Washington, D.C. (March 28, 2018) – The sixth annual Awesome Con by LeftField Media, the Mid-Atlantic’s premier pop culture convention, is excited to announce programming highlights planned during the show from March 30-April 1. Fans of comics, technology, science, television and film, custom art, and over-the-top cosplay can dive into hundreds of hours of panels, workshops and more at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (801 Mt Vernon Pl NW). A full programming schedule is available now at www.awesomecon.com, where attendees can also reserve tickets for daily passes, weekend passes, and exclusive limited-access events with stars from the worlds of film, comics, and more.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:
Smithsonian Magazine Future Con
Awesome Con is proud to bring back Smithsonian magazine Future Con, highlighting the intersections of science, technology, and science fiction inside D.C.’s largest pop culture event. An Awesome Con badge allows access to Smithsonian magazine Future Con guests, booths, and events including exclusive screenings, demos of the latest advancements in tech, and more.
Science of “Black Panther”
Shattering the glass ceiling can be tough, but shattering the glass (Marvel Cinematic) universe can seem impossible. However, “Black Panther” continues to shatter movie records and science stereotypes. An expert panel will explore the realities and the possibilities of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) in the film, the intersection of pop culture, Africa and Afrofuturism, and how imagination and innovation translates into art, awesome technology, and rewarding careers.
- Date: Friday, March 30
- Time: 4:00 PM
- Location: Ballroom
Netflix’s “Lost In Space” Exclusive Screening and Discussion
Catch an exclusive screening of the first episode of “Lost in Space,” premiering worldwide April 13. The screening will be followed by discussion with “Lost in Space” Executive Producers and Writers Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless, scientists Dr. Mary Lynne Dittmar (President/CEO, Coalition for Deep Space Exploration), Dr. John Grunsfeld (Astronaut/Scientist/Explorer), and Dr. David Grinspoon (Astrobiologist, Science Communicator and Author). Panelists will touch on the themes of the show in the context of space travel, space exploration, and the possibility of finding life in the universe, all considering the big question: how close are we to seeing the world depicted in “Lost in Space?”
- Date: Saturday, March 31
- Time: 1:30 PM
- Location: Main Stage
BB-8 and the Future of Droids
Come learn more about the technology behind your favorite droids in a galaxy far, far away! Lucasfilm’s Matt Denton, Electronics Design and Development Supervisor, and Josh Lee, Senior Animatronic Designer, discuss fan-favorite droid BB-8, their inspiration behind the design, and how creativity is driving the future of robotics.
- Date: Saturday, March 31
- Time: 3:15 PM
- Location: Ballroom
The Science of Mad Science
Rich DeVaul, Director of Mad Science at X – The Moonshot Factory, will show how the company brings science-fiction sounding technologies like driverless cars and balloon-powered internet to life.
- Date: Saturday, March 31
- Time: 12:00 PM
- Location: Main Stage
Pride Alley Presented by Geeks OUT
Awesome Con partners with Geeks OUT for the second year to present Pride Alley, shining a spotlight on LGBTQ creators and fans at the show. A more robust dedicated section of Artist Alley within Awesome Con will feature more LGBTQ creators than ever before, and three days of panels and special events promoting and facilitating discussion about the modern queer geek community.
John Boyega Panel
John Boyega (“Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” “Pacific Rim: Uprising”) will host a wide-ranging Q&A session to discuss his exciting career and to answer questions from the audience on Awesome Con’s Main Stage on Saturday, March 31. The panel is open to Saturday and Weekend pass holders on a first come, first served basis, but attendees can reserve a ticket for $75 that guarantees a seat in the Main Stage’s first 10 rows, or a ticket for $150 that guarantees a seat in the center of the first 4 rows.
