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Event Descriptions - Sorted by Date/Time
(NOTE: All events are subject to last minute changes. Please check back often.)
Avengers Vs. X-Men
Time: Thursday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Botanic Garden A
Panelists: Javier Grillo-Marxuach, Michael Lee (M), Les McClaine, Frank Salvatini
Description: Marvel is planning a major crossover event. Who will win this fight? A discussion of how Captain America punching Cyclops in the face might affect the Marvel Universe.
Choose Your Own Panel!
Time: Thursday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch A
Panelists: Sondra de Jong (M)
Description: Welcome to our first panel of Capricon 32: Amazing Adventures! YOU get to choose the topics of this panel! Some topics will bring you riches, while other panel topics will bring you CERTAIN DOOM! Choose wisely.
Retro-futurism Sure Beats the Boring Truth!
Time: Thursday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch B
Panelists: Tim Akers, Kerri-Ellen Kelly, Nayad Monroe (M), W. A. (Bill) Thomasson, Michael Z. Williamson
Description: A celebration of looking backwards to look forwards. Steampunk, the Jetsons, and NASA all had cooler ideas about how the future looked than it really did. Why is our imagined future so much hipper than the one we live in?
Open Mic Night in the Cafe
Time: Thursday - 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Filk
Location: River C
Description: Do you like to sing? Play an instrument? Perhaps you're a budding beat poet? Come show us your stuff in a low-key setting... open mic night in the Capricon Cafe! Sign-ups will be taken in order of arrival. Please limit selections to two pieces of no more than five minutes each. Number of selections may be adjusted based on number of performers who wish to participate.
Midwinter Faire
Time: Thursday - 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Event
Location: Lake Michigan A
Description: Come join us! There will be pizza, games, magic, crafts, and much more for your enjoyment. Sit down, find your old friends again, and enjoy a nice relaxing evening of entertainment with your friends.
Dystopia Now
Time: Thursday - 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Botanic Garden A
Panelists: Cory Doctorow (M), Paul McComas, Nayad Monroe, Gene Wolfe
Description: The Dystopian sub-genre of Science Fiction has seen a resurgence over the last few years. Why does this bleak sub-genre remain so popular? What are the definitive dystopian works?
New Things Scare Me and Make Me Uncomfortable! Howard, Lovecraft & Heinlein
Time: Thursday - 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Elm
Panelists: Brian Babendererde (M), Tom Huber, Leonard Krol, Tom Trumpinski
Description: We return to Lovecraft, Howard, and Heinlein again and again, often in lieu of seeking out new stories. What is it about these writers that continues to appeal, 50+ years after publication? Why do these classics endure?
The Walking Dead
Time: Thursday - 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch A
Panelists: James Bacon, Chris Gerrib, Greg Press, Leane Verhulst (M)
Description: The Walking Dead comic and AMC's television series based on it bring us the zombie apocalypse. Panelists will compare and contrast the portrayal of the zombie apocalypse in both mediums, and their plans for surviving it. (Bring a shovel).
Trivia for Chocolate
Time: Thursday - 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Ravinia B
Panelists: Elaine Silver, Melanie S. Silver, Robin Silver, Steven H Silver (M)
Description: What it says on the tin. The traditional Steven H Silver trivia contest. Answer trivia questions correctly, get chocolate. The person with the most chocolate on hand at the end wins! (Try not to eat your stash.)
Opening Ceremonies
Time: Thursday - 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Event
Location: River AB
Description: Welcome to Capricon 32: Amazing Adventures. Join us as we kick off this year's event and get some idea of what to expect and to meet our GoHs and the people who make it all possible.
Dungeons & Dragons 5.0
Time: Thursday - 9:00 PM to 10:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Elm
Panelists: John "Shadowcat" Ickes (M), Michael Lee
Description: With Pathfinder crushing D & D 4.0, Wizards of the Coast has finally admitted defeat. Not only are they working on D & D 5.0, they're asking gamers for input. What do we expect from a new D & D edition? Is it too late?
Open Filk (Thursday)
Time: Thursday - 9:00 PM to 3:00 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Filk
Location: River C
Description: Bring your voice, your instruments, or just your ears. Come help us start this year's event with music in the Open Filk circle!
Princess Bride Pajama Party
Time: Thursday - 9:00 PM to 12:00 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Ravinia A, Ravinia B
Description: We just love The Princess Bride. Don't you? Join us for this really awesome pajama party. She gets kidnapped. He gets killed. But it all ends up okay.
Who Wants to Live Forever?
Time: Thursday - 9:00 PM to 10:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch B
Panelists: Dermot Dobson, Kelly Strait, W. A. (Bill) Thomasson, Dr. Michael Unger (M)
Description: Medical science continues to expand lifespans and reverse aging. What will society look like as the elderly begin to outnumber the young? How will people change once they know 60 is only middle age?
You Are Not Alone: Writers Groups and Critique
Time: Thursday - 9:00 PM to 10:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch A
Panelists: Tim Akers, Eileen Maksym (M), Nayad Monroe, Michael D. Thomas
Description: Many SF/F writers, from Asimov to Tolkien, have belonged to writers groups or benefited from critique partners. How do these groups help an author hone her craft? Some members of writers' groups discuss their experiences.
Judging a Book by Page 119
Time: Friday - 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Book
Location: Birch A
Panelists: Jerry Gilio, Kelly Strait, Leane Verhulst (M)
Description: We're baaaack! No escaping this panel! They say that you can't judge a book by its cover. Can you judge it by what's on Page 119?
Reading: Mark H. Huston
Time: Friday - 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: River C
Panelists: Mark Huston
So You Want to Throw a Con Party...
Time: Friday - 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch B
Panelists: Kim Kofmel, Michael Lee, Terrence Miltner (M), Marah Searle-Kovacevic
Description: So you want to throw a con party? Learn how to do it effectively, safely, and with pizzaz.
The Thin Line Between Fan and Pro
Time: Friday - 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Elm
Panelists: Eileen Maksym, Paul McComas, Steven H Silver (M)
Description: The line between being a fan and a professional is often thin and permeable. Are the two categories mutually exclusive? Can you be both?
There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow! The Disney Imagineering Panel.
Time: Friday - 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Botanic Garden A
Panelists: Cory Doctorow, Tracy Lunquist, Mary Mascari, Michael D. Thomas (M)
Description: Disney Imagineers created a shiny world full of possibility, often by inventing or upgrading current technology for their own purposes, all in service of the Happiest Place on Earth. What can we learn from Imagineers? How can amusement rides be a form of storytelling?
Reading: Chris Gerrib
Time: Friday - 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: River C
Panelists: Chris Gerrib
Reading: Kristine Smith
Time: Friday - 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: River C
Panelists: Kristine Smith
Alternate History that Doesn’t Involve WW2 or the Civil War
Time: Friday - 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch B
Panelists: Walt Boyes (M), Dale Cozort, Mark Huston, Jim Rittenhouse, Steven H Silver
Description: As any judge for the Sidewise Awards knows, hundreds of Alternate History stories come out each year. Though many of them seem to fixate on World War II and the Civil War, some find more unique points in history for a divergence. What are some of the best Alternate History stories that explore underutilized periods in history?
