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(NOTE: All events are subject to last minute changes. Please check back often.)
Block Party 1
Time: Thursday - 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Young Fan
Location: Third Floor
Panelists: Colleen Spengler (M)
Description: Join us for a massive build-a-thon with Lego bricks galore. Block heads of all ages welcome!
Do You Still Believe in the Future?
Time: Thursday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Adult
Location: Birch B
Panelists: Michael D'Ambrosio, Dermot Dobson (M), Butch Honeck, Jim Plaxco
Description: They say the "Golden Age of Science Fiction" is thirteen and when you're thirteen all sorts of things are possible in the future. Now that you've grown up, chronologically, if nothing else, do you still view the possibilities of the future the way you did when you hit that golden age? Is it possible to retain that hope and optimism or are humans naturally cynical?
I Write SF, but I'm a Techno-Idiot
Time: Thursday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch A
Panelists: Richard Chwedyk (M), Fred Pohl, Gene Wolfe
Description: Just because an author writes science fiction doesn’t mean they allow it into their lives. From the extreme of Harlan Ellison™ still using a manual typewriter or Ray Bradbury refusing to learn to drive, what Luddite tendencies plague today’s otherwise sophisticated science fiction author?
Midwinter Faire
Time: Thursday - 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Event
Location: Lake Michigan A
Description: It’s time to start the celebration! There will be pizza, games, events, and more for your enjoyment. It’s a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and make some new ones!
Mix and Match SF
Time: Thursday - 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Book
Location: Birch B
Panelists: Brian Babendererde, Richard Chwedyk, Michael D'Ambrosio (M)
Description: Science fiction and fantasy often adopt the styles of other genres. This panel looks at such strange mixes as space westerns, paranormal romances, and fantasy mysteries to help you stretch your reading dollar.
Spider Robinson and Robert Heinlein
Time: Thursday - 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Book
Location: Birch A
Panelists: David Abzug, Walt Boyes, Erik V. Olson (M), Spider Robinson, Curtis Taitel
Description: Spider Robinson has long acknowledged his debt to Robert Heinlein. In 2006, Robinson was able to pay this debt back when he collaborated with Heinlein on Variable Star. This panel looks at the two authors' similarities and differences.
What Makes the Best Hall Costumes?
Time: Thursday - 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Elm
Panelists: Liz Gilio, Kerri-Ellen Kelly (M), delphyne woods
Description: Hall costumes, which can be worn around the convention and inspected, follow a different set of rules than display costumes, which are worn during the masquerade, but not necessarily off stage. What goes into making a hall costume that will make people chase you down to look at the details?
Opening Ceremonies
Time: Thursday - 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Event
Location: Ravinia A, Ravinia B
Description: Welcome to Capricon 30: Celebration! Join us as we kick off this year's event and get some idea of what to expect, meet our GoHs, and meet the people who make it all possible.
Celebrating Local Artists
Time: Thursday - 9:00 PM to 10:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Art
Location: Birch A
Panelists: Alice Bentley (M), Walt Boyes, Curtis Taitel
Description: Home to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, our city has produced a plethora of great SF artists, from J. Allen St. John to Randy Broecker. Come and learn about the rich artistic heritage of Chicago and learn which current artists call our city home.
How to Read Tarot Cards
Time: Thursday - 9:00 PM to 10:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Elm
Panelists: Lee Darrow, Rana George, Kerri-Ellen Kelly, Deirdre Murphy (M), delphyne woods
Description: Let's face it, cups, swords, staves and coins are so much cooler than diamonds, hearts, spades, and clubs. But each of those means something different, and when you add in the trumps, Tarot just blows regular cards out of the water. Come and learn what the suits and trumps really mean and how they can tell you what to expect.
How to Throw a Party at a Convention
Time: Thursday - 9:00 PM to 10:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch B
Panelists: Peter Heltzer (M), Dave McCarty, Terrence Miltner
Description: Evenings at Capricon are the time to party, but just like everything else at a con, you can throw a party and not just attend one. Learn from some of Capricon's past party mavens how to pick the right theme, carry the right food and drink, and walk out with the coveted best party prize. Begin planning your party for Capricon 31.
Howlin' Beagle
Time: Thursday - 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Filk
Location: Botanic Garden A
Panelists: Daniel Gunderson
Description: Howlin' Beagle plays an eclectic mix of popular and folk music, from the Rolling Stones to Bob Dylan. Whatever they're playing on a given night, they're always entertaining.
Open Filk (Thu)
Time: Thursday - 10:00 PM to 2:00 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Filk
Location: Botanic Garden A
Spring Carnival
Time: Friday - 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Young Fan
Location: Third Floor
Panelists: Colleen Spengler (M)
Description: Spring is in the air and the buds are blooming. Come try your luck with carnival games, or make some springtime crafts.
Summer Games
Time: Friday - 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Young Fan
Location: Third Floor
Panelists: Colleen Spengler (M)
Description: Come try our tests of skill and games of luck and enjoy crafts to celebrate the Summer season.
All ages welcome
Harvest Festival
Time: Friday - 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Young Fan
Location: Third Floor
Panelists: Colleen Spengler (M)
Description: Time to celebrate all things Autumn! Come craft and play games of luck and tests of skill and complete your leaf collection.
Reading: Gene Wolfe
Time: Friday - 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Book
Location: Botanic Garden A
Panelists: Gene Wolfe
Brother Guy Discusses The Heavens Proclaim
Time: Friday - 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Book
Location: Botanic Garden B
Panelists: Br. Guy Consolmagno (M)
Description: Brother Guy discusses his newly published coffee-table book The Heavens Proclaim, a new book on celebration. As seen on TV!
2012: Are the Mayans Right?
Time: Friday - 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch A
Panelists: Patricia Sayre McCoy, Kevin Spencer (M), Bill Thomasson, delphyne woods
Description: The Mesoamerican Long Count calendar is set to end on December 20, 2012. Many people have taken this to mean the end of the world despite the fact that nothing happened when the last Long Count Calendar ended on September 18, 1618. Why are some people convinced this ending is different? And why did the Mayans need a calendar that tracked for nearly four centuries?
Homeopathic Remedies: Fact or Fiction?
Time: Friday - 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Medical
Location: Willow A
Panelists: Trista Gunderman, Dr. John D. Nikitow (M), Dr. Michael Unger
Description: Homeopathy is just one of many "alternative" medicines, treating diseases with a series of dilutions. Is this a legitimate treatment? If it is, what can mainstream doctors learn from its techniques? If it isn't, does it do harm or merely have a placebo effect?
