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Friday, July 11
 

2:00pm EDT

Belly Dance in Speculative Fiction and Media
Friday July 11, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Salem (Marriott)
From the beginning of moving pictures, belly dance has shown up in SF and fantasy movies, tv and even books. Let's talk about some of the most well-known appearances and why belly dance seems to fit so well into the spec fic genre.



Speakers
avatar for Carol Cowles

Carol Cowles

Online Media Guest
Carol has long been a fixture of Geek Culture in Charlotte, NC. She has served for several years as the Programming Director for ConCarolinas and worked the Carolina and Arizona Renaissance Festivals for 15 years. She also podcasts – she is Carol the Cat on Guardians of the Geekery... Read More →
avatar for Misty Massey

Misty Massey

Literary Guest
Misty Massey is the author of the Mad Kestrel series of rollicking fantasy adventures on the high seas, including Kestrel's Dance, winner of the 2023 Palmetto Scribe Award For Best Novel, and the upcoming Dead Man series. She freelances as a copy and developmental editor for Falstaff... Read More →
Friday July 11, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Salem (Marriott)
  Fandom

2:00pm EDT

Exploring the Enchantment: The Enduring Allure of Fairies in Fantasy Realms
Friday July 11, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Piedmont (Marriott)
From the whimsical and enchanting Tinkerbell movies produced by the renowned Disney studios to the mysterious and captivating depictions of the fae creatures dwelling within the ethereal forests of fantasy realms, fairies have undeniably held a significant presence in the collective imagination for countless years. These mythical beings, characterized by their diminutive stature, ethereal beauty, and magical abilities, have woven their way into the tapestry of human storytelling, serving as both sources of delight and intrigue for audiences of all ages. Join us as we delve deeper into the fantastical realm of fairies, exploring the various facets of their existence and the enduring allure that continues to captivate the hearts and minds of individuals worldwide.



Speakers
avatar for Carol Cowles

Carol Cowles

Online Media Guest
Carol has long been a fixture of Geek Culture in Charlotte, NC. She has served for several years as the Programming Director for ConCarolinas and worked the Carolina and Arizona Renaissance Festivals for 15 years. She also podcasts – she is Carol the Cat on Guardians of the Geekery... Read More →
avatar for Kevin A Davis

Kevin A Davis

Literary Guest
Kevin A Davis is an award-winning contemporary fantasy author with three published series; the episodic DRC files with Kristen, the Khimmer Chronicles featuring the lively assassin Ahnjii, and the AngelSong series centering around the indominable Haddie. A multitude of his short stories... Read More →
avatar for Molly Ann McDonough

Molly Ann McDonough

Science Guest
Molly Ann McDonough is an author, poet, and multidisciplinary engineer with short stories featured in science fiction and fantasy anthologies. Jumpmaster Press has scheduled her debut fantasy novel, A World Apart, for release in 2026. When Molly isn’t reading, writing, or coding... Read More →
avatar for Sarah J. Sover

Sarah J. Sover

Literary Guest
Sarah J. Sover is the author of fantasy crossover novels, short stories, and nonfiction articles. Sarah writes the Fractured Fae Series (Fairy Godmurder, Faed to Black, and Pixie Dusted), Contemporary Fantasy she calls Jessica Jones with sparkle, for Falstaff Books. Her comedic fantasy... Read More →
Friday July 11, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Piedmont (Marriott)
  Fandom

2:30pm EDT

Con Survivalism 101
Friday July 11, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Terrace 1 (Embassy Suites)
Let’s face it: conventions are a truly unique experience. In fact, there’s not really anything else you’ll ever do that’s
quite like it! Never been to a convention before? Maybe this is your first time at this con? Or maybe you’re a
veteran of dozens (if not hundreds) of cons? Either way, come join our roundtable discussion on how to best enjoy
the convention experience, including practical advice, tips and tricks, the UN-spoken rules, and ALL the dos and
don’ts of con survival.

