Back to Top

COSTUMING

COS - But It's Not the Color I Need!
Want to make a particular costume and need material in a specific color but can't find it!?! Maybe you should dye it! It might not be as difficult and/or as messy as you think!

COS - Choosing the Right Material
Say you're making a skirt, choose the wrong material and instead of "beautiful drape and flow" you've got "hanging stiff and barely moving"! Sometimes you can have the right material, but CUT it wrong and get that same bad result! Get some tips on how to choose the right material in the store and how to cut it when you get it home.
  
COS/KIDS - Hats, Hats, and more Hats!
Sue Uttke has generously donated a veritable plethora of hats, so come pick out your favorite and decorate it any way you please! Be silly, classic, medieval, go over the top, or under scale it's your hat, so it's your choice!

COS/KIDS - Imagine A Costume
There will be fabric and bits of clothing and other "stuff" provided. The kids' mission: assemble a costume from the assorted materials. (Then maybe show-off their creation in the Masquerade?!).

COS - The In's and Out's of Masquerade
If you've never been in a masquerade or it's been a while, this is the panel for you. Learn about the different categories, which one you belong in, what the judges will expect, stage movement, what is expected of you backstage and what to do if you win an award. Get any questions you may have answered here.
    Nyki Robertson

COS/KIDS - Mask Making
Back by popular demand! Come decorate a mask. Let your imagination go! Decorate one to go with a costume, or just do one because it's a lot of fun! Great for kids and adults alike.

COS - Masquerade

COS - Masquerade Contestant's Meeting
Meet with the Director and crew to finalize paperwork, get music turned in, do technical walk-thru &/or rehearse with the M.C. If you have a divinely inspired reason for missing this meeting, please make prior arrangements with the Director. You do not have to be in your costume, just be present. *Judging will start at 4:00 SHARP, you will be told what order to go in at the contestants meeting!*
    Nyki Robertson

COS - Middle Eastern Dance Wear For Men
Ghawazee coats! Harem pants! Circle skirts! Come on already we know what women wear to dance in, but what about the men? Surely they wore more than those long white robes? YES they did!! Come learn what the male dancers and drummers wore.

COS - Pattern Altering
What a great pattern you've got there! Now, how are you going to make it fit yourself? Learn how to alter a pattern to fit real-world bodies. Your instructors have a combined total of a 100 years experience in sewing! Come take advantage of their knowledge!
  
COS - Steampunk Costuming
A blend of Victorian-era with futuristic elements makes for some great possibilities in what you can do. Get some great ideas and learn how a master-level costumer manages this ever-growing popular "new" genre of costuming.

COS - Steampunk Pieces and Parts
Parts is parts, right? But where do they get all those really neat little (and sometimes not so little!) gew gaws and stuff? Come find out some sources you can use in your own steampunk costuming adventures!

COS - Tricks of the Costuming Trade
Explore the differences between home sewing and theatrical costume techniques. For example: there is a HUGE difference in how an historically accurate layered garment (such as Ottoman Turkish Robes) and the same garment created for the stage are constructed!

Back to Top

DEMONSTRATIONS & WORKSHOPS

Back to Top

FAN

FAN - Arabic Drum Rhythms
Learn the difference between an African Jumbey and an Arabic Dhoumbek. Figure out a beledi from a saidii, and basically learn how to make the dancers happy!

FAN/MED - "Barry Bard Memorial At the Movies"
FREE SWAG! This is a favorite local event where you will get a sneak peek at trailers for some exciting new upcoming movies. After the trailer presentation we will hold a lottery for free movie promotional material (T-shirts, baseball caps, special posters and whatever else the studios have sent to us). Sponsored by CASFS.org
     Len Berger, Richard Bolinski, Craig L Dyer

FAN - Basic Belly Dance Moves
Learn a good stretch-out routine and some basic moves from a tribal style (heavy on the Ghawazee influence) dance instructor.

