M49 Programming Brainstorm
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GOH Specific Ideas
Catherynne M. Valente Interview
Attend an interview with the multi-Hugo nominated and Hugo Award winner Catherynne M. Valente
SF Squeecast
Experience or discuss the previous incarnations of the Hugo awarding winning Podcast with SF Squeecast co-host Catherynne M. Valente.
Janny Wurts Interview
Attend an interview with the multi-award winning author The Cycle of Fire trilogy, Wars of Light and Shadow, and Empire Trilogy.
Don Maitz Art Slideshow
Art by Don Maitz including Fantasy, Maritime, and who could forget, the "A little Captain in ya" Captain Morgan.
Janny Wurts Art Slideshow
Art by Janny Wurts including Fantasy, Science Fiction, and Art of the Cosmos
Catherynne M. Valente Concert
In addition to her writing credits, Ms. Valente is also an accomplished musician. Would she be interested in a spot in the concert schedule?
Live Art Demonstration
Don Maitz
Live Art Demonstration
Janny Wurts
The History of the Prester John Legend
From the 12th to 17th centuries, the legends of priest-king Prester John were popular in Europe. The story captured the imagination of Europeans, who translated it into many languages and embellished upon the original story. What made this story go viral (by medieval standards)? How did the legend influence exploration, European expansion, and exploitation? Cat Valente has written two Prester John novels, The Habitation of the Blessed and The Folded World, with a third novel forthcoming (hopefully). She has also uploaded a YouTube video, Prester John: International Man of Mystery, explaining the history of the medieval legend of Prester John, as told by action figures.
Imagining the Conjurer
Don Maitz has several pieces of artwork depicting wizards, mages, and sorcerers. What information can be garnered of the personalities represented in his depictions of the conjurer?
Art
Industrial Strength Super Bubbles
Minicon will be later in the year than it usually is. Maybe we can combine this with Richard Tatge's Bubbles in an outdoor venue.
Knitting: It's Not Just a Hobby; It’s a Post-Apocalyptic Survival Skill
Learn the basics of knitting, and the role this skill plays in the lifestyle of SF fans. In the event of a worldwide catastrophe, what benefits would those of us with strong, nimble fingers bring to the new society?
Book mutilation as transformative work
This hands on roundtable event will allow participants to carve, sculpt, etch, shape and alter books into new works of art. Books, glue, scissors, knives and other craft supplies will be provided.
Puppet Sprint
An idea for Next Generation programming. Participants write a puppet script to be performed for kids in the Rumpus Room. Need puppet wrangler and director.
Fandom and Zeitgeist
Gaming
The Gamification of Everything
Sharon will write description
Matt McMillan Gaming Panel
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Literature/Writing
Maenads, Oracles, and Other Madwomen of Myth & Folklore
A bit touched, or privy to knowledge unknown to her female cohorts? A discussion of the frenzied, fanatical, and eccentric women that appear in the literature of the fantastic.
Page 117
Somewhere between "It was a dark & stormy night" and “the butler did it" lies page 117. If all you knew about a novel was the contents of page 117, would you read and/or buy it? Page 117s of well-known novels and fresh works are read aloud and discussed by the panelists and audience members.
Terra Incognita: The Role of Maps in Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature
A discussion of maps used in speculative fiction, either as endpieces or as part of the story. What are good (and bad) examples of maps of imaginary worlds? Can the inclusion of maps create problems? What can maps tell us of the modes of transportation, natural setting, and politics of the realm? Are maps for modern fantasy novels too modern (i.e. accurate)?
Books That Can Change Your Life
Fiction can open a door, allowing a reader to explore new ideas and see things that didn't seem to be there before. Some books have a profound effect on their readers. How'd that happen?
I Read a Book and 20 Years Later it was a Different Book
Sometimes books don't survive the test of time as well as we would like.
Media
Science and Technology
M49 at M49
M49 is a elliptical galaxy in the Virgo cluster, and one of many objects that is barely visible in the city night sky with a telescope. An interactive discussion of parking lot astronomy.
Getting Medieval (Science) on Your *ss
The first institutions recognized as universities were established during the Middle Ages. What was the accepted worldview for citizens of the medieval world? Was it based on natural observation, superstition, or something else? What was the influence upon the arts, architecture, and literature of the time?