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April 1 - 2, 2011 :: Blacksburg, VA 24061 A Convention Celebrating the Arts of Science Fiction and Fantasy
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Programming Information |
Technicon 28 will feature a full day of events on Saturday April 2, and additionally this year we are bringing back some casual programming on Friday evening April 1. Most areas will be open around 6 pm Friday, and due to facilities limitations all programming needs to be finished by 10 pm. Saturday most areas open around 10 am, and again all programming needs to be finished by 10 pm. The following list of planned rooms and events is not final, as we're working up to the last minute to bring you additional content; but should give you a good idea of what we are planning: Anime: Classic and recent Japanese animation Friday night and all day Saturday Art Show: Saturday only. With works from local and regional artists; there is no hanging or entry fee and most orignals can be bid on for the auction Saturday night. Visit our artshow page for more information. Con Lounge: Whether you want to just take a seat between events, are looking for someplace to chat with friends, or need someplace to eat your takeout lunch while planning world domination for later that afternoon, the Con Lounge is the place to be. (Note: Food service not provided; however there are vending machines in the building, several resturants within easy walking distance, and a bewildering multitude of food options within less than a 15 minute drive. Several event rooms, including all rooms with carpet, the Art Show, and E-Gaming, forbid food or drinks other than plain water; if you choose to bring food, we ask that you eat it in the Con Lounge and clean up after yourself.) Concert: Come and listen, or even sing along, at the White Plectrum Filk Concert, part of the Saturday evening program. Keith Brinegar strums out familiar tunes with a sci-fi twist. These folksong parodies are sure to have you rolling in the aisles! For extra excitement, attend the infamous Filking 101 panel on Saturday afternoon and participate in the creation process! (We promise it's a lot more fun than learning how sausage is made, although it similarly involves putting familiar objects into a giant mangler...) Dealers: We will have a Dealer's Room this year for models, shirts, prints, and the like; a limited number of tables are still available. E-Gaming: Due to popular demand, we've expanded our Electronic Gaming lineup, with two rooms of "Retro Consoles" on Friday and four simultaneous rooms on Saturday to highlight different sorts of electronic gaming.
Masquerade / Cosplay: Have a costume you'd like to show off, or a skit that needs performing? Enter our Masquerade, part of the Saturday evening program, to compete in a host of categories or just show off on stage. Not a performer? Come see knights and ladies in regalia, marvel at the expert craftsmanship, laugh yourself silly at the humorous sketches, and help defeat the all-powerful Vile One! Panels and Workshops: Panels A will primarily be focused on our art track; whether you need some clues about getting started, are looking for advanced tips to level your craft, or are trying to figure out how to turn a hobby into an income, there should be a panel for you. Panels B will feature a variety of different speakers and subjects through the con. Most panels will be on Saturday during the day. RPG Gaming: Role-Playing Games have been part of Technicon since the very beginning, and we're working to bring you a variety of choices. Currently we have games lined up for the systems D&D 3.5, D&D 4.0, and Exalted; but we hope to add more. We've got two rooms (RPG A and RPG B) set aside, plus an overflow Open Gaming room if needed; if you are interested in running a game, slots are still open! Most games will nominally run in 4-hour blocks; 6 pm - 10 pm Friday, 10 am - 2 pm Saturday, and 2 pm - 6 pm Saturday. New this year, we are trying to focus the Friday block on tutorials and new players; if you've been looking to get into gaming, pick up a new system, or want to gain new players for your favorite system check out the Friday lineup. Further details will be available at the con. (Most games should provide players with the minimum needed, but we recommend you bring a pencil, eraser, scratch paper, and some dice for the best experience; if you're serious about playing a system, you may wish to bring common handbooks to help speed up the process.) Table Gaming: Whether you're thrilled by the excitement of freshly-opened boosters, appreciate the quality of fine European wooden game components, contend that it's not possible to be too much of a munchkin as you equip a chainsaw in your third hand, or are looking for an epic battle of strategy over small cardboard counters and a hexmap, the Table Games room is the place to be. (While there will be a selection of games generously loaned to the con, we encourage you to bring your own games and components.) Additionally, award-winning game designer Greg Porter of BTRC will be in the room on Saturday afternoon, to demo recent games and beta-test new ones; check in at the con for more info. USS Yeager: The USS Yeager, our regional branch of Starfleet (the Star Trek fan association), will again be hosting a room. Learn more about Starfleet as a fan organization and a force for good in real life through their charity work, chat with like-minded fans, or (politely!) dispute which is the best captain. Check in at the con for additional programming details. Video: With a particular focus on this year's "Robot Revolution" theme, we will also spotlight local and independant film producers and talent. Check in at the con for details. | ||||||||||
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