FAN - Dancing With Props
Rule # 1: Sometimes the prop wins! Learn the basics for dancing with a cane, veil, sword, fan veils, candles, etc.. Just remember Rule #1!

FAN - Disaster Strikes! What to do, What Not to do, What is Just Plain Stupid!
What can I say, the title pretty much say it all!

FAN/SOC - Drum and Dance Circle
Put on your hip scarves and come move to the beat of live drummers! Don't have hip scarves? Never belly danced before? Come on down anyway! We'll show you how to drum or dance or you can just watch, whatever, a good time is just waiting to be had!
 
FAN - Fandom 101: Orientation
This panel is a tutorial for new convention attendees and parents who want to know what their children are getting into! So, what is a Fandom Convention, anyway? How are the themes for the Con's picked? What is a ConSuite? Should I go there? Where do I go to score the neat free stuff? How do I meet the Guest of Honor's (GoH's)? Attend this panel (which may include a guided tour!) to find out the answers to these and other questions you may have about attending a science fiction convention.

FAN/LIT - Fandom 102: Required Reading
What are some of the books that every sci-fi fan should read? Is reading even required to be a fan in the media age? Either way, what movies and TV shows are "Must sees"?
 
FAN - Filk Basics
What is Filk? Who does it? Can I do it, too? Come get the answers to these questions and possibly even learn a song or two!

FAN - Fire or Ice: End of the World: Fiction /vs/ Reality
What can I say, the title pretty much say it all!

FAN - Ghost Hunting: Fact or Fiction
Movies and SyFy Channel TV shows depict paranormal investigators as proton pack carrying demon fighters and gateways into the world of the dead. Real life ghost hunters discuss what it is really like in the field and how it parallels with film and TV media.
Debe Branning

FAN - Meet the Guests Panel
Here is where you get to meet our GoH and special guest s all in one room! Bring your questions and come on down!

FAN - Filk Guest of Honor Panel
Mark Horning - Listen as Mark discusses songs of rocketry, science and space.

FAN/LIT - Guest of Honor Panel (1)
Meet Stephen R. Donaldson

FAN/LIT - Guest panel Ochse (1)
Meet Weston Ochse and hear him talk

FAN/LIT - Guest Panel Summers (1)
Meet David Lee Summers

FAN/LIT - Guest Panel Ochse (2)
Meet Weston Ochse

FAN/LIT - Guest Panel Summers (2)
Meet David Lee Summers

FAN/LIT - Guest of Honor Panel (2)
Meet Stephen R. Donaldson

FAN - Home Brewing or How to Make Your Own Cordials
Come learn the basics to make your own cordials in the comfort of your own home from an acknowledged Master of the Craft, our very own: Craig Dyer!

FAN - Tomorrow: Dystopia or Utopia: What do you Think?
Well, what DO you think? Where do you see humankind headed? Come put your two-cents in and hear what others think.

Back to Top

GAMING

GAM/LIT - Fiction /vs/ Gaming
What is the difference in writing fiction (of any kind) and writing for gaming?

GAM - Magic: The Gathering
This game was introduced more than 12 years ago yet it is still going strong. Why? For those who don't play, but are curious, come learn some of the basics of the game. Card types, basic plays, etc. Come learn what the excitement is all about.

Back to Top

KID

KID - Color Time and Origami
Come color picture of various types and things or draw your own pictures to color! Crayons, colored pencils, paper and pictures will be provided. Also in the very same room you could learn the ancient art of Japanese paper folding. Learn fun and interesting shapes. Paper provided. Kids of all ages welcome

KID/LIT - Creative Writing: A Workshop for Tweens and Teens
Do you want to write a story? Write your own book? But you don't know where or how to start? Well kids, this workshop is for you. A "hands-on" workshop led by an experienced "young adult" author and an English professor from ASU-West.

KID/DEMO - Friendship Bracelets and Plastic Craft Lacing
Come learn how to make different styles of friendship bracelets and/or learn a couple of different projects using the plastic craft lacing. Materials provided.

