Furry Spring Break -- Progress Report #4

Hey, folks! Time once again to bring you up to date on what's happening at Furry Spring Break.



Furry Spring Break will be held March 2-4, 2001, at the Ramada Conference Center and Resort, 7400 International Drive in scenic Orlando, Florida. Our Guest of Honor is Phil Morrissey, whose
brilliant work frequently graces the covers of Furrlough and Genus.

We recommend that you make your reservations by contacting the Ramada directly, at (407) 351-4600. Rooms are $69/night, plus tax. Mention that you're with Furry Spring Break, and under reservation code FURR. If they can't find the reservation code, go ahead and complete your reservation, but let Matt Henry ([email protected]) know, with your confirmation number, so we can follow up and make sure you're in with our block of rooms. **Make your reservations February 17th to guarantee your room!**

We've updated our web site with more information on programming, dances, and events! Thank you for your patence while we got the bugs out of the system. The web site is www.furryspringbreak.com. The next major addition to the FSB web site will be the long-awaited implementation of on-line registration! Keep your eyes peeled for that! (In the meantime, printing down the form and sending us a check or money order works just as well... :)

One of the most recent updates is the programming grid for the convention. (If you have any trouble reading the grid, let me know at
[email protected]; we're working on cleaning it up). You'll notice quite
a few "(Avail)" tags in there. That means the time slot is open for a
panel discussion...perhaps one you'd like to do!

There are four general tracks. I'm not locking panels into a rigid
track structure, so if a really good idea doesn't necessarily fit,
we'll use it anyway. :) The tracks are :

• Writing and Storytelling
• Art (and not just drawing/cartooning, either!)
• Fursuits, Pawpets, and Performing
• "Lifestyle" and Spirituality (this also includes species panels)

We do have some panels already penciled in...

• I'll be running the StoryTeller's Circle on Saturday afternoon. (For those not familiar, that's a round-robin storytelling session...contact me if you have additional questions.)
• Toraneko will be running a special "Furry Book Swap" panel. Have some books of interest to other furry fans? Bring 'em along, let us know why you like 'em so much, then trade them with other fur fen.
• Prismo will be running a panel on improv performance...a handy panel to attend before "acting up" on Friday night!
• Jon Crusoe will have a panel on layouts for story submissions to publishers.
• Teddy Ruxpin, of PawPet West fame, will be presenting a trio of interesting panels on pawpetry. Updates soon!
• There will be a special Meet the GOH panel with Phil Morrissey.

We still have a lot of time slots left to fill, however, so if you'd like to help out, share your knowledge and lore with other fen, and
generally get that cool egoboo that only comes from being a panelist,
drop me a note at [email protected].

CHARITY AUCTION : We need contributions for the Charity Auction, to be held Saturday afternoon at 1pm. If you have an item you'd like to donate, please contact [email protected] as soon as possible. Our charity this year is the Care Foundation, a wildlife rescue group based in Christmas, FL. They will be presenting a Wildlife Encounter presentation on Friday afternoon at 1pm.

ART SHOW UPDATE : If you'd like to have artwork in the 2001 FSB Art Show, check out the newly-updated information on our web site, or contact [email protected] for more information and assistance. The FSB Art Show will open its doors to the public at 12 noon on Friday (closing at 6pm), and reopen at 10am on Saturday. All bids must be made on artwork by 5:30pm Saturday! The art auction will be held on Sunday from 12:30p to completion.

DANCE UPDATE : Due to time constraints, Gary Burke (Cargo) will not be able to attend FSB this year. We thank him for his interest in bringing the Purple Nurple to Florida, and hope to see him here in the future.

There are two dances at FSB. On Friday night, from 10pm to 2am, it's
"Ravin' Paws" -- dance to the pulsating beats of techno, house, and
electronica until you drop! Saturday night -- same time frame, 10pm to 2am -- will be the "Fursuits and Friends" dance. This one will be "fursuit
friendly" and feature some of the best music of the 80's and 90's.

Both dances will feature Florida's own DJ Wildwolf, who's looking forward
to the challenge of keeping your feed moving! Requests (for music or for
more info) can be directed to [email protected].

FURRY VARIETY SHOW : will be at 8pm Saturday night. If you'd be interested in participating, contact [email protected] for more information. Fursuiting, pawpeteering, and talent to spare will be on hand...don't miss it!

GAMING : There'll be plenty of RPG gaming to enjoy at Furry Spring Break, including your furry favourites! Contact [email protected] for additional information, or if you'd like to help run a game.

FSB BANQUET : This is some serious eats, my friends! And, it's included with the price of your membership...a pretty sweet deal all-around. The Banquet will be held Saturday night from 6pm-8pm,
followed closely thereafter by the Variety Show. While we'll endeavor to have enough for all members, we have to give the hotel a count of
how many people to expect shortly before the convention...which means, if you pre-register, you'll be part of that count. (Hint, hint. :)

FURRY IMPROV : Friday night will be Furry Improv night! Show your stuff and play along as we think up new and fun ways to express one's
furry side. Folks who would like some pointers on improv performance will want to attend the panel Prismo will be running on Friday afternoon, as well. If you have ideas for challenges for our players, drop a line to me at [email protected], and I'll relay it along.

FURRY GAME SHOW NIGHT : Sunday night is usually quiet at most cons, but not at FSB! We'll be running some rather interesting Furry Game
Shows after 8pm...Kuddlepup's thinking up some interesting games to play. If you have an idea for a game, drop him a line at [email protected].

DEALERS ROOM : What would a con be without the dealer's room? Ours will be open 10am-6pm each day. If you're a dealer and interested in selling your wares at FSB, contact Matt Henry at [email protected] for more information.

Speaking of dealers, here's an update on sales tax :

We spoke with Florida's Department of Revenue recently about the logistics of handling tax-transactions at Furry Spring Break 2001.
This is going to be our procedure: At dealer check-in, each dealer will be
given tax paperwork and their name will be put on a roster going to the
FDoR. Saturday afternoon, that roster will be submitted to the FDoR's
records. After the con, it is up to each vendor to file their own
paperwork with the FDoR, who will have the roster of all vendor names
represented in the room. This layout will allow the flexibility for
walk-up dealers, and spontaneous sales.

No, we repeat, no paperwork needs to be submitted to the FDoR prior to the start of the convention. Everything will be distributed when
dealers (both confirmed and walk-up) check in to the dealer's room on Thursday and Friday.

VIDEO ROOM : We will have a video room set up for your furry viewing
pleasure. Anyone who has suggestions and/or contributions for
showing, feel free to contact yours truly at [email protected].

One notable contribution that has already been offered...you know him,
you love him, he's head over heels for a certain gorgeous mink...Mitch
Beiro will be presenting Midnight over Minerva at FSB! Come join
Minerva's #1 Fan as he presents classic Animaniacs shorts, as well as
every appearance (even if for a moment) of Minerva in the series.

We'll strive to keep you updated on the con as we get even closer to those magic dates...in the meantime, the best way to get day-to-day discussion with your fellow con-goers is to sign up for the FSB mailing lists! Follow the links on the web site, answer a few simple questions, and you're good to go.

Hope to see you at Furry Spring Break! Feel free to contact us if you have any questions not covered here or on the web site.

Thanks!

KFM!

(FSB Programming Guy)