smofbabe

• Saturday, Feb 13, 7 pm: Legal Test Kitchen, 7 pm, 6 people


• Saturday, Feb 13, 7:30 pm: Salvatores, 7:30, 6 people (yes, the same date: long story)


• Sunday, Feb 14, 7:30 pm: Legal Test Kitchen, 7 pm, 6 people

unnamed_horror

Boskone 47 will include a number of musical events, including the Saturday night production of Zelazny’s “Godson.”  Boskone members can join in song, however, in many of the filk events.  We asked Program Committee staff person, Gary McGath about the Featured Filker and filk programming in general.   (And, for an overview of “What is Filk?” check out this article from the Boston Phoenix.)

>Boskone has a featured Filker, Mary Crowell.  How would you describe her musical style/her singing style?  What is a Featured Filker anyway?
GM:  Each year since 1992, Boskone has included among its guest a "Featured Filker" -- a representative of filk music, the folk music of science fiction fandom. Mary is a professional musician, one of the most musically talented and knowledgeable of the Featured Filkers who have come to Boskone. Her songs have a distinctive jazz style. In addition to singing, she's an excellent keyboard and clarinet player. She has one CD released, "Courting My Muse."

>The Featured Filker has a concert as one of the events at Boskone -- what can members expect when they attend?
GM:  Even people who aren't specifically interested in filk will enjoy an hour of quality music at her concert. Her songs have a wide range of subject matter, from Legolas to Jessica Rabbit.

>What makes the filk community special?  is filking always part of SF/F conventions?
GM:  Filk is a part of most SF/F conventions; sometimes it's hidden away in corners late at night, sometimes it's part of the convention program.  Some songs are lyrics written to existing tunes, but many have original tunes. The subject matter ranges widely. The central factor is that it's music made by fans for fans. Filk is found not only in the US, but in Canada, Britain, Germany, and Israel, and people have formed friendships and lasting relationships across national boundaries as a result of their involvement in filk.

>What's more important in filking -- the talent of the performers, the camaraderie, someone's interest in SF/F?
GM:  Certainly not the talent; in fact, tolerance for occasional lack of talent helps a lot. Participants should have some interest in science fiction and fantasy, or they'll miss a lot of the references. But the main thing is really the getting together to make music -- the idea that everyone, even those without a lot of skill -- _should_ make music if they're so inclined, rather than being scared off by people with more ability. That songs should have something to say and be worth listening to, not just passively hearing.

>Can anyone participate in filk?  Is there any requirement for talent?  How would someone know they can "join in"?
GM:  As with any community, there's an etiquette that it's good to learn. But it's by no means a secret society, and in most cases, singing along is strongly encouraged. If not, the performer will usually say so. There are various forms of filk circles, but the goal of all of them is to let each person take a turn singing. In the "bardic" form, people take turns in order, going around the room; they can request a song, performer, or subject if they don't want to sing themselves. In the "chaos" form, anyone can jump in, but people who haven't sung recently are given preference.

>  Is filk sung a capella or is there musical accompaniment?
GM:  There's no one way it's done. The guitar is the most common instrument, though some use keyboards and other instruments. Some sing a capella, either because they don't have an instrument or by choice. It's acceptable to ask if someone else knows the chords and can accompany a song.

> Where can someone learn more about filk?
GM:  People coming to Boskone should drop in on one of the theme circles or on the evening filking if they want to get a first-hand sense of what it's all about. At other times, MASSFILC holds monthly gatherings to sing, usually in people's homes. There's lots of information available on http://www.massfilc.org .

sfrose

Boskone runs on volunteers. Want to learn con-running from the inside out? We could always use more help.

