25.05.25.
Fred’s photos
Fred Terris took some terrific photos at the 43td UK Convention in Harrogate. Here is the link…
https://www.flickr.com/photos/7853549@N04/albums/72177720326138586
Harrogate & Beer
A special Dirty Movie "Harrogate & Beer" is a music video montage of the convention in Harrogate...
https://www.facebook.com/garywinstanley/posts/pfbid0Yc7F4JCPmYCJmT5kKVsRnCCzMXF3XE75YcyasXcbq5HyZL14WrVSUZDTbAQYW932l?from_close_friend=1
Sons Spiff Up
A reminder about this taking place in a few weeks time. Come and join us for a drink, a laugh and a sing song.
Gary Winstanley
New artwork
The Finishing Touch is my brand new Laurel and Hardy artwork. Limited edition prints are on order and will be in stock very soon. I am taking forward orders so please message me if you are interested (number one is available to the first interested party).
Many thanks Debi Lane for commissioning the original artwork. It was a real fun piece to work on!
Steve Lilly
Brats
Glynne MacDonald spotted this…
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?mibextid=wwXIfr&v=1778769196012221&rdid=WxFddWZZx4oPrxt5
We also spotted…
https://www.facebook.com/reel/2005558276948959
The Merry Mutineers
Steve Barlow spotted on YouTube something which was new to him. Publicity material describes it thus:
A delightful mix of adventure and comedy as two boys engage in a playful "battle" with their toy pirate ships in a pool. The film features animated caricatures of iconic 1930s celebrities as the toy ships' crews, including Charles Laughton as Captain Bligh, the Marx Brothers, Laurel & Hardy, the Three Stooges, Wallace Beery, and Jimmy Durante.
The film’s clever and lively animation highlights the humor and charm of its celebrity parodies, offering a humorous take on pirate tales with a touch of Hollywood nostalgia. A classic example of the era's inventive animation, The Merry Mutineers remains a whimsical piece of animation history.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSVlqhmk0YY&list=PLajlyu2TNLs5dVzrT3xM9df0vuWFDw7QY
Another Collectible
Michael Schmitz created this fine "collectible".
We Love Laurel & Hardy
Gary Winstanley says, “Here's a song about Laurel & Hardy that I wrote earlier…”
https://suno.com/song/88241269-bd77-4381-b047-01b809295f56?sh=zOvqzGbM2cBQGoI8&fbclid=IwY2xjawKQAJBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETBjVXZoTng0MldhOUkzSk1BAR4pykR-N2TA_13uLuNzqlhYzY8SLCvsgdKR-7I5qpQFEdU69CvzM5Sk_RY8Sg_aem_d2Xk7Cs9oGjKc5qet2d1gQ
Greetings from Hollywood Grand Sheiks!
We are just about 13 months out from the 24th International Sons Convention in San Diego, on June 21-25, 2026. There is a lot of interest and excitement in this convention. I'm happy to report that there appears to be good interest from our friends in the UK! We had hoped to gin up interest by appearing in person at Harrogate. I think our hunch was a good one!
We have a Facebook page, Sonsfestsd2026, and our website should go live before the end of May. Our timetable is to have the registrations ready to go by July 1st. I have made some deposits with a couple of our vendors recently, so we're locked in.
Traditionally, many tents have volunteered to contribute an item for the Goody Bag. The Way Out West Tent has graciously offered to (co)host and partially "sponsor" our closing banquet. GS Rick Greene had also suggested that perhaps other tents would be willing to offer a hand as well. So I thought I'd piggy back on Rick's idea and offer this as an option. In lieu of a goody bag item, might tents be willing to become a sponsor and make a cash donation for some part of the convention? This is, obviously, solely voluntary and of the volition of each tent. We will list all donors/sponsors in the printed program (or you may remain anonymous if you choose). Any donation of any amount is strictly your decision.
Any and all donations, however big or small, are most appreciated!
Donations to Robert Greim, and my email of Jolie116mm@aol.com
Overseas, please use PayPal or International money order in US dollars. Make sure you use friend/gift to avoid fee.
Dave Greim
Chairman, 2026 Sons of the Desert Convention
At the Panopticon in June
...and finally
