Wikipedia / ConFusion
Wikipedia / ConFusion
For the 2021 Eastercon called ConFusion see the 2021 Eastercon
ConFusion is an annual science fiction convention founded in 1974 by a University of Michigan science fiction club known as the Stilyagi Air Corps, and is currently run by the Ann Arbor Science Fiction Association, a not-for-profit group. Typically, it is held during the third weekend of January. It is one of the oldest science fiction conventions in Michigan. ConFusion is a regional, general science fiction convention similar to Windycon and Lunacon. The programming consists of panels on science fiction and fantasy, literature, media, science, fandom, art, comics, music, costuming, etc. with discussions by authors, scientists, fans, and artists. There is a large music track, board games and roleplaying games, KidFusion a track of programming specifically for kids and a masquerade or costume contest.
ConFusion has a consuite, as well as room parties hosted by other conventions, WorldCon bids, and local clubs.
History
The Ann Arbor Relax-i-con was founded in 1974. Based on its success, the Stilyagi Air Corps named the new convention Condom as a takeoff of the word fandom. The chairman, Ro Nagey, was absent for the meeting about the name change and convinced them to use the name ConFusion instead. The name turned out to be prophetic as the first science Guest of Honor was the owner of local technology spin-off company KMS Fusion.
Because the first convention run by the organization was not actually named ConFusion, they are generally counted starting with ConFusion 13 in 1975 or with the A Squared Relax-I-Con (one of many intentionally confusing names voted on by the membership). The 1980 convention was aptly named Confusion 6 &/or 7, and ConFusion XXX in 2004 could be considered the 30th convention of that name, or 31st Stilyagi convention.
The Stilyagi Air Corps, named after a group in Robert A. Heinlein's The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, is a loose, informal group. Lifetime membership is free for anyone interested in science fiction who attends a single Stilyagi party, meeting, or event. The sponsoring organization, AASFA, is a Michigan nonprofit corporation board elected from Stilyagi who have volunteered to work on running ConFusion.
2024 Event
The 2024 event, titled Labyrinth of ConFusion was held on January 19 - 21 at the Novi Sheraton in Michigan. The notable panelists included Mark Oshiro, Kurt Erichsen BluRaven C. Houvener. Authors included Kelley Skovron, A. L. DeLeon, Marie Vibbert and Jordan Kurella.
Events included authors and experts in fields such as Dungeons and Dragons, neurodiversity, climate change, and NASA's plans to visit asteroids. A panel on Artificial intelligence was held. There was a screening of a Sci-fi fan created film from 1978 called FAANs. Many authors participated in book readings and book signings. Masquerade (pictured to the right) is always a popular event with judges naming the top three winners in each category. A flash fiction session was held where authors created short fiction stories in a limited time span, ranging from 15 minutes to an hour.
Steph C. was the Young Adult Guest of Honor.
2023 Event
The 2023 event titled Avatar: The Legend of ConFusion featured authors and speakers Chris Barkley, Kathe Koja, Jacob Pauwels, and Kat Malokofsky.
Years of ConFusion
ConFusion has been active from 1974 until present. The table below lists the year, name and Guests of Honor (GOHs) for each convention.
Year | Name | Pro | Fan | Artist | Scientist | Wild Card | Special Guest | Chair |
1974 | A2 Relax-I-Con | Ro Nagey | ||||||
1975 | ConFusion 13 | Ro Nagey | ||||||
1976 | ConFusion 12 | Ro Nagey | ||||||
1977 | ConFusion 14 | Ro Nagey | ||||||
Zita Kutkus | ||||||||
Larry Ward | ||||||||
1978 | ConFusion π | Jackie Causgrove | Larry Tucker | |||||
1979 | ||||||||
E/c2 ConFusion | ||||||||
(Mass ConFusion) | ||||||||
Scott Imes | ||||||||
Dave Innes | ||||||||
Larry Tucker | ||||||||
1980 | ConFusion 6 and/or 7 | Elliott Shorter | ||||||
Dave Innes | ||||||||
Larry Tucker | ||||||||
1981 | Nine Billion Names of ConFusion | Dave Innes | Nancy Tucker | |||||
1982 | ConFusion 11 | Neil Rest | Nancy Tucker | |||||
1983 | ConFusion 101 | Bill Cavin | Tara Edwards | |||||
1984 | Genuine ConFusion | Nancy Tucker | ||||||
1985 | Decadent ConFusion | Michelle Smith-Moore | ||||||
