Seeds of Tomorrow
April 5-8, 2012
Writer Guest of Honor
Stephen Baxter
Artist Guest of Honor
John Picacio
Science Guest of Honor
Bridget Landry
Spotlight Publisher
DAW Books
MEMBERSHIPS
$55 through January 7, 2012
$5 discount for NWSFS members
LOCATION
Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Seattle Airport
18740 International Blvd.
SeaTac, WA 98188
206-246-8600
Norwescon, a 501(c)3 organization, is the Pacific Northwest's Premiere Science Fiction & Fantasy Convention and one of the largest regional Science Fiction and Fantasy conventions in the United States. We feature over 500 hours of panel programming presented by over 200 panelists, 24-hour gaming, the Philip K. Dick Awards, the Norwescon Banquet, a 6,250 square foot Dealers' Room, Writers' Workshops, a competitive masquerade, an art show, dances, and more!
Registration
Writer Guest of Honor
Science Guests of Honor
A full-weekend membership is currently $45. Membership includes the right to attend the convention, a membership badge, program book, pocket program, member's guide, and post-con report.
Register via PayPal
For more information, or to register by mail go to the membership page
Hotel
Memberships
Volunteers
Join Our Mailing List
We've begun posting information on the website about Norwescon 35. As more information becomes available there will be more to see. In the meantime, here's a little bit of information about this year's confirmed Guests of Honor.
Norwescon Publications Team
Norwescon 35
Writer Guest of Honor - Stephen Baxter
Stephen Baxter was born in Liverpool, England, in 1957 and now lives in Northumberland. Since 1987 he has published somewhere over forty books, mostly science fiction novels, and over a hundred short stories.
Mr. Baxter's first professionally published short story appeared in 1987, and his first novel in 1991. He has been a full-time author since 1995. He is President of the British Science Fiction Association, and a Vice-President of the HG Wells Society.
read more . . .
Bridget Landry was educated as a chemist and planetary scientist, trained as an engineer, and has worked in spacecraft operations for more than 20 years. She has worked on the Hubble Space Telescope, the joint US-French oceanographic Earth-orbiter Topex, the (wildly successful!) Mars Pathfinder project, and the Cassini mission to Saturn. Ms. Landry is currently a team member of the Dawn mission, which begins a year-long orbital mission at the asteroid Vesta in mid-2011, then departs to rendezvous with and orbit the asteroid Ceres in 2015.
read more . . .
Norwescon is a science, science fiction and fantasy convention that takes place on Easter Weekend each year. We are an all-volunteer organization and always have room for more dedicated volunteers. Without members, though, there would be no reason to hold a convention; thank you for your support.
Norwescon - PO Box 68547 - Seattle, Washington 98168
Last chance for writers workshop!
Lobby & Club tables
Volunteers wanted
A full-weekend membership is $55 until January 7, 2012. This represents a 21% reduction in the at-the-door price (assuming we don't sell-out in advance). Membership includes the right to attend the convention, a membership badge, program book, pocket program, member's guide, and post-con report.
Register via PayPal
For more information, or to register by mail go to the membership page
Hotel
Memberships
Volunteers
Join Our Mailing List
Stephen Baxter - Writer Guest of Honor
John Picacio - Artist Guest of Honor
Bridget Landry - Science Guest of Honor
DAW Books - Spotlight Publisher
read more . . .
The Fairwood Writers are pleased to sponsor the writing workshop for Norwescon 35 during April 5-8 2012. They accept both short stories and novel excerpts to be critiqued by professional writers during Norwescon 35, according to the guidelines on the Norwescon website. All submissions for the 2012 event are due by November 30, 2011.
read more . . .
Norwescon offers Lobby Tables to clubs, groups, conventions, and organizations that promote science , science fiction, fantasy, costuming, and other fannish pursuits. This is an opportunity to share your enthusiasm with Norwescon members who have similar interests.
Fees: Fannish groups are the heart and soul of our geeky culture, so there is no charge to groups for their table. However, everyone staffing a fan table must have a current Norwescon membership badge.
read more . . .
We can't say it enough. Norwescon relies on highly valued volunteers throughout the year to create a successful convention. Will you join us?
There are still many positions available in most departments. Staff members enjoy several perks, and are appreciated by pros, guests of honor and convention attendees. We'd love to see new faces within our Convention Committee (ConCom)! Contact us or come to one of our monthly meetings and join our fun-loving group!
We currently are looking for talented and motivated people in all areas of the con. Registration, the Art Show, and Tech can always use help. Right now we are looking for folks to fill the following positions:
Publications: We're looking for a Publications Assistant who would like to take over the position in the future.
Convention Services needs people in all staffing areas. This includes Transportation, Security & Dispatch, and Cloakroom.
Programming needs someone to head Stage Management, help with the Green room and a talented Host to head our Opening and Closing ceremonies. They also need someone plan and host the parties in the Pro Suite.
In Personnel, we need people who are interested in working as assistants, to learn the various jobs with an eye to taking them over some day. This includes someone who can work with young volunteers to help our Watcher/Runner lead. We also need someone who likes to plan menus, shop for good food pricing, and loves to feed people to work with our Food Coordinator for the Pro Socials, Staff Support, Hospitality and more.
Special Events is looking for more staff to help the Masquerade. They also are looking for someone with a "Grand" idea for an event they would like to organize for our Sunday event in Grand 3. A Midnight Movie Coordinator is needed as well.
If you can't spare the time pre-convention to help, but have spare time while you're at the convention, volunteer! Volunteers also enjoy privileges like priority seating at the popular Masquerade, prizes, and more! If you know you'll have time in advance, let our Volunteer department know by emailing volunteers@norwescon.org. Or, when you come to the convention, drop by our Volunteers office and lounge at Olympic 2. Let us know what kinds of things you like to do, what your availability and skills are, and we'll find a great place for you to spend your free time to make the best of Norwescon!
We can't say it enough. Norwescon relies on highly valued volunteers throughout the year to create a successful convention. Will you join us?
Norwescon is a science, science fiction and fantasy convention that takes place on Easter Weekend each year. We are an all-volunteer organization and always have room for more dedicated volunteers. Without members, though, there would be no reason to hold a convention; thank you for your support.
Norwescon - PO Box 68547 - Seattle, Washington 98168
Registration
Maxi's Venue
PostCon Report
Norwescon 35 GoH Awards Banquet
ATTENTION! New Hotel policy...
Why Pre-register?
Still seeking Volunteers
Lobby & Club tables
A full-weekend membership is $55 until January 7, 2012. This represents a 21% reduction in the at-the-door price (assuming we don't sell-out in advance). Membership includes the right to attend the convention, a membership badge, program book, pocket program, member's guide, and post-con report.
Register via PayPal
For more information, or to register by mail go to the membership page
Norwescon 35, in conjunction with the DoubleTree by Hilton Seattle Airport, is pleased to announce that Maxi's Lounge will be open Friday and Saturday nights for the exclusive use of Norwescon 35 attendees. Maxi's will provide a new and exciting space for all attendees over 21 (with ID and Norwescon badge) to drink, eat, dance and hang out. It will be open both Friday and Saturday night starting at 10 p.m. As with any bar, you must be recognizable as the person you your ID - no masks or feature-obscuring makeup.
We have two nights of exciting activities and entertainment lined up for you. Get on the first elevator you can, take it all the way to the top, and join us at Maxi's Lounge for an evening you will never forget!
If you want to do more than just come to Maxi's Lounge and have fun, we have openings for assistant coordinators to help set up and run the fun events being held in Maxi's Lounge. We are also looking for DJs to light up the dance floor. If you are interested in these positions or you just have some great ideas, please contact us at vicechair@norwescon.org
Arriving soon to a mailbox near you (and currently available on the website here) is the post con report for NWC34. My sincere apologies for the tardiness of this publication. The content was submitted on time, the production delay is entirely my responsiblity.
Felice Nightengale
Publications & Promotions Director
Norwescon 34 & 35
Hotel
Memberships
Volunteers
Join Our Mailing List
Stephen Baxter - Writer Guest of Honor
John Picacio - Artist Guest of Honor
Bridget Landry - Science Guest of Honor
DAW Books - Spotlight Publisher
read more . . .
This is a great way to start off your Norwescon weekend!
This year, Norwescon is thrilled to once again hold a Guest of Honor and awards banquet. It will take place on Thursday, April 5 from 5 - 7 p.m. This is a great way to start off your Norwescon weekend! The event is open to all Norwescon members. When you join us in Grand Ballroom 2 for a delicious dinner you get to wine and dine with the Guests of Honor.
We have several awards to present and you will get to hear first hand from our honored guests and learn something about many of the exciting events that will take place over the weekend. Come and learn about the scholarships Norwescon is donating and perhaps you will even win a door prize! This year we have a delicious Italian Buffet that you won't want to miss. Tickets are $40.00 per person and are going fast. You may purchase tickets through PayPal or by mail. Registration forms can be downloaded from the website. Tickets are limited, the price at con will also be $40.00 but there may not be any tickets left when you get there. Hurry and reserve your place now.
