Capricon 32 - Amazing Adventures

February 9, 2012 - February 12, 2012

Reports

Event Descriptions - Sorted Alphabetically

(NOTE: All events are subject to last minute changes. Please check back often.)

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?

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 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.

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.

Advanced Candy Wrapper Art

Time: Friday - 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Category: Woebegon
Track: Wobegon
Location: Lake Wobegon
Panelists: L. Godiva, S. Press, S. H Silver (M)
Description: Ever wonder what happens to the chocolate wrappers used at "Trivia for Chocolate" after all the candy's been eaten? Come find out! As part of our greening program, you have the option to recycle your finished work. BYOW

Adventure Quest

Time: Friday - 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Category: Kids
Track: Other
Location: Third Floor
Panelists: Michael T. Sherman (M)
Description: Create an adventure log and begin a scavenger hunt with the help of some fannish friends. At the end of the weekend, we will come together to share what we discover and earn a reward.

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?

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.

Are You a Werewolf? (Friday)

Time: Friday - 10:00 PM to 12:00 AM
Category: Game
Track: Games
Location: Lake Michigan A - Table F
Game Master: Heather McConaha (M)
Description: A game of paranoia, deception and mob rule. Role Playing Game 4+ players.

Are You a Werewolf? (Saturday)

Time: Saturday - 10:00 PM to 12:00 AM
Category: Game
Track: Games
Location: Lake Michigan A - Table F
Game Master: Heather McConaha (M)
Description: A game of paranoia, deception and mob rule. Role Playing Game 4+ players.

Are You a Werewolf? (Thursday)

Time: Thursday - 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Category: Game
Track: Games
Location: Lake Michigan A - Table F
Game Master: Heather McConaha (M)
Description: A game of paranoia, deception and mob rule. Role Playing Game 4+ players.

Are You the Traitor? (Friday)

Time: Friday - 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Category: Game
Track: Games
Location: Lake Michigan A - Table F
Game Master: Heather McConaha (M)
Description: It's the moment of truth in your quest to destroy the Evil magic Key. Your band of adventurers faces two Wizards: an Evil Wizard who wants to use the Key to unlock evil powers, and the Good Wizard who has the ability to destroy it. The problem is, the Evil Wizard has disguised himself to look exactly like the Good Wizard, so who do you give the Key to? Choose quickly: one of your trusted Guards is secretly a Traitor - and next round that Traitor might be you! Role Playing Game 4 - 10 Players.

Are You the Traitor? (Saturday)

Time: Saturday - 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Category: Game
Track: Games
Location: Lake Michigan A - Table F
Game Master: Heather McConaha (M)
Description: It's the moment of truth in your quest to destroy the Evil magic Key. Your band of adventurers faces two Wizards: an Evil Wizard who wants to use the Key to unlock evil powers, and the Good Wizard who has the ability to destroy it. The problem is, the Evil Wizard has disguised himself to look exactly like the Good Wizard, so who do you give the Key to? Choose quickly: one of your trusted Guards is secretly a Traitor - and next round that Traitor might be you! Role Playing Game 4 - 10 Players.

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!

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.

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.

Art Showdown

Time: Saturday - 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Art
Location: Ravinia A
Description: Artist showdown!

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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.

Axis Power Hetalia #1-26

Time: Thursday - 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Category: Anime
Track: Other
Location: Ravinia A

Bastard #1-6

Time: Friday - 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM
Category: Anime
Track: Other
Location: Ravinia A

Battle Tech (Friday)

Time: Friday - 5:00 PM to 12:00 AM
Category: Game
Track: Games
Location: Lake Michigan A - Table E
Game Master: Alex Kaempen (M)
Description: Come play the classic game of big robot combat. War Game 2+ Players.

Battle Tech (Saturday)

Time: Saturday - 9:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Category: Game
Track: Games
Location: Lake Michigan A - Table E
Game Master: Alex Kaempen (M)
Description: Come play the classic game of big robot combat. War Game 2+ Players.

Battle Tech (Sunday)

Time: Sunday - 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Category: Game
Track: Games
Location: Lake Michigan A - Table E
Game Master: Alex Kaempen (M)
Description: Come play the classic game of big robot combat. War Game 2+ Players.

