SiliCon 2009
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Friday, October 2nd, 2009
Gaming - Game Room
2:00 pm - 12:00 am in San Simeon Room/San Martin Room
It's all gaming, all the time in the Game Room. In addition to the usual gaming fare, Steve Jackson Games will be hosting various tournaments on Saturday. As last year, there will also be a Lego table, for those that do not game.
Panel - SCA 101
3:00 pm - 4:15 pm in San Jose Room
Dana Chick
So you've heard about the SCA, and are interested in joining? Come meet people who will answer your questions about how to get started.
Panel - How to Host A Successful Room Party
3:00 pm - 4:15 pm in Carmel Room
Chris Garcia, Ed Stokke (M), Andrew Trembley
You've likely been to many...now find out what it takes behind the scenes to host your own party at a convention.
Panel - Rocket Races!
3:00 pm - 4:15 pm in San Juan Room/San Carlos Room
G. David Nordley
What would a rocket race be like? Will we see the equivalent of drag races, road rallies or track races in space? What about point-to-point records? What might some of the rules be?
Panel - Zombies
3:00 pm - 4:15 pm in Monterey Room
The walking undead...from "Thriller" to "Shaun of the Dead", why the walking dead are very much alive in the media. Unmoderated roundtable discussion.
Birds of a Feather - World of Warcraft
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm in Bayshore Foyer
Chat about World of Warcraft.
Birds of a Feather - Star Trek
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm in Bayshore Foyer
Chat about Star Trek.
Showing - Anime
4:00 pm - 12:00 am in Santa Clara Room
The SiliCon Anime Room will be running continuously from Friday to Sunday afternoon.
Panel - Kid Superheroes
4:30 pm - 5:45 pm in Carmel Room
Christina Bertani
Faster than a speeding...tricycle? Pint-sized superheroes and their sidekicks saving the adult-sized day.
Panel - Etiquette
4:30 pm - 5:45 pm in Monterey Room
Hilary Ayer, Carol Christensen, Leigh Ann Hildebrand (M)
Emily Post and Miss Manners aren't the only ones out there that are still concerned with good manners. Come discuss why manners matter and why it seems as though many people disregard using them.
Panel - Masquerade 101
4:30 pm - 5:45 pm in San Jose Room
John O'Halloran, Andrew Trembley (M), Jennifer Wylie
New to entering a Masquerade? Do you have questions regarding performances on stage, judging, the Green Room, or other stuff? Come join us for a discussion on the introductory basics to getting on stage and having a great time!
Panel - Fringe Sciences
4:30 pm - 5:45 pm in San Juan Room/San Carlos Room
Patricia MacEwen, G. David Nordley, Norman Sperling, Ed Stokke
From telekinesis to teleportation, many sciences nowadays are looking at the theoretical rather than the provable. One recent television show, "Fringe", uses some of these topics. Come talk about why these sciences are the next step in the voyage of mankind. Unmoderated discussion.
Birds of a Feather - Lost
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm in Bayshore Foyer
Chat about the TV show "Lost".
Presentation - Opening Ceremonies
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm in Siskiyou Ballroom/Donnor Pass Ballroom
Sarah Clemens, Ken Lally, Dann Lopez, Christy Marx, Kevin Roche, Shawna Trpcic, Jennifer Wylie
The con opens!
Reception - Meet the Guests
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm in Siskiyou Ballroom/Donnor Pass Ballroom
Sarah Clemens, Ken Lally, Dann Lopez, Christy Marx, Kevin Roche, Shawna Trpcic
Come out and meet the guests of the convention.
Showing - Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog
8:00 pm - 9:00 pm in Siskiyou Ballroom/Donnor Pass Ballroom
Come and sing along with Joss Whedon's on-line mega hit, "Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog".
Presentation - The Crow: Purgatory
9:00 pm - 10:00 pm in Siskiyou Ballroom/Donnor Pass Ballroom
The Crow: Purgatory 1&2 -Special Edition: (Graphic novel / Action) is a fan film that was originally created to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Brandon Lee's last film. This Oakland produced independent film premiered at SFCROW in the presence of Crow creator, James O'Barr. The film also screened at Festival De Cannes 07', Oakland International Film Festival, Comic-con (San Diego & Phoenix), as well as Fantasy Conventions as far as France.
