Awesome Con August 20-22, 2021 Washington DC [LeftField Media]

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WHEN: Friday, August 20; exhibit hall hours 12pm – 8pm, programming until 10pm
Saturday, August 21; exhibit hall hours 10am – 7pm, programming until 10pm
Sunday, August 22; exhibit hall hours 10am – 5pm, programming until 5pm

WHERE: Walter E. Washington Convention Center
801 Mt. Vernon Pl NW
Washington, DC 20001

TICKETS: Daily and full weekend passes are available. Badges purchased before July 15 will be mailed to a provided address.

• Friday Only Admission: $40
• Saturday Only Admission: $60
• Sunday Only Admission: $45
• 3-Day Weekend Pass: $85
• Premium 3-Day Pass: $160
• Kids Admission: $15. Valid for kids ages 3-10. Valid for full weekend or any day individually.
• VIP passes & experiences range from the Premium 3-Day ($160) to 3-Day, limited quantity Club Awesome Membership ($399), which offers access to various celebrity appearances, reserved Main Stage seating, ‘Jump the line’ cards and exclusive Club Awesome merchandise items.

WEBSITE: www.awesomecon.com is updated regularly with new guests, exciting exhibitors, and special programming.
SOCIAL MEDIA:

• Facebook: facebook.com/AwesomeConDC
• Twitter: @AwesomeCon
• Instagram: @awesomecons

 

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Thousands of fans in comics, science and technology, cosplay, animation & film, and gaming from across the Mid-Atlantic and beyond, will gather together Friday, August 20 through Sunday, August 22 at the Walter E. Convention Center for Awesome Con 2021, marking the return of the wildly popular three-day pop culture convention by LeftField Media.

Awesome Con 2021 continues to bring hundreds of hours of programs and comes on the heels of Washington, D.C.'s full reopening, as capacity restrictions were lifted effective earlier in June. Fans will get to experience the same exciting celebrity meet and greets, panel discussions, and exhibitor floor, complete with enhanced safety protocols, ensuring the health and wellness of attendees following the COVID-19 pandemic. At this time, the organizers of Awesome Con will continue to evaluate guidelines and precautions for the convention including:

• Required wearing of masks by all individuals within the convention center
• Enhanced sanitization stations and cleaning protocols
• Increased spacing with wider aisles, designated entrances, and directional signage to ensure social distancing
• Ongoing updates on queueing procedures and capacity reduction measures for higher traffic periods
• Expanded badge mailing timeframes and offsite pick up locations to eliminate onsite pick up queues

Previously, the main convention show floor attracted more than 72,000 attendees, over 300 panels and programs, and 600 exhibitors. This year, with a larger footprint, fans will have more space to browse, take photos, and reconnect with friends. In addition, Awesome Con will showcase celebrities and experts hosting panels; cosplay contests; gaming tournaments; iconic pop culture memorabilia; and as always, a diverse array of activities for the whole family.

New to this year’s pavilions, fans can explore the new educational, tech-centric Science Fair and Book Fair powered by Solid State Books. Family-friendly programs take over Awesome Con Jr., which returns with even more playful events planned to educate and entertain kids of all ages and parents alike. The fan-favorite Pride Alley presented in partnership with Flame Con, Geeks OUT, and Metro Weekly is back and bigger than ever, shining a spotlight on LGBTQ creators and fans in an even more robust section of Artist Alley where special programs discuss diversity in pop culture. The Awesome Con Short Film Festival, which debuted six years ago by artist Joe Carabeo, will showcase indie short films from around the world.

Despite the cancellation of last year’s in-person event, Awesome Con’s lineup includes stars from American science fiction films Back to the Future and the Lord of the Rings casts. In celebration of its second 35th anniversary Michael J. Fox (Marty McFly) and Christopher Lloyd (Doc Brown) are headlining along with Sean Astin (Samwise Gamgee) and Billy Boyd (Peregrin “Pippin” Took). Among guests confirmed to appear, Awesome Con is proud to welcome other celebrity guests and comic creators including Christina Ricci, George Takei, Adam Savage, William Shatner, Jack Quaid, Amy Chu, Sam Maggs, Tracie Ching and Ron Marz to this year’s lineup, with more still to be announced.

With Awesome Con 2021 hosting more energetic programs, more globally recognized special guests, and presenting more exclusive previews and announcements to attendees than ever before, it continues to grow as a standout annual destination – uniting fans at one of the largest pop culture events in the country.