Speakers
avatar for Chris Oakley

Chris Oakley

Fan Guest
Chris Oakley owned and operated Oakley’s Gently Used Books, a bricks & mortar used bookshop with a specialty in Sci Fi/Fantasy, for more than 20 years (1995-2016) in Charlottesville, VA. She has been a bookseller at Madicon, MarsCon, MystiCon, RavenCon, Libertycon DSC50, DSC60 and... Read More →
avatar for Molly Ann McDonough

Molly Ann McDonough

Science Guest
Molly Ann McDonough is an author, poet, and multidisciplinary engineer with short stories featured in science fiction and fantasy anthologies. Jumpmaster Press has scheduled her debut fantasy novel, A World Apart, for release in 2026. When Molly isn’t reading, writing, or coding... Read More →
avatar for Tom Hutchens

Tom Hutchens

Costuming Guest
For the founder of the Mando Mercs Costume Club, being a Mandalorian fan goes all the way back to 1983, a five year old sitting in the theater watching Boba Fett fall into the Sarlacc Pit in “STAR WARS: Return of the Jedi.In 2007, Tom Hutchens founded the Mando Mercs Costume Club... Read More →
Friday July 11, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Terrace 1 (Embassy Suites)
  Fandom

3:30pm EDT

Geeks & Mental Health
Friday July 11, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Piedmont (Marriott)
Geek culture offers a diverse range of entertainment forms like movies, TV shows, comic books, and video games, exploring themes such as heroism and morality. They resonate deeply with audiences, fostering connection, empathy, and meaningful discussions. By engaging with these stories, individuals can find solace, inspiration, and opportunities for self-discovery, using the familiar characters and landscapes as mirrors for their own experiences and emotions. Let's talk about how geek culture provides a safe space for individuals to confront their struggles, dreams, and achievements, empowering them to navigate challenges with renewed strength and resilience through engagement with beloved stories.


Speakers
avatar for John G. Hartness

John G. Hartness

Literary Guest
John G. Hartness is a teller of tales, a righter of wrong, defender of ladies’ virtues, and some people call him Maurice, for he speaks of the pompatus of love. He is also the award-winning author of the urban fantasy series The Black Knight Chronicles, the Bubba the Monster Hunter... Read More →
Friday July 11, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Piedmont (Marriott)
  Fandom

8:00pm EDT

The Creative's Paradox
Friday July 11, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Bethabara (Marriott) - Room can get COLD!!!
As an independent creator, how do we balance our time between the activities we love (creating), and the ones we don't.    The panelists discuss the difficult decisions on how they invest their time, and moreover how they can actually continue to create often while working a traditional job and having a personal life.    

Moderator: Roger Carden

Requests: Syrinx, Kevin Davis, Michael G williams, Molly McDonough, Bill Tracy
Speakers
avatar for Roger Carden

Roger Carden

Online Media Guest
Roger and Janet Carden are the husband-and-wife team behind The Halfling and the Spaceman: Journeys In Active Fandom. (2022-present) The Halfling and the Spaceman is a podcast featuring a series of conversations with creators as they detail their personal journey from becoming inspired... Read More →
Friday July 11, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Bethabara (Marriott) - Room can get COLD!!!
  Fandom

9:00pm EDT

This One Time at Con (or Con Stories on the Rocks... or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love That Stupid Panel with the Con Stories!)
Friday July 11, 2025 9:00pm - 10:00pm EDT
Terrace 3 (Embassy Suites)
You’ve probably heard them. Those wild, crazy, and often hilarious stories of the crazy, weird, and at times
unbelievable things that happen at cons. Maybe it was that one room party that got way out of hand, maybe it was
that bizarre celebrity guest interaction, maybe it was that disaster that stuck, maybe it was something else
entirely. Whatever it is, whether unforgettable, or, shall we say, a bit hazy, this is the place to hear all the wildest
stories that cons have to offer. Not for the faint of heart, or serious of temperament. And certainly not for the
easily offended. You’ve been warned!

Requests: Molly McDonough
Speakers
avatar for Dave Harlequin

Dave Harlequin

Film Guest
Described by both press and colleagues as an "independent renaissance man" and "voice of the underground," among other things, Dave Harlequin is a professional screenwriter, journalist, author, and independent filmmaker from Charlotte, North Carolina. He is the Creative Director of... Read More →
Friday July 11, 2025 9:00pm - 10:00pm EDT
Terrace 3 (Embassy Suites)
  Fandom
 
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