With a budget of only $106 and a cast of crew gathered from Craigslist, this sub-series, PURGATORY, takes flight in a different direction exploring the crow myth while introducing all new characters where angels and demons fight over the souls of the innocent. (55min).
At SiliCon09', TORRID PRODUCTIONS and Purgatory director DESCIPLE will host a panel (SATURDAY) on
producing digital films with a Taco Bell budget called, THE DIRECTORS KICKSTART PANEL, featuring various independent film companies in the Bay Area. Definitely a not too miss for filmmakers!
Filk - Filk
9:00 pm - 3:00 am in San Jose Room
Filking.
Saturday, October 3rd, 2009
Showing - Anime
12:00 am - 12:00 am in Santa Clara Room
The SiliCon Anime Room will be running continuously from Friday to Sunday afternoon.
Gaming - Game Room
12:00 am - 12:00 am in San Simeon Room/San Martin Room
It's all gaming, all the time in the Game Room. In addition to the usual gaming fare, Steve Jackson Games will be hosting various tournaments on Saturday. As last year, there will also be a Lego table, for those that do not game.
Presentation - Rocky Horror Picture Show
12:00 am - 3:00 am in Siskiyou Ballroom/Donnor Pass Ballroom
Come watch the shadowcasted version of the cult movie classic! Ages 18+.
Panel - Meet Shawna Trpcic
10:00 am - 11:15 am in Siskiyou Ballroom/Donnor Pass Ballroom
Shawna Trpcic
We are honored to have Shawna as our Costuming Guest of Honor. Shawna is an accomplished costume designer, and she has worked on such projects as "Firefly", "Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog", and "Dollhouse".
Birds of a Feather - LiveJournal
10:00 am - 11:00 am in Bayshore Foyer
Meetup of LiveJournal users.
Panel - Airplanes on Mars
10:00 am - 11:15 am in San Juan Room/San Carlos Room
John McGowan
Imagine a Mars Airplane, a robotic probe that could fly down the Valles Marineris, taking video and collecting data. John F. McGowan, Ph.D., presents this intriguing look at a different way to study Mars.
Panel - Good Guys Wear Black
10:00 am - 11:15 am in Monterey Room
Likeable villains and irritating heroes. Unmoderated roundtable discussion about the heroes we love to hate and the villains that are simply irresistable.
Panel - Large Costuming Groups
10:00 am - 11:15 am in Carmel Room
Kathe Gust, Philip Gust, Miriam Hardin, Jennifer Wylie
Working with a large group of costumers is a lot like cat-herding and offers up a unique set of challenges. Our panelists will discuss the pros and cons (and how to deal with them) of getting a bunch of people all dressed up.
Panel - Sci Fi to Sci Fact
10:00 am - 11:15 am in San Jose Room
Martin Cameron, Candy Lowe, Steven Savage, Norman Sperling, Ed Stokke
Gadgets, gizmos, and other goodies that have sprung to life from science fiction shows and books, and what is on the horizon today as far as what is to come.
Birds of a Feather - Girl Genius
11:00 am - 12:00 pm in Bayshore Foyer
Chat about the webcomic "Girl Genius".
Panel - Meet Sarah Clemens
11:30 am - 12:45 pm in Monterey Room
Sarah Clemens
Come meet our Artist Guest of Honor, Sarah Clemens.
Panel - Mars is for the Brave, Luna for Cowards
11:30 am - 12:45 pm in San Juan Room/San Carlos Room
James Brown
Mars is actually the second safest place for Mankind, and it is much safer than our moon. Come discuss the reasons we should be going to Mars.
Panel - Joy of Research
11:30 am - 12:45 pm in San Jose Room
Hilary Ayer, Candy Lowe, Lindsay Tallman, Fred Wiehe, Ann Wilkes
Thanks to the availability of many search engines, the ability to find information on just about anything is at our fingertips. Our panelists will talk about the best sites available for all different sorts of topics.
Panel - TSA Transport
11:30 am - 12:45 pm in Carmel Room
Marshall Clevesy (M), Stacy Meyn, Tracy Newby
The rules for transporting stuff on an airplane are changing all the time. Our panel of experts will help talk you through what you can and cannot carry on a plane, as well as how to safely and legally pack it.
Presentation - Torrid Productions
11:30 am - 12:45 pm in Siskiyou Ballroom/Donnor Pass Ballroom
Torrid Productions, an independent film and multimedia company based in the
East Bay, will host a panel on Independent Filmmaking: A Director's
Kickstart Program.
