During the last days before FaerieCon, we learned that a very serious - but treatable - eye condition would prohibit Brian Froud from flying joining us in Philadelphia. And sadly, one day before the show, we learned that Alan Lee's mother had passed away and he could not attend. Alan had hoped she would rally so he could attend but sadly this did not happen. Finally, an issue regarding travel documents caused Omnia not to join us as well.

In the face of these events, all of us were deeply moved by the understanding and compassion we experienced from all of our guests. Wendy and Toby Froud and Alan's ex-wife Marja and his daughter wonderfully represented Brian and Alan and were deeply touched by your words of support and condolence as well as by the many messages written to Brian and Alan in books that were delivered personally to them. Both artists sincerely regretted not being able to attend, especially on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of FAERIES. We will be posting a video Brian made to his fans explaining his situation in the very near future.

These social and personal situations seemed to bring our guests together more intimately than last year. So many remarked on the positive, affirming energy in the room, the personable and inspiring spirit of our guest authors and artists, the exceptional beauty and quality of the vendors and the fun and good time that was had by all. Our new Faerie Academy workshops were an unqualified success and will be expanded and enhanced in the future. Food and drink in the room were a welcome addition. The Faerie Fashion Show and Costume Contest both drew massive and enthusiastic crowds and the new configuration of the room greatly improved traffic flow and opportunities for guests to gather and visit with each other.

As with last year, the Good Faeries & Bad Faeries Masquerade Balls were the highlight of the show and more popular - and packed! - than ever. Trillian Green in their East Coast premiere performance had the crowd on their feet and dancing each night and both Woodland and Qntal turned in show stopping sets. Priscilla Hernandez, of Spain, opened each evening with enchanting sets of her etheric and magical songs. And once again, the after hours party on Bad Faeries night was very, faerie bad!

As the changes we implemented this year evidence, we want you to know that we listen very seriously to all of your comments and suggestions about how to make FaerieCon better in every way and most important, to better reflect the spirit of faerie that inspires all of us. To this end, we are now actively in the process of moving the show into a convention hotel that would allow us to have our main hall in beautiful, fully carpeted and brightly lit exhibition space, and separate conference rooms for our workshops, presentations and panels. We are even considering adding a luncheon featuring our special guests and a keynote speaker. Best of all, all guests would be housed in the same hotel at the show, allowing you to visit your room to rest or change into your costume at your leisure. We do enjoy our present October dates, but we are considering a different location and new dates if it allows us to offer you the best experience possible.

Finally, we want to thank you for your support, passion and belief in FaerieCon. YOU are it's heart and soul; it is YOU that make it the magical and transformational experience that it is. Once again we have seen the inspiring and revitalizing energy we create when we come together united in the spirit of Faerie. This is so sorely needed in these challenging times. Please stay in touch with us and with each other: give each other love, compassion and support and attend other festivals to continually renew and refresh your spirit. It's time for us to come together and stand united under the banner of Faerie.

From all of us to all of you: thank you for being the radiant, beautiful beings that you are.
Faerie Blessings to you until we meet again!

Robert, Emilio and Kelly

BIG NEWS! FAERIECON 2008 STAGE SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR FAERIE ACADEMY WORKSHOPS

2008 MAIN STAGE:

FRIDAY OCTOBER 10TH – 1-6pm
1:00 Doors Open
1:30 Welcome
2:00 Music: Gypsy Nomads
3:00 Faeries 30th Anniversary: FaerieCon honors Brian Froud & Alan Lee, creators of this international best-selling book that defined the modern image of faeries for generations.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 11TH – 10-6pm
12:30 The Faerie Market Business School: with Robert Gould - Learn about the state of the faerie market and hear tips on how to market and sell your faerie wares.
1:40 Music: Trillian Green
2:30 Fairy Gifts: with Brian Froud, Caitlin Matthews, Ari Berk, Paul Borda - Faerie presence often brings unexpected surprises that can inspire, confound and transform. Our panelists share discoveries and revelations that emerge from working with the faerie tradition.
3:30 Faerie Fashion Show
4:45 Music: Omnia

SUNDAY OCTOBER 12TH – 10-5pm
11:00 Faeries in Graphic Novels: Charles Vess, Wendy Pini, Holly Black - The World of Faerie now thrives in this popular media. Four adventurers share their experiences in telling faerie stories with words and pictures.
1:00 Music: Mary Roth
2:00 Faerie Costume Contest
3:15 Music: Emilio and Kelly of Woodland
4:00 Farewell

2008 PANEL STAGE:

FRIDAY – 1-6pm
2:45 The Art of Helena Nelson-Reed: This remarkable mythic artist shares her visionary work that is a mystical merging of shamanistic, celtic and fantastic symbols and subjects.
4:00 A Visual History of Fantasy Art: with Charles Vess

SATURDAY 10-6pm
11:30 Collecting Faerie: with Diana Zimmerman - Using examples from her private collection, Kandide author Diana S. Zimmerman shares amazing examples of faerie themed bronzes, porcelains, silver, books, ephemera, paintings, inkwells, furniture, and jewelry.
12:00 Visions of Faerie: Charles Vess, Linda Ravenscroft, Ruth Sanderson, Wendy Pini, John Crawford - These accomplished artists discuss the different ways that the images of faeries manifest in their art.
1:00 The World of JRR Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” - Alan Lee: Master illustrator and concept designer is your personal guide through one of the greatest faerie stories ever written.
2:10 Fiction and Folklore: Holly Black, Ari Berk, Michael Buckley - Three accomplished authors talk about the opportunities and challenges of merging faerie folklore and fairytales with modern fiction.
3:00 Celtic Folk Soul - Jen Delyth / Christine Gunn: A visual presentation of Jen Delyth’s new book accompanied by Trillian Green’s cellist, Christien Gunn.
4:00 Faerieland goes Downtown: with Jessica Galbreth, Jasmine Becket Griffith, Joseph Corsentino - While more commonly considered the denizens of glen, woodland, and meadow, faeries have long been residents in urban settings, enjoying an urban renaissance in modern literature and art. We'll explore the history of, and recent fascination with, the urban otherworld phenomena.
5:15 Gifts of the Faerie Women: with Caitlin Matthews, Wendy Froud, Bridget Wolf - The roles of men and women are fluid and ever-shifting in tales of Faerie; Some Faerie women beguile, enchant, and entrap, while others are the embodiments of motherhood and brave heroines.

SUNDAY 10-5pm
12:00 The Art of Kinuko Craft: A visual presentation of the work and personal commentary by the artist, one of the most accomplished and acclaimed romantic painters of our time.
1:00 Landscape, Wonder, and Memory: with Alan Lee, Ari Berk, John Matthews - All faerie stories begin and end with the Land. Three masters of faerie lore and legend describe their relationship with the Land and how its magic imbued itself into their life and work.
2:30 Faerie in 3-D: with Wendy Froud, Charles Vess, Forest Rogers - Three master sculptors share their philosophies about bringing images of faerie alive in three dimensions.