Judging a Book by Page 119
Time: Friday - 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Book
Location: Birch B
Panelists: Peter Heltzer, Helen Montgomery (M), Jody Lynn Nye, Leane Verhulst
Description: They say you can judge a book by its cover. Can you judge it by reading only page 119? Join us and find out.
Phandemonium Book Club: Very Bad Deaths, by Spider Robinson
Time: Friday - 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Book
Location: Willow B
Panelists: Dave McCarty (M)
Description: Phandemonium hosts a discussion of guest of honor Spider Robinson's 2004 novel Very Bad Deaths. Come and discuss this dark departure from Robinson's lighter fare.
Reading: Tim Vaulato
Time: Friday - 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Botanic Garden A
Panelists: Tim Vaulato
What's Happening North of the Border?
Time: Friday - 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Science
Location: Elm
Panelists: Carolyn Clink, Robert J. Sawyer, Marah Searle-Kovacevic (M), Alex von Thorn
Description: Our very large neighbor to the North (no, not Wisconsin-Canada) has a vibrant science fiction scene, from the authors to the fans to the number of science fiction films and television shows that are made there. Some of our Canadian members will tell you what is happening in Canada in these post Anticipation days. Eh?
Winter Games
Time: Friday - 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Young Fan
Location: Third Floor
Panelists: Colleen Spengler (M)
Description: Come try our tests of skill and games of luck and enjoy crafts to celebrate the Winter season.
All ages welcome
Celebrating the Greatest Heroes in SF and Fantasy
Time: Friday - 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Book
Location: Birch B
Panelists: Brian Babendererde, Trista Gunderman, Kevin Spencer, Tim Vaulato (M)
Description: They stand above the genre like colossi of Rhodes. James T. Kirk, Frodo Baggins, Hiro Protagonist. Who are the heroes that define science fiction and fantasy? What makes readers and viewers able to relate to them, or even just want to be like them? Come and discuss the Good Guys and perhaps find new books and movies to enjoy.
E-Readers: The Greening of Books
Time: Friday - 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Book
Location: Willow B
Panelists: Walt Boyes (M), Chris Gerrib, Kathryn Sullivan, Curtis Taitel
Description: Discussion and Demos - bring your reader to show it off!
Eric Coleman Concert
Time: Friday - 2:30 PM to 3:15 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Filk
Location: Botanic Garden A
Panelists: Eric Coleman
Description: When he's not performing with Toyboat, Eric Coleman has been known to do a bit of singing and guitar playing on his own. We've persuaded him to step out and perform some of his original material for us here.
History and Evolution of Religion
Time: Friday - 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Willow A
Panelists: Deirdre Murphy, Patricia Sayre McCoy (M), Lawrence Watt-Evans
Description: Every religion changes over time. The Catholic Church allowed priests to marry up until 1054. The destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem caused many religious practices to change. What causes religions to evolve? What makes it more difficult for some religions to evolve? And what happens when a religion changes too quickly (or slowly) for its followers?
Match Game
Time: Friday - 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Event
Location: Botanic Garden B
Panelists: Laura Dombrowski (M), Peter Heltzer, Dave McCarty, April Voecks
Description: You might remember the show from the 70's and 80's. Come and possibly be lucky enough to have a chance to match our panelists in filling in the blank. Our winners will receive prizes.
Nuclear Fission or Fusion or ???: What Will Power our Future?
Time: Friday - 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Science
Location: Elm
Panelists: Jim Landis, Pat Nuccio, Jim Plaxco (M), Isabel Schechter
Description: Wind...Water...Coal...Steam...Oil. Over the centuries our fuel choices have changed as we've found more effective alternatives. At the beginning of the twenty-first century, the most effect alternatives, nuclear fission, carries a strong negative, and fusion isn't ready for prime time. What advances will fuel sources see in the next 50 years? 100 years? Will we ever run out of fuel?
Searching for Weirdness in the Vaults of Life Magazine
Time: Friday - 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch A
Panelists: Bill Higgins
Description: Searching for weirdness in the vaults of Life magazine. Puppets, Jetpacks, Ballet on the moon?
Sweetheart's Hour
Time: Friday - 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Young Fan
Location: Third Floor
Panelists: Colleen Spengler (M)
Description: Come share warm fuzzies and make heart shaped cards, tissue paper flowers, and make some jewelry too. Swap sweetheart candies with your chums.
Debbie Gates Concert
Time: Friday - 3:15 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Filk
Location: Botanic Garden A
Panelists: Debbie Gates
Description: Debbie Gates has performed for years with Wild Mercy, but for those times when she's not out gigging with the rest of the band, she's assembled a fine repertoire of filk and folk that's enjoyable on any occasion. Come on by and enjoy!
Art Show Docent Tour with GoH Lucy Synk
Time: Friday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Art
Location: Ravinia C
Docent: Lucy Synk
Description: You may know what you like, but when you're shown the art by someone who knows what to look for, whole new vistas can open up, even in paintings you don't personally appreciate.
Bill Roper's Other Concert
Time: Friday - 4:00 PM to 4:45 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Filk
Location: Botanic Garden A
Panelists: Bill Roper
Description: Originally, this was Bill's only concert. But when Spider and Jeanne couldn't make it to the con, Bill was the emergency backup replacement for that slot. The good news is that Bill's been writing music so quickly lately, that he shouldn't have any trouble doing two entirely different sets for you. Come by and we'll find out what he pulls out of his hat.
Blowing in the Wind
Time: Friday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Botanic Garden B
Panelists: Richard Chwedyk, Dina Krause (M), Neil Rest, Bill Thomasson
Description: What happened to the 60's activists? Will their legacy impact the future of the planet?
Celebrate Conventions: Any Given Weekend
Time: Friday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Fandom
Location: Birch B
Panelists: Valli Hoski, Dave McCarty (M), Isabel Schechter, Curtis Taitel
Description: Where's it at, who's got it and where can I get a good tuna fish sandwich? There are some excellent conventions all over the country (and all over the world). Come to this panel to hear about other conventions you may be interested in attending and share your experiences of remote conventions you've enjoyed!
Evil vs. Good: What Makes a Better Story? Evil or Good Winning the Day?
