Masquerade
Welcome to the LoneStarCon 3 Masquerade!
The Worldcon Masquerade is a judged costuming competition and stage show. Entrants are divided into divisions based on the costuming skill levels of the participants, and judged by a panel selected by the Masquerade Director, Jill Eastlake.
Our Masquerade will be held on Saturday, August 31st, 2013. The doors open at 7:30pm, and the big show itself will start at 8pm. This is a very popular show, but there will be plenty of seating in the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott San Antonio River Center, so bring all your friends!
If you are considering entering please look here for more details. We have a 50 entry limit this year, so please pre-register online here to be sure to reserve a spot. It will be required that you check in at the Masquerade Registration Desk in the Convention Center to schedule your required rehearsal.
For first timers, here’s a little about what to expect at the Masquerade Event:
- Our Toastmaster, Paul Cornell, will act as the Master of Ceremonies for the evening. The show starts with a brief introduction of the competition’s Division System.
- Paul will introduce each Young Fan, and they will present their costumes individually on stage. There will be a brief break while the Judges confer about the Young Fan entries, and then all of those entrants will be acknowledged on stage. We hope to be able to release the Young Fan entrants by 9pm.
- The show proceeds with all the other entries in an order selected by the Masquerade Director. The entries range from less than half a minute to a few minutes, depending upon the complexity of the presentation, and whether it is presented by an individual or a group. The limit of 50 entries includes Young Fans. This run-through is estimated to finish before 11pm. The judges then leave the hall to deliberate on the awards.
- We are planning a great Half Time show of music by Special Guest Leslie Fish, and magic by Drew Heyen. You’ll want to stay for this!
- The judges will come back with a list of the winners in each division and category. Awards will be given for both Workmanship and Presentation, and the winners will be called on stage to receive their ribbon awards.
- The show ends, and generally lots of parties begin, including LoneStarCon’s Conjunto Dance! Check the Pocket Program, Daily Newsletters and Party Boards for information about what is happening for the remainder of the night.
We will be using the International Costumers' Guild (ICG) Fairness Guidelines Division System for entries. As a reference, please visit the Fairness Guidelines website.
This ensures that:
- Young fen (those under 13 at the beginning of the convention) compete with each other
- Novices (those competing for the first time or having not won any ribbons for any costumes on stage) compete against each other
- Journeymen (those competing with one to three world class wins for any costumes on stage) compete against each other; and
- Masters or Craftsmen (those who are in the costuming and/or clothing business, or have three or more world class wins as a journeyman or any world class wins as a master or craftsman) compete against each other.
However, anyone may compete at a more difficult level if they choose, and anyone may win “Best in Show” should the judges decide to give a Best in Show (and there have been novices who have won “Best in Show”). There will be detailed Workmanship judging in all divisions.
Even if you have never competed before, you are encouraged to enter the Masquerade! Read more Information for Entrants here. If in doubt, contact the Masquerade Director at masquerade@lonestarcon3.org.
Remember, with a limit of 50 entries, sign up early to insure your spot in the Masquerade. You must check in at the convention, so read the information for Entrants carefully.
Other great places to look for costuming information and pictures:
Our Half-Time Performers
Two performers will heighten the evening, alternating their performances while the judges are out.
Convention Special Guest Leslie Fish will honor us by singing at Half Time. For more about Leslie, visit her site.
A magician since 1995, Drew Heyen, first joined the Texas Renaissance Festival in 1991, portraying a wide variety of characters. In 1999, he pioneered his stage show at the Excalibur Fantasy Festival in Smithville, Texas, remaining the headline act for six years. In 2000, Drew began performing close-up magic as the King's Magician in the streets of the Festival, continuing on as an independent performer through 2011. As well, he is an accomplished entertainer working private and corporate events for Houston’s top event planners.
And don’t forget – one of the best ways to participate in the production of the Masquerade is to volunteer! We can’t do it without you – and we’ll need help for all aspects of the Masquerade. Want to see everything up close and personal? We can use your help in the Green Room. Want to be in the middle of the action? Become a ninja for the evening, wearing black, being by the stage and insuring the safety of our Entrants. Want to document the costumes in photos? We'll have a fan photo area. Want to do more? Write to us at masquerade@lonestarcon3.org, and we'll chat.
We're looking forward to a great Masquerade, with a special category called “Deep in the Heart of Texas.” So join us ― we’ll have a blast!