Click here for the banquet menu or to pay online
A change is coming in the way we reserve rooms for Norwescon. It is a significant change for our members but we believe it will help us make more convention rooms available for our members at the cheaper convention rate.
Starting with Norwescon 36, we have asked the DoubleTree to collect a one-night room deposit when the room is first reserved. This deposit will remain fully refundable until 90 days before the convention, which for next year would be Friday, December 28, 2012. By agreement with the hotel, all rooms cancelled by this date will be returned to the room block and made available for reservation by other Norwescon members..
read more . . .
Why would you want to pre-register for Norwescon 35?
If you like to save money, the rates are going up to $65 on January 9, 2012, and will be $70 at the door. They are currently $55, so see how much you could save.
This year changes are being made to speed up the process of getting your pre-reg badge. So you will be able to get checked in and on your way to enjoying the convention rather than standing in a line to register.
We have sold out for the last two years. So by pre-registering you will not have to worry about being able to even get a badge.
And lastly, you will have one less thing to worry about when you are packing up to come to the convention.
And how do you pre-register you ask? Just pull up the Norwescon 35 web page, drop to the bottom of the page and click on the membership button. There you will find Instructions on how to register via PayPal or mail.
See you at the con at the Pre-Registered check-in. Remember to bring your photo ID!
Sally Woehrle,
NWC 35 Registration
Register via PayPal
We keep saying it. The success of Norwescon is because of the volunteers.
Volunteer today and enjoy several perks. We'd love to see new faces within our Convention Committee (ConCom)! Contact us or come to one of our monthly meetings and join our fun-loving group!
Norwescon is looking for an assistant webmaster. This person would back-up our current webmaster and would also be tasked with developing a Norwescon History sub domain which will provide a sustainable way to keep Norwescon's history on the web without having to keep entire sites archived from previous years. If you have experience designing websites and this eight-month volunteer opportunity sounds like a good fit for you please contact publications@norwescon.org.
If you can't spare the time pre-convention to help, but have spare time while you're at the convention, volunteer! Volunteers also enjoy privileges like priority seating at the popular Masquerade, prizes, and more! If you know you'll have time in advance, let our Volunteer department know by emailing volunteers@norwescon.org.
Norwescon offers Lobby Tables to clubs, groups, conventions, and organizations that promote science , science fiction, fantasy, costuming, and other fannish pursuits. This is an opportunity to share your enthusiasm with Norwescon members who have similar interests.
Fees: Fannish groups are the heart and soul of our geeky culture, so there is no charge to groups for their table. However, everyone staffing a fan table must have a current Norwescon membership badge.
read more . . .
Norwescon is a science, science fiction and fantasy convention that takes place on Easter Weekend each year. We are an all-volunteer organization and always have room for more dedicated volunteers. Without members, though, there would be no reason to hold a convention; thank you for your support.
Norwescon - PO Box 68547 - Seattle, Washington 98168
Registration
ATTENTION! New Hotel policy...
Maxi's Venue
News from Programming
Still seeking Volunteers
Special Event News
Norwescon 35 GoH Awards Banquet
A full-weekend membership is $65 until February 29, 2012. This represents a 7% reduction in the at-the-door price (assuming we don't sell-out in advance). Membership includes the right to attend the convention, a membership badge, souvenir book, pocket program, member's guide, and post-con report.
Register via PayPal
For more information, or to register by mail go to the membership page
A change is coming in the way we reserve rooms for Norwescon. It is a significant change for our members but we believe it will help us make more convention rooms available for our members at the cheaper convention rate.
Starting with Norwescon 36, we have asked the DoubleTree to collect a one-night room deposit when the room is first reserved. This deposit will remain fully refundable until 90 days before the convention, which for next year would be Friday, December 28, 2012. By agreement with the hotel, all rooms cancelled by this date will be returned to the room block and made available for reservation by other Norwescon members.
Read more....
Norwescon 35, in conjunction with the DoubleTree by Hilton Seattle Airport, is pleased to announce that Maxi's Lounge will be open Friday and Saturday nights for the exclusive use of Norwescon 35 attendees. Maxi's will provide a new and exciting space for all attendees over 21 (with ID and Norwescon badge) to drink, eat, dance and hang out. It will be open both Friday and Saturday night starting at 10 p.m. As with any bar, you must be recognizable as the person you your ID - no masks or feature-obscuring makeup.
We have two nights of exciting activities and entertainment lined up for you. Get on the first elevator you can, take it all the way to the top, and join us at Maxi's Lounge for an evening you will never forget!
If you want to do more than just come to Maxi's Lounge and have fun, we have openings for assistant coordinators to help set up and run the fun events being held in Maxi's Lounge. We are also looking for DJs to light up the dance floor. If you are interested in these positions or you just have some great ideas, please contact us at vicechair@norwescon.org
Hotel
Memberships
Volunteers
Join Our Mailing List
Stephen Baxter - Writer Guest of Honor
John Picacio - Artist Guest of Honor
Bridget Landry - Science Guest of Honor
DAW Books - Spotlight Publisher
read more . . .
We're just wrapping up the scheduling frenzy in Programming for Nowescon 35. Our goal, as always: to educate, entertain, and inspire our membership!
New this year, we've got a 3-hour block on Friday morning with a bunch of historical weapons and armor experts. They'll show you all kinds of cool ways to cause mayhem, and let you look with your hands, not just your eyes.
Also new this year - a very cool hands-on demonstration of hovering aircraft.
The Friday Night Stitch & Bitch session will include a fabric swap this year - bring that fabric that you're not sure you'll ever use, and take home something that inspires you.
For the writers, we have two writing workshops this year: First Pages, in which participants submit the first 250 words of their story or novel ahead of time, and our pro writers give pointers, and the fanfiction "Write a Crossover Fic in 90 Minutes" workshop. If you like to draw, don't forget to bring your sketchbook: Once again, we'll have an hour long demo, followed by two hours of life drawing, with models in costume for you to draw.
Feeling a little stressed out? The Monster Mash is back - you can dismember cute, cuddly stuffed animals, and re-assemble them into nightmares and horrors. Or play a round of "Who Would Win?" with our Gaming pros. Geek, Geek - Don't Tell Me! Also returns, to test your knowledge of Science Fiction and Fantasy. Norwescon's amazing "Let's Make a Movie" workshop is back, too - bringing film mayhem to the Pacific Northwest for the 13th year.
Norwescon's Music program is also expanding. If you like music, and you're a geek, you won't want to miss the evening concert series. Also, up in the Salon on Saturday, we'll be holding an Irish Session (don't know what that is? Come on up to find out!), and a variety of musicians will be bringing instruments for you to try out. Find your muse, and perhaps give a short performance at Cascadia's Got Talent, Norwescon's own talent show/variety show/gong show. Last year, winners were treated to exciting and unusual prizes.
Of course, there are tons of panels, presentations, and slide shows to attend, and more is being added every day. With over 300 hours of panels, there's sure to be something for everyone.
We keep saying it. The success of Norwescon is because of the volunteers.
Volunteers enjoy many perks like priority seating at the popular Masquerade, prizes, and more!
We'd love to see new faces within our Convention Committee (ConCom)!
Norwescon is looking for an assistant webmaster. This person would back-up our current webmaster and would also be tasked with developing a Norwescon History sub domain which will provide a sustainable way to keep Norwescon's history on the web without having to keep entire sites archived from previous years. If you have experience designing websites and this eight-month volunteer opportunity sounds like a good fit for you please contact publications@norwescon.org.
If you can't spare the time pre-convention to help, but have spare time while you're at the convention, volunteer! If you know you'll have time in advance, let our Volunteer department know by emailing volunteers@norwescon.org.
Our Sunday Special Event will be action-packed! Come join us for Muggle Quidditch! Since most of us are not wizards, we'll be forced to play on the ground, but that won't stop us from catching the Snitch and having a great time! Rules will be adapted for indoor play from the International Quidditch Association's rulebook. We will have sign-ups in advance, so feel free to contact Special Events if you want to captain a team or have questions.
Get ready, set, SEW! I hope you are all preparing for the Masquerade! Get your costumes and skits together and come join us! There are several categories and the rules are online at the website. Show us what you can do!
We will have four dances at the Con this year, including a special Under 21 dance for our younger attendees! Song request forms are available online, so go request your favorites!
Tickets are selling fast! Secure yours now.
Start off your Norwescon with our Guest of Honor and awards banquet. It will take place on Thursday, April 5 from 5 - 7 p.m. The event is open to all Norwescon members.
We have several awards to present and you will get to hear first hand from our honored guests and learn something about many of the exciting events that will take place over the weekend. Come and learn about the scholarships Norwescon is donating and perhaps you will even win a door prize! This year we have a delicious Italian Buffet that you won't want to miss. Tickets are $40.00 per person and are going fast. You may purchase tickets through PayPal or by mail. Registration forms can be downloaded from the website. Tickets are limited, the price at con will also be $40.00 but there may not be any tickets left when you get there. Hurry and reserve your place now.