Dramatic Readings from The Weekly World News
Time: Friday - 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Adult
Location: Birch A
Panelists: Helen Montgomery (M)
Description: In 2007, The Weekly World News stopped publishing their print edition. This, however, does not deter us from celebrating our love of Bat Boy! Join us for much silliness, laughter, and bad puns as we bring you the best, and the worst, of this year's online stories from "The World's Only Reliable Newspaper."
Geek Girls Shall Rule the World!
Time: Friday - 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Elm
Panelists: Lizzie Crowe, Tere de la Torre, Laura Dombrowski (M), Kelly Strait
Description: Geek girls are not imaginary unicorns. They are everywhere! Why do people still think that gaming, comics, and SF books are only for boys? Like Kari Byron, these women are here to bust some myths.
George R. R. Martin Had a Better Year Than You
Time: Friday - 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Botanic Garden B
Panelists: Brian Babendererde, Peter Heltzer, Marah Searle-Kovacevic, Alex von Thorn (M)
Description: It was quite a year for George R. R. Martin and his fans. Not only did we see the long-awaited release of A Dance with Dragons, we also saw the acclaimed first season of a Game of Thrones. Did everything live up to our expectations? What do we think is coming next? (Other than, of course, winter.)
My First Doctor- The Classic Doctor Who Panel
Time: Friday - 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Botanic Garden A
Panelists: Javier Grillo-Marxuach, Michael Lee (M), Kristine Smith, Dr. Michael Unger, Joy Ward
Description: Whether he wore a scarf or a leather jacket, he was still the Doctor. Journey back with us into the vortex to late night PBS in the 1980s or the SciFi channel in the 00s, as we look back at the first time we watched Doctor Who.
Reading: Michael Z. Williamson
Time: Friday - 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: River C
Panelists: Michael Z. Williamson
Reading: Tim Akers
Time: Friday - 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: River C
Panelists: Tim Akers
Reading: Nayad Monroe
Time: Friday - 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: River C
Panelists: Nayad Monroe
Can You Choose Your Own Adventure? Free Will Vs. Destiny
Time: Friday - 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch B
Panelists: Br. Guy Consolmagno (M), Tom Huber, Eileen Maksym, Isabel Schechter
Description: Many of our most beloved stories involve destiny, and either giving in or fighting it (for good or ill). Can we actually choose our own paths, or is destiny undeniable?
Finding Peace in Our Galaxy: Jedis and Trekkers Unite Against Twilight
Time: Friday - 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Botanic Garden B
Panelists: Dale Cozort, Laura Dombrowski, Joseph Stockman, Alex von Thorn (M)
Description: George Takei recently started the Star Alliance to unite Star Trek and Star Wars fans against the common enemy: Twilight. Let's see where this discussion takes us.
Futuristic Fiction: Taking the Roads Not (Yet) Taken
Time: Friday - 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Willow
Panelists: Paul McComas
Description: Who hasn't longed to look into a crystal ball to see what lies ahead for humanity? Author/actor/educator Paul McComas, an expert on and writer of speculative/dystopian fiction (2011's acclaimed Unforgettable: Harrowing Futures, Horrors, & [Dark] Humor; the upcoming Logan's Journey, co-written with William F. Nolan), performs and analyzes well-chosen excerpts from several authors, including Margaret Atwood, Kazuo Ishiguro, P.D. James, and the aforementioned Mr. Nolan. Writers of futurist fiction, Paul contends, are our modern-day prophets, whose words we ignore at our peril. (He brings along his guitar and throws a "post-apocalyptic ditty" into the mix, too.) A lively discussion is bound to follow!
How the Contraption in Reber's Yard Brought the Galaxy to Wheaton
Time: Friday - 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: River AB
Panelists: Bill Higgins
Description: Radio sources in the sky were discovered in the 1930s, but nobody
studied them until Grote Reber of Wheaton, Illinois tackled the
problem. In his spare time, and on a shoestring budget, Reber
assembled in his mother's backyard an enormous electronic contraption
that would change astronomy forever. Eventually, radio astronomy would
blossom into an important new discipline-- but for nearly a decade
Reber was the only radio astronomer on Earth.
Reading: Kathryn Sullivan
Time: Friday - 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: River C
Panelists: Kathryn Sullivan
Snow Goons!
Time: Friday - 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Lobby
Panelists: Helen Montgomery, Erik V. Olson
Description: Bring your snowpants and gloves and come outside with us to build Snow Goons! What are Snow Goons, you ask? Snowmen, but seriously twisted, a la Calvin and Hobbes. (Weather permitting)
Tales from the RPG Dark Side
Time: Friday - 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch A
Panelists: David Abzug (M), Dave McCarty, Dr. Michael Unger
Description: Then rocks fell and everybody died...Every gamer has an RPG horror story of a vicious Dungeon Master or an eccentric fellow player. This panel is sort of like a live version of Dork Tower, but with real people telling tales of horror from behind the screen or their character sheets. Grab your lucky dice. You're gonna need 'em.
What Are Libraries for?
Time: Friday - 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Elm
Panelists: Cory Doctorow, Merrie Haskell, Lynne M. Thomas (M)
Description: Libraries. What are they for, exactly, when we have Google and bookstores? And what's the deal with giving away all of that information and loaning books for free? What's the deal with these librarians just giving things away? And why are they getting so loud these days?
Which Non-genre Adventure Writers Should Genre Writers & Fans Read?
Time: Friday - 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Botanic Garden A
Panelists: Alex Bledsoe, E.E. Knight (M), Michael Z. Williamson, Gene Wolfe
Description: Alistair MacLean, Louis L'Amour, C.S. Forrester. Come and learn which non-genre adventure writers SF fans might enjoy.
Autographing: Merrie Haskell, Kathryn Sullivan, and Lynne M. Thomas
Time: Friday - 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Autograph Table
Panelists: Merrie Haskell, Kathryn Sullivan, Lynne M. Thomas
Avengers Assemble!
Time: Friday - 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Botanic Garden B
Panelists: David Abzug, Jerry Gilio, Toni Lichtenstein Bogolub, Tracy Lunquist (M), Terrence Miltner
Description: Iron Man 1 & 2. Thor. Captain America. The Incredible Hulk. The forthcoming Avengers film helmed by Joss Whedon. It's a good time to be an Avenger. What makes these films so successful?
Daniel "Gundo" Gunderson concert
Time: Friday - 2:30 PM to 3:15 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Filk
Location: River C
Performers: Daniel Gunderson
Description: Gundo steps away from the soundboard and performs a solo set in the Capricon Cafe.
Pluto Is Still a Planet in Illinois
Time: Friday - 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch A
Panelists: Br. Guy Consolmagno, Bill Higgins (M), Jim Plaxco, Steven H Silver
Description: Pluto got demoted. (We blame Neil DeGrasse Tyson). But here in Illinois, it's still a planet. Why are we still so invested in the classification of this distant object?