Moderated by director, DESCIPLE (Director of The Crow: Purgatory - screened
at Festival De Cannes 07'), will host a panel of Bay Area independent film
companies sharing information on how to get started on making films at a
Taco Bell budget! Everything from digital gear to scoring your own film
will be discussed. Trailers and teasers will also be shown at the panel to
inspire upcoming filmmakers.
Birds of a Feather - The Prisoner
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm in Bayshore Foyer
Chat about the TV show, "The Prisoner".
Panel - Iron Poetry
1:00 pm - 2:15 pm in Carmel Room
Putting together poetry on-the-fly. Unmoderated discussion.
Panel - Robotics
1:00 pm - 2:15 pm in San Juan Room/San Carlos Room
Mark Leon
Presentation by the head of NASA's Robot Alliance.
Birds of a Feather - Joss Whedon-verse
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm in Bayshore Foyer
Chat about the worlds created by Joss Whedon.
Other - Masquerade Rehearsal
1:00 pm - 2:15 pm in Siskiyou Ballroom/Donnor Pass Ballroom
Johanna Mead, John O'Halloran, Kevin Roche, Jennifer Wylie
This meeting is for staff, volunteers, tech, and participants of the Masquerade.
Other - Belly Dance Bra Workshop
1:00 pm - 2:15 pm in Monterey Room
Dawn Davina (M)
Make yourself a quick-and-fast embellished bra. This show-and-tell style demo steps attendees through the process of selecting the base bra, deconstructing, reconstructing and covering with a variety of surface embellishments. Great for belly dancers, burlesque performers or just to make a fabulous costume!
Panel - Art: Traditional vs. Digital
1:00 pm - 2:15 pm in San Jose Room
Martin Cameron, James Currie
Traditional versus digital techniques in art.
Birds of a Feather - Digital Photography
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm in Bayshore Foyer
Chat about digital photography.
Demo - Posing For Photos
2:30 pm - 3:45 pm in Siskiyou Ballroom/Donnor Pass Ballroom
Jade Falcon
So, you've made this great costume! This panel will discuss how to show it off to your best advantage, as well as tips on how to pose for photos in general.
Panel - Christy Marx Q&A
2:30 pm - 3:45 pm in Monterey Room
Christy Marx
Come meet writer Christy Marx for a Q&A session, reading, and opportunity for autographs.
Panel - The Real World of Alien Autopsies
2:30 pm - 3:45 pm in San Juan Room/San Carlos Room
Patricia MacEwen
We've all seen the Weekly World News version. Nowe let Special Science Guest Patricia McEwen, writer and forensic pathologist, show us how it would be done in the real world.
Panel - Costumes For Kids
2:30 pm - 3:45 pm in San Jose Room
Christina Bertani (M), Miriam Hardin, Lisa Deutsch Harrigan
Costuming for little ones can be challenging. Our panelists will talk about how to put together safe and fun costumes for young'uns.
Panel - Ethics of Downloading
2:30 pm - 3:45 pm in Carmel Room
Marshall Clevesy, Johanna Mead, John O'Halloran
Many music services now offer very cheap ways to legally download music and other files, and yet some people choose to illegally collect content. What are the ramifications to those doing the legal thing from those who willfully steal?
Birds of a Feather - Doctor Who: Doctors 1-7
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm in Bayshore Foyer
Chat about Doctor Who.
Panel - Alien Forensics: Blood Spatter Analysis
4:00 pm - 5:15 pm in San Juan Room/San Carlos Room
Patricia MacEwen
Special Science Guest Patricia McEwen a Forensic Pathologist, gets us ready to solve crimes in space. This audience-participation demonstration will use green ichor and a variety of weapons to demonstrate different forms of blood spatter patterns.
Panel - Food Challenges
4:00 pm - 5:15 pm in San Jose Room
Christina Bertani
From being allergic to soy to being gluten intolerant, this panel covers all sorts of "food challenges" and the places available to find non-reactive food.
Signing - Ken Lally Q&A
4:00 pm - 5:15 pm in Monterey Room
Ken Lally
Come meet Ken Lally of "Heroes" for a Q&A session as well as the opportunity for autographs.
Demo - Do You Want A Cape With That?
