’23 Panels/Events

Alexander, Coutts, and Cruz: Driven by Passion

Alexander, Coutts, and Cruz: Driven by Passion

Brian Richardson welcomed Ian Alexander, Emily Coutts, and Wilson Cruz to the Marriott Atrium Friday at 11:30AM for a Q&A that allowed each actor the opportunity to explore and reflect upon their passions and interests. While the actors share much in common, including their work together in episodic television, they had very different views on Dungeons and Dragons. While working… Read more →

George Takei on Citizenship and Understanding

Garrett Wang welcomed George Takei to a packed Marriott Atrium ballroom at 2:30PM Friday for an hour of recollection and reflection. Takei was in outstanding form and the members were treated to a fascinating hour. Born in Los Angeles before World War II, Takei was 5 years old when Japan attacked the United States at Pearl Harbor. His family, though… Read more →

Some Old Stories Are Not So Family-Friendly

On Friday at 1PM, the “Mythology in Popular Culture” panel took place in the Hilton Galleria 6 and aired on DC Digital Media’s Twitch channel. Right at the start, M.C. Williams of the Myths Your Teacher Hated podcast promised that the panel would stay kid-safe. (He also emphasized that the podcast, though a similar type of show, was very much… Read more →

Tips for Creating with a Neurodivergent Brain

Do you find yourself stuck in a constant battle with your brain while you try to do what you love (or what pays the bills)? Whether you’re a diagnosed neurodivergent or just feeling overwhelmed by life, a group of creative folks—Bethany Brookshire, Catieosaurus, HeyGude, Sue Kisenwether, and Alex Smith—who know what that feels like gathered on Friday evening at 7PM… Read more →

It Has Pockets!

How many things can you carry in two hands at once at the Con? The list can be endless! This prepaid workshop on Friday, Sept. 1 at 10:30AM at the Mart2 203E was designed for the beginner at sewing and anyone who has need for even more pockets! Asta Darling, the instructor for this class, was wonderfully patient and encouraging…. Read more →

Building a Generation Ship? It’s a Bad Idea!

A generation ship is an interstellar ship designed to travel at sub-light speed, taking hundreds or thousands of years to reach nearby starts. According to the panelists of the “Let’s Build a Generation Ship!” panel, the technical difficulties, not to mention the complications of human psychology, would leave such a voyage riddled with risk. This thought-provoking panel on the Science… Read more →

The Things Fungus Can Do

The Things Fungus Can Do

A panel of fungus enthusiasts gathered Friday at 11:30AM in Hilton 209-211 to discuss our mushroomy friends and what they can do for us—and against us. The panel included a science writer and several educators as well as a dentist, though none of them could answer the very first question: What is a fungus? It’s not because of a lack… Read more →

The Wit and Wisdom of Samwise Gamgee

The High Fantasy track at Dragon Con launched its 2023 schedule in the track room (Marriott L401-403) Friday at 10AM with an examination of moderator Jim Wert’s favorite Lord of the Rings character: Samwise Gamgee. Joining Jim were Alicia Fox-Lentz, Violette Meier, and Frank Morin. Ranging from representations of Sam across media and film, to the complexities of his character… Read more →