CONvergence (convention)

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CONvergence
Status Active
Genre Speculative fiction/fan convention
Venue Sheraton Bloomington
Location Bloomington, Minnesota
Country Flag of the United States United States
First held 1999
Organizer MISFITS
Filing status Non-profit
Official website

CONvergence is a speculative fiction/fan convention held annually on the first weekend in July in Minnesota, United States. Sponsored by the local fan organization MISFITS, the convention began in 1999 at the Bloomington Radisson South Hotel and continues to be held every year at the same location, now known as the Sheraton Bloomington. This location has been used by local fandom for a variety of conventions, including Minicon and MarsCon. 2008 will be the tenth CONvergence, and the convention theme will be centering around that fact, including adding another day of events (Thursday, July 3, 2008) to the schedule.

Contents

[edit] Attractions

A panel of experts (including cartoonist John Kovalic, far left, and author Brian Keene, far right), debate who would win in a fight: Frankenstein's Monster or Cookie Monster.
A panel of experts (including cartoonist John Kovalic, far left, and author Brian Keene, far right), debate who would win in a fight: Frankenstein's Monster or Cookie Monster.

CONvergence runs many parallel programming tracks, filling several convention rooms simultaneously with panels, speeches, demonstrations, recognitions, and screenings.[1][2] It is one of the most-attended fan-run conventions in North America, with paid attendance exceeding 2,500.

The convention is also known for several attractions including Cinema Rex, a couch and recliner-filled movie room; Theater Nippon, featuring anime; Connie's Space Lounge, a music and entertainment venue; COF2E2, a coffee bar; CONsuite, hospitality and food; Harmonic CONvergence, which features filk and non-filk musical guests; and the Dorian Gray Memorial Literary Lounge, a reading/writing setting.

There is also gaming (board, card, and roleplaying), an art show, a dealer's room (where one can buy everything from swords to comics to action figures), all-night bardic music circles, and dozens of room parties of various themes. The walls of the convention are usually plastered with advertisements for different parties.

[edit] Mascots

The con's mascot is the gynoid "Connie". She was created by the MISFITS mascot "Professor Misfittle". They are occasionally opposed by Connie's scheming younger sister, "Connie Mk. II".

[edit] Annual themes and guests of honor

1999 - "After All, it's Just a Party"

2000 - "No one can tell you what CONvergence is... you have to experience it for yourself." (The Matrix and similar fiction)

(this is the only CONvergence not to be held at the Bloomington Radisson/Sheraton. This CONvergence was held at the Radisson in downtown Saint Paul, Minnesota)

2001 - "Curioser and Curioser" (Alice in Wonderland and similar fiction)

  • Harry Knowles - Movie critic and web entrepreneur
  • Peter Mayhew - Chewbacca in Star Wars
  • Michael Sheard - British SF movie and television actor
  • Eleanor Arnason - Award-winning author
  • Crist Ballas - Movie makeup artist
  • Jay Knowles - Web entrepreneur
  • C.H. Morgan - Science fiction and fantasy artist

2002 - "If Adventure Has A Name..." (Adventure themes in speculative fiction)

  • Diane Duane - Popular author of books and television
  • Peter Morwood - Science fiction and fantasy author
  • Mark Altman - Co-creator of Free Enterprise and "Trekspert"
  • Robert Meyer Burnett - Co-creator of Free Enterprise and director
  • Nene Thomas - Popular award-winning fantasy artist
  • Daren Dochterman - Designer and illustrator for over 35 feature films
  • Adam 'Mojo' Lebowitz - author and former lead animation supervisor for Foundation Imaging

2003 - "Time Flies" (Time travel)

2004 - "Out of the Shadows" (The dark side of speculative fiction)

  • Denise Garner - Romantic fantasy artist
  • David Gerrold - Science fiction/fantasy author of many books
  • Larry Niven - Author of many science fiction books, including the Ringworld series
  • Vincent Truitner - Animation and CGI artist
  • Christian Colquhoun - Physical effects artist
  • Crist Ballas - Physical effects artist
A fan dressed as Swamp Thing, with creator Len Wein, at CONvergence 2005
A fan dressed as Swamp Thing, with creator Len Wein, at CONvergence 2005

2005 - "Snikt! Bamf! Thwip!" (Super-heroes and comic books)

2006 - "Boldly Go." (space exploration)

(Original, Gary Russell had been scheduled to attend but had to decline due to conflicting obligations)

2007 - "Creature Feature" (horror and monsters)

2008 - "Ten Years 1999-2008" (10th CONvergence)

[edit] References

  1. ^ CONvergence. MISFITS (2007-06-29). Retrieved on 2007-07-09.
  2. ^ Smith, Rod (17 July 2002), “Geek Chic”, City Pages 23 (1128), <http://citypages.com/databank/23/1128/article10568.asp> 
  3. ^ CONvergence 2008 News (2008-03-18). Retrieved on 2008-03-19.

[edit] External links