by Marion Drakos prominent science fiction/fantasy writers, hobnob with klingons, at- tend a panel on colonizing new worlds and watch people in armour beat on each other with nasty look- ing weapons? No not that much abused suburb across the Fraser, but the one and only V-Con held May 25 -27 at Totem Residence, UBC. What is V-Con? Well, the or- ganisers call it "Vancover’s annual conveiition for fans of fantasy and science fiction." What I saw didn’t really look like a convention (the word convention brings to mind a bunch of yuppies snoring at a lec- ture on selling caskets to your grandmother). What I did see was something only fans of sci-fi and fantasy could love. Standing in line to register with my mildly interested friend I saw everything from Star Fleet Of- ficers drinking Romulan Ale to some strange guy who called him- self Ugly inviting people to watch a medieval-type arms tournament. I turned back to the program trying to figure out where the writers seminar was being held when my friend grabbed my arm. "Look! Klingons!" she hissed pointing across the hall at some elaborately dressed people striding past. "And with a Romulan," I said pointing to the women accompany- Review; Sinead O’ Connor Pacific Coliseum June 7th by Tamara Gorin Arriving late to concerts, even if you’re just fashionably late, and especially if you’re late to a place like the Coliseum, can mean any of the following things: a) you'll have to grope you way to your seat in the dark; b) once you get there you’ll have to kick some 15 year old tren- doid out of your seat; and c) you'll miss the meat of the opening act’s set, thereby making review almost impossible. (Opening acts like publicity too.) All of which happened to me the night of Sinead O’Connor’s show June 7th. Which is a real shame, because what I did get to see of Hugh Harris was quite good. His band were all competent musicians, and by the time I got there, they looked like they were having a pretty good time. Harris is Where can you go to see _ ing them. "Birds of a feather,” person standing behind me said. I turned around to look at the speaker. He was wearing a Star Fleet uniform. I looked through the program, trying not to laugh. Besides a lot of people in strange looking costumes there where seminars on writing, an art show and several interesting authors to meet. The writers in- cluded Elizabeth Ann Scarborough (recent winner of the Nebula Award for the "The Healer’s War"), Dave Duncan (author of "The Seventh Sword" and "Strings"), and Elizabeth A. Lynn (author of "Watchtower" and "The Silver Horse"). There also was a merchant’s quarter where you could buy some really neat things. Good quality used books where going for 50 cent. You could also buy natural soaps scented with things like rose petals. In one corner was a "work- ing" Star Trek bridge. (It didn’t really work. I tried to fire the photon torpedoes and the only thing the happened was some light came on. The Klingons got away.) Also in the merchants quarter was this guy selling swords and big mean looking daggers. He also was selling armour. I guess it was for the people who where afraid of the people with the swords and dag- gers. the type of performer who hangs intensely on the mike and wears loose shirts, which in turn hang off him as he sings. The music, a blend of jazz, soul, funk, pop, and a bit of reggae, was a nice contrast to what would come later. This was, of course, lost on the crowd, and I was left feeling Harris and his band probably would have fared better in a smaller venue with to a more appreciative audience. O’Connor stepped out on stage and her presence immediately filled the Coliseum. Beginning the set with a number of songs off I do not want what I haven’t got, she cleverly set fast-paced hip-hop against soaring ballads. O’Connor bopped, hopped, jumped, and skipped her way through songs like "Lay Your Hands On Me," and "Emperor’s New Clothes." She even jigged, ac- companied by a reel to reel in- strumentation of "I Am Stretched On Your Grave." The range of O’Connor’s Other Press Most people in attendance were there to meet people inter- ested in the same thing they are and to have a good time. This is where the "Diplomatic Reception" comes in. This "reception" was for the "Baroness" Amanda Kendal. People from all times (and planets) where invited to attend. In