Itzacon
Encyclopedia
Itzacon is a one- or two-day science fiction convention
held occasionally in the Dallas, Texas
area, mostly on Thanksgiving
weekend. The organizers described Itzacon as "an occasional event meant to serve as a party, a mini-con, a chance to hang out, and just have fun, a multi-genre relax-a-con with programming and night-time dance." Itzacon was produced by Phoenix Entertainment, organizers of the A-Kon anime convention.
This event is unrelated to the ongoing and similarly named Itzacon Eire
http://www.itzaconeire.com held annually on the National University of Ireland
, Galway
campus.
Science fiction convention
Science fiction conventions are gatherings of fans of various forms of speculative fiction including science fiction and fantasy. Historically, science fiction conventions had focused primarily on literature, but the purview of many extends to such other avenues of expression as movies and...
held occasionally in the Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
area, mostly on Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Thanksgiving is celebrated each year on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. In Canada, Thanksgiving falls on the same day as Columbus Day in the...
weekend. The organizers described Itzacon as "an occasional event meant to serve as a party, a mini-con, a chance to hang out, and just have fun, a multi-genre relax-a-con with programming and night-time dance." Itzacon was produced by Phoenix Entertainment, organizers of the A-Kon anime convention.
This event is unrelated to the ongoing and similarly named Itzacon Eire
Itzacon Eire
Itzacon Eire, more popularly known as Itzacon is the premier gaming convention run by the Fantasy and Science Fiction Society of NUI Galway, Ireland.-History:...
http://www.itzaconeire.com held annually on the National University of Ireland
National University of Ireland
The National University of Ireland , , is a federal university system of constituent universities, previously called constituent colleges, and recognised colleges set up under the Irish Universities Act, 1908, and significantly amended by the Universities Act, 1997.The constituent universities are...
, Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
campus.
Itzacon 3 - November 2001
- Itzacon 3 was held November 24-25, 2001, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel-DFW Airport located by Terminal C at Dallas-Fort Worth International AirportDallas-Fort Worth International AirportDallas/Fort Worth International Airport is located between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, and is the busiest airport in the U.S. state of Texas...
. This event was hurriedly put together when UncommonCon 2UnCommonConUnCommonCon was a short-lived comics and science fiction convention held in the Dallas, Texas area on Thanksgiving weekend. James Echols was the show chairman and president of event sponsor Uncommon Solutions. This combination of media, comics, and literary guests with gaming, art, anime, and film...
, a large multi-genre event scheduled for this weekend, failed unexpectedly due to financial difficulties. The event "inherited" a number of guests from the UncommonCon roster who had already completed travel plans for this Thanksgiving weekend. Featured guests included actors Peter MayhewPeter MayhewPeter Mayhew is an English actor known for playing the Wookiee Chewbacca in the Star Wars movies. His peak height was tall.-Career:...
, Marjorie MonaghanMarjorie MonaghanMarjorie Monaghan is an American actress born in California but raised in Ohio. She is best known for her portrayal in 1997 and 1998 of 'Number One', leader of the Mars Resistance, in the television series Babylon 5....
, Richard ChevolleauRichard ChevolleauRichard Chevolleau is a Jamaican-Canadian actor. Although born in Kingston, Jamaica he was raised in Toronto.After completing High School he studied the Meisner Technique of acting....
, and Julia Nickson, authors P.N. Elrod, Melanie Fletcher, Lee Martindale, Roxanne Longstreet ConradRachel CaineRachel Caine is a pen name of Roxanne Longstreet Conrad, an American writer of science fiction, fantasy, mystery, suspense, and horror novels. She also publishes media tie-in novels as Julie Fortune.-Personal life:...
, and Jana G. Oliver, plus artists Cat Conrad and Mike Trevino. Other guests included groups from Collector Times and Living Room Games. Programming included a dance DJed by Radio Free Oz, a dealers room, gaming, RPGA tournaments, Battletech, live-action anime games, a writers programming track, autograph sessions, speakers' panels, author readings, artists' alley, millermuller ballet, and performances by storyteller Bearhugger McLain, musical act October Country, and magician Bizarro. Con organizer Meri Hazlewood later claimed a paid attendance of "about 540 people (not counting dealers and staff)."