Screen Stars:

• Adam Savage (Mythbusters, Unchained Reaction, Savage Builds)
• Austin St. John (‘Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers)
• Billy Boyd (The Lord of the Rings, Outlander)
• Charles Martinet (Mario and Luigi)
• Christina Ricci (The Addams Family, Casper, Sleepy Hollow)
• Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future, Addams Family, Star Trek III, My Favorite Martian)
• George Takei (Star Trek: The Original Series)
• Jack Quaid (The Boys, Star Trek: Lower Decks, The Hunger Games)
• Johnathan Heder (Napoleon Dynamite, Blades of Glory, The Benchwarmers)
• Karan Ashley (‘Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers)
• Michael J. Fox (Back to the Future, Teen Wolf)
• Mikal Mosley (Professional Cosplayer & Cosplay Contest Host)
• Sean Astin (The Lord of the Rings, The Goonies, Rudy, Stranger Things)
• Walter Jones (‘Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers)
• Wes Johnson (The Elder Scrolls, Fallout 4, Announcer for the Washington Capitals)
• William Shatner (Star Trek The Original Series)

Comic Guests:

• Amy Chu (Sensational Wonder Woman, Red Sonja 1982)
• Amy Reeder (Amethyst, Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, DC Pride)
• Chuck Brown (Bitter Root, Flawed, Black Manta)
• Dan Parent (Die Kitty Die, Archie Comics, Love Showdown)
• Gavin Guidry (Deadly Living, Going to the Chapel, The Death Defying)
• Jeremy Clark (TMNT: The Last Ronin, ‘Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers)
• Mitch Gerads (Strange Adventures, Mister Miracle, The Sheriff of Babylon)
• Ron Marz (Green Lantern, Silver Surfer, Witchblade)
• Phillip Kennedy Johnson (Superman, Alien, Extreme Carnage)
• Sam Maggs (Captain Marvel, The Unstoppable Wasp, Con Quest, The Fangirl’s Guide to the Universe, Tell No Tales, Fangirl)

Literary Guests:

• David Liss (The Peculiarities, A Conspiracy of Paper, Whiskey Rebels)
• Ellen Datlow (Body Shocks, Lovecraft’s Monsters, Naked City)
• Peter V. Brett (The Demon Cycle series)
• Cerece Rennie Murphy (The Hope of Aferi series)
• L. Penelope (Earthsinger Chronicles series)
• J. Kelley Skovron (The Empire of Storms trilogy)
• Constance Sayers (A Witch In Time, The Ladies of the Secret Circus)

 

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Isn't there an awesome con everyday in Washington, D.C.?

 

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This year’s Awesome Con programming will kick off at Walter E. Washington Convention Center with activations across a sprawling footprint that includes LGBTQ-focused Pride Alley, a Science Fair for all ages, Awesome Con Jr.’s beloved kid’s programs, Cosplay, Gaming, and more. Attendees can start planning their Awesome Con experience and view the full schedule of programs online at www.awesome-con.com/programming.


Celebrity Guests
Headlining this year’s Awesome Con are the stars of Back to the Future celebrating the legendary film’s 35th anniversary. The dynamic Doc and Marty: Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd will take on the Main Stage Q&A on Sunday to chat about the iconic American science fiction film. Throughout the three-day show, dedicated programming fills the show floor with exclusive Back to the Future cosplay meetups, a “What if Back to the Future IV? Happened” panel, and an in-person showcase of the DeLorean time machine.
Awesome Con is also excited to welcome William Shatner and George Takei of Star Trek. Lord of the Rings fans, get ready to head into the Shire with star hobbits Sean Astin and Billy Boyd. The full main stage lineup includes:
August 20

• Adam Savage
• The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
• Charles Martinet
• William Shatner

August 21

• Christina Ricci
• George Takei
• The Lord of the Rings
• Awesome Con’s Destination Cosplay Competition

August 22

• Jonathan Heder
• “Voiceapalooza” with Wes Johnson
• Back to the Future (3PM - Separate ticket required - Available online)

Destination Cosplay, Awesome Con Jr. and Pride Alley
For the first-time ever, Awesome Con unveils its newest programming track, Destination Cosplay, a forum designed to unite the cosplayer fan community. Beyond the show floor, fans can find cosplay changing areas, register for the revamped Cosplay Competition hosted by fan-favorite Mikal Mosley, and join a variety of cosplay meetups from Pokémon to Power Rangers, Marvel to Harry Potter, and so much more. First-time nerds and con-goers can also visit The Lounge presented by Plus Ultra Entertainment, an inclusive meetup highlighting the BIPOC cosplayer experience.
The ever-popular, family-friendly pavilion Awesome Con Jr. returns with even more events planned to educate and entertain kids of all ages. Back this year is Pride Alley presented in partnership with Flame Con, Geeks OUT and Metro Weekly, shining a spotlight on LGBTQ creators and fans in an even more robust section of Artist Alley presenting special programs addressing diversity in pop culture. Pride Alley will unite all ***** creators and fans with LGBTQ activities around Awesome Con through a dedicated section of Artist Alley and three days of panels and special events. Highlights from Awesome Con Jr. and Pride Alley include:

• Dan Parent Talks Kevin Keller (Pride Alley - 11AM - August 21 - Room 102AB) Join Dan Parent, the creator of Kevin Keller, for a conversation with Randy Shulman, the editor of Metro Weekly, about how this character’s impact has been felt far and wide within the LGBT+ community.
• Queerly Femtastic: Celebrating ***** Female Representation in Comic (Pride Alley - 2:45PM - August 21 - Room 102AB) To explore influences, what draws us to strong female characters, and why intersectionality is paramount to the future of comics. Featured panelists include comic guests Sam Maggs, Amy Chu and Amy Reeder.
• Kids Cosplay Parade (Awesome Con Jr. - 12PM - August 21 | 12PM - August 22 - Awesome Con Jr. Stage) Registration is limited to the first 30 kids (and their parents).
• Comic Cover Contest (Awesome Con Jr. 2:45PM - August 22 - Awesome Con Jr. Workshops) Draw your own comic book illustration that shows an original or established character in a dynamic pose and interesting environment. Monetary prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.

Book Fair, Science Fair, and More
Powered by D.C.-based Solid State Books, the inaugural Book Fair will offer book signings, access to writers and publishers; see full programming online. The annual Awesome Con Short Film Festival also returns with a new award. The “Best One-Shot” will celebrate favorite cinematic devices, the “Long Take” or the “Oner” by presenting selections in a new festival category.
From science and tech geeks to bookworms, Awesome Con has a little bit of everything at the Science Fair filling a special area of the show floor with featured activations in collaboration with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Science Foundation including:

• Women at NASA (Science Fair - 12:45PM - August 21 - Room 144AB) Come meet just a few of the talented women who work at NASA. Hear about what led them to the space agency, the sometimes-crazy paths they took to get where they are today and the challenges they’ve faced.
• Star Trek Tech (Science Fair - 2PM - August 20 - Room 144AB) Star Trek contains advances in technology and science that push the limits of the human imagination. The National Science Foundation brings together a panel of scientists to discuss the tech behind Star Trek.
• Uncovering Mars Through New and Future Missions (Science Fair - 7PM - August 21 - Room 144AB) In this session, NASA scientists will discuss what we hope to learn from ExoMars, a joint program of the European Space Agency and the Russian Space Agency Roscosmos, will launch to the Red Planet in 2022.
• The Art of NASA: Visualizing the Future of Space (10:30AM - August 22 - Room 144AB) Join professional artists, designers, and modelers from Goddard Space Flight Center for a moderated discussion of art careers at NASA, the impact of art on NASA’s vision, and the role concept art plays in mission proposals.

Additional Programming Includes:

• The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim! (4:45 PM - August 21 - Room 146AB) Join voice actors Wes Johnson also the National Hockey League's Washington Capitals arena announcer, Craig Sechler and surprise SKYRIM related guests as they give out fun prizes and discuss the plans for Bethesda Game Studio’s Big 10 Year SKYRIM Anniversary Celebration!
• Geek Comedy Tour: Jedi, Elves, and Plumbers Oh My! (8:15PM - August 21 - Room 143AB) Appearing for the first time at AwesomeCon, the Geek Comedy Tour will be combining its lust for nerdy stand up with its outright obsessions with just about every form of pop culture under the sun and making fun of it (and themselves) for 90 minutes.
• Unpopular Opinions & Unbelievable Facts: Live! (8:45PM - August 21 - Room 146AB) From astrophysics to Zork, comic book crossovers to commodification of 80s nostalgia...from Marvel movie memes to comment section culture…TV tropes and little-known-factoids—all of geekdom is fair game!
• That Gundam Thing (1:45PM - August 22 - Room 150AB) Gundam has been around since 1979 and has spawned a vast number of series over the years. This primer brings you into the multiverse that is Gundam. Taking a look at numerous shows and timelines, we will find out what series is right for you!
• Two Guys Into Fridays - Live Podcast Recording (5:45 PM - August 20 - Room 103) Join Travis and Stephen in a discussion of all of your favorite TGIF shows like Full House, Family Matters, Boy Meets World and Step By Step as they continue their journey of watching each week as it aired exactly 30 years later.

