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| Gaming Convention This Weekend in Orono | | 1/14/2010 10:50:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article |
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| Photo by Shane Leonard |
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The second annual SnowCon social gaming convention takes place Saturday and Sunday, January 16 and 17, in Orono. Gaming enthusiasts will gather from all over New England and the Canadian Maritimes for the two-day event that includes special guests, film screenings, workshops and exhibitors, in addition to the many scheduled and drop-in games. Card games, board games, live action role-playing games, role-playing games, storytelling games, strategy games, miniatures . . . if you can play it on a table, someone will be playing it at SnowCon. Registration is currently available at SnowConMaine.com.
The convention is held at the Black Bear Inn Conference Center & Suites at 4 Godfrey Drive in Orono. Doors open at 8 a.m. on Saturday, January 16, and games begin at 9 a.m. Players of all ages can sign up to play the scheduled games and tournaments or borrow a game from the Game Library and start their own. Special events are scattered throughout the day and include Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks author Ethan Gilsdorf, Los Angeles' own geek comedian Sax Carr and a screening of the Shadowrun short film "Crossing Shadows," with Montreal filmmaker Olivier Bonenfant.
A Steampunk Soiree & Tea is scheduled on Saturday afternoon to celebrate the "cosplay" theme at SnowCon. Cosplay is short for costume play, where people dress up for fun as favorite characters or in certain period costumes from the past or future. "Steampunk fashion" has no set guidelines, but tends to synthesize modern styles as filtered through the Victorian era. Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes, and those attending the steampunk event are asked to bring one canned good for donation to the local food pantry.
The second annual SnowCon social gaming convention takes place Saturday and Sunday, January 16 and 17, in Orono. Gaming enthusiasts will gather from all over New England and the Canadian Maritimes for the two-day event that includes special guests, film screenings, workshops and exhibitors, in addition to the many scheduled and drop-in games. Card games, board games, live action role-playing games, role-playing games, storytelling games, strategy games, miniatures . . . if you can play it on a table, someone will be playing it at SnowCon. Registration is currently available at SnowConMaine.com.
The convention is held at the Black Bear Inn Conference Center & Suites at 4 Godfrey Drive in Orono. Doors open at 8 a.m. on Saturday, January 16, and games begin at 9 a.m. Players of all ages can sign up to play the scheduled games and tournaments or borrow a game from the Game Library and start their own. Special events are scattered throughout the day and include Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks author Ethan Gilsdorf, Los Angeles' own geek comedian Sax Carr and a screening of the Shadowrun short film "Crossing Shadows," with Montreal filmmaker Olivier Bonenfant.
A Steampunk Soiree & Tea is scheduled on Saturday afternoon to celebrate the "cosplay" theme at SnowCon. Cosplay is short for costume play, where people dress up for fun as favorite characters or in certain period costumes from the past or future. "Steampunk fashion" has no set guidelines, but tends to synthesize modern styles as filtered through the Victorian era. Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes, and those attending the steampunk event are asked to bring one canned good for donation to the local food pantry.
The gaming hall closes at midnight and reopens at 9 a.m. on Sunday, January 17, with game sign-up beginning an hour before. Sunday events include family activities and workshops: members of the Society of Creative Anachronism will teach medieval games, youth will have the chance to make and take home a game from recycled materials, the Game Loft from Belfast will explain their mission to promote positive youth development through games and HomeGeekery blogger Teresa Cassinelli will discuss how to motivate one's family to game and the benefits that it brings. Author Ethan Gilsdorf will present a photographic journey of his quest in New Zealand to see sights from the "Lord of the Rings" movies.
Throughout the weekend, participants can try a demo of Rowboat, the brand-new card game by Moosetache Games; visit with the Mandalorian Mercs Star Wars costume club and learn how to create their own armor from a galaxy far, far away; and take advantage of the Game Library to try out new games and new friends. SnowCon offers opportunities for gamer networking, encouraging gaming to continue after the convention has ended. SnowCon 2010 concludes on Sunday, January 16, at 6 p.m.
"SnowCon was inspired by all our gaming friends who had to travel long distances to play the games they love," says SnowCon event organizer Monique Bouchard. "We thought that a cold weekend in Maine would be a wonderful time to spend indoors playing social tabletop games. We believe that gaming should be social, entertaining and, above all, fun! Gaming is an excellent activity that inspires creativity and strategy and creates excellent conversation and memories for gamers of all ages."
There will be a "So You Meet in a Tavern . . ." Kick-off Party on Friday, January 15, at The Dime in Old Town, featuring comedian Sax Carr from Los Angeles, the belly dancers of Paradigm East and Portland-based DJ Dehuman8 spinning the best in goth and industrial music. Admission to the kick-off party is $5 at the door. The Dime is located at 283 Main Street in Old Town, just down the road from the Black Bear Inn. You must be 21 or older to attend the kick-off party.
More information and the full schedule are available at SnowConMaine.com.
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