Culture Shock: Bubonicon, Steampunk Style

Bubonicon, Steampunk Style

Summer Olsson
\
2 min read
Share ::
A totally killer schedule is in place for Albuquerque’s annual, homegrown festival of science fiction and fantasy. The theme of this year’s convention is steampunk, which we at the Alibi are crazy about [Feature, “Full Steam Ahead,” July 21-27]. There’s a costume contest on Saturday night, a discussion on “Steampunk Definitions: More Than Victorian Clothing,” a make-and-take workshop with gears, and vendors selling corsets, cloaks and all the other bits and bobs to fulfill your mechanical-wonder needs.

But there’s much more. Nineteen panels over three days include gems like “Zombies, Angels and Werewolves, Oh My: Future Trends,” “I Know It When I See it: What Exactly is Science Fiction?” and “Beyond the Goddess & the Whore: Dynamic Female Characters.” Each has three or four guest speakers, predominantly popular sci-fi and fantasy authors, such as
Darynda Jones, John Maddox Roberts, Jane Lindskold and festival guest of honor Stephen Leigh, aka S.L. Farrell. A cherry on top of the dozens of artists hosted at Bubonicon this year is George R.R. Martin. The author of the series A Song of Ice and Fire —which includes A Game of Thrones, the basis for the hit HBO show—will speak solo on Friday, then with sci-fi artist John Picacio on Saturday. Martin will also participate in a mass signing on Saturday.

Even if you haven’t read George R.R. Martin, Bubonicon promises to be spectacular. With hordes of celebrants running around in fantasy costumes, games to play, books to thumb through, workshops to take and even movies to see, there’s a little something for everyone. Sunday culminates in the
Green Slime Awards, given to films, books and TV shows for total terribleness.

Festival producers say they’re sure the event will sell out, so if you have your heart set on any one workshop or speaker, get your ticket in advance (or get there really early in the morning).

And keep your eyes peeled for info on the
Alibi’s steampunk party in the fall!-

Bubonicon 43: Science Fiction & Fantasy Convention

Aug. 26 through 28

Friday, 3 p.m. to midnight

Saturday, 9 a.m. to midnight

Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sheraton Albuquerque Airport Hotel

2910 Yale SE

Tickets: $15 Friday, $25 Saturday, $15 Sunday. Weekend passes $40 advance, $45 at the door.

bubonicon.com

1 2 3 234

Search