Will you join us in Grand Ballroom 2 for a delicious dinner you get to wine and dine with the Guests of Honor. What a great way to start off your Norwescon weekend!
Click here for the banquet menu or to pay online
Norwescon is a science, science fiction and fantasy convention that takes place on Easter Weekend each year. We are an all-volunteer organization and always have room for more dedicated volunteers. Without members, though, there would be no reason to hold a convention; thank you for your support.
Norwescon - PO Box 68547 - Seattle, Washington 98168
PREREG CLOSES IN 14 DAYS.
New hotel policy for NWC 36
Special Events
Artists' Alley
Follow the Yellow Brick Road
Norwescon 35 GoH Awards Banquet
A full-weekend membership is $65 until February 29, 2012. This represents a 7% reduction in the at-the-door price (assuming we don't sell-out in advance). Membership includes the right to attend the convention, a membership badge, souvenir book, pocket program, member's guide, and post-con report.
Register via PayPal
For more information, or to register by mail go to the membership page
A change is coming in the way we reserve rooms for Norwescon. It is a significant change for our members but we believe it will help us make more convention rooms available for our members at the cheaper convention rate.
Starting with Norwescon 36, we have asked the DoubleTree to collect a one-night room deposit when the room is first reserved. This deposit will remain fully refundable until 90 days before the convention, which for next year would be Friday, December 28, 2012. By agreement with the hotel, all rooms cancelled by this date will be returned to the room block and made available for reservation by other Norwescon members.
Read more....
Are you excited?
Our Sunday Special Event will be action-packed! Come join us for Muggle Quidditch! Since most of us are not wizards, we'll be forced to play on the ground, but that won't stop us from catching the Snitch and having a great time! Rules will be adapted for indoor play from the International Quidditch Association's rulebook. We will have sign-ups in advance, so feel free to contact Special Events if you want to captain a team or have questions.
Get ready, set, SEW! I hope you are all preparing for the Masquerade! Get your costumes and skits together and come join us! There are several categories and the rules are online at the website. Show us what you can do!
We will have four dances at the Con this year, including a special Under 21 dance for our younger attendees! Song request forms are available online, so go request your favorites!
Artists' Alley is still taking applications ... for now! If you are an artist but don't know what AA is please check out our information on the site here.
Briefly Artists' Alley is a great way for you to connect with art lovers and to show and share your passion for what you do. Whether you are doing demos, talking about your work or just showing the finished product you will have a great time.
On the website you will find an application and a policies form. Just fill out the online form or email me directly at artistsalley@norwescon.org and I will send one to you. If you have any other doubts just check out the links of some of the great artists who have already joined the cause!
David Ketcherside
Artists' Alley Manager
Norwescon 35
Join Our Mailing List
Stephen Baxter - Writer Guest of Honor
John Picacio - Artist Guest of Honor
Bridget Landry - Science Guest of Honor
DAW Books - Spotlight Publisher
read more . . .
Did you know we have a full page of information about the Norwescon 35 music programming on our website? This year there are entertaining nightly concerts and Filk circles. (Don't know what Filk is? There's a panel for that.) We are also offering new opportunities for participation, from an Irish Session, to one designed for convention members to try some of our attending professionals' more unusual instruments.
Don't be one of those folks who says, "If only I'd brought my instrument, then I could play too." Check out the music page for a wealth of opportunities.
They say an army marches on its stomach. If this is true, then a Convention succeeds on an Army of Volunteers... or their stomachs... or sometimes both. Norwescon 35 needs YOU!
People with all sorts of skill sets are needed throughout the convention weekend, starting with the Stuffing Party where all those goody bags are put together (a great chance for a sneak peek at what everyone will get!), through the Monday after when everything is packed up and the pizza arrives. Register as a Volunteer early by contacting us at volunteers@norwescon.org or simply come to our Volunteers Lounge during the convention and sign up!
Come and join the fun!
Tickets are selling fast! Secure yours now.
Start off your Norwescon with our Guest of Honor and awards banquet. It will take place on Thursday, April 5 from 5 - 7 p.m. The event is open to all Norwescon members.
We have several awards to present, and you will get to hear first hand from our honored guests and learn something about many of the exciting events that will take place over the weekend. Come and learn about the scholarships Norwescon is donating, and perhaps you will even win a door prize! This year we have a delicious Italian Buffet that you won't want to miss. Tickets are $40.00 per person and are going fast. You may purchase tickets through PayPal or by mail. Registration forms can be downloaded from the website. Tickets are limited; the price at con will also be $40.00, but there may not be any tickets left when you get there. Hurry and reserve your place now!
Will you join us in Grand Ballroom 2 for a delicious dinner where you get to wine and dine with the Guests of Honor? What a great way to start off your Norwescon weekend!
Click here for the banquet menu or to pay online
Open Friday and Saturday nights for Norwescon Members only (21+ WITH ID)
Norwescon 35, in conjunction with the DoubleTree by Hilton Seattle Airport, is pleased to announce that Maxi's Lounge will be open Friday and Saturday nights for the exclusive use of Norwescon 35 attendees. Maxi's will provid e a new and exciting space for all attendees 21+ (with ID and Norwescon badge) to drink, eat, dance and hang out. It will be open both Friday and Saturday night starting at 9 p.m. As with any bar, you must be recognizable as the person you your ID - no masks or feature-obscuring makeup.
We have two nights of exciting activities and entertainment lined up for you. Get on the first elevator you can, take it all the way to the top, and join us at Maxi's Lounge for an evening you will never forget!
Select the text above and get the #NWC35 schedule!
Norwescon 35 (2012) will be using guidebook to provide online access to our convention hours, schedule, maps, etc. for all members. Select the Guidebook logo to get Guidebook for your phone, tablet, or computer. Please keep an eye on our website, facebook, or twitter feed for information as to when our guide is available.
(You are registered, right?)
Norwescon is a science, science fiction and fantasy convention that takes place on Easter Weekend each year. We are an all-volunteer organization and always have room for more dedicated volunteers. Without members, though, there would be no reason to hold a convention; thank you for your support.
Norwescon - PO Box 68547 - Seattle, Washington 98168
Special Events
Preregistration is now closed.
New hotel policy for NWC 36
Artists' Alley
Norwescon 35 GoH Awards Banquet
Think you are too young to volunteer?
Adding more to your excitement!
Norwescon Clue Scavenger Hunt
It has come to our attention that a most heinous crime will occur at Norwescon 35. A member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy realm will be murdered. We don't know who, and it is not known what the murder weapon will be, nor do we know the room in which it will occur.
This is where you come in. For all that enjoy the game Clue, we are introducing the Norwescon Clue Game. You will need to search around the con areas for images of possible victims and potential weapons. Whatever person is not found, and whichever weapon is not seen will be the most likely victim and murder weapon. Whichever room is clean of clues is where the murder took place. Come one, come all, and be a detective in your own mind.
What do you think when you see a pair of tights and a cape next to a glowing bar of Kryptonite? Use your crime scene savvy to make your best guess about what happened to the poor victim. The best answers will be published in the daily zine at the con!
For those seeking a bit more hands-on activity, we are introducing a stealth and tracking game. Participants will sign up ahead of time and receive a packet containing information about their "victim". The victim will be stalked and neutralized (by secretively removing an identifying con-supplied item) and the item returned to the game mods for receipt of a new packet. The game will continue until one sneak is left standing (or until time runs out). Bring your ninja skills (and your ninja outfit, if you'd like) to Norwescon 35!
However keep your towel handy.
You can still attend the convention for the at door price of $70 This still includes a full-weekend membership to attend the convention, a membership badge, souvenir book, pocket program, member's guide, and post-con report.
For more information, or to register by mail go to the membership page
A change is coming in the way we reserve rooms for Norwescon. It is a significant change for our members but we believe it will help us make more convention rooms available for our members at the cheaper convention rate.
Starting with Norwescon 36, we have asked the DoubleTree to collect a one-night room deposit when the room is first reserved. This deposit will remain fully refundable until 90 days before the convention, which for next year would be Friday, December 28, 2012. By agreement with the hotel, all rooms cancelled by this date will be returned to the room block and made available for reservation by other Norwescon members.
Read more....
Artists' Alley is still taking applications ... for now! If you are an artist but don't know what AA is please check out our information on the site here.
Briefly Artists' Alley is a great way for you to connect with art lovers and to show and share your passion for what you do. Whether you are doing demos, talking about your work or just showing the finished product you will have a great time.
On the website you will find an application and a policies form. Just fill out the online form or email me directly at artistsalley@norwescon.org and I will send one to you. If you have any other doubts just check out the links of some of the great artists who have already joined the cause!
David Ketcherside
Artists' Alley Manager
Norwescon 35
The latest progress report is winging its way to pre-registered members' mailboxes. If you haven't registered for this year's convention a reader copy is available here.
Join Our Mailing List
Stephen Baxter - Writer Guest of Honor
John Picacio - Artist Guest of Honor
Bridget Landry - Science Guest of Honor
DAW Books - Spotlight Publisher
read more . . .
Tickets are limited!
Hurry and reserve your place now.
