This- Has- GOT- To- Be- Pretty- Close- Yet- Is- STILL- Subject- To- Change- Even- Though- It's- Just- A- Week- Before- The- Con- Here- We- Go- Program Schedule

"Electronic Edition; Worth The Paper It's Written On"

Friday, March 3, 2006:
4:00 - 5:00 p.m.	Deimos	And Then the Con Blew Up!
	Avoiding catastrophes, real or imagined, while planning and executing a convention.


4:00 - 5:00 p.m.	Krushenko's	Panel: Ideas That Go Bump in the Night
	Kelly McCullough writes, "Many of my story ideas start with images or situations from dreams. This occasionally means getting up at three a.m. and writing. It also means learning how to convert dream into fiction. Let's discuss the interface between dream and inspiration."
		Kelly McCullough, mod.; Walter H. Hunt, Ruth Berman, Kathy Sullivan

5:00 - 6:00 p.m.	Re(a)d Mars	Panel or Discussion: The Allure of Darkness
	Sometimes when you're writing or reading a villain you find yourself in dire need of a shower. Sometimes you're fascinated by the evil within. Sometimes both. What makes a villain compelling.
		Kelly McCullough, mod.

5:00 - 6:00 p.m.	Krushenko's	Panel or Discussion: Ed Wood Went Bump in the Night
	On the works and interesting/silly life of Edward D. Wood, Jr. (1924-1978), writer/director of such delightfully awful films as Glen or Glenda, Bride of the Monster, and Plan Nine from Outer Space.
		Michael Morley, mod.

5:00 - 7:00 p.m.	Deimos	Animals that Go Bump in the Night
	Minnesota's own "Bat Lady", Stephanie Reynolds, is a certified bat educator who will share the realities of the so-called menace of the night skies.
		Stephanie Reynolds

5:00 - 6:00 p.m.	Phobos	Comparing Rocks on Earth to Rocks on the Moon and Mars
	Roger Carlson is a Science Teacher for the Mahtomedi Schools. He has given several workshops for the MN DNR Lands & Minerals Division for educators and has received rave reviews.
		Roger Carlson

6:00 - 7:00 p.m.	Phobos	On-line Comics: The Future of Visual Humor
	Discussion of on-line comics vs newspaper and magazine comics.
		Mickie Erickson, Tom Erickson, Jennifer Steadman, Whitestar Phoenix

6:00 - 7:00 p.m.	Re(a)d Mars	Fiction Reading: Paula L. Fleming



7:00 - 8:00 p.m.	Main Stage	Opening Ceremonies
	A fine, old convention tradition. Meet the convention committee and the guests, and start the convention off with a bang.


8:00 - 9:00 p.m.	Main Stage	Friday Night Improv with Dean Haglund
	Clean enough for all ages and smart enough to satisfy even the sharpest technophile, Dean's one-hour shows are quick-witted, fast-paced, and always a complete surprise, especially to Dean! Join him Friday night at 8:00 pm at the Main Stage as he recreates an X-Files episode on the spot using audience participation and his own unique brand of improv comedy. Tickets to the event are $10.75 via PayPal (the $.75 covers transaction fees). They can be purchased on-line by registered con attendees or bundled with a convention membership, and will be available for pick-up on Friday at Dean's table. Tickets may also be purchased for $10.00 at Dean's table the day of the show. Please note: People attending the show must be registered for the convention and must present a con badge and ticket for admission.


8:00 - 9:00 p.m.	Ballroom Foyer	Autograph Sessions: Gigi Edgley, Paul Lawrence



8:00 - 9:00 p.m.	Re(a)d Mars	Panel: Spirituality in Stories
	It appears to be both a dangerous topic and yet fascinating to just about everyone. Can a character be sustained if there are no hidden beliefs, no deeper connections to his or her world? What is spirituality versus religion? How does the presence or absence of either make for a better story? Can you have religion in space after you've "touched the face of god"? What about those Earth-based beliefs, if you don't have any world to stand on?
		Ruth Souther, mod.; Walter H. Hunt, P M F Johnson, Naomi Kritzer, Rebecca Marjesdatter, Lyda Morehouse

8:00 - 9:00 p.m.	Deimos	International Space Station Update
	The International Space Station, the largest cooperative program in history, combines the resources of 16 nations in scientific research. Get the latest information on the program.
		Ben Huset, Minnesota Space Frontier Society

8:00 - 9:00 p.m.	Phobos	USS Behrak Award Ceremony
	The crew of the USS Behrak invites you to join us in our annual awards ceremony as we recognize crew members who strive to make the future a better one in accordance with the ideals established by Gene Roddenberry in a Star Trek universe. Food, fun, honor, recognition, glory - you get the idea!
		USS Behrak

8:30 - 10:30 p.m.	Masquerade Lounge	Wigs
	Hands on demonstration on wig care and construction.
		Elizabeth Sloan

