Receive thy new possessor, one who brings
A mind not to be changed by place or time. - Book 1

We have also set aside a number of tickets for the hard-working individuals who run the Convergence voting every year in order to show our appreciation for all their labour.


Convergence I: Chicago, June 23-24, 1995
While many people talked about organizing an international gathering of net.goths, it took Chicago-goths Gothpat (now a London UK-goth, and pictured to the right) and Heather Spear to finally decide to do it. Held in the back of a sports bar, where Convergencites had to make their way past rowdy sports fans, C1 featured: Arcanta, The Machine in the Garden, Seraphim Gothique, Sunshine Blind, The Wake, Garden of Dreams, Trance to the Sun, Lestat, Mephisto Walz and Lycia. This was the first opportunity for many net.goths to meet one another in real life, and the general consensus was that it was a good thing, and should happen on a much more regular basis.
LINKS:
Ode to Convergence the First: Chicago


Convergence II: Boston, August 9-11, 1996
Cusraque took the ball and kept it rolling. This swashbuckling club promoter organized three nights of dancing and bands at Boston's Man Ray Club, featuring acts Johnny Indovina of Human Drama, Switchblade Symphony, Sunshine Blind, Valor's Christian Death, You Shriek and One of Us. A buffet dinner at The Middle East, a fashion show featuring designs by alt.gothic's Lady Bathory, and a tour of Boston's lovely cemeteries rounded out the activities. C2 set the precedent for future Convergences that we're still trying to live up to today. (photo of Cusraque and Lady Bathory by Macross)
LINKS:
Convergence II: The Gothic Maraud of Boston
Convergence the Second Photo Album @ Digital Angel
Kit's Convergence II Index


Convergence III: San Francisco, August 1-3, 1997
From the mid-west to New England, it seemed only appropriate that C3 be held on the west coast, and what better place than beautiful San Francisco. For 2 nights, the sounds of Battery, This Ascension, Sub Version, Kill Sister Kill, Darkling Thrush, Seraphim Gothique, The Razor Skyline and Wench filled the gorgeous Maritime Hall. Other events included dancing at the Trocadero, a Mad Hatter's tea party, comic book signings by the beloved Jhonen Vasquez, creator of Johnny the Homicidal Maniac, and a cemetery tour that led to hell. (reservoir.goths photo by Moses)
LINKS:
Lucy's C3 Photos
Mozai's C3 Pages
Trystan L Bass's Mad Hatter's Tea Party Pictures


Convergence IV: Toronto, August 21-23, 1998
The Convergence IV ball was first started rolling by Matt Ardill and Siani Evans. It was then picked up by the Convergence IV committee, consisting of Sheryl Kirby, Greg Clow, Siobhán NiLoughlin and Charlotte Ashley. Music was provided by the bands Faith and the Muse, Rhea's Obsession, The Changelings, My Scarlet Life, An April March, and Masochistic Religion, and by DJ's Marylace, Greg Clow, Mike Salo, LadyBee, Lord Pale, Antithesis and Tapestry. The weekend also included a trip to the Canadian National Exhibition, a Victorian tea at the Royal York Hotel, Supper at the Mövenpick Marche, a visit to Toronto's Casa Loma and a weekend-long scavenger hunt.
LINKS:
C4 Super Dimensional Photo Gallery
C4 Photo Page Index
Pen and Glass: the C4 Memorial Webring


Convergence V: New Orleans, April 2-4 1999
This time, Heather Spear (one of the folks from the original Convergence) teamed up with G.E. Addams of Mere Mortal Productions, Misha Sand, Harry Konidisiotis and Connor Preciado to bring us Convergence V in the beautiful city of New Orleans. C5 featured the bands New Dawn Fades, Falling Janus, Cut.Rate.Box, Ex Voto, The Cruxshadows, Mentallo and the Fixer and Clan of Xymox, as well as a bazaar and art show, an elder-goth cocktail hour and the Rougaroux's Costume Ball.
LINKS:
Convergence the Fifth Links
Pen and Glass: the C5 Memorial Webring


Convergence VI: Seattle, May 26-29 2000
The Convergence VI team of Jilli, Professor Pan Satyricon, Vomvamuse, Luna, violet weary, Fluke, Midnyte, Cerberus, The Mysterious Voice and wendolen took Convergence to Seattle. The itinerary included a meet'n'greet, a visit to the Kiva Han coffee house, a tour of underground Seattle, a cruise, fashion and art shows, and of course, the bands. Music was provided by the bands Attrition, Trance to the Sun, Unto Ashes, Faith and Disease, Voltaire and surprise guest Peter Fucking Murphy! and by the DJ's Slowdive, Hana Solo, Mistress Catherinna, Scary Lady Sarah, Fross, Batty, Arcanus and Macross.
LINKS:
The C6-Seattle Memories Webring


Convergence VII: New York City, August 17-19 2001
New York City received the winning vote for Convergence in 2001. Organizers Angel Butts, Batty, Bloodlotus, Bob Westphal, Carrie Carolin, Carrie Laben, Carrin Welch, Claire Archer, Clifford Low, Daednu, David Hogan, Dragon Edward Garou, Joseph Max, Lainie Peterson, Miguel Fernanadez, Todd Zino and Trystan L Bass presented The Unseelie Court on the weekend of August 17 to 19. Music was provided by Coil, Clair Voyant, The Mirror Reveals, Snog, Deep Red, Neurepublik, Anathema Device, Curse, Otto's Daughter, and St. Eve. Additional events included an absinthe party, meet 'n' greet, discussion panels, merchant bazaar, swap meet, fashion show and museum tour.
LINKS:
Official C7 webring
Convergence 7 in NY webring


Convergence VIII: Montreal May 31-June 2 2002
There is no glory to be found in Heaven for Fallen Angels such as we. Bewail not your lot my friends, but join us in our dark revels instead. Let Casper, Rachel, Uriel and Siobhán, the Archangels wise, lead you on a merry dance through the streets and spires of majestic Montréal.

"The mind is its own place, and it itself
Can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven."
- Book 1, ll. 254-255