Time: Friday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Willow A
Panelists: Rachel Cohan, Chris Gerrib (M), Paul McComas, Kevin Spencer, Joy Ward
Description: At its most basic, a conflict has a good side (our side) and an evil side (their side). Traditionally, story-telling has the good side come out on top, but is that all there is? Can the evil side win and still provide a story that speaks to the reader? What are the strengths and weaknesses of letting the evil side win? What are some of the classics that focus on Evil Victorious?
Face painting techniques
Time: Friday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Art
Location: Willow B
Panelists: Deirdre Murphy
Fun with Food: Taste of Capricon
Time: Friday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Young Fan
Location: Third Floor
Panelists: Kerri-Ellen Kelly, Colleen Spengler (M)
Description: Come sculpt wacky creations with marshmallows, gummies and other edible substances. Build a Treats-A-Pizza or just nibble the goodies. Who says you shouldn't play with your food? Not us!
It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time: Science Edition
Time: Friday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Science
Location: Birch A
Panelists: David Abzug, Tonya Foust, Jer Lance, Jim Landis (M), Jody Lynn Nye
Description: From polywater to lawsonomy to n-rays, the march of science has been littered with discarded ideas that seem humorous, misguided, or even sinister to our modern, enlightened sensibilities. Come and learn about the disproven theories that couldn't stand the light of day, and speculate on which modern theories might join them on the dustheap of history.
Koffeeklatch with Author GoH Robert J. Sawyer
Time: Friday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: GOH
Location: Elm
Author: Robert J. Sawyer
Description: You don't have to drink coffee, tea, coffiest, klava, or klah to participate. Join one of your favorite Guests of Honor for an intimate round table discussion. Space is limited, so sign up at the Info Desk.
Art Warneke Concert
Time: Friday - 4:45 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Filk
Location: Botanic Garden A
Panelists: Art Warneke
Description: Art Warneke is one of the strongest male vocalists in Milwaukee's filk community and he's got excellent taste in his choice of the music that he covers, so it's always a treat to hear him sing. Drop in for a cup of coffee and a spot of filk.
A Celebration Of Bad Films
Time: Friday - 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Media
Location: Birch A
Panelists: Br. Guy Consolmagno, Lee Darrow, Paul McComas (M), Lawrence Watt-Evans
Description: They are the films you claim never to have seen, but when they come on cable, you can't turn away. You might even have a copy on DVD hidden behind the more sociably acceptable porn. What movies make Plan 9 From Outer Space look like a masterpiece of plotting, character, and special effects?
Block Party 2
Time: Friday - 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Young Fan
Location: Third Floor
Panelists: Colleen Spengler (M)
Description: Join us for a massive build-a-thon with Lego bricks galore. Block heads of all ages welcome!
Ethics of Genetic Testing
Time: Friday - 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Science
Location: Birch B
Panelists: Dr. Lisa Freitag, Eileen Maksym, Dr. John D. Nikitow, Dr. Bob Passovoy (M), Dr. Michael Unger
Description: Now that we've mapped the human genome, what ethical questions are starting to arise? Should people be tested for genetic deviations? What good will that do them? How can that knowledge be used or abused by doctors or insurance companies?
Intro to the Con
Time: Friday - 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Fandom
Location: Willow A
Panelists: Helen Montgomery, Leane Verhulst
Description: Welcome to Capricon! Ask our panelists any questions that you have about the convention, where things are and what the convention is all about. This is an ideal panel for new attendees who have never been to Capricon before or who have never been to a science fiction convention. Ask them questions about whether just reading or watching SF makes you a fan or is it the social aspect of gathering at a con or participating in a blog that makes you one.
Job Networking: Have You Been Laid Off? Is Your Firm Hiring?
Time: Friday - 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Elm
Panelists: Walt Boyes (M), Lucy Synk, delphyne woods
Description: We know the job market stinks. Whether you believe we have yet to bottom out or are in the midst of a recovery, it doesn't really matter if you still need a job. Come and discuss job hunting techniques and perhaps get the all important lead for your next job.
Phandemonium Book Club: Short Stories, by Frederik Pohl
Time: Friday - 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Book
Location: Willow B
Panelists: Jerry Gilio (M)
Description: Phandemonium hosts this discussion of several short stories that appeared in guest of honor Frederik Pohl's 2005 collection The Platinum Pohl. Come and discuss "The Merchants of Venus," "The Meeting," "The Greening of Bed-Stuy," "Fermi and Frost," and "The Gold at the Starbow's End."
Birthday Party and Wizard Rock Concert
Time: Friday - 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Event
Location: Ravinia A, Ravinia B
Description: Capricious turns 30. Come and join us in celebrating his milestone with music and cake. Yes, there will be lots of cake! The cake will be followed by a concert with a Wizard Rock (Harry Potter) band - Dreary Inferi!
Fannish Health Issues
Time: Friday - 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Medical
Location: Elm
Panelists: Dermot Dobson, Phyllis Eisenstein, Dr. Bob Passovoy, Dr. Michael Unger (M)
Description: Obesity, Diabetes, Myopia, Trimethylaminuria. Fans, especially as fans age, have a variety of medical problems that require attention. Although doctors can help in many cases, fans also need to learn to take better care of themselves, whether through diet, exercise, or simply listening to their bodies. Come and learn how you can become a healthier and happier fan.
Jack Sparrow's Beach Party
Time: Friday - 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Young Fan
Location: Third Floor
Panelists: Colleen Spengler (M)
Description: Arrrrrgh! Come dance with the pirates, make some sandy crafts, and sing-along with the parrots.
Massage Therapy: Relief for Stress and Pain Remediation
Time: Friday - 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Adult
Location: Willow B
Panelists: Leesa Almgren (M), Lee Darrow, Liz Gilio
Description: Even if a massage doesn't cure the underlying cause of the pain, it can certainly alleviate pain caused through tension. Come and learn what massage therapy can do for you and why it is more than just a backrub.
The Way the Future Was (with Boskone)
Time: Friday - 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch A, Birch B
Panelists: Fred Pohl, Robert J. Sawyer, Gene Wolfe
Anime: Giving Voice To Animated Characters
Time: Friday - 8:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Elm
Panelists: Brian Babendererde, Alice Bentley (M), Rana George, Daniel Levin, D'Andre Williams
Description: There is a lot that goes into creating a successful anime character. Not only must the look be right for what the character does, but the voice must also match. In same cases, this is obvious, you wouldn't want James Earl Jones to provide the voice of Sailor Moon, but what type of girl's voice do you want? How do you determine what vocal qualities will make an anime character an instant classic?
