Fandom Fest

Celeb Panel: Adam Nimoy
2024-08-11 12:30 - 13:15 (America/New_York) | Fenimore Asset Management Gallery, 432 State Street, Schenectady, NY, 12305
Get to know Author and Director Adam Nimoy. His most recent work includes, “The Most Human: Reconciling with My Father, Leonard Nimoy” (2024).

Sci-Fi & Fantasy Author Readings
2024-08-11 12:00 - 12:45 (America/New_York) | MainStage Panel Room, State Street, Schenectady, NY, 12305, United States
Join local sci-fi and fantasy authors as they present short excerpts from their books followed by a Q&A. Featuring sci-fi, urban fantasy, humor and paranormal romance! Participants: Jeff Burns, Kate Sheeran Swed, Kyle A. Massa and Delaney Parker

The Big Book Fandom Panel: Readers Unite
2024-08-11 11:30 - 2024-08-12 00:15 (America/New_York) | Delack Guild Room, State Street, Schenectady, NY, 12305, United States
Join Spookyinthestacks, local librarian in-training and reading enthusiast, as they discuss the latest book fandom trends, chat about up-and-coming releases and geek out over all things bookish!

Paint & Sip
2024-08-11 11:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Orchestra Room, State Street, Schenectady, NY, 12305, United States
No painting skills required for this unique, memorable experience! Book your stop to unlock your nerdy creativity. Painting option for this session is Calcifer from Studio Ghibli.

Limit 40 people per session. In order to provide the best experience, paint and sip sessions are now $10 and require reservation ahead of time. Sign-up online now or in person at the Box Office during Fandom Fest (if spots are available).

RESERVE YOUR SPOT

Celeb Panel: MadTv
2024-08-11 11:00 - 11:45 (America/New_York) | MainStage, 432 State Street, Schenectady, NY, 12304, United States
Phil Lamarr and Mo Collins chat about their time on MadTv. Learn about what set was like and hear some behind-the-scene stories!

Celeb Panel: Stuntwork in Film
2024-08-11 11:00 - 11:45 (America/New_York) | Fenimore Asset Management Gallery, 432 State Street, Schenectady, NY, 12305
Gui DaSilva-Greene will talk about his career as a stunt performer for popular movies such as Black Panther.

Story Hour presented by The Costumer
2024-08-11 10:30 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | MainStage Panel Room, State Street, Schenectady, NY, 12305, United States
Get ready to unleash your inner hero and princess as we take you on a magical journey with Fandom Story Hour presented by The Costumer. Assemble in the MainStage Panel Room, where we’ll delve into the thrilling and enchanted worlds of capes, masks and tiaras. These events are perfect for children of all ages, so grab your little ones and prepare for wonderful stories, laughter and adventure! It’s going to be a blast!

Dragon Dungeon
2024-08-10 10:00 - 17:30 (America/New_York) | Dragon Dungeon, State Street, Schenectady, NY, 12305, United States
Deep underground lies a treasure trove of tabletop texts, perfect for your perusal. Early registration is open for all announced games. Each player needs to fill out a sign-up form. Any unfilled slots will be available on a first come first serve on the day of the game in the Dragon Dungeon.

SIGN-UP PAGE

Geek Garage
2024-08-10 10:00 - 17:30 (America/New_York) | MainStage, 432 State Street, Schenectady, NY, 12304, United States
The Geek Garage, a standout section of Fandom Fest that celebrates the iconic vehicles of pop culture. Step into a world where fantasy meets reality. Featuring Greg’s Van, the Batmobile, the Mystery Machine and more.

Celebrity Club House
2024-08-11 10:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Key Hall, State Street, Schenectady, NY, 12305, United States
Find your favorite celebrities in Key Hall for autographs and selfies! See the full schedule.

Fandom Trivia
2024-08-11 10:00 - 10:45 (America/New_York) | Delack Guild Room, State Street, Schenectady, NY, 12305, United States
Do you “want to be the very best, like no one ever was?” Test out your nerdy knowledge at Fandom Trivia!

Ghost Tour
2024-08-10 21:00 - 22:00, 2024-08-10 20:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Building Wide, 432 State Street, Schenectady, 12305
Discover what supernatural spirits might be wandering beyond the vale by taking a ghostly stroll through Proctors Theatre with Paranormal Investigator, Jack Kenna. What mysteries could be uncovered? Bring your own investigative tools and find out yourself or help Jack discover more secrets of this structure from the 1920’s. Limit of 25 people per session.