We have a variety of jobs at Boskone for all ages, from loading/unloading trucks, moving in/moving out, registering members, guarding doors, running errands, helping set-up/tear-down the Art show, helping with Hospitality and many others.

hoyvinglavin64

Boskone 47 Prelim Anime Schedule

Friday

4.0: Fullmetal Alchemist V.1

Funimation; TV-PG for violence, scary images – In a world where alchemy has become the main vehicle for scientific progress, the Elric brothers attempt to do what no alchemist has successfully done before: raise the dead. Cursed in their failed attempt, they get caught up in a vast military conspiracy in search of the Philosopher’s Stone, which may be able to heal their wounded bodies and souls. Layered characters, moral dilemmas, and a solid balance between comic relief and harsher emotion will have you hooked!

5.5: The Big O Episodes 1-4

Bandai; TV-PG for violence – Roger Smith is a Negotiator in Paradigm City, a corporate state that has suffered from amnesia for the past 40 years. Alongside his butler Norman and android partner Dorothy, he fights crime and monsters in a giant robot known as a The Big O. Episodic yet with an ongoing mystery bubbling beneath the surface, this darkly styled show is like the Japanese answer to Batman.

7.0: Voices of a Distant Star

­ADV/Section23 Films; PG-13 for violence – Two lovers are divided by space and time when one is sent into deep space to fight in a war. They can only communicate through cell phone messages, but when traveling at near-lightspeed, the time it takes for these messages to be received grows longer and longer. Director Makoto Shinkai animated this short film entirely on his home computer; the result is a masterpiece of the digital age.

7.5: Cowboy Bebop V.1

Bandai; TV-14 for violence, language, drugs, sexual themes – Fifty years after the Earth has been rendered mostly unlivable by a freak lunar accident, humanity thrives in space. A crew of awkward bounty hunters, all running from their pasts, work together on the spaceship Bebop catching crooks for food. Over ten years since its premiere, this beautifully animated, amazingly scored tragicomedy is a modern classic of anime.

9.5: Gurren Lagann Episodes 1-3

Bandai; TV-14 for violence, suggestive humor – One day at work in his underground city, Simon the Digger unearths a drill that controls a robot. With the encouragement of his übermacho comrade Kamina, he uses his drill to burst through to the surface, where he will fight in war against the ruling chimera Beastmen and change the destiny of the entire universe. With a striking visual style, extremely over-the-top action scenes, and a cast of hilarious characters, this is a near-perfect tribute to the mecha shows of days past.

10.75: Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo Episodes 1-3

Funimation; TV-MA for violence, nudity, sexual themes – It’s Alexandre Dumas’ classic serial on drugs and in space, and it works a lot better than you may expect. This adaptation keeps the basic story of revenge and complex character histories, but works from a different perspective (Albert’s instead of the Count’s) and tells its story nonlinearly (the series starts in the middle of the story). The flashy effects animation is not for the seizure-prone, but most everyone else will find something to appreciate about it.

12.0: Baccano V.1

Funimation; TV-MA for violence, language, drugs, scary images – So, the story takes place on a train from New York to Chicago during the 1930s, and also several hundred years before then. There are twenty main characters in all, including Chicago gangsters, New York thieves, and ancient alchemists who have achieved immortality. If you like crazy nonlinear storylines with complex mysteries and intense violent action, this is probably worth a shot.

Saturday

8.0: The Girl Who Leapt Through Time

Bandai; PG for language – Mokoto Konno was just a regular high school girl, kind of clumsy and just trying to spend time with her two best friends, until a lab accident suddenly gives her the ability to leap backwards through time. Confused why she can do this, she uses her abilities to work through various everyday situations before ending up in a romance with another time traveler. If this humorous, heartfelt film is any indication, director Mamoru Hosoda may very well be the next great anime auteur.

9.75: The Wings of Honneamise

Bandai; PG-13 for violence, language, sexual themes – On parallel Earth, a Cold War is heating up. Shiro, a cadet newly motivated by his religious friend Riquinni, is determined to become the first man to reach space amidst a program filled with conspiracy. This film about realizing dreams realized several in reality: this was the first production of Studio GAINAX, a group of anime fans who would later work on such hits as EVA, FLCL, and Gurren Lagann.