9:00 - 10:00 p.m.	Main Stage	Inside Star Trek
	Paul Lawrence spent six years on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine--three of them freelance and three as the Key 2nd Assistant Director. Join him for some stories from behind-the-scenes in Hollywood.
		Paul Lawrence

9:00 - 10:00 p.m.	Ballroom Foyer	Autograph Session: Dean Haglund



9:00 - 10:00 p.m.	Re(a)d Mars	Panel: Take a Plot and Make it Real
	Your characters may be fabulous, but if you put them into contrived, unbelievable circumstances, you will lose your reader every time. Consistency, knowing the texture, tastes, and smells of your world, weaving the fabric of your plot into the lives of your characters as the background rather than slapping the reader with it.
		Ruth Souther, mod.; Walter H. Hunt, Paula L. Fleming, Kelly McCullough, Kathy Sullivan, Doug Hulick

9:00 - 10:00 p.m.	Deimos	Space Update
	An update on all things spaceflight technology - what happened this year, what is planned for the future. We will have probes en route to both Mercury and Pluto by then!
		Kent Nebergall

9:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.	Krushenko's	Things That Go Bump in the Night Party
	Hosted by Arcana, "A Convention of the Dark Fantastic," the 36th edition of which will be held September 29-October 1 in the Holiday Inn Express -- Bandana Square, St Paul, with GOH David G. Hartwell


9:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.	Art Show	Artist Reception
	In an effort to bring more people into the Art Show, we are continuing our new tradition of an Artists' Reception, that is based on an elegant tradition in art galleries and other convention art shows around the country. We are inviting all artists and fans of the Art Show to join us for some refreshments, and spend a lovely, relaxed evening with all the resident local artists who contribute to our Art Show and also attend MarsCon. Our Artist Guest of Honor, Beth Hansen, will also be attending this event. The reception effectively takes the place of the Art Show Tour. Artists and art lovers alike will have a time to look over the artwork in the art show and just talk about it and do some casual critiquing. It will be a wonderful opportunity for fans of science-fiction/fantasy art to meet some of the artists, and possibly for the artists to meet their most loyal patrons.


10:00 - 11:30 p.m.	Phobos	UFOs and Close Encounters
	What is a UFO and what is a close encounter? Are we being contacted? If so, who are our mysterious visitors from the sky? A look at some interesting UFO and close encounter cases and some of the prevailing themes observed in the investigation of UFO abduction.
		Craig R. Lang, MUFON

10:00 - 11:00 p.m.	Re(a)d Mars	Panel: Van Helsing's Heirs
	Are Slayers and hunters heroes or villains? Why do the vamps and other critters often win in the end? And how do you accessorize for a staking if you're not Sarah Michelle Gellar?
		Catherine Lundoff, mod.; Lyda Morehouse

10:00 p.m.	Karaoke Joe's Cafe	Friday Night Karaoke



10:00 p.m.	Thirteenth & Twelfth Floors	Friday Night Party Judging



10:30 - 11:30 p.m.	Masquerade Lounge	Masquerade 101
	Tips and advice on how to enter a masquerade from former contestants and judges.
		Rae Lundquist

10:45 - 11:30 p.m.	Main Stage	Possum Willy Concert
	Hear the band that supersedes all boundaries of Musical Thought. A band that has embraced and catapulted all sonic frequency aspects of emotion, from happy to whimsical, from pensive to aggressive. Sadness and Bitterness and every other trait of human being emotion has been absorbed into the Psyche of the Gods of Possum Willy.


11:00 p.m.	Re(a)d Mars	Friday Night Filking



11:00 - Midnight	Deimos	The Exploration of Mars for Calcite & Hematite
	Roger Carlson is a Science Teacher for the Mahtomedi Schools. He has given several workshops for the MN DNR Lands & Minerals Division for educators and has received rave reviews.
		Roger Carlson

11:30 p.m. - Sat. apx 12:30 a.m.	Main Stage	The Gothsicles Concert & Dance
	Darker than darkwave. Colder than coldwave. So cold, it's frozen on a stick. The Gothsicles. Also known as "...the best gothic-industrial-nerdcore-comedy band in the multiverse..."


After Dance	Main Stage	Friday Night Drum Jam



Sat, Midnight	Phobos	Pillow Fight


Saturday, March 4, 2006:
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.	Main Stage	The Lone Gunman
	Dean Haglund is probably best known for his nine seasons playing Langly, one of the computer geeks known as "The Lone Gunmen" from the hit FOX TV series The X-Files. He also starred in The X-Files spin-off series The Lone Gunmen. His character is so popular that Haglund photo Dean is a main attraction at X-File and Sci-Fi conventions all over North America. He appears on trading cards, T-Shirts and even has his own comic book ("The Lone Gunman" published by Dark Horse Comics).
		Dean Haglund

10:00 - 11:00 a.m.	Krushenko's	Discussion: Recent Harry Potter
	Focuses on the 6th Rowling book, The Half-Blood Prince, and the 4th movie, The Goblet of Fire.
		David Lenander, mod.; sponsored by The Rivendell Group, a Twin Cities fantasy book-discussion group that has met regularly since late 1973 or early 1974.

