ConFusion

ConFusion is an annual science fiction convention organized by the Stilyagi Air Corps and its parent organization, the Ann Arbor Science Fiction Association. Commonly, it is held the third weekend of January. It is the oldest science fiction convention in Michigan, a regional, general SF con similar to Windycon and Lunacon. The programming consists of panels on science fiction and fantasy literature, media, science, fandom, art, comics, music, costuming, etc. with discussions by authors, scientists, fans, and artists. There is a large music track, board and roleplaying games, KidFusion — a track of programming specifically for kids — and a masquerade or costume contest.

ConFusion
Left to right: John Scalzi, Karl Schroeder, Justine Larbalestier, Scott Westerfeld and James Frenkel on a panel at
"ConFusion 2008".
StatusActive
GenreScience Fiction, Fantasy, Fandoms
Venuein 2016: Novi Sheraton, Mi
2013-2015: Dearborn Doubletree, Mi
2003-2012: Troy Marriot, Mi
Location(s)Michigan
CountryUnited States
Inaugurated1974
Attendance800-1000 attendees annually
Organized byAnn Arbor Science Fiction Association
WebsiteConFusionSF.org

ConFusion has a consuite as well as room parties hosted by other conventions, WorldCon bids, and local clubs.

History

The Ann Arbor Relax-i-con was founded in 1974. Based on its success, AASFA named the new convention "Condom" as a takeoff of the word "fandom." The chairman, Ro Nagey, was absent for the meeting about the name change and convinced them to use the name 'ConFusion' instead. The name turned out to be prophetic as the first science Guest of Honor was the owner of local technology spin-off company KMS Fusion.

Because the first con run by the organization was not actually named ConFusion, they are generally counted starting with ConFusion 13 in 1975 (one of many intentionally confusing names voted on by the membership). The 1980 con was aptly named Confusion 6 &/or 7, and ConFusion XXX in 2004 could be considered the 30th convention of that name, or 31st Stilyagi con.

The Stilyagi Air Corps, named after a group in Robert A. Heinlein's The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, is a loose, informal group, lifetime membership is free for anyone interested in Science Fiction who attends a single Stilyagi party, meeting, or event. The sponsoring organization, AASFA, is a Michigan nonprofit corporation board elected from Stilyagi who have volunteered to work on running ConFusion.

