Nine Worlds Geekfest is the UK’s biggest and best fan-driven multi-genre convention by number of sessions, tracks and attendees. Yes, it’s about science and science fiction, but it is also arguably the most diverse UK convention in terms of content, attendees and organisers, incorporating technology, media, crafting, comics, entertainments, tastings, and lots more. Altogether, there will be around 250 speakers, presenting more than 200 events.
The interactive schedule is now live. There are iOS and Android apps for Grenadine: use code nw2017 to access the program.
For 2017 we are featuring academic talks; architecture; meetups; Bifröst Cabaret; board gaming; books; cheese & cheese; comedy; comics; cosplay; crafting; creative writing; dealers’ room; DJ sets; engineering; fandoms; fanworks; games design; hackers; history; knitting and yarncraft; LARPing; LGBTQAI+ culture; launch parties; movies; quizzes; signings; singalongs; social gaming; swordmaking; tea parties; technology; trains; TV; and video gaming, polished off with The Rock Club at the End of the Universe.
There is an extensive kids’ programme including crafting; workshops; storytelling and games. There will also be ticketed workshops featuring swordpunk, jewellery-making and a mead tasting, and free sign-up sessions including the Inflatable Shark Olympics, which will be announced on the website. Tickets go fast, so check the website regularly.
Avery Delaney’s session discussing Queer Coding in Disney, and a panel discussion on women’s wrestling with EVE Producers Emily & Dann, and former champ Rhia O’Reilly, provide a tiny sample and example of the diversity of events on offer. Other guests include Adrian Tchaikovsky, winner of the 2016 Arthur C Clarke Award; and Jason Arnopp, whose novel, The Last Days of Jack Sparks, has been optioned by Ron Howard’s production company. Jason is also writing the screenplay adaptation, and says: “I’m tremendously excited to return to Nine Worlds this summer. It’s such a wonderfully inclusive fixture in the genre event calendar, with a real passion for fantastic fiction,” while historian John J Johnston says he is “delighted to be contributing to my fourth Geekfest with an expanded version of my paper on archaeological horrors in Doctor Who.”
Cosplay happenings include a talk by Dr Karen Graham on Cosplay by Stealth.
Nine Worlds also offers wide ranging access arrangements, including a quiet room, priority seating, a BSL signer and communication system, and anyone requiring assistance in order to attend is entitled to a complementary personal assistant ticket.
This is all excellent value for money at £119 for an adult three-day ticket. Day tickets are £49.99. Under 16s go free with a pre-booked ticket, but must be accompanied by an adult ticket-holder.
