Con*Stellation

Con†Stellation (also written as Con*Stellation) is an annual general-interest science fiction convention held in Huntsville, Alabama. It is hosted by the North Alabama Science Fiction Association.

Con†Stellation history

NASFA was founded in Huntsville circa 1980 partly as a result of local fans meeting at one-time convention named MidSouthCon, held in Huntsville that year. (This convention is not directly related to the annual convention of the same name in Memphis Tennessee.) Club members quickly came up with the idea of starting their own science fiction convention. The first of these was a mini one-day con named ZerCon, in November 1981. While planning and executing ZerCon, the club came up with the name "Con*Stellation" (or "Con†Stellation") for a planned ongoing series of longer (three-day) conventions.

The first Con†Stellation was held 16–18 July 1982 under the full name Con†Stellation I: The Pleiades. The time of year varied over the first few conventions, though at least one has been held each year since. In 1983-1984, the convention made the shift from a spring/summer convention to a fall convention. To aid the transition, a two-day mini-convention was held in December of '83, thus avoiding an extremely long gap between Con†Stellation II and Con†Stellation III. Because the convention had already started using Roman numerals for numbering the series, the mini-convention was numbered as Con†Stellation II.V, a deliberate, tongue-in-cheek, mix of Roman numerals and place notation from Arabic numerals.

Each Con†Stellation has been subtitled with an astronomical constellation — usually one of the 88 official modern constellations, though the first one was named after a group of stars in Taurus. The convention often uses the constellation as a theme in its advertising and for events at the convention.

Con†Stellation has been held at a number of Huntsville-area hotels over its history. Other than Con†Stellation II.V, each has been a 3-day (Friday to Sunday) event.

Con†Stellation XXVI: Ophiuchus

The most recent convention in the series was Con†Stellation XXVI: Ophiuchus, which was held 12-14 October 2007 at the Huntsville, Alabama, Holiday Inn Express. The Guest of Honor was Mike Shepherd Moscoe. The Fan Guest of Honor was Pat McAdams. The Master of Ceremonies was Dr. Travis S. Taylor. Julie Cochrane, Hugo-nominated editorLou Anders, and William H. Drinkard also attended.

Con†Stellation XXVII: Cassiopeia

The next convention in the series will be Con†Stellation XXVII: Cassiopeia, to be held October 17–19 2008 in Huntsville, Alabama. The Guest of Honor will be Diane Duane. The Artist Guest of Honor will be Bill Holbrook. The Master of Ceremonies will be Mike Resnick. Other guests include Peter Morwood and Laura Resnick; plus Lou Anders, Julie Cochrane, William Drinkard, Allan Gilbreath, Les Johnson, Stephanie Osborn, Bill Snodgrass, and Dr. Travis S. "Doc" Taylor; with a musical appearance by Jeff Ugly Shoes & the Cemetery Surfers.