KID/COS - Hats, Hats, and more Hats!
Sue Uttke has generously donated a veritable plethora of hats, so come pick out your favorite and decorate it any way you please! Be silly, classic, medieval, go over the top, or under scale it's your hat, so it's your choice!

KID/COS - Imagine A Costume
There will be fabric and bits of clothing and other "stuff" provided. The kids' mission: assemble a costume from the assorted materials. (Then maybe show-off their creation in the Masquerade?!).

KIDS/COS - Mask Making
Back by popular demand! Come decorate a mask. Let your imagination go! Decorate one to go with a costume, or just do one because it's a lot of fun! Great for kids and adults alike.

Back to Top

LITERARY

LIT - Anti-Hero's in Comic Books
If you're looking for anti-hero's and literature isn't your thing (or maybe isn't your only thing), comic books are literally stuffed with anti-heroes. Come hear about some of the more famous ones and maybe learn about some ou haven't heard of.

LIT - Anti-Hero' s in Literature
Literature is chock full of anti-heroes: Weston Smith by George Orwell, Thomas Covenant by Stephen Donaldson, Douglas Adams' Arthur Dent, Stephen King's Roland Deschain, and F. Scott Fitzgerald's Jay Gatsby to name a small few. Come learn about some literary anti-heroes from one of the best in the field.

LIT/ANI - Anti-Heroes in Manga
Manga is FULL of anti-heroes! Who is your favorite? Who do you love to hate? Which anti-hero would you be, if you could? Come discuss this much overlooked arena full of anti-heroes.

LIT - "Bite Me, Chew off My Face, But Love Me"
When did vampires, werewolves and other monsters become love interests?

LIT - Book Collecting
Signed/Limited edition books, publishers, collectors, and big names. How to recognize first editions. How to tell if your signed and/or first edition book is worth anything.

LIT/MED - Buffy and Crew as Anti-Heroes WHAT?! Buffy the Vampire Slayer as an anti-hero?! And her friends, too? Could it be? Well, yes, actually, there were times when they definitely fit the role of "anti-hero" . Come discuss this issue with a panel that includes award-winning author Yvonne Navarro.

LIT - Build a Good Alien
Your mission: create a plausible alien using current physics and biological laws. Remember: the key word is PLAUSIBLE.

LIT - Christian Science Fiction
A small, but growing section. Is there room in sci-fi for the Christian God? What do Christians think about the sci-fi, fantasy, even horror genres? Are we missing a large market by not catering a little bit to them?

LIT - The Cthulu Mythos
H.P. Lovecraft created a mythos to rival that of the ancient Greeks and Romans. Come learn about his diverse pantheon of beings. What is the Necronomicon, anyway? Which ocean does Cthulu sleep under? Get answers to these and other questions at this interactive panel

LIT - Collaborative Writing
Have a great story you want to write with someone, but aren't sure you can do it without killing them and ending up in prison? Get some tips from people who have been there and survived to tell about it!

LIT - Copyright Basics
Why is copyright law important to writers and publishers? How do you protect your work from being copied? Sit down with Connie J. Mableson, Esq., a copyright lawyer who represents Stephanie Meyers, Allison DuBois and many other bestselling authors for an overview of the practical aspects of copyright law. Bring your questions!

LIT - Cross Cultural Writing
Discuss cultural differences and their impact on writing &/or their role in miscommunications and misinterpretations. Brainstorm with the experts on ways to solve this issue.

LIT - D.I.Y. Media Promotion for Authors
Ways that aspiring authors can use current internet social media tools-Twitter, podcasting, blogging, Facebook, MySpace, etc.. to draw attention and build fan communities around themselves and their works.

LIT - The Difference between a Comic Book and a Graphic Novel
Is there a difference between comic books and graphic novels besides length? If so, what are they? What are the elements that go into a comic book as compared to what goes into a graphic novel?

