Gene_Convention_2002

Fiesta de Albuquerque 7th Annual Gene Convention brought to you by: Peachie Brown~ Convention Chairman, Jim Howard~Art Director/Designer, Pat Messimer-Thorn~Treasurer, Lucille Bouton~Assistant to Chairman, Peachie's tuesday club, The Land of Enchantment Gene Club, The AZ Gene Club, Rosalie Purvis, and many other volunteers including: Diane Anderson, Denis Bastian, Jimmy Blackwell, Dick Brown, Kris Cherry, Joan Davis, Kim Fisher, Pat Henry, Gwen Holmes, Steve Hunter, Anne Kerr, Judy McGlaughlin, Marie Migliaro, Sally Montez, Rebecca Parker, Terri Patterson, Fenton Richards, Sonya Rivera, Chip Romero, Betty&Freddy Seiler, Leslie Smejkal, Hele Spivak, Kevin Smith, Ann Steutzer, Margaret Stewart, Brian Stuber, Jerrold Thomas, Carrolyn Tucker, Mica Tyler, Jolene Vandolah, Cindy Wenk, and David Wolfe.
Ice cream Social
Doll friends gathered together Thursday night for a Pre-convention Get Together. As guests entered they were given Gene sized Black Sombreros and a goodie bag. The bag had a colored corn necklace and a small Indian ceramic figurine in it. I received a small deer. Some bags had numbers that you could redeem for raffle prizes.

Kristan Molchin

Jon Newton and Larry Pemble

Christine Quick
and Penny Thompson

Friday Trent Cafe Ole´ Dinner
Peachie Brown welcomes conventioneers, and announces Mel Odom. He gives a heart warming talk, and introduces his design team. Next came a slide show. Kirk Swenk speaks during the slides and gives us a few clues of what to expect from the Gene line in the future. There were pieces of the new dolls revealed to tease us. One was a red haired Trent wearing a morning suit. Another was Charles James dress. It was said that the Legend was to continue for many years. Next year appropriate face paints are to go along with the costumes. The annual Edition will be Pas De Deux circa 1948, a NY Ballet Evening dress that is iridescent blue and gold.

After dinner the National Institute of Flamenco of New Mexico performed for dinner guests. The University of New Mexico Art program has the only undergraduate, and graduate Flamenco program in the United States. The music, singing, and dancing were fabulous.

Mel Odom and Peachie Brown

A huge surprises at the convention was being gifted with not one, but two convention dolls. The “Cafe Ole´ Trent” was presented Friday night with screams and applause from attendees.

“Cafe Ole´ Trent”

During all 3 meals the revolving display was used for the centerpieces.

A New Attitude by Derek
Madra joins Trent.

	If that were not enough, conventioneers also received a Trent guitar and case, display posters and paper dolls featuring Gene, Trent, Madra, and Violet.

Brian Stuber's Hairworkshop

Brian Stuber gave 2 hair workshops during convention. He taught how to do your very own Blue Fox hairstyle on a simply Gene doll. His quick wit and humor kept would be doll hair stylist laughing.
Other workshops and presentations given at convention were given by: Marie Migliaro, Betty and Freddy Seiler, Kim Fisher, David Wolfe, Denis Bastian, Hele Spivak, Sonia Rivera & Pat Henry, and Leslie Smejkel. I unfortunately didn't get my sign up sheet in to attend most of them, but heard they were very good and inspiring.

	image by Kristan Molchin

Christine Quick, getting ready to gel her gal.	Brian Stuber made it look very easy.	Teri Newton prepares Gene for her new coiffure.