Published February 18, 2004

Visioncon knows women can be galactic leaders!

By Philip Dickey
News-Leader

When Springfield resident Diana Botsford attended her first science fiction convention in 1976, she was overwhelmed by the realm of male Trekkies.

Now, the writer of hit "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episodes is a speaker at this weekend's 14th Visioncon convention — with the theme "Women in the Art of the Fantastic!"

Botsford and convention organizers are eager to shed their thick masks and reputations to reveal science fiction's feminine side.

The event at the Clarion Hotel, which organizers promote as family-friendly, has games, makeup workshops, sci-fi celebrities, art, dances, a costume contest and more.

"Visioncon is really well known in game-playing circles around the country," says Botsford, who recently created an anime show and is writing a speculative fiction book. "I'm very excited to be a guest speaker."

Botsford is discussing science fiction writing and the state of women in Hollywood.

She thinks female science-fiction characters in movies and novels are becoming role models for young girls.

The industry is changing, as well, she says: "It was (once) very hard to sell science-fiction books as a woman author."

Now, women are leading much of the galaxy — and Visioncon 2005, where organizers expect up to 1,000 participants.

Other guests include Hollie Linn, an artist displaying her laser and physics creations; and Mira Furlan, the Yugoslavian star of the sci-fi hits "Babylon 5" and "Lost." Furlan is also conducting a yoga class on Saturday afternoon (for an additional fee).

Furlan's class is appropriate, considering it takes flexibility to define the genre of events this weekend.

"Everybody gets together and has a good time. That's the whole point of it," said Joyce Reedy, president of Visioncon. "It's hard to explain if you've never been."

Visioncon began as a simple "Game Day" 15 years ago, but has grown to focus also on hit movies, television shows, comics, speculative fiction and belly dancing.

That's right. Two belly dancing groups are performing in preparation for the "Big Dance" on Saturday night.

Still, no one worries about defining the parameters of the Clarion Hotel's alternate universe — where Darth Vaders mingle with Jedis and medieval re-creationists casually check out the latest laser art.

Sound like a strange spectacle?

Not at all, says Botsford, who's also judging the costume contest.

"It's an opportunity to explore an aspect of yourself that doesn't get to exist on this plane of reality," she says.

Two female visitors to a previous Visioncon science fiction convention pause to admire a Klingon sword.

News-Leader File Photo

MORE ABOUT THIS STORY

Want to go?

What: Visioncon 2005

When: Noon today through 4 p.m. Sunday

Where: Clarion Hotel, 3333 S. Glenstone Ave.

Admission: $30 at the door for the entire weekend; $20 for Saturday only (until 9 p.m.) and $15 for Saturday only for ages 11 to 16; free for children 10 and younger; $50 extra for the yoga class on Saturday; free admission to the dealers' room and art show

Information: 886-7219 or www.visioncon.net

HIGHLIGHTS:

Today

5 p.m. — Opening ceremony

6 — Meet Mira Furlan

9 — "Writing Science Fiction for Television & Film" with Diana Botsford

Saturday

2 p.m. — Red Moon Tribe and Beledi, Bellydance & Ancient Arts demonstration

4 — "The World of Comics" with Mike Worley, Fredd Gorham and Gary Bedell; and the yoga class with Mira Furlan

11 — The Big Dance