We have lots of new stuff and people this year. You will find panels covering subjects that are not the ‘run-of-the-mill’ type topics. We have a track of Paranormal panels that feature our Special Guest, Debe Branning, a GhostChaser. We’ve got a Tattoo Artist and Body Piercer, a Palmist, a Tea Leaf Reader and a Tarot Reader. We have some special panels that will introduce you to the various Fan Clubs in the Valley. Mark Greenawalt, our Artist Guest of Honor, will be doing his popular body painting panel. Mark did the art on the lovely model, Courtney Black, who graces the cover of our Program Book. Courtney will be on hand at Mark’s Saturday panel at 1pm and will happily sign your Program Book.

We are screening three full-length movies with discussion afterwards. We also have the pilot episode of a Canadian SF TV show to offer you. It’s titled “Charlie Jade.” Check it out at: http://www.charliejade.com/multimedia.php

There are panels to discuss Buffy, Star Wars, Serenity (and we have a trailer) and Battlestar Galactica. There are also some, I think, very interesting late-night programming panels. The United Federation of Phoenix (UFP) is celebrating their 30th Anniversary and have planned several panels featuring their Special Guest, Larry Nemecek. And the usual good stuff is still here: Modern Dance, Art Auction, Charity Auction, Regency Dance, Movies with Barry Bard and, of course, the Masquerade.

We have Science panels where you’ll be treated to pictures of Saturn and Mars that will astound you. And we have Dr. Lynne Kitei who was a witness to the famous Phoenix Lights giving a presentation on Sunday from 1pm-3pm.

PAR 107 - PHOENIX LIGHTS. Dr. Lynne, a well-respected Phoenix physician, played a key role in the media coverage that surrounded the spectacle by capturing the lights in startlingly clear video and 35mm images from her mountainside home - before and during the event. After the incident, Dr. Lynne preferred to stay in the background, anonymously feeding information and photo clips to the many news organizations who wanted in on the story. In the years since the sightings, not only has she continued to photograph these still unexplained objects, Dr. Lynne has become an ardent, tireless researcher into the truth of the Phoenix Lights and Unexplained Phenomena. She has indeed discovered that WE ARE NOT ALONE and shares groundbreaking photographic evidence and personal antidotes relating to the Phoenix Lights event and more in her informative and inspiring presentation, including a composite video of how the story unfolded through the local and national media. SUN 1-3p

We have panels for kids, too. Kids of all ages are invited to come to KidArt on Saturday at 10am to make a piece of art that will be displayed in the Art Show until Sunday. At 1245pm on Saturday, they will also have the opportunity to make a costume and enter the Masquerade. They can talk to each other on Friday at 6pm about Harry Potter. And on Sunday at 2pm, they are invited to listen to panelists discuss alternatives to Harry Potter.

We’ll be honoring G. Harry Stine, our Ghost Guest of Honor, with a Remembrance Circle on Friday at 830pm. And, on Saturday at 230pm, you’ll hear from folks who worked with G. Harry and how he influenced their lives and work.

We have loads of authors who will be available for autographing throughout the weekend. They will be in the Dealer’s Room. A schedule will be posted outside the Dealer’s Room and on this website.

Some of the panels I’d like you to give special attention to so you’ll be prepared:

MED 121 – LAST DAYS OF ENTERPRISE. Larry Nemecek was present during the last days of filming for the series Star Trek Enterprise. He’ll discuss his participation as an extra and share some behind-the-scenes experiences. THURS 7-8p (must be pre-registered to attend)

FAN 102 - WHITE ELEPHANT TRADE… one of your SF/F genre collectibles. Bring in your cherished collectibles to show-off, bring in the oddest thing you own and wish you didn’t. Maybe it’s just what someone else needs to complete their own collection. FRI 5-6p

LIT 108 - WORST BOOK YOU EVER READ BY ONE OF THE MASTERS. Even Heinlein wrote a stinker once according to some. How about Asimov? Norton, Bradley, Brown, Leiber? Let’s talk about the really bad book that no one wants to talk about. Let’s be upfront about it – those folks were only human, weren’t they? SAT 1130a-1230p

MED 120 – WORLD FILM PREMIERE OF “SECOND CHANCES”. CopperCon is honored to host the World Premiere short preview of “Second Chances.” The entire 5-person crew of this film will be on hand to introduce the film and discuss the challenges and rewards of making a film with a miniscule budget and a two-week deadline. The film was produced and directed by our GoH Mark Greenawalt with Webb Pickersgill of Bassline Digital, and stars Kevin O'Connor of the Arizona 501st Stormtroopers, Shane Stevens of the Villikon Chronicles and model/actress Kayla Rei. SAT 10-1130a

SONICMOVIES – A special treat provided by Kevin Yancy. Sonicmovies are aural dramatizations of stories. These will be provided in the Reading Room, #2002, periodically during the weekend. A schedule will be posted on the room door. Please stop by and experience this at least once this weekend. More info about Kevin and these audio dramas can be seen in his bio, elsewhere in this Program Book.

Complete panel descriptions are located elsewhere in this website along with Bios of the participants.

I urge you to attend the Compliments and Complaints panel on Sunday and tell me personally what you liked or didn’t like about our programming.

Welcome to CopperCon 25!