Itzacon 4 - November 2002
- Itzacon 4 was held November 30-December 1, 2002, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel-DFW Airport located by Terminal C at Dallas-Fort Worth International AirportDallas-Fort Worth International AirportDallas/Fort Worth International Airport is located between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, and is the busiest airport in the U.S. state of Texas...
. Organizers advertised the event with the slogan "When you can't stand any more Turkey, come share the rest of the weekend." Featured guests included Mike Trevino, Twisted Ink Productions, Living Room Games, Dark Talisman Productions, voice actor Kyle HebertKyle HebertKyle Henry Hebert is an American voice actor and podcaster who works with anime films, television series, as well as video games...
, authors P.N. Elrod, Roxanne Longstreet ConradRachel CaineRachel Caine is a pen name of Roxanne Longstreet Conrad, an American writer of science fiction, fantasy, mystery, suspense, and horror novels. She also publishes media tie-in novels as Julie Fortune.-Personal life:...
, Melanie Fletcher, Lee Martindale, Dusty Rainbolt, and Jana G. Oliver, plus artists Cat Conrad, Robbie Allen, Bruce Lewis, and costume designer Jennifer Wylie. Programming included gaming costume contest, a Lee Martindale writing panel, video room, dance, autograph sessions, dealers room, dance, webmasters panels, LARP panel, filk room, and Komik Market.
Itzacon 5 - November 2003
- Itzacon 5 was held November 29-30, 2003, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel-DFW Airport located by Terminal C at Dallas-Fort Worth International AirportDallas-Fort Worth International AirportDallas/Fort Worth International Airport is located between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, and is the busiest airport in the U.S. state of Texas...
. Organizers described the weekend as a "two day multi-genre mini-con of sci-fi, gaming, anime, fantasy, fun, and relaxation." Featured guests included Steve BennettSteve BennettSteve Bennett may refer to:*Steve Bennett , the head of Starchaser, a company involved in space development and tourism*Steve Bennett , manga artist and head of ill-fated manga publisher Studio Ironcat...
, Bruce Lewis, P.N. Elrod, Kyle HebertKyle HebertKyle Henry Hebert is an American voice actor and podcaster who works with anime films, television series, as well as video games...
, Lamia Nights Studios, Xero Reynolds, Mike Trevino, Doug SmithDoug SmithDoug Smith may refer to:*Doug Smith , former MLB baseball player*Doug Smith , English flat racing jockey*Doug Smith , American former basketball player...
, Richard D. Weber, and YukiYukiYuki, Yuuki, Yuhki or Yūki are romanizations of various Japanese given names or words...
. Programming included the first official GameWyze Southwest Warmachine tournament, a D/FW D&D Tough-Man Tournament, two-day anime art workshop, open call auditions for lead characters in a potential dystopian near-future science fiction television pilot called Digital Burn, the "30 Seconds to Fame" costume contest, dealers room, live action and anime video room, Saturday night dance, autograph sessions, and a Komik Market.
Itzacon 6 - November 2004
- Itzacon 6 and Anime Day 2 were held jointly November 13-14, 2004, at Richardson Square Mall in Richardson, TexasRichardson, TexasRichardson is a city in Dallas and Collin Counties in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 99,223. In 2011 the population was estimated to be 107,684. Richardson is an affluent inner suburb of Dallas and home of the Telecom Corridor with a high...
. This event was billed as a multi-genre mini-con of sci-fi, gaming, anime, fantasy, fun, and relaxation. One unusual feature of Itzacon 6, thanks to the mall location, was a deal with Italia Express, the pizza place at the food court, for a special large pizza with unlimited toppings for $10. Featured guests included voice actors Kyle HebertKyle HebertKyle Henry Hebert is an American voice actor and podcaster who works with anime films, television series, as well as video games...
, Stephanie NadolnyStephanie NadolnyStephanie Ann Nadolny is an American voice actress and Singer who has worked on the properties of FUNimation Entertainment and ADV Films...
, Caitlyn Glass, composer and artist Xero Reynolds, and animator Bruce Lewis. Programming included a video room, a HALO tournament, gaming, Makoto Arena, an origami class, dealers area, Saturday night dance, guest speakers, autograph sessions, artists alley, and the Misfits of Comedy. Due to insurmountable difficulties, previously scheduled RPGA module play was not available for play at Itzacon.