LIT - E-Books: The New Small Press
Are eBooks the new small press? Some authors say YES! Others say NO! Still others won't commit either way. Come hear about the topic and decide for yourself

LIT/GAM - Fiction /vs/ Gaming
What is the difference in writing fiction (of any kind) and writing for gaming?

LIT - From Book to Screen: Our Favorite Sci-fi/Fantasy Screen Adaptations
Come discuss your favorite book that was turned into a movie. Was it everything you hoped? Could there have been more? Did it differ from the way you envisioned it or did they get it better than you imagined?

LIT - Highbrow vs. Lowbrow
The Iliad vs. the Watchmen, Beowulf vs. Monty Python, Salvador Dali vs. the Brothers Hildebrandt, Van Gogh vs. a tattoo artist. Across all mediums of art and literature, who decides what are "classic" or " highbrow" and what is "pulp" or "lowbrow"

LIT - How to do a Reading
This workshop gives advice in HOW to give readings, promoting your readings at various cons and events, and provide contingency plans for when good readings go bad. We will cover the importance of readings and how to find the best stopping point in your chapter selection or prologue that will compel your audience to buy your book.

LIT - How to Market Your Story
So, you've written your great masterpiece or maybe just a pithy short story. What's the next step? Come get advice from published authors on what you need to be doing and what you should maybe avoid doing!

LIT - It Was A Dark and Stormy Night
This is a round-robin story telling tradition at con's. Can we make a ridiculous yet compelling story in 50 minutes? How bizarre will it get? How hysterical? You won't know unless you attend! Audience participation is HIGHLY encouraged!

LIT - The Linguistic Problems with First Contact
Usually, shows use a "universal translator" (how convenient, but who programs it?) or they have a genius linguist who can crack a new language in 18 hours flat. However, what about slang? On our own planet, in our own country, it's a problem from west coast to east coast. Go from America to England, or England to Australia! How much more would it be a problem from our planet to another?!? Come join in what promises to be a lively round table discussion.

LIT - Lovecraft: the Man, the Myth, the Legend
Lovecraft lived at the turn of the century (1890-1937). He was a pioneer in the horror genre; indeed, some consider him to be the "Godfather of Horror". Learn about his life, his motivations, etc. He was an original purveyor of psychological horror and was a master of it. Come learn about Cthulu's creator (or was he?!?). Ask questions of an expert.
   
LIT - Lovecraft in the Media
Lovecraft elements turn up in some of the most (seemingly) odd places: Metallica does a song about Cthulu rising from his sleep, Cradle of Filth mention Lovecraftian themes, as do several other heavy and death metal bands. (KMFDM, etc.). We know that there have been several movies based on Lovecraft's works, and what kind of Lovecraft elements have shown up in anime? There's even a game entitled "Call of Cthulu"! Everywhere you go; it seems that there's a little bit of Lovecraft there. Quite comforting for his fans, kind of creepy if you're not

LIT - Mythology and Society
Presented by Mike Griffin: a look at the full cycle of a hero, not just the heroic " up" part, but the complete turn of the "wheel" if you will. How all heroes could possibly qualify as anti-hero's at one point or another.

LIT - Pirates in Literature
Explore the realms of famous pirates/corsairs in literature with one of our own famous corsairs: Captain Aries.

LIT - Publishing Q & A
Sit down with some publishers and authors and ask those questions you ve been dying to ask! Great for "want to be published" authors. Learn about the relationship between publisher and author.

LIT - Publishing Seminar
Held by a local publishing house, writers and potential writers: this one's for you! Come get tips straight from the publisher's mouths about what they are looking for, tips to make your book more attractive to publishers, how to get your book noticed, what to do, what NOT to do, etc. Come: free chances like this don' t happen often!

