2013 marked another successful year of growth for GeekGirlCon as the organizers put on yet another great show for attendees of the event. TwoOhSix.com was on hand to cover a few of the panels and to capture some of the amazing costumes worn by guests of all ages.
First up on my Saturday schedule was The Psychology of Cosplay: Culture, Consent, and Misconceptions, a panel featuring cosplayers Chaka Cumberbatch, Jessica Merizan, and Kimi Hughes. The panel was hosted by clinical psychologist and cosplayer Andrea Letamendi. All four ladies had some very strong opinions on just what it means to cosplay and how gender, race, and other factors can influence people's perception of who a cosplayer really is.
I was most impressed with the general consensus by the panel and the audience when it came to defining exactly what cosplay means. After showing a series of slides featuring people in various costumes in all different types of settings, the majority of people in the room agreed that if someone believes they are participating in cosplay then no one can tell the differently. It really is up to the individual to define what it is they are trying to accomplish in this fun world of make believe and there really are no hard and fast rules...just maybe a few guidelines.
One of the really fun parts about this convention is that there was literally something fun going on everywhere at any given time. You could sit in on one of several panels constantly going on throughout the day, or you could wander through the exhibitor hall, the artist alley, and the game room all of which were filled with a ton of stuff to see, interact with, and even purchase. Even as you walked down a hall, through a lobby, or down an escalator you were bound to see something going on.
In the photo below, you can see how a mini concert popped up in a corner of the main floor lobby featuring GeekGirlCon musical guests The Double Clicks and Molly Lewis.
Even after most of the activities had wrapped up on Saturday evening, there were still a few panels to check out and so my friend and I chose to check out Where No Man has Gone Before, a Star Trek themed improv show put on by some very talented local improvisers. After taking a few suggestions from the audience on where to take the story, we were all transported to the bridge of the Enterprise where a non stop barrage of off the cuff comedy was thrown our way.
After the hilarious improv show came to a close, we stuck around to watch the Imaginary Friends web series panel which was created by TrashTaco Productions. The panel featured series creators and stars Amy Mayes, Katherine Jett, Andre Nelson, Thom Morgan, Monika Holm, and Sara Porkalob. These local artists have truly created something uniquely Seattle and so much fun. Click the image below to go to the TwoOhSix.com "Web Series Spotlight" on Imaginary Friends.
The one panel I was able to attend on Sunday was Star Wars: More than a Boys Franchise featuring Amy Ratcliffe, Linda Hansen Raj, Meg Humphrey, and Lisa Granshaw. The panel was hosted by Tricia Barr who is well known in the community for her vast knowledge of Star Wars as well as her own website, fangirlblog.com.
Trust me when I tell you that these ladies know what they are talking about when it comes to the galaxy far, far away and they covered a lot of ground concerning topics like the perception of Star Wars only being for boys as well as how female Star Wars fans are able to deal with so called gatekeepers of the fan community that might look down on a woman showing any interest in Star Wars.
I learned a lot about the fan community from these four ladies and their unique perspective on what it means to be a Star wars fan. I was even able to ask a question during the Q&A portion of the panel about how the upcoming movies might affect the expanded universe material that already exists. Meg Humphrey, who is also a valued member of the GeekGirlCon staff, had the perfect response when she stated how, no matter which direction story wise the movies might go, it will not have any effect on how much she has enjoyed and will continue to enjoy the rich universe that has been created over the years.
So much cool stuff yet I wish there had been time for more. Fortunately, GeekGirlCon has already announced that they will be back next year and have set October 11th and 12th as the dates for 2014's event. You can even buy tickets already by clicking HERE.
The link takes you to the official GeekGirlCon ticket page which is powered by Brown Paper Tickets. In the meantime, check out our GeekGirlCon photostream below to check out some of the amazing costumes and a few of the vendor tables and artists that caught our attention over the course of the weekend.
Thank you GeekGirlCon for putting on such an amazing show and we look forward to seeing an even bigger and better event next year!
About GeekGirlCon:
GeekGirlCon is an organization that works to empower women and girls to pursue their passions—whether they love science and technology, comics, literature, gaming, or anything else. GeekGirlCon’s largest event is a two-day convention that gives female geeks and their supporters the opportunity to build a community, share facts and fandom, and learn how they can help promote the role of women and other underrepresented groups in geek culture. The organization, led by an all-volunteer staff, also brings people together through social media and events in the Greater Seattle area. Learn more at www.geekgirlcon.com. Follow GeekGirlCon on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.
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