BayCon 2009 Preliminary Schedule

SUNDAY, MAY 24

Join us as we attempt to shake off the effects of last night's parties.

Sadly, Fred Patten, our Fan Guest of Honor was unable to attend BayCon this year. Luckily, one of our ace field reporters tracked Fred down and recorded an interview.

It takes more to create a believable fictional world than taking the Roman Empire and rotating Italy clockwise. How much of world-building is research and how much is inspiration?

Join other fans of Diana Paxson's Westria stories for an unstructured discussion.

Grab a Companion and join the discussion of all things Who-vian.

In most cases, any "writers' workshop" is a private, behind closed doors affair, inviting speculation on ancient and tribal rites. This panel is designed to bring to the public what the process looks and sounds like. Using submissions from the audience members, our panelists will quickly mark up and present a critique. All of our Iron Editors have been published themselves, and have a very good idea of what a story needs to get published.

In part three of this four-part panel series, we shoot like mad weasels, because there's not much time and if we're going to make a movie at light speed, then we have to move like light! So, don't be late, or you'll just see red-shifted versions of us. The key to making a movie, of course, is to get the footage in the can! Or, "box," actually, because we're shooting video. But you know what we mean...

Please join our ecumenical service this morning.

This is a closed meeting for SFWA members only.

Come watch BCTV Director Stephen Nelson as he interviews BayCon's Artist Guest of Honor Tim Kirk.

Members of the Chateau de Camville demonstrate their medieval weapons, armor, and fighting styles.

Does the "science" in science fiction prelude any discussion of spirituality? Can magic and science combine in a serious literary work or does the combination automatically reduce a book to space opera?

"Let's write a book together! You do 90% of the work and I'll do 90% of the work. Wait..." Join our panel of experienced authors as they discuss what it's really like to collaborate with another writer.

Imagine what it was like for Ngila Dixon when Peter Jackson selected her to design the costumes for Lord of the Rings based on the books and her own imagination. Now imagine that the producer of a soon to be announced movie, John Carter of Mars, based on Edgar Rice Burroughs' books, has invited several teams of noted costume designers to pitch their concepts. Only one will be chosen, and the winning designs will be what generations of fans remember, and you are the audience.
Four teams are preparing designs – color themes, sketches, swatches, maquettes, maybe even some pieces and props. The designs and write-ups are exhibited as part of the art show so that you can examine them at your leisure and vote for your favorite.
At this panel, you'll hear the teams present their concepts and answer questions from the audience. Visitors to the art show exhibit and panel audience members will have the opportunity to provide feedback and "hire" their favorite entry. The results will be announced in the final newsletter.

Join our panelists and fellow attendees as they present their own original sonnets, using the fourteen secret words presented in the Saturday morning Newsletter. Come present your work and earn the accolades of your peers.

A floating city is a great idea. It's mobile, defensible, and every house comes with a great view. But what would be different if we were living in the sky? Could we just replace horses with gryphons and hoverboards or would we need to reinvent the entire natural order? Sure, the rabbits can't get to our cloud crops, but what exactly can we grow up there? And will the birds do more crop damage than the wyverns?

The series has ended, but the fandom goes on! Meet here to continue (or reminisce about) the journey.

Materials are the essential ingredients in all of our engineering inventions. Some materials are bouncy, some are hard, some conduct electricity, some are very lightweight, and some can stop bullets! Come play with materials! Learn how to turn rubber into glass, plastic into fibers, paper into flooring for a jet.

St. Michaels Salle D'Armes will be presenting a demonstration on the historical and proper use of weapons from the 15th, 16th and 17th century. Their knights will fight for your entertainment, followed by a demonstration of Cut-and-Thrust (Side Sword) and Rapier. Audience members will also have the opportunity to receive a brief Rapier lesson.

The dead will rise. We all know it's coming. What's your plan? Our panelists have all put serious thought into this issue, so come and pick their brains.

Drop by and score a great left-handed spanner at a bargain price. All proceeds go to benefit this year's charity, The Alex Foundation, so give generously.

If you missed the Masquerade last night (or if you just want to see the stunning costumes again), drop in for the annual playback.

Where did Pyrocumulon come from? And how did the idea evolve from a concept to a convention theme? The proud parents will discuss the birthing process of their idea.

Grab a Companion and join the discussion of all things Who-vian.

Five hundred years of dueling tradition remains alive and well in Italian foil play. Developed from the movements that worked in the days of the duel, Italian foil employs tight, fast, and elegant actions to hit the opponent efficiently. The foil was the practice weapon for rapier play and was used to teach the student the full range of offensive, defensive, and counteroffensive actions needed in the duel. In this seminar, a basic Italian foil lesson and fencing bout will be demonstrated. Audience members will be able to participate in a basic group lesson with foil in hand. (All equipment supplied.)