10:00 - 11:00 a.m.	Phobos	Panel About Nothing
	Hey con goers, come one come all! This will be a panel to discuss... whatever! This is just what geeks do all the time anyway. We will discuss anything that can start out with the phrase " You know what would be really cool..." or "What if..." Come with ideas!
		Katie J. Nelson, Nathan Lalum, Brian Timm, Matt Brogmus, Larry Andrle, Todd Coss

10:00 - 11:00 a.m.	Deimos	Selling It
	Everybody and his brother seems to have a shop at Cafe Press these days. Is this the best way to move the goods when you decide to cash in on your fanish talents?
		Lyda Morehouse, Joan Marie Verba

10:00 - 11:00 a.m.	Re(a)d Mars	Presentation: Heinlein's Rules for Writing
	What can we learn about writing from the grandmaster of sci-fi? What were his own rules about writing and why was he so successful? A presentation for those interested in writing fiction and for fans of RAH.
		Dave Walbridge, presenter

10:00 a.m. - Noon	Second Floor Ballroom Foyer	Fan Faire
	Mingle with representatives from other fan clubs and organizations, and learn what's out there in fandom. All fan organizations are welcome to table from 10am to Noon. Tables are first come, first served.


11:00 a.m. - Noon	Main Stage	MarsCon: Fangs for the Memories
	What happens when a honeymooning couple, a goth Tiny Tim look-alike, and two French guys from New Orleans attend MarsCon? Humor that goes right for the jugular.
		Performance by IKV RakeHell

11:00 a.m. - Noon	Krushenko's	Panel: The Monster as Hero
	Vampires, werewolves, and demons. The darkest monsters can sometimes make the best protagonists. There's so much to work with both in terms of dark drives and room for redemption. Let's discuss the heroes of the night.
		Kelly McCullough, mod.; Lyda Morehouse, Dylan Birtolo, Doug Hulick

11:00 a.m. - Noon	Re(a)d Mars	Round-Robin Reading: Dark Poems and Stories
	Share your original short-short stories or dark poems.
		Brinn Hemmingson, host; P M F Johnson

11:00 a.m. - Noon	Phobos	Tarot: Working with Archetypes
	The patterns of the universe exist for a reason. Archetypes speak loudly and everyone recognizes them either directly or unconsciously. Use the Major and Minor Lessons of Life to enhance storylines and build better characters. You do not have to have any knowledge regarding Tarot to let the archetypes and symbolism speak.
		Ruth Souther

11:00 a.m. - Noon	Deimos	Guns of Sci-Fi
	Who needs lasers? Firefly, Battlestar Galactica, Stargate...in these visions of the future, a gun is still a gun. Discuss what guns are being used as the hottest sci-fi props and whether or not the technology will eventually evolve.
		Erik D. Pakieser, Blair Keith, Nathan Lalum, Bob Poate, Brian Timm

11:00 a.m. - Noon	Masquerade Lounge	Judges Brunch
	Lounge open for masquerade personnel only.


Noon - 1:00 p.m.	Main Stage	What the Frell?
	Gigi Edgley is an Australian actress who stole the hearts of American geeks and Sci-fi enthusiasts with her role as Chiana on Farscape, a cult science fiction TV show by the Jim Henson Company.
		Gigi Edgley

Noon - 1:00 p.m.	Krushenko's	Panel: Horror Literature 101: the 18th and 19th Centuries
	An organized but unstuffy look at early-and-middle-period classic ghost-and-horror stories, from The Castle of Otranto to Frankenstein, "The Fall of the House of Usher," "Carmilla," The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Dracula, and The Turn of the Screw. Participants are encouraged to bring recommended reading lists to pass out.
		Eric M. Heideman, mod.; Walter H. Hunt, Paula L. Fleming, Brian K. Perry

Noon - 1:00 p.m.	Re(a)d Mars	Panel or Discussion: Favorite Reader Gripes
	Are you sick of waiting for the end of the endless quest? Does the fact that the main character from book one is completely absent from book ten make you reluctant to pick up book eleven? Are the stories becoming ever more idiotic? Has the author become a little too obvious about his/her political leanings and made his/her stories a little too preachy for your tastes? Is his/her writing style simply getting on your nerves? Vent your frustration at your favorite author(s) at this panel. No author's work will be considered sacred, but be prepared to defend your assertion that Tolkien should have made Gandalf a woman.
		Nina Boenish, mod.