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm in Siskiyou Ballroom/Donnor Pass Ballroom
Mette Hedin, Leigh Ann Hildebrand, Jean Martin, Espana Sheriff
This fun panel is full of audience participation! Our panelists will pluck people from the audience and suit them up in superhero- or supervillain- finery.
Panel - Writer's Block
4:00 pm - 5:15 pm in Carmel Room
Hilary Ayer, G. David Nordley, Fred Wiehe, Ann Wilkes
A molehill can become a mountain if you can't write past the molehill. Tips and tricks for getting the creative Muses to behave themselves and to get your writing back on track.
Performance - Belly Dancing
5:00 pm - 6:45 pm in Siskiyou Ballroom/Donnor Pass Ballroom
Panel - Marketing Your Work
5:30 pm - 6:45 pm in San Jose Room
Matthew Joseph Harrington, Candy Lowe
There are many ways a person can publish their work nowadays...but how do you really *sell* it? Our panelists will talk about how to market your work once you're ready for the world to read it.
Panel - Harry Potter is Over...Now What?
5:30 pm - 6:45 pm in Carmel Room
Kathe Gust, Philip Gust, Jean Martin
The final book was penned two years ago and the final set of movies are about to hit the big screen. Is there life for Harry Potter fans after the exit of Harry and his friends from Hogwarts?
Panel - Crossplay
5:30 pm - 6:45 pm in Monterey Room
Miriam Hardin, Johanna Mead, Lindsay Tallman
Men as women and women as men, there are many challenges to creating a costume of the opposite gender. Our panelists will talk about how to overcome these challenges.
Presentation - Masquerade
8:00 pm - 9:00 pm in Siskiyou Ballroom/Donnor Pass Ballroom
Kathe Gust, Philip Gust, Johanna Mead, Kevin Roche, Andrew Trembley, Shawna Trpcic, Jennifer Wylie (M)
Stage presentation of contestants and the hard work they have done on their costumes and presentations.
Dance - Dance
9:00 pm - 2:00 am in Siskiyou Ballroom/Donnor Pass Ballroom
Post-Masquerade dance.
Filk - Filk
9:00 pm - 3:00 am in San Jose Room
Filking.
Sunday, October 4th, 2009
Reading - The Eye of Argon Reading
12:00 am - 3:00 am in San Juan Room/San Carlos Room
Hilarity ensues with the annual audience participation reading of the worst science fiction story ever written. Come and laugh at the antics of our favorite barbarian...and we're not talking about Conan the Governor of California.
Showing - Anime
12:00 am - 4:00 pm in Santa Clara Room
The SiliCon Anime Room will be running continuously from Friday to Sunday afternoon.
Gaming - Game Room
12:00 am - 4:00 pm in San Simeon Room/San Martin Room
It's all gaming, all the time in the Game Room. In addition to the usual gaming fare, Steve Jackson Games will be hosting various tournaments on Saturday. As last year, there will also be a Lego table, for those that do not game.
Panel - Disease as the Villain
10:00 am - 11:15 am in Carmel Room
Unmoderated roundtable discussion group on coping with chronic illnesses such as diabetes.
Panel - Religions of Alien Races
10:00 am - 11:15 am in Monterey Room
Deirdre Saoirse Moen
How would creatures and people not of this planet show their faith towards a deity?
Panel - LARP 101
10:00 am - 11:15 am in San Jose Room
Christina Bertani, Johanna Mead (M)
What is a LARP? What goes into creating one, writing it up, and getting people together to play the characters? What are some of the common pitfalls of the LARP experience? Our experienced panelists will cover all this and more!
Birds of a Feather - Marvel Comics
10:00 am - 11:00 am in Bayshore Foyer
Chat about Marvel Comics.
Panel - Spintronics
10:00 am - 11:15 am in San Juan Room/San Carlos Room
Kevin Roche
It used to be that compact technoloy based on harnessing the quantum spin of the electron was, well, science fiction. Now, however, spintronics forms the basis of several ubiquitous devices. IBM Research Almaden engineer Kevin Roche will introduce you to the fundamentals of this expanding technology, reveal where you can find it already and where to look for it in days to come.
Panel - Shawna Trpcic
10:00 am - 11:15 am in Siskiyou Ballroom/Donnor Pass Ballroom
Shawna Trpcic
We are honored to have Shawna as our Costuming Guest of Honor. Shawna is an accomplished costume designer, and she has worked on such projects as "Firefly", "Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog", and "Dollhouse".