WEBSITE: www.awesomecon.com is updated regularly with new guests, exciting exhibitors, and special programming.

 

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Awesome Con’s science-centric pavilion, Science Fair, returns to the region’s premier comic and pop culture convention, Friday, August 20 to Sunday, August 22 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Scientists and entertainers will come together at the themed pavilion and on stage to connect science and technology with science-fiction and fantasy. Science Fair presents three days of special programming, where science meets science-fiction, celebrating technology, engineering, astronomy and more. This year’s guest of honor is Adam Savage who found fame on the Discovery Channel’s television series MythBusters,as well as starring in and producing content for Tested, a wildly popular content platform that includes a YouTube Channel and website for makers and curious minds.

Awesome Con, now in its ninth year, is thrilled to welcome a range of other leaders and experts from organizations that represent scientific advancement and education across numerous industries. Representatives from the National Science Foundation and NASA Goddard Space and Flight Center will lead programs and workshops throughout the weekend. Attendees of all ages will be able to engage at panel Q&As and discussions as well as hands-on tech demos and workshops, all focused on fostering awareness and enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

“This year’s Science Fair brings unique programming to Awesome Con with breakthrough panels we hope will inspire and empower our future and aspiring scientists, researchers and engineers,” says LeftField Media’s director of marketing, Lauren Dabb. “We have diverse programming for everyone thanks to our longtime partners and exhibitors that bring this pavilion to life.”

Kickstart your Awesome Con weekend on Friday and join Adam Savage on the Main Stage.


Among highlights of this year’s Science Fair programming is “An Hour with Adam Savage” on the Main Stage. Taking place on Friday, August 21, this can’t-miss panel is all about the fans where Savage will answer their questions and will give fans a scientific sneak peek into his mythical mind!
Attendees can meet some of the talented women who work at NASA including Dawn Myers, Nayi Castro, Lora Bleachor, Natalie Curran, and Sabrina Thompson. From how they started their science careers and journey to the nation’s prestigious space agency, attendees will learn the sometimes crazy paths they took to get where they are today and the challenges they’ve faced. (Panel details: “Women at NASA” - 12:45PM - August 21 - Room 144AB)
The National Science Foundation brings together a panel of scientists to discuss the tech behind Star Trek. Teleportation? Androids? Escaping a Black Hole? The possibility of humanoid or other forms of life on other planets? Star Trek contains advances in technology and science that push the limits of the human imagination. Join NSF’s Dr. Samuel Scheiner, Dr. John Nichol, Dr. Joe Pesce and Dr. Timothy Brown as they explore breakthroughs in science that reveal the truth behind the fiction. (Panel details: “Star Trek Tech” - 2PM - August 20 - Room 144AB)

Awesome Con attendees can uncover Mars in Saturday’s panel with NASA scientists.


Science Fair will take fans into space with a panel uncovering NASA’s mission to Mars. Earlier this year, NASA’s Mars 2020 Perseverance rover landed on the surface of Mars. ExoMars, a joint program of the European Space Agency and the Russian Space Agency Roscosmos will launch to the Red Planet in 2022. These missions will address key questions about the potential for life on Mars. The ExoMars rover, named Rosalind Franklin, will traverse the Martian surface in search of signs of life. The Perseverance rover will collect and store core samples for a future mission to gather and return to Earth. NASA scientists featuring moderator Scott Guzewich and panelists Lu Chou, Geronimo Villanueva and Giuliano Liuzzi will discuss what we hope to learn from these new missions and how current orbiters around Mars will support them. (Panel details: “Uncovering Mars through New and Future Missions” - 7PM - August 21 - Room 144AB)
Attendees can take an epic journey back in time to a prehistoric world now lost to ice, with this sneak preview of the giant screen adventure, Dinosaurs of Antarctica. Meet the scientists, Libby Ives, Dr. Patricia Ryberg, Dr. Nathan Smith, G. Neri, and Corban Wilkin who explored the frozen continent’s glaciers on a quest to uncover its secret past, and learn how to draw a dinosaur with the award winning team behind the comic, “The Time Traveling Dinosaur Detectives of Antarctica.” (Panel details: “Dinosaurs of Antarctica'' - 3:15PM - August 21 - Room 144AB)
Science Fair will take place during Awesome Con 2021 with no separate ticket required to attend events. Admission to Awesome Con includes access to attend Science Fair’s panels, exhibits and events. For tickets to Awesome Con, visit www.awesomecon.com. For more information about Science Fair and full programming, please visit www.awesome-con.com/science-fair.

