Spring is blooming, which can only mean one thing for geeks: a

By Terra Clarke Olsen • March 13, 2014 5:12 pm
Spring is blooming, which can only mean one thing for geeks: a

Spring is blooming, which can only mean one thing for geeks: a new season of cons! Seattle is, of course, some to one of the best comic book conventions in the country this spring: but there is more to the season’s geeky conventions than Emerald City Comicon. Ranging from gaming to anime to sci fi, they’ve got you covered.

GameStorm (PDX)

Thur., March 20 – Sun., March 23 Board game enthusiasts gather from all over to this gamer’s dream convention. Everything a gamer could want will be featured: a vast board game library; LARPs; tabletop RPGs; collectable card games; miniatures; and even a small video game room for those needing a digital fix. GameStorm also has panels, tournaments, and a “Game Lab” that helps attendees with game design and playtesting. This is a family friendly con with plenty of children’s games available too. Vancouver Hilton, Vancouver, WA. gamestorm.org. Buy badges at the door, $15-60.

Emerald City ComicCon (Seattle)

Fri., March 28 – Sun., March 30 ECCC is so good the show sells out long before its doors ever open, but don’t fret, you might be able to find tickets outside the convention center or at your local comic book store. It might be extra work, but it’s worth it. ECCC has outdone itself this year. Cary Elwes (Westley in Princess Bride), Nichelle Nicholas (Uhura in Star Trek), and Alan Tudyk (Wash from Firefly) will be among this year’s geek royalty signing autographs. If you can’t get your hands on a pass, there are still a lot of amazing events associated with ECCC that don’t require a badge. Check out the Carol Corps Celebration, with Kelly Sue DeConnick, G. Willow Wilson, and Christopher Sebela at the Museum of Flight. Washington State Convention Center, Seattle. emeraldcitycomicon.com. Sold Out! $10-75.

Norwescon

Thur., April 17 – Sun., April 20 Running since 1978, Norwescon is one of the largest science fiction and fantasy convention in the United States. This year there will be more than 200 panelists specializing in sci-fi, fantasy, and science. Norwescon also offers gaming, an art show, a masquerade, and much more. What really makes Norwescon shine, though, is its mission: ensuring that the public has the “opportunity to be educated on the latest trends” in fantasy, sci-fi, and science. At the con, you can attend a workshop on writing or filmmaking, or talk with professionals in the industry. To top it off, this con’s hosts the Phillp K. Dick Award, which is presented to distinguished science fiction books. Doubletree by Hilton, SeaTac. norwescon.org. Badges online or at the door, $50-75 (Free for children 12 and under).

Sakura-Con

Fri., April 18 – Sun., April 20 Going on its 16th year, Sakura-Con is the largest anime convention in the Northwest. It offers cultural presentations, panels, concerts, gaming, anime theaters, dances, a masquerade ball, and much more Sakura-Con also has an extensive manga library, which is available for attendees 24/7 during the convention. Not to mention their multitude of contests, which vary from an anime music video contest to a fanfction/manga contest. And of course they have a huge list of special guests, including Tetsuya Kinoshita, the producer of Shingeki no Kyojin (Attack on Titan). Washington State Convention Center, Seattle. sakuracon.org. Badges online or at the door. $60-65.

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