BayCon 2008 Preliminary Schedule

SUNDAY

You were there for Part 2, right, where we figured out what we needed and planned this movie all out? Quick! Time travel! In part 3, we shoot like mad weasels, because there's not much time and if we're going to make a movie at light speed, then we have to move like light!

So, don't be late, or you'll just see red-shifted versions of us. The key to making a movie, of course, is to get the footage in the can! Or, "box", actually, because we're shooting video. But you know what we mean...

Family Friendly will be open from 9am to 7pm today. See the schedule details in the descriptions below or stop by for more information.

Please join our ecumenical service this morning.

This is a closed meeting for SFWA members only.

We all know a few geeks. :) But what do you do when you need to get them a gift? Our panelists give their suggestions and take those of the audience for discussion.

Dealer's Room — Sunday's hours are 10:00am to 7:00pm

Art Show — Sunday's hours are: 10am to 8pm. Direct sales stop at 7:45pm. Bids may be placed throughout the day. Please see the Art Show summary for bid and buying rules.

A picture tells a thousand words. But what is the relationship between book content and cover art? Is it necessary to place a dragon on the cover of a book to sell a fantasy, even if the story itself contains no dragons? Our authors, artists and editor talk about how to judge a book by its cover.

When Well's Martians invaded Earth, they built most of what they needed from Earth materials after they landed. What sort of challenges are there to technology that will allow us to do the same; and how might the "anything box" transform life on Earth as well.

Materials are the essential ingredients in all of our engineering inventions. Some materials are bouncy, some are hard, some conduct electricity, some are very lightweight, and some can stop bullets! Come play with materials! Learn how to turn rubber into glass, plastic into fibers, paper into flooring for a jet.

This video sharing website is just over 2 years old, and was one of the fastest growing websites in the world in the summer of 2006. It is becoming a significant part of the political as well as social climate, but copyright issues have arisen. "The marketing guys love You Tube and the legal guys hate it."

Our panelists discuss their opinions and where they think You Tube will be going in the short- and long-term future.

How you dress says something about you. But is also says something about the world you live in. Numerous books and resources exist that discuss clothing and accessories — what do they really tell us? Do the clothes really "make the man"?

Nearly every SF/fantasy author has been published by the small press at some point in their careers. The small press is also known for publishing new authors, midlist authors, short story collections, and other "odd" books typically rejected by New York publishers. Our panelists represent a spectrum of publications.

There's a cottage industry growing in private suborbital rocketry. Do they really have a business plan? Is this a stepping stone to private access to interplanetary travel?

Join our Fan Guest of Honor Patty Wells, as she is interviewed by Convention Chair Michael Siladi.

Does "pretty foggy out" always translate to "Brefk Evok"? Just how do you name your characters? Or does the character select the name? What does the name say to a reader? Our panelists discuss this and more.

Why do super-powered heroes thrive in the big screen blockbusters (Spiderman, Batman) and television (Heroes, Smallville) but fail to attract new readers to comics? Our panelists discuss this along with other perceived barriers to comic book acceptance.

The BayCon Cryogenic Culinary Academy's origin is shrouded in the mists of time. But there's always good ice cream at the end of the search!

Members of the Chateau de Camville demonstrate their medieval weapons, armor and fighting styles.

Imagine a place where anything is possible, nothing is beyond reason, and everything is an adventure. The Writers of the Future program is that place, where professionals give a helping hand to the novice speculative fiction author or artist.

The fabric store is not the only place a costumer needs to visit. Your local hardware store contains tools every costumer needs, and the costume accessories and finishing touches can really make the costume.

Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson created the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons over 30 years ago. It is estimated that over 20 million people have played the game. Our panelists discuss how the game (and RPGs in general) have changed their lives and our society, and opine on what, if any, changes may come now that Gygax has died.

The Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn and Titan is one of NASA's longest running missions. The Cassini orbiter is currently between two Titan flybys, as it begins a 2 year extension of its original mission. Join Bridget Landry (a real rocket scientist!) as she discusses the latest updates from the Cassini mission.

