How to Attend and Enjoy Millennicon

Sponsored by the Miami Valley Fandom for Literacy: Millennicon is held in Cincinnati, Ohio. Klingons, Dr. Who fans, fantasy artists, science fiction writers and anime fans all come together for food, filk and fun while raising money for literacy in the Miami Valley. Here's how to attend and enjoy Millennicon...

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Costumes are optional, but many fen make and wear them
• Try a Utilikilt. We ladies love a man in a kilt!
• Favorite instrument(s)
• Membership to Millennicon: day pass or weekend pass
• Fantasy or science fiction related art
• Books, CDs or other fantasy or science fiction memorabilia
• weapons (must be peace bound)
• costume pieces
• Instruments such as bodhran, ocarinas, guitars, mandolins
• Instrument of your choice
• Love of cats, computers, and Celts

Fen

1. Tom Smith and Darth Brooks Know your terms: Fen are fans. Fans of any science fiction or fantasy genre, filk, anime or the SCA are welcome. Many filk fans come to Millennicon hoping to see their favorite filkers. Tom Smith, The Boogie Knights, Teri and the Space Pirates. The Great Luke Ski, Rob Balder, and Michael Longcor are often seen at Millennicon.
2. Best Costume Costume makers, strut your stuff. Millennicon is known for its costume contest. Categories range from Novice to Master Craftsman, with a separate category for children.
3. Miss Klingon... Lock up your friends for charity: nothing like a Klingon warrior to make sure your friend goes to jail, directly to jail...

Artists and Dealers

4. Gather up all your wares.
5. Lie in wait in the Dealer's room. If you bring it, fen will come.
6. Don't forget to bid at the art auction. The auction helps fund the literacy program and pay the expenses for the convention.
7. Watch the fanboys and fangirls drool...

Filkers

8. Teri and the Space Pirates Filk is a musical genre related to science fiction and fantasy. Covering musical styles from Baroque to Rap, filk songs tend to be parodies based on science fiction or fantasy themes. Filkers range from folksy to frenetic.
9. In the filk room Filkers come in three categories: listeners, singers and players.
10. Controlled chaos allows everyone a chance to pick, pass, or play, while allowing anyone with a "follower" song to jump in when necessary. Follower songs have something in common with the original filker's song, either in musical style or in theme.
11. "Ose" is sad, depressing, or tragic. Most filkers avoid ose, except in small doses.

Tips & Warnings

• Staring too long at the Miss Klingon contestants could be hazardous to your health.
• It is okay to harmonize with your fellow filkers.
• Anything can be an instrument: hands, a book, your wrist bangles, a kazoo...
• Do not deliberately break the mood if everyone seems to be enjoying a filk session. There are usually plenty of other rooms and enough other filkers to start a different theme.