Slumber Party 1
Time: Friday - 8:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Young Fan
Location: Third Floor
Panelists: Colleen Spengler (M)
Description: Come party with the DJ in her PJs for games galore and mega munchies.
If you snooze you lose!
The Gong Show
Time: Friday - 9:30 PM to 11:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Event
Location: Botanic Garden B
Panelists: Mike (Ciggy) Cyganiewicz, Dennis Dombrowski, Laura Dombrowski
Description: Can you spoon the theme to True Blood? How about tap dance to the theme from Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Express yourself interpreting the life of Data or even sing the Ballad of Jayne? If you think you have any talent, or even if you don't, come and perform for the judges at the Gong Show. You might get gonged or you might win, either way you will have fun and probably have something hit your funny bone, too.
Coarse Language in SF
Time: Friday - 10:00 PM to 11:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Adult
Location: Elm
Panelists: Rachel Cohan, Michael D'Ambrosio, Doug Drummond, Jessica Merrick, Isabel Schechter, Greg Williams (M)
Description: Isaac Asimov used to write "unprintable" as an epithet. Battlestar Galactica invented the word "Frak." Modern authors tend to be much saltier in their use of language. How do you tell when you've gone too far? Should there be a rating system letting people know books have adult language?
Open Filk (Fri)
Time: Friday - 10:00 PM to 3:00 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Filk
Location: Ravinia A, Ravinia B
Twittering SF: Summarize Your Favorite SF/F Book As a Twitter Post
Time: Friday - 10:00 PM to 11:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Book
Location: Birch B
Panelists: Br. Guy Consolmagno, Lee Darrow, Dawn Kuczwara (M), Erik V. Olson
Description: Bks R just way 2 long. Authors seem 2 think they need 2 include verbs & nouns & things. R panelists summarize their favrit bks in 140 ch.
What Technical Advances Will be Accepted by the General Population?
Time: Friday - 10:00 PM to 11:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Science
Location: Birch A
Panelists: Alice Bentley, Dermot Dobson, Jim Rittenhouse (M)
Description: Are there certain kinds of technical advances that are more likely to be accepted by the general population than others?
Lollipop Oooza Music Festival
Time: Saturday - 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Young Fan
Location: Third Floor
Panelists: Daniel Gunderson, Chazz Spengler (M)
Description: Join us for our junior jam session. Bring your own instrument or enjoy an array of percussion choices as we explore musical mayhem. Make a joyful noise and catch the rhythm.
All ages welcome.
Assault On The Moon
Time: Saturday - 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Science
Location: Ravinia B
Panelists: Br. Guy Consolmagno, Bill Higgins (M)
Description: Chasing lunar water with a new generation of lunar spacecraft. Scientists have long theorized that the Moon could harbor reserves of water. Recent use of robot probes has indicated that they were correct. But is there enough? Are we seeing the beginning of a new Moon Race?
Chicago of Tomorrow
Time: Saturday - 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch A
Panelists: Walt Boyes, Richard Chwedyk (M), Phyllis Eisenstein, Chris Gerrib
Description: In this interactive panel event, the panelists and audience discuss the changes they would like to see in Chicago (both realistic and pie in the sky) over the next twenty years. The panelists will address the various suggestions and look at their feasibility.
Mental Health Treatment: How Far Have We Really Come?
Time: Saturday - 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Medical
Location: Elm
Panelists: Dr. Lisa Freitag, Kelley Higgins, Helen Montgomery (M), Becky Thomson, Joy Ward
Description: Although we may not put our "lunatics" in asylums any more, there is still a stigma attached to mental illness. Even the act of seeing a psychiatrist or psychologist is enough to raise some people's eyebrows. How close are we to being an enlightened society when it comes to mental health and what steps can we take to remove the stigma?
Reading: Robert Sawyer
Time: Saturday - 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Botanic Garden A
Reader: Robert J. Sawyer
Royal Coronation
Time: Saturday - 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Young Fan
Location: Third Floor
Panelists: Colleen Spengler (M)
Description: Come craft with us for a make & take of all the royal accessories fit for a young king or queen. Find your inner prince or princess and we'll help budding monarchs create tiaras and wands, crowns and swords.
For ages 3 and up
The Critical Gap Between Film and Text
Time: Saturday - 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Media
Location: Birch B
Panelists: Brian Babendererde, Bob Blackwood (M), Paul McComas, Patricia Sayre McCoy
Description: Do critics and reviewers who examine the written word have a different set of assumptions than those who look at film?
Autographing: Fred Pohl
Time: Saturday - 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Autograph Table
Author: Fred Pohl
Reading: Jody Lyn Nye
Time: Saturday - 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Book
Location: Botanic Garden A
Reader: Jody Lynn Nye
Art Show Docent Tour with delphyne woods
Time: Saturday - 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Art
Location: Ravinia C
Description: You may know what you like, but when you're shown the art by someone who knows what to look for, whole new vistas can open up, even in paintings you don't personally appreciate. Hugo Award winning artist delphyne woods will shepherd you around the Capricon art show and tell you how great kitties with wings done in crayon on toilet paper are.
Celebrating the Greatest Villains in SF and Fantasy
Time: Saturday - 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Ravinia B
Panelists: Alice Bentley (M), Dave McCarty, Kathryn Sullivan, Tim Vaulato
Description: From Snidely Whiplash to Darth Vader, the villains are frequently the most interesting characters in science fiction and fantasy. What draws us to them? Are they more nuanced than the heroes? Is it our hidden desire to break the rules? Or is it that black capes are the height of fashion?
Dramatic Readings from the Weekly World News: 2009 in Review
Time: Saturday - 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Elm
Panelists: Helen Montgomery (M)
Description: In 2007, the Weekly World News stopped publishing their print edition. They thought it would stop us…but they were WRONG! Come join us for much silliness, laughter, and bad puns as we bring you the best of this year's online stories from "The World's Only Reliable Newspaper."
Fairy Queen's Garden Party
Time: Saturday - 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Young Fan
Location: Third Floor
Panelists: Colleen Spengler (M)
Description: Come join our garden party for our friends from faerieland! Enjoy snacks and treats, games and crafts for you and your favorite teddy bear, doll, or imaginary playmate.
You'll have a faerie good time!
