Science fiction and fantasy (and horror) conferences galore

It's pretty frequent that I wish I had a couple extra versions of myself. It would be great for productivity.  And that way I might not have to miss so many excellent cons (conferences and conventions both). The coming eight months or so are full of science-fictional and fantastical conferencing and convening opportunities, and somehow I have to choose only a few to actually attend...

2012

FAN EXPO: Aug 23-26
I'm pleased to say I'll be heading out to this Toronto extravaganza for the first time in a few years, though I'll only get to experience a sliver of what's going on. As usual, it's the science fiction expo and the Festival of Fear that are the main draws for me.

SLSA (Society for Literature, Science and the Arts): Sep 27-30
Where literature and the arts meet science you inevitably find science fiction and SLSA always seems to have stimulating sf panels. This year the overarching theme is the nonhuman. I was slotted to attend, and wish I could, but a trip to Milwaukee at the end of September just isn't in my power.

NEPCA: Oct 26-27
This regional branch of the Popular Culture Association features a few science fiction & fantasy panels on its programming schedule, one of which will include a paper by me. This year the conference takes place at Saint John Fisher College in Rochester.

WORLD FANTASY CONVENTION: Nov 1-4
I've never been, but this year the con comes to Toronto, so I'm sorely tempted (though membership comes at a steep price). Announced guests include John Clute and Gary K. Wolfe, whose scholarship I admire, and authors like Charles de Lint, Tanya Huff, Patricia Briggs, and Mercedes Lackey.

2013

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE for the FANTASTIC in the ARTS – Fantastic Adaptations, Transformations, and Audiences: Mar 20-24

I've been to ICFA twice and had a great experience both times. This year promises to be even livelier than usual with Neil Gaiman featuring among the top-listed guests, along with author Kij Johnson and scholar Constance Penley. Does this fall after March break in 2013? In the past I've found myself making the return trip to Orlando in the midst of vacationing families. The hotel is in the middle of nowhere, but there's a good Asian restaurant and the pool is nice. If you want to participate you have until the end of October to put together a persuasive proposal.

Conference of the Popular and American Culture Association (PCA/ACA): Mar 27-30 

The Science Fiction & Fantasy and Horror areas of this huge conference are active and engaging, and well worth checking out (although not the only panels of interest, of course). This year folks are gathering in Washington, DC, for the main event. The SF/F section has set a Nov 30 deadline for proposals.

SFRA/EATON Science Fiction Conference: Apr 11-14

I haven't been to the conferences of either organization, although they sound like fascinating collections of people and ideas. This coming year people can check them both off in one shot. Proposals for this California conference are due on September 14, so time is running out.

Popular Culture Association of Canada (PCAC): May 9-11

Our call for presenters isn't out yet, and we don't have an official science fiction, fantasy or horror section, but these genres tend to feature fairly prominently in the programming schedule. Stay tuned for more info about next year's conference, the last slotted for Niagara Falls (at least in the immediate future).

WisCon 37: May 24-27
Billed as the "world's leading feminist science fiction convention," WisCon is featuring Joan Slonczewski and Jo Walton as Guests of Honor this year. This is another enticing event I have yet to check out.

And this isn't even all of them! 

(sigh)

sf + heavy music and other delightful oddities

Sometimes (fairly often actually) my work world and my 'fun' world intersect. That was the case just over a week ago, when I attended Anticipation - the 67th WorldCon (World Science Fiction Convention) in Montreal.

Neil Gaiman was the rock star of the event, ushered and escorted into film presentations, readings, signings and other activities (usually a few minutes late). At a lower degree of fame the lines between guests and fans blurred with various authors showing up on panels and walking around amidst the unwashed hordes (this description became literal on very few occasions). I checked out sessions on the study of sf (and presented - this was the work part), the philosophy of science, science blogging, DIY tech and Michael Jackson's "Thriller"... I attended readings (including Robert Sawyer's) watched a film (Coraline), wandered through the art show, and had a discussion about theories of space and time... I also came home with a lot more books, after telling myself I wouldn't buy a single one. (sigh)

One of the events I was least expecting and most pleased to discover was Melissa Auf der Maur's presentation of her new short film, Out of Our Minds. I was so intrigued and impressed that I collaborated on a review of the evening for Hellbound.ca. In a strange quirk of choice and probability, Auf der Maur's backing band for the film soundtrack - The Entrance Band - is performing in Hamilton this Wednesday (with Nebula at the Casbah, Aug 19, 9pm).