Noon - 1:00 p.m.	Phobos	A Songwriting Panel
	Well, since we have a whole bunch of really talented writers in a wild variety of styles, how about a songwriting panel?
		Eric Coleman, David E Romm, Rich Brown

Noon - 1:00 p.m.	Deimos	HOT TO TROT: What Should We Be Doing About Public Transportation?
	After an overview of history's experiments with Public Transportation -- from horses through stagecoaches, trains, boats, airplanes, and peeking briefly into the science-fictional future -- Ken Moses will examine the social upheavals brought about by both the automobile and the ongoing energy crises, explore the uses of and needs for public transportation, and try to pin down parameters for deciding what we should do about it. With Minnesota's official "thinking" tending toward 200-year-old conventional rail technology (including streetcars) and expansion of roads so they cover all available land, it's time to consider what other methods work in other parts of the country and the world. Environmental impact, convenience and cost to users, and even the very need for modern levels of transportation are all significant issues.
		Ken Moses

1:00 - 2:00 p.m.	Main Stage	Exploring Analogue Mars - Pisces One Expedition Report
	The Joys of Life In a Tuna Can Shaped Mars Habitat or What I Did On My Winter Vacation! Report on the adventures, misadventures and scientific research under taken by the joint Brazilian, Swedish, Canadian and American "Pisces Expedition" last winter at the Mars Desert Research Station in Hanksville, Utah.
		Ben Huset, Kent Nebergall

1:00 - 2:00 p.m.	Ballroom Foyer	Autograph Session: Gigi Edgely



1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.	Krushenko's	Panel or Discussion: A Theory of Everything -- Even SF?
	Contemporary philosopher Ken Wilber's "Integral Theory" attempts to explain everything -- science, religion, history, psychology -- in one handy color-coded diagram. But "everything" includes speculative fiction as well. What are the theory's implications for science fiction, fantasy, and horror? Can we find something that doesn't fit?
		Tycho, mod.?

1:00 - 2:00 p.m.	Re(a)d Mars	Fiction Reading: Kathy Sullivan
	Reads from her new book, Talking with Trees


1:00 - 2:00 p.m.	Deimos	By Your Command...
	Come discuss what TV Guide has hailed as the best drama on television. Not best genre show...best drama show period. We'll be talking about current and future developments of the new Battlestar Galactica series.
		Romeo Azar, Matt Savelkoul, Michael Lee, Jodie Gustafson

1:00 - 2:00 p.m.	Phobos	Classic Video Games Panel
	A panel on classic gaming, emulation vs. playing/maintaining the real systems, and why it's so hard to find Atari joysticks without teeth marks on them.
		Shoebox, Mod.; Dylan Birtolo, DarkNES, Tom Rockwell

1:00 - 2:00 p.m.	Karaoke Joe's	Basic Bellydance
	Not just beginning bellydance instruction but a celebration of movement and sound. No complicated choreography to frustrate, all body types can experience the beautiful isolations that make bellydance so popular. Last but not least, a free for all jam session to Turkish Rock Star, Tarkan.
		Ruth Souther

1:00 - 2:00 p.m.	Masquerade Lounge	Props: Build, Buy or Borrow?
	Props can make or break some costumes, also they are simply fun to collect. Come and explore different perspectives on buying them, or building your own.
		Panelists: Todd Coss, Nathan Lalum, Brian Timm

2:00 - 6:00 p.m.	Main Stage	Dementia Concert Series
	Concerts featuring Sudden Death, Eric Coleman, The Worm Quartet, Raymond and Scum, Hot Waffles and our Guest of Honor Tom Smith.


2:00 - 5:00 p.m.	Ballroom Foyer	Autograph Sessions
	Authors are invited to do signings en masse


2:00 - 4:00 p.m.	Blue Mars	Paul Lawrence on Film
	Paul presents films he created, including "UFOs, Conspiracy, Sex, or Religion?"


2:00 - 3:00 p.m.	Krushenko's	Panel: Firefly: A More Realistic Future
	Joss Whedon's Firefly brought us an extremely interesting future where we don't have space aliens and big starship battles, where character development, personal relationships, plots and adventure are far more important than special effects.
		Mithel, mod.; Walter H. Hunt, Lyda Morehouse

2:00 - 3:00 p.m.	Re(a)d Mars	Circle Story
	Watch authors mix it up as they try to create stories on the spot -- with no delete key! One writer will start, speak for two minutes, then hand off the tale to the next person, and so forth. Will the result be sublime, silly, or both? If the panelists get stuck, they may ask the audience for ideas!
		Paula L. Fleming, host; P M F Johnson, Naomi Kritzer, David E. Romm, Doug Hulick

2:00 - 3:00 p.m.	Deimos	Fantastic Plastic: Space & Science Fiction Model Building
	You've just cracked the shrink wrap on that new plastic model kit. Now the fun begins. This session will explain and demonstrate tips and techniques to help you turn those shards of plastic into a bee-yoo-tee-ful scale model.
		Roger Sorensen