All ages welcome
International, National, and Local SF Awards
Time: Saturday - 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Willow B
Panelists: Doug Drummond (M), Valli Hoski, Neil Rest, Jim Rittenhouse
Description: You've probably heard about the Hugo and Nebula Awards, but there are a slew of other awards presented every year, from the Golden Duck, given out by Chicago's own SuperConDuckTivity, for Children's SF to the James Tiptree, Jr. Award for gender bending SF. Come and learn about lesser known awards and discover a whole new range of award winning books and stories to fill your reading hours.
ISFiC Meeting
Time: Saturday - 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Fandom
Location: Willow A
Description: An open board meeting for ISFiC, the parent organization that runs Windycon, Picnicon, ISFiC Press, and the ISFiC Writers Contest. If you want to have any input, feel free to stop by. If you attended Windycon, you're an ISFiC member.
Olympiad
Time: Saturday - 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Event
Location: Botanic Garden B
Panelists: Mike (Ciggy) Cyganiewicz, Laura Dombrowski
Description: Join your fellow conventioneers in contests designed to test your skills and your funny bone.
The Right Stuff: Heroes and Heroines
Time: Saturday - 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch B
Panelists: Rachel Cohan, Michael D'Ambrosio, Leonard Krol, Mary Mascari
Description: Do they have common characteristics or backgrounds that help them win the day?
Autographing: Robert J. Sawyer
Time: Saturday - 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Autograph Table
Author: Robert J. Sawyer
Climate Change: Local Effects (with Boskone)
Time: Saturday - 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch A
Panelists: Dermot Dobson, Jim Landis
Algorithmic Art: Where Art Meets Math
Time: Saturday - 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Science
Location: Ravinia A
Panelists: Jim Plaxco
Description: A brief history of algorithmic art and a look at some of the tools available today to those interested in its pursuit.
Are There Such Things As Supergerms?
Time: Saturday - 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Medical
Location: Willow A
Panelists: Dr. Bob Passovoy, Bill Thomasson (M), Dr. Michael Unger
Description: Are supergerms just media hype or are there actually pathogens that will adapt so quickly that there is no way for medical science to eradicate, or even treat, the illnesses they cause? Is there a limit to what medicine can achieve or will we defeat these germs before they wipe out the human race?
Autographing: Nye
Time: Saturday - 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Book
Location: Autograph Table
Panelists: Jody Lynn Nye
Carol Ferraro and Barisha Letterman Concert
Time: Saturday - 1:00 PM to 1:45 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Filk
Location: Botanic Garden A
Panelists: Carol Ferraro, Barisha Letterman
Description: Barisha and Carol have been singing together in harmony for years and have written a lot of fine filk songs. If you haven't heard them before at Capricon or elsewhere, here's your chance to catch them live! (And since they're still working on their album, it may be a while before you can catch them pre-recorded...)
Hidden Religion in SF/F
Time: Saturday - 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Book
Location: Birch B
Panelists: Br. Guy Consolmagno (M), Eileen Maksym, Lawrence Watt-Evans, Gene Wolfe
Description: Authors don’t have to create religions in their stories to infuse the narrative with religious motifs, there are more subtle ways to bring beliefs and their religious convictions into a story in ways the reader might not even realize.
Lemony Snicket's Writer's Workshop
Time: Saturday - 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Young Fan
Location: Third Floor
Panelists: Kerri-Ellen Kelly, Colleen Spengler (M)
Description: Come craft with us for a book building make & take. Color, stencil, stamp and sticker a story to create your own book to take home with you.
For ages 3 and up
Literary and Cinematic Dystopias
Time: Saturday - 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Elm
Panelists: Bob Blackwood, Alex Eisenstein, Paul McComas (M), Jim Rittenhouse, Joy Ward
Description: While we would all love to live in the perfect world, imperfect worlds are much more interesting. From 1984 to Children of Men, science fiction authors and filmmakers are constantly warning us about the follies of policy and human nature. Who has done this the best and how well do their warnings work?
Phandemonium Book Club: FlashForward, by Robert J. Sawyer
Time: Saturday - 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Book
Location: Willow B
Description: Phandemonium presents a book discussion of Robert J. Sawyer's 1999 novel FlashForward, the basis for the hit television show of the same name.
Snow Goons
Time: Saturday - 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Lobby
Panelists: Helen Montgomery, Erik V. Olson
Description: Time to head outside and play in the snow! Join us as we romp through the snow drifts and create stunning (and by stunning, we mean...well, twisted!) works of snow art, a la Calvin and Hobbes. In the event of uncooperative weather, we will meet in Calahan's Crosstime Saloon (Consuite) instead and have hot cocoa!
The Best in On-line Comics
Time: Saturday - 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch A
Panelists: Alice Bentley (M), Mike Cole, Deb Kosiba
Description: Every day, you can spend hours looking through comics on-line...not just the ones that also appear in your newspaper, but original content from the likes of xkcd, Dork Tower, Order of the Stick, and more. Come to this panel to learn where to get your daily laughs, many of which may be tailored specifically for the fannish crowd.
Amy McNally Concert
Time: Saturday - 1:45 PM to 2:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Filk
Location: Botanic Garden A
Panelists: Amy McNally
Description: Fiddler Amy is incredibly talented. Not only does she play well-known material well, but she also has been known to play along wonderfully on songs that she's hearing for the first time. The rest of us are still trying to figure out how she does it -- when we're not just enjoying listening to her play.
Art Show Docent Tour with Mike Cole
Time: Saturday - 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Art
Location: Ravinia C
Docent: Mike Cole
Description: You may know what you like, but when you're shown the art by someone who knows what to look for, whole new vistas can open up, even in paintings you don't personally appreciate.
Family Feud
Time: Saturday - 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Event
Location: Ravinia B
Panelists: Mike (Ciggy) Cyganiewicz, Laura Dombrowski, Frank Rodriguez, Greg Williams
Description: Come watch the Star Fleet Red Shirts vs. the Klingons in the battle of the ages, using words instead of weapons.
Goodbye 10, Hello 11
Time: Saturday - 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Media
Location: Birch B
Panelists: Valli Hoski, Kathryn Sullivan (M), Lucy Synk, Curtis Taitel
Description: Although it is hard to believe now, David Tennant had his detractors when he took over the iconic Time Lord role from Christopher Eccleston. What does Matt Smith need to do in order to be deemed a success?