Cory Doctorow also caught my interest through a couple of activities he was involved with. I'd heard of him, and discovered his blog, boingboing.net in recent months, but that was about the extent of it. He had Neil Gaiman reading a short story as part of a short story project that's also an experiment in new distribution and marketing models for 21st century media (he's a supporter of the "free ebook"). Doctorow's website and blog are well-stocked with info and opinions and, I'm sure, explanations of the project.

Would I go to WorldCon again? Maybe. It's an international convention, so it's unlikely to be this close to home any time soon, and though you get a lot of value for your money, it's not a cheap event to attend. Still, I don't regret the investment.

heathen metal and minneapolis

AncientRites21
Originally uploaded by kill eat exploit the weak

Minneapolis. Of all the places I could travel to for a conference, why Minneapolis? Well, there was the panel on Animals and Imperialism I was part of. And the Lennard Davis key note. And some good and/or interesting papers delving into Victorian sensation fiction, cannibalism and post-apocalyptic narrative, science and science fiction... and Heathen Crusade.

Actually in St. Paul, and an (on average) half hour bus ride from my hotel, Heathen Crusade balanced my three 'intellectual' days with two metal-drenched nights. The first night's irreverant headbanging was offset somewhat by greasy onion rings, disappointing ale, some weak harmonies, and a missing drummer. Night two was more successful, gastronomically and musically. The companionship in both cases was delightfully charming.

Exclaim will have my more detailed review, but there's already a brief photo record in place.

sf, horror, vegan food, and rock'n'roll

And now a belated post on this summer's fan expo...

This year marked my third time attending Toronto's Fan Expo, and my first time really getting involved. The comic book, anime and gaming sections aren't really my thing but the Rue Morgue Festival of Fear and SFX Science Fiction Expo offered enough to keep me entertained.

For me the weekend started off with a screening of Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill!, perhaps most notable for what we were told was the first on-screen depiction of a woman killing a man with her bare hands. Actress Tura Satana was on hand, buxom and black-haired (wigged?) at 70. (I also recognized a couple of White Zombie samples from Satana's dialogue.)

Saturday, after a vegan brunch at Fressen, involved a full day of expo activities (including a little time standing in line). We got to see & hear a dramatically entertaining Kate Mulgrew, who played Captain Janeway on Star Trek: Voyager and voiced the character of Titania on Gargoyles.

The Rue Morgue interview and Q & A with Wes Craven provided less to mull over, though Craven's assertion (if I'm remembering correctly) that horror provides a social outlet was interesting, if not novel.

The exhibition area, besides offering things to spend your money on, housed a few neat little corners. The Circus of Fiendish Curiosities was amazingly spooky considering the surrounding environment, all tented in and dimly lit with stuff chimeric animals, letters written by a serial killer, jars filled with pickled deformed pigs, and even a mummy. My ethics feel a little uneasy with the history and content of the freak show but I was fascinated with the display and the idea of it. Jon and I also made our way into the death photography exhibit - I was familiar with the historical practice of posing and photographing the dead, but it was neat to see some enlarged examples. The pre-death immortalization of Sarah Bernhardt in particular stuck out for its demonstration of human vanity. Aside from more eating at a couple of locations and occasions, the rest of our night entailed witnessing Sid Haig co-hosting the Rue Morgue costume c target=" "ontest and an on-fire performance by The Creepshow.

As for Sunday - more eating and not as much of the expo as I would've liked since I had to head back home early. Brent Spiner (Data) was a bit of a smart-ass disappointment, though I was glad someone mentioned his role on Gargoyles (playing Puck). Edward James Olmos (with Aaron Taylor) was more rousing and inspiring, and despite the Battlestar Galactica spoilers I was impressed by their dedication to the show and its engagement with contemporary issues. For me the weekend ended with a bit of Sean Astin, who seemed like a pretty nice guy.

I'm already wondering who they'll get to show up next year...

p.s. I forgot to mention how much I liked the Play Dead Cult artwork. I only bought a shirt, but I'd like one of those paintings...