacted for your entertainment by local celebrated gentlemen.)
Handi-Bra (A commercial announcement)
Curious Cat Clothing (commercial Announcement)
Take Back Your Mink (Kukla and the Debutantes)
Alley Cat Review (special appearances)
Grease Monkey (a Cinderella Story, as yet unwritten and uncast.)
Bob's Butt Goggles (Commercial announcement)

If you are interested in participating in the Burlesque show, please let me know right away. We will likely begin rehearsals in January, which gives us approximately six weeks to put the show together. I may wish to finalize casting before Christmas...

Poster:	cuglas
Date:	2008-10-06 08:46
Subject:	Thank you!
Security:	Public

Archon was really great this year. The con committee did a wonderful job.

The game/toy/book drive for Gamers for Humanity went really well. We collected a lot of stuff before the con and got some more stuff at the con. I haven't inventoried everything, but at the moment we have around 20 board games (most of them new!), half a dozen Mr. Potatoheads, a dozen or so puzzles, around 6 dozen gently used books (many of them young adult, which is great), seven decks of playing cards, some arts supplies and some toys. We were also given a gently used TV and a DVD player and some children's DVDs. We talked to one of the recreational therapists about when we could drop this stuff off and she nearly cried when she heard we were bringing games to the hospital. They need them! The DVD player and TV is also very welcome because they don't have a DVD player for the patients. They'll be able to have a movie night once or twice a week now.

Thank you to everyone who donated.

Gamers for Humanity is sponsoring its second trip to New Orleans in March 2009. The folks who went last year had a great time. If you're interested, please check out the website: http://gamersforhumanity.org/

Poster:	kukla_tko42
Date:	2008-10-01 21:33
Subject:	Sorry about the teaser...
Security:	Public

Archon will not allow me to host a Nerf Battle. The best part is that I only discovered this *TONIGHT.* My last communication (months ago) was that it was a cool idea and they would try to put it on the schedule. I had requested Friday Night or Sunday afternoon.)

It turns out that Archon will now allow any firing weapons (toy or otherwise). Period.

Don't bother to bring your Nerf stuff unless it has been completely disabled, is peace bonded, and is "essential to your costume".

Steampunks with adapted Nerf Mavericks? Leave them home unless you want to "mod" them into a non-firing weapon.

I *will*, however, be taking down names and email addresses of folks who wish to participate in the *future* if I host a Steampunk (or Klingon, or Zombie, or FireflyVerse) themed Nerf-Battle in the future. After all, halls rent for cheap if you know somebody.

Poster:	becka_kitty
Date:	2008-09-30 15:41
Subject:	Birthday Extraveganza
Security:	Public

Come help celebrate the 25th anniversary of Mike Cole's 21st birthday Friday Oct 3rd at Archon!

Since Opening Ceremonies are at 6:10p and Mike has a panel at 7:20p were doing a late dinner at Bandana's at 8:30p-ish to be followed by cake & candles in the hospitality suite (9:30p-ish). After we're nicely buzzed on sugar we shall do a party room crawl. Mike will graciously be accepting kisses from pretty girls in lieu of spankings.

Please contact me privately about dinner so I know whether or not I need to call ahead to the restaurant.

Feel free to forward to interested parties.

Poster:	veronica_rich
Date:	2008-09-30 16:12
Subject:	Profile interests
Security:	Public

This is an interactive post - comments are encouraged.

We'd like to get more people here, I'm sure, to learn about Archon for future years. Look at the user info page for this community and let me know what other interests you think could be added to attract those searching LJ by "interest." When I created the community three years ago, I put in as many as I could think of at the time, but I'm sure you'll agree things have changed since then, and there are also things at the time I just couldn't think of, to include.

Thanks!

Poster:	seantaclaus
Date:	2008-09-30 09:47
Subject:	Archon Dance Theme
Security:	Public

For those of you going to Archon who want to actually attempt to costume to the Dance theme(s), this year both night will be Batman/The Dark Knight. I'd have posted that sooner, but I didn't get confirmation until this morning that it was okay to pass the info along to the general public. So spread the word and let it proliferate among the masses.