Robert E. Howard: The Godfather of Sword & Sorcery
Time: Friday - 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Willow
Panelists: Bill Cavalier
Description: An overview of the life and work of Robert E. Howard, the creator of the Sword & Sorcery genre of fiction. His most famous creation is Conan the Cimmerian, of course, but Howard also wrote historical fiction, boxing stories, contemporary adventure tales, straight and humorous westerns, detective & horror stories, poetry and much more for the pulp magazines of the 20s & 30s. Join Howard scholar "Indy" Bill Cavalier as he talks about the legacy of REH and how his legend has gotten even bigger in the 21st Century.
The Middleman: Live Commentary!
Time: Friday - 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: River AB
Panelists: Javier Grillo-Marxuach (M), Les McClaine
Description: Sands of Zanzibar! Join Javier Grillo-Marxuach and Les McClaine for a live commentary of The Middleman episode "The Pilot Episode Sanction."
We Do It in Groups: Fandom and Social Media
Time: Friday - 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Elm
Panelists: Kerri-Ellen Kelly, Michael Lee, Leah Zeldes Smith (M)
Description: Fans can now constantly stay in contact with one another online through social media services such as Facebook, LiveJournal, and Twitter. How does this affect the fandom experience? Is it replacing clubs and conventions?
When Diplomacy Fails: Military SF
Time: Friday - 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Botanic Garden A
Panelists: Walt Boyes (M), Mark Huston, Michael Z. Williamson
Description: Military SF focuses on how we function when diplomacy has failed. How does this sub-genre influence other parts of the genre? Why do we remain fascinated with imaginary warfare? How do writers effectively create military SF that feels "right"?
Whither Goes the Art Show?
Time: Friday - 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch B
Panelists: Brian Babendererde, Alisa Kober, MoiraCoon, Samantha Haney Press (M)
Description: At conventions today, we see art in traditional art shows, artists alleys, and dealers rooms. How have new avenues of accessing art on the Internet impacted the interaction between fans and art at conventions?
Bill Roper concert
Time: Friday - 3:15 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Filk
Location: River C
Performers: Amy McNally, Bill Roper
Description: Bill Roper will regale the Cafe crowd with some of his solo repertoire, with a possible visit from Filk's Favorite Fiddler, Amy McNally. (There could also be dancing, or singing, by small children... One Never Knows what will happen during Roper's set...)
Autographing: Javier Grillo-Marxuach, Les McClaine
Time: Friday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Autograph Table
Panelists: Javier Grillo-Marxuach, Les McClaine
Cons That Are Almost as Cool as Capricon
Time: Friday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch B
Panelists: Michael Lee (M), Dave McCarty, Joseph Stockman, Kathryn Sullivan
Description: Come and hear about other regional conventions that are nearly as cool as Capricon. (CONvergence, WisCon, Windycon, etc.)
Debbie Gates concert
Time: Friday - 4:00 PM to 4:45 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Filk
Location: River C
Performers: Debbie Gates
Description: Debbie Gates, of Wild Mercy, performs a solo set in the Capricon Cafe.
Jeopardy!
Time: Friday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Event
Location: Botanic Garden B
Panelists: Mike (Ciggy) Cyganiewicz, Dr. Bob Passovoy (M)
Description: Think you got what it takes? Then come join us for Capricon's own version of Jeopardy!
Reading and Q & A: Cory Doctorow
Time: Friday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: River AB
Panelists: Cory Doctorow
Religion in Worldbuilding
Time: Friday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Botanic Garden A
Panelists: Tim Akers (M), Alex Bledsoe, Phyllis Eisenstein, Nayad Monroe, Gene Wolfe
Description: Authors too frequently just change around the fixtures on a real world religion and insert it into their fantasy world. These writers will talk about how they go about creating original religions, and how the use of religion can drive worldbuilding and shape the story's narrative.
Settlers of Catan World Wide Catan Championship Pre-Qualifier Tourny-Fri
Time: Friday - 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Games
Location: Ravinia B
GameMasters: Marinda Darnell (M)
Description: Capricon 32 is proud to host a Pre-Qualifier for the World Wide Catan Championship 2012 in conjunction with Mayfair Games. Players will compete to win a trip to GenCon Indy 2012 to play for a seat in the WWCC. The trip to GenCon Indy will include double occupancy hotel, 4 day badge to GenCon Indy, and transportation cost.
There will be two chances to qualify for a seat in the Semi-Finals on Sunday. A three round tournament will be held on both Friday and Saturday. The top 16 players from the combination of those 2 days will advance to the Semi-Finals. Players do not have to play both Friday and Saturday, We will take your best days score. You can play one or both days. Whichever day has your highest score, Friday or Saturday will be your score taken for rankings. Rankings will be by win/lose record, broken by points. We should be able to wrap up each day (Friday and Saturday) by 9 PM, if not earlier depending on the number of players. Only 3 games will be played Friday, and 3 played on Saturday. Semi-Finals will be Sunday morning at 10 AM. Players will play 1 game. The winner from each table will then play 1 final game to determine the overall Capricon 2012 WWCC Pre-Qualifier Winner!
The Art of Hectography
Time: Friday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Willow
Panelists: Dick Smith, Leah Zeldes Smith (M)
Description: A do-it-yourself printing method dating to the 19th and early 20th century, the hectograph or "jellygraph" was used to publish fanzines in early fandom, and has today come around to be a (mundane) art form. Come and see a demonstration of this lost fannish art.
Cathy McManamon concert
Time: Friday - 4:45 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Filk
Location: River C
Performers: Cathy McManamon
Description: Cathy McManamon performs a solo set in the Capricon Cafe.
Bill and Gretchen Roper in Concert
Time: Friday - 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Filk
Location: River AB
Performers: Bill Roper, Gretchen Roper
Description: Bill and Gretchen Roper have been entertaining audiences with their unique bantering filk style for years, before taking some mandatory time off due to the arrival of their two daughters. The babysitter's working overtime tonight, so come catch them before they turn back into parents!
Does It Matter If Science Fiction Authors Are Bad at Predicting the Future?
Time: Friday - 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Willow
Panelists: Cory Doctorow (M), Bill Higgins, Kristine Smith, Gene Wolfe
Description: Sure, we get some things right, like flip phones or going to the moon, but SF authors also get a LOT wrong when they predict the future. Does it really matter? What is the value of the exercise of making predictions?
Euchre 101
Time: Friday - 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Games
Location: 16th Floor Lounge
Description: The Capricon Euchre Tournament has been going strong for many years now, and we also have the bimonthly Euchre Club. We know that some of you want to learn how to play the best card game ever and be one of the cool kids, like us! Perhaps some of you need a quick review before you play in the Euchre Tournament? Some of the best Euchre players Capricon has to offer are here to teach you!
Firefly: Still Shiny After All These Years
Time: Friday - 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch B
Panelists: Dale Cozort, Laura Dombrowski, Peter Heltzer, Frank Salvatini (M)
Description: It's not a show; it's a lifestyle.
