PROGRAMMING: New Ideas!

Balticon 40 will feature continuous multi-track programming throughout the 4-day weekend--(last year we had 300+ hours of program and intend to do it again this year)--plus fixed functions such as Art show, Dealers Room, Computer Gaming Room etc... Our goal is to reawaken the sense of wonder that originally brought you to SF/F. We constantly seek ideas from fan clubs and news-groups and conduct brain-storm sessions to generate fresh new topics and "twisted" spins on old ideas. The excitement in our program committee this year is dramatic and just a little scary, but in a good way. Down with boring panels--up with the new reformed Balticon panels!

Panel discussions with SF professionals (writers, artists, agents, etc.), informal discussions among devoted fans, skill demonstrations, readings and performances are included. Every cultural art form related to Science fiction and fantasy will be brought out, dusted off and given a beautiful shine through our interactive program.

SCHEDULE:

The preliminary schedule for the Main Tent is ready. This schedule is subject to change without notice (no schedule is final til the Dead Dog Party). We will continue to update this schedule, and the rest of the programming schedule, as it develops.

POCKET PROGRAM

At last, what you've all been waiting for! Here are the goodies we've managed to pull together for you! This PDF file is actually the most recent version of the Pocket Program, after some errors were found on the Saturday and Sunday grids right *after* we went to press. So just print those pages and you should be set. Until the next little unexpected schedule change, that is!

Preliminary Main Tent/GOH Schedule

FRIDAY

Main Tent

Other Activities

8:30 pm

Opening Ceremonies

 

9:00 pm

 

Meet the Participants

10:00 pm

Ego Likeness concert

 

11:00 pm

Movie: "Director's Cut"

 

SATURDAY

Main Tent

Other Activities

11:00 am

GoH Collaboration Panel

 

12:30 pm

Artist GoH: Lisa Snellings-Clark (introduced by Neil Gaiman)

 

2:00 pm

Neil Gaiman/Peter S. Beagle Panel

 

3:30 pm

Special GoH: Gene Wolfe (introduced by Lisa Snellings-Clark)

 

5:00 pm

 

Neil Gaiman/Peter S. Beagle Signing

9:00 pm

Masquerade

 

SUNDAY

Main Tent

Other Activities

11:00 am

Neil Gaiman/Gene Wolfe Panel

 

12:30 pm

Live Theater

 

2:00 pm

GoH: Neil Gaiman (introduced by Lisa Snellings-Clark)(90 minutes)

 

3:30 pm

 

Goth Makeover with Malena

4:00 pm

Peter S. Beagle concert

 

7:00 pm

 

Klingon Feast

8:00 pm

Music GoH: Lorraine a' Malena

 

9:00 pm

Sunday Film Festival

 

MONDAY

Main Tent

Other Activities

10:00 am

Previews

Peter S. Beagle Kaffeklatsch

11:00 am

Mirrormask (introduced by Neil Gaiman)

 

1:00 pm

 

Gene Wolfe Kaffeklatsch

2:00 pm

 

Lisa Snellings-Clark Kaffeklatsch

LITERARY:

Balticon program participants with qualifications as authors, editors and publishers will explore varied themes in SF literature through panel debates, author readings and personal autograph session interaction. Everything from philosophical debates, story crafting tips, publishing advice, science speculation and historical perspectives will flow. Reviewers and Fan group officers will review and discuss work and its place in the genre to help you find new literature suited to your taste. Multiple literary program tracks make this the core of Balticon programming.

Writers Workshop:

This year, the topic for the Balticon Writers' Workshop is:
"What's the Big Idea?" What are you trying to say with your story, and how?

Poetry:

Co-sponsored by the Baltimore Science Fiction Society and The Lite Circle, Inc., a Baltimore-based nonprofit literary organization, poetry programming explores the arena of verse from inspiration and writing to submitting for publication and an overview of small press publishing. There will be a poetry workshop and a poetry reading featuring winners of the Balticon 39 SF Poetry contest as well as an open reading. To participate either e-mail poetry@balticon.org or check the Poetry Track/Workshop box on the registration form.

Enter the Balticon 40 SF Poetry Contest!
  • Entries should address the themes of science fiction/fantasy/science.
  • 1st prize: $50; 2nd prize: $30; 3rd prize: $20.
  • Winners will receive a cash prize, convention membership and be invited to read their winning entries at Balticon 40. Winning entries will be published in the BSFAN, the Balticon souvenir book. Attendance at Balticon is NOT required to win.
  • Limit: 3 poems/person, maximum 32 lines each.
  • No entry fee.
  • Deadline: Mailed entries must be postmarked and e-mail entries received by April 15, 2006. Please include your name, address, phone & e-mail address and a brief bio with your entry.
  • Entries may be e-mailed to poetry@bsfs.org or mailed to "Balticon 40 Poetry Contest," c/o BSFS, PO Box 686, Baltimore, MD 21203 or c/o Lite, PO Box 26162, Baltimore, MD 21210.