Sign-up online now or at the Box Office during Fandom Fest.

RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW

Anime Rave
2024-08-10 20:00 - 22:30 (America/New_York) | Dragon Dungeon, State Street, Schenectady, NY, 12305, United States
Stick around for this fun dance party featuring visuals from your favorite anime series!

Cosplay Dating Game (18+)
2024-08-10 20:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Fenimore Asset Management Gallery, 432 State Street, Schenectady, NY, 12305
18+ ONLY. The Cosplay Dating Game is similar to the traditional Dating Game of yesteryear TV. Three bachelors or bachelorettes sit on one side of a curtain. On the other side is the ‘prize,’ an elusive bachelor or bachelorette for one of the three contestants to ‘win.’ The twist is that participants are in costume and are the character!

*This is purely for the amusement and entertainment of the participants and audience. No real dating is involved.

More Information & Applications

A Plus Size Cosplayer's Survival Guide to Costuming & Performance
2024-08-10 19:00 - 19:45 (America/New_York) | Fenimore Asset Management Gallery, 432 State Street, Schenectady, NY, 12305
This panel discusses being a plus size cosplayer and how that informs our costuming and stage performance. Host Zede (@ze.telier) will cover how to modify purchased cosplays, how to draft your own cosplays, overcoming stage fright and learning to appreciate your body and all the amazing things you can do! This panel is intended for all cosplayers of any body type and skill level, with a focus on how we can improve and build an intersectional and inclusive community as cosplayers.

Paint & Sip
2024-08-10 18:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Orchestra Room, State Street, Schenectady, NY, 12305, United States
No painting skills required for this unique, memorable experience! Book your stop to unlock your nerdy creativity. Painting option for this session is Piranha Plant.

Limit 40 people per session. In order to provide the best experience, paint and sip sessions are now $10 and require reservation ahead of time. Sign-up online now or in person at the Box Office during Fandom Fest (if spots are available).

RESERVE YOUR SPOT

Paint & Sip
2024-08-10 18:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Orchestra Room, State Street, Schenectady, NY, 12305, United States
No painting skills required for this unique, memorable experience! Book your stop to unlock your nerdy creativity. Painting option for this session is a Piranha Plant.

Limit 40 people per session. In order to provide the best experience, paint and sip sessions are now $10 and require reservation ahead of time. Sign-up online now or in person at the Box Office during Fandom Fest (if spots are available).

RESERVE YOUR SPOT

Celeb Panel: Voice Acting
2024-08-10 18:30 - 19:15 (America/New_York) | MainStage, 432 State Street, Schenectady, NY, 12304, United States
Featuring Susanne Blakeslee, Keone Young, Cedric Williams and Candi Milo.They’re the voices of childhood and some of your favorite cartoon characters! Get to know all about what it means to be a voice actor from some of the best in the business.

The Art and Themes of Studio Ghibli
2024-08-10 18:30 - 19:15 (America/New_York) | Delack Guild Room, State Street, Schenectady, NY, 12305, United States
Studio Ghibli is a well-known animation studio, famous for movies such as “My Neighbor Totoro,” “Howl’s Moving Castle,” “Kiki’sDelivery Service” and many others. Their movies contain beautiful scenery that help you get lost in the stories but do you know the inspiration behind them? And can you match the backgrounds to the movie it belongs to? Get in on the discussion and trivia!

Anime Meet-up
2024-08-10 18:30 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | MainStage Panel Room, State Street, Schenectady, NY, 12305, United States
Gather anime lovers! Get together, take photos, talk anime and make new friends!

Oh the Horror! A Deep Dive into the Horror Fandom and Horror Books
2024-08-10 17:30 - 18:15 UTC | Fenimore Asset Management Gallery, 432 State Street, Schenectady, NY, 12305
Join Spookyinthestacks, local librarian in-training and horror hound, as they take a deep dive into all things horror! Learn the origins of some of your favorite horror films, books and more!

Cosplay Contests 101
2024-08-10 17:00 - 17:45 (America/New_York) | Delack Guild Room, State Street, Schenectady, NY, 12305, United States
Hosted by Ashleyisalot.