Introduction to the Convention
Time: Friday - 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Fandom
Location: Elm
Panelists: Sondra de Jong (M), Leane Verhulst
Description: Welcome to Capricon! Ask any questions that you have about the convention. This is an ideal panel for new attendees who have never been to Capricon, or have never been to a Science Fiction convention before now.
Questioning Fantasy
Time: Friday - 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch A
Panelists: Tom Huber, Deirdre Murphy, W. A. (Bill) Thomasson (M)
Description: What is the plausibility of Fantasy literature? Could the people of Pern really ride dragons? Can different species actually mate? Could alohomara open a lock? Can your sword actually communicate telepathically with you?
Cheshire Moon Concert
Time: Friday - 8:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Filk
Location: River AB
Performers: Eric Coleman, Lizzie Crowe
Description: Cheshire Moon is the fanciful collaboration of trickster bird Lizzie Crowe and crazed magician Eric Coleman.
What began as a simple joining of two talents in song circles, and occasionally during the mad-hatter antics of Eric Coleman on stage, whipped and frothed into the most likely of pairs. Eric’s love of punk, folk and prog rock gives them an eerie, otherworldly sound, while Lizzie brings the voice of that otherworld to life in chorus and verse.
Together they bring about a torrent that is as playful as it is lightly sinister, all wrapped up in a pretty little beribboned box. Do you dare to open it?
Corseting 101
Time: Friday - 8:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch A
Panelists: Drew Scheeler (M)
Description: ADULTS ONLY. Come learn about the different types of corsets, how to find one that fits, and how to lace one properly. Feel free to bring your own corset.
Euchre Tournament I
Time: Friday - 8:30 PM to 11:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Games
Location: 16th Floor Lounge
Description: The 10th Annual Euchre Tournament! Bring a partner and get ready to play some cards. Don't have a partner? Don't worry, we'll find you one - for the game only, anything else is your responsibility. Remember, this is a friendly game. Weapons policy will be strictly enforced at the tournament.
John Scalzi DJ's Your 80's Dance / Winter Formal
Time: Friday - 8:30 PM to 1:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Event
Location: Botanic Garden A, Botanic Garden B
Description: John Scalzi DJ's Your Dance. Need we say more? Oh yeah... There will be 80's music. It will be a winter wonderland. You will dance like it's Footloose (the one with Kevin Bacon).
True Blood
Time: Friday - 8:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch B
Panelists: Brian Babendererde, Tere de la Torre (M), Alex von Thorn
Description: ADULTS ONLY. It's gonna be a hot one tonight, with Sookie, Pam, Eric, Bill, and the inhabitants of Bon Temps. Get the scoop on our favorite southern vampires.
Webcomics Keep Me Sane at Work
Time: Friday - 8:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Willow
Panelists: Daniel Levin, Les McClaine (M), Frank Salvatini
Description: There has been an explosion of webcomics in the past decade, on a vast array of topics. Come hear about which ones to check out, and geek out about your favorites.
Open Filk (Friday)
Time: Friday - 10:00 PM to 4:00 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Filk
Location: River AB
Description: Join us as we make music all night. Open Filk will start immediately after the Ropers and Cheshire Moon concerts, so come for the concerts and stay for the filk!
Sex in Zero G
Time: Friday - 10:00 PM to 11:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch B
Panelists: Tere de la Torre (M), Eileen Maksym, Paul McComas, Joseph Stockman
Description: ADULTS ONLY. You got sex in my SF/F! No, you got SF/F in my sex scene! Is it SF/F with some sex in it or is it erotica with an SF/F bent? What happens when you cross the streams?
2012 Hugo Awards: Potential Nominees
Time: Saturday - 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Fandom
Location: Birch A
Panelists: James Bacon, John Klima, Lynne M. Thomas (M), Michael D. Thomas
Description: The nomination period for the 2012 Hugo Awards is open! Which books, dramatic presentations, artists, fanzines, and new writers should be nominated?
Art of the Exploration of Space
Time: Saturday - 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Willow
Panelists: Jim Plaxco
Description: Jim Plaxco looks at the development of space art and how that art evolved over time to reflect the realities of aerospace engineering. Particular attention is paid to the means by which art is used to portray space exploration, from exploratory, educational, and inspirational perspectives. Also discussed is the NASA Art Program and NASA's recognition of the emotional impact of art vs. photography.
Choose Your Own Panelists!
Time: Saturday - 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Botanic Garden A
Panelists: Sondra de Jong (M)
Description: More Amazing Adventures! The Moderator chooses new panelists from the audience every ten minutes! The topic will be the Moderator's whim.
Conrunning for the Unbalanced
Time: Saturday - 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Elm
Panelists: Michael Lee, Dave McCarty, Helen Montgomery (M), Marah Searle-Kovacevic
Description: Are you enjoying your convention experience? Do you sometimes wonder if you should volunteer to help run an awesome convention? A bunch of convention committee veterans discuss what it actually takes to plan an SF/F event.
Death of the Bookstore?
Time: Saturday - 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch B
Panelists: Alex Bledsoe, Walt Boyes (M), Greg Ketter, Dina S. Krause, Joy Ward
Description: With the closure of the Borders chain, the rise of the eBook, and the continued success of Amazon, it seems that the death of the brick and mortar bookstore could be around the corner. Are bookstores a thing of past? Will there always be a place for independent booksellers?
Hair Braiding Demo
Time: Saturday - 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Ravinia B
Panelists: John Wardale (M)
Description: John will demo and teach people to do ropes, 4-strand "round" braids, classic (3-strand) French and (3-strand) Dutch (or inverted French or underhand), as well as a Crown braid, and other advanced ideas like 5-strand and 7-strand fingering techniques; as well as shapes like hearts, spirals, and a pull-up weave. Tailored to the desires and abilities of the audience.
Reading: Deirdre M. Murphy
Time: Saturday - 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: River C
Panelists: Deirdre Murphy
Reboots That Worked
Time: Saturday - 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Botanic Garden B
Panelists: Bob Blackwood (M), Chris Gerrib, Javier Grillo-Marxuach, Paul McComas
Description: One of the most dreaded press releases for fans is the announcement that their favorite property is getting a reboot. And yet, many reboots over the last few years have worked and even surpassed the originals. This panel will discuss some of the best reboots and why they worked while others failed.
Reading: Holly McDowell
Time: Saturday - 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: River C
Panelists: Holly McDowell
Reading: Richard Chwedyk
Time: Saturday - 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: River C
Panelists: Richard Chwedyk
Art Show Docent Tour: Les McClaine
Time: Saturday - 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Ravinia C
Panelists: Les McClaine
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 will open up, even in artwork you don't actually like. Join our Artist Guest of Honor, Les McClaine, on a tour of the Capricon art show and hear his professional opinion of what's on display.
Designing a Fantasy Role-Playing World and System
Time: Saturday - 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Willow
Panelists: Dr. Michael Unger
Description: Dr. Mike Unger will go over a variety of methods for the initial creation of a fantasy role playing world/campaign, including: how to limit/expand the scope of the campaign, how to develop plots, characters and enemies. He will also discuss the creation of your own fantasy role playing game system, including de-novo systems and systems which expand/alter systems which are commercially available.