COSTUME PROGRAMMING:

An entire track of costume programming with items of interest to beginners and experienced alike. Learn how to create an exterior casing that reflects your soul or at least your sense of humor.

ART PROGRAMMING:

Learn and enjoy art techniques and tips demonstrated by many artists. Bring your sketch book for hands on sessions.

Join Halla's Balticon Sketch Club

Be a real center of attention! Don some interesting garb or come as you are. Bring your sketch book, practice drawing real live people and/or take a turn at modeling. Artists and models had so much fun at last year's sessions that we've added more to the schedule this year. Join us for one or for all.

SCIENCE PROGRAMMING:

Balticon's incredibly diverse and ambitious science program will feature new program participants:

James Garvin, NASA chief Scientist; Dr. Michael , Baltimore Zoo & Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project; Dr. Mario Livio, award winning scientist, JHU, - The Equation That Couldn't be solved; John Seyjagat of the National Aquarium in Baltimore-Bat expert; Dr. Robert Fischell inventor of the insulin pump and medical stent and holder of 200 total patents!; Dr. Sommer Gentry, math professor at US Naval Academy with Dr. Dorry Segev, Johns Hopkins Transplant surgeon-discovered algorithm to help match organ donors with recipients.

Returning science program participants:

Dr. Carey Lisse. UMCP on the Further Adventures of "Deep Impact";Dr. Robert Katz, Professor of Anesthesiology; Robin Vaughn, APL on NASA's Horizon and other mission's update; Dr. thomas Holtz., Vertebrate Paleontologist, Dept.of Geology Director, Earth, Life & Time Program, U.of MD., on Dinosaurs!; Noam Izenburg, JHU-APL (MESSENGER: looking back at Earth (and Moon), and forward to Venus and Mercury" ); Andrew E.Love , Navigation Systems / Electrical Engineer at JH-APL JHU-APL; Dr. Yoji Kondo, Goddard on his view of science of the era; Dr. Matthew Abrams, Aberdeen Proving Ground; H. Paul Shuch a.k.a. Dr. SETI on SETI; Tim Livengood of Mars Society with Bob Terry; Brent Warner - updates his Cryogenics science exhibit for scientists of all ages; Dr. Kratz will lead a Star viewing Party on Saturday night with telescopes.

Give us your desired topic suggestions at science@balticon.org.

YOUNG FANS

Games, projects and stories for children ages 4-12 to inspire your kids to appreciate the convention experience. This is not daycare; parents retain full responsibility for children during this program. Kids will put on a skit play, have their own filk, learn to draw from an artist, hunt for treasure, hear Silly Interactive Stories, build with legos and have great fun!

FILK:

There will be panels, workshops, concerts and music Friday through Sunday. Check out the Internet newsgroup rec.music.filk for more details, e-mail filk@balticon.org or check the filk box on the registration form.

GUESTS:

We will be updating our participant list on the web as we get more responses, so keep checking back!