order to protect the Baroness from spies and possibly assassins, spies roamed trying to find those who weren’t quite who they said they were. That is, those who didn’t stay in charac- ter. (During the reign of King Henry VIII people did not "go to the office on Monday" so if you Sinead Skips and Soars voice continues to be amazing. She can whisper one beat and belt out the next without a pause. Her sing- ing can be gruff or sweet, angry or lyrical. Whether singing a cappella or accompanied by her more than talented band (the lead guitarist is formerly of Adam and the Ants), she is one of the few performers who can just be with her music. While the lighting and staging were very tastefully done, in some in- stances a single spotlight was all that was really needed. She is shy, but she gets past this with her sincerity and honesty. At the beginning of her show, O’- Connor told everyone they could dance. Which was all that was necessary to have kids streaming onto the floor area. Much to my surprise, the usual kafuffles that take place with the Coliseum atten- dants about such occurrences didn’t happen. Perhaps they were as be- witched by O’Connor as the rest of us were. June 25, 1990 said you were then you most defiantly were aspy!) The highlight of V-con was The Society for Creative Anachronism’s tournament. Three hours of people dressed in armour jousting was very entertaining. The best part of the tournament where the lavish costumes. These people must spend a lot of money on these clothes. Probably the worst thing I saw was the Star Trek debate. It was supposed to be a debate on whether Klingons should be al- lowed into the Confederation. No one seemed to know who asked who to join. The Klingons said they where asked to join the United Federation of Planets by the Con- federation but the Star Fleet of- ficers didn’t want them: Someone should have scripted this out to help the debate flow. Apparently some one had but no one could find it. All in all it was 1s defiantly a lot of fun and next year I think I'll check it out. For those who are in- terested there will be a similar con- vention in Victoria August 3-5. I-con 1 will feature author Michael Coney and an appearance by Michelle Nicholas (Uhura from Star Trek.) Also coming up is V-Con 19 | next July. Organisers are expecting | 2000 people to come to see authors William Gibson and C.J. Cherryh and to participate in a whole lot of silly but fun things. More information on I-Con can be obtained from P.O. Box 30004, Saanich Centre Postal Out- let, 104-3995 Quadra st., Victoria, V8X SE1, or by calling (604) 389- fI23: V-Con 19 will be held at Gan- ges Residence at U.B.C. next July 4-7. Tickets may be obtained by writing Westercon 44, Box 48478, Bentall Station, Vancover, B.C. Reviews&Previews&Reviews& Previews&Reviews&PreviewsS&? eviews&Previews&Reviews&Pre iews&Reviews&Previews&Revie s&Previews&Reviews&Previews& Reviews&Previews&Reviews In Pursuit of Wit, Intelligence , and of course, Happiness Pursuit of Happiness July 16th P.N.E. Exhibition Bowl by Marion Drakos Turning on the radio to listen to stations like LG73 can be a pain- ful experience in this age of mind- less pop groups like New Kids on the Block and the annoying rap of MC Hammer. That’s why groups like The Pursuit of Happiness are so refreshing. It’s nice to listen to a song with a catchy tune and intel- ligent lyrics. Calling themselves a cross be- tween AC/D and ABBA The Pur- suit of Happiness, singer Moe Berg, drummer Dave Gilby, singer- guitarist Chris Abbot, bassist Johnny Sinclair and singer Leslie Stanwyck, offers a blend of witty, intelligent lyrics and guitar heavy pop. Their first album, "Love Junk" went Platinum in Canada and spawned 3 big hits including "I’m an Adult Now" which was original- ly released in 1986 as an inde- pendent single. Chrysalis heard the single and signed the Toronto based band. Berg say’s he tries to approach serious matters in a lighthearted | way. He calls the song "Down on Him" the first feminist rock song ever about oral sex written by a man. He parallels the woman in the song performing oral sex on her boyfriend with women feeling sub- servient to men. Their new album is called "One Sided Story" and the first single is "Two Girls in One." The Pursuit of Happiness opens for Kim Mitchell July 16 out- doors at the P.N.E. Exhibition