2:00 - 3:30 p.m.	Karaoke Joe's	Bellydance: The Drum Solo
	Seminar in which you will learn a one-minute choreographed drum solo that is appropriate for both the more advanced dancers and those who are more or less just beginning.
		Badria

2:00 - 3:00 p.m.	Masquerade Lounge	Basic Costuming
	Are you wondering how to get started in this fun hobby? Come and ask questions, share experiences, and hear different perspectives on how to get started.
		Panelists: Todd Coss, Rae Lundquist, Katie Nelson, Elizabeth Sloan

3:00 - 4:00 p.m.	Ballroom Foyer	Autograph Session: Dean Haglund



3:00 - 4:00 p.m.	Krushenko's	Panel: Horror Literature 102: The 20th and 21st Centuries
	From M.R. James, Arthur Machen, and Algernon Blackwood to Lovecraft, Fritz Leiber, Shirley Jackson, Richard Matheson, Stephen King, Anne Rice, and beyond. Participants are encouraged to bring recommended reading lists to pass out.
		Eric M. Heideman, mod.; Brian K. Perry

3:00 - 4:00 p.m.	Re(a)d Mars	Fiction Reading: Walter H. Hunt



3:00 - 4:00 p.m.	Masquerade Lounge	Make Your Own Mask!
	Children 12 and under are invited to create your own unique look before the Masquerade. Make a mask, wear it and show it off. Supplies will be provided. Donations will be gladly accepted.
		Rae Lundquist

3:00 - 4:00 p.m.	Phobos	Your Life in the Cards - Beginning Tarot
	Learn basic Tarot in an hour. Bring a deck or use one of ours, but see past, present, and future as the Oracle unfolds before you.
		Ruth Souther

3:00 - 4:00 p.m.	Deimos	Bypassing the Government to Get to Space
	The Soviet Union sold their space program to the Chinese, and maybe others. The X-Prize has been claimed. Meanwhile, the US Space Program falters with Republican budget cuts and a risk-averse climate. How can we get into space without US government funding?
		Baron David E Romm, Rich Brown

4:00 - 5:00 p.m.	Ballroom Foyer	Autograph Session: Paul Lawrence



4:00 - 5:00 p.m.	Karaoke Joe's	Belly Dance: Veil Work
	A belly dancing seminar aimed at beginning veil work, but seeing how far we can go. Explore basic movements with veils. Note: There will be a few veils available for class usage, but participants are encouraged to please bring a veil (3 yard length of lightweight fabric) along for the class if possible. Bring extra veils if you have more to share.
		Badria

4:00 - 5:00 p.m.	Krushenko's	Panel: Paranormal Chick-Lit, Romance That Goes Bump in the Night
	Vampires, werewolves, and ghosts are getting down and dirty in this popular romance sub-genre. What's up with that? Panelists will discuss the popularity of authors like Mary Janice Davidson, Kim Harrison, and Charlaine Harris.
		Lyda Morehouse, mod.; Paula L. Fleming, Brinn Hemmingson

4:00 - 5:00 p.m.	Phobos	Monster Hunting: Then & Now
	Dealing with the dangerous unknown in the past & the present.
		Tom Erickson, Whitestar Phoenix

4:00 - 5:00 p.m.	Re(a)d Mars	Panel: Character Development, or The Life of Charlie
	An in-depth discussion on creating an entire history for a character, most of which will never be put within the pages of your story. To have a fully-rounded, three dimensional cast of characters, human or non-human, you must know where they came from, why they are where they are, how they got there, their grief, their joys, their losses, their achievements. You must know all about them before you can make a reader want to know them, too.
		Ruth Souther, mod.; Kelly McCullough, Kathy Sullivan, Dylan Birtolo, Doug Hulick

4:00 - 5:00 p.m.	Deimos	Experimental Aerospace
	What IS experimental aerospace and what you will need to know to get started. We will cover history, regulatory guidelines and safety issues. Speakers are Robert Brashear and Carl Blood of The International Experimental Aerospace Society.


5:00 - 6:00 p.m.	Re(a)d Mars	Panel: Beyond Conspiracy Theories
	The Lone Gunman/Magic Bullet. The Knights Templar. The Da Vinci Code. Skull and Bones Society. What is real, and can you believe what anyone says about it?
		David E. Romm, mod.; Walter H. Hunt, Lyda Morehouse, Kelly McCullough

5:00 - 7:00 p.m.	Karaoke Joe's	Celeigh Dancing
	Learn Celeigh dancing (Irish dance) for the first hour, and then open time for Celeigh dancing after, until 7:00.