11.75: Macross Plus

Manga Entertainment; PG-13 for violence, language, drugs, sexual themes, nudity – Isamu, Guld, and Myung were friends in high school. Now, the two boys’ hatred of each other threatens the success of the U.N.’s space military, while Myung’s the manager of an AI idol named Sharon who just so happens to put the U.N.’s operations in peril. This movie, directed by Bebop creator Shinichiro Watanabe, works fine as a stand-alone experience but is also part of one of Japan’s most long-running sci-fi sagas.

kate_nepveu

Hi all,

Just a reminder that there will be a bake sale to support the Tiptree Award and Carl Brandon Society from 11-4 on Saturday outside the Galleria in the lower level (the area with the art show, dealer's room, con suite, etc.).

If you're planning to bring something: (1) thank you! you rock!; (2) please let me know if your food requires something other than a knife, paper plate, and plastic fork; (3) you should have no trouble getting to me even if you're not a member of the con, as I'm told the area is outside any badge checks. Here are directions.

Please let me know if you have questions or if I can help in any way.

unnamed_horror

To get a behind the scenes look at Boskone 47, we asked Convention Chair Jim Mann some questions. 

> Tell us when you started working on science fiction conventions. 

Jim:  My first convention was in 1975, and the first one I worked on was that year also.  I enjoy working on conventions because I get to work with a talented group of people to accomplish something (and to build a community).  [Boskone 47 note:  You, too, can meet a talented grop of people and help make Boskone 47 something special.  In doing so, you could earn a convention t-shirt or a free membership to Boskone 48.  Help is needed Wednesday, February 10 through Monday February 15.  You could volunteer before or after the con, and not miss a single moment of Boskone 47.]

> What do you enjoy about Boskone in particular?

Jim:  I like the mix that Boskone brings. It has a literary focus, but lots of other features, ranging from interesting programs on media, fandom, and so on to fun activities unique to Boskone such as the Friday night event, the Art Show reception, and the awards ceremony.

> As Chair of Boskone 47, what do you want to bring to the members who attend?

Jim:  My goal is to provide a good place for people to enjoy themselves and to interact with many people of similar interests.

> The Chair of Boskone has the privilege of inviting the Guest of Honor. What is the Guest of Honor? 

radioactivered

Greetings all!  I just wanted to alert the locals that D Street is now two hour parking.  Meaning every two hours you will need to move your car  not just feed the meter.

So plan ahead - Use the MBTA or check out the parking rates before you enter a lot.

That being said I wanted to alert folks to a few things about restaurants:
There are options in the hotel to eat as well as a number of places that are within 3/4 of a mile to the hotel. There will be a restaurant guide available. Many local South Boston restaurants will deliver to Boskone for a minimal charge. Many have family style or party platters that can be shared with a group. A binder of restaurant menus can be found at the Information desk.

1) Valentine's Day is Sunday. Many sit down places may be full.  If you are going out with a group, you may want to make reservations soon.   If you need flowers,  Thorton Flowers will deliver to the Information desk if you have a cell phone that they can contact you at. 

2) Amrheins Restaurant in South Boston has a new free shuttle service. For a FREE ride both ways (Mon–Sat starting at 5pm and starting at Sundays at 10am) you would need to make arrangements with the restaurant.

3) My Diner in South Boston has free delivery (Mon-Sat 5am-2pm Sun 6am-2pm) so you can have breakfast delivered! 

4) J Pace and Son has opened on the corner of Pace St & Northern Ave.  This Italian market has a grocery store and a take out area including hot prepared foods, full bakery and salad bar.  They also do catering if you wanted to share with a group of friends.

5) Yes, Boston does have a 24hr diner. (Well at least on the weekends only...) So if have a car and need late nite food, you can drive to Victorias Diner. I hear there is also Chicken & Waffle place open late near there.


Feel free to leave comments if a have any special dietary concerns.  I could help you research options.