Will you join us in Grand Ballroom 2 for a delicious dinner where you get to wine and dine with the Guests of Honor? What a great way to start off your Norwescon weekend!
We have several awards to present, and you will get to hear first hand from our honored guests and learn something about many of the exciting events that will take place over the weekend. Come and learn about the scholarships Norwescon is donating, and perhaps you will even win a door prize! This year we have a delicious Italian Buffet that you won't want to miss. Tickets are $40.00 per person and are going fast. You may purchase tickets through PayPal or by mail. Registration forms can be downloaded from the website. Last day to purchase tickets is March 20th.
Click here for the banquet menu or to pay online
Teens, do you come to Norwescon with your parents and spend your time wandering aimlessly?
Do you get just a little bored in panels where people spend all their time talking?
The Volunteers department has activities and volunteer jobs for you!
Come down and make your own dog tags, decorate a seed pot, learn to make origami, make jewelry, and decorate your own rubber duck! Earn prizes from the dealers room, participate in daily volunteer mini-parties, and socialize with other teens. Come check us out in the Olympic Hallway, Wing 7 during the convention!
Norwescon 35 needs YOU!
Come volunteer your skills for event before the convention as well as after. Starting with the Stuffing Party where all those goody bags are put together (a great chance for a sneak peek at what everyone will get!), through the Monday after when everything is packed up and the pizza arrives. Register as a Volunteer early by contacting us at volunteers@norwescon.org or simply come to our Volunteers Lounge during the convention and sign up!
Come and join the fun!
nwcMUSIC is the geekmusic festival at Norwescon. We're in our second year as we build this new project.
And we are extremely proud to announce our 2012 lineup of chiptunes, J-Pop nerdcore (yeah that's right, J-pop nerdcore), filk, chiptunes, geek-rock, and steampunk! Please welcome our concert performers MC Firedrill, Rai Kamishiro, Kräken-Röhl, Alexander James Adams, Kirble Krackle, Creede Lambard, A Little Knight Music, Electric Children, Ultraklystron, Vixy & Tony, and The Doubleclicks for three nights of fantastically awesome concerts. Can you believe this lineup? We put it together, and we can't believe this lineup. I mean, damn!
Listen to samples, watch videos, and get more details at the Concerts page of the the Norwescon website: music page.
nwcMUSIC, the geekmusic festival of Norwescon, is holding its first ever open mic on Friday night at 10pm. Follow the final Friday concert act with YOU! on the very same stage! ALL GENRES WELCOME; 1-2 songs or eight minutes, whichever is shorter and upon how many people are queued up. No prizes here; just a chance in front of a supportive audience and see what it's like to take your turn on stage. Maybe it'll scare you. Maybe you'll fall in love with it. Find out!
Check out the music page for a wealth of opportunities.
Open Friday and Saturday nights for Norwescon Members only (21+ WITH ID)
Norwescon 35, in conjunction with the DoubleTree by Hilton Seattle Airport, is pleased to announce that Maxi's Lounge will be open Friday and Saturday nights for the exclusive use of Norwescon 35 attendees. Maxi's will provid e a new and exciting space for all attendees 21+ (with ID and Norwescon badge) to drink, eat, dance and hang out. It will be open both Friday and Saturday night starting at 9 p.m. As with any bar, you must be recognizable as the person on your ID - no masks or feature-obscuring makeup.
We have two nights of exciting activities and entertainment lined up for you. Get on the first elevator you can, take it all the way to the top, and join us at Maxi's Lounge for an evening you will never forget!
Select the text above and get the #NWC35 schedule!
Planners rejoice!
The convention schedule is available on our schedule page. There you can find HTML and PDF versions of the daily events as well as the programming grids.
For those of you with mobile access, the schedule is available via Guidebook for smart phone, tablet, or computer. Select the logo to the left for free access.
(You are registered, right?)
Norwescon is a science, science fiction and fantasy convention that takes place on Easter Weekend each year. We are an all-volunteer organization and always have room for more dedicated volunteers. Without members, though, there would be no reason to hold a convention; thank you for your support.
Norwescon - PO Box 68547 - Seattle, Washington 98168
Special Events
New hotel policy for NWC 36
Now serving hospitality
Now serving hospitality
NWC Movie previews
The Army of Oz wants you
nwcMUSIC
Maxi's Lounge FRIDAY
Adding more to your excitement!
Muggle Quidditch is coming to Norwescon! Get your team together ahead of time and sign up on the website! Rules are now posted, so grab your broom and your wizarding gear and let's make some magic!
We will have four (yes, FOUR) dances at Norwescon this year! We are proud to present out under-21 dance on Friday night for the younger generations. (Yes, those who refuse to grow up are welcome, too!) The theme will be Space Pirates! (Rayguns and cutlasses should be peace-bonded.) We present a beachy theme for the Thursday and Friday night dances with Callahan and Milliways Beach Party at the End of the Universe dance and the Friday Night Fantasy Luau. We are also bringing back the steadfast Saturday Night Hoedown, so bring your boots and get ready to spin your partner! To help you get your groove on, we will have two dance classes to teach your the moves to some of fandoms' favorite songs!
Attention all Wizarding folk! A wizard dueling competition will be held at Norwescon 35's lazer tag! Represent your House! Prizes will be won! Earn credits for Saturday Night's Mercenary Game. Infrared wands will be provided. (All players under 17 must have a parent present to play.)
On Saturday night, a Pro Team will be in the lazer tag arena. They will be for hire. The credits that have been won or earned during earlier games will be used to purchase the Pro Team. The team will be bought and sold by auction and will remain in the employ of the purchaser until the client is tagged out, the whole team is tagged out, the game ends, or the team is purchased by a new client. Only trade credits can be used. Come and join the fun!
When you're exhausted from a long day of walking and playing, come and relax at our midnight movies. Granted, the Rocky Horror Picture Show on Friday night isn't exactly designed for relaxation, but we know you'll love it. Thursday we will be showing the classic Logan's Run and on Saturday be ready for the zany Ice Pirates!
A change is coming in the way we reserve rooms for Norwescon. It is a significant change for our members but we believe it will help us make more convention rooms available for our members at the cheaper convention rate.
Starting with Norwescon 36, we have asked the DoubleTree to collect a one-night room deposit when the room is first reserved. This deposit will remain fully refundable until 90 days before the convention, which for next year would be Friday, December 28, 2012. By agreement with the hotel, all rooms cancelled by this date will be returned to the room block and made available for reservation by other Norwescon members.
Read more....
Come on down to the Olympic wing and drop by Hospitality.
Grab something to eat, or a beverage, and have a seat. Take a break and go over your pocket guide with your highlighter. Looking to meet friends at the con? Tell them you'll be sitting in Hospitality.
Open from breakfast to bedtime.
THURSDAY noon - 10 p.m.
FRIDAY 9 a.m. - 10 p.m.
SATURDAY 9 a.m. - 10 p.m.
SUNDAY 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Day passes will be available on a limited basis, are only good for the day of issue, and may not be purchased in advance.
Join Our Mailing List
If you missed the chairman's blog post a short time ago, you can read it here. We hope you have a wonderful time!
By Keith Johnson
Each year at Norwescon one of the most popular programs outside of the combined attendance of our multiple dances are the combined Movie Previews. For the seventh year my partner Alan Halfhill and I commit multiple sessions and countless hours of behind-the-scenes toil to bring you the latest movie trailers, news and rumors out of Hollywood and beyond.
But we're so much more than that. We highlight the latest trends, innovations, and challenges facing the industry. And also the wider entertainment culture; TV shows, home video, theme parks - the whole gamut! And for our fans of the Previews, we bring in da swag! Whatever we get from the studios or publicity agencies we pass along to you, our loyal customers. Now how much would you pay?
We have been given FOUR opportunities for full-frontal media assault, here's our schedule.[fan1]
Friday - Previews Show #1 - 1-3pm - Grand 3 - Our biggest screen, our best sound, our largest space - we're supersized! In our most popular, best-attended panel of the weekend we talk trailers, movies, the industry, trends, news - the whole enchilada.
Friday - Family Previews - 3:30-4:30pm - Olympic 1 - In the Family Track Room we do an hour of just family-friendly previews geared to the interests of our younger set. Though older folks are always welcome.
Saturday - Masquerade half-time - Our "speed round," a concise summation of what's coming mixed with news. But in something different this year, the Movie Previews Halftime will not be broadcast to the hotel. So if you want to see the show, you have to be in Grand 3!
Sunday - Previews Show #last - 12-2pm - Evergreen 1-2 - Our final panel includes more stories, more rumors and gossip, as well as the best of the weekends trailers. And there's always the notorious, "why? Why? WHY?"
We hope to see you at one or more of our panels this year. Why not collect the whole set?
Come volunteer your skills during the con. Register as a Volunteer as soon as you check in. Simply come to the Volunteers Lounge and sign up! The early fan gets the prime opportunties but, rest assured, there's enough opportunity for all.
For more information read the FAQs.
