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Just Announced! "The House Without a Key" Debuts on Stage at Left Coast Crime '09 Charlie Chan will solve a murder in Hawaii, and you can watch him do it next March. The 19th annual Left Coast Crime mystery convention will be held for the first time in Hawaii. So, appropriately, its "ghost-of-honor" is Earl Derr Biggers, who created the Chinese police detective from Honolulu in six novels, begining in 1925 with "The House Without a Key." As part of the convention's tribute to Biggers, LCC'09 will present a one-act stage play of "The House Without a Key," and each registration includes a free ticket to the show. In the 1920s, when newspapers were warning of a "yellow peril," and most Chinese characters in fiction were villains, Biggers crafted a street-smart and perceptive Chinese sleuth. Though Chan affects a deferential persona, and speaks with an accent, he is always—in the words of film scholar Peter Feng—"the smartest man in the room." "The House Without a Key" is one of the two Chan novels that are set in Hawaii—in this case, on the mostly-undeveloped Waikiki Beach. And although both a silent film and an early talkie were made from it, there are apparently no surviving prints; and none of the dozens of subsequent Charlie Chan movies were based on it, either. So mystery writer Hal Glatzer, who now lives in Hawaii, has adapted it into a one-act play. His production will be the first time the story is presented on stage, and (one silent film excepted) the first time that Chan will be portrayed by an Asian-American actor. To help you plan for your trip to Hawaii for our Left Coast Crime Convention (think mystery and vacation at a wonderful beach resort), some idea of our schedule might be of interest. The convention begins with programming on Sunday, March 8th in the early afternoon and these events will feature A Picto-Historical Talk about Hawaii, Images of Nature—flora and fauna, Hawaiian Music and Dancing and Meet the Hawaiian Authors in Paradise. There will be an opening reception in the evening and plenty of time to enjoy the beach, the pools, the lounges, the bars and shopping, if you are so inclined. Plan to arrive at the latest on Saturday, March 7th—most planes get in from the Mainland around the 11 to 1 o'clock hour, though there are some that arrive later in the afternoon. It is very easy to relax at the hotel the minute you arrive (it is like you have been there forever). Full day programming (from about 9 AM to 5 PM) is scheduled for Monday (9th) and Tuesday (10th), with "to be announced" evening events. Wednesday, March 11th will begin with a brunch, followed by an afternoon of more programming. Wrap-up programming is scheduled for Thursday, March 12th, in the AM. There will be pre-convention and post-convention trips—to most likely include an Excursion Around the Island (this means going to the Volcano), whale watching, snorkeling boat trip to Captain Cook, visit to a working ranch with a full barbecue and country music, hiking into the Back Country with a nature guide, moonlight cruises around the Island (at least part of it), a visit to the world famous Keck observatory (weather permitting) and a trip into the mystical Waipi'o Valley by Jeep or horseback. The hotel rates are as good as they get and you can book your hotel rooms now for details. We have the same rates guaranteed for three days prior to and three days after the convention if those rooms are not already booked (we are going in High season and rooms sell out fast—so consider booking now). Aloha, and we look forward to your visit to the BIG ISLAND and Left Coast Crime 2009! Program Chairs: Judy Greber & Louise Ure
Judy and Louise are interested in receiving your suggestions for
programming (what excites you? what would you like to see which has not
been done before?). They will have the pleasure of making final decisions on E-mail them at LCC09Programming@aol.com
Awards | Honorees | Registrants | Visiting Hawaii Visit the main Left Coast Crime site at leftcoastcrime.org | Web site by interbridge |