From Concept to Screen: Lost- All the Best Cowboys Have Daddy Issues
Time: Saturday - 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: River AB
Panelists: Javier Grillo-Marxuach (M)
Description: Guest of Honor Javier Grillo-Marxuach worked on the series Lost as a writer and supervising producer during its first two seasons. In this very special presentation, Javier will walk the audience from concept through script through execution on his classic episode of Lost, explaining the writing process in this behind- the-scenes look at how TV shows are conceived, developed and produced.
Goodbye, Space Shuttle
Time: Saturday - 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Botanic Garden A
Panelists: Chris Gerrib, Jim Plaxco (M), Henry Spencer
Description: For the first time since the 1980s, the United States has no manned space craft in service. We look back at the glories and tragedies of NASA's shuttle program, and look ahead to the future. Will there one day be an American replacement for the space shuttle or will we remain dependent on other nations? Is the future of manned space exploration in the hands of private enterprise?
Phandemonium Bookclub: Little Brother
Time: Saturday - 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Book
Location: Elm
Panelists: Jerry Gilio (M), Helen Montgomery
Description: The Phandemonium Bookclub has been meeting bimonthly since 2004. Join us for a discussion of Little Brother by Guest of Honor Cory Doctorow.
Podcasters Are My Secret Friends
Time: Saturday - 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch B
Panelists: Michael Lee, Lynne M. Thomas, Michael D. Thomas (M)
Description: In the last few years, there has been an explosion of SF/F themed podcasts such as the Hugo-winning StarShipSofa, the Nerdist, the SF Squeecast, Galactic Suburbia, Writing Excuses, and Escape Pod. Chicon has even added a Best Fancast category to this year's Hugo Award ballot. We discuss some of our favorites.
Reading: Mary Anne Mohanraj
Time: Saturday - 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: River C
Panelists: Mary Anne Mohanraj
SF/F Music that Isn't Filk
Time: Saturday - 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch A
Panelists: Richard Chwedyk, Eric Coleman (M), Debbie Gates
Description: Science Fiction and Fantasy has inspired more music than just filk. Artists such as David Bowie, Rush, Styx, Radiohead, the Flaming Lips, and Janelle Monae have incorporated genre tropes and stories into their songs and albums. We discuss some of our favorites.
Welcome to the Glamorous World of Writing
Time: Saturday - 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Botanic Garden B
Panelists: Phyllis Eisenstein, Roland J. Green, E.E. Knight (M), Holly McDowell, Nayad Monroe
Description: Every writer began in the same place with some ideas and a blank page or screen. In this panel, SF/F writers discuss their origins and give advice to people who are just beginning their journey in the glamorous world of writing.
Writing Young Adult and Mid-Grade Fiction (Teen Only)
Time: Saturday - 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Ravinia B
Panelists: Cory Doctorow (M), Merrie Haskell, Jody Lynn Nye, Kathryn Sullivan
Description: From Harry Potter to Uglies, the Young Adult and Mid-Grade fiction markets have exploded over the last decade. In this panel, authors discuss some of the challenges and benefits of writing to these younger markets.
Reading and Music: Alex Bledsoe
Time: Saturday - 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: River C
Panelists: Alex Bledsoe (M), Amy McNally
Description: Author Alex Bledsoe reads from his new novel, The Hum and the Shiver, while musicians play some of the traditional folk songs featured in the book.
A Different Kind of Princess
Time: Saturday - 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Ravinia B
Panelists: Merrie Haskell (M), Valli Hoski, Deirdre Murphy, Kathryn Sullivan
Description: One of the great joys of modern Young Adult and Mid-Grade fiction is that many of the works feature strong female protagonists. This panel talks about some of the best and how they can inspire readers.
Auto: Bledsoe, Eisenstein, Green, Knight, Nye, Wolfe
Time: Saturday - 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Autograph Table
Panelists: Alex Bledsoe, Phyllis Eisenstein, Roland J. Green, E.E. Knight, Jody Lynn Nye, Gene Wolfe
Forgotten Role Playing Games of the 1980s
Time: Saturday - 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch A
Panelists: David Abzug, Eric Coleman, John "Shadowcat" Ickes (M), Jennifer Lawrence, Dave McCarty
Description: Do you remember Paranoia, Space: 1889, or Champions? This panel will reminisce about some of the best role-playing games of the 1980s other than Advanced Dungeons & Dragons.
ISFiC Open Meeting
Time: Saturday - 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Fandom
Location: Elm
Description: An open meeting for ISFiC, the parent organization that runs Windycon, Picnicon, ISFiC Press, and the ISFiC Writer's Contest. If you attended Windycon, then you are a member of ISFiC, so please stop by and give us your input on how we are doing and what you would like to see.
Phandemonium 101 / Meet the Candidates
Time: Saturday - 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Fandom
Location: Botanic Garden A
Description: Learn about Phandemonium, the parent corporation for Capricon, and then meet the candidates for the upcoming Board of Directors election (see Sunday at Noon). Everyone is welcome, as all attendees of Capricon are voting members of the corporation!
Reading: Matt Forbeck
Time: Saturday - 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Willow
Panelists: Matt Forbeck
The Coming War on General Purpose Computation
Time: Saturday - 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: River AB
Panelists: Cory Doctorow
Description: The Cory Doctorow Keynote Speech. The copyright war was just the beginning. The last 20 years of Internet policy have been dominated by the copyright war, but the war turns out only to have been a skirmish. The coming century will be dominated by a war against the general purpose computer, and the stakes are freedom, fortune, and the privacy of the entire human race.
The SF/F Short Fiction Club Scene
Time: Saturday - 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Botanic Garden B
Panelists: Richard Chwedyk, John Klima, Mary Anne Mohanraj (M), Nayad Monroe, John O'Neill, Lynne M. Thomas
Description: The SF/F short fiction markets have been described by author Elizabeth Bear as a "club scene" where authors experiment and bat ideas back and forth. These SF/F professionals talk about the current state of the short fiction markets and some of the exciting things happening in the medium.
Wax Chaotic in the Cafe
Time: Saturday - 1:00 PM to 1:45 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Filk
Location: River C
Performers: Allyson Clarkson, Katt McConnell, Sean McConnell
Description: Wax Chaotic arrived on the Filk scene in Indianapolis last year, and they are performing at Capricon for the first time in the Cafe.
Reading: Paul McComas
Time: Saturday - 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Willow
Panelists: Paul McComas
Crystal Wolf concert
Time: Saturday - 1:45 PM to 2:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Filk
Location: River C
Performers: Crystal Wolf
Description: Singer/songwriter Crystal Wolf is a newcomer to Capricon filk. Come check out her concert set in the Cafe!