Hopefully next year I'll have this info out in a far more timely manner-- at least it got out this year, as previous years didn't get any real public announcement beforehand.

On a related note-- ( if you have a request for something you'd like us to try and acquire to play at the event... )

DJ Seantaclaus

Poster:	kukla_tko42
Date:	2008-09-28 21:42
Subject:	Invitation to Steampunk Events at Archon
Security:	Public

You are cordially invited to the second annual Mad Scientists' Tea Party at Archon on Friday afternoon (October 3rd) at 4pm in the hospitality suite.

Katarina Glockenspiel and friends are hosting tea in the convention space as an opportunity for time travelers, dirigible pilots, genius inventors, trance mediums to the Deus Ex Machina, Sky Pirates, educated ladies, clock-workers, coin-operated boys, and other fans of the golden age of steam to gather. We will confer, converse, and otherwise hobnob over biscuits, tea, and similar delicacies. Guests are encouraged to bring something delicious to share, and a tea cup/saucer if possible. (Some teacups will be provided by the hostess.)

Wear your finery, and please feel free to bring inventions, apparatuses, art pieces, or music to share. (Ipod-ready speakers will be available.)

I have been assured that Archon will have additional Steampunk themed programming as well.

*EDIT* I have just been informed that the weapons policy at Archon prevents me from hosting the Nerf Battle. Steampunks be aware: If your costume requires you to carry a prop weapon, be sure that the prop does not, in fact, fire. If it is a Nerf Maverick, be aware that unless you have modified it into a non-firing weapon, no amount of peace-bonding will allow you to carry it at the convention.

As a side note, there will also be a Nerf battle some time during the convention. I've seen quite a few Nerf Maverick pistols that have been "modded", so now is the perfect time to don your big game hunting gear and join in on the fun! As a word of warning, be prepared to peace-bond any weaponry during your tour through the halls of the convention. As an precaution, one may wish to carry the weaponry in a small valise or satchel until inside the approved area for the Nerf Battle. Prizes may be awarded to the most attractively modified weapons!

Poster:	kukla_tko42
Date:	2008-09-25 21:57
Subject:	OURcon at Archon
Security:	Public

COME TO ARCHON ON THURSDAY NIGHT...
...For a very special "OURcon"!

Archon has changed its format this year to a three-day convention. What most people don't know is Registration will be open on Thursday night, and many Archon staff members will be there setting up for the con.

I think that we should reclaim Thursday night for the real fans, the hard-core Archon folks! Let's have a mini-con of our own and call it...
OURcon!!

Registration for OURcon will be in MY room at the Holiday Inn (soon to be Doubletree). Come and get a sticker to add to your Archon badge so you can show everyone that you're a supporter of the four-day-convention format! OURcon will include special guests (To Be Announced), a slideshow, and food/drinks in the OURcon Hospitality Suite (better known as Kukla's Room). We will also have Hall Costume Award secret judges handing out ribbons for the Thursday Night finery!

OURcon is also encouraging anyone who has a room on the party floor at the Holiday Inn on THURSDAY night to join in the festivities! Party like it's 1989, when you knew everyone at Archon!

For more information, please contact me.

As a special side note; there is space in my Holiday Inn (soon to be Doubletree) room for Thursday night ONLY. If you want to come to the con early but can't extend your reservations, let me know that you'd like some crash space. I will charge you for the night, but it won't be expensive. We will have to check out of the room on Friday.

Is anyone else going to have a room on Thursday? Interested in opening your doors and joining in on the fun? Let me know! If you let the con know, they can provide ice and stuff, too. Just be sure that you get your room on the first floor.

Poster:	professor
Date:	2008-09-23 20:32
Subject:	Little more info about the con hotel
Security:	Public

Well, I just re-confirmed my reservation at The Hotel Formerly Known As The Holiday Inn Collinsville, because I'm paranoid like that, but luckily there were no problems. I didn't even need to whip out my confirmation number, they just needed my name.

When the woman picked up the phone, she greeted me with "Hello, this is the Hotel Collinsville, soon to be the Doubletree." After checking on my room, I asked her to confirm that the hotel would soon be a Doubletree hotel, and she did.