 

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The 9th annual Awesome Con, the region’s premier comic and pop culture convention is officially counting down to opening day. The event runs Friday, August 20 to Sunday, August 22 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center featuring new headliners set to hit the Main Stage including Carl Weathers and Giancarlo Esposito of “The Mandalorian”.

Awesome Con’s Pride Alley is back with a dedicated section of Artist Alley and three days of panels and special events. Together with the creators of Flame Con, Geeks OUT and MetroWeekly, Pride Alley celebrates the diversity and creativity of ***** geekdom and LGBTQ contributions to pop culture. Fans can discover arts of all kinds from this year’s Pride Alley Artists including: Shop5 • Dale Lazarov / Sticky Graphic Novels • Relemenopy • Memento Mori Amore • Connor Peterson • Elizabeth Corrigan • SleepyRam • Rage Gear Studios • Imas Esther Illustration • James Schmidt • Good Vibes Candles • Portfoli-Mo • Rosangela Ludovico • Sarah Miller Creations.
With a focus on storytelling, content creators, writers and publishers, Awesome Con has partnered with Solid State Books to launch the inaugural Book Fair. This year’s Book Fair guests include author of the internationally known Demon Cycle series Peter V. Brett, renowned editor Ellen Datlow, author of How to Mars David Ebenbach, national bestselling author of The Wolf Queen: The Promise of Aferi’s Cerece Rennie Murphy, and many more. Solid State Books will also be running a free Recommendation Station for fans. Stop by the booth #2501 and talk to any of the staff to find your next read!

In its first-ever debut to Awesome Con, Destination Cosplay will radiate throughout the Show Floor, in cosplay-themed programming all weekend long, and in Cosplay Meetups in Room 149B. While there will a selection of over 20 cosplay themed meetups throughout the three-day weekend and showcase of the wildly popular Awesome Con Cosplay Competition, attendees can also get a chance to meet cosplay guests including Joe Colton Cosplay; Kiwi Ninamori, BlerDCon’s cosplay contest winner, Ginoza Costuming who will be signing at the SONICBOOMBOX Booth, and the Philadelphia Avengers.
For the littlest fans, Awesome Con Jr. intersects fun, play and family-friendly activities and workshops. Fans in their favorite superhero cosplay will have a chance to get bendy at Kids Superhero Yoga all Saturday afternoon in our brand new Movement Zone. Crawling and climbing skills will be on display at the Super Baby Obstacle Course, and younglings can take part in an introductory course to lightsabers with the Saber Guild, where kids learn basic dodges, blocks and Force moves, also in the Movement Zone. Don’t miss unique performances on the Awesome Con Jr. Stage including the Kid’s Cosplay Parade, Prince/Princess Training, and Hero’s Quest by Awesome Con comic guest Arsia Rozegar. Kids can draw and craft along during our hands-on Awesome Con Jr. workshops hosted by Max Meow creator John Gallagher, Scoot Comics, Shawn Durington and more! See the full schedule at www.awesomecon.com/awesome-con-jr.

Foam Brain Games is back with another awesome year of tabletop gaming. Gamers can compete in the Dungeons and Dragons Adventurer’s League, check out classics like King Tokyo and Catan or take an adventure with narrative-based tabletops like Alter Arms. See a full list of games and more online at www.awesome-con.com/tabletop-gaming.
The party doesn’t stop at Awesome Con when the convention ends. Join the official Awesome Con After Party with SONICBOOMBOX at the Hard Rock Cafe on Saturday, August 21 and dance the night away with DJ Taylor Senpai. Plus hang out with special guests including cosplay host Mikal Mosley, DC-based drag queen Logan Stone, and more! Masks and proof of vaccination are required. Tickets are $20 if you buy in advance, $30 at the door! Tickets on sale at www.awesome-con.com/afterparty.
VIRTUAL DASHBOARD & MOBILE APP: The Awesome Con Mobile App is your best bet for the most up-to-date information and to access guests, schedules, exhibitors virtually. Download it via Google Play and the Apple App Store.
Fans can also check out the virtual dashboard to get a mini programming schedule with jam-packed content online. See “Countdown to the Con” and learn more at www.awesome-con.com/countdown-to-the-con.
COVID-19 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE: With the help of the convention center and guidance from the local health department and CDC, Awesome Con is committed to making the health and safety of our fans, exhibitors, guests and staff a top priority. Please see the full policy and updated safety protocols online at www.awesome-con.com/covid-19.