1. How long does SalonCon run?
We run officially from noon until midnight.  Most likely there will
be afterparties later in the evening (please see our livejournal
community for up to the moment details about that).  On Sunday
there will be an unofficial brunch at the hotel.      

2. What does Neo-Victorian mean?
It means that we embrace the ideals of the Victorian era, but seek
to bring them into a modern context.  We do not seek to be
Victorian era reconstructionalists.  We seek to provide a space for
artists, thinkers, and dreamers to express themselves as well as to
give people a chance to experience things such as a fancy dress
ball and a formal tea.  These kinds of experiences are still often
reserved for people with money and class privileges, so we are also
attempting to even out the playing field.  

3. What is a salon?
Pronunciation: s&-'län, 'sa-‘län, sa-'lOn
Function: noun
Etymology: French
a) An elegant apartment or living room (as in a fashionable home)
b) A fashionable assemblage of notables (as literary figures, artists,
or statesmen) held by custom at the home of a prominent person
c) A hall for exhibition of art b capitalized : an annual exhibition of
works of art
d) A stylish business establishment or shop

We are all of the above.

4. How much are tickets?  Is there a student rate?  Are they
refundable?
Tickets are $20 in advance, $30 at the door for general admission.  
Student tickets are only available as advanced sales and are $15.  
You will be asked to show student id at the registration table.  You
can buy them here.  Sadly, the tickets are non-refundable.

5. How much is a hotel room?
We've managed to keep our rate of $79 a night.  Hotel reservations
can be made online or by phone.  Please see here for more
information.

6. Is there a dress code?
We ask there to be no baseball caps, jeans, or t-shirts.  We also ask
that you follow local decency laws.  What you choose to wear is up
to you.  Some people will be wearing their Victorian-inspired finest,
some people will be wearing day dresses and morning suits, some
people will be wearing gowns and tuxes, and some people will be
wearing things that are not so easily defined.  If you would like
inspiration, please check out our photo gallery.

7. What can I expect at SalonCon?
A respectful, genteel, inviting, diverse, accepting, and enthusiastic
gathering of people from all different backgrounds to exchange
intellectual ideas, enjoy one another’s company at the social
events, and bring the ideals of a refined society into reality.  In
short, you can expect to have a lot of fun!

8. What can I expect attending a Salon?
You can expect a range of topics from literature to gender issues to
science to environmental issues to be discussed.  You can expect a
well-versed person to be leading the discussion.  You can expect
the topics that will be discussed to be announced in advance with a
suggested reading list.

9.  I don’t know very much about one of the topics discussed in a
Salon, and I don’t have time to read the reading list.  Should I still
attend?
Of course!  We welcome the exchange of knowledge and want to
give everyone a chance to learn about something new.  We do
suggest that you try to check out one of the websites listed so you
have a passing experience with what will be talked about.

10. What is a cream tea?  Is the cost included?
A cream tea includes freshly baked scones of a few different flavors,
jam, lemon curd, and clotted cream, which is like whipped cream
but heavier, richer, and much more decadent.  It also includes a
selection of carefully brewed high-quality loose tea, table service, a
performance by Kwannon, and some instruction on tea leaf
divination if you wish to learn it.  Because we are renting out the
beautifully appointed hotel restaurant, Alexander’s, and having the
cream tea catered by Teaberry’s, there is a nominal additional
charge of $10 for the tea to cover our costs.  We recommend you
buy your tea ticket in advance here as the tickets may not be
available on the day of the event.

11. What can I expect at the fancy dressed masked ball?  What
should I wear?  Do I have to bring a mask?
You can expect a high quality disc jockey, a wide variety of music
including a set of ballroom dance music, and a decorated ballroom
with a good-sized dance floor.  There will be a burlesque
performance to start the festivities, and the evening will end with a
performance by Voltaire.  We suggest evening attire for this event.  
If you have a mask you are especially fond of, we suggest you bring
that as well.  We will be providing basic domino masks for your use
at no charge.

12.  Where can I find directions for the hotel?
Please go here for more information.

13.  I have an idea for an event; will you do it?
Regrettably, our schedule is full for this year.

14.  How can I vend?
Please go here for more information.

15.  How can I find out information on ride-sharing and room-
sharing?
Join one of our Livejournal communities either here
(announcements and socializing) or here (announcements made by
the Minitrix only) We have a message board under construction.  
These are the best places to go for up-to-the-second information on
ride sharing, room sharing, new events, and announcements.  
Joining our communities also gives you a chance to meet with
some of the people who will be attending this event.

16. I'm an artist/part of a band/poet/author/performer, can we
perform at your event?
Regrettably, our dance card is full for this year.

17. What are your policies on diversity and special needs?
We expect everyone to conduct themselves in a manner that is
appropriate to a convention on refinement.  You are not going to
like or agree with everyone at this event, yet we expect you to be
respectful of others at all times.  Engaging in fisticuffs or
inflammatory arguments (calling someone by a racial slur, for
example) will result in being expelled from the event immediately
by security with no refund.

If you have special needs, please email us and we will do our very
best to accommodate you.

18.        Are there any age restrictions on this event?
No.  It is an all ages event.  Obviously, you'll be carded at the hotel
bar and there is no alcohol permitted inside the convention itself.  

19. How long have you been doing this event?
This is our second year, so please be gentle.

20. Are you affiliated with Salon.com?  What about the refinement
community on Livejournal?
Not at all.