LIT - Race and Color in Sci-Fi
Are minorities equally represented in sci-fi? To ask the politically incorrect question: is it even important? Well, yes, because we all need to be able to identify with a character. So, what do YOU think? Come share your opinions

LIT/READING - David Lee Summers

LIT/READING - Weston Ochse

LIT/READING - Adam Niswander

LIT/READING - Marcy Rockwell

LIT/READING - Yvonne Navarro

LIT/READING - Rick Novy

LIT/READING - Gini Koch

LIT/READING - Stephen R. Donaldson

LIT/READING - Adam Street

LIT - Sci-Fi and the Younger Generation
If we are complaining and moaning about a lack of "good" Science fiction for adults, then what does the market look like for the "young adults" (teens) and children? How can we expect to raise the next generation of fandom if there isn't an adequate supply of science fiction for them to "cut their teeth on"? Come talk with some YA authors and learn what they are doing to remedy the problem. Toss your two-cents in.

LIT - Science Fiction /vs/ Fantasy
There sure seems to be more fantasy on the shelves these days. Are we, as readers, getting lazier? Is it harder to sell good science fiction because no-one understands it anymore or is that a copout on the author's side? Has the good "science" story gone mainstream?

LIT - Science Fiction and Fantasy for Your IPOD
Podcasts novels are becoming an "in" thing for all kinds of writers. What are some good sites for downloading podcast science fiction and fantasy novels? If you want to write a novel for podcast, what are some do's and don'ts?

LIT - The Secret /vs/ The Force
"We think things into existence." "If you believe it, you can achieve it." "The force is all around you, Luke" "Use the Force" Anyone besides me see the similarities between how "The Secret" works and how the force works?

LIT - Selling Stories on the Web
Publishing and selling your stories on the web. How to do it, what are some of the pitfalls to watch for, and what are some of the benefits of doing it?

LIT - Small Press
How are the small presses surviving? Is it a good venue for the struggling writer? Why do the successfully established writers go to a small press?

LIT - Steampunk Literature
Discuss the roots of steampunk and examples of novels starting with Jules Verne and ending with China Mieville. What elements need to be present to qualify as steampunk? Is location significant? Will it gain in popularity?

LIT - Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse
How to be the last person standing among the world of the dead and loving it.

LIT - Tips for Writers
What is the difference between Access & Availability? What are 3 things a successful author must do? What is "the New Model"? Come talk to a successful author, publisher and speaker and get some great tips.

LIT - What IS SF?
Back around what is known as the "Golden Age" there were great debates and sometimes vicious arguments: some insisted that SF was Sci-fi or Science Fiction while others argued that SF should stand for the more inclusive "Speculative Fiction". Come air your opinion in this great debate.

LIT - What's "Real" Science Fiction
Is Walter Mosley writing "real" science fiction? Who IS Walter Mosley? How much mainstream stuff could be sci-fi? Is the line blurring into the soft' sciences? Why are general fiction writers attracted to our genre?

LIT - World Building
Fleshing out the details for world building. Organization for novelists. Ideas for keeping track of characters. How to lay-out world building.

LIT - Writer's Groups
How to form them. How to manage them. Setting up basic ground rules. How to deal with "problem" members.

LIT - Writing Contests
How do you tell which writing contests are legitimate? What do you look for to avoid a scam? Do these contests ever really help you get published?

LIT - Writing the Hook: A Writer s Workshop
Bring in the opening paragraph of your short story or novel (if you have it) for on the spot feedback. Having trouble getting started? Ask for help here. This is always a popular and well-received workshop.

Back to Top

MEDIA

MED - Anti-Hero's From the Star Trek Universe
Come learn about two anti-heroes that hail from the Star Trek universe: Quark and Garak. Hear what makes them anti-hero's.

