idwcon: The First Irish Discworld Convention

It’s 10 days to the Convention, we’ve got seven Guests, it’s nearly Halloween, and we’ve got the programme sorted – it should be at the printers by now.

Here is just a reminder of some of the fantastic things that will be happening over the course of the weekend.

Kaffee Klatches: Six people have a private chat with a Guest over a coffee. (Sign-up at least three hours in advance)

NaNoWriMo write-ins: NaNoWriMo takes places every November, so for those of you who are attempting to write a 50,000 word novel, we’ve set aside a few sessions for you to do it in.

Unseen University Challenge: A Discworld-based version of the UK TV quiz show University Challenge. We need six teams of four to compete, and the winning team will play a team of Guests and Committee. (Sign-up on Friday)

Interviews with each of the Guests. Watch amazed as a committee member forgets what they were going to say next as they talk to someone who has their own wikipedia article.

Get a Life: When people hear you are a fan of speculative fiction, they think you’re a geek with no life. Spend five minutes telling people about the things you do to prove them wrong. (Sign-up at Registration)

Maskerade: Got a costume? Got an act? Got both? Then this is where you show it off. Fabulous prizes to be won! (Sign-up on Friday)

The Oswalds: The Discworld’s Oscars are in town. This is a ticket-only posh dinner, complete with a pre-dinner reception, and after-dinner speeches. The Maskerade prizes will be given out during this event. (Book online before Monday November 2nd)

Music With Rocks In: An unplugged set by anyone who turns up with music and an instrument. Good for singalongs and a fine sense of camararderie.

Charity Auction: We’re selling off loads of stuff to the highest bidder in aid of The Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland. Bring money!

Plus lots of games, panels, and randomly interesting stuff happening all weekend. And donkeys! Did I mention the donkeys? We have donkeys.

Register now for the Irish Discworld Maskerade. Anyone may enter, old or young. Dress yourself as your favourite Discworld character, or make up your own! Sing, dance, and impersonate your way to gain the judges favour. Each performance must be approx 1 minute long, so start rehearsing!!

We have three categories:
Máistír (Master – where you’ve won at a Maskerade before),
Noibhiseach (Novice – where you’ve entered one before) and
Maighdean (Beginner – where you’ve never entered but this time you will!).
We have first and second prizes for each as well as the Top Prize Churamhír (Best in Show).

[read the rest of this information on the Maskerade page]

When you’re a famous author, it’s easy to get waylaid by people wanting to give you things. Like honourary doctorates, and 5 course banquets. Which is what Trinity College, Dublin, are going to be giving a certain Sir Terry Pratchett OBE on Friday the 6th of November. That unfortunately means that he and Colin Smythe will not be arriving at IDWCon until Saturday morning. But don’t worry, we have plenty of stuff for you to do before then, like sign up for the Maskerade, or a quiz or two, or go to a Chéilí. Just think, you’ll be having more fun than Terry Pratchett on Friday night – he’ll be trapped behind a dinner table or in a bar, while you’re watching the English members of the ConCom’s attempts at Irish dancing!

For those of you who can’t make the four days and are wondering how you’ll be able to buy tickets, then you’ll be happy to know that membership will be available on the door of the Falls Hotel either at the membership desk (on Friday only) or in Ops (all weekend).

We’ll have day tickets and a two day Saturday/Sunday ticket available. Prices will be announced shortly.

If you’re coming on a day ticket or the two day ticket and want to come to the Oswalds Awards Dinner you’ll be happy to know that that’s possible. Book early! Bookings for the Gala Dinner close on Monday the 2nd of November.

If you’re coming on a day ticket or the two day ticket and wish to book a room in the hotel using the members discount then you’ll need to email one of us at info@idwcon.org.

To those who’d like a very special part in the weekend, we need a Ridcully (send pic to info@idwcon.org) and a Victor (Moving Pictures, and please email info@idwcon.org).

Even more Updates:

Find fresh news about the Oswalds, the games and the panels now available! See the Planned Events for those and more!