5:00 - 6:00 p.m.	Deimos	Meet the Rocketwoman
	For the past ten years, Jodi Michaelson has been involved in the world of rocket powered vehicles. In 1995 she launched her home made rocket into the record books with an altitude of over 31,185 feet. In 2004 she was a member of the C.S.X.T., the first armatures in the world to officially launch a rocket into space, with an altitude of 72 miles and a speed of 3,420 mph. Jodi has also set records on her rocket powered sled and rocket powered bike. She soon will be taking on a new challenge and that is to be the first woman to fly a Rocketbelt. Her Husband Ky Michaelson, 'The Rocketman', since 1951 is currently building a belt for himself and is taking his experience from that project and others to re-design the whole rocketbelt concept, and to build a belt that will not only will be easier to fly, but will have a flight time of over a minute. This will revolutionize the whole concept of one person rocket flight, and will obsolete the current rocketbelt design.
		Jodi Michaelson

5:00 - 6:00 p.m.	Phobos	Robots That Do Not Go Bump in the Dark
	Using sensors and software to prevent robots from running into, over, or through, people or objects. This important safety feature is needed by all mobile robots. Because a half ton scrub bot running amuck gives new meaning to the term fatal crash.
		Richard Caylor, William Crolley, and Robert Odegard, Twin Cities Robotics Group

5:00 - 6:00 p.m.	Krushenko's	Panel or Discussion: It was a Graveyard Bash: Growing up in Monster Culture
	From Shock Theater to Famous Monsters of Filmland, "The Monster Mash," Aurora monster models, The Munsters and The Addams Family, to the present; an affectionate look at the history and subculture of Monster Fandom.
		Eric M. Heideman, mod.

6:00 - 7:30 p.m.	Phobos	Creative Trance Workshop
	A workshop for the creative imagination: A moment of progressive relaxation takes you into your deepest and most creative inner mind. Take some time to enjoy some imaginal scenery. Ask a question. Invent an idea. ...or simply travel into the amazing universe of the imagination.
		Craig R. Lang, MUFON

6:00 - 7:30 p.m.	Deimos	Art Auction
	Bid on a masterpiece!


6:00 - 7:00 p.m.	Re(a)d Mars	Panel: Monster Myths as Metaphors
	Some horror fiction has been less than entirely subtle (ahemBuffyahem) about the metaphorical significance of its monsters. What can monsters tell us about the human condition? Why are we more receptive to hearing it from zombies and werewolves than from, say, Dr. Phil? And when, if ever, is a werewolf really just a werewolf and not an allegory?
		Tycho, mod.? Kent Nebergall

6:00 - 9:00 p.m.	Krushenko's	Book-Launch Party Celebrating Talking with Trees by Kathy Sullivan



7:00 - 8:00 p.m.	Re(a)d Mars	Panel: Harry Potter and the End of the Story
	Six books down and just one to go. How will J.K. Rowling end it? Will Harry be able to defeat Voldemort without getting himself killed? How will Harry deal with the death of [spoiler deleted]? Who else will Rowling kill off before the end? Will anyone get to live happily ever after? This is a panel for pure speculation. No theory is too outlandish. Spoilers for all six books published thus far will be uttered. Enter at your own risk.
		P M F Johnson, mod.; Ruth Berman, William Crolley, Kathy Sullivan


7:30 - 8:00 p.m.	Main Stage	Zaharat: Belly Dancing
	Dazzling performance by local belly dancing troupe Zaharat.


8:00 - 10:00 p.m.	Main Stage	Masquerade
	A grand costume contest with half-time entertainment and prizes!


9:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.	Krushenko's	Diversicon Party
	Hosted by this multicultural, multimedia SF convention, the 14th edition of which will be held August 11-13 in the Holiday Inn Select International Airport with Guests Kelly Link and Bryan Thao Worra


10:00 - 11:00 p.m.	Main Stage	Luke Ski Concert
	Making his 4th appearance at MarsCon, and filming his very first concert video, "the great Luke Ski" was proclaimed by Dr. Demento (at Dragon*Con no less) to be his most requested artist of the 21st Century! Come see him perform his greatest sci-fi & fandom related parody hits like "Stealing Like A Hobbit" and "Star Wars Trilogy Homesick Blues", as well as some new tunes for 2005 on the subjects of SpongeBob and Firefly! The guys on TechTV's "The Screen Savers" loved him, and so will you!
		(Website:www.lukeski.com)

10:00 - 11:00 p.m.	Re(a)d Mars	Panel: Erotic Horror/Dark Fantasy, or Things That do More Than Go Bump in the Night
	Stories detailing the romantic and sexual relationships of vampires, werewolves, and other critters have been popular for years and are only getting more so. What's the allure? Who does this well? Would you really like to do the nasty with someone who smells like a wolfhound?
		Catherine Lundoff, mod.; Paula L. Fleming, Lyda Morehouse

10:00 - 11:00 p.m.	Phobos	Star Trek Retrospective
	Space, the final frontier... Celebrate 40 years of Star Trek--the series, the movies, the phonomenon
		All area clubs are invited to participate.

