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Califur 4 gets mixed reviews

Edited as of Sun 27 Dec 2009 - 05:38
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A new hotel and the steampunk theme were the most noticeable things about Califur this year. Held May 15-18 at the Hyatt Regency in Irvine, California, the fifth Califur convention attracted 587 registered attendees.[1]

After con staff felt that they had outgrown the Holiday Inn, they arranged for Califur 4 to be held at the Hyatt Regency. Califur 4 did not come close to filling the event space in the hotel, as there was a wedding, a senior prom, and other events the same weekend.[2][3][4]

Hotel staff put up a black curtain to separate Califur areas from space being used by the other events, which annoyed some Califur attendees.[2][5][6] There were reports that non-Califur people, some possibly drunk, were disregarding the curtain and bothering Califur attendees.[7][8]

Some attendees felt that the convention was unwelcome at the hotel,[6][5][9] but most still admit that individual hotel staff were friendly or at least professionally polite.[10][2]

The tabletop gaming, video theater, and electronic gaming rooms, while not 24 hours, were open all during convention hours and generally got good reviews. [3][11]

Some attendees were dissatisfied that some panels seemed to have no lead or none that showed up.[9][12] The guests of honour this year were Keovi, Kitsumi and SteamFox, who each had their own panel.[13]

The Ice Cream Social, which usually consisted of bowls of ice cream, was replaced with ice cream bars, which left some attendees dissatisfied.[14][3]

The fursuit parade, which disappointed some seeing as it was mostly in the back areas of the hotel,[15][6][16] nevertheless consisted of approximately 43[17] fursuiters and was enjoyed by many attendees.

The pet auction raised around $600 for the convention charity with many 'pets',[18] but some found it to be "creepy"[15] or "just sad".[19]

The cabaret raised around $1500 for the convention charity,[18] and while it went a little long,[3] had positive reviews.[20][21]

The "Inventors' Feast" on Saturday was reported as being "very nice"[6]

The con book, while smaller size than typical convention books, got positive reviews.[22]

A subject of controversy among attendees was the filming for a documentary tentatively titled American Furry.[23] While many were upset as they felt they had been filmed without consent,[24][6] others were hopeful for positive exposure,[25][21] and the filmmaker stated that those who had not given their consent could opt out of the final product.[26]

Sources

  1. Conversation with Califur co-chair Trapa
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Not Welcomed at this Hotel - norsedoggie,   califur (May 18, 2008)
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Califur con report - Gamer Wolf (May 19, 2008)
  4. Califur '08 recap - CatsbyMoo (May 19, 2008)
  5. 5.0 5.1 Califur 5 highlights - Leo Tiger (May 19, 2008)
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Califur IV - Kaysho (May 19, 2008)
  7. the bird weighs in - Likeshine,   califur (May 20, 2008)
  8. Califur pros and cons - OggyWolf,   califur (May 19, 2008)
  9. 9.0 9.1 secondary post - karadurzero (20 May, 2008)
  10. Califur and otherwise. Good, bad, sad, and really sad - Tarnac (May 19, 2008)
  11. Califur Report & Update of the Week - Domafox (May 20, 2008)
  12. Califur Report Day 1 - Kiteless Dragon (May 17, 2008)
  13. Steampunk Califur - Guests of Honor
  14. Califur Ice Cream Social? - YiffyFox,   califur (May 21, 2008)
  15. 15.0 15.1 Half-Assed Califur Report - Sunookitsune (May 21, 2008)
  16. Califur IV Report - Tabbicus (May 19, 2008)
  17. Comment in fursuit numbers - Diadexxus,   califur
  18. 18.0 18.1 Charity Stuffs - BluJaguar,   califur (May 20, 2008)
  19. Califur once again - norsedoggie (May 18, 2008)
  20. califur part II - Leo Tiger (May 19, 2008)
  21. 21.0 21.1 my thoughts on Califur - rummyhunny,   califur (May 21, 2008)
  22. Long time FurCon goer - My Thoughts on Things - Diadexxus,   califur (May 20, 2008)
  23. American Furry: Life, Liberty, and the Fursuit of Happiness - BoingBoing (November 7, 2007)
  24. Filming at Califur - QuietFire (May 21, 2008)
  25. (RANT) Double Edge Sword.. doesn't matter you'll still get cut. - Johnny Blanco (May 22, 2008)
  26. Filming at Califur- documentary - masinacat (May 21, 2008)

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