Programming Schedule

This schedule, like all others on the website, are tentative and subject to change without notice.

Back to overview

Friday March 26th

Children's Scavenger Hunt - The list available in children's programming room Begins on Friday and ends on Saturday at 4PM

5:00pm

Cassandraism in Fiction - SF has a long and critically-lauded history with sounding the alarm about perceived changes in society. It was the only genre to criticize McCarthyism in the Ô50s. Is anyone listening? (Sam Penny, MM Buckner & CJ Cherryh)

Create A Masterpiece - Make a Masterpiece using paint, beads, clay, crayons and pencils - Art work to be displayed in Art Show. (Children's Programming)

Middle Earth in Music - "Your Dwarves Don't Dance and Your Elves Don't Rock-N-Roll: Middle-Earth in Music," Music clips from various genres from German metal rock to Argentinian folk music (all with lyrics in English) that illustrate how literally hundreds of artists over the years have married different sounds to the messages Tolkien conveyed through his work. (Amy Sturgis)

Lynn Abbey Reading Lynn Abbey Reading the upcoming Thieves World story - Good Neighbors. (Lynn Abbey)

6:00 pm

You Can't Take It With You - You value your collection, make sure it inherits a good home, not a trash can. (Tim O' Shea, Carlin Stuart, Don Richardson, Darrell Richardson, & Eddy Zeno)

Ducttape Armor and Jousting - Ducttape Armor and Jousting/Balancing using a "plumber's helper." (Children's Programming)

Four Bubbas of the Apocalypse - Meet the authors creating this Anthology of a Southern Apocalypse. (Bill Allen, Laura Underwood, Selina Rosen, Robert Brown, Gary Jonas & Lee Martindale)

Self Publishing - One approach to getting your writing to the public is by publishing it yourself. No matter if you are making a short-run 'zine or an international best seller, self-published authors will discuss the ups and downs of publishing your own works.

6:30pm

7:00pm

Open Play for Children - Open Play: Blow Up Playhouse, crayons, and games. Children must be supervised. (Children's Programming)

Jane Fancher Reading - A reading from ÒEnemies of FortuneÓ

Prop Making - Discussion of the making and use of props in media, (Dragon Dronet)

8:00pm

Opening Ceremonies - Introduction of the main guest and the continuing Saga of the Barony on the Greyniche presented by the local Chapter of the SCA

NeoFandom - An introduction to fandom for new fans. (Wayne Camp & Neale Carter)

Jana G. Oliver reading - A reading by Jana G. Oliver - ÒThe Circle of the SwanÓ and ÒThe Summoning StoneÓ - Selections from her Dragonfire fantasy Series. (Jana Oliver)

APAs - Discussion of Amateur Press Associations. (Janice Gelb & Tom Foster)

9:00pm

U.S.S. Aeon Media Trivia Contest - Second Annual Trivia Contest. (Michael Sheard)

Edmond Hamilton Slide Show of SF and Comic story art - Edmond Hamilton a 1920's science fiction and (1940s) comics writer and his connection to Mort Weisinger a noted science fiction pulp editor who also entered comics and brought Hamilton along. (Eddy Zeno)

Acceleration of the Universe - Einstien's cosmological constant. The Fate of the Universe - Collapse or Expansion. (Brett Bolen & Eric Aitala)

Meet the Guests Party - Come meet and mingle with our guests in the Con Suite

10:00pm

Uplift Slide Show - Art from Contacting Aliens: An Illustrated Guide to David Brin's Uplift Universe(Kevin Lenagh & David Brin)

Gaming in Middle Earth - A discussion of role playing and other games in a Middle Earth environment. (James Swanger)

Meet Meisha Merlin - Editors Artists and Authors of the independent publishing house Meisha Merlin on their works. Alan Siler, Lee Killough, Laura Underwood, Lee Martindale, Todd Lockwood, & Selina Rosen

Gary Jonas Reading - The novel and screenplay versions of One Way Ticket To Midnight.

11:00pm

The Art of Gaming - From design to distribution, the gaming industry in the 21 Century. (David Williams)

NASA Update - Update on current issues and projects at NASA. (Les Johnson)

12:00am (Technically Saturday)

Open Filk Come join in this uniquely fannish form of music.

Saturday March 27th

9:00am

Paranormal Romance - Bed Bath and Beyond - Merging of Romance and the Science Fiction Genre Think Bed, Bath and Beyond - Buzz Light Year grows up (Laura Underwood, Jana Oliver, Barbara Christopher, Barbara Gatewood, David Coe & Charlaine Harris)

Create a Masterpiece - Make a Masterpiece using paint, beads, clay, crayons and pencils - Artwork to be displayed in Art Show

Student Awards - Award presentation for Midsouthcon's SF Art and Writing Contest.