Has Photoshop killed traditional art? Are there some things that still have to be done by hand? Or is there a middle ground with a niche for an artistic cyborg?

The success of Twilight is encouraging more people to read. Is this a good start or simply better than nothing? Will starting with "lighter" fare discourage prospective bibliophiles from "real" literature?

Whether it's real or fake, historical or fantasy, really big hair can really make your costume pop. Our panelists will share their tips on going wild with wigs and with the stuff that grows from your scalp. And maybe a little gossip while you're under the dryer...

Internet publishing and print on demand have moved far beyond vanity press. Is the brick-and-mortar bookstore doomed? Or will the publishing houses of today evolve to become the great publishing houses of Ursa Minor?

Join Chase Masterson for a look at the lighter side of Star Trek. The DS-9 cast member has stories to tell of the things that went wrong on set and, more importantly, the times that they went funny! She and her friends will share their tales of bloopers, pranks, and just incidental humor.

The series has ended, but the fandom goes on! Meet here to continue (or reminisce about) the journey.

Join instructor Mary Cordero for some hip-rolling fun as she gives tips and pointers. Remember to come back later this evening and show off your new moves at the Belly Jam.

In a special double-length event, the BayCon Author Guests of Honor will read selections of their work and sign autographs.

Come watch BCTV Director Stephen Nelson as he interviews BayCon's Artist Guest of Honor Tim Kirk.

Everyone gets a rejection letter sooner or later, but that shouldn't signal the end of your writing career. Your piece may be the wrong genre, the wrong subject, or just the twelfth giant killer robot monkey story that they saw that day. Our panel of writers and editors will discusse what can be learned from a rejection letter and possible ways to turn the politely-worded "No" into a "Yes."

Do you podcast? Do you want to podcast? Come listen to the crew from Fanboy Planet discuss the tips and tricks of the trade.

Steampunk is hot! But you don't need to spend massive amounts of cash to pull off a kickin' costume. Come pick up tips and tricks our master costumers as the show us how to create an inexpensive costume that doesn't look cheap.

Yes, just this once, the Horde and Alliance can get along.

One of the essential ingredients for a steampunk costume is hardware. Gloves, goggles, or clockwork cigar cutters; they all add to the effect. Come pick up tips on how to build hardware without breaking the bank.

Join SERE instructor Michael Sarkisian for a hands-on discussion and demonstration of survival supplies. The discussion will include what exactly you need in your "72-Hour Go Kit" and how to use those supplies.

What might Disney: Mars look like? What can we do if we build an amusement park at L5? And how will the changes in local gravity and atmosphere modify the technological requirements?

Supernatural romance seems to be breaking out all over. Are these star-crossed supernatural lovers blurring the line between fantasy, romance, and science fiction? How do you classify a vampire-wizard romance in space? We'll see if our expert panelists can sort this mess out.

Buffy. Firefly. Dollhouse. Dr. Horrible. Join us for a celebration of all things Whedon.

Is your costume closet getting full? Do you need a new piece to make that outfit shine? Stop by the boardroom and see what you can swap. You must bring something to donate.

Since forming in 1988, Tempest has delivered a globally-renowned hybrid of high-energy folk rock fusing Irish reels, Scottish ballads, Norwegian influences and other world music elements.

Move to the music! Come practice your hip shimmy at the Belly Jam. (Hip scarves optional.)

For nearly eight years, US and NATO forces have been fighting in Afghanistan, a battleground that hastened the fall of the Soviet Union and has been frustrating would-be conquerors all the way back to Alexander the Great. Why is this desolate area so vital? And why is it so hard to defeat the locals?

We all love corsets, or at least the opportunity to appreciate others in them. Our expert corseteers will give tips for buying, making, and wearing these essential fashion accessories.

The English Regency was just over a decade, but it has had a broad influence on everything from literature to music and dance. Don't worry if you don't know the steps — expert Alan Winston will teach you as he calls the dances.

Join this live action role playing event, which takes place in a time before the birth of the "Boy Who Lived," when the Dark Lord was rising in power and the western hemisphere set about to gather the best minds to develop a plan to deal with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. For more information talk to a Gaming Department staff member or see the Program Book or the newsletter.

Rock out with the original german techno-punk sensation! Join D.R.o.S. as they celebrate their tenth anniversary at BayCon!

Join Mercedes Lackey and Larry Dixon as they share their favorite bedtime stories. All attendees are encouraged to wear their favorite pajamas and there will be prizes for the best set.