The Parsec Awards, a "Celebration of Speculative Fiction Podcasting," were established in 2006, dedicated to rewarding excellence in various aspects of Speculative Fiction Podcasting—available for both Sci-fi & Fantasy Original Content, podiobooks, and a variety of other categories dealing with the new frontiers of Portable Media.

Saturday night, artists gathered in excited anticipation for the Art Show awards, presented by celebrated artist Todd Lockwood. The awards consisted of three categories: the Special Awards (people’s choice), the Treasure Chest Charity Art Project (the charity art project), and the Juried Awards.

Artist Don Maitz, who judged the treasure chests, could not attend because he was currently judging the Dawn Look-alike contest. A member of the audience joked that Maitz was judging “another kind of chest.”

And the winners of the 2007 Dragon*Con Independent Film Festival are:
Best Short Film: "Jakob and the Angels"
Best Animated Film: "Operation: Fish"
Honorable Mention: "Thanksgiving with the Kranzes" 

Even Master of Ceremonies Eric L. Watts’s spirited performance of “Hey, Miss Klingon” could not overshadow the political message of the newly-crowned 2007 Miss Klingon Empire, VarkNa B’traughh (Valerie Rice): the Klingon campaign to conquer Earth. “We must save the humans from their biggest enemies–themselves.”

The pageant opened with “Klingon Rhapsody,” accompanied by two trembling, red-shirted Federation security guards. Only one guard appeared as a captive during the event, running errands and pouring water at a Klingon warrior’s …

Why I love Dragon*Con: 67 beautiful women (and one man) onstage in costumes ranging from elaborate to barely existent where, as contestant Athena said, “Attitude is more important than the costume.”

Snapshot impressions of the costumes in the 10th Annual Dawn Look-ALike Contest include “Best Armor” winner Gayle Klar’s carbon dioxide powered wings that opened and flapped at the push of buttons, cleverly concealed in her palm; the Yaya Hahn-designed black feather wings of contest winner Ruby Rocket that floated and swirled in seeming defiance of gravity; a stunning multitude of snaps, velcro, and Goddess magic that allowed Aurora Celeste’s dress to tear away on stage to reveal the Goddess within; as well as Dawn brought to the world of Chinese opera by Jamila Sisco, the forest by Jennifer Ofunne, the speakeasies of Prohibition-era America by Sarah, and a Dawn of the Dead worthy of George Romero by Gayle Grant.

“If you call him Shrek, he’ll beat you senseless.” —Bryan Thompson, King of the Trolls (as quoted by Grant Imahara)

The Masquerade is a bittersweet moment at Dragon*Con. It’s always a fantastic show, arguably the best at Dragon*Con, and this year was no different. Masters of Ceremony Grant Imahara and Kari Byron from the Discovery Channel’s Mythbusters were among the best that have ever served in that position, with quips and reactions that will be long remembered in the annals of the convention. The costumes themselves were, as always, incredible, and the 501st evictions few.

Director Marilee Coughlin and her crack staff have once again put on a good show.

And yet, the Masquerade marks the climax of the convention. Every concert or panel brings us that much closer to the moment where we must leave the Paradiso Geek and return to our lives beyond.

And the winners are:

Best in Show: "Kata Mari" by Carey Cauther, Shannon Pochrom, Madalyn Ayer, & Amanda Ayer
Most Popular Man: "Monkey of Steel" by Jonathan Carroll
Most Popular Woman: "Miss Kitty" by Mandy Cowart
Best Group, Heroes & Villains: "Pirates Group" by Pete Simpson