Years of ConFusion

Year Name Pro Fan Artist Scientist Wild Card Chair
1974 A2 Relax-I-Con Lloyd Biggle, Jr Howard DeVore Ro Nagey
1975 ConFusion 13 Frederik Pohl Mike Glicksohn Ro Nagey
1976 ConFusion 12 Lloyd Biggle, Jr Bill Bowers Ro Nagey
1977 ConFusion 14 Poul Anderson Ro Lutz-Nagey Zita Kutkus, Lary Ward
1978 ConFusion π Kate Wilhelm Jackie Causgrove Larry Tucker
1979 E/c2 ConFusion (Mass ConFusion) Spider and Jeanne Robinson Scott Imes Dave Innes, Larry Tucker
1980 ConFusion 6 and/or 7 Stanley Schmidt Elliott Shorter Dave Innes, Larry Tucker
1981 Nine Billion Names of ConFusion Barry B. Longyear Dave Innes Nancy Tucker
1982 ConFusion 11 Phyllis Eisenstein Neil Rest Nancy Tucker
1983 ConFusion 101 C. J. Cherryh Bill Cavin Tara Edwards
1984 Genuine ConFusion Mike Resnick Martha Beck Nancy Tucker
1985 Decadent ConFusion Alan Dean Foster Julia Ecklar Michelle Smith-Moore
1986 Perpetual ConFusion Somtow Sucharitkul Bill Roper Frank Kelly Freas Tom Barber
1987 Stark Raving ConFusion Katherine Kurtz Liz Pearce Erin McKee Nancy Farmer
1988 Ambulatory ConFusion Joe Haldeman Larry Tucker David Cherry Nancy Farmer
1989 ConFusion 102 Barbara Hambly Ted Reynolds Linda Michaels Tara Barber
1990 State of ConFusion Hal Clement Michelle Smith-Moore, Garth Barbour Kevin Davies Erik Kauppi
1991 Immaculate ConFusion Esther Friesner S. P. Somtow Robin Wood Erik Kauppi
1992 Hardwired ConFusion Walter Jon Williams Rusty Hevelin Rick Lieder Roberta Kennedy,John Woudstra
1993 Transcendental ConFusion Fred Saberhagen Pat & Roger Sims Randy Asplund-Faith Greg Cronau
1994 ConFusion XX Joan D. Vinge Leah Zeldes Smith Erin McKee Barb Daoust, Carolyn Westbrooks, Jeff Westbrook
1995 ConFusion 10101 Pamela Sargent Wilson "Bob" Tucker Laura Butler Geoffrey A. Landis Karen Roe, Dennis Tabaczewski
1996 Deviant ConFusion Tim Powers Melody Asplund-Faith Bob Eggleton Geoffrey A. Landis Barb Daoust, Jeff Westbrook
1997 ConFusion-17 Samuel Delaney Joey Shoji Susan VanCamp Mark Shappirio Katherine Becker
1998 ConFusion of the Winnebagos Connie Willis Mary Ellen Wessels Jane Irwin Marvin Minsky Katherine Becker, Dennis Tabaczewski
1999 Vintage ConFusion Lois McMaster Bujold Nancy Tucker Shaw Doug Chaffee Carl Djerassi Katherine Becker
2000 ConFusion 19100 Maureen F. McHugh Dennis Tabaczewski Frank Hayes Eric Raymond Tracy Worcester
2001 Mystery God ConFusion Sarah Zettel Tom Barber Carla Speed McNeil Bruce Schneier Tammy Coxen
2002 Astronomical ConFusion George R.R. Martin Heather Alexander Pete Abrams Br. Guy Consolmagno Tammy Coxen
2003 ConFusion and Her Friends Melissa Scott Roberta Kennedy Alan Clark Jack Cohen Tammy Coxen
2004 ConFusion XXX Bruce Sterling Geri Sullivan Julie Bell Ron Westrum Anne Murphy
2005 31 Flavors of ConFusion Emma Bull & Will Shetterly David G. Hartwell & Kathryn Cramer Derek Grime Christian Ready Steven Brust (Toastmaster) Anne Murphy
2006 Synthetic ConFusion Vernor Vinge Chuck Firment Steven Stiles Mitchell Burnside-Clapp Krysta December
2007 MoonBase ConFusion Elizabeth Moon Bill Higgins Steve MacDonald Paul "PZ" Myers Roxanne King
2008 High-Voltage ConFusion Justine Larbalestier & Scott Westerfeld The Roving Pirate Party Carl Lundgren Kevin M. Dunn Throwing Toasters (Music GoH) Brendan Durrett
2009 Cryptic ConFusion Cat Rambo Freon (Michael Andaluz) Diana Harlan Stein Elizabeth Turtle & Ralph D. Lorenz Cory Doctorow (Cryptic GoH) Anne Murphy
2010 I See By My ConFusion Peter S. Beagle, Catherynne Valente David Gibbs Matt Busch Steve Collins SJ Tucker (Filk GoH) Jessica Zerwas
2011 This ConFusion Is Not Yet Rated Cherie Priest Lisa Garrison-Ragsdale Aubrey de Grey Paolo Bacigalupi (Pro GoH) Brian Decker
2012 Epic ConFusion Patrick Rothfuss Tom Smith Harley Thronson Roxanne Meida King (Special GoH) Brian Decker
2013 Immortal ConFusion Charles Stross James Davis Nicoll Scott Edelman (Editor GoH) Jennifer Ouellette Mary Robinette Kowal (Special GoH) Lucy Kennedy
2014 Legendary ConFusion Mike Carey Mark Bernstien Rich Morris Ian Tregillis S2 Games (Adam Matianazzi) Ryan Carey
2015 Back to the ConFusion Karen Lord Aaron Thul Heather Dale (Music GoH) Cynthia Chestek Monte Cook & Shanna Germain (Gaming GoHs) Dave Klecha
2016 Life, the Universe, and ConFusion Alaya Dawn Johnson Jessica Zerwas Gordon Smith (Media GoH) Kentaro Toyama TBA Anna Carey
2017 Friendship is ConFusion Gail Carriger Mark Oshiro Jeffrey Alan Love Karen Burnham TBA TBA
2019 Storming the Confusion Ada Palmer David Stein Dr. Jennifer Piatek Joe R. Lansdale, Lewis Shiner (Special GoHs) TBA

References

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