Abrams, Dr. Matthew (Science)
Ackley-McPhail, Danielle (Literary) http://www.sidhenadaire.com
Adams, Jason (Literary) http://www.randomsignal.com
Aiken, Brad (Literary, Science) http://www.BradAiken.com
Ashmead, John (Science)
Axelrod, Jared (Literary, Podcasting) http://planetx.libsyn.com
Balder, Robert (Literary) http://www.robbalder.com
Barrientos, Brick (Literary)
Batchelor, Dr. David (Science)
Beagle, Peter S. (Literary) http://www.conlanpress.com/youcanhelp/
Blackwell, J. R. (Literary, Podcasting) http://www.365tomorrows.com/
Brahen, Marylin "Mattie" (Literary)
Bray, Patricia (Literary)
Browning, Michelle (Science)
Buehler, Robin M. (Literary) http://www.authorsden.com/robinmariebuehler
Burke, Stephanie (Literary) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FlameKeeper/join
Capobianco, Michael (Literary) http://mysite.verizon.net/michaelcapobianco Clough, Brenda W. (Literary) http://www.sff.net/people/Brenda/
Cipra, Carl (Literary)
Cragg, Dan (Literary)
Cranfield, Dr. Michael (Science)
Crispin, Ann C. (Literary) www.accrispin.com
D'Ambrosio, Michael (Literary) http://www.fracturedtime.com
de Guardiola, Susan Literary, Costuming http://www.blank.org/susan
Easton, Tom (Science)
Edelman, Scott (Literary) http://www.scottedelman.com/
Ehrlich, Karl (Literary)
Eley, Stephenl (Podcasting) http://www.escapepod.org/
Edwards-Hewitt, Terilee (Literary) 
Fischell, Dr. Robert (Science)
Fratz, D. Douglas (Science, Literary)
Gaiman, Neil (Literary) www.neilgaiman.com
Garland, Lorraine (Music) www.lorraineamalena.com
Garwood, Haley Elizabeth (Literary)
Gentry, Sommer (Science)
Gilliland, Charles D. (Literary, Fandom)
Graper, Brad aka Admiral B'urad (Fandom) http://ikbf.homestead.com
Hemry, John G. /Campbell, Jack (Literary) http://www.sff.net/people/john-g-hemry/
Henderson, C.J. (Literary)
Hevel, Gary (Science)
Holtz, Jr., Dr. Thomas R. (Science) http://www.geol.umd.edu/~tholtz/
Izenberg, Noam (Science)
Jeschonek, Robert T. (Literary) www.robertjeschonek.com
Kaese, Kory (Literary, Gaming) http://www.mysticstation.com
Katz, Dr. Robert I. (Science, Literary)
Kondo, Dr. Yoji (Science)/Kotani, Eric (Literary)
Kratman, Tom (Literary)
Kratz, David (Science)
Lafferty, Mur (Literary, Gaming, Podcasting) http://www.geekfuactiongrip.com
Lamplighter, L. Jagi (Literary)
Larson, Grig "Punkie" (Fandom, Technology)
Lazzaro, Joe (Science)
Leacock, Dina A. (Literary)
Levinson, Paul (Literary)
Lilley, Ernest (Literary)
Lilly, Nathan E. (Literary) 
Lisse, Dr. Carey (Science)
Livengood, Dr. Timothy A. (Science)
Love, Andrew E. (Science, Literary)  http://groups.msn.com/AndysUsingScienceFictionForEducationPage/
Lovett, Richard A. (Literary) 
McCabe, Joe (Literary) author of Hanging Out with the Dream King: Interviews with Neil Gaiman and His Collaborators
McDermott, Will (Literary) www.willmcdermott.com
McLean, Patrick (Podcasting, Literary) www.theseanachai.com
McNally, Clayton L. (Literary) www.clmcnally.com
McPhail, Mike (Gaming, Literary) http://www.sidhenadaire.com
Mayhew, Bill (Literary, Childrens)
Meskys, Edmund R. (Literary)
Morris, Tee (Literary, Podcasting) www.teemorris.com
Newton, Earl (Literary, Podcasting) www.southernronin.com
Pederson, Michael (Literary, Fandom) www.nthzine.com
Prellwitz, Peter W. (Literary) http://ShardsUniverse.net
Raymond, Eric S. (Literary)
Ridenour, Ray (Literary)
Ruggiero, Tony (Literary) http://www.tonyruggiero.com
Sakers, Don (Literary)
Schoen, Lawrence M. (Literary)
Schweitzer, Darrell (Literary)
Seyjagat, John (Science)
Sherman, David (Literary) www.novelier.com
Sherman, Josepha (Literary)
Shuch, H. Paul (Science)
Sigfrit, Rich (Podcasting) www.requiemoftheoutcast.com
Siler Jones, Tamara (Literary)
Silverman, Hildy (Literary, Fandom)
Sneed, Vince (Literary) www.diemonsterdie.com
Snellings-CLark, Lisa (Art) www.lisasnellingsgallery.com
Snyder, Maria (Literary) 
Sparhawk, Bud (Literary)
Stemple, Adam (Literary, Music) http://www.adamstemple.com/
Stidman, Thomas (Literary) 
Stiles, Elaine (Fandom)
Stiles, Steve (Fandom) http://www.stevestiles.com/index.html
Strauss, Victoria (Literary) www.victoriastrauss.com
Teves, Malena (Music) www.lorraineamalena.com
Terry, Bob (Science)
Thomas, Marshall S. (Literary) www.soldierofthelegion.com
Vaughn, Eve (Literary) www.evevaughn.com
Vaughn, Robin (Science)
Ward, Joy (Literary) www.joyward.net
Warner, Brent (Science)
Wallace, Sean (Literary)
Watt-Evans, Lawrence (Literary)
Weinstein, Diane (Literary, Fandom)
White, Richard C. (Literary) www.nightwolfgraphics.com
Whitesides, George (Science)
Wilson, Den (Literary)
Wilson, Steve (Literary, Podcasting) http://www.prometheusradiotheatre.com
Wolfe, Gene (Literary) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_Wolfe
Wooster, Martin Morse (Literary)
World, J. Andrew (Literary)
Wright, John C. (Literary)





All materials copyright © 2005 Baltimore Science Fiction Society, Inc., unless otherwise noted.