- Date: Saturday, March 31
- Time: 6:00 PM
- Location: Main Stage
DC Comics Writer Panel and Meet & Greet
Friday, March 30 brings celebrated writers and artists Tom King, Frank Tieri, Joshua Williamson, Sam Humphries, Matthew Rosenberg, and James Tynion IV together for an intimate hour-long Q&A with attendees. Tickets for this special experience are available for $100 and include an autographed variant comic cover featuring each guest’s work, a photo opportunity with all the guests, and up to five autographs from each guest. Attendees must also have a Friday pass or Weekend pass to Awesome Con.
- Date: Friday, March 30
- Time: 6:30 PM
- Location: 203
Batman Metal Q&A and Meet & Greet
The creative minds behind Batman comic miniseries “Dark Nights: Metal” come together at Awesome Con for a Batman Metal Q&A and Meet & Greet on Saturday, March 31. Artist Greg Capullo, writer Scott Snyder, and inker Jonathan Glapion host a private one-hour Q&A with attendees, who will each receive a color Greg Capullo Batman print, a black-and-white Greg Capullo Batman print, and an inked Batman variant comic book cover by Jonathan Glapion. The iconic trio of guests will sign the prints and comic cover along with up to five items per attendee. Tickets are available for $100 and attendees must also have a Saturday day pass or Awesome Con Weekend pass.
- Date: Saturday, March 31
- Time: 7:00 PM
- Location: 203
“Star Wars” Exhibits Presented by Lucasfilm
Fans of the most recent “Stars Wars” films will love stopping by Awesome Con to check out official props and a collection of complete costumes from “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” on display in Awesome Con Jr on the show floor. BB-8 makes special scheduled appearances throughout the weekend for photo opps.
- Date: Saturday, March 31
- Time: 12:00 PM; 4:30 PM
- Location: Autographing, Table 15
Awesome Con Jr Easter Egg Hunt
Awesome Con is hosting an Awesome Egg Hunt for kids 10 and under on Sunday morning when the doors open at 10:00 AM! Eggs will be hidden in the Awesome Con Jr area on the show floor for little ones to collect. All kids ages 10 and under are welcome to participate (must have valid Awesome Con kids badges to participate.) Golden eggs will contain special prizes from Awesome Con and partners. The Easter Bunny will also be making a special stop at Awesome Con Jr at Booth 221 on Sunday, April 1 from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM for photo opportunities.
- Date: Sunday, April 1
- Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Location: Awesome Con Jr
GUEST HIGHLIGHTS:
- John Boyega(Pacific Rim: Uprising, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Star Wars: The Force Awakens)
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2Cast: Dave Bautista (Drax the Destroyer), Michael Rooker (Yondu), Sean Gunn (Kraglin)
- Stephen Amell(Arrow, New Girl, Private Practice)
- John Barrowman(Arrow, Legends of Tomorrow, Torchwood, Doctor Who)
- Cress Williams(Black Lightning, Prison Break, Hart of Dixie)
- Tom Welling(Smallville, Lucifer)
- Michael Rosenbaum(Smallville, Guardians of the Guardians Vol. 2, IMPASTOR)
- Joonas Suotamo(Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Solo: A Star Wars Story)
- Ben Savage(Boy Meets World, Girls Meet World, Chuck, Dear John, Little Monsters, Without a Trace)
- Will Friedle(Boy Meets World, Girls Meets World, Batman Beyond, Kim Possible, Guardians of the Galaxy animated series)
- Rider Strong(Boy Meets World, Girl Meets World, Cabin Fever)
- Charisma Carpenter(Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel)
- Phil LaMarr(Futurama, Samurai Jack, Pulp Fiction, Justice League Unlimited, Mad TV, Star Wars: The Clone Wars)
WHEN: Friday, March 30; exhibit hall hours 12pm – 8pm, programming until 10pm
Saturday, March 31; exhibit hall hours 10am – 8pm, programming until 10pm
Sunday, April 1; exhibit hall hours 10am – 5pm
WHERE: Walter E. Washington Convention Center
801 Mt. Vernon Pl NW
Washington, DC 20001
About Author