Beads, Balloons, Bubbles and Badges

Time: Saturday - 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Category: Kids
Track: Other
Location: Third Floor
Panelists: Lisa Garrison-Ragsdale (M), John Wardale
Description: Decorate a badge holder for your badge and create other beaded creations while our crazy balloonatic, John Wardale, makes balloon sculptures including hats, devices, animals, aliens. Requests will be taken. 2 page menu of choices also available. Be forewarned: LATEX products will be in use.

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!

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...)

Bludgeoning Angel Dokuro-Chan #1-4

Time: Saturday - 1:00 AM to 3:00 AM
Category: Anime
Track: Other
Location: Ravinia A

Boston in 2020 Christmas Worldcon Bid Party!

Time: Friday - 10:00 PM to 11:30 PM
Category: Woebegon
Track: Wobegon
Location: Lake Wobegon
Panelists: R. Carson, N. Cates, C. Garcia (M), J. Lipp, T. Miller, H. Montgomery, B. VanTilburg, L. Verhulst
Description: We want to have a Worldcon in Boston! In 2020! At Christmas! Join us for sno-cones and egg nog as we explain why you'd rather come to Boston in the dead of winter instead of going to beautiful New Zealand in 2020.

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!

Build Your Own Adventure Kit

Time: Friday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Kids
Track: Other
Location: Third Floor
Panelists: Michael T. Sherman (M)
Description: Put together your own kit that will help you survive your weekend at Capricon.

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?

Capricon Presents: The Roast of John Scalzi

Time: Friday - 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Category: Woebegon
Track: Wobegon
Location: Lake Wobegon
Panelists: T. Dinan, J. Scalzi (M), H. Simpson
Description: It has been a heralded tradition at Capricon to roast the prior year's GOH. And, this year, under the guise of DJ'ing our dance, Mr. Scalzi has proclaimed, "Challenge accepted!"

Carcassonne

Time: Thursday - 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Category: Game
Track: Games
Location: Lake Michigan A - Table C
Game Master: Leane Verhulst (M)
Description: Build cities, farms, and roads in this game of world building. Board Game 2-6 Players.

Cartoons, Comics and Coloring

Time: Saturday - 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Category: Kids
Track: Other
Location: Third Floor
Panelists: Lisa Garrison-Ragsdale (M)
Description: Create your own comic, color some comics that need some flair and watch cartoons with your friends.

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.

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?

Chez Freak

Time: Friday - 10:00 PM to 12:00 AM
Category: Game
Track: Games
Location: Lake Michigan A - Table A
Game Master: John "Shadowcat" Ickes (M)
Description: Chez Freak

Chez Geek

Time: Saturday - 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Category: Game
Track: Games
Location: Lake Michigan A - Table B
Game Master: Jessica Merrick (M)
Description: Beer. Nookie. Roommates. Just another Friday night at Chez Geek, the fun new card game that lets you set up house with your friends - for as long as you can stand them. Card Game 3-8 players.

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!

Choose your OWN adventure

Time: Sunday - 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Category: Kids
Track: Other
Location: Third Floor
Panelists: Michael T. Sherman (M)
Description: Share the results of your adventure quest and put the finishing touches on your adventure log. Make a treasure chest to keep the items you discovered on your weekend quest.

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.

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.

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.

Cloning 101: Doctor Who

Time: Thursday - 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Category: Woebegon
Track: Wobegon
Location: Lake Wobegon
Panelists: T. Master, D. Tennant, M. Thomas (M)
Description: Do you miss your first doctor? If so, come learn a new scientific technique that's not just for goats anymore! Ask about the multi-course discount program.

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.

Code Geass #1-4

Time: Friday - 10:00 AM to 11:45 AM
Category: Anime
Track: Other
Location: Ravinia A

Colon: How to Make Your Panel Appear More Academic

Time: Saturday - 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Category: Woebegon
Track: Wobegon
Location: Lake Wobegon
Panelists: S. Levy, C.M. Style (M), N. Webster
Description: Want people to take your findings seriously? Add a colon to the title of your panel! Come learn other strategies for effective punctuation and impress your friends and families. This seminar does not guarantee respect from your colleagues.

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.

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.

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.

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.)

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.