1986 | Perpetual ConFusion | Tom Barber | ||||||
1987 | Stark Raving ConFusion | Elizabeth 'Liz' Pearce | Erin McKee | Nancy Farmer | ||||
1988 | Ambulatory ConFusion | Larry Tucker | Nancy Farmer | |||||
1989 | ConFusion 102 | Linda Michaels | Tara Barber | |||||
1990 | State of ConFusion | |||||||
Michelle Smith-Moore | ||||||||
Garth Barbour | ||||||||
Kevin Davies | Erik Kauppi | |||||||
1991 | Immaculate ConFusion | Erik Kauppi | ||||||
1992 | Hardwired ConFusion | Rick Lieder | ||||||
Roberta Kennedy | ||||||||
John Woudstra | ||||||||
1993 | Transcendental ConFusion | |||||||
Pat Sims | ||||||||
Roger Sims | ||||||||
Randy Asplund | Greg Cronau | |||||||
1994 | ConFusion XX | Leah Zeldes Smith | Erin McKee | |||||
Barb Daoust | ||||||||
Carolyn Westbrooks | ||||||||
1995 | ConFusion 10101 | Laura Butler | ||||||
Karen Roe | ||||||||
Dennis Tabaczewski | ||||||||
1996 | Deviant ConFusion | Melody Faith | ||||||
Barb Daoust | ||||||||
Jeff Westbrook | ||||||||
1997 | ConFusion-17 | Joey Shoji | Mark Shappirio | Katherine Becker | ||||
1998 | ConFusion of the Winnebagos | Mary Ellen Wessels | Jane Irwin | |||||
Katherine Becker | ||||||||
Dennis Tabaczewski | ||||||||
1999 | Vintage ConFusion | Nancy Tucker Shaw | Katherine Becker | |||||
2000 | ConFusion 19100 | Dennis Tabaczewski | Frank Hayes | Tracy Worcester | ||||
2001 | Mystery God ConFusion | Tom Barber | Tammy Coxen | |||||
2002 | Astronomical ConFusion | Br. Guy Consolmagno | Tammy Coxen | |||||
2003 | ConFusion and Her Friends | Roberta Kennedy | Tammy Coxen | |||||
2004 | ConFusion XXX | Geri Sullivan | Anne Gray | |||||
2005 | 31 Flavors of ConFusion | |||||||
Derek Grime | Christian Ready | |||||||
(Toastmaster) | ||||||||
Anne Gray | ||||||||
2006 | Synthetic ConFusion | Chuck Firment | Steven Stiles | Krysta December | ||||
2007 | MoonBase ConFusion | Bill Higgins | Roxanne King | |||||
2008 | High-Voltage ConFusion | |||||||
The Roving Pirate Party | Kevin M. Dunn | |||||||
Throwing Toasters | ||||||||
(Music GoH) | ||||||||
Brendan Durrett | ||||||||
2009 | Cryptic ConFusion | Freon Michael Andaluz | Diana Harlan Stein | |||||
Ralph D. Lorenz | ||||||||
(Cryptic GoH) | ||||||||
Anne Gray | ||||||||
2010 | I See By My ConFusion | |||||||
David Gibbs | Steve Collins | |||||||
(Filk GoH) | ||||||||
Jessica Zerwas | ||||||||
2011 | This ConFusion Is Not Yet Rated | Lisa Garrison | ||||||
(Pro GoH) | ||||||||
Brian Decker | ||||||||
2012 | Epic ConFusion | Harley Thronson | ||||||
Roxanne Meida King | ||||||||
(Special GoH) | ||||||||
Brian Decker | ||||||||
2013 | Immortal ConFusion | |||||||
(Editor GoH) | ||||||||
(Special GoH) | ||||||||
Lucy Kennedy | ||||||||
2014 | Legendary ConFusion | Mark Bernstien | Rich Morris | |||||
Adam Matianazzi | ||||||||
(S2 Games) | ||||||||
Ryan Carey | ||||||||
2015 | Back to the ConFusion | Aaron Thul | ||||||
(Music GoH) | ||||||||
Cynthia Chestek | ||||||||
(Gaming GoHs) | ||||||||
Dave Klecha | ||||||||
2016 | Life, the Universe, and ConFusion | Jessica Drummer | ||||||
Gordon Smith | ||||||||
(Media GoH) | ||||||||
Cameron McClure | ||||||||
Anna Carey | ||||||||
2017 | Friendship is ConFusion | Mark Oshiro | Jeffrey Alan Love | Karen Burnham | ||||
(Media GoH) | ||||||||
Gillian Redfern | ||||||||
Anna Carey | ||||||||
2018 | ConFusion Through the Looking Glass | |||||||
Luke Ski | ||||||||
(Comedy GoH) | ||||||||
(Media GoH) | ||||||||
Gail Cross | ||||||||
Amy Sexsmith | ||||||||
2019 | Storming the Confusion | Dr. Jennifer Piatek | ||||||
Amy Sexsmith | ||||||||
2020 | How to Train Your ConFusion | Bogi Takacs | ||||||
Brandon O'Brien | ||||||||
(Creative GoH) | ||||||||
Dr. Julie Lesnik | ||||||||
Lithie Dubois | ||||||||
2021 | Event cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic | |||||||
2022 | Rising Confusion | Anna Carey | Rachel Quinlan (Artist) | Dr. Jordan Steckloff | ||||
(Comics/Creative Arts) | ||||||||
Lithie Dubois | ||||||||
2023 | Avatar: The Legend of ConFusion | Kathe Koja (Creative) | Jacob Pauwels (Media) | Kat Malokofsky | ||||
2024 | Labyrinth of ConFusion | Mark Oshiro | BluRaven C. Houvener | |||||
Steph C | ||||||||
(Young Adult Guest of Honor) | ||||||||
Chelle Green | ||||||||
2025 | Monumental ConFusion | AASFA Board | ||||||
2026 | ||||||||
2027 | TBD | TBD | TBD | |||||
Year | Name | Pro | Fan | Artist | Scientist | Wild Card | Special Guest | Chair |
References
External links