The Geek Shall Inherit the Earth

So I know that Charlie is just in heaven because this weekend is Emerald City ComiCon and NEXT weekend is Sakura-Con (deep breaths now, buddy).

But there are also tickets to Geek Girl Con 2012 on sale now.  Caution: breathless prose approaching:

On Wednesday, April 18th at 6:00 p.m., GeekGirlCon and the Association for Women in Computing join forces to host another fantastic event. Darren G. Davis, publisher of Bluewater Productions, will discuss the release of his Bill Gates comic book and give you greater insight into how the Nook and the Kindle are changing the comic book industry.

GeekGirlCon is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting awareness of and celebrating the contribution and involvement of women in all aspects of the sciences, science fiction, comics, gaming and related Geek culture through conventions and events that emphasize both the historic and ongoing contribution and influence of women in this culture.

Now I'm not one to call anyone a geek (though I do have one living in my home) but geeking out is being smart and diving deep in any subject so frankly, it's just a revv'ed up hobbyist.

Luckily our pals at The Stranger Slog have all the details for all these gatherings.  So if you have young geeks in your home, here are some places to send them to find their tribe. 

Comments

Charlie Mas said…
Ooh! Ooh! Don't forget Norwescon!
Anonymous said…
Thanks for the geeky shout-out (I'm a staff member for GeekGirlCon)! It should also be noted that Westercon, a big science fiction convention, will be in Seattle July 5 – 8. So many conventions, so little time!
Bird said…
I've never gone to any of these conventions, but I have a couple of questions about Sakura-con, if anyone's gone in the past.

Would it be a good event for a young elementary student interested in Japan and some Japanese anime?

Looks like you can't buy register online anymore, does this event typically sell out or can we just show up and get in?
Anonymous said…
Hey Bird!

YES! Sakura-Con is very appropriate for an elementary student interested in Japan and Anime - Parental guidance in some areas of the vendor room of course. :)

If you haven't purchased your tickets already, lines are long for registration in general, so expect to wait a minimum of 45minutes to a couple of hours, particularly if waiting in line early on Friday and Saturday.

-Anime Nerd who's attended every single Sakura-Con/Baka!Con
ArchStanton said…
Charlie said it, but here's the link to Norwescon, April 5-8

We might play hooky to catch this series of three on Friday:

Norse Sword, Shield, & Spear Tactical Combat - 10 am
A hands-on demo. Participants, equipped with wooden swords, spears, and shields will learn and practice basic Norse weapon combat skills in a safe, non-contact environment. What is it like standing in the shield wall? Instructors will provide required equipment, to be shared by participants.

Survey of Weapons of the Middle Ages - 11 am
See and feel how hand weapons changed and developed from late Roman times until the Renaissance. All weapons will be explained, and presented for safe handling by the participants. This experience will be like a museum where you can touch the artifacts. Handouts will be available.

Survey of Medieval Armour - Noon
See and feel how body armour evolved and developed from late Roman times until the Renaissance. Various types of armour will be displayed and described. Participants will be able to freely handle real pieces of armour and modern replicas. This experience will be like a museum where you can try on the artifacts. Handouts will be available.
Charlie Mas said…
For Bird and others...

Sakura-Con is very family friendly. All of the programming has ratings on the suitability - live panels as well as videos. Nearly all of the MA-rated programming is late at night and no one is admitted to the MA-rated programming without having shown proof of age.

There are strictly enforced rules on cosplay to keep it from going over the line.

Minors under 14 must be accompanied by their adult escorts at all times and minors from 14 to 17 must have their adult escort on the premises at all times.

While the adult material in the vendor area is covered, some hands-on guidance there would be a good idea.

Anyone with much experience with anime (or other media from Japan) knows that the Japanese have a less prudish sensibility about what we would consider adult content, so you are probably already used to being on the alert and have already encountered some "fan service" without disaster.

I assure you that your child will be delighted - about 80% of the attendees are in cosplay - and will not encounter anything you can't handle.
Anonymous said…
What Charlie said...
My 17-yr-old daughter has been attending Sakuracon since she was a middle-schooler and loves every second of it. She spends a month or more creating her costume. Last year she even had her hair dyed pink so she could cosplay as Sakura from Naruto.
It is great, creative fun for kids and adults, and I'd much rather see her putting her energy into this than hanging out at the mall. She's also attended Comicon, but without the cosplay element.
Solvay

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