Reading: Walt Boyes
Time: Saturday - 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Willow
Panelists: Walt Boyes
Autographing: Matt Forbeck, Paul McComas
Time: Saturday - 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Autograph Table
Panelists: Matt Forbeck, Paul McComas
chicago-sf.org Bookclub
Time: Saturday - 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Book
Location: Elm
Panelists: Anne Geyer (M), Jason M. Robertson (M)
Description: The Chicago-SF.org Close Reading Group will be discussing the Hugo-nominated novel Feed by Mira Grant (the pseudonym of Windycon's Guest of Honor Seanan McGuire).
Chicon 7: The 2012 Worldcon Open Meeting
Time: Saturday - 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Fandom
Location: Birch A
Panelists: Dave McCarty (M), Helen Montgomery, Steven H Silver
Description: Chicago is hosting the 2012 World Science Fiction Convention! Come find out what we're planning and how you can be involved in the fun!
Coming Out of the TARDIS: Revealing Your Geek Life
Time: Saturday - 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch B
Panelists: Jerry Gilio, Peter Heltzer, Valli Hoski (M), Isabel Schechter
Description: We've all had that awkward moment- the moment we revealed our geeky hobbies to a mundane friend, co-worker, or loved one for the first time. Panelists talk about how they navigated the "Coming Out of the TARDIS" process and survived to tell the tale.
Creation Stories
Time: Saturday - 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: River AB
Panelists: Br. Guy Consolmagno
Description: Most people learn what a religion has to teach through the stories it tells, and science is often communicated with the structure of "story" --setting, crisis, insight, resolution. Brother Guy Consolmagno will examine Science Fiction as an example of how our understanding of various cosmologies gets communicated, through story, into popular culture.
Jen Midkiff concert
Time: Saturday - 2:30 PM to 3:15 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Filk
Location: River C
Performers: Jen Midkiff
Description: Jen Midkiff, of Wild Mercy, will bring her harp and vocals to the Cafe on Saturday. There could be surprise guests. Who knows... her daughter Maddie might even bring her violin!
Kickstart Your Way to Self-Publishing
Time: Saturday - 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Willow
Panelists: Mary Anne Mohanraj
Description: Author Mary Anne Mohanraj, who has previously published with
HarperCollins and multiple small presses, discusses why she decided to try crowd-sourcing her latest book, and how, last October, she
succeeded in raising $8000 in donations in one month, meeting her pledge goal. She'll address why people donated (she took a survey afterwards!) and also talk about the budget breakdown for that book, a collection of erotic SF stories, Demimonde.
Reading: E.E. Knight
Time: Saturday - 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Botanic Garden B
Panelists: E.E. Knight
The Middleman: The Panel!
Time: Saturday - 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Botanic Garden A
Panelists: Javier Grillo-Marxuach (M), Les McClaine
Description: Tropic of Cancer! Perhaps the greatest geeky property of all time, The Middleman went from being a beloved comic book to an awesome, sadly short-lived TV series, and finally back to a comic book again. Writer Javier Grillo-Marxuach and artist Les McClaine walk the audience through the concepts and executions of The Middleman.
Reading: Jody Lynn Nye
Time: Saturday - 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Botanic Garden B
Panelists: Jody Lynn Nye
Amy McNally concert
Time: Saturday - 3:15 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Filk
Location: River C
Performers: Amy McNally
Description: Amy McNally lights up the Cafe with her fiddle artistry.
Reading: Gene Wolfe
Time: Saturday - 3:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Botanic Garden B
Panelists: Gene Wolfe
52: The DC Comics Reboot Panel
Time: Saturday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Botanic Garden A
Panelists: James Bacon (M), Jennifer Lawrence, Les McClaine, Bill Roper
Description: After multiple crises, DC finally decided to start all over again with a more or less new continuity for their iconic characters. Months of backlash and debate were followed by great sales and mixed reviews. Did the reboot work? Was it worth it? Did the reboot go far enough?
A Hard to Break Hobbit
Time: Saturday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch A
Panelists: Brian Babendererde (M), Lizzie Crowe, Daniel Levin
Description: We've all seen the movie trailer. Bilbo! Gandalf! Hot singing dwarves! Peter Jackson's Middle Earth is back. It's time to look back at The Lord of the Rings and begin the speculation about the forthcoming Hobbit duology.
Civil Disobedience: Occupy Wall Street & the Tea Party Movement
Time: Saturday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Botanic Garden B
Panelists: Cory Doctorow, Eileen Maksym, Mary Anne Mohanraj, John Scalzi (M), Michael Z. Williamson
Description: Over the last few years, two grassroots political movements have captured the headlines. Both stemming from the same recession and unstable economic climate, each movement has embraced opposite ends of the political spectrum. What do these movements have in common? Have both been unfairly portrayed by the media? Please join what is sure to be a lively (but respectful) debate.
David Perry concert
Time: Saturday - 4:00 PM to 4:45 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Filk
Location: River C
Performers: David Perry
Description: David Perry performs a solo set in the Capricon Cafe.
Fandom and Learning Disabilities
Time: Saturday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Elm
Panelists: Andrea Boyes, Walt Boyes (M), Leonard Krol, delphyne woods
Description: A topic that often comes up during panels is how people with learning disabilities consume and create Science Fiction and Fantasy literature. This panel will explore the relationship between people with learning disabilities and the literature, and the different adaptations that have helped them enjoy it.
Settlers of Catan World Wide Catan Championship Pre-Qualifier Tourny-Sat
Time: Saturday - 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Games
Location: Ravinia B
GameMasters: Marinda Darnell (M)
Description: Capricon 32 is proud to host a Pre-Qualifier for the World Wide Catan Championship 2012 in conjunction with Mayfair Games. Players will compete to win a trip to GenCon Indy 2012 to play for a seat in the WWCC. The trip to GenCon Indy will include double occupancy hotel, 4 day badge to GenCon Indy, and transportation cost.
There will be two chances to qualify for a seat in the Semi-Finals on Sunday. A three round tournament will be held on both Friday and Saturday. The top 16 players from the combination of those 2 days will advance to the Semi-Finals. Players do not have to play both Friday and Saturday, We will take your best days score. You can play one or both days. Whichever day has your highest score, Friday or Saturday will be your score taken for rankings. Rankings will be by win/lose record, broken by points. We should be able to wrap up each day (Friday and Saturday) by 9 PM, if not earlier depending on the number of players. Only 3 games will be played Friday, and 3 played on Saturday. Semi-Finals will be Sunday morning at 10 AM. Players will play 1 game. The winner from each table will then play 1 final game to determine the overall Capricon 2012 WWCC Pre-Qualifier Winner!
The History of SF/F in Chicago
Time: Saturday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Willow
Panelists: Alice Bentley, Barry Lyn-Waitsman, Steven H Silver (M), Leah Zeldes Smith
Description: Did you know that Fritz Leiber, James Tiptree Jr., and Fred Saberhagen all once lived in Chicago? Have you ever heard about the secret trips made by some of the Chicon 3 attending authors to the Playboy headquarters during the 20th WorldCon? Chicago has a rich SF/F history. Please join some of Chicago's most preeminent fans and scholars as they share tales from our fandom's marvelous history. (Alice Bentley will be joining us via Skype.)