Come and join the fun!
nwcMUSIC, the geekmusic festival of Norwescon, has as its core ethos the idea of participatory culture: doing things, rather than sitting back and absorbing things. Our daytime programming is intensely participatory, with a variety of workshops and opportunities for you to take the stage.
We hope you will come explore "Introduction to Participatory Geekmusic," Friday at 2pm, where you'll get an introduction to filk, the oldest form of geekmusic, where everybody plays.
a.k.a. Cascadia's Got a Gong Show - on Saturday, at 3pm; bring your song, your work-in-progress, your shtick, your standup act, your freak show, your whatever - bring your talent (alleged) to this, our free-form talent show! You have eight minutes, two songs, or until the gong gongs, whichever is shorter. Show us what you got!
There's Find Your Instrument, also on Saturday. Many musicians will tell you that the best way to figure out what instrument you should be playing is to mess around with a whole bunch of them and see if any reach back to you. Several of our Attending Professionals have volunteered to bring their more unusual instruments together in a single room and help you try them!
There's also Friday night's Open Mic, Sunday's Trouble Clef Jam, Open Filk every night, Saturday's Introduction to the Irish Session - all skill levels are welcome. C'mon out and give it a go!
Check out the music page for a wealth of opportunities.
The mysterious Norwescon DJ veteran DJ TOX2MUCH has quietly laid in stasis preparing for the time the world would need him once more. That time has now come as he brings the MasterMix Café back for one singular special event, Friday from 9pm-2am at Maxi's. 21+ with ID and con badge. The more you drink, the better he sounds.
Read more...
Select the text above and get the #NWC35 schedule!
Planners rejoice!
The convention schedule is available on our schedule page. There you can find HTML and PDF versions of the daily events as well as the programming grids.
For those of you with mobile access, the schedule is available via Guidebook for smart phone, tablet, or computer. Select the logo to the left for free access.
Norwescon is a science, science fiction and fantasy convention that takes place on Easter Weekend each year. We are an all-volunteer organization and always have room for more dedicated volunteers. Without members, though, there would be no reason to hold a convention; thank you for your support.
Norwescon - PO Box 68547 - Seattle, Washington 98168
Awards Given at NWC35
Pre-register for NWC36
New hotel policy for NWC 36
Reserve a room for NWC36
PK Dick Award
Art Show Awards
Each year Norwescon offers a number of events at which awards are presented. To see the listing of winners for the Masquerade, Art Show, Single Pattern Contest, etc. click here.
A full-membership for Norwescon 36 is $45 until August 31, 2012, at which time we anticipate a rate increase.
Norwescon 36 (2013) will be held on Easter Weekend, March 28 - 31, 2013, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Seattle Airport.
Register online (pay online or by mail)
A change is coming in the way we reserve rooms for Norwescon. It is a significant change for our members but we believe it will help us make more convention rooms available for our members at the cheaper convention rate.
Starting with Norwescon 36, we have asked the DoubleTree to collect a one-night room deposit when the room is first reserved. This deposit will remain fully refundable until 90 days before the convention, which for next year would be Friday, December 28, 2012. By agreement with the hotel, all rooms cancelled by this date will be returned to the room block and made available for reservation by other Norwescon members.
Read more....
Room reservations are open for Norwescon 36, March 28 - 31, 2013. Use the link below to register for your hotel room at the DoubleTree Hotel Seattle Airport.
Reserve a room for Norwescon 36, 1-night deposit due at reservation.
Join Our Mailing List
If you missed the chairman's blog post a short time ago, you can read it here. We hope you had a wonderful time!
It was announced on Friday, April 6, at Norwescon 35, in SeaTac, Washington, that the winner for the distinguished original science fiction paperback published for the first time during 2011 in the U.S.A. is:
THE SAMUIL PETROVITCH TRILOGY by Simon Morden (Orbit)
Special citation was given to:
THE COMPANY MAN by Robert Jackson Bennett (Orbit)
The Philip K. Dick Award is presented annually with the support of the Philip K. Dick Trust for distinguished science fiction published in paperback original form in the United States.
read more . . .
Norwescon's Art Show was a hotbed of activity with a small bidding war happening right before close. The sold stamps almost dried out. Our Judges worked hard to decide who should be honored this year. The art quality was some of the best that we have had. But, after much hair pulling, wrestling in the aisles and clipboard swings the honorees are:
Guest of Honor Award: Julie Baroh, for Peri
Best in Show: Kyle Abermethy, for 1 Timothy 2:8-15
First Place: Julie Baroh, for Peri
Second Place: Michael Duquette, for Time Skipper
Third Place: Rob Carlos, for Armageddon Dragon
Best Color: Jeff Sturgeon, for Martian Archway
Best Black & White: Katherine Leeds, for Winters Gift
Best Mixed Media: Aimee Stewart, for Sister Moon
Best 3-D: MacLeod Dragons, for Fishing
Best Jewelry: Gempunk Jewelry, for Time Bandit
Best Textile's: Elizabeth Fellows, for Emerald Dream
We are pleased to announce that Norwescon's scholarship goes to the Northwest College of Art and Design student, Leanne Dunn for Vulture Girl. A big thanks to our judges Don Lackey, Caroline Westra, and Mac Oros for their hard work and interesting wrestling moves.
Many thanks to Norwescon's Art Show members who voted for their favorite artists in many different categories. The judges were forced to make tie breaking decisions in two categories, Fantasy and Horror.
Best in Show: Michael Duquette, for Time Skipper
Best in Humor: Sarah Clemens, for Boneheads
Best Fantasy: Heather Hudson, for Remembering Spring (2nd Aimee Stewart, for Gypsy Firefly)
Best Horror: Amber Clark, for A Moment of Hope (2nd Matthew Hinshaw, for 'Traction' and 'Base of Change")
Best of Sci-Fi: Michael Duquette, for Time Skipper
Best Mixed Media or 3-D: Michael Duquette, for Time Skipper
Best Jewelry: Tiger Waddell, for Captured Time Necklace (2nd Gempunk Jewelry, for Aves)
Norwescon is a science, science fiction and fantasy convention that takes place on Easter Weekend each year. We are an all-volunteer organization and always have room for more dedicated volunteers. Without members, though, there would be no reason to hold a convention; thank you for your support.
Norwescon - PO Box 68547 - Seattle, Washington 98168
THE NORTHWEST SCIENCE FICTION SOCIETY PROUDLY PRESENTS
SEEDS OF TOMORROW APRIL 5-8, 2012 • SEATAC, WA
MEMBERSHIP GUIDE
AS OF 2/13/2012
MEMBERSHIP ........................................................................3
BADGE REPLACEMENT FEE ............................................................4
RIGHT OF REFUSAL .................................................................4
RULES AND POLICIES.................................................................4
CHILD & TEEN RULES .................................................................4
WEAPONS POLICY .....................................................................4
DRINKING............................................................................6
PARTIES ............................................................................6
SMOKING.............................................................................6
ANIMALS.............................................................................6
FLYERS .............................................................................6
SLEEPING IN HALLS AND STAIRWAYS ....................................................6
EVENTS.............................................................................6
ARTISTS' ALLEY......................................................................6
ART SHOW ...........................................................................7
Bag Check: .......................................................................7
Bidding:..........................................................................7
Direct Sale: .....................................................................7
Auction: .........................................................................7
Print Shop: ......................................................................7
CLOSING CEREMONIES..................................................................7
MASQUERADE .........................................................................7
Judging for the masquerade........................................................8
ONIONS AND ROSES ...................................................................8
OPENING CEREMONIES .................................................................8
PHILIP K. DICK AWARD CEREMONY ......................................................8
SINGLE PATTERN CONTEST .............................................................8
SUNDAY SPECIAL EVENT: Muggle Quidditch!.............................................9
SERVICES.....................................................................9
NORWESCON PROVIDED ..........................................................9
CLOAK ROOM...................................................................9
CONVENTION AND SECURITY OFFICES..............................................9
DAILY 'ZINE .................................................................9
GUIDEBOOK ...................................................................9
INFORMATION TABLE ...........................................................9
LOST & FOUND ...............................................................10
PEACEBONDING................................................................10
TEENS AND TEEN RUNNERS......................................................10
VOODOO MESSAGE BOARD........................................................10
VOLUNTEERING ...............................................................10
HOTEL PROVIDED .............................................................11
HOTEL SHUTTLE...............................................................11
POOL AND HOT TUB............................................................11
INTERNET ACCESS.............................................................11
MAXI’S LOUNGE...............................................................11
PARKING.....................................................................11
DOUBLETREE RESTAURANTS AND BARS.............................................12
WHAT’S IN THE LOCAL AREA....................................................12
STORES AND SERVICES ........................................................12
RESTAURANTS.................................................................12
Convenience Stores .........................................................13
Grocery Stores..............................................................13
Banks & ATMs................................................................13
TIPS FOR MAKING YOUR CONVENTION EXPERIENCE THE BEST ........................13
Everyone attending Norwescon 13 years of age and over are required to fill out a membership form before receiving a membership badge. Signing the membership form indicates that you understand the rules of conduct as listed in this document and agree to abide by them. Children 12 and under receive a free membership when attending with their parent or guardian, their membership is recorded on the adult’s form.
