What is Eastercon?

Eastercon is a generic term for the annual British National Science Fiction Convention, so-called because, for many years, it has been held over the Easter weekend to take advantage of what's traditionally a quiet time for hotels.

Each Eastercon is run by a different committee and has a different name, often involving a pun on the "con" in "convention". Recent Eastercons have been 2Kon, Seacon, Paragon, Concourse, Concussion and Contemplation. Orbital is the 2008 Eastercon.

Eastercon's history is heavily linked with "sf as the written word", and modern Eastercons retain a strong literary influence. Guests-of-honour are typically authors, and many authors in the contemporary sf scene and related genres (such as fantasy and horror) regularly attend (as ordinary paying members, rather than guests).

As sf has spread into other fields, the other fields have spread into Eastercon. An artist is frequently a guest too, and recent Eastercon programmes also show influences from film, television, graphic novels and other aspects of sf.

Eastercons are very much a fan event, with fandom itself being a significant chunk of typical Eastercon programming. A fan Guest-of-honour is just one example of this, being a long-time fan who is being recognised for his or her outstanding history of contributing to fandom.

These days, Eastercons are really several conventions all under one roof, with overlapping memberships. Interests as disparate as books, movies, television, costuming, filking, fan history and convention-running are all going on, continuously. Oh, and people meet up with their friends in the bar and talk over the odd pint of beer, too...

A lot of history has built up around Eastercon over the years, and a lot of jargon, too. You may find that an explanation of jargon comes in handy.

Note: if you're new to conventions, and your mental picture is that typically painted by the media - Star Trek fans in costume all talking Klingon to each other - well, Eastercons aren't like that. You'll probably see some costumes, but these will be very much in the minority - except during certain events.

Ah, yes: events. As each Eastercon is mostly a law unto itself (being a new committee and all that), there's no fixed arrangement to the programme, but there are certain traditions that may occur:

  • The Masquerade. Typically on Sunday evening, this is where you'll see most of the costumes - or at least, the most complex ones. Fans parade their creations on the stage for a judging panel, and often there's a skit or sketch or some other performance to go with it.

  • Opening Ceremony. The Opening Ceremony usually happens some time on Friday afternoon. It's an opportunity for you to see who the organising committee are, and for them to impart important bits of information about the venue, the convention, the programme, etc. Yes, you'll have a README to explain this, but something always changes between printing and the start of the actual con.

  • Closing Ceremony. The Closing Ceremony is usually some time on Monday afternoon. Some prizes may be awarded, but mostly it's a "thank you", and a hand over to the committee for the next Eastercon.

  • The Bid session. This is, really, the only part of the con that's required. It's the session wherein the members of the current Eastercon get to vote on which committee gets to run one of the impending future Eastercons. More information here.

  • Awards. The British Science Fiction Association often announce their annual awards at Eastercon, as voted for by the members of the BSFA and the Eastercon. At Orbital, this will be on the Saturday night.

  • The Art show. Pictures, paintings, sculptures and other crafts are displayed in the art show during the convention, and there's an auction on the Sunday, wherein you can pick up something stunning for less than you'd normally pay. Or you can just wander the art show and admire.

  • A play. In recent years, there's sometimes been a play, written and performed by fans.

  • The Dead Dog Party. Not strictly a party, as such; the dead dog takes place on the Monday evening once the con has officially finished (and usually continues well into night). It's when those who are still around finally unwind and relax and chat.

  • Hall Costume Day. Some Eastercons declare one day to be Hall Costume Day, wherein fans may walk around in costume in the hope of being awarded the most Hall Costume Tokens (if this is happening, then there'll be tokens in your con pack when you register). Fans can wear costumes on any other day, too (and do) - it's just that this is a day where the wearing is competitive.