Cosplay for Pets

Time: Friday - 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Woebegon
Track: Wobegon
Location: Lake Wobegon
Panelists: C. Deville, H. McConaha (M), S. McLachlan
Description: What's the perfect accessory for your costume? Why, your pet, of course! Learn how to turn your pet into a mini-me, a handbag, or even a steam-powered wunderkind.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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?

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."

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?

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?

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!

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.

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.

Everyday Soylent Green

Time: Sunday - 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Category: Woebegon
Track: Wobegon
Location: Lake Wobegon
Panelists: T. Coxen, G. De Laurentiis (M), Thorn
Description: The Food Network is proud to present their newest cooking show: Everyday Soylent Green. Learn easy, quick ways to make your meals taste less like people. Busy parents will especially appreciate this culinary adventure!

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?

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.

Fansplaining 101

Time: Saturday - 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Category: Woebegon
Track: Wobegon
Location: Lake Wobegon
Panelists: S. Cooper (M), D. McCarty, O. Winfrey
Description: The first step in effective discussion techniques is getting your point across. This seminar will introduce you to the art of "fansplaining." This method may not win you friends, but no one will be able to deny that you know... something.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Frag

Time: Saturday - 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Category: Game
Track: Games
Location: Lake Michigan A - Table D
Description: Game starts. Enemy in sight...Frag him! Grab his stuff! Run! Get a bigger gun! Grab some armor! There he is again! Frag him! Whoa, there's another one. Run...you're hit! You're down. Respawn! Grab a weapon! Start again! Frag is a computer game without a computer. It's a "first-person shooter" on a tabletop. Move your fighter and frag your foes; draw cards for weapons, armor, and gadgets; move through the blood spatters to restore your own health! If you die, you respawn and come back shooting! Board Game 2-6 players.

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.

Fushigi Yuugi #1-5

Time: Saturday - 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Anime
Track: Other
Location: Ravinia A

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!

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?

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.

Geo-Armor #4-7

Time: Friday - 2:45 PM to 5:00 PM
Category: Anime
Track: Other
Location: Ravinia A

Geo-Armor: Kishin Corp. #1-3

Time: Thursday - 6:00 PM to 7:45 PM
Category: Anime
Track: Other
Location: Ravinia A

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.)

Golden Age Babylon

Time: Thursday - 10:00 PM to 11:30 PM
Category: Woebegon
Track: Wobegon
Location: Lake Wobegon
Panelists: I. Asimov, Capricious (M), P. Le Pew
Description: Come hear the saucy, scandalous, and degenerate tales of first fandom. Learn *why* the Hugo is that shape.

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?

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.

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.

Heroic Legend of Arslan #1-2

Time: Saturday - 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Category: Anime
Track: Other
Location: Ravinia A

Heroic Legend of Arslan #3-6

Time: Sunday - 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Category: Anime
Track: Other
Location: Ravinia A

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.

I Can't Believe They Canceled My Show!

Time: Friday - 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Category: Woebegon
Track: Wobegon
Location: Lake Wobegon
Panelists: L. Gilio, T. Middleman (M), J. Whedon
Description: Firefly? The Middleman? Freaks and Geeks? In this panel we take back our airwaves! After 45 minutes of venting, we will brainstorm ideas for new scripts. In Parts II and III of this series, we will write and film our very own fanfic.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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).

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?

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.

Kid’s Gaming

Time: Sunday - 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Category: Kids
Track: Other
Location: Third Floor
Panelists: Lisa Garrison-Ragsdale (M)
Description: Many games for kids will be available to play including Munchkin, Settlers of Catan/Kids of Catan and Kids of Carcassonne. Feel free to bring your own to play or teach a friend!

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.

Legend of Crystania (Actual start 11:40am)

Time: Friday - 11:45 AM to 1:00 PM
Category: Anime
Track: Other
Location: Ravinia A

LEGO© Mania

Time: Friday - 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Kids
Track: Other
Location: Third Floor
Panelists: Lisa Garrison-Ragsdale (M)
Description: Castles, Dungeons, and much more! Legos will be out and ready for you to create! The sky is the limit on what you can design!

