This panel was held in the Hyatt Baker room on Friday morning. The guest speakers were Mark Gunn, Leslie Fish, Andrew McKey, Michelle, and Tom Smith. From the start, these musicians were comical, demonstrating how the filking community is more than a gathering; it’s family.

This panel explained what filking is. Its origins started in 1936, and it had evolved to a genre of folk music geared to science fiction/fantasy fans. As Leslie stated, “It’s folk music of the future.”

Andrew broke it down a little more. He explained filking to be either dependent, based on something you would have to know the background of for the song to make sense, or independent. This is a style where the premise is explained somewhere in the song.

After some discussion, Tom delighted the audience with a song, which this reporter cannot get out of her head. Thanks, Tom.

Truly, filking is something that all con-goers need to experience and enjoy.