9:30am

Educational Seminar: Intro and sign up - Introduction and Registration for MidSouthCon's 2nd annual Seminar on Education.

10:00am

Using Asimov's Foundation Series in the Classroom Our Educational Seminar continues With a discussion on how Isaac Asimov's classic foundation trilogy can be used in education. (David Brin, B. Gatewood, Eric Aitala, & Brett Bolen)

M. M. Buckner Reading - A reading by M.M. Buckner

11:00am

Costuming with the 501st - The design and construction of Star Wars costumes. (members of the 501st)

Make a Game - Make and take a simple game of "matching", tic tac toe, checkers, or jigsaw puzzle.(Children's Programming)

Is Media SF Hurting Education? - Do elements of SF films damage the understanding of how science works? Can bad science be used to teach good science? Are students being discouraged away from science as a profession, or do film portrayals make scientists and engineers heroic role models? (David Brin, Amy Sturgis, CJ Cherryh, Jane Fancher, Les Johnson, Brett Bolen, & MM Buckner)

The New Face of Iron Man - Current Iron Man writer, John Jackson Miller discusses the story, character, and personality of Tony Stark (Iron Man) Moderated by colomnist Tim O'Shea

12:00pm

Win Lose or Draw - in prizes and draw with convention artists in a game of Win, Lose or Draw. (Todd Lockwood, Lin Workman, Kevin Lenagh &, Kathryn White)

Space Exploration and Environmentalism - Why we should be working together? The expansion of humanity into space is the only thing that will solve our most serious environmental problems. Conservation and recycling are potentially useful in the short term, but human nature and the second law of thermodynamics dictates that they are doomed. (Les Johnson)

Readings from Local Memphis Writers - (Barbara Gatewood & Allan Gilbreath)R

1:00pm

Comics Roundtable - An open Rountable event where the comics guests and audience discuss current topics and issues in the world of Comic Books.

Children's Reading - A Reading from TOUGH LOVE FOR RABBIT

Shared Universe - Authors writing stories in a shared world format (i.e., Thievesworld and Dragonlance) Authors writing stories in a shared world format (ie. Thievesworld and Dragonlance)

David Coe Reading - A reading from BONDS OF VENGEANCE (David Coe)

2:00pm

Todd Lockwood Slide Show - The Art of Todd Lockwood and talk about his book Transitions. (Todd Lockwood)

Forensics in Fantasy and Science Fiction - Police, detective stories in a SF and Fantasy settings. (Jarrod Spicer, Bill Allen, Selina Rosen, Lee Killough, Charlaine Harris, & Brian Hopkins)

Children's Nap Time - Bring a blanket and pilow and nap with your child (Children's Programming)

SF Fandom outside North America - A discussion of Fandom outside of the United States. (Vince Docherty, Grant Kruger, Janice Gelb, Pat Molloy, Naomi Fisher, & Cullen Johnson)

3:00pm

Making a Mask - What Creature do you want to be - make a mask. Be a Cat, Dragon, or a Bird? (Children's Programming)

Getting into Hollywood - Tips from a Hollywood actor/stuntman - "Break a Leg" to get into the Hollywood scene (Dragon Dronet)

Brian A. Hopkins Reading - A reading by Brian A Hopkins. (Brian A. Hopkins)

3:30pm

Autographs - All the Writers and Guests that have something to be signed. Due to health code, body parts are not premitable. (Too many to list)

4:00pm

Costuming for the Young Imagination - A tub of costuming "stuff" will be available to make your child an imaginative costume. Bring Any Costume supplies you have or borrow ours. (Children's Programming)

Tolkien Literary Panel - Discussion of Tolkien in print, the themes and theatrical differences. (James Swanger, Amy Sturgis, & David Coe)

Bidding for the World Science Fiction Convention - Discussion of the bid process from Bidders for past and future World Science Fiction Conventions. (Dina Krause, Vince Docherty, Grant Kruger & Janice Gelb)

5:00pm

Fans & Freaks - A discussion of the documentary film Fans and Freaks. (Stephen & Suzie Lackey)

Banquet - Time to have Dinner with the Guests. (All you can eat buffet, space is limited so your ticket early)

Children's Masquarade - (Children's Programming)

Sam Penny Reading - A reading by Sam Penny from his earthquake tetralogy (Sam Penny)

6:00pm

Open Play for Children - Open Play: Blow Up Playhouse, crayons, and games. Children must be supervised. (Children's Programming)

Humor in SF, Fantasy & Horror - A discussion of humor and differences between mainline and SF Fantasy and horror. (Allan Gilbreath, Alan Spicer, Andrew Fox & Robert Brown)

7:00pm

Art Auction - Come and buy art and support artists, the convention, and charity.

