This weekend marks the first-ever GeekGirlCon! The new pop-culture event will be taking place October 8 & 9 at the Seattle Center Northwest Rooms and EMP Museum in Washington State. None of us here at The Mary Sue could attend this year (and for that we are inconsolable) but we wanted to give you the scoop on what and who you could see the show.
As they explain on their website, “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.” Here are just a few of the fantastic panels and events taking place there this weekend:
- Panel: Whedonistas with Jane Espenson, Nancy Holder, Teresa Jusino and Mariah Huehner. The Whedonistas will be reading short excerpts from their pieces in the book, plus some Q&A, and some Whedon Trivia, where you might be able to walk away with a free copy of Whedonistas (and perhaps some other prizes!). Do you love Joss Whedon? (and really, how could you not?) Think you know everything about the man and his work? Put your knowledge to the test at the Whedonistas panel at Geek Girl Con!
- Event: Kick off your GeekGirlCon weekend at the GeekGirlCONcert starring nerd-chanteuse Marian Call! Also on the bill are the Seattle ukulele prodigy, Molly Lewis, and nerd-folk singers from Portland, The Doubleclicks. Plus special performances by a few GeekGirlCon ladies.
- Panel: Character Studies: Geek Girls in Popular Culture – What are the challenges to creating geek girl characters? Our panel of creators — Cecil Castellucci, Javier Grillo-Marxuach, Sarah Kuhn, Jessica Mills, and Stephanie Thorpe — will discuss geek girl representations in film, TV, novels, comics, and other media. How do you balance the “girl” with the “geek” and what’s the state of the geek girl characters in our current pop cultural landscape? Get the answers from these talented creators.
- Event: GeekGirlCon Masquerade – Come decked out in your favorite cosplay or just sit back and watch the show. GeekGirlCon staff emcee the event that is sure to include fantastic costumes–and a very special chanteuse.
- Panel: How to Own the Media: Zine Making 101 – Mimi Marinucci, an Associate Professor of Women’s & Gender Studies and Philosophy, Eastern Washington University, will give a brief explanation and history of zines, and will share examples of her own zine and others. She will share information about various zine libraries, including one located in downtown Spokane. Zines are an important feminist alternative to mainstream print media. Professor Marinucci will offer practical advice for those interested in making their own zines.
- Event: Act Nerdy With Me!GeekGirlCon and NERDProv present a raucous night of improvisational theater from audience suggestions. Rest assured that our audience will be a room full of geeks! Buffy Summers in a regency romance aboard the Galactica? You never know what fanatical combinations come to life at a NERDPRov show.
- Panel: Very Special Dudes – A panel of some of our favorite men, including: Greg Rucka, Javier Grillo-Marxuach, Alan Kistler, and Mike Madrid. Sean McNeil moderates!
- Event: Whedonesque Burlesque: Seattle Edition. Jo Jo Stiletto Events and a Whedon-inspired cast of performers are returning to thrill you with performances based on Buffy: the Vampire Slayer, Firefly, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, Angel, and Dollhouse.
- Panel: Killing Cattiness, Creating Community – Kate Kotler, the Founder of Geek Girl on the Street.com, has invited a panel of women including, Gail Simone, Bonnie Burton, Kat Engh, Kristin Rielly, and Hope Larson to discuss Geek Girls can put aside being negatively competitive, divisive, and catty to our sister Geek Girls. Panelists will give examples of both positive and negative experiences and answer questions from the audience.
You can check out the full list of programming here. Online passes are closed but if you are able to attend you can still buy tickets at the door, 2-Day ($45) and Saturday or Sunday only ($30/each) passes available. Kids under 10 are free with an adult pass and they accept cash only.
The organizers of GeekGirlCon are already looking for a place to host 2012’s event as the current one won’t be available then. Here’s hoping we’re able to make it out next year and let us know how it went!
