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.
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 →
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 →
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.
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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.
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 →
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 →
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 →
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.
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 →
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
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 →
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!
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 →
Come hang out in your favorite comfy caftan, and have coffee or tea while talking about our favorite memories of the 70s and 80s. Prize for the best Mrs./Mr. Roper cosplay!
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 →
Joey Starnes (aka the GiddyGeeker) does not claim to be an expert on all geekeries – she's justhappy to organize it. She runs the Charlotte Geeks, home of the Guardians of the Geekery podcast,the Merry Mayhem and the Geekery Market. She is also part of the Two Woke Bonnets podcast... Read More →
Bio: Wanda Harward is a member of The Charlotte Geeks, assisting Joey Starnes and Carol Cowles with The Geekery Market, and other shenanigans as required. Her geeky interests include painting minis, filk music, renaissance faires, and gaming (online and tabletop). She runs a twice... Read More →
Let's sit around the "backyard" and tell some "old-timers" stories. What are some con stories from 25+ years ago? From cons that are no longer around (Stellarcon, ShevaCon, KnightstarCon) to those that happened when DragonCon was only 6000 people, let's tell some stories of the "old days".
It's a Geek Summer Vacation! There are plenty of worlds we would love to visit, but which ones would we want to take our family on vacation? From camping in Lothlorien in Middle Earth to staying at the Inn of the Last Home on Krynn, let's talk about all the places we would visit if we had the ability.
Learn how to create without being overtaken by artificial intelligence by exploring open source software tools and resources that offer control over your work. This session will introduce creators to freely available options for writing, drawing, video processing, and visualization, providing a range of tools to support independent creation and maintain autonomy in the creative process.
There is a lot of crossover between fans of musicals and geeks. So let's talk about those geeky musicals - from Little Shop of Horrors to Hadestown to Wicked to Back to the Future: The Musical. How do musicals bring a new twist to genre storytelling?
Michael G. Williams writes queer-themed horror and science fiction celebrating the monstrous and the macabre. His books include the award-winning vampire series The Withrow Chronicles (Laine Cunningham Award); the thrilling urban fantasy time travel series Servant Sovereign; the sci-fi... Read More →
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 →
SYRINX is active across multiple entertainment platforms, blending creativity with music production, acting, and media. As an independent music producer and remixer, he previously worked with a record label from 2017 until its disbanding in 2023. Alongside his music career, he has... Read More →
Seriously, don’t come to this panel. There is nothing for you here. No one will talk to you. They probably won’t even acknowledge that you exist. There will be no discussions. There will be nothing interesting happening. There is nothing fun here. And there most certainly won’t be prizes for anyone that manages to stick around from beginning to end… or maybe there will be. Who knows? Don’t say we didn’t warn you. In fact, don’t say anything. Don’t even come. Why are you still reading this?? Go away.
O. Hai Mark is an online host and creator as well as and independent film producer. He is a Twitch streamer and web-show host who has who is releasing his third film (as a producer). In addition to producing online content and independent shorts, O. Hai Mark hosts online game nights... Read More →
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 →
