CUSFS Termcard for Michaelmas Term 2003

All events start at 7.30pm unless otherwise specified.

Sunday Discussions, Other Events, and Things Of Interest

Sunday 12 October   Squash   Selwyn, Borradaile Room
A chance for interested parties to meet the society and find out more about what we do.
 
Thursday 16 October   Video showing: eXistenZ   Newnham, Peile Hall, room 304
(I read from the back of the box...)
David Cronenberg presents the near future: eXistenZ is the ultimate game, brianchild of the hip, hyper and sexually alluring Allegra Geller (Jennifer Jason Leigh). Once downloaded via a bioport implanted into the players' spine, eXistenZ promises an experience that will shatter forever the line between fantasy and reality.
At its launch armed fanatics burst in, determined to destroy the game and its creator. Forced to run for her life, Allegra's sole ally is a young security guard (Jude Law). Together they seek refuge in the only place the gaming goddess feels safe - the world where existence ands and eXistenZ begins.
 
Sunday 19 October   Discussion: Robin Hobb/Megan Lindholm   Newnham, Peile Hall, room 304
With nine books published under the name Robin Hobb, and nine books under the name of Megan Lindholm, this is an author with a fast growing reputation. The Robin Hobb books are divided into three trilogies and can be described as epic fantasy. Megan Lindholm is harder to pin down with novels ranging from urban/contempory fantasy (Wizard of the Pigeons) to science fiction (Alien Earth). If you wish to know "whence comes the Fool and why?" (and also why you should care), come along and discuss her work.
Short story by Megan Lindholm available online: http://www.asimovs.com/Nebulas03/cut.shtml
 
Thursday 23 October, 6.30pm   Author event: Kevin Crossley-Holland   Heffers, 20 Trinity Street
Kevin Crossley-Holland will be talking about the final volume in his Arthur Trilogy, Arthur: King of the Middle March. This is event is free but if you wish to attend you must obtain a ticket from the Children's Department at Heffers, 20 Trinity Street, or by telephoning Kate Johnson on 01223 568525.
 
Friday 24 October
6.30pm - 8pm
  Signing: Robin Hobb/Megan Lindholm   Borders, Oxford Street, London
Robin Hobb is making an appearance at Borders to sign copies of her latest book, Fool's Fate. The events is free and not ticketed so Borders suggest coming early. If you wish to travel with CUSFS members, turn up at the station at 4:30pm and look for the person clutching Fool's Fate.
 
Sunday 26 October   Discussion: Peter F Hamilton   Selwyn, Cripps Court, room J1
His novels have only been on book shelves for ten years but he's made a big impact on science fiction. Hamilton has revitalised the space-opera with his action sequences and multi-layered characters, and his alien races have won him much praise. Come and discuss this British star whether you love him, hate him or just want to know more.
 
Thursday 30 October   CUSFS Curry Evening   The Gulshan, 106 Regent Street
The Curry Evening is a great opportunity to get to know the CUSFS members - Join us for a curry and a good evening with inane banter.
We will be booking a table, so if you want to come along, please email soc-cusfs at lists dot cam dot ac dot uk. before Tuesday the 28th.
 
Sunday 2 November   Discussion - Favourite Author   Jesus, Chapel Court, staircase 4, room 4
So who is your favourite author? Be they old favourites, young up-and-comers or unfairly neglected, come and evangelise - and hear what other members would recommend.
Suggested authors may well be featured in discussions later in the year.
 
Wednesday 5 November
7pm
  Fireworks!   Fort St. George, Midsummer Common
"A staggering 500kg of explosives will be set off as crowds of spectators are warmed up by a five-ton bonfire."
It's that time of year again, and CUSFS will be meeting outside the Fort St. George pub at 7:00 prompt in time to find a good firework-viewing location before the fireworks start at 7:30. Look for the orange scarves! (Latecomers will be unlikely to find us. You have been warned.)
Afterwards we will head to the Chairbeing's house to enjoy mulled wine, other hot beverages and toffee apples.
 
Sunday 9 November   Games evening   155 Gilbert Road
The perfect antidote to Fifth Week Blues. Bring a game or three, or come and play someone else's. Games old, new and very very silly will be played.
 
