Herne's Con
| Convention | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Herne's Con |
| Dates: | 1989-1991 |
| Frequency: | twice |
| Location: | Cornell University, New York |
| Type: | fan run, celebrity guest |
| Focus: | Robin of Sherwood |
| Organization: | |
| Founder: | Carol M. Burrell and Tina Thompson |
| Founding Date: | |
| URL: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Herne's Con was a fan-run Robin of Sherwood con. There were three.
It is where the 1989-1990 Major Oak Awards were presented.
1989
1990
- June 1-3, 1990
- Guests of Honor: Mark Ryan and Terry Walsh
A fan remembers: "... Son of Herne's Con in Ithaca, New York last June... it was the most enjoyable and interesting con I've been to in any fandom! All the people I met and got to talk with were extremely friendly and very knowledgeable on a huge range of subjects. I was sorry to go home at the end of the event." [1]
1991
- also called "Son of Herne's Con"
- May 31-June 2
- Guests of Honor: Richard "Kip" Carpenter and Mark Ryan
The subject of slash came up at this con:
These characters were created by Kip and should remain within the bounds he created. True, he does not have ownership of the legendary characters, but as they are represented in RoS, yes he does. Generously, he has given his permission for us to play in his universe as long as we remain true to what he created (he told us this at Son of Herne's Con). Therefore, a writer must tread very carefully when attributing to a character abilities that were never manifested in the show. [2]
Another description from a con-goer:
Lights were on, even at the late hour of midnight... I pulled up a chair in the Cowcliffes room to listen to what was left of Lonnie-A-Dale's Second Annual Bad Ballad Bonanza and Free Verse Freestyle. Poetry and tunes had obviously been abandoned for the more energetic topic of slash in fandom literature. Even coming in late, I picked up quickly that our Merrie guest Mark "Nasir" Ryan doesn't ever want to find his character in such a situation. 'Twas of great interest to learn that the professorish gent with him, none other than our other guest, Richard Carpenter, wouldn't object to seeing the dear Sheriff handled in such a fashion. Interesting discussion to mull over... [3]
Some other statements regarding fanwork content is what is quoted in the first issue of Forbidden Forest. This issue has a dedication to Kip Carpenter, "who told us at Son of Herne's Con: 'If you're going to do a dirty 'zine, don't mess about...do it all the way!'"
The zine The Sacrificial King debuted at this con. See "An Open Letter to Concerned Fans" printed in Osiris Files #7.
1991: Con Report
Opening ceremonies with the guest panel went off very smoothly this year. Sitting back, listening to what Mark had been up to with his GREEN ARROW comic and his film projects was great. And Richard Carpenter -- what do you say? Conversations, even at a panel, bearing a striking resemblance to a seminar with a European-style professor.
a photo by a fan, Robin Dale, which portrays the two guests of honor, Richard Carpenter and Mark Ryan: "Properly, they should have been labelled Uncle Kip's Court, because we hung on his every word."Perhaps a little disappointing was a bonfire that was rained out Friday evening. Blankets and instruments were then moved indoors and filking continued in the hallway by the large fireless fireplace -- nothing stops a Merrie!
Four Fan Panels, coordinated by Laura Chevening, were held over the course of the con. One topic was Women in RoS, where the panelists discussed their comparative strengths. Along with Cindy Fairbanks, Kitty Gamarra and Jenni, the guests of honour sat in on the panel. This led to discussing the actresses who had been on the show.... Other topics for panels were Religion, Politics, and Fanzines.
[...]
Costuming was the panel of my choice once gofer duties were completed in the video room. Kathy Harmon and Karen Rubricht were very knowledgeable and offered practical hints on RoS outfits as well as explanations of the different degrees of skills and classes that could be found in con competitions, as well as costume-only events.
Jessup Field was the con destination around 1:00. The Archery Contest for the Silver Arrow ran very smoothly this year, thanks to Linda Furey and her dedicated crew. Not an arrow lost, well, not for long anyway. Three arrows were allowed each archer and the 6 highest scores were given a last arrow. How exiting to watch Janet VanMeter out-shoot all comers -- even the infamous Saracen, Mark Ryan. (Okay, so Mark took his turn AFTER the meet was officially decided on!)
[...]
Hungry, costumed guests began arriving at the Great Hall for the evening meal and they dined royally! Meat pasties, pork, chicken and cheeses were offered for the banquet. Entertainment was a Greek Tragedy performed by the Silver Wheel company in which the sisterhood of Arianrhod helps poor suffering Tom overcome all ills in a rather ultimate cure. Ahem... and then offer a game of ancient bean bags for those brave souls willing to take a turn reaching for the stars. Plus, what RoS meal would be complete without a reenactment of the Candle Parvane from Herne's Son with Jenni as Marion, John Hennig as Owen of Clun and Derrick Dasenbrok as Robert of Huntingdon!
After we had eaten and drank our fill and tossed the cloved orange about for kisses, the hall was cleared for the art and charity auction and costume contest.
[...]
Popular vote, and the generosity and kindness of the local Ithaca powers-that-be rounded the evening out with a second and less wet bonfire in the courtyard. The local police also joined in, but not officially -- just because we were the only action in town!
Herne's Son-Day found me on duly with the VCR for the bulk of the day. I did check out the beginnings of the Major Oak Awards, however - John (trading Owen in for a Loxley garb), Jenni (Marion), Derrick (Huntingdon), Sandy Williams (the ever-discontented Will Scarlet) and Kitty (as a Marion-clone) explained the awards for the fandom's literature and art for 1989 and 1990. Rache had kept them all in rehearsals when and wherever she could catch them and it showed. The sketches were a delight and even Kip got in on the act from time to time.
The closing guest panel and closing ceremonies blurred one into another from Cowcliffes to the Great Hall. Properly, they should have been labelled Uncle Kip's Court, because we hung on his every word. A Fourth Season explanation of Marion staying in the Nunnery for a few episodes, assisting the band for one, and finally returning to Sherwood to marry Robert received mixed emotions, but ye couldn't argue. Kip was in charge. News of the upcoming documentary with MYTH, MAN, AND MOVIE was also well received--anytime to see our Merries on the tube.
Over the course of the con, we were entertained by several impromptu filksinging sessions. The filkers included Rache, Jenni, Peg Kennedy, Cris Martins, Ana Casacuberta, Barbara Mater, Hilda Marshall, Linda Furey sang a played her flute, Debbie Linn, Nancy Hutchins, Ruth Dempsey, etc. Cheryl Belkin played her bagpipes outside, as well.
Family atmosphere filled the gofer party that night. Cameras flashed. Mead was passed. Conversation flowed as freely as the munchies. When we moved from the Great Hall to the steps for a group shot, we stayed there for a wonderful filking with new tunes. Richard Carpenter stunned us all by reading an absolutely beautiful Robin of Sherwood poem which he had written sometime that weekend. Getting into the spirit of the fandom, he submitted it to Albion! The culmination of this session was Rache's performance of MERRIE MEET AGAIN, a filk which truly expresses the feeling of friendship a dry eye there, including Richard, as we all embraced.
The Warmth and Magic had carried through. The year between? It never happened. [4]
Herne's Con: The Movie
Both cons were filmed and were available to fans for purchase.