Icky Sticky Goopfest
Time: Saturday - 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Young Fan
Location: Third Floor
Panelists: Chazz Spengler (M)
Description: Let's make a mess! Come have fun creating and exploring the properties of Oobleck, slime, moonsand and other yucky messy things your parents don't appreciate.
Ages 4 and up
New Authors You Should Know
Time: Saturday - 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Book
Location: Elm
Panelists: Fran Juergensmeyer, Patricia Sayre McCoy (M)
Description: Panelists look at authors who have burst onto the scene in the last half decade and discuss why these authors are having success and how the internet is making their appearance different from the successful authors of earlier eras.
Phandemonium 101 & Meet the Candidates
Time: Saturday - 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Fandom
Location: Willow B
Description: Learn about Phandemonium - the parent corporation for Capricon and then beat...I mean, meet the candidates for the Phandemonium Board. Ask them questions to find out the meaning of life, the universe and everything
The Golden Age of 2010
Time: Saturday - 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Ravinia A
Panelists: Br. Guy Consolmagno, Phyllis Eisenstein (M), Bill Higgins, Fred Pohl, Bill Thomasson
Description: What would SF pioneers think of the world today?
The Great Luke Ski Concert
Time: Saturday - 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Filk
Location: Botanic Garden A
Panelists: Luke Ski
Description: If you haven't already run into The Great Luke Ski, then you may not know that he's a filk rapper and a regular contributor to the Dr. Demento Show. If you have run into Luke, then you know that he's relentlessly funny and puts on a unique show complete with props and costumes. Come early, because it's always a packed house!
The Non-Fiction Library All SF Fans Should Have
Time: Saturday - 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Book
Location: Willow A
Panelists: Elizabeth Anne Hull (M), Todd Johnson, Leonard Krol
Description: Sure, you have Foundation and Neuromancer on your shelves, but what non-fiction books should you also have? History, Science, Sociology, Psychology ... the panel runs through the gamut of the Dewey Decimal System to fill out your shelves.
Watching a Novel Unfold
Time: Saturday - 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Book
Location: Birch A
Panelists: kT FitzSimmons, Joe Karpierz, Dave McCarty (M), Robert J. Sawyer
Description: Rob Sawyer and fans discuss the differences between reading FlashForward and watching the television series. What changes had to be made and how do the readers feel about those differences?
Autographing: Watt-Evans, Babendererde
Time: Saturday - 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Autograph Table
Author: Brian Babendererde, Lawrence Watt-Evans
A Look Back At The Earliest Capricons
Time: Saturday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Fandom
Location: Ravinia A
Panelists: Alice Bentley (M), Dina Krause, Phoenix, Neil Rest, Joseph Stockman
Description: Some of the people who were there at the beginning talk about Capricon I (the con, not the movie). Hear old stories of those days of long ago.
Autographing: Eisenstein, Sullivan
Time: Saturday - 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Autograph Table
Author: Phyllis Eisenstein, Kathryn Sullivan
Block Party 3
Time: Saturday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Young Fan
Location: Third Floor
Panelists: Colleen Spengler (M)
Description: Join us for a massive build-a-thon with Lego bricks galore. Block heads of all ages welcome!
Games for Non-Gamers
Time: Saturday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Games
Location: Birch B
Panelists: David Abzug (M), Marnie Gucciard, Terrence Miltner
Description: Even if you don't have the time or inclination to get into role-playing games, you can still be a gamer, whether it is Fluxx, Blink, or Scattegories. Come and learn fun games and realize that anyone can game.
ISDC: The International Space Development Conference
Time: Saturday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Science
Location: Willow B
Panelists: Jim Plaxco (M), Tom Veal
Description: The International Space Development Conferences is coming to Chicago on Memorial Day weekend this year. Come learn what this professional conference has to offer and learn how you can attend at a discount.
Newest Movies: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Time: Saturday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Media
Location: Willow A
Panelists: Bob Blackwood (M), Alex Eisenstein, Mary Mascari, Leane Verhulst
Description: The Lightning Thief, The Wolfman, Hot Tub Time Machine, Alice in Wonderland. Science fiction and fantasy films are hitting the local cineplex at an astonishing rate. Which ones will be worth the cost of admission and popcorn and which ones will you eventually be watching on cable with the curtains drawn?
Science Fiction vs. Science Fictional
Time: Saturday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Book
Location: Ravinia B
Panelists: Dr. John D. Nikitow, Jody Lynn Nye, Robert J. Sawyer (M)
Description: There are some novels and films that are science fictional, even if they aren't science fiction. For instance, Jules Verne wrote Around the world in 80 Days to prove that someone living in 1873, but many people would consider it science fiction, even though nothing in the book is. What makes a work without science fiction in it seem science fictional?
SF Artist Pictionary
Time: Saturday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Art
Location: Elm
Panelists: Mike Cole, Lucy Synk, Tim Vaulato, delphyne woods
Description: Fan and pro artists draw words from a hat and the audience has to guess what they are trying to illustrate.
Society for Creative Anachronism
Time: Saturday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Event
Location: Botanic Garden B
Description: Learn about the study of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, and find out about fighting, fencing, archery and numerous arts and crafts from these eras.
Spider Robinson Reading
Time: Saturday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Book
Location: Birch A
Panelists: Spider Robinson
Description: When your guest is unable to attend, bring the con to your guest. Spider Robinson will be attending Capricon remotely to read via the magic of computer technology. Come hear Spider's works in his own voice.
Tom Smith Concert
Time: Saturday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Filk
Location: Botanic Garden A
Panelists: Tom Smith
Description: You may have heard that Tom Smith is the World's Fastest Filker. He's also funny. Really, really funny. Except when he's being really, really serious. Either way, he's really, really good. Come by and see why.
Alien Landing Party
Time: Saturday - 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Young Fan
Location: Third Floor
Panelists: Colleen Spengler (M)
Description: The Aliens have landed! Build bug-eyed monsters, aliens and wacky animal creations with Playdoh, MoonSand and other fun materials.
For ages 3 and up
Innovations in Medical Products from SF/Fantasy
Time: Saturday - 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Medical
Location: Elm
Panelists: Lee Darrow, Dermot Dobson, Dr. Lisa Freitag (M), Liz Gilio
Description: Biomedical scanners, machines that can map our bodies in three dimensions, supervaccinations that offer disease immunity...what innovations in the medical field come for suggestions first appearing in science fiction and what ideas from SF might still inspire a new generation of medical advances?