10:00 - 11:00 p.m.	Deimos	A Sci Fi Writing project based on Wind Erosion
	Roger Carlson is a Science Teacher for the Mahtomedi Schools. He has given several workshops for the MN DNR Lands & Minerals Division for educators and has received rave reviews.
		Roger Carlson

10:00 p.m.	Karaoke Joe's Cafe	Saturday Night Karaoke
	Karaoke Contest starts at 11:00 sharp!


10:00 p.m.	Thirteenth & Twelfth Floors	Saturday Night Party Judging



11:00 p.m.	Re(a)d Mars	Saturday Night Filking



11:00 p.m. - Midnight	Phobos	The New Doctor Who
	The wait is over. The Doctor has returned. Thirteen new episodes (produced by Russell T. Davies and starring Christopher Eccleston as the Doctor and Billie Piper as his assistant, Rose Tyler) made a huge splash last year in the United Kingdom. SCI FI Channel has announced plans to air the first season starting in March, and BBC Video is scheduled to release the first-season DVD set in the U.S. on July 4. We'll be talking about the new show (both season 1 & 2) and the spin-off Torchwood, as well as audio adventure/book developments in the classic series.
		Romeo Azar, Jodie Gustafson, Michael Lee, Todd Amundson, Matt Savelkoul, Amada Marquez

Sun. Midnight	Main Stage	Chicago's Buffy the Musical ("Once More, With Feeling") Shadowcast Performance
	Featuring Carrie Dahlby & Luke Ski

Sunday, March 5, 2006
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.	Main Stage	Charity Auction Quick-bid Check-out
	Early risers may pick up and pay for their quick-bid auction items and browse through other items on display while the rest of the con sleeps.


10:00 - 11:00 a.m.	Deimos	LiftPort Group: The Space Elevator
	The idea of a Space Elevator has been around for hundreds of years; however, the technology to build such a remarkable structure has not existed until now. Recent advances in carbon nanotube technology, robotics, and lasers now make the concept of the Space Elevator a viable engineering project. LiftPort Group is a private company which is actively working to bring the Space Elevator to the world.
		Presenters: Brian Dunbar, Joe Julian

10:00 - 11:00 a.m.	Phobos	Meet the Exec: MarsCon 2007
	Hear about our evil plans for MarsCon 2007... the planned Guests of Honor, the theme, the horror!! Register and then give in to your uncontrollable urge to sign up!


10:00 - 11:00 a.m.	Blue Mars	Stone Soup Films: Low-Budget Filmmaking
	Stone Soup Films has served as the production crew on Channel 45's "Horror, Incorporated" and worked on various other small film projects in the Twin Cities. They are currently in late post-production on a locally-made, feature-length vampire film entitled "Pray for Daylight." Learn about low-budget filmmaking and then watch a rough-cut of the film.
		Tony Bruno, Stone Soup Films

11:00 a.m. - Noon	Main Stage	Beyond Farscape
	Gigi Edgley has performed in many plays including Romeo and Juliet with the Boston Shakespearean Company, Road, Picnic at Hanging Rock, Les Miserables, Boy's Life, The Rover, Kill Everything You Love, 4.48 Psychosis, The Caged Birds and Kakos. Gigi's other film and television credits include Day of the Roses, Water Rats, Monkey's Mask, Beastmaster, Lost World, Pure White Light, The Bastard and Him and Her.
		Gigi Edgley

11:00 a.m. - Noon	Re(a)d Mars	Autograph Session/ Q&A: Walter H. Hunt
	Talk with our Author Guest of Honor and get his autograph in a relaxed setting.


Noon - 1:00 p.m.	Main Stage	Improv & Audience Request Hour with Tom Smith & Luke Ski
	Hear silly songs written on the spot by improv extraordinaire Tom Smith. Tom Smith and the Great Luke Ski will also be taking special requests from the audience. Tell them what you'd like to hear, and you may just get your wish.
		Tom Smith, Luke Ski

Noon - 1:00 p.m.	Ballroom Foyer	Autograph Session: Gigi Edgley



Noon - 1:00 p.m.	Re(a)d Mars	Readings from Russian Folk Tales
	Baba Yaga -- the Russian Witch who flies in a Hat not on a broom, and has a house on Chicken Legs! Introduce children to a not too scary alternative to English Witches, with fun accents....
		Brinn Hemmingson, host; Walter H. Hunt, Paula L. Fleming, David E. Romm, Kathy Sullivan

Noon - 1:00 p.m.	Phobos	Crafty Geek Discussion Panel
	A general crafters discussion where people can come and exchange crafting ideas. We will have some ideas with printouts, directions to try some new things such as making Custom Geeky Coasters, Stenciling original t-shirts, etc.