The Paranormal CW
Time: Saturday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch B
Panelists: Bob Blackwood (M), Laura Dombrowski, Rebecca Frencl, Terrence Miltner
Description: Guilty pleasures? Gossip Girl with fangs? Neither. The CW is providing some of the best SF/F dramas on television today. We'll talk about the current seasons of The Vampire Diaries, Supernatural, and the new hit, The Secret Circle.
The Transition from Short Story to Novel
Time: Saturday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: River AB
Panelists: Tim Akers (M), Phyllis Eisenstein, Jody Lynn Nye, Gene Wolfe
Description: Though many might think these two mediums are very similar, not every writer can easily make the transition from one to the other. What are the pitfalls and what should the writer know before starting? Is it easier to do it in reverse and go from novel to short story? What’s similar and what’s different? Does it help to think of chapters as mini-stories? (Panel idea from Cat Rambo.)
Luke Ski concert
Time: Saturday - 4:45 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Filk
Location: River C
Performers: Luke Ski
Description: Luke Ski brings his funny music to the Capricon Cafe.
Art Showdown
Time: Saturday - 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Art
Location: Ravinia A
Description: Artist showdown!
I Still Love My Paranormal Boyfriend- The Urban Fantasy Panel
Time: Saturday - 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Willow
Panelists: Bob Blackwood (M), Tere de la Torre, Laura Dombrowski, Rebecca Frencl, Kerri-Ellen Kelly, Eileen Maksym
Description: Many thought that the Urban Fantasy sub-genre was a trend that would disappear after a few years. Thankfully, that hasn't been the case at all. This panel celebrates awesome Urban Fantasy writers such as Charlaine Harris, Jim Butcher, Seanan McGuire, and Carrie Vaughn and all of their kick-a$$ characters.
Toyboat Unclogged!
Time: Saturday - 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Filk
Location: River AB
Performers: Eric Coleman, Daniel Gunderson, Amy McNally, Jason Neerenburg, Mike Nixon, David "Raven" Stowell
Description: The question Toyboat is most often asked is "Why are the guitars distorted? Is there something wrong with the guitars?". So, due to underwhelming demand, Toyboat will leave their electric instruments at home (except for Raven, he'll still bring his organ, we tried to get him to play the accordion, but he just looked at us like we were crazy, still, he always looks at us like that) and bring … yeah … acoustic guitars, standup bass and real drums. There is still no safe minimum distance.
What Makes Something Iconic?
Time: Saturday - 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Elm
Panelists: Alex Bledsoe (M), Alex Eisenstein, Javier Grillo-Marxuach, Holly McDowell
Description: Darth Vader's helmet. The Daleks. Robbie the Robot. The Enterprise. These images have permeated popular culture. What makes them so iconic? Why are they iconic while other things failed to make a mark?
Writing Is a Business
Time: Saturday - 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Botanic Garden A
Panelists: Tim Akers (M), Richard Chwedyk, Matt Forbeck, Gene Wolfe
Description: As aspiring writers enter the field, they will do almost anything to become published. This attitude often can lead to others taking advantage of their work. These professionals will share advice about agents, contracts, retirement, and...gulp...taxes.
Art Auction
Time: Saturday - 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Art
Location: Ravinia A
Description: Attend the live voice art auction on Saturday evening. Over the years, we have had great auctioneers, and we expect to be impressed and amused again this year by the auctioneers AND the art!
Il Troubadore Klingon Music Project
Time: Saturday - 8:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Filk
Location: River AB
Performers: Paul Radecki, Robert Scott, Jon Silpayamanant
Description: il Troubadore, known on the planet Qo'noS as bomwI'pu' has been performing tlhIngan QoQ (Klingon music) live since 2009, and their music was recently featured in Chicago's own "A Klingon Christmas Carol."
During their travels through space (and time) il Troubadore have managed to learn songs from many alien races, including tunes in the tongues of the Ewoks and the languages Huttese, Fremen, Vulcan, Tenctonese and Shyriiwook. They've even managed to learn tunes in dozens of languages from the planet Earth!
You haven't lived until you've heard Klingon's singing a happy bouncy Ewok song. Really... you want to be there!
MST11
Time: Saturday - 8:30 PM to 11:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Willow
Description: Join Matthew "Fringe" Duhan, the great Luke Ski, and Carrie Dahlby in this hilarious homage to Mystery Science Theater 3000. Max and the bots face their toughest challenger yet, as they watch four hapless astronauts try to save one stranded astronaut, and return with only half the crew intact. Along the way they discover the secret to all life on Earth, product placement.
The Non-Lucas SF/F/H Films of the 70s and 80s
Time: Saturday - 8:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Elm
Panelists: Alex Bledsoe (M), Dermot Dobson, Paul McComas, Tom Trumpinski
Description: There was more Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror at the cinema in the 70s and 80s than just Star Wars. This panel will look at some classics of the period such as Conan the Barbarian, Logan's Run, Westworld, Rollerball, Night of the Comet, Escape from New York, The Thing, and many, many more.
Klingon Karaoke
Time: Saturday - 9:00 PM to 12:00 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Event
Location: Botanic Garden B
Description: No Adventure is complete without Theme music, so we brought back that wacky trio "Sing With The Band" to provide the melody while you sing the theme.
That Was No Companion, That Was My Wife! The Doctor Who Season 6 Panel
Time: Saturday - 9:30 PM to 11:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Botanic Garden A
Panelists: Merrie Haskell, Valli Hoski, Kathryn Sullivan, Lynne M. Thomas (M), Joy Ward
Description: Hello, sweeties! The second season of the eleventh Doctor is now complete. We found out about the Silence (and promptly forgot), the true identity of River Song, and that biting is better than kissing because there's a winner. It's time to talk about our favorite Time Lord's newest adventures! Geronimo!
Open Filk (Saturday)
Time: Saturday - 10:00 PM to 4:00 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Filk
Location: River AB
Description: Open filk circle, immediately following Toyboat Unclogged and the Klingon Music Project... because we'll be ready for something "normal" by then, right?
Euchre Tournament II
Time: Saturday - 11:00 PM to 2:00 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Games
Location: 16th Floor Lounge
Description: The 10th Annual Euchre Tournament! Bring a partner and get ready to play some cards. Don't have a partner? Don't worry, we'll find you one - for the game only, anything else is your responsibility. Remember, this is a friendly game. Weapons policy will be strictly enforced at the tournament.
Brother Guy and Bill Higgins Talk about Science Stuff
Time: Sunday - 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Botanic Garden A
Panelists: Br. Guy Consolmagno, Bill Higgins
Description: Brother Guy and Bill Higgins are fascinating. Hear them discuss fascinating things...about SCIENCE!
Harry Potter's Graduation Party
Time: Sunday - 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: River AB
Panelists: Peter Heltzer, Kerri-Ellen Kelly, Daniel Levin (M), Barry Lyn-Waitsman, Robin Silver
Description: Harry, Hermione, Ron, and the rest of those crazy Hogwarts wizards-in-training have passed (well some of them) their NEWTS and are leaving Hogwarts behind. (When did Neville get hot?) Reminiscences, speculation, and rehashing are encouraged in this squee-belation. Muggles welcome. Refreshments will not be served because we freed the elves.