LEGO© Mania the Finale

Time: Sunday - 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Category: Kids
Track: Other
Location: Third Floor
Panelists: Lisa Garrison-Ragsdale (M)
Description: Legos will be out and ready for you to create! You are only limited by your imagination.

LEGO© Mania the Prequel

Time: Thursday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Kids
Track: Other
Location: Third Floor
Panelists: Lisa Garrison-Ragsdale (M)
Description: Build a robot or a space ship! Legos will be out and ready for you to create! You are only limited by your imagination.

LEGO© Mania the Sequel

Time: Saturday - 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Kids
Track: Other
Panelists: Lisa Garrison-Ragsdale (M)
Description: Legos will be out and ready for you to create! Build a castle with dragons and knights or an alien with a flying saucer attacking the Earth. You are only limited by your imagination.

Life-size Kill Dr. Lucky

Time: Saturday - 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Category: Game
Track: Games
Location: Birch A, Birch B
Game Master: John "Shadowcat" Ickes (M)
Description: Why do all mystery games start just after all the fun is over? Welcome to J. Robert Lucky Mansion: a sprawling country estate full of unusual weapons, good hiding places and craven killers. Killers like you. The object? Kill Doctor Lucky. Find a weapon, track the old man down, and take him out. The obstacles? For one thing all of your friends would rather do it first. For another, Doctor Lucky is aptly named.

Live Action Zork

Time: Saturday - 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Woebegon
Track: Wobegon
Location: Lake Wobegon
Panelists: M. Blank, W. Crusher, J. Ickes (M)
Description: How does one play a live action text based adventure game? Why in a holodeck, of course! Please note that this panel will take place in the future once a holodeck has been built. If time travel is possible, then when we get a time machine, we will bring a holodeck back in time to 2/11/2012 at 2:30 PM. If the panel is canceled, it means that time travel is not possible. > nw

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.

Lupin: Cagliostro Castle

Time: Saturday - 11:00 PM to 12:45 AM
Category: Anime
Track: Other
Location: Ravinia A

Madlib Slashfic

Time: Saturday - 10:00 PM to 11:30 PM
Category: Woebegon
Track: Wobegon
Location: Lake Wobegon
Panelists: L. Dombrowski, Kirk/Spock (M), A. Nin
Description: Fill in the blanks for good time with the newest sub-genre in Speculative Fiction: Madlib Slashfic! Adults Only Panel.

MADOX-1

Time: Friday - 2:00 PM to 2:45 PM
Category: Anime
Track: Other
Location: Ravinia A

Mickey Mouse: Lovable Animated Character or Evil Overlord?

Time: Friday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Woebegon
Track: Wobegon
Location: Lake Wobegon
Panelists: M. C. Cyganiewicz (M), C. Doctorow, Ursula
Description: The debate of the century rages on. Is Mickey Mouse truly the adorable cartoon mouse that we have all been led to believe? Or, is the Mickey Mouse really the cover identity for an evil overlord subliminally controlling us through such vehicles as teacup rides and The New Mickey Mouse Club? Discuss.

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.

Mogul

Time: Sunday - 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Category: Game
Track: Games
Location: Lake Michigan A - Table D
Game Master: Matthew Duhan (M)
Description: It is the 1930s, a time of much industrial building and growth. Buy factories an businesses, in order to produce goods and sell them to gain victory points. The person who can best manage their buildings and meet their goals will win. This is a prototype of Gozer Games' upcoming game, planned to be released later this year. Come get a sneak peek, and give feedback on this new game. 3-5 players age 13 and up. Game plays about 2 hours.

Movie, Munchies and “MST3K” Jr

Time: Saturday - 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Category: Kids
Track: Other
Location: Third Floor
Panelists: Michael T. Sherman (M)
Description: Come watch a movie with your fannish friends and enjoy a snack while you chime in on the movie as it plays.

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.

Munchkin (Friday)

Time: Friday - 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Category: Game
Track: Games
Location: Lake Michigan A - Table B
Game Master: Steve Dunteman (M)
Description: Kill the Monster. Steal their Stuff. Stab your Buddies in the Back. Go down into the dungeon. Kill everything you meet. Backstab your friends and steal their stuff. Grab the treasure and run. Admit it. You love it. Munchkin is the dungeon experience . . . with none of that stupid roleplaying stuff.. . Card Game 3-6 players.