Noon - 1:00 p.m.	Deimos	Toys in Space
	How do your favorite toys work in outer space? What would a Nerf basketball do? Or, how about magnetic marbles? A hands on A/V demonstration for grade school kids and people of all ages.
		Ben Huset, Minnesota Space Frontier Society

Noon - 1:00 p.m.	Krushenko's Annex	Panel: Horror Cinema 101: 1896-1949
	Within a chronological framework we'll consider studios (UFA, Universal, RKO), producers (Carl Laemmle, Val Lewton), movements, directors (F.W. Murnau, Tod Browning, James Whale), actors, (King Karloff, Scream Queen Fay Wray, Lugosi, Chaney Sr. & Jr.), films that are historically important and why, films we love most and why. Participants are encouraged to bring recommended viewing lists to pass out.
		Eric M. Heideman, mod.; David Christenson

1:00 - 2:30 p.m.	Main Stage	Charity Auction
	Help us raise funds for two worthwhile causes by bidding for some incredible items, donated by fans like you. Proceeds will benefit the Family Circuits and the Gordy Dickson Memorial Scholarship Fund. Thank you for your generosity!


1:00 - 2:00 p.m.	Ballroom Foyer	Autograph Session: Paul Lawrence



1:00 - 2:00 p.m.	Re(a)d Mars	Panel: Mythic v Mundane
	What is the difference and how does one take the mundane and make it fantasy? The best fantasies written are the ones based on everyday routines with an edge of realism. Fantasy worlds created out of the mundane, believable but oh-so-different....
		Ruth Souther, mod.; Walter H. Hunt, Naomi Kritzer, Rebecca Marjesdatter

1:00 - 2:00 p.m.	Deimos	Story Time
	Child-friendly programming. Everyone likes being read to. What to read? Besides "The Skittle Skat Roarious Pie in the Sky Angel Food Cake." (I don't remember the exact title, but it is something like that.)
		Fiona Eustathiades

1:00 - 2:00 p.m.	Krushenko's Annex	Panel: Music for Monsters
	Do all the scary things have their own soundtracks? There are tons of ballads about the Fay, for instance, but not so many about vampires. What kind of music goes with the Big Bad if it's on the written page and not on screen?
		Catherine Lundoff, mod.; Kathy Sullivan

2:00 - 3:00 p.m.	Re(a)d Mars	Fiction Reading: Naomi Kritzer



2:00 - 3:00 p.m.	Phobos	The Nonfiction of Alien Contact
	First contact themes in history - a look at possible first contact in the past, present and future. Has contact already occurred or is it still yet to come? What would contact be like, and what would it mean to you?
		Craig R. Lang, MUFON

2:00 - 3:00 p.m.	Krushenko's Annex	Panel: Horror Cinema 102: 1950-
	Keep Watching the Skies! After the Bomb. I was a Teenage Whatever. Giant Monsters from Tokyo. Hammer. American International. Norman Bates. Slasher sequels with too many numerals. Evil Kids. The Living Dead. The Sixth Sense and the re-invention of subtlety. There's so much to talk about that the time will just fly by. Participants are encouraged to bring recommended viewing lists to hand out.
		Eric M. Heideman, mod.; David Christenson, Brian K. Perry

2:30 - 4:00 p.m.	Main Stage	MarsCon 2006 Dementia SmackDown Concert!
	Come see Music GoH Tom Smith, the great Luke Ski, Worm Quartet, Sudden Death, Raymond & Scum, Hot Waffles and Eric Coleman join forces for some booty-stompin' block-rockin' dementia classics! Come on and finish off this year's MarsCon with a big demented bash!


3:00 - 4:00 p.m.	Re(a)d Mars	Panel: The Ambiguous Space of Suspended Disbelief
	Riding a roller coaster is fun because it's an adrenaline rush with a safety belt. We're in that place in between hurtling toward certain death and being perfectly safe. Likewise with stories: we love imagining that Nazgul are sniffing us out or Reavers want to rape, kill, and eat us (in that order, if we're lucky), all the while knowing that the monsters don't exist. How does fiction successfully occupy this middle ground? When does a story lose us to one side or the other?
		Paula L. Fleming, mod.; Rebecca Marjesdatter

3:00 - 4:00 p.m.	Krushenko's Annex	Diversicon Meeting
	Hear what's up with this convention from the Chair of Diversicon 14 and 15.
		Rick Gellman, mod.

4:00 - 5:00 p.m.	Main Stage	Closing Ceremonies
	Say "farewell" to the guests & "thanks" to volunteers. Hear news about next year's convention plans, and do the big group sing.


8:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.	Krushenko's Annex	A Party for Readers and Viewers
	Co-hosted by Tales of the Unanticipated, a serial fiction anthology celebrating its 20th anniversary during 2006, and Second Foundation, an SF book-discussion group (since 1983), whose members are also film buffs.


After Con	Con Suite	Dead Cow Party
	Party 'til the cows come home.

MarsCon Contact Information (or email info--2006 mail addresses disabled )
© 2006 FenSF, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This page last revised April 09 2015 22:22:59.

MarsCon 2006
March 3-5, 2006
Holiday Inn Select, Bloomington, MN

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