Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 42

3 By Leslie Minkowski Nothing to get your weekend kicking like some serious filking. "If they really get going, you'll have people spilling out into the hallway, filking," predicts Kevin Riley, who seems excited about the prospect of dozens of Friday night filkers. As well he should. Filking is nothing to fear, unless you fear fun, science fiction style. Starting around 5 this afternoon, local sci-fi fans will boldly go where they have been before, to Confluence '93, the sixth annual Pittsburgh Science Fiction Conference.

The event promises lively talk, fanciful art, a salad bar and, through it all, some serious filking. Riley, publications director for the conference, says that Confluence has its own unique style. The event, sponsored by PARSEC the Pittsburgh Area Realtime Science Fiction Enthusiasts Club has a format that relies more heavily on panel discussions of literature and science than on talk of fan etiquette and movie plot lines. This differs from more traditional really get a great ratio. These peo- pie don't run away and hide." Many of them will retreat to the hospitality suite, where this year PARSEC is providing a salad bar, rather than the standard junk food.

Another place to venture: the dealer's room, which will contain books and T-shirts and a variety of artwork. Art shows tomorrow and Sunday will give professionals and amateurs a forum for their work; a series of workshops in watercolors, pencil and fast art from published pros will help amateurs gain artistic warp speed. There is also a costume contest and an author interview. And, of course, filking, led by the group On the Mark. Filking is nothing more than folk singing, but fans have been calling it that for years.

Riley says the story goes that at a conference in the '50s, a typo mislabeled "folk singing" as "filk singing." So fans have gone filking ever since. OK, so it's not that dramatic. But to a group of science fiction fans, being able to explain any mystery definitively is no small thing. CONFLUENCE '93 The conventions runs through Sunday at the Palace Inn, Monroeville. Admission is $25 for the weekend, or $12 for one day.

Call 344-0456. rective," asking whether Earth travelers have the right to iirmose their culture on alien worlds, or whether they should make like the "Star Trek" crew, follow the Prime Directive and leave well enough alone (something the celestially randy Capt. Kirk often forgot). Tomorrow at 10 a.m., a panel addresses "Mythology in Space: What Are Those Guys in Togas Doing on the Starship?" At 1 1 a.m., panelists try to predict the future and the possible effects of technology. At 3 p.m., there will be talk of transgenics a talk that promises to explain what transgenics is as well as a discussion about whether authors should recycle stories and worlds created by other authors.

At 5 p.m., a panel debates whether sci-fi is getting better or worse. Workshops on Sunday address women in science fiction, historical figures and the mildly ominous nanotechnology. Panelists include John DeChan-cie, author of the "Castle Perilous" book series, and William Tenn (Philip Klass), a Penn State University professor and short story writer who, as Riley says, "is anthologized everywhere." In all, about 20 authors will come from all over the eastern United States. "Here's the thing that's neat," Riley says. "We have over 20 professional authors, and with our membership being about 300, you cons the nickname fans have for conferences such as the crosscountry Star Trek blowouts.

"It's very, very different," he explains. "The major difference is that 'Star Trek' cons are put on by professional promoters. Their main objective is to separate 'Star Trek' fans from their money Confluence is run by science fiction fans. We've never made money on this we just do this for fun. Our main objective is to present interesting programming and help people to have a good time." Most of the programming this year focuses on the thing upon which science fiction thrives the unlimited realm of possibility with, of course, some "Star Trek" thrown in for fun.

Panels of authors and other experts offer their insights, with fans weighing in. Here are some highlights: Tonight at 6, a panel discussion says "To Hell With the Prime Di oooooooooo 1 itaiia nail Anivtif 8 WHITE QAX REGIONAL PARK Free admission parking Rrinn a hlankpt rr chair 0 Sponsored by TOM CLARK CHEVROLET A MASSIE LINCOLN-MERCURY TOYOTA McKEESPORT CHRYSLER-PLYMOUTH JOHN NARETTO BUICK ooooooooooo fflarneyStone estauranl THE KANDER EBB MUSICAL Spacing ou Science fiction fans convene to 'filk'and boldly discuss issues alien to daily life. iir NATIONAL RIB MUSIC FESTIVAL at THREE RIDERS STADIUM PITTSBURGH JULY 15-10 Admission 11am-1pm 1pm-4pm 4pm-11pm cNWren under 10: 12 Price Parking Only S2.00 Featuring National Local Rib Vendor Special LUNCHTIME OFFER Thurs. Frl. Only Admission Selected Food Refreshment Items ONLV $1.88 1 lam-lpm only Today FRI.JULV 16 5pm 6 KDKA RADIO BO DIDDLEY CHUBBY CHECKER performing noon Gate JERRY WILLIAMS SHT.

JULY 17 KANSAS with special guest AIRBORNE Also performing at Gets 1 1am Lee Alveison; Dharma Sons; Stone Romeo SUN. JULY IB 3 DOG NIGHTtuf ipus special guest el-mcntcs a so ror in kkjs. BOBBY WORLD 2-4pm) Plus a Spectacular Zambelli Flremorlc i Oisplau 19 Liaban f.HA 1. ffff'SKINTASTIC OLSON HOOTERS 12 Off wproof of purctuwe of eny Country llnr proauci or PHwny npw mwm Produced by OiCsssre Emj(f A Total Evant Sarvlo Jt fSMitMaMrMtMMft CO PL Webster Hall, Oakland FREE VALET PARKING HDEAHMDWC Instead of moving to the country they fell in love with, a Sewickley couple thoroughly recreated the charm of Ireland in their home. Today's Homes Plus section, found in your home-delivered Post-Gazette, showcases this couple's vision-turned-reality.

Plus, advertising from Silo and Sun TV Appliances. Sunday July 18 1 to 6 Traditional summer games for children With today's home-delivered edition. fHtteburgb ftost-6a2dtc For home delivery, call 263-1121 Music by Bobby Shawn Tours of the" Village Adults S6.00 Senior Citizens $3.00 Children 6-16 $3.00 Directions Information (412) 587-3412 Avella, PA mmM VILLAGE Hf 10 Weekend, July 16, 1993.