Did you miss the left-handed widget yesterday? We have much more to auction off for our charity, the San Francisco Maritime National Park Association.

Todd Lockwood's artwork ranges from covers of Analog and Asimov's to TSR and Wizards of the Coast. Join him as he presents a spectrum of his works.

What commodities are valuable to a pirate? What are the likely future commodities? Is there any advantage for size/weight/density? What do they need to operate and be successful? What sort of environment allows piracy to thrive?

Westria is the land of several of Diana Paxson's novels. Join her along with Margaret Davis and Kristoph Klover for an unstructured discussion.

19th Century Italian dueling sabre, also known as the Radaellian Sabre, embodies everything that was characteristic of traditional Italian fencing: efficiency, speed, and mobility. Dynamic attacks combined with extraordinary light cuts and thrusts make this an exciting exercise. Different from modern saber fencing, the classical Italian dueling sabre observes the original intention of the weapon: to hit and not be hit. Classical fencing is a return to efficient, elegant, and safe swordplay. In this seminar, a basic Italian sabre lesson and fencing bout will be demonstrated. Audience members will be able to participate in a basic group lesson with sabre in hand. (All equipment supplied.)

The Bouts-Rimes is the Iron Chef for sonneteers. Invented by the French and popularized by the Bluestockings of 19th Century England, the contest gives the poet not one but fourteen mystery ingredients which must be used, in order, as the end words to complete a sonnet of their own devising.

The list of words for this presentation were announced yesterday in Iron Poet 1 and the Newsletter.

What does the Master Costumer do when their wardrobe malfunctions right before walking onto the stage? What items do you absolutely need in your emergency kit to save the day?

What exactly is cyberpiracy? Is it using a domain name to take advantage of a famous name or trademark? Is it registering that URL to later sell? Or is it bootlegging popular movies, music and software packages on-line? What about internet scams and phishing schemes?
And is there more to come?

A lot of what you see on CSI shows IS science fiction, but there are lots of new developments coming up in ballistics, DNA, proteomic analysis, fingerprints, chemical signatures, lie detection and much much more. Come find out what YOU need to know to survive as a criminal in the coming century, or to plot that sci fi crime thriller!

Our panelists talk about how to go into the studio, recording engineering, how your CD sounds in various environments, and other issues critical as you create your first recording.

A weekly rundown of news and issues in comics, movies, TV and occasionally wrestling. Join the gang as they host this week's episode.

Does a writer have to be queer in order to be allowed to write queer characters into their fiction? Or female to write a female character? Or of a particular race or religion to write a character who is a member of that race or religion? How do writers put themselves into the minds of someone whom they're not in order to accurately portray their characters? If we don't mind that our favorite authors aren't aliens, sorcerers, or vampires, why should we expect them to stay away from portraying something they are not?

Mad Scientists have a professional society, just like doctors and lawyers. Our panelists (members in good standing?) discuss just how they can work with YOU for a better tomorrow. Of course, reckless experimentation may have unexpected consequences... It's alive! It's alive!

Meet inventor Maestro Leonardo DaVinci. He is visiting from his workshop in Italy to share his interest in flying machines. Parents and kids are invited to come hear about his experiments, watch the demonstrations and build some models.

Join SERE instructor Michael Sarkisian for this hands-on discussion and demonstration of survival supplies. The discussion will include what exactly you need in your "72 hour Go Kit" and how to use those supplies.

Join Davenriche, and the members of DEMAS, as they demonstrate the various styles of fencing used in the Renaissance era. Using both rapiers and side swords, they will show the evolution of sword play through the 16th and 17th centuries.

This panel will provide an overview on the emerging field of hyper-time management, The panelists, who are all scheduled to be on at least one other panel at the same time, will discuss the evolution of the field, present basic techniques, demonstrate different techniques, and answer questions the audience will ask some time in the future. If there is sufficient time, being in more than two places at the same time will also be touched on. Audience members who are in other sessions at the same time are especially encouraged to attend.