Munchkin (Saturday)

Time: Saturday - 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Category: Game
Track: Games
Location: Lake Michigan A - Table C
Game Master: Steve Dunteman (M)
Description: Kill the Monster. Steal their Stuff. Stab your Buddies in the Back. Go down into the dungeon. Kill everything you meet. Backstab your friends and steal their stuff. Grab the treasure and run. Admit it. You love it. Munchkin is the dungeon experience . . . with none of that stupid roleplaying stuff.. . Card Game 3-6 players.

Munchkin Cthulhu (House Rules)

Time: Saturday - 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Category: Game
Track: Games
Location: Lake Michigan A - Table B
Game Master: Brooke Wiewel (M)
Description: Munchkins have hacked their way through dungeons, kung fu temples, starships, haunted houses, and super-foes. Now they face their greatest challenge - Cthulhu! Will they survive? Will they retain their sanity? Will they...level up? Card Game 2-6 players.

Munchkin Quest (Saturday)

Time: Saturday - 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Category: Game
Track: Games
Location: Lake Michigan A - Table A
Game Master: Adam Miller (M)
Description: Kill the monster, grab the treasure, stab your buddy. That's what it's all about. Now, Munchkin comes to the board game. Board game 2-6 players.

Munchkin Quest (Sunday)

Time: Sunday - 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Category: Game
Track: Games
Location: Lake Michigan A - Table C
Game Master: Steve Dunteman (M)
Description: Kill the monster, grab the treasure, stab your buddy. That's what it's all about. Now, Munchkin comes to the board game. Board game 2-6 players.

Muppets: The Greatest Adventure of All

Time: Sunday - 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Category: Woebegon
Track: Wobegon
Location: Lake Wobegon
Panelists: J. Henson, E. Knowles (M), K. the Frog
Description: We saw the Muppets take Manhattan, explored Treasure Island with Kermit and covered our ears as Miss Piggy sang Christmas Carols. Now, come embark on the greatest adventure of all. Please bring a variety of clothing to prepare for various climates. It can get chilly at night.

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.

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.

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?

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!

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?

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!

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.

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.

Perky Dystopias

Time: Friday - 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Category: Woebegon
Track: Wobegon
Location: Lake Wobegon
Panelists: K. Everdeen, A. Huxley (M), M. Kelly
Description: Tired of dark and repressive dystopian fiction? So are we! Come learn how to build a dystopic world that is both soul crushing and will bring a tear of joy to your readers' eyes!

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!

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

Print and Play Games

Time: Sunday - 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Category: Game
Track: Games
Location: Lake Michigan A - Table B
Game Master: John "Shadowcat" Ickes (M)
Description: Come see what games you can download off the internet for FREE and learn where to get them.

Quantum Physics for Fun and Profit

Time: Thursday - 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Category: Woebegon
Track: Wobegon
Location: Lake Wobegon
Panelists: T. Bandits, J. Gilio (M), W. Heisenberg
Description: Find the elusive Higgs Bosun Particle and win a membership to Capricon for life! Bring your own particle accelerator.

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?

Read or Die #1-3

Time: Sunday - 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Category: Anime
Track: Other
Location: Ravinia A

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.

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

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

Reading: Deirdre M. Murphy

Time: Saturday - 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: River C
Panelists: Deirdre Murphy

Reading: Eileen Maksym

Time: Sunday - 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Elm
Panelists: Eileen Maksym

Reading: Joy Ward

Time: Sunday - 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Elm
Panelists: Joy Ward

Reading: Merrie Haskell

Time: Sunday - 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: River C
Panelists: Merrie Haskell

Reading: Rebecca Frencl

Time: Sunday - 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Elm
Panelists: Rebecca Frencl

Reading: Chris Gerrib

Time: Friday - 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: River C
Panelists: Chris Gerrib

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

Reading: Gene Wolfe

Time: Saturday - 3:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Botanic Garden B
Panelists: Gene Wolfe

Reading: Holly McDowell

Time: Saturday - 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: River C
Panelists: Holly McDowell

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

Reading: Kathryn Sullivan

Time: Friday - 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: River C
Panelists: Kathryn Sullivan

Reading: Kristine Smith

Time: Friday - 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: River C
Panelists: Kristine Smith

