The Geeks Come Out At Night

When it comes to throwing an excitingly educational, fun-filled, geeky night, there are quite a few cities on the list. One of the most notable is Tempe, AZ.  From the technologically-based companies, to the innovative work done at the Arizona State University campus, it's not hard to figure out why Tempe would host one of the most geek-loving parties just outside Tempe City Hall. Geeks Night Out (part of Geek Week in Tempe) allows Artists (such as Big Chris Art, Alfred Trujillo, and Jeff Pina) cosplayers (AZ TARDIS, Arizona Ghostbusters), as well as clothing and merchandise (Geeksville, AZ, Evil Controllers) to roll out along with science demonstrations, and geeky wooden cutouts for photo opportunities: it was a dream for anyone who loved science, technology, and art and longed to see them spun together in a glorious display.  

If that weren't enough, there was always live music from either One Kitty Gone or A Life of Science that you could enjoy while grabbing a bite to eat at any number of local restaurants.  Wandering through the myriad of experiences, my friend (and photographer) Jenn grabbed some food at Bison Witches.  From there, we took a no-agenda approach to admire as many demonstrations and take as many pictures as possible (not to mention maybe grabbing a print or a new board game to bring home).  The entire evening, it was heartening to see all ages continuously gathered around experiments and demonstrations discussing scientific theory, Newton's first law of motion, aerodynamics, slope & acceleration, and tons more!

Before calling it a night, I made sure to peruse Pop Culture Paradise's booth.  They happened to be running a 50% off special on their board and card games during this event. Well, I had been feeling a stronger and stronger urge to get my own copy of Munchkin.  How could I pass this up?  One brief transaction later and I was the proud owner of my first Munchkin set. It's safe to assume this will lead to many more in the future.  I may research getting a table to set up for next year, but that all depends on my current project-completion success rate. Thanks for reading! 

'Star Trek,' 'Star Wars,' 'Ghostbusters,' 'Doctor Who' Fan Communities Among Those Set To Add Fun To Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con

Cosplayers, Conventions Lead Organizations At New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Friday Through Sunday

NEW YORK and NEW ORLEANS, November 27, 2012 – Fan communities representing the most fervent followers of blockbuster franchises like “Star Trek,” “Star Wars,” “Ghostbusters” and “Doctor Who” are among the groups that attendees will see roaming the Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con floor, Friday through Sunday at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.  Cosplayers from these groups love to interact with fans, adding another level of fun and in many cases raising money for charity.

Some organizations that fans will enjoy meeting include:

• Adventure League of GEARS, a family-friendly Steampunk Performance Group based out of New Orleans, and a fan and homage group to the League of S.T.E.A.M which uses its talents and skills to help raise money for charities, and volunteer for charitable events.
• 501st Legion/Bast Alpha Garrison, the Louisiana chapter of the 501st Legion, featuring the "bad guys" from the Star Wars Universe. The 501st Legion has over 4000 members from all 50 states and 22 countries around the world.
• Anne Rice's Vampire Lestat, the official fan club for Anne Rice's “Vampire Lestat,” the Vampire Chronicles and the annual New Orleans Vampire Ball.
• Barony of Axemoor, the local chapter of the SCA, an international organization dedicated to researching and re-creating the arts and skills of pre-17th-Century Europe.
• BayouCon, held in the heart of Southwest Louisiana, is Lake Charles’ original fan produced convention. BayouCon V will take place the last weekend of June 2013.
• Cast Aways Open Theatre Troupe, whose costumed volunteers perform at fairs, festivals, conventions, and charity events. They appear in parades and in films. New Orleans Comic Con attendees are welcomed to come and visit the Royal Court of Cast Aways and participate in the Quest for the King of the Realm.
• CoastCon, Mississippi's oldest and largest science fiction, fantasy and gaming convention. It is the main sponsored event of CoastCon, Inc., a non-profit literary organization run by a 10-member volunteer board who give their time during the year to develop events and gatherings to promote reading, education, fellowship, and of course science fiction, fantasy and gaming.
• CONtraflow, a fan convention held in the Greater New Orleans area.  It focuses on science fiction, fantasy, comics, and related literary genres in any form, including but not limited to writing, visual arts, dramatic arts, and interactive fiction.
• CyPhaCon, Southwest Louisiana’s premier, family-friendly Anime, Gaming & Sci-Fi/Fantasy convention venue. With nearly 700 attendees in its second year, it includes expanded board and video game tourneys, anime panels, costuming & cosplay displays, Musical guests, fan produced panels and much more.
• Fans for Christ, for all believers in Christ who are also fans of comics, anime, fantasy, sci-fi, gaming, computers, costuming and cosplay.
• The Garou Nation, a national organization of networked “Live Action Werewolf: The Apocalypse” role-playing games that share a universe in White Wolf's original “World of Darkness” game setting. Its goal is to enhance and expand different chronicles across the country as a shared network that shares those experiences with friends and fellow players throughout the country.
• Geek Girls with Guns, officially Geek Endowment Krewe, a non profit organization that schedules fundraising events for children with special needs.
• The Greater New Orleans Krewe of the Living Dead, to glorify all things Zombie and call upon fans of the genre to join and rejoice in the persistent and exponential rise in popularity of the Living-Dead in pop culture that has now grown into an international phenomena.
• HMS Death Claw, part of the Royal Manticoran Navy based on best seller books from David Weber. The Death Claw is the flagship of 6th Sphinx Fleet which comprises of 10 states and Manitoba, Canada.
• Krewe du Who, over 375 strong and consists of fans of the New Series, Classic Series and All things “Doctor Who!” The open group members are fans of “Torchwood,” the “Sarah Jane Adventures”, “Big Finish Audio Dramas” and all “Whoniverse” related spin off media.
• Krewe of P.U.E.W.C, a new fantasy, horror and anime themed New Orleans Mardi Gras parade organization for the most happily insane Harry Potter wizards, Lord of the Rings hobbits, Dungeon & Dragon warriors, SCA fighters, Sailor Moons, Astro Boys, were-beasties, faeries, and the like.
• Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus, a parade organization for the most revelrous of Star Wars Freaks, Trekkies, Whovians, Mega-Geeks, Circuit Benders, Cryptozooligists, UFO Conspiracy Theorists, and all the rest of Super Nerdom.
• Louisiana Ghostbusters, a fan-based “Ghostbusters” franchise. As costumers and fans of “Ghostbusters,” LG represents an open costuming policy with movie-accurate props and wardrobe representing all aspects of the “Ghostbusters” series of movies, cartoons, games, and novels. As a service organization, the group directs money to charities, participates in fundraisers for charities, attends fund-raising events, and performs charitable acts and community service.
• Louisiana Science Fiction and Costume Festival,  "The Unconventional Convention" April 20-22 at the Hampton Inn Port Allen, La.  It includes fan films, panels, workshops, live entertainment, and a costume ball.
• Mind's Eye Society, founded in 1992, an international fan organization dedicated to White Wolf's “World of Darkness” in all its incarnations. One of the world's largest gaming fan communities, with thousands of members all over the globe, The Mind's Eye Society not only offers global “World of Darkness” roleplaying chronicles but also supports charity fundraising, community service activities and social events organized by its members.
• Mississippi Ghostbusters, a fan based Ghostbuster franchise that promotes acts of charity with our open based costuming that represents all forms of the Ghostbusting community, attending all manner of events to raise money for a various number of charities.
• Mobicon, Mobile, Alabama's annual 3 day science fiction, fantasy, gaming, anime, paranormal, horror, and comic convention. Always on the third full weekend in May; MOBICON XVI will be May 17-19, 2013, at the Ashbury Hotel & Suites.
• New Orleans Public Library, the premier cultural institution that celebrates and preserves the collective memory and living history of New Orleans, Louisiana and the world. NOPL fosters the future aspirations and democratic dreams of all.
• One World by Night, an organization dedicated to creating links between White Wolf's Mind's Eye Theatre LARP games around the world. By combining the various stories of member Chronicles, OWbN hopes to enhance the enjoyment of its members by expanding local plots to the world, truly creating a World of Darkness. OWbN currently stretches to over 100 chronicles in the US, Canada, Brazil, New Zealand, and Israel.
• Red Stick Rebellion Star Wars Collectors Club, a Star Wars collectors group based in Baton Rouge, La.  Every month it has a different focus topic presented by individuals who have a great deal of knowledge in the area - plus they always have our regular general discussion, trading and lots of fun.
• Star Wars Museum, a nonprofit group of like-minded individuals working for a goal: To Build a Star Wars Themed Children’s Museum. Our Mission “To Inspire and Educate.
• Steampunk Americans, a group of Steampunk enthusiasts in New Orleans. NOLA is truly Victorian city where the ships still run on steam and the Absinthe flows like water. As one of the last bastions of the civilized world, this city still let citizens smoke tobacco in the taverns and openly drink in the glow of the gas streetlights.
• USS Corsair, which provides fans a way to meet each other, make friends, have fun, give back to their community, and show that the dream of Star Trek’s creator Gene Roddenberry can endure. In 2007, the club was awarded “Shakedown Mission of the Year” by its parent organization, Starfleet International and in 2010, it received the Regional Chapter of the Year Award.
• USS New Orleans, a Chapter with Starfleet: The International Star Trek Fan Association, currently located in the city of New Orleans and the outlying areas, founded in May 2010, five years after Hurricane Katrina destroyed its predecessor.
• Visual Art League, which wants to spread knowledge of the arts and encourage creativity throughout the community of the University of New Orleans, other neighboring colleges, and the city of New Orleans. The group also aspires to function as a real world platform for students to further develop their artistic endeavors and gain professional experience.

Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con features comics legend Stan Lee, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” star Eliza Dushku, Reservoir Dogs headliner Michael Madsen and WWE® Superstar CM Punk® at the top of a standout lineup of celebrities.  They will be joined by an All-Star collection of well-known artists and a variety of activities, exhibitors and special attractions in the final event on Wizard World's 2012 calendar.

Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con, produced by Wizard World, Inc. (WIZD.PK), will bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more.  Admission is free for kids 10 and under, and Sunday, December 2, is “Kids Day,” an array of programming specially designed for children.

Event hours are Friday, Nov. 30, 4-8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 1, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

For more on the 2012 Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-neworleans.html.

Fan Communities Come to Austin

More Than 20 Fan Communities To Show Their Stuff at 2012 Wizard World Austin Comic Con

'Star Trek,' 'Star Wars,' 'Doctor Who,' 'Ghostbusters' Clubs, Podcast, Children's Museum Among Top Organizations At Austin Convention Center, October 26-28

NEW YORK and AUSTIN, Texas, October 15, 2012 – Attendees at this month's Wizard World Austin Comic Con, on their way to visiting celebrities, artists, exhibitors and other attractions, will likely run into more than a few members of the more than 20 fan communities setting up on and roaming the Austin Convention Center floor, Oct. 26-28.  Groups displaying their affinity for such staples as Star Wars, “Star Trek,” Ghostbusters, “Doctor Who,” charities, themed podcasters and other non-profit organizations will be on hand, greatly enhancing the fan experience for the thousands expected over the three days.

Some of the organizations on site include:

• 501st Garrison – Central Texas Squad, a chapter of the national organization which seeks to promote interest in Star Wars through the building and wearing of quality costumes, and to facilitate the use of these costumes for Star Wars-related events as well as contributions to the local community through costumed charity and volunteer work.
• Anomaly Podcast and Blog, an award winning geek-girl show, often featured in the “What’s Hot” section under “TV and Film” within the iTunes store. From the start, the founders of Anomaly had but one goal in mind: to have fun while sharing their feminine perspectives on all things geek. Created over five years ago, Anomaly and its supporting show, Anomaly Supplemental, each feature commentary on science fiction and fantasy literature, television, and film.
• Ark Angel, whose “meetings” range from actual meetings of a business type to anything from watching movies at one of the Crew's houses, camping trips, laser tag outings, bowling, LAN parties, role-playing games, or just sitting around a table playing games of all types.
• Cybertronz Elite, the elite Transformers Collectors and fan group. Established February 2011 by its founding Core 13 members, who have a vision in bringing all transformers collector's and fans together, for the purpose of helping give back to the community, collecting, educating, and expanding the Transformers fan base across the universe, "till all are one!"
• D20 Girls Project, a semi-unique business that combines Social Networking, Talent Management, and Event Services. D20 also arranges with manufacturers, publishers and conventions to provide trade show models and spokes models at gaming and fandom related industry conventions across the U.S.
• DFW Ghostbusters, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to dealing with ghosts, goblins and the undead, all while raising money to help those in need and give back to the community.
• Doctor Who Fan Club of Austin, a local Austin Facebook Fan Club that participates in holding watch parties, bound together by the love of Doctor Who and living the values shared as Doctor Who fans.
• The Fandom Association of Central Texas, a non-profit educational organization dedicated to the promotion of science fiction, fantasy, and speculative fiction.  The Association sponsors many activities aimed towards furthering the cause of literacy and the enjoyment of the genres, for example is ArmadilloCon, an annual literary conference.
• Houston Ghostbusters, a fan based group focused on doing community events and charity work in costume, and whose main goal is to make a positive impact on the world through love of movies, costumes and prop making.
• Punching the Walls of Reality, a rising Austin-based website looking to expand its audience with a unique sense of humor and well-opined reviews that are becoming all too scarce throughout the vast expanse of the Internet. It produces several candid and hilarious blogs with topics ranging from the latest in video games, most popular television shows, most loathed movies, mainstream comic books and highlights of the combat sport of mixed martial arts.
• PurrKayla, winner of fan-made online Superhero show, which was judged by fellow Superheroes.
• Safeplace, whose mission isending sexual and domestic violence through safety, healing, prevention and social change.  Safeplace provides safety for individuals and families affected by sexual and domestic violence; helps victims in their healing so they can move beyond being defined by the crimes committed against them, and become survivors; promotes safe and healthy relationships for the prevention of sexual and domestic violence; and works with others to create change in attitudes, behaviors and policies that perpetuate the acceptance of, and impact our understanding and responses to, sexual and domestic violence.
• Save Our Seeker, fan-organized campaign to save “Legend of the Seeker” is an Emmy-award winning fantasy TV show produced by Disney/ABC Studios, based on Terry Goodkind’s bestselling epic series “The Sword of Truth.” The series follows the extraordinary transformation of woodsman Richard Cypher into a magical leader.
• Sith Shadow Council of Texas, a fan based Star Wars group. We dress-up, perform and participate in many events and charities within Texas and the San Antonio area.
• The Steam Engine Intrepid, a renegade steampunk group out of San Antonio Texas but with scouts in other cities, which prefers to travel by rail because the thought of an airship sickens our leader the Dark Professor.
• Star Wars Children's Museum, a nonprofit group of like-minded individuals working for a goal : To Build a Star Wars Themed Children’s Museum. Its Mission is “To Inspire and Educate." Its goal is to actually build the building a design from the Star Wars universe, and fill it with interesting, excited, educational exhibits to capture the attention and inspire the imaginations of today’s youth.
• USS Navras, a correspondence chapter of Starfleet, The International Star Trek Fan Association, Inc.– meaning that men, women, and children from all over the world can actively join and participate.
• USS Zavala, a chapter of Starfleet, the oldest continuously operating Star Trek fan organization in the world. Zavala is dedicated to the ideals of diplomacy, justice, and the pursuit of knowledge espoused in the Star Trek genre.
• WGTR “World Grand Theft Radio,” the nationwide internet radio station No. 1 worldwide Halloween radio station in Sept & Oct. With over 30 original shows a week live, “our mission to make your on air dreams come true!”

Eight stars of the popular series “Star Trek: The Next Generation, including the legendary Patrick Stewart and Will Wheaton (Stand By Me) will be joined by Eliza Dushku (“Buffy The Vampire Slayer,” True Lies), WWE® Superstar CM Punk®, Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino (“Jersey Shore”), Dean Cain (“Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,” “90210”), Anthony Michael Hall (Sixteen Candles, Weird Science), Michael Rooker (“The Walking Dead,” Henry), Jon Bernthal (“The Walking Dead,” The Ghost Writer) and the Boondock Saints trio of Norman Reedus, Sean Patrick Flanery and David Della Rocco, among others at Wizard World Austin Comic Con.

Wizard World Austin Comic Con, produced by Wizard World, Inc. (WIZD.PK), will bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more.  Admission is free for kids 10 and under, and Sunday, October 28, is “Kids Day,” with an array of programming specially designed for children.

For more on the 2012 Wizard World Austin Comic Con, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-tx.html.

About Wizard World:
Wizard World produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. The events often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests.

The full event schedule can be found at www.wizardworld.com.