After you buy that great pattern, how do you make it fit properly? Our panelists show you how to alter the pattern, using a combination of drafting techniques and toile fitting.

This is an open business meeting of the Westercon 61 ConCom. Volunteers are welcome.

What exactly is filk? Are the lyrics the only thing that makes it different from other music? Can it ever be "mainstream"?

BASIC used to be on every computer a child touched — but today there's no easy way for kids to get hooked on programming. Quietly and without fanfare, or even any comment or notice by software pundits, we have drifted into a situation where almost none of the millions of personal computers in America offers a line-programming language simple enough for kids to pick up fast.

Join Toastmaster Scott Sigler as he is interviewed by BCTV's Stephen Nelson.

Join our docent for a family friendly tour of the Art Show. Meet outside the Art Show. Vote for your favorites. Fill out a ballot on the tour or pick one up at the Info Desk and go on your own time. Turn in completed ballots in the Family Friendly room or at the Info Desk by midnight on Sunday. Winning Artists receive exclusive ribbons.

The eyes of NASA and JPL are on Mars today, as the Phoenix Lander touches down. Several of our "regulars" have been involved in this process. Kay Tracy is a JPL Ambassador, and leads the discussion and talks about the breaking news.

Always wanted to learn how to belly dance? Need a few pointers for your next dance in the Casbah? Join instructor Mary Cordero for some hip-rolling fun.

Do you have extraordinary abilities? Join others to talk about the show and where you think they're going in future seasons.

It barely made it through the door, zigzagged along the hallway, and then it went right down the escalator. We're still trying to follow it... whether or not it reaches a logical conclusion!

Is it really important what medium the work is in? Does the increase in visual media imply a decline in literacy? Are we becoming a transliterate society, with the ability to read, write and interact across a range of platforms, tools and media? Is this good?

Costume closet getting full? Need a new piece to make that outfit shine? Stop by the boardroom with your hostess Foo and see what you can swap. You must bring something to take something away.

Join our musicians in a round-robin jam session. Audience members may also participate.

Come watch the latest trailers coming out from Hollywood. You never know what host Chris Knight will get his hands on...

Want to dance? Come practice your hip shimmy at the Belly Jam. Hip scarves are optional.

The English Regency was just over a decade, but it has had broad influence on everything from literature to music and dance. Don't worry if you missed Friday's dance — expert Alan Winston will teach you as he calls the dances.

Stop by the Fanzine Lounge to hear more about the TransAtlantic Fan Fund and the Down Under Fan Fund. 2008 TAFF recipient Chris Garcia will tell about his trip to Eastercon. There will be a silent auction over the course of the weekend.

Harlequins and Hellfire! is a special episode of the live action role-playing game (LARP), Ji Dian Station, based on Joss Whedon's Firefly and Serenity. This game takes place on Paquin, as described in the Serenity role-playing game. Ji Dian Station uses a homegrown system designed to get through the challenges as quickly as possible so we can get to the fun of role-playing. Guests will be playing pre-generated characters with histories, goals, and even secrets.

Join the Boffers for another evening of mayhem in the Battledome (Winchester room).

The Anime room will be open after 8:00pm and will be running all night. Everyone is welcome to view our offerings. The exact schedule will be posted at the door.

Join Paul, Taunya & Seanna as they entertain us with a variety of songs, ranging from original filk to a few cover pieces.

The filk lounge will be open all night. Bring your instruments, your voice and your songs, if you can. But definitely bring your ears!

Just remember, Crocodile Tears only comes out after dark... Band members Lexx (lead vocals and guitar), Cori Tandem (bass and lyrics), Evgenia Petrovich (keyboards and vocals), and Nigel Blitzkrieg (drums) may not actually show up if the lights are too bright!

Join Seanan as she performs works from her recent CD. She will be joined by an unpredictable group of friends, all of whom performed with her on the recording.

Shanties are the work songs of a time long past. While they are a staple of The Roving Tars repertoire, they only scratch the surface. You will hear traditional songs ranging from Irish/Scots ballads to Americana, but the sound is firmly anchored in the sea.