Fandom, but video game & niche focused: VGM Con is coming up in April. It's in the Minneapolis area, and caters to indie game composers & fan music projects. A lot of good, but smalltime talent involved and hugely community-focused. Most of the event is live performance sets, some technical panels and workshops. :)
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This looks awesome! Thanks for the recommend.
In fairness, before I speak to it. I haven't been to any type of gaming con/expo, big or small. But I've seen pictures and some video of PAX and it gives me the same kind of vibes as comic con, which made me iffy on those types of events.
Your description piqued my interest so I checked them out. I want to go! A month is a bit too soon (just got back from a trip) but I set myself a calendar reminder to check it out next year.
Edit to add: The con is April 17 – 19 @ Crowne Plaza for any curious passersby.
Glad it looks like a good fit! It's a really cool event, hope you can come check it out next time! :)
If you make it over to Portland they have the Retro Gaming Expo! Lots of indie developers and they have a hardcore scene for old tech. Lots of vintage hardware with passionate programmers and game designers
That does appeal to my interests! And I love Portland and have some friends that live there too. I'll try to make that happen.
Renaissance fairs all over the midwest.
There's one in my neck of the woods too. And I've gone before. Been a while though, didn't even occur to me as an option. Thanks for reminding me!
Are there any you've gone to in the Midwest that you thought were particularly exceptional?
If you're wanting more than just the weekend event once or twice per year, you could look into the Society of Creative Anachronism. Events tend to be smaller (100-300) but there's also some larger events. Door price is fairly cheap and most of the activities are free to participate in.
There is a catch though, it's a fairly dedicated hobby organization. Everyone attending is required to attempt pre-16th century clothing. Also, some activities like fighting require certification.
I know some folks in the SCA. Which I had no idea stood for "Society of Creative Anachronism" until just now. It's a bit too much for me, but I'm glad they exist.
I've only been to the Saint Louis ren faire but I hear from friends that have been to both StL and Kansas City, MO ren faires that the KC one is bigger and better. StL's was vastly improved by moving from August to October. August + river valley at the confluence of several large rivers = swamp boil.
I got a chuckle out of "swap boil"
Rocky Mountain RepRap Festival - a 3D printing focused maker convention in Loveland, CO
California Extreme - a pinball and arcade game show, with all machines in free play mode, held in Santa Clara, CA
DEF CON - in Las Vegas, NV
DundraCon - an RPG-focused gaming convention, also in Santa Clara, CA
KublaCon - a board & tabletop game convention, now held twice a year in Burlingame, CA
Maker Faire Bay Area - maker fair held in Vallejo, CA
Golden State Pinball Convention - pinball convention held in Lodi, CA