Odyssey Con V and FilmCon 4.5

Radisson Inn, Madison WI, April 8-10, 2005.

Odyssey Con is coming back for a fifth year. We return to the The Radisson Inn on Madison’s west side, April 8-10, 2005, with more great panels, dealers’ room, gaming, an art show, and new media programming from FilmCon 4.5

Our Guests of Honor

Tim Powers is one of the most respected fantasy writers writing today, a two time Philip K. Dick Award winner. Powers is the winner of the Philip K. Dick award for Anubis Gates, a time travel novel to the 17th century, and is the author of Declare a spy novel that slips the supernatural into the story of cold war espionage. Books by Powers are noted for their intense devotion to accurate real word details, which make the fantastical elements so much more real. Powers is the author of the trilogy of Last Call, Expiration Date, and Earthquake Weather, a series which skillfully blends the world of professional gambling, California low-lifes, and the Fisher King myth. Tim Powers was a close friend of Philip K. Dick, and has many interesting stories to tell about Dick and his work. Tim Powers lives in southern California.

Lois McMaster Bujold has won four Hugo Awards for her novels, more than any author other than Robert Heinlein! Bujold is most noted for her Vorkosigan series featuring the irrepressible Miles Vorkosigan; soldier, mercenary, spy, diplomat and heir of Vorbarr Sultana. Bujold’s novels add intelligence to the traditional space epic. She is the winner of many awards including the Nebula Award, the Locus Poll Award, the John W. Campbell Award, the Sapphire Award for romance, and the Mythopoeic Award. Bujold is also the author of the first two books in a new fantasy series, The Curse of Chalion and The Paladin of Souls. Lois McMaster Bujold lives in Minneapolis.

Robh Ruppel (Just announced) www.robhruppel.com We are very excited to announce that Robh Ruppel will be attending for Sunday only as a special FilmCon guest. More information coming soon!

Other Panelists

Among the panelists returning to Odyssey Con V are Tor Books editor Jim Frenkel, and Hugo winning author Joan Vinge. Tentative scheduled to return is John Kovalic, the writer and illustrator of the comic Dork Tower, an hysterical parody of fans and gamers, and Origins Game Award winning illustrator for many popular Steve Jackson Games. Among the many local fan panelists is film aficionado Richard Russell to give his review of the SF films of the year.

Programming

In keeping with the varied interests of our guests of honor, there will be a wide variety of programming and events in five separate tracks, two run by FilmCon. Also, Krushenkos, which has been hosting casual literary salons at Minnesota SF conventions, makes its second trip to Odyssey Con this year. Odyssey Con will have a writers' workshop for science fiction and fantasy writers to share their work and receive critique, and there will also be an open mic poetry reading on Saturday night. On Saturday afternoon there will be book signings by our authors.

The tentative program schedule has been posted. Click here to see the schedule.

Gaming

Gaming will be run by Madison's Pegasus Games featuring many game masters, and sanctioned game tournament play. For further information on gaming, contact Pegasus Game's Steve Vig who can be reached at oddcon@pegasusgames .com or call Pegasus Games at (608) 833-4263. The Pegasus Games website is at www.pegasusgames.com.

Art Show and Dealers' Room

For the first time, Odyssey Con will be having an art show! Hanging fees are $0.50 per piece for pieces brought in or $1.00 per mailed piece. Due to limitations on space, there is a maximum of 20 pieces per artist, and display space is on a first come, first serve basis. For more information, visit our Artshow Page or contact oddcon_art@yahoo.com.. In addition to Artists, the artshow can use volunteers. Please contact us if you'd be interested in helping.

Available to both gamers and regular attendees, our Dealer's room offers a wide selection of games, books, jewelery and collectables available for purchase. To find out more about being a Dealer at OddCon 5, please click here.

Food and Entertainment

As with previous years, we are offering our crowd pleasing ConSuite, featuring pizza, hot dogs, soda, doughnuts and an automatic espresso machine. There will also be independent party rooms sponsored by fan and local convention groups. On Friday night, dance to world and techno music at the Fan Dance. On Saturday night come dressed to the Masquerade as your favorite character, followed later by our midnight Drum Circle. Back for a second year to provide humor are The Great Luke Ski - a Doctor Demento favorite. New this year, Minnesota favorites, the Nick Atoms will be performing their atomic hits. Odyssey Con's own Barista Liberation Army will present Steer Wars!

Volunteering

Odyssey Con is a volunteer run convention. Volunteering can be a great way to meet new people and become involved in the convention. Help in the Consuite, take a shift at the Registration Desk, participate on Panels, work in the Artshow or help with setup and tear down. If you are intersted in finding out more, please contact us at oddcon@oddcon.org.

Parties and Other Programming

Odyssey Con is encouraging fans interested in throwing room parties or holding other special events to contact us.