Membership includes:
Your membership badge must be visibly displayed while in designated convention space. Anyone who cannot produce a current membership badge upon request will be asked to leave convention space.
A minor as defined by the State of Washington must have a parent/legal guardian/individual designated by the parent or legal guardian who is on-site when the minor is on-site. Minors must have a permission slip on file with Registration signed by a parent or guardian.
If you lose your membership badge, you are encouraged to search everywhere before a new one is issued. Make sure you check with Lost and Found (both the hotel and the convention have Lost and Found departments), Registration, and Security prior to purchasing a replacement badge. There is a replacement fee of $50 for lost badges.
Norwescon reserves the right to refuse or withdraw membership.
Norwescon welcomes its young and future fans. To do this, we have programs planned throughout the convention that are geared for different age groups. Please refer to the Pocket Program for information about programming for children, tweens, and teens.
A minor as defined by the State of Washington must have a parent/legal guardian/individual designated by the parent or legal guardian who is on-site when the minor is on-site. Minors must have a permission slip on file with Registration signed by a parent or guardian.
Norwescon does not accept responsibility for supervision of attending minors; that responsibility remains with the minors’ parent/guardian/designee. In the event that child care is needed, The DoubleTree by Hilton Seattle Airport has a relationship with Best Sitters, Inc.; more information on Best Sitters can be found at 206-682-2556.
WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO INSPECT AND REJECT ANY WEAPON AT ANY TIME.
VIOLATION OF THIS POLICY IN PART OR WHOLE MAY LEAD TO YOUR REMOVAL FROM THE CONVENTION BY CONVENTION EXECUTIVE STAFF AND FROM THE HOTEL BY HOTEL SECURITY OR LOCAL AUTHORITIES.
This policy includes all real and replicated weapons of any type that may be construed as a projectile weapon or any extension of the human hand.
Peacebonding will be available next to the Information Table during open registration hours and in the Security Office when the Peacebonding table is closed.
Peacebonding is required on all weapons visibly worn/carried on the hotel property including parking areas and indoor spaces. The only type of peacebonding allowed is that provided by the convention. Fashion coordinated substitutes are not sufficient.
NO unsheathed weapon allowed in ANY public space (unless approved in advance for Masquerade or Programming event in which bonding ties will be removed for such an event and replaced immediately afterward).
All bladed/pointed weapons will be appropriately covered in all public areas and function spaces. This includes but is not limited to: Daggers, Swords, Pikes, Axes, and Polearms, be they made of steel, plastic, or any other hard material.
Polearms, Spears, Staves, and other such weapons shall be kept upright at all times and have weapon heads sheathed and bonded. The ends of said weapons must never project more than 12” from the bearer’s body.
Some weapons are not allowed at all: tazers, batons, real guns, pepper spray, crossbows, slingshots, pellet guns, water pistols, blowguns, catapults, or any type of functioning projectile weapon.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATION FOR THE FOLLOWING:
“Airsoft-style” or “Nerf-style” weapons:
At NO time is ammo allowed, in weapon or in magazine.
Empty magazines are NOT allowed in the weapon, but allowed on the belt or in a pouch for costume purposes (again NO ammo allowed).
Bows (again, crossbows are NOT allowed):
Arrows must be proven to be secured in such a manner as to be unable to be removed from their container and be secured by Peacebonding the same as all other weapons.
Any obvious appearing toy “side arms” such as Disruptors, Phasers, Laser Tag pistols/rifles, laser pointers, or any other item that can project/emit light or sound shall be peacebonded and remain in an appropriate holster at all times or held in an appropriate manner. Exemptions must be authorized by qualified Security personnel.
Special consideration will be granted by the Convention Services Executive or a select designee by said Executive to Merchants or Dealers who display or show for the purpose of sale. Any weapons removed from Dealers room will fall under above guidelines.
No weapons are allowed in Maxi’s Lounge, Seaport Lounge, or Coffee Garden Restaurant.
This Policy complies with hotel policy and local, state, and federal laws.
THERE WILL BE NO APPEAL TO ANY VIOLATION OF THESE RULES.
This policy supersedes all previous versions.
If you must drive, please let others know, so that they can help you stay away from alcohol (whatever form it takes) and stay sober so that you arrive at your destination safely. If you plan to drink, PLEASE, do not drive.
There is another topic under the heading of responsible drinking which is a touchy subject ... persons under 21 indulging in alcohol and other drugs. We, the Norwescon Committee, are realistic enough to know that if a young adult is determined to drink, it is not always possible to stop them. We do require that all parties serving alcohol check ID. Washington law forbids serving alcohol to minors with the exception of your own children and then only in your own home when there are no visitors. Responsible drinking by those over 21 (that means not getting falling down drunk or becoming a menace to yourself and others) will not be noticed as much, and the heavy hand of the hotel detective and/or our Security Director may not be felt. We want all of our members to have a good time at Norwescon, and we want you all to return home safely.
Guest rooms in Wing 5b and suites will be available for social events. A “social event” is a reception or open house-type event held in a guest room in Wing 5b or a hotel suite. Food and beverages may be served in compliance with hotel, state, and local regulations. Maximum occupancy guidelines will be enforced. Service of alcohol must be in accordance with Washington State Liquor Control Board provisions. A special occasion license or banquet permit must be obtained and posted in the suite. Events that do not qualify for a special license or permit must not serve alcohol. Alcohol service times must be in accordance with state regulations. Complete Social Event guidelines are posted on the Norwescon website.
Washington State law states that smoking is prohibited within a presumptively reasonable minimum distance of 25 feet from entrances, exits, windows that open, and ventilation intakes that serve an enclosed area where smoking is prohibited so as to ensure that tobacco smoke does not enter the area through entrances, exits, open windows, or other means. Smoking areas at the hotel are clearly marked.
Service animals only are allowed in Norwescon function space. Service animals will be issued convention identification at registration. Contact the hotel for their rules about animals in the guest rooms and public hotel areas.
Flyers may be posted only on the paper or cloth covered kiosks that we have provided. Check at the Information Table for locations. Do not attach anything to walls, windows, or doors. The hotel and/or the convention will remove any flyers found in unauthorized places.
One word to say on this subject ... Don't.
Come see artists in action! Artists' Alley is a very special event where you can interact directly with the artists while they work. See the process unfold and ask questions as several real artists, working in multiple media, show how they do it. If you're having difficulties with your own art, bring it down and seek advice on getting past your block. Alternately, if you have an idea or would like a sketch of yourself done, many of the artists will do on-the-spot custom work (fees may be charged and will vary by artist). Come down and take a look! If you like what you see, original work will be available on a limited basis. Artists' Alley is located on the first floor corridor just after the turn to Wing 7.
BAG CHECK: For the safety and protection of the artwork, some personal items may have to be checked at the time you enter the art show, at the bag check station. These items may include, but are not limited to: all bags, large coats or cloaks, and any large costume accessories that may cause safety concerns.
BIDDING: Your badge number is your bidding number. Write your name, badge number, and bid on the bid tag associated with the item. Remember that a written bid is a commitment to buy and you will be held to that commitment. Under no circumstances may you withdraw your bid. So, consider carefully before you place any bids. It is not fair to the artist or other potential bidders if you bid on a piece and then decide you do not want it.
DIRECT SALE: If you purchase a piece at the Direct Sale price, it belongs to you and will be marked SOLD. It must remain on display until Sunday morning. When you make a Direct Sale purchase, you will be given a receipt. You must present this receipt when you come to pick up your art on Sunday.
AUCTION: Items purchased at auction will be paid for at the Art Show checkout.
PRINT SHOP: Many of our artists bring prints of their work. A copy of the print is hanging in their panel, with the additional copies located in the Print Shop. Print Shop items can be purchased at any time during the convention. If the print is not the one hanging on the panel, the print can be removed at time of purchase.
The last event of the convention each year, closing ceremonies gives us a chance to say “good bye” and “thank you” to our Guests of Honor.
Each year the Norwescon masquerade showcases the works of many of the best costumers in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. The masquerade is held Saturday night in Grand Ballrooms 2 and 3 and is open to all Norwescon attendees.
If you are interested in participating in the masquerade, there is still time. Pick up the masquerade rules and entry form at the Norwescon information table and carefully read them. You must go to ONE of the two masquerade panels listed in the Pocket Program, as this is where you will get all your questions answered and it is where you turn in your forms and music.
If you have never seen a masquerade, here are a few tidbits to help orient you to what to expect.
Entries are categorized by SKILL DIVISIONS. The divisions are based on the guidelines of the International Costumers Guild (www.costume.org). The divisions are:
RISING STAR is for any contestant 13 years of age or younger who is not part of an adult group. Rising Star costumes must be made by the entrant with no more than a minimum amount of supervisory help. An adult-made costume may not be entered in this category and should instead be entered in the appropriate skill division of the adult or in the children’s masquerade.
