If you’re pop culture savvy (and we imagine that you are), you already know that sci-fi and fantasy conventions aren’t the underground events they once were. In fact, happenings such as Atlanta’s Dragon*Con, which gets started on Thursday, Aug. 28 and continues through Monday, Sept. 1, have become almost—dare we say it?—mainstream. Don’t believe us? Ask some of the more than 30,000 people who attended last year’s convention. This year, the annual event continues to celebrate everything from aliens to vampires with panel discussions, art shows, film screenings, celebrity appearances, concerts and more. Of course, there will be plenty of fanboys and fangirls there, ready to argue about the finer points of their chosen universes. Still, no matter how seriously some attendees take the convention, it is primarily about having a good time. Still need an incentive to attend? Here are ten reasons to check out this year’s Dragon*Con:
1. Sample all the convention has to offer by watching its annual parade, which turns Peachtree Street into a sci-fi smorgasbord of costumed characters. Bonus points if you can identify not only the “Star Wars” and “Star Trek” crews, but also the more obscure shows represented in the lineup.
2. Defend yourself against the gathered Stormtroopers with your trusty lightsaber. Wait, you don’t have a lightsaber? Guess you’d better be prepared to enter the fight with nothing but Jedi mind tricks.
3. Set your phasers to stun as you enter another universe at ward speed. If “Star Trek” isn’t your thing, choose from countless others, including “Stargate,” “Dr. Who” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”
4. Delve deeper into a world of vampires and shapeshifters with Laurell K. Hamilton, author of bestselling books like “Blood Noir” and “Guilty Pleasures” featuring the powerful vampire hunter Anita Blake. In addition to appearing at the convention, Hamilton is serving as one of the grand marshalls of the parade.
5. Think Dragon*Con is nothing but fantasy and science fiction? Think again. The convention also includes some very practical panels, such as “How to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse” with Jonathan Maberry. He’s the author of “Zombie CSU: The Forensics of the Living Dead.” Keep in mind you can never be too prepared when it comes to the possibility of a zombie attack.
6. Need advice on cinching your corset? Or perhaps you’re looking for tips on how to create a memorable Renaissance-era costume? The convention’s costuming panels cover everything you could imagine and then some. And you certainly don’t want to miss the costume contests, which are both inspirational and entertaining.
7. Get in touch with your inner superhero (or villain, as the case may be) throughout the convention, with conversations about comics, television shows and movies dedicated to the never-ending battle of good vs. evil.
8. Rediscover the magic in your life with plenty of content devoted to Harry Potter, “The Lord of the Rings” and classic fairy tales and folklore.
9. Do the time warp again at a screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” with the sing-along led by the ever-so-experienced Lips Down on Dixie.
10. Stay awake all night with Dragon*Con dances and concerts, including a show by the Japanese punk band Peelander-Z that starts at 1:30 a.m. Aug. 30 (that’s late Friday night or, depending how you look at things, early Saturday morning). The group is known for its eye-catching costumes and over-the-top performances.
INFO: Dragon*Con: Thursday, Aug. 28 - Monday, Sept. 1 Events take place at the downtown hotels Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Atlanta Marriott Marquis, Hilton Atlanta, and Sheraton Atlanta. Four-day passes are $90, three-day passes are $75 and two-day passes (for Sunday and Monday) are $50. Friday or Sunday admission is $30, Saturday admission is $50 and Monday admission is $25. The parade starts at 10 a.m. Aug. 30 at Peachtree Street and Auburn Avenue and continues past the Hyatt to Baker Street, ending at the Marriott. The parade is free. www.dragoncon.org
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