Making a Collectable Card Game - What does it take to make a successful CCG? A how to discussion. (David Williams)

Laura Underwood Reading - a selection from Chronicles Of The Last War, her new novel from Yard Dog Press. (Laura Underwood)

8:00pm

Andrew Fox Reading - Last year's audience favorite returns with selections from Fat White Vampire Blues and Bride of Fat White Vampire. ( Andrew Fox)

Selina Rosen Reading - A reading by Selina Rosen from Four Bubbas Of The Apocalypse - Flatulence, Halitosis, Incest and Ned. (Selina Rosen)

9:00 pm

Charity Auction - Come and buy art to support the convention and charity.

Lee Martindale Reading - A reading by Lee Martindale of "Widder Liggett and the Breath O' God" from the Four Bubbas and "Combat Shopping" from Turn The Other Chick. (Lee Martindale)

10:00pm

Masquerade - Our annual costume contest.

11:00pm

David Brin Reading - A reading By our Writer Guest of Honor David Brin. (David Brin)

Dark & Stormy Night - The creation of a story - live and on the fly based on quotes pulled from a box of index cards submitted by convention attendees. (Jarrod Spicer, Allan Gilbreath, Selina Rosen, Bill Allen, Gary Jonas, Andrew Fox & Brian Hopkins)

12:00am (Technically Sunday)

Dance - MSC's annual late night dance.

Open Filk Come join in this uniquely fannish form of music.

Sunday March 28th

9:00am

Partnership Publications - A discussion of partnership publishing. (Jarrod Spicer & Barbara Gatewood)

Tolkien & Harry Potter - J.K. Rowling and JRR Tolkien have drawn criticism for the darkness, complexity, and sobriety their stories. Leading some critics to suggest that the so-called children's stories are more appropriate for adults than youngsters. How are the themes of Death and Bereavement, Prejudice, Change, and Choice addressed?

Kaffeeklatsch - Breakfast with Micheal Sheard

Kaffeeklatsch - Breakfast with Les Johnson

Kaffeeklatsch - Breakfast with CJ Cherryh and Jane Fancher

10:00am

Going to School in an SF Environment - A discussion of education in a Hogwarts (Harry Potter), Sunnydale (Buffy), Battle School (Ender's Game), Professor Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters (X-men), or other exotic environment. (Beveroly Hale, Lee Martindale, Amy Sturgis & Laura Underwood)

Kaffeeklatsch - Breakfast with Todd Lockwood

Kaffeeklatsch - Breakfast with John Jackson Miller

11:00am

DSC Business Meeting - Deep South Con Business Meeting.

Children's Reading -

The Transparent Society - Privacy and Society with today's and future technology.

The business of Writing - A discussion of how to get published. (Beverly Hale & Barbara Gatewood)

Kaffeeklatsch - Breakfast with David Williams

Kaffeeklatsch - Breakfast with Beverly Hale

Kaffeeklatsch - Breakfast with Dragon Dronet

12:00pm

DC on TV - Various DC Comics project on TV, Lois & Clark, Smallville, JLA and Teen Titans Cartoons (CJ Cherryh, Lin Workman, Scott McCullar & Tim O'Shea)

1:00pm

Women in Middle Earth - A discussion of the woman's roles in Tolkien's world and how they are portrayed in his books and Peter Jackson's films. (Lee Sturgis, Laura Underwood, David Coe & Lee Martindale)

Mosasic Bottles - Use Stained glass, caulking, and a baby food jar to make a work of Stain Glass Art

Guy and Rosie Go To Australia - Former DUFF (Down Under Fan Fund) award winners dicuss their trip to Australia

Last Chance Autographs - Last Chance for autographs (we are only going to ask the guests to wait for 15 minutes) After the 15 grace period, Guests are free to roam the convention)

2:00pm

Drawing Fight Scenes - Tips and Tricks in drawing fight scenes (Martheus Wade, Janet Wade, & Scott McCullar)

3:00pm

Bossy, Sassy, Bitchy and Sexy: Female SF Heroes (and Villians) - Despite science fiction's sexist reputation, it probably has had more strong female characters than any other literary genre. Join the final panel of this years convention in what is sure to be a lively discussion. (Panelists: C.J. Cherryh, Beverly Hale, Selina Rosen, Lee Martindale, Jane Fancher)

4:00pm

Closing Ceremonies - Thank You's and Goodbeye's till Next Year

Back to Top.