Lost Wax Casting
Time: Saturday - 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Art
Location: Willow A
Artist: Butch Honeck
Description: Come see a slide show on how bronze casting is done, starting with a wax casting to a finished product.
Manned visit to Mars: Round Table Discussion
Time: Saturday - 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Science
Location: Birch A
Panelists: Br. Guy Consolmagno, Jim Plaxco, Bill Thomasson (M)
Description: Is it worth sending a man to Mars as opposed to unmanned probes?
On the Internet No One Knows You're a Dog!
Time: Saturday - 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Book
Location: Willow B
Panelists: Chris Gerrib (M), Trista Gunderman, Jer Lance, Becky Thomson
Description: The internet offers an unprecedented level of anonymity. While many users revel in the ability to be whomever they want at different times, others feel that people hiding behind anonymity is one of the problems with the internet. Is there, should there, be a compromise between the forces of anonymity and those who want users to take responsibility for their posts?
The Bluebeard Show
Time: Saturday - 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Ravinia B
Panelists: Bluebeard (M)
Description: It goes like this, see, it's a talk show. Bluebeard will interview people, get some performers, do a few short skits and answer emails. That kind of talk show. No kilt flying up, no profanity (or at least a very strong effort to avoid it) and no goat wrestling. Basically a family friendly show that all you cool cats can enjoy even if there are some whipper snappers about. It will be funny and somehow non-offensive. Bluebeard Promises!
Bubble Juggler
Time: Saturday - 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Event
Location: Botanic Garden B
Description: The weirdest thing Hoban Washburne ever saw was a world where they juggled goslings. We don't have goose juggling, but we do have bubble juggling. Be amazed! Be very amazed!
Chicago in 2012 Bid Meeting
Time: Saturday - 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Fandom
Location: Birch B
Description: Chicago is once again hoping to bring Worldcon to our doorsteps in the year 2012. This means that the voting to decide the site will happen later this year! Come to this panel to learn more about the bid and how you can help.
Reading: Joy Ward
Time: Saturday - 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Book
Location: Botanic Garden A
Panelists: Joy Ward
Bookstores Through the Years
Time: Saturday - 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Book
Location: Elm
Panelists: Alice Bentley, Greg Ketter, Dina Krause (M)
Description: What economic and social trends allow independent bookstores to thrive? What is the future of the big-box stores? If they go belly-up, what will take their place?
Casper's Costume Party
Time: Saturday - 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Young Fan
Location: Third Floor
Panelists: Colleen Spengler (M)
Description: Dress up and spark the night spooktastic with some haunted happenings, creepy crafts and fiendish fun. We'll have dress-up trunks filled with all kinds of costumes for fun and games.
All Ages welcome
Is SF/Fantasy a Dying Genre or Just Evolving?
Time: Saturday - 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Willow A
Panelists: Brian Babendererde, Rachel Cohan, Jody Lynn Nye (M), Kathryn Sullivan, Gene Wolfe
Description: A round table discussion which focuses on whether science fiction and fantasy are continually evolving or if the genres are in the process of dying out, and, if they are, what is causing their extinction.
Oh God, I'm A Gamer
Time: Saturday - 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Games
Location: Willow B
Panelists: David Abzug (M), Heather McConaha, Terrence Miltner, Isabel Schechter
Description: Whether you have shelves full of every edition of Dungeons and Dragons or simply carry a deck of playing cards with you, you might be a gamer. What does it mean to be a gamer? How can you share your pastime with people who don't think they are gamers? And what other games should you begin to play?
Art Auction
Time: Saturday - 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Art
Location: Ravinia A
Auctioneers: Dr. Bob Passovoy, Lucy Synk, Greg Williams
Description: Bid for artwork at this fun and lively event where the auctioneers not only try to get your money, but your sanity too!
Bill Roper Concert
Time: Saturday - 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Filk
Location: Ravinia B
Panelists: Bill Roper
Cancelled TV Shows You Should Love
Time: Saturday - 8:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Media
Location: Birch B
Panelists: Michael D'Ambrosio, Bill Higgins, Phoenix, Jim Rittenhouse, delphyne woods (M)
Description: From Firefly to The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. to Wonderfalls, there are many shows that existed for less than a season but are available on DVD. What are some of these flops that you should know about and watch with the sadness of knowing there will never be any more episodes?
Religion and Science: At Odds?
Time: Saturday - 8:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch A
Panelists: Br. Guy Consolmagno, Phyllis Eisenstein, kT FitzSimmons (M), Gene Wolfe
Description: Although some religious groups are opposed to the theory of evolution, others don't have a problem with it. Is this opposition the result of simple misunderstanding, a firm tenet of belief, or something else? What is really meant when a scientist talks about a theory? What does a non-scientist hear when that word is said?
Slumber Party 2
Time: Saturday - 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Young Fan
Location: Third Floor
Panelists: Colleen Spengler (M)
Description: Come party with the DJ in her PJs for games galore and mega munchies.
If you snooze you lose!
This Is Not Your Mother's Urban Fantasy
Time: Saturday - 8:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Book
Location: Elm
Panelists: Fran Juergensmeyer, Deirdre Murphy, Kathryn Sullivan (M)
Description: A decade ago, urban fantasy referred to stories in which faerie and magic crept into our own world. Now, urban fantasy is its own publishing subgenre and tends to deal with vampires, and ghoulies, and things that go bump on the darkened city streets. Where did this change come from?
Klingon Karaoke
Time: Saturday - 9:00 PM to 12:00 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Botanic Garden B
Panelists: Frank Rodriguez
Description: As this will be the last year for Klingon Karaoke, we're going out in style with Live Band Karaoke this year. So if you've never made it before, this will be the year that you WANT to attend. Live Band Karaoke lets you rock out with your Klingon out. Be sure that you attend this historic event.
Toyboat Concert
Time: Saturday - 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Filk
Location: Ravinia B
Panelists: Eric Coleman, Daniel Gunderson
Description: Toyboat (say that five times fast) is the first hard rock filk band that we've run into. Playing a mix of classic filk and their own compositions, Toyboat (Toyboat, Toyboat, Toyboat, Toyboat) is not just a band, it's an experience. Sometimes, it's a frightening experience, but that's why we like them so much.