NOVICE is for any contestant who has not previously won an award for a costume in any masquerade, or who has won a maximum of two awards in the Novice division for different costumes at a world-class convention masquerade such as Worldcon or Costume Con, or at a regional convention masquerade such as Norwescon or Westercon.
JOURNEYMAN is for any contestant who has won a maximum of three awards for different costumes in the Journeyman division at a world-class or regional convention masquerade.
MASTER is for any contestant who has won four or more awards for different costumes in the Journeyman or Master division, or who has won one or more Best in Show awards, at a regional or world-class convention masquerade. Professional costumers must enter the Master division.
JUDGING FOR THE MASQUERADE has two components: Presentation and Workmanship.
Presentation judging evaluates the presentation as it is displayed on stage. It judges the costume’s appearance from the audience, how the contestant acts and moves, the effectiveness of the music and voiceovers, and more. The Judges give awards that are divided by skill levels and excellence of performance within those different skill levels.
Workmanship judging is optional. It takes place in the masquerade backstage area before the show begins. It allows the workmanship judges to consider exceptional accomplishment in crafting costumes, props, and accessories. This is the place where exquisite attention to detail is recognized.
During the judging process, there is a halftime presentation. During the halftime there will be movie previews, special announcements, and the announcement of next year's confirmed Guests of Honor, after which the masquerade awards are announced. You will miss a lot of great things of you leave early, so you should definitely stay until the end and applaud the winners.
The Norwescon Masquerade is not broadcast live over the Norwescon TV channels, there is a tape delay to allow for an increase in broadcast quality.
Onions and Roses is a panel held right after closing ceremonies on Sunday. At this panel the convention membership provide feedback both positive (roses) and negative (onions) to the Norwescon Chairman and Convention Services Director.
Opening Ceremonies are held at 7 p.m. on Thursday night of the convention. They are an excellent way to catch a first glimpse of our Guests of Honor as well as find out who is on the Executive Team this year.
The Philip K. Dick Award is presented annually for distinguished science fiction published in paperback original form in the United States. The Philadelphia Science Fiction Society sponsors the award and the Northwest Science Fiction Society and Norwescon sponsor the award ceremony. For more information on the award, see: http://www.philipkdickaward.org/
The first time the PK Dick Award was presented at Norwescon was at Norwescon 7 to William Gibson for Neuromancer. See your Pocket Program for the location and time of this year’s ceremony. Please note that this event is broadcast in real time via ustream. It is also recorded for later viewing. This broadcast may or may not include shots of the crowd.
The single pattern contest focuses on wearable art pieces created from a preselected pattern. Each year the contest coordinator selects a pattern, which often ties in with the convention's theme. The entrants then create their designs prior to the convention. Entrants show their creations at the Single Pattern Contest Fashion Show. In addition to the Judges Awards, there is also a Fan Favorite Award that is given based on votes received from the audience.
If you would like information on entering future Single Pattern Contests watch the Norwescon website or register for the Norwescon eNewsletter.
Each year in Grand Ballroom Three a different event is held for the fun and entertainment of our membership. The Sunday Special Event for Norwescon 35 will be Muggle Quidditch, so grab your wand and don your wizard gear! You'll have the opportunity to hop on a broom and play or cheer on your favorite team from the sidelines. See your Pocket Program for the exact times for this event.
The Cloak Room is located in Wing 7, room 7101. See the Pocket Program or online guide for hours of operation. This is a free service provided by the convention for the use of convention members. The Cloak Room is for temporary storage of parcels, coats, and bags, and is not meant as a substitute hotel room or food locker. Please make other arrangements for inappropriate items. We reserve the right to refuse any article.
Norwescon is not responsible for items left in the Cloak Room. Use of the room is at your own risk. We suggest that before you place your items in the room, you make certain to understand the hours the room will be open. There is a 25¢ charge for lost claim tags.
The nerve centers of the convention are the Convention Offices located in Wing 7. The main Convention Office is located in room 7106 while the Convention Security Office is in 7108. You can find one of these open all hours of the day to help iron out any wrinkles you may encounter.
Norwescon's official Daily 'Zine carries news, schedule updates, and entertainment. After 9:00 am, copies of the 'zine can be found in numerous locations throughout the convention.
As always, news, information, and other tidbits, from members of the con, are welcome and strongly encouraged. Boxes for your submissions are placed at some of the distribution points around the con. Items left by 10 pm will be eligible to be included in the next day's edition.
In addition to the pocket program, Norwescon provides access to the information online via guidebook. Guidebook is userfriendly on iPhones, Android phones, Blackberries, and any other devices that you might use. There is a native app for iPhone and Android and a mobile web app for everything else. Access it via guidebook.com/getit
Information about the convention, the hotel, and the local area can be found at the Information Table, which is located in the convention lobby, across from Registration. If you have questions after the Information Table closes, you can go to the Convention Office in room 7106 or the Security Office in room 7108.
The Lost & Found is located in 7108, Convention Security. If you lose something during the convention, be sure to check both with the convention's Lost & Found, and with the hotel. If it does not turn up right away, check back on Sunday afternoon; sometimes things take a little while to be discovered and filter in.
Unclaimed articles left in the Cloak Room after 4 p.m. on Sunday, will go into the hotel's Lost & Found, or will go home with Norwescon's Lost & Found Manager. Determination of which location items will be placed will depend on their nature; luggage and like items with the hotel's Lost & Found, miscellaneous objects and small items with the Norwescon Lost & Found. Again, be sure to check with both the convention and the hotel's Lost & Found departments for items that you may have misplaced during the convention.
After the convention, inquiries about lost items can be made to info@norwescon.org or P.O. Box 68547, Seattle, WA 981680547. Inquiries should also be made with the hotel. Lost items will be kept until July 1 of the convention year. After that date, any unclaimed items will be auctioned at the Volunteer Picnic, with the proceeds going to the Northwest Science Fiction Society (NWSFS).
SEE RULES AND POLICIES: Weapons Policy
Norwescon recognizes that the future of convention attendees and volunteering staff will come from the teens currently attending the convention with their parents. In an effort to give you, our younger members, the opportunity to gain firsthand experience, and a behind the scenes look into the world of conventions, Norwescon implemented the "Teen Runner" program. If you are between the ages of 13 and 17, and you are looking for things to do at the convention, stop by Volunteers and try your hand in helping out as a Runner. There are jobs in areas such as: Registration, Technical Services, Office Service, Volunteers, Masquerade, and Dispatch that have jobs, suitable for teenagers and are vital to the convention.
Have you ever wanted to know if your friends have arrived at the con? Have you ever wanted to leave a message for somebody but didn't know if they are staying in a room?
Norwescon offers members a way to leave messages for each other by means of a Voodoo Message Board. The board is located by the restrooms near Registration and will have a list of all pre-registered convention members. When you get to the convention, please place a check mark next to your name or add your name to the list in alphabetical order. This will let others know that you are on-site and will be checking for messages.
To leave a message for another convention member, write the message on one of the provided index cards, and place it in the appropriate slot in the file box. Then place one of the pins, which are provided next to the member's name. Everyone is encouraged to check the board for messages.
Norwescon runs on volunteers ̶ without them there would be no convention. As such, everybody is encouraged to volunteer at the convention for a few hours. There are many things that you can volunteer for that still let you attend certain events. As a bonus, volunteers who have helped at any time during the con have early entry into the Masquerade; may attend a special event arranged for them; are invited to a post-con party during the summer; may be entered in drawings for special gifts; and
receive tokens to show our appreciation. Go to the Volunteer Table in the convention lobby or the Volunteer Office and sign up for a shift (or two, or three, or four, or five).
The volunteer office does not provide babysitting. Minors may volunteer with permission of their parent/guardian/designee but should not be dropped off at the office without a specific purpose. In the event that child care is needed, The DoubleTree by Hilton Seattle Airport has a relationship with Best Sitters, Inc.; more information on Best Sitters can be found at 206-6822556.
The hotel shuttle can transport you to SeaTac International Airport, the light rail station and the Hilton. Check with the Concierge for availability, departure, and return times.
The pool and hot tub are open to hotel guests 24 hours a day and can be accessed with a hotel room key. The pool and hot tub will be closed for scheduled cleaning and maintenance during part of the day. Please read the pool and hot tub rules posted in that area. The rules must be obeyed if we want to keep this area open for the weekend.
High speed internet (DSL) access is available in all guest rooms during Norwescon for a fee. Please call the hotel front desk for access.
By agreement Maxi’s Lounge is open Friday and Saturday nights for the exclusive use of Norwescon 35 attendees. Maxi’s provides an exciting space for all attendees over 21 (with ID and NWC badge) to drink, eat, dance and hang out. It is open both Friday and Saturday night starting at 9:00 p.m. and closes at 2:00 a.m. To enter Maxi’s lounge during the hours of operation you must be recognizable as the person on your ID - no masks or feature-obscuring makeup. Please be aware that the entire 14th floor is only available for members 21 and older as of 8:30 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday nights.
The Hotel has a monitored parking system. There are four entry gates into the hotel parking lot. Tickets are dispensed at each gate and payment is made as you leave or in one of the marked kiosk in the hotel lobby. Off-site parking is available nearby as well.