Birds of a Feather - DC Comics
11:00 am - 12:00 pm in Bayshore Foyer
Chat about DC Comics.
Other - Superhero Paper Bag Puppets
11:30 am - 12:45 pm in Monterey Room
Kids! Come and craft a superhero (or a supervillain) in this fun workshop!
Panel - Full Steam Ahead
11:30 am - 12:45 pm in Carmel Room
Kathe Gust, Sarah Pugliaresi, Espana Sheriff
From "Girl Genius" to "Neverwas Haul", Steampunk is taking the costuming world by storm. Come see what's new in the Age of Steam as far as what to wear and how to find it.
Performance - Match Game
11:30 am - 3:00 pm in Siskiyou Ballroom/Donnor Pass Ballroom
Chris Garcia, Glenn Glazer, Lisa Hayes, Leigh Ann Hildebrand, Kevin Roche, Kevin Standlee (M), Andrew Trembley
The one and only "Match Game" returns, with host Kevin Standlee.
Panel - Props
11:30 am - 12:45 pm in San Jose Room
James Currie, Philip Gust (M), Mette Hedin, Stacy Meyn, Joshua Schisser
It's all about the accessories. Curious as to how to makes props that will make your costume really pop? Are the props you're wishing to carry safe and legal? Come join in the discussion on what can make your costume "wow".
Panel - Faster-Than-Light Travel
11:30 am - 12:45 pm in San Juan Room/San Carlos Room
Many people believe that FTL travel is impossible. Steve Nagy, President of the National Space Society, discusses this issue and some theories for breaking the Lightspeed Barrier.
Birds of a Feather - Doctor Who: Doctors 8-10
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm in Bayshore Foyer
Chat about Doctor Who.
Panel - Christy Marx Q&A
1:00 pm - 2:15 pm in Monterey Room
Christy Marx
Come meet writer Christy Marx for a Q&A session, reading, and opportunity for autographs.
Panel - Social Networks
1:00 pm - 2:15 pm in San Jose Room
Andrew Clark, Stacy Meyn, Lance Moore
MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, LiveJournal...these are examples of some of the social networks that bring us together. Or do they disconnect us as much as they connect us?
Panel - Geothermal Plants
1:00 pm - 2:15 pm in San Juan Room/San Carlos Room
Patricia MacEwen
Global warming is on our minds. Special Science guest Patricia McEwen presents one of the ways we could increase our supply of green energy (without making the planet radioactive!).
Panel - World Building
1:00 pm - 2:15 pm in Carmel Room
Matthew Joseph Harrington, G. David Nordley
Creating worlds of this Earth and beyond. From geography to the depths of space, our panelists will share what works and what doesn't.
Birds of a Feather - Film Photography
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm in Bayshore Foyer
Chat about film photography.
Birds of a Feather - Blakes 7
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm in Bayshore Foyer
Chat about "Blakes 7".
Panel - The Rocketship in the Garage:
2:25 pm - 3:45 pm in San Juan Room/San Carlos Room
John McGowan
The quest for affordable space travel; reducing the the cost and improving the reliability of space access. John F. McGoan, Ph.D., author of numerous articles on this issue, discusses how the business of Space may be keeping us on the ground.
Panel - Fabric Physics
2:30 pm - 3:45 pm in San Jose Room
Jade Falcon, Johanna Mead
There's nothing that will try a costumer's patience more than working with slinky, slippery, and downright annoying-to-sew fabrics. Our panel of sewing experts will offer tips and tricks to working with these evil fabrics.
Panel - Meet Sarah Clemens
2:30 pm - 3:45 pm in Monterey Room
Sarah Clemens
Come meet our Artist Guest of Honor, Sarah Clemens.
Panel - Meet Ken Lally
2:30 pm - 3:45 pm in Carmel Room
Ken Lally
Come meet Ken Lally of "Heroes" for a Q&A session as well as the opportunity for autographs.
Reception - Closing Ceremonies
3:30 pm - 4:00 pm in Siskiyou Ballroom/Donnor Pass Ballroom
Come say farewell to our guests from SiliCon 2009.
Other - Hiss and Purr
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm in San Juan Room/San Carlos Room
Come let us know what we did well this year at SiliCon, as well as let us know what didn't go so well.
There will be no yelling at our panelists or other audience members. Disrespect will not be tolerated. Be forewarned: Rudeness means ejection.