Jody Lynn Nye and Phyllis Eisenstein: A Conversation
Time: Sunday - 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch B
Panelists: Phyllis Eisenstein, Jody Lynn Nye
Description: Jody Lynn Nye and Phyllis Eisenstein, two of Chicagoland's preeminent SF/F authors, discuss their work and their careers.
Reading: Joy Ward
Time: Sunday - 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Elm
Panelists: Joy Ward
Settlers of Catan World Wide Catan Championship Pre-Qualifier Tourny-Sun
Time: Sunday - 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Games
Location: Lake Michigan A - Table A
GameMasters: Marinda Darnell (M)
Description: Capricon 32 is proud to host a Pre-Qualifier for the World Wide Catan Championship 2012 in conjunction with Mayfair Games. Players will compete to win a trip to GenCon Indy 2012 to play for a seat in the WWCC. The trip to GenCon Indy will include double occupancy hotel, 4 day badge to GenCon Indy, and transportation cost.
There will be two chances to qualify for a seat in the Semi-Finals on Sunday. A three round tournament will be held on both Friday and Saturday. The top 16 players from the combination of those 2 days will advance to the Semi-Finals. Players do not have to play both Friday and Saturday, We will take your best days score. You can play one or both days. Whichever day has your highest score, Friday or Saturday will be your score taken for rankings. Rankings will be by win/lose record, broken by points. We should be able to wrap up each day (Friday and Saturday) by 9 PM, if not earlier depending on the number of players. Only 3 games will be played Friday, and 3 played on Saturday. Semi-Finals will be Sunday morning at 10 AM. Players will play 1 game. The winner from each table will then play 1 final game to determine the overall Capricon 2012 WWCC Pre-Qualifier Winner!
Take That, Gutenberg! New Publishing Models in the 21st Century
Time: Sunday - 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Botanic Garden B
Panelists: Cory Doctorow (M), Matt Forbeck, John Klima, Les McClaine, John O'Neill
Description: Clay tablets, roaming minstrels, mimeographs, Big Publishing Houses, corner bookstores, ePubs, self-publishing, and Kickstarter are just some examples of how we've financed and distributed stories over the years. How have stories gotten from the author to the reader, how is that model changing, and why? For whom is this a good change or a bad change? Why is how we get our books important?
The Politics of Glory: SF/F Awards
Time: Sunday - 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch A
Panelists: Richard Chwedyk, John Scalzi, Steven H Silver (M), Lynne M. Thomas
Description: The Hugo, Nebula, Tiptree, World Fantasy, and Sidewise Awards are some of the major Science Fiction and Fantasy awards. Let's look at the different awards and discuss the unique way each is selected, and why sometimes they work and sometimes they don't.
Reading: Rebecca Frencl
Time: Sunday - 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Elm
Panelists: Rebecca Frencl
Reading: Eileen Maksym
Time: Sunday - 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Elm
Panelists: Eileen Maksym
Toast and (Instrumental) Jam
Time: Sunday - 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Filk
Location: River C
Description: We've had a weekend full of crazy filk... but what lots of people don't realize is that there are some really outstanding instrumentalists in fandom. Sunday morning, the musicians will gather for some jamming in the Cafe. There might even be toast to go with the jam.
Auto: Deidre M. Murphy, Rebecca Frencl, Brian Babendererde
Time: Sunday - 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Autograph Table
Panelists: Brian Babendererde, Rebecca Frencl, Deirdre Murphy
Fanzines for Fun and Non-Profit
Time: Sunday - 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Elm
Panelists: James Bacon, Bill Higgins, Steven H Silver, Dick Smith, delphyne woods, Leah Zeldes Smith (M)
Description: Join us as we explore the vibrant world of fanzines. One of Science Fiction and Fantasy fandom's oldest means of communication, analysis, and community building, fanzines continue to flourish as they adapt to our changing times.
Gaming *Is* Research for My Novel!
Time: Sunday - 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch A
Panelists: Matt Forbeck, E.E. Knight (M), Jennifer Lawrence, John O'Neill
Description: Who said gaming isn't good for your writing? For these writers, role-playing games helped hone their skills as storytellers. How can role-playing help your writing? What are the pitfalls?
Phandemonium Board Meeting and Election - All Welcome!
Time: Sunday - 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Fandom
Location: Botanic Garden A
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 and Q & A: John Scalzi
Time: Sunday - 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Botanic Garden B
Panelists: John Scalzi
Writing the Other
Time: Sunday - 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: River AB
Panelists: Alex Bledsoe, Cory Doctorow, Javier Grillo-Marxuach, Mary Anne Mohanraj (M)
Description: How do authors write about characters from diverse backgrounds and cultures, particularly when they are different from their own? How can writing the other contribute to Science Fiction and Fantasy literature? What are some of the issues one can encounter, and how can we approach them successfully?
Reading: Merrie Haskell
Time: Sunday - 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: River C
Panelists: Merrie Haskell
Autographing: Cory Doctorow, John Scalzi
Time: Sunday - 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Autograph Table
Panelists: Cory Doctorow, John Scalzi
Combat! How to Write Effective Action Scenes
Time: Sunday - 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch A
Panelists: Roland J. Green, E.E. Knight, Michael Z. Williamson (M)
Description: Successfully put your reader in the middle of any action scene (without ending up in the hospital). Come learn what makes a thrilling action scene versus a snore.
Fan Artists You Should Know
Time: Sunday - 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Art
Location: Elm
Panelists: Steven H Silver (M), Dick Smith, delphyne woods
Description: There's a whole world of art and artists outside of what is considered "professional." What's going on outside of the professional Science Fiction and Fantasy art communities? Where can you find these artists and their art?
My Sarah Jane
Time: Sunday - 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Botanic Garden B
Panelists: Alex Bledsoe, Dermot Dobson, Michael Lee, Lynne M. Thomas, Michael D. Thomas (M)
Description: Come squee and reminisce about Elisabeth Sladen. We will discuss her impact on both the old and new series and on Doctor Who Fandom.
The Wide World of Comics Media
Time: Sunday - 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Birch B
Panelists: Matt Forbeck, Javier Grillo-Marxuach, Barry Lyn-Waitsman, Les McClaine, Bill Roper (M)
Description: There are more ways to get a comic book or graphic novel these days besides picking one up at your local comic book store. Let's look at the various delivery methods for comic books and graphic novels and how that changes their impact. We will look at this from the perspective of the reader, writer, and artist. Excelsior!
Closing Ceremonies & Feedback Session
Time: Sunday - 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Event
Location: River AB
Description: Sadly, every Adventure must come to an end, and so must this one. Come end the weekend in style and tell us your thoughts, good or bad; your feedback helps us make every Capricon an Amazing Adventure! The Powers That Be of Capricon 33 will also give a hint of what's to come when we convene in 2013.