Now Playing
Loading ...



 Listen Live!

Convention Alert: Get Ready For Archon, Oct 12-14 In St. Louis

 Conventions, Fandom  No Responses »
Sep 062012
 
archonlogo

Between October 12th and 14th, science fiction and fantasy fans within travel distance of St. Louis, Missouri can attend the Archon Sci-Fi and Fantasy convention.  The Collinsville Gateway Conference Center provides the venue for the event, now in its 36th year.

There will be With games, dealer tables, speaker panels, and many guests of note, you’ll be hard-pressed to walk away from this event without knowledge and experiences that will last a lifetime.

Described as a place for everyone, you’ll be able to convene with other fans that share your love for Star Wars, Star Trek, DnD, space operas, Harry Potter, and anything else that falls under the sci-fi/fantasy/horror heading.

Masquerade

Fans of costuming will love the Masquerade event, which allows you to participate in a large-scale show where you can entertain crowds and show off your handmade or store-bought creations. Whether you sign up to participate in the show or not, you can still show up in costume any day of the convention.

Art Show

Collectors can browse the large art gallery presented by local and notable artists. After a viewing on Friday and Saturday, convention attendees will have the opportunity to bid on their favorite pieces at the auction that takes place at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.

If you are an artist who wants to put your work on display and for sale, you can sign up for one or more panels at the convention. These panels come with fees, so look at the complete list of rules on the Archon website.

Continue reading »

Krypton Radio – Can You Hear Us Now?

 Krypton Radio  No Responses »
Jun 132012
 
Krypton Radio

Krypton Radio DJ

Krypton RadioHey, every so often we just want to give a shout out to all the amazing folks who produce the music we play on Krypton Radio. From Abney Park, to Kirby Krackle, to Felicia Day, and just so many more that we can’t list them all. Remember, besides some of the best news and tidbits we bring you on our website, we’re first and foremost, the most kicking Superhero, Comic Book, Science Fiction, Steampunk, Fantasy, and Gaming Internet Radio Station. Streaming 24/7 - IN THE WORLD!

Check us out, come for the stories, stay for the music. Like a nerd discovering the powers of Mountain Dew, you’ll want more.

Let us feed your addiction.

Click the “Listen Now” box to enjoy the music!

Music And Friendship – Ballad Of The Brony: A Video Documentary

 Animation, Books, Comics, Community, Editorials, Fandom, Music, Net Culture, Television, Theater  No Responses »
May 062012
 
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

A Krypton Radio Special Review by Producer, PK

Krypton Radio looks at new music additions and finds a surprise in the Brony fandom

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

We’ve heard about the Brony culture before, but for the first time Krypton Radio takes an in-depth look at what we never knew about the show, the music, and the fans.

We’re always looking for new and interesting music that fits in the genres we cater to, primarily Superhero, Comic Book, Science Fiction, Steampunk, Fantasy, and Gaming. But lately we’ve been getting suggestions for music based on a different fandom that was a little surprising. Some of the KR staffers had been bringing up songs from an animated children’s show called My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic which debuted in 2010, and admittedly an initial reaction to what looks like a little girls cartoon was that of skepticism. Although we’re hard pressed to turn down a good song, so when checking out some of the fan made music, it peaked our interest enough to look at the actual show music as well.

I agree, when someone comes to you and says I got some great music from a show featuring brightly colored talking ponies named Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie; it’s a little hard to take seriously at first. But we gave it a chance, and yes not all of the music seems appropriate for the bulk of our audience (although we’re digging the Discord EuroChoas Mix like crazy). Though during our searches on YouTube and related fan sites, we’ve come to develop an appreciation for a fanbase that has many parallels to that of mainstream Science Fiction and Fantasy. Whose fanbase’s have also suffered from ridicule and misunderstandings among some media and the public. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic (MLP:FiM) while primarily aimed at young girls in the 7-10 year-old range, has drawn some attention and criticism for attracting many male adult fans, commonly known as Bronies.

Despite its origins and current target audience, the show has displayed that time and time again that it has interesting and engaging characters,  humor that even adults can enjoy, and stories that help teach people of all ages important life lessons. From a musical standpoint, which is what attracted us initially, the show’s music is expertly crafted by composers Daniel Ingram and William Anderson. Rivaling and even surpassing some big-budget movie music productions for similar children’s content, with Broadway inspired musical segments of such joyful quality you can’t help but smile. The fan created music has truly blown us away on professionalism, with animated shorts, music videos, and original compositions that look as though they were from a major Hollywood studio.

During our search we came across a documentary on MLP:FiM by a YouTube user called Saberspark,which he created for a school project on the subject of deviant cultures. Saberspark does an excellent job of exploring aspects of the show’s history, characters, and fan culture. Although despite a slightly sarcasm laden fanboy defending his turf approach, the video covers important details to bring non-fans up to speed on why the show has become wildly popular and how it’s impacted pop-culture and people’s lives.

The video was published in December of 2011 and has been updated as of March 2012.

Watch the documentary after the break: Continue reading »

Space Nazis… Damn…

 Animation, Fantasy / Horror, Movies, Satire  No Responses »
Feb 102012
 
Iron Sky Poster

Finnish WW2 Science Fiction Dark Comedy “Iron Sky” to Hit Theaters April 4th

By Staff Editor Critic, PK

 

World War 2 is no laughing matter, unless you happen to be Finnish Director Timo Vuorensola and Producer Tero Kaukomaa, the makers of the new WW2 inspired science fiction dark comedy Iron Sky. Star Trek fans and dwellers of the net, may remember Vuorensola for his break out Trek parody sensation Star Wreck: The Pirkinning. In his new big budget project, Vuorensola introduces us to the idea of “what if Nazis’ had escaped into space just as Germany was losing the 2nd World War?”