Have you been wanting to step into the world of competitive cosplay but don’t know where to start? Or have you done a few contests but want to gain further insight on how they are run? Then this panel is for you! During this panel we will discuss cosplay contests from start to finish, from concept to curtain fall.

Women in Nerdom
2024-08-10 17:00 - 17:45 (America/New_York) | MainStage, 432 State Street, Schenectady, NY, 12304, United States
Get ready to be inspired at Fandom Fest’s must-see panel, Women in Nerdom! Join us for an exhilarating discussion with some of the most dynamic women who are shaping the future of entertainment and redefining pop culture. Filled with behind-the-scenes secrets, fandom-worthy anecdotes and insights into their creative processes, you don’t want to miss this! Featuring Mo Collins, Linda Ballantyne, Katie Griffin and Pilar Newton-Katz, this is your chance to hear firsthand how these trailblazers create iconic characters and revolutionary narratives.Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a curious newcomer, this panel is a front-row seat to the stories and struggles of the women who are reshaping entertainment as we know it. Gear up and get ready to be inspired by the real-life heroines who bring your favorite worlds to life!

Star Wars Meet-Up
2024-08-10 17:00 - 17:30 (America/New_York) | MainStage Panel Room, State Street, Schenectady, NY, 12305, United States
Gather Jedi! Meet and hang out with other Star Wars fans.

One True Pairing: A Comedic Romance Improv Game
2024-08-10 16:00 - 16:45 (America/New_York) | Fenimore Asset Management Gallery, 432 State Street, Schenectady, NY, 12305
Love is in the air! Join us for this super-interactive panel where we’ll argue which characters would make the best romantic parings from all different fandoms. We’ll use audience suggestions for characters and have you guys help us decide the best OTP! Participants: Jeff Burns and Kyle A. Massa

Toon Talk with Pilar Newton-Katz
2024-08-10 15:30 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | Delack Guild Room, State Street, Schenectady, NY, 12305, United States
Did you love cartoons as a kid? Still a fan today? Then this panel is tailor-made for you! Join us for an exclusive dive into the vibrant world of Pilar Newton-Katz, the Brooklyn-based creative powerhouse behind some of your favorite animated classics. From her work on Cartoon Network’s “Courage the Cowardly Dog” to MTV’s “Daria” and Nickelodeon’s “Rocket Power,” Pilar has been a major force in shaping beloved characters and stories. Discover the magic behind her creations, learn about her journey from animation studios to founding her own independent company, PilarToons, LLC, and get a glimpse into her exciting future projects. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with a true animation legend and explore the art and heart of storytelling!

Sketch Off
2024-08-10 14:30 - 15:15 (America/New_York) | Fenimore Asset Management Gallery, 432 State Street, Schenectady, NY, 12305
Starring Artists: Rick Arthur, Doug Arthur, Doug Hill, and Pilar Katz. Hosted by Michael McCord

Round 1: Professional artists compete to draw a character or scene that is provided by the audience.

Round 2: Members of audience have opportunity to volunteer and team up with the pro artists and collaborate on a drawing (perhaps it’s the audience member starts it with a doodle or however and the pro turns the doodle into a character/scene)

Round 3: One drawing that all the artists rotate through. In 15 second intervals each artists draws something, then ding!, next artist continues the drawing, ding! And so on… . All the while, host Michael McCord will be asking the artists questions about their careers and the about the charities they have chosen ahead of time to support with the money raised with their drawings.

Paint & Sip
2024-08-10 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Orchestra Room, State Street, Schenectady, NY, 12305, United States
No painting skills required for this unique, memorable experience! Book your stop to unlock your nerdy creativity. Painting option for this session is Pikachu.

Limit 40 people per session. In order to provide the best experience, paint and sip sessions are now $10 and require reservation ahead of time. Sign-up online now or in person at the Box Office during Fandom Fest (if spots are available).

RESERVE YOUR SPOT

Cosplay Contest
2024-08-10 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | MainStage, 432 State Street, Schenectady, NY, 12304, United States
Fandom Fest’s Cosplay Contest is where cosplayers can show off their performance and craftsmanship skills in one exciting show! Performers will be judged for their ability to captivate and entertain a crowd, bringing their favorite series and shows to life through dance, song, or even comedy. While tailors and seamstresses show off their work by bringing beloved characters onto the MainStage at Proctors Theatre!

Click below more information on the Cosplay Contest and how to enter!

Cosplay Contest