Anyone have experience with Doubletree hotels? I stayed in one in Chicago once, it was pretty nice, but that was one instance.

Poster:	reannon
Date:	2008-09-16 22:50
Subject:	Vampire Party - You're Invited!!!!
Security:	Public

Join us in Collinsville on the eve of Archon to celebrate the release of my new book!

WHAT: Book release party celebrating the release of ABADDON, the next installment in the Nocturnal Urges vampire series
WHO: Elizabeth Donald, author of the Nocturnal Urges vampire mystery series
WHEN: 7-10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2
WHERE: The Blum House, 408 W. Main St., Collinsville, Ill.
WHY: Fun for vampires and victims alike!

The event is open to the public. Music will be provided by Focused Attention. Wine will be served free to those over 21.

If you come dressed in Nocturnal Urges apparel or disguised as a vampire, you get a $1 coupon off merchandise from the Literary Underworld booth at Archon that weekend!

You do NOT have to buy a book to attend! Just come and celebrate with us, in a terrific creepy kickoff to the Halloween season.

If you do want a book, it is strongly recommended you preorder your copy, as only limited numbers will be available. For $8, you will receive a signed first edition of ABADDON, as well as two Nocturnal Urges matchbooks and an autographed cover flat of the previous book, NOCTURNE. If you want a copy of NOCTURNE as well, add $12. Preorder by emailing booksales@elizabethdonald.com.

For more information, see www.elizabethdonald.com.

DIRECTIONS FROM ARCHON: Follow Gateway Drive away from the hotels and conference center up to the Route 157 light. Turn right (south). Pass Collinsville Crossing shopping center. Turn left at the West Main Street stoplight. The road turns one-way going your way. The Blum House is on the right just before you reach downtown Collinsville. You can park at the Collinsville Library lot next door or anywhere on Main Street.

Poster:	cuglas
Date:	2008-09-08 13:34
Subject:	Charity Toy Drive
Security:	Public

Gamers for Humanity is conducting a "toys for tots" drive for Kettler Center, the psychiatric facility at Gateway Regional Medical Center. Kettler Center is an 80 bed facility that serves children, adolescents, adults and seniors. The ages of the children treated at this psychiatric hospital range from 2-17. Kettler Center serves a significant number of "public pay" patients (Medicare, Public Aid, etc.) and needs recreational materials for all age groups. Kettler Center is located in Granite City, Illinois, just a few miles from the convention center.

We will set up a collection barrel near the gaming registration table at Archon. Please consider donating!

We are collecting:
board games (new or gently used)
puzzles (new or gently used)
Coloring books or activity books and crayons
Small craft kit projects/jewelry kits.
Stickers, pencils, fun erasers, crayons
small toys, jewelry, , coloring books,
playing cards, small purses,
hot wheels cars
Books (new or gently used)
Disposable cameras
magazines (new or gently used)

The center could also use a new or gently used TV for the day room, as well as a DVD player. Please contact me if you would like to donate either of these items and I'll make arrangements to pick them up.

Poster:	bradhicks
Date:	2008-07-04 10:52
Subject:	P-D: Con hotel sold, may become "a more upscale hotel"?
Security:	Public

"Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias announced Thursday that the state will sell the Holiday Inn in Collinsville for $5.3 million, a fraction of the debt owed on the beleaguered property. ... Lodging Hospitality Management of St. Louis submitted the highest bid. The company plans to make more than $9 million in investments and will likely change the franchise to a more upscale hotel." Adam Jadhav, "State sells Collinsville hotel for fraction of debt owed," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 7/4/08.

Does this bode ill for Archon? Are our room rates going to skyrocket? Will the new owner want us out, the way so many "upscale" hotels react to people who wear costumes and funny clothes, for fear of losing business customers? Are they even obligated to honor our contracts any more? How soon will we find out?

Poster:	a_silver_rose
Date:	2008-07-01 11:04
Subject:	"Person of interest" seen in Collinsville
Security:	Public
Mood:	worried

This article caught my eye. I hope this guy is caught soon.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-illinois-murder-suspect-web-jul02,0,7596841.story?track=rss