Before the Cons, a salute to Ada Lovelace and to this, her day. This was a woman who wrote software in the first half of the 1800’s for Charles Babbage’s Difference Engine, and wrote the world first algorithm, thereby becoming the worlds first computer programmer.
The World Horror Convention takes place from the 25th to the 28th in Brighton, England. You can not get in unless you already have your ticket, because it is completely sold out. This is possibly related to the fact that this is the first time ever that this convention is being held in Europe.
In North America, Wizard World, the Toronto Comic Con, runs from the 26th to the 28th. This is Canada’s monster Comics and Collectibles event, second only to the San Diego insanity. Meanwhile, Comicpalooza will be performing a similar function in Houston, TX. Just take a quick peek at the guest list, which is huge; actors, artists, and authors galore… and that’s just the A’s.
I-Con 29 is a general Sci-Fi con, but huge; again, a glimps of the guest list will give you a feel for the scope of this event. This one takes place at Stony Brook University, in Long Island, NY.
Pax East is a Gamer Con running this weekend in Boston. I am not much of a gamer (I’m usually the guy they send out first so they can spot the snipers when they take me out), but I would be there for the music alone! Nerdcore Godfather MC Frontalot, the orchestral VGO, the hacked hardware of Anamanaguchi, and many more. If you hadn’t already guessed, PAX stands for Penny Arcade Expo, which usually hangs out on the west coast.
Perhaps the most unusual Con of the month is Xanadu Las Vegas, a Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Fetish Convention. Only in that city would you have a Masquerade dedicated to the memory of Forrest J. Ackerman (who along with his date wore the first costumes to a Sci-Fi Con ever in 1939), and judged by an Adult Film Star who is also the con GoH; and only in this city would you have a Masquerade where the wearing of an actual Mask is against the law (Nevada State Law prohibits the wearing of any face covering in any casino, and you will be arrested forthwith). This one looks like a world of fun and CONtradiction.