FOXmas

2009-11-02T20:48:39Z

76.199.168.6: Wow, do you not understand sarcasm

__NOTOC__[[File:Foxmas 2009 poster.jpg|right|thumb|FOXmas 2009 promotional poster]]
'''FOXmas''' (or '''Frozen Oasis Xmas''') was a planned "mini-con" intended to be held 11-13 December 2009 (with most events on the 12th) at the [http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hotel/ROCJR/ Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites] in [[Wikipedia:Rochester, New York|Rochester, New York]], USA.<ref>''[http://community.livejournal.com/thefrozenoasis/21636.html FOXmas Announcement! (Frozen Oasis 20)]'' - [[Jaspian Stealthpaw]], {{lj-comm|thefrozenoasis}} (16 September 2009)</ref>

FOXmas was organized by [[Soron]] and [[Jaspian]] (under the former's [[Wikipedia:Sole proprietorship|sole proprietorship]], the Kanouse Entertainment Group). It was to be 20th in the series of [[Frozen Oasis]] events, but the first aiming to be a standalone convention, developing from Christmas parties at Soron's house which attracted 55 furs in 2008.<ref name="woyro" />

FOXmas' promotion had a decidedly mature tone,<ref>''[http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2918178 FOXmas Flyer]'' - picture by [[AC (artist)|AC]] on [[Soron]]'s Fur Affinity account (15 October 2009)</ref> and led to controversy both inside and outside [[furry fandom]], ultimately resulting in the withdrawal of the Holiday Inn and the cancellation of the public event.<ref name="WhatsUp">''[http://groups.google.com/group/foxmas/browse_thread/thread/c5fcd54d4429d5f2 Whats up with the hotel?]'' - FOXmas, Google Groups (19 October 2009)</ref><ref name="Cancel">''[http://community.livejournal.com/thefrozenoasis/22666.html Foxmas has been canceled for 2009]'' - [[Soron]], {{lj-comm|thefrozenoasis}} (27 October 2009)</ref> An invitation-only party is to be held instead, as in previous years.
{{WikiFurNews|FOXmas cancelled after adverse publicity}}
==Features==
FOXmas was advertised as 18+ to get in, 21+ to drink, allowing "[[skritch]]ing, [[hug]]ging, lap sitting, kissing, and groping ... between consenting adults". A "non-denominational" Christmas theme was to be in effect, with music, carols, traditional movies, and the exchange of gifts. The media and [[mundane]]s were to be barred from convention space.

[[KnotCast]] members [[FuzzWolf]] (owner of [[FurPlanet]]), and [[Savrin]] (writer and head of [[Furry Fiesta]]'s gaming track) were invited as [[Guests of Honor]]. Santa-level ($75) sponsors would have had access to a dinner with them.

Soft drinks were to be free, and over-21s who had paid for an "Elf" level ($25) or higher registration were to have access to free alcohol during the Saturday night dance party, with access to mixed drinks provided by the hotel bar at cost. Non-staff photography would not have been permitted in the Saturday night party.<ref name="woyro">[http://www.divshare.com/download/8782343-6ad Interview with Soron about FOXmas] on [[Woyro's Warren]] #97 (18:30 onwards)</ref>

A [[fursuit bowling]] outing was also planned for Sunday afternoon, although the ~$14 cost was not included in registration.<ref name="woyro" />

==Controversy==

FOXmas' premise and promotional methods have been criticized by several people and organizations.

=== Fan responses ===

[[nothingkat]] called FOXmas "Slutty Furry Christmas Con", questioning its "revolutionary" nature, and casting doubt on the staff's ability to exclude the media and non-furs from the event.<ref>''[http://nothingkat.livejournal.com/157534.html Slutty Furry Christmas Con 2009]'' - {{lj-user|nothingkat}} (6 October 2009)</ref> [[FurAffinity]] owner [[Dragoneer]] questioned the event's initial billing as "the most important event in furry history", its "adults only, 18+" status, sexually suggestive advertising, and contradicting information about the event and its policies.<ref>''[http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/991076/ The Most Important Event in Furry History]' - [[The Dragoneer]]'s Fur Affinity journal (12 October 2009)</ref>

=== Something Awful ===

FOXmas became [[Something Awful]]'s "Awful Link of the Day" on 14 October, with an encouragement to "stay the fuck away from the Holiday Inn" in December.<ref>''[http://www.somethingawful.com/d/awful-links/foxmas-furry-rochester.php FOX-mas (Thanks, wuffienolikie)!]'' - Something Awful Link of The Day (14 October 2009)</ref> Shortly afterwards, the event space and room block were cancelled by the hotel.<ref name="WhatsUp" /> FOXmas was subsequently re-featured as "Awful Link of the Day" with an update critical of event organizers' lack of forthrightness when negotiating its hotel contract, and the hotel staff's displeasure on becoming aware of the event's adult theme. Article contributors reported management as "appalled and extremely embarrassed", being misled as to who the attendees of FOXmas were ("a mini-convention of [[mascot]]s" like [[Wikipedia:GEICO ad campaigns#The GEICO gecko|Martin the GEICO gecko]]), and the nature of the events planned.<ref>''[http://www.somethingawful.com/d/awful-links/foxmas-furry-relocated.php FOX-mas Update!]'' - Something Awful Link of The Day (23 October 2009)</ref>

As of 19 October a new venue had not been found, and pre-registration was suspended, leaving the future of FOXmas in question.<ref name="WhatsUp" /> Ten days later, the event was cancelled and pre-registrants were refunded.<ref name="Cancel" /> At the same time, Soron has alluded to the future plans of FOXmas, noting "there are several hotels interested in hosting us in 2010 even with the controversy that has ensued this month." <ref name="Cancel" />

==References==
<references />

== External links ==

*[http://www.foxmas.com/ FOXmas'] official website
*[http://community.livejournal.com/thefrozenoasis/ The Oasis Report] - Frozen Oasis on [[LiveJournal]]
*[http://groups.google.com/group/foxmas FOXmas] on [[Wikipedia:Google Groups|Google Groups]]
*[http://twitter.com/FrozenOasis FrozenOasis] on [[Wikipedia:Twitter|Twitter]]

[[Category:Cancelled conventions]]
[[Category:New York]]
[[Category:2009 events]]

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FOXmas