Reading: Mark H. Huston

Time: Friday - 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: River C
Panelists: Mark Huston

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

Reading: Matt Forbeck

Time: Saturday - 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Willow
Panelists: Matt Forbeck

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: Nayad Monroe

Time: Friday - 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: River C
Panelists: Nayad Monroe

Reading: Paul McComas

Time: Saturday - 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Willow
Panelists: Paul McComas

Reading: Richard Chwedyk

Time: Saturday - 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: River C
Panelists: Richard Chwedyk

Reading: Tim Akers

Time: Friday - 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: River C
Panelists: Tim Akers

Reading: Walt Boyes

Time: Saturday - 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Category: Panel-Event
Track: Other
Location: Willow
Panelists: Walt Boyes

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.

Record of Lodoss Wars #1-4

Time: Friday - 7:15 PM to 9:30 PM
Category: Anime
Track: Other
Location: Ravinia A

Red Dragon Inn (Friday)

Time: Friday - 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Category: Game
Track: Games
Location: Lake Michigan A - Table A
Game Master: Adam Miller (M)
Description: You and your adventuring companions have spent all day slogging through the dungeon, killing monsters and taking their stuff. Now you're back in town, healed up, cleaned up, and ready to party at the Red Dragon Inn. Card Game 2-4 players.

Red Dragon Inn (Saturday)

Time: Saturday - 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Category: Game
Track: Games
Location: Lake Michigan A - Table A
Game Master: Adam Miller (M)
Description: You and your adventuring companions have spent all day slogging through the dungeon, killing monsters and taking their stuff. Now you're back in town, healed up, cleaned up, and ready to party at the Red Dragon Inn. Card Game 2-4 players.

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.

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?

Revolution (Friday)

Time: Friday - 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Category: Game
Track: Games
Location: Lake Michigan A - Table C
Game Master: Brooke Wiewel (M)
Description: Blackmail the printer. Threaten the innkeeper. Bribe the priest. Welcome to Revolution! Board game 2-4 players.

Revolution (Saturday)

Time: Saturday - 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Category: Game
Track: Games
Location: Lake Michigan A - Table A
Game Master: John "Shadowcat" Ickes (M)
Description: Blackmail the printer. Threaten the innkeeper. Bribe the priest. Welcome to Revolution! Board game 2-4 players.

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.

Running Club: Training Strategies for the Next Zombie Apocalypse

Time: Saturday - 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Category: Woebegon
Track: Wobegon
Location: Lake Wobegon
Panelists: S. de Jong (M), D. Kastor, W. Watson
Description: How fast do you really have to run to get away from a decomposing creature? Come learn about pacing and endurance strategies to survive the next zombie apocalypse. We will train regardless of the weather because you never know what the weather will be like the day you are attacked.

Sakura Wars #1-2

Time: Friday - 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Category: Anime
Track: Other
Location: Ravinia A

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!

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!

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!

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?

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.

Show Me on the Doll Where the Alien Probed You

Time: Saturday - 8:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Category: Woebegon
Track: Wobegon
Location: Lake Wobegon
Panelists: H. Montgomery (M), F. Mulder, R. Reagan
Description: Come to our free introductory therapy session for victims of alien abductions. Special attention will be paid to alien probing incidents. Please note that follow-up visits may not be covered by your insurance.

Snow Goonies

Time: Saturday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Kids
Track: Other
Location: Third Floor
Panelists: Michael T. Sherman (M)
Description: Come design snow creations and get creative. If there is snow on the ground, we may even go outside and try to build them for REAL! What an adventure!

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)

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.

Social Media: The New Polyamory

Time: Friday - 8:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Category: Woebegon
Track: Wobegon
Location: Lake Wobegon
Panelists: HOLMES IV, I. Schechter (M), M. Zuckerberg
Description: Modern social media allows us to have open consenting relationships with various people. In practice, these relationships are highly varied and individualized according to those participating. In a time when reaching out and touching someone may not just be a phone company marketing tactic, what does this mean for the modern polyamory?