MED/FAN - "Barry Bard Memorial At the Movies"
FREE SWAG! This is a favorite local event where you will get a sneak peek at trailers for some exciting new upcoming movies. After the trailer presentation we will hold a lottery for free movie promotional material (T-shirts, baseball caps, special posters and whatever else the studios have sent to us). Sponsored by CASFS.org
     Len Berger, Richard Bolinski, Craig Dyer

MED/LIT - Buffy and Crew as Anti-Heroes
WHAT?! Buffy the Vampire Slayer as an anti-hero?! And her friends, too? Could it be? Well, yes, actually, there were times when they definitely fit the role of "anti-hero" . Come discuss this issue with a panel that includes award-winning author Yvonne Navarro.

MED - Captain Jack Harkness - Torchwood
This Doctor Who character qualifies as an anti-hero, constantly alternating between indulgence and altruism. But then again, isn t everyone in torchwood and anti-hero?

MED - Censorship and the Media
Should all of us be punished by having everything censored to a near death because the conservative right-wing apparently have no idea how to change that channel or turn off the TV when there is a program on that they feel is "inappropriate" for their child/ren to view? Surely you have an opinion on this topic?

MED - Does Action/Adventure Have To = Dumb/Mindless?
Is it possible to tell a supercharged, fun, action-adventure story in books or movies and still include some thought provoking ideas? Panelists discuss action/adventure stories and films in science fiction and which ones hold up as smart, or which ones are just dumb and dumber

MED - Everything Old is New Again
Why is it that instead of coming up with new ideas, Hollywood is merely re-doing all the old movies and TV shows? Is there really nothing new under the sun or has the reality of the space station stopped all speculation of what's out there?

MED - Lights! Camera! Action!
Have you always wanted to make your own Indie film? Where do you get funding? Find Equipment? Get technical assistance? How do you deal with temperamental actors? Get a caterer? Did I skip anything? YIKES! There is a LOT that goes into this! Come talk with some people who have been there and done that'. Get answers to your questions.

MED - Malcolm Reynolds - Hero or Anti-Hero?
Captain of the Serenity, Mal demonstrates a mixture of altruism and ruthlessness and could quite readily fall into the anti-hero category.

MED - Media and Music
Almost every movie uses music to cue our emotions. Do they have no faith in their actors' abilities? Do they really think we are so mindless that we can be led around by the music? Come chat with a couple of director/producer's and hear their opinions on the topic. Ask questions.

MED - Reality Shows and Sci-Fi on T.V.
Has reality' TV gone too far? Is it even reality? Could science fiction contribute to this new genre?

MED - Sci-Fi Jeopardy
Come join the United Federation of Phoenix in an exciting game of Sci-fi Jeopardy. Always a crowd pleaser!

MED - The Star Trek Universe Update
Last year the Star Trek Universe was reborn thanks to JJ Abrams movie reimagining of Star Trek's origins, which begame the highest grossing movie in Star Trek history. A sequel script has been developed -- can a sequel expand the franchise? Join members of the United Federation of Phoenix, celebrating its 35 anniversary at CopperCon 30, for a panel discussion to discuss all things Trek.

MED - Supernatural /vs/ Sci-Fi
More and more the industry is producing shows (both T.V. and Cinema) that are supernatural in nature, but are calling them "Sci-Fi". Are they really? Or is the industry "copping out" on us and trying to get around having to come up with legitimate "science" fiction shows? Why are the directors and writers skirting around the science issues instead of addressing them?

MED - The Whoinverse
It's not just Dr. Who anymore, there's Torchwood, the Sarah Jane Adventures, audio adventures, a new K9 spin-off series, and a new Doctor and Companion.

MED - The World of Stargate
Stargate, SG-1, Stargate Atlantis, now Stargate Universe. When will the madness end? Do we really want it to? With GateCons growing in popularity, the answer, seemingly, is no. Come discuss the various incarnations of Stargate with other fans

Back to Top

READINGS

READING - David Lee Summers

READING - Weston Ochse

READING - Adam Niswander

READING - Marcy Rockwell

READING - Yvonne Navarro

READING - Rick Novy

READING - Gini Koch

READING - Stephen R. Donaldson

READING - Adam Street