I’ll admit that I wasn’t a fan of Star Wreck, it was impressive as far as the CGI used in it but you could tell it was more of a major fan project. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen some fan work that far surpasses Hollywood’s attempts at film-making, but the acting made me shiver in pain a bit (although that could have been the point). That being said, after seeing some of the previews for this movie, I’ve gotta say that this looks like a 5-Star winner. Being a lover of science fiction and general weird and dark humor, I’m calling this a must see!.

In the last moments of World War II, a secret Nazi space program evaded destruction by fleeing to the Dark Side of the Moon. During 70 years of utter secrecy, the Nazis construct a gigantic space fortress with a massive armada of flying saucers.

When American astronaut James Washington (Christopher Kirby) puts down his Lunar Lander a bit too close to the secret Nazi base, the Moon Führer (Udo Kier) decides the glorious moment of retaking the Earth has arrived sooner than expected. Washington claims the mission is just a publicity stunt for the President of the United States (Stephanie Paul), but what else could the man be but a scout for the imminent attack by Earth forces? The Fourth Reich must act!

Two Nazi officers, ruthless Klaus Adler (Götz Otto) and idealistic Renate Richter (Julia Dietze), travel to Earth to prepare the invasion. In the end when the Moon Nazi UFO armada darkens the skies, ready to strike at the unprepared Earth, every man, woman and nation alike, must re-evaluate their priorities.

Continue reading »

Westercon 64 Announces Special Events

 Activities, Conventions, Science Fiction  3 Responses »
Jun 202011
 
westercon64

This Fourth of July weekend sees Westercon 64, the 2011 West Coast Science Fantasy Conference, coming to downtown San Jose. Westercon 64 will include several special events in its schedule in addition to traditional SF/F convention programming. Among the special events planned is a performance of a radio-style play written by artist guests of honor Phil and Kaja Foglio, a themed Saturday afternoon tea with writer guest of honor Patricia McKillip, a focus event on the guests moderated by Terry Bisson from the SF in SF reading series, and an SF/F-themed game show. The convention will also include two Regency Dances and the Westercon Masquerade costume contest.

Friday Events

Friday evening of Westercon features Regency-style Dancing in the appropriately named Regency Ballroom starting at 7:30 PM. Come while away the evening in courtly style. Period costumes are welcome (but not required), and both experienced dancers and those that have never tried Regency dancing are all welcome.

Saturday Events

Writer Guest of Honor Patricia McKillip will be featured in a Saturday Afternoon Tea in the Westercon 64 Hospitality Suite from 4:00-5:30. Tea and light refreshments will be served with Moira Greyland playing the harp for accompaniment.

The SF in SF Reading Series makes a special appearance in San Jose on Saturday afternoon at 5:30 in the Club Regent Room, with the spotlight on all of Westercon 64’s guests: Patricia McKillip, Phil Foglio, Kaja Foglio, and Mike Willmoth. Terry Bisson hosts the Q&A/interview session to follow the readings.

Saturday night at 8 PM is the Westercon Masquerade Costume Contest, where members of the convention show off their best SF/F costumes before an appreciative audience. Costumes are a big part of SF/F conventions, both “hall costumes” designed to be work around the halls of the convention and “presentation costumes” to be shown on stage at events like the Masquerade.

Sunday Events

The Hugo Award-winning Girl Genius series of graphic novels by Artist Guests of Honor Phil and Kaja Foglio is the inspiration for Girl Genius Radio Theatre, a radio-style play on Sunday night at 8 PM in The Club Regent Room. The play features the Foglios along with the Girl Genius Radio Players in a hilarious romp through the “gaslamp fantasy” world of Mad Science with Agatha Heterodyne, Girl Genius and her companions. Members wishing to participate in the play should come to the Foglios’ table in the Dealers’ Room to volunteer.

If you have a ready answer to a question like “Captain Kirk has the biggest ___ in Starfleet!” then you’ll love Match Game SF, an SF/F-themed version of the classic 1970s game show, Saturday afternoon at 2:30 PM with a special “late night” edition on Sunday night at 10 PM. Both shows will be in the Club Regent Room Contestants will be randomly selected from the audience to match wits with the panel. Contestants who do the best job of matching the panelists receive great prizes, while all participants receive the famous Lovely Parting Gift.

Because one good Regency dance deserves another, Alan Winston adds live music to the second session of Regency Dance on Sunday night at 7:30 PM in the Regency Ballroom. As with Friday’s session, costumes are encouraged (but not required), and all skill levels are welcome.

Westercon 64 will be at the San Jose Fairmont Hotel in downtown San Jose, California on Friday, July 1 through Monday, July 4. The convention opens on Friday morning, with the Dealers’ Room and Art Show opening at Noon (10 AM the other days of the convention). Programming starts at 1 PM on Friday and 10 AM on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, with the convention winding down on Monday afternoon around 4 PM.

Admission to Westercon (known as an “attending membership”) is $75 for all four days. Single-day admission memberships are also available for $25 to $40 depending on the day. Children 7-12 accompanied by a parent/guardian are $40, and kids in tow under seven years old are free but must stay with their parent/guardian except for children 3 and older in Children’s Programming.

For more information about Westercon 64, see the convention web site at http://www.westercon64.org/ or write to info@westercon64.org.

Contact:
Westercon 64: Kevin Standlee info@westercon64.org

Westercon 64 is part of San Francisco Science Fiction Conventions, Inc., a California non-profit corporation recognized as tax-exempt under US Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3).

“Westercon” is a service mark of the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society, and is used with permission.

See also:

Girl Genius on Krypton Radio!  Phil and Kaja Foglio interviewed on Vagabond Carter’s Stark Reality