Space Battleship Yamato(Live Action)

Time: Friday - 5:00 PM to 7:15 PM
Category: Anime
Track: Other
Location: Ravinia A

SPANC

Time: Saturday - 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Category: Game
Track: Games
Location: Lake Michigan A - Table B
Game Master: Jessica Merrick (M)
Description: Gather your crew of space pirate amazon ninja catgirls (aka SPANC), and embark on Capers to gather Loot and Toys, all illustrated by Phil Foglio! Card Game 2-4 players.

Star Wars Episode 7: Sith Ewoks

Time: Saturday - 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Category: Woebegon
Track: Wobegon
Location: Lake Wobegon
Panelists: G. Lucas, A. Shephard, D. Vader (M)
Description: The Empire Strikes Back... Sortof. In a secret facility, in a galaxy, far, far away, the rebels former ally has been taken by the dark side. Darth Vader might be defeated, but his legacy lives on. Just remember, their bite is worse than their bark.

Steam Detectives #1-5

Time: Saturday - 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Category: Anime
Track: Other
Location: Ravinia A

Steamboy

Time: Saturday - 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Category: Anime
Track: Other
Location: Ravinia A

Super Silly Stories

Time: Friday - 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Category: Kids
Track: Other
Location: Third Floor
Panelists: Michael T. Sherman (M)
Description: Come sit around the "campfire" and share some silly (and maybe a little scary) adventures with your friends.

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?

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.

Talisman

Time: Friday - 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Category: Game
Track: Games
Location: Lake Michigan A - Table A
Game Master: John "Shadowcat" Ickes (M)
Description: Talisman takes you on a journey through magical lands, as you endeavor to reclaim the Crown of Command. Each turn will see your hero advancing, battling, gaining knowledge and power necessary to defeat the guardians lurking between the Portal of Power and the Valley of Fire. Board Game 2-6 players.

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!

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.

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 Final Battle: Star Trek Fen vs. Star Wars Fen

Time: Sunday - 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Category: Woebegon
Track: Wobegon
Location: Lake Wobegon
Panelists: R. Chicken (M), G. Lucas, T. Miltner, G. Roddenberry
Description: History is written by the winners! Come witness the last great battle in fandom and discover which fandom will prevail: Star Trek or Star Wars. Ponchos recommended for those sitting in the first 4 rows.

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 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."

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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?

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.)

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).

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!

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?

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.

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.

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.)

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.

Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (Actual start 12:40am)

Time: Sunday - 12:45 AM to 3:00 AM
Category: Anime
Track: Other
Location: Ravinia A

Voices of a Distant Star

Time: Friday - 9:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Category: Anime
Track: Other
Location: Ravinia A

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.

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?

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.

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.

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?

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?

What's New From SJG

Time: Saturday - 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Category: Game
Track: Games
Location: Lake Michigan A - Table C
Game Master: John "Shadowcat" Ickes (M)
Description: Come and see some of the new games and items that have been released by Steve Jackson Games over the last year.

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"?

When Post-its® Attack

Time: Saturday - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Category: Woebegon
Track: Wobegon
Location: Lake Wobegon
Panelists: D. Horrible, R. Murdoch (M), L. Verhulst
Description: Join us for a special preview of Fox's new special: When Post-its® Attack. Witness the mayhem that results from neon swarms, disaster striking cons when the programming frenzy turns into a tragedy. In a Post-it® Notebook Pocket, no one can hear you scream.

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.

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?

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?

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.

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?

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.

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.

Zombie Jamboree

Time: Saturday - 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Category: Game
Track: Games
Location: Lake Michigan A - Table C
Game Master: Steve Dunteman (M)
Description: Come try Zombie Dice, Zombie Munchkins, and Lords of the Fries. All zombies, all the time.

Zombie Ninja Pirate Vampire Werewolf Fairies

Time: Saturday - 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Category: Game
Track: Games
Location: Lake Michigan A - Table A
Game Master: Matthew Duhan (M)
Description: Can you become the ultimate mystical combo-creature? Zombie Ninja Pirate Vampire Werewolf Fairies is a fast-paced, tongue-in-cheek fantasy card game where you become combinations of types of characters. You race to collect objects in your Chest to help you or hurt your opponents, depending on which characters you become. With well known, award-winning artists and silly strategy, this is a quick, fun game for the whole family. 2-10 players age 13 and up. Game plays less than an hour.