Parking is always limited at Norwescon. Do not park in fire lanes. Do not park in spaces marked for those with disabilities unless you have a valid handicap permit. Only park in marked parking spaces. Vehicles parked in unauthorized areas (including that which is set aside for reserved parking spaces) will be towed. Please park legally and walk the distance rather than parking where you should not. There are many parking lots in the area and some provide transport to and from the airport and hotel.
THE COFFEE GARDEN: The Coffee Garden offers a comfortable, casual dining area, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a straightforward approach to American cuisine and express buffet. The Coffee Garden is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m..
SEAPORTS: Seaports Restaurant and Lounge offers fine dining in a comfortable Norwescon atmosphere. Open daily for lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m..
ESPRESSO CART: espresso drinks, coffee, juice, soft drinks, cookies and pastries. The Espresso cart is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day.
MAXI’S LOUNGE: Maxi’s Lounge offers a venue for convention members 21 and older to drink, eat, dance, and socialize with other adults. Open Friday and Saturday from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.. Please be aware that the entire 14th floor is only available for members 21 and older as of 8:30 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday nights.
13 Coins - 18000 International Blvd. (206-243-9500)
Five minute walk north of hotel. Serving up hearty fare 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Denny's - 18623 International Blvd. (206-248-1558)
Across the road from our hotel. Open 24 hours.
Dave's Diner and Brew - 19204 International Blvd. (206-277-7196)
Diner open 6 am - 10 pm; Lounge open until 2 am, 2 minute walk. Classic diner food.
Jack-In-The-Box - 2840 South 188th (206-244-6293)
Across International Blvd. from our hotel. Open 24 hours.
Masae's Teriyaki - 19021 International Blvd. (206-241-6231)
South on International Blvd. from the hotel, just past the Days Inn. Japanese food. Not open Sunday.
Sharp's Roaster & Ale House - 18427 International Blvd. (206-241-5744) Across from hotel.
Features rotisserie chicken, baby back ribs, smoked meats, and American food. Sunday – Thursday 11 am – midnight; Friday – Saturday 11 am – 12:30 am.
Subway - 18613 International Blvd. (206-436-8570)
In the WallyPark across from the hotel. Sandwiches and salads. Thursday - Friday 7 am - midnight; Saturday 8 am - midnight; Sunday 9 am - midnight.
Taco Bell - 18812 International Blvd. (206-243-8171)
Across 188th from the hotel. 9:00 am – 10:00 pm.
7-11 - 20008 International Boulevard (206-824-3984)
South on International Blvd. from our hotel, just past the Day's Inn.
7-11 - 3120 S 176th St (206-242-4559)
North on International Blvd. from our hotel and right on 176th. Near the Hilton
Costco - 1160 Saxon Drive (206-575-9191)
15 minute drive east of hotel. Open Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 8:30 pm; Saturday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm; Sunday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm. Costco membership required.
Tukwila Trading Company - 3725 S. 144th St. (206-242-5290)
Open 6:00 am - 10:00 pm. In the location of the former Larry’s Market, they carry many of the same types of products.
Safeway - 4011 S. 164th (206-244-2567)
Includes a Deli, Bakery, Pharmacy, Starbucks, Video, and Liquor departments.
There is an ATM in the hotel lobby. There is a Chase bank at the north end of the parking lot it is a full-service bank with ATM. Both the Tukwila Trading Company and Safeway listed above have bank facilities and or ATMs.
Attach your badge to the outside of your outfit. It saves you from having to fish it out when asked by door guards or convention security.
Remember to carry your identification (driver’s licenses, state identification, etc.) with you at all times. Identification is required at the hotel bars and room parties. Also, remember to bring money or your credit card ̶ you never know when you will see something you want in the Dealers’ Room or the Art Show.
Note: You may be asked to provide your identification for entry into events and panels labeled "A" for adult or 18+ with ID.
Without your ID you may be refused entry.
Floor 14 is limited to members 21+ with photo ID from 8:30 p.m. – 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday night; carry your ID or you might have to make the elevator journey twice.
Carry the Pocket Program with you so that you know what’s happening and where to find it. Highlight the panels you want to attend so that you don’t miss them.
Check out the online schedule and calendar, sync the appropriate one with your smart phone.
Pick up a Daily 'zine every morning to see what is happening that day and to learn of any changes to the daily schedule.
Check out the Voodoo Message Board daily to see if you have messages.
Stop by Hospitality to see who you know and who you want to know.
Smile and say “Hi” to the people around you! You never know who is standing next to you. They may be the next big author or artist. Then you can say “I knew them when …”
Volunteer, it's a great way to get to know people.
When in doubt...when in need... When the apocalypse hits...
Welcome to Norwescon, I hope that you all are as excited as I am. A great way to start your convention and to meet all our GoH's is to a end the Banquet tonight; tickets will be on sale today in the lobby.
I am looking forward to seeing all of you at the convention. I love meeting and talking to our members, so feel free to stop me in the halls and tell me about what you like (or don’t like) about our convention, as we are always looking for ways to make Norwescon better.
Shawn Marier
Norwescon 35 Chairman
Too many nonperishables in your emergency kits for the zombie apocalypse? Jeeves suggests bringing them to Norwescon! Look for the white Northwest Harvest bins close to Registration for donations. If you don’t have any nonperishables, you may always donate cash at registration.
Darryl Aoki
JC Gordon Granger
Sienna Morris
Greg Paddock
Wendy Prather
C.A. Scott
Pierce Watters
Wizard’s Hats—Witch’s Veils 5:30 pm OLY 1
Arcade? Room 7110
Art Show? Grand Ballroom 1
Artists’ Alley? Concourse 2
Cloak Room? Room 7101
Con Office? Room 7106
Con Security/Lost & Found? Room 7108
Dealers’ Room? NW Ballrooms
Gaming, Scheduled? Cascade 9/10
Gaming, Open? Rotunda 1 & 2
Hospitality? Olympic 3
Maxi’s Lounge? Top of the Tower (R on the Tower elevators)
Volunteers? Olympic 2
Get ready for a partial solar eclipse on May 20th. Venus transits on June 3rd with a total eclipse on August 20th in Portland, OR.
Jeeves respectfully requests all parties to please register with the Con Office, located in 7106.
Norwescon has partnered with Guidebook, http://guidebook.com/g/nwc2012/ to provide our online convention schedule. If you have a smartphone (iPhone, Android, Blackberry, or web-enabled devices), just visit the above web address to install the Guidebook app and download the Norwescon 35 (2012) guide!
You can also go directly to http://m.guidebook.com/1128/ to browse through our entire schedule day-by-day!
WHO IS DJ TOX2MUCH? WHAT IS THE MASTERMIX CAFÉ? Find out tomorrow at Maxi’s.
MC Firedrill
Evergreen 3&4, 8 p.m.
Rai Kamishiro
Evergreen 3&4, 9 p.m.
Kräken-Röhl
Evergreen 3&4, 10 p.m.
Want to follow these bands on Twitter?
MC Firedrill - #chiptunes
Rai Kamishiro - #nerdcore #jpop
Kraken-Rohl - #seapunk #steampunk
Simply come to our Volunteers Lounge during the conven on and sign up!
Adults & Teens Welcome!
Wanna prove it? Wanna disprove it?
Have you heard about nwcMUSIC's Saturday afternoon production of Cascadia's Got Talent!? Come bring your song, your new dramatic reading, your juggling act, your stupid human tricks, and perform them before our audience and team of celebrity Drunks...err, judges! If you survive the Gong, you can win one of our allegedly fabulous, by which we mean terrible, prizes! Signup forms and rules are at Information, curtain goes up 3 pm Saturday afternoon up in the Salon.
Steven Baxter, Bridget Landry, John Picacio, Sheila Gilbert & Betsy Wolheim are all scheduled for the following:
Banquet 5-7 pm in Grand 2
Opening Ceremonies, 7-8 pm Evergreen 1 & 2
Keith and Alan here from the Movie Previews, again ready to bring the latest from Hollywood straight to your eyes and ears. Our schedule for this year:
Friday – Previews Show #1
1-3pm – Grand 3
Friday - Family Movie Previews
3:30-4:30pm – OLY 1
Saturday – Masquerade half-time – Note the Halftime will not be broadcast to the Hotel – if you want to see it, you have to be there!
Sunday – Previews Show #last – 12-2pm – Evergreen 1-2
Our Friday show will be especially popular so get there early. And the SWAG this year is the Mother lode! See you there!
Adult: Tickling is necessary for proper neurological development.
Small Child: What’s neurological development?
Adult: Helping your brain grow right.
Small child: Blah blah blah.
If she has a problem, she can get a ladder and kick my ass.
is the daily newsletter of Norwescon 35. Ar cles from the membership are greatly desired. The deadline for each issue is 10 pm the night before. Submission boxes are located at Registration, the Con Office, and the Info Table, or you may email Jeeves at zine@norwescon.org. Your editrix is Katrina Marier with ad hoc assistance from the Publications Team!
Norwescon 35 Zine #0 4/5/12