Evolution of Vampirism: A Roundtable Discussion
Time: Saturday - 10:00 PM to 11:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Adult
Location: Birch B
Panelists: Walt Boyes, Tonya Foust, Fran Juergensmeyer (M), Lawrence Watt-Evans
Description: There was a time that vampires were dark, evil creatures who viewed humans as cattle. Now they are as likely to spend pages upon pages sympathizing with their food sources. How did this change take place and, despite the current popularity of vampires, is it a good change for the royalty of the undead?
How to Read Palms: Palmistry Demonstration
Time: Saturday - 10:00 PM to 11:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Elm
Panelists: Lee Darrow (M), Jody Lynn Nye, delphyne woods
Description: Since ancient times, the Indians, Chinese, Roma, and other cultures have believed that the lines crisscrossing your palm could reveal information about your future. This demonstration will allow you to have your palm read by practicing chiromancers who are members of Capricon. Do you hold your future in the palm of your hand?
Open Filk (Sat)
Time: Saturday - 10:00 PM to 3:00 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Filk
Location: Ravinia B
Critter Crunch
Time: Sunday - 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Event
Location: Botanic Garden B
Panelists: Ian Wincentsen, Peter Wincentsen, Jeff Wincentsen (M)
Description: The robots are attacking! Fortunately, only each other. Come to Critter Crunch, plunk down your credits, and take the helm behind monstrous killer robots and a battle to the death or disability.
chicago-sf.org Book Discussion
Time: Sunday - 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Book
Location: Birch A
Description: After orcs rob a purportedly impregnable bank in cyberspace, the security of the international order is in peril. Join chicago-sf.org's reading group for their February discussion selection: Halting State by Charles Stross. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Dark and Stormy Planet Contest Reading
Time: Sunday - 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Elm
Panelists: Mike (Ciggy) Cyganiewicz, Laura Dombrowski (M)
Description: Yes, once again it is back. The bad writing contest. It's the opening sentences to worst stories never written, by you! The winners along with the other entries will be read Sunday morning. Drop off your stories at Convention Operations during the con. The stories will be judged on Saturday night.
Judges Gladly Accept Bribes!
Heinlein's Undying Hand
Time: Sunday - 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Book
Location: Birch B
Panelists: David Abzug, Phyllis Eisenstein (M), Fred Pohl, delphyne woods
Description: While many authors’ books go out of print almost immediately after they die, Heinlein’s have managed to remain in print and continue to have a massive, devoted following (including Capricon 30 GoH Spider Robinson). What is it about his books that inspires such a devotion? Even the sucky ones?
Jet Propulsion Laboratory Presents News from Cassini
Time: Sunday - 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Ravinia A, Ravinia B
Panelists: John Vittallo
Description: The Cassini spacecraft is sending all sorts of interesting data about Saturn. This presentation, direct from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, will bring you up to date on Saturn, its incredibly complex ring system, and the myriad moons orbiting it, including Titan.
Launch Party
Time: Sunday - 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Young Fan
Location: Third Floor
Panelists: Chazz Spengler (M)
Description: The sky is the limit when you come craft with us and build rocket ships and paper airplanes. Use your imagination and recycled materials to design and decorate your starship or fold your way to a better flier.
Reading: Kathryn Sullivan
Time: Sunday - 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Book
Location: Botanic Garden A
Panelists: Kathryn Sullivan
Build A Beast Balloon Fun
Time: Sunday - 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Young Fan
Location: Third Floor
Panelists: Chazz Spengler (M), John Wardale
Description: Use your imagination and our balloons to make a bubbly beastie. Come see a menagerie of inflatable animals and fantastic creations by the creative John Wardale. From ninja turtles to the Starship Enterprise, his designs are sure to blow your mind.
All ages welcome.
Best Books of 2009
Time: Sunday - 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Book
Location: Birch B
Panelists: Elizabeth Anne Hull, Joy Ward
Description: What novels were published in 2009 that you really should read? The Empress of Mars? Finch? The Mystery of Grace? Our panelists not only tell you what their favorite books of the year were, but also discuss what they liked about them. And come with your own suggestions.
Destiny vs. Free Will
Time: Sunday - 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch A
Panelists: Robert J. Sawyer, Gene Wolfe
Description: Is it more comforting to know your future is already set or that you are free to succeed or screw up on your own?
Job Networking: How to Use Technology to Search for a Job
Time: Sunday - 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Elm
Panelists: Michael Brian Bentley (M), Peter Heltzer, Dawn Kuczwara
Description: The internet provides a whole new area to network when looking for a way to buy those collectibles, books, or just to go see the latest movie. How can you use your time cruising the web to increase your chance of landing that lucrative job?
Phandemonium Board Meeting & Election: All Welcome
Time: Sunday - 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Fandom
Location: Ravinia A, Ravinia B
Description: Welcome to the Open Phandemonium Board Meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend this annual meeting of Capricon's parent organization. All attending convention members will have the chance to vote for two new board members to replace those who are retiring, and hear other such business as may come before the board -including any business YOU want to bring to them.
Reading: Deirdre Murphy
Time: Sunday - 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Book
Location: Botanic Garden A
Panelists: Deirdre Murphy
Mad Hatter's Tea Party
Time: Sunday - 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Young Fan
Location: Third Floor
Panelists: Kerri-Ellen Kelly, Colleen Spengler (M)
Description: We're all mad here, mad you know! Come have a harum scarum top-toffing time at our Mad Hatter's Tea Party! I hear the doormouse likes karaoke.
Clean Cups!
Reading: Richard Chwedyk
Time: Sunday - 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Book
Location: Botanic Garden A
Panelists: Richard Chwedyk
Lost Futures: Where Did the Flying Cars Go?
Time: Sunday - 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch A
Panelists: Leonard Krol (M), Kevin Spencer, Lawrence Watt-Evans
Description: The science fiction of yesteryear promised us many things, from flying cars to portable communications devices. Why didn't these happen? Did some of them happen but in a way that we don't even recognize them as the real life descendents of our promised science fiction gizmos?
The Art of Astronomy
Time: Sunday - 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Science
Location: Ravinia A, Ravinia B
Panelists: Jim Plaxco
Description: A look at the history of astronomical art.
Closing Ceremonies
Time: Sunday - 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Event
Location: Ravinia A, Ravinia B
Description: All good things must come to an end and that includes Capricon 30, the best Capricon you'll attend in 2010. But come to Closing Ceremonies to help us ring out the old con and usher in the new when the Cap31 chair gives a hint of what will happen when we convene in 2011.