Wednesday 12 November
7pm (until 10pm)
  Video showing: Firefly part 1   Darwin, TV room
Forget Angel and Buffy: Firefly is the show Joss Whedon always wanted to make. Inspired by the Battle of Gettysburg and the Reconstruction Era of the American Civil War, Firefly is the story of Captain Malcolm Reynolds and his ragtag crew on the rogue Firefly class starship, Serenity, and their struggle to stay alive in the wake of a galactic civil war 500 years in the future. Sadly only fifteen episodes were made, but CUSFS has them and we'll be showing them on Wednesdays until the end of term.
See TTBA for a full review!
 
Friday 14 November
7pm
  Interview/signing: Neil Gaiman   Foyles, Charing Cross Road, London
Neil Gaiman will be talking about his recent books The Wolves in the Walls and Coraline. Tickets for this interview/signing cost £5 (£4 for students) and are available from http://www.foyles.co.uk/foyles/events.asp or by phoning 0870 4202777. Book your ticket early if you want to attend or they might run out!
 
Sunday 16 November   Discussion: Ursula K. le Guin   Jesus, Chapel Court, staircase 4, room 4
Ursula le Guin is probably best known for the fantasy classic A Wizard of Earthsea. On the other hand, her soft, sociologically-centred science fiction has won many awards, including for notable works such as The Left Hand of Darkness and The Dispossessed. More recently le Guin has developed a more anthropological style.
If you haven't discovered Ursula le Guin, come and find out why you should. If you have, come and help answer: is Earthsea really her best work? Do we prefer the earlier or later SF? Is she primarily feminist, anthropologist, or something else? What really makes her writing stand out?
 
Wednesday 19 November
7pm (until 10pm)
  Video showing: Firefly part 2   Darwin, TV room
The second instalment (of four) of Joss Whedon's SF series.
If you missed last week's dose of Firefly do not despair - you will pick up on the plot, characters and humour in no time. This week we plan to watch episodes Shindig, Safe, Our Mrs Reynolds and Jaynestown.
 
Thursday 20 November   Reading evening   New Hall bar
Bring along a short piece of Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature (either a (very!) short story, or an extract from something longer - no more than 4 or 5 pages is a good rule of thumb) to scare, impress, edify or entertain the company. Introduce us to someone new, or convert us to an old favourite. Alternatively, come to listen to what others have brought to read, and be enlightened, amused, horrified, or just confused.
 
Sunday 23 November   Discussion: SF and technology   Selwyn, Cripps Court, room J1
Science fiction and technology have always been closely linked. From the earliest days, SF has tried to extrapolate from the science and the technology of its time, authors' invention untrammeled by mere practicality. But yesterday's SF is often tomorrow's technology, perhaps no more so than now with the appearance of genetics, nanotechnology, computing and even commercial space travel. How much has SF influenced science and technology in the real world, and how much is SF a literary child of the scientific age? Come along to Cripps Court at 7:30pm. Or at a pinch you could take the space elevator.
 
Wednesday 26 November   Video showing: Firefly part 3   Darwin, TV room
The third instalment (of four) of Joss Whedon's SF series.
If you missed last week's dose of Firefly do not despair - you will pick up on the plot, characters and humour in no time. This week we plan to watch episodes Out Of Gas, Ariel, War Stories and Trash. Your Friendly Neighbourhood CUSFS Secretary says that if you can only come to one Firefly showing, let this be the one!
 
Sunday 30 November   Discussion: Fairy Tales   155 Gilbert Road
Far from being kids' stuff, work based around fairy stories and traditional folklore themes forms a very active sub-genre of fantasy. Many of today's great fantasy writers have turned their hands to retellings of tradional stories, often working them into more modern settings, or revealing hidden depths and motivations in their characters. So what is it that brings writers and readers alike back to the stories that everyone knows? Come and join CUSFS as we discuss the best way to keep an old tale fresh. We will be celebrating the last discussion of term with mince pies and mulled wine and (in keeping with the theme) fairy cakes. There may be an expedition to the bottom of the garden if weather permits.
 
Wednesday 3 December
7pm (until 10pm)
  Video showing - Firefly part 4   11 Atherton Close
The final instalment (of four) of Joss Whedon's SF series.
This is your last chance to catch Firefly. If you haven't attended any showings so far this term, do not despair - you will pick up on the plot, characters and humour in no time. This week we plan to watch episodes The Message, Heart of Gold and Objects in Space.

Please send comments and queries to soc-cusfs at lists dot cam dot ac dot uk

Last recorded update: 24 June 2004, by Mark Waller
Status: up to date with all available missives

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