Convention Programme 2011
OK folks here it is.
PROVISIONAL AND UNCONFIRMED
Version 2 – changed 08.02.10
Items for the 2011 Convention – With Explanations
PLEASE do not get upset if your item is not on the list, or your name is cited and you have not formally agreed. This is a WORKING DOCUMENT and subject to(a lot) of change. These are events that were popular in the UK or at previous Australian Conventions and we feel represent what people would like to participate in. Inclusion here does not at this point signify that the item will definitly appear on the Programme – this will be down to volunteers being able to get to Sydney and offer their time.
The aim of putting it up here so early is to get you EXCITED!!! (I know I am!). If you want to see something happen and it is not here – please do contact me. Better still, offer to run it! The Convention operates on a purely voluntary basis and the more people who contribute the better the events will be!As a famous warmonger once almost said “Your Convention Needs You”.
Looking forward to hearing from you all – feedback so far has been great – hope this makes you even more prepared for the event of a lifetime!
Bloody Stupid Johnson’s Inventions Class – Needs Volunteers.
Select random items from the hat and combine them create extraordinary inventions in the style of Master Botcher, BSJ. Team Game – great chance to meet new people and show yourself up in front of them
Breakfast With The Committee – CONFIRMED/COMMITTEE and anyone who wants to turn up!
Your chance to meet the committee and find out what the day will hold and what it has been like organising the Convention. All committee members would welcome the donation of a coffee and a Valium!
Chaos Costuming – Needs Volunteers and donations of materials etc
Broken costume? No costume? Come to Chaos Costuming. An area full of old scraps of material and bits of costuming for you to rummage through and adapt. Sewing machines and cottons will be on hand and also a helpful person to assist.
Charity Auction – CONFIRMED/COMMITTEE
A plethora of Discworld related items for you to bid for in the time honoured tradition. All proceeds go to our two chosen charities: Alzheimer’s Australia and The Orang-utan Foundation. If you have never been to this it is really, really good fun. Come even if you don’t intend bidding. Bet you do though!! GET YOUR THINKING CAPS ON FOR THINGS YOU COULD DONATE FOR AUCTION AND LET US KNOW – WE ARE COLLECTING FROM NOW
Closing Ceremony – CONFIRMED/COMMITTEE AND EVERYONE
Yes – its listed before the Opening Ceremony! Could only happen on Discworld! A summing up of, what we aim to be the best ever Convention. Certificates, thanks, tears and laughter. Don’t miss it – better than the Oscars!
Dead Monkey Party – CONFIRMED/COMMITTEE/VOLS
End of Convention get together for Volunteers and Committee
Discworld Broadcasting Company Radio Play – CONFIRMED/TMCL – NEEDS VOLS PLEASE
A chance for all your budding Thespians to exercise your vocal chords. An excerpt, read from script, of a Terry Pratchett Play. Adapted for Radio. Actual play to be confirmed.
Discworld Card Making – CONFIRMED/TMCL
For all you Cunning Artificers – a chance for you to create some Discworld cards. Materials will be supplied for you to be able to take away 5 wonderful Discworld inspired cards. Great for kids from 8 – 80
Fan Art Exhibition – IN PROGRESS
We know there are a lot of you out there with amazing talent in drawing, painting and sculpting. Here is your chance to exhibit your work along side that of other people who are also inspired by the writing genius of Terry.
Folk Songs of the Discworld – Martin Pearson – CONFIRMED!!!!
Sometimes I think Folk Singing was invented just for Martin Pearson! Singer and raconteur, Martin is a joy to witness in action. His knowledge of folk songs is encyclopaedic, his singing and playing outstanding. Watch out for the Hedgehog Song! A must for your complete Discworld experience.
Feet Of Clay – CONFIRMED/THE LEWIS FAMILY
Get physical with this daft Discworld variation of that family favourite, Twister. Match up the letters on your feet to create Discworld words selected by the Foot Meister! A scream!
Gala Dinner – WATCH THIS SPACE
Panthers has a reputation for excellent cuisine. The Gala Dinner will prove to be one of the highlights of the Convention. Food, drink and entertainment. Start saving NOW! We have kept costs to an absolute minimum to make this as inclusive as possible. We would love to see you all there.
Great Hedgehog Race – NEEDS VOLUNTEERS WITH ENGINEERING/TINKERING BACKGROUNDS.
Discworld’s version of Scrapheap Challenge. Grab some garbage from the stack and see if you can create a Hedgehog that can get from one place to another under its own steam. We know the Turtle Moves, but can your Hedgehog?
Guest Interview/s
To Be Announced
Guild Meetings – NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
A daily chance for you to get together and plan what you will arrange for the Guild Entertainment hour, how you will make sure you have more AM$ than any other Guild and other dastardly deeds.
Guild Entertainment Hour – TO BE ORGANISED AT THE CONVENTION
Each guild to organise a 15 minute bit of fun of some description to entertain Conventioneers. Make it memorable folks!
Hex – Computer Sessions – CURRENTLY BEING ORGANISED
Based in the same doom as Thud, we hope to have a number of computers up and running various Discworld Computer Games. Sessions will need to be booked, but we will run them long enough for as many as we can to have a go at some of these games from the 1990s!
Illustrators Master Class – AT LEAST ONE CONFIRMED/FLICK REID
Ever wanted to draw a picture of Rincewind? The Luggage? Nanny Ogg? Well here is your chance. Come armed with pencils and paper and our resident artists will take you through the steps to creating your own masterpiece. All efforts will be included in the Fan Art Exhibition.
Juggling Workshop – PROVISIONALLY CONFIRMED/LISA LARGERGREN & DAVID CROSS
Ever wondered just what attracted Magrat to Verence in the first place? It was the way he juggled his balls! And you too an acquire this skill at the ever popular Juggling Workshop
Klatches – STILL BEING WORKED ON.
Your opportunity to fire questions, in small groups, at a select person associated with the Discworld. Might be a Character, might be an actual person in the Roundworld. Names to be announced.
Martin Pearson – PROVISIONALLY CONFIRMED
Here he is again, that Funster of Folk, the Patrician of Patter, the Mugwump of Music. Martin will entertain you with songs from Roundworld.
Masquerade Parade – STILL BEING WORKED ON – NEED VOLUNTEERS
Consistently bowled over by the standards of costuming, the Committee wants to offer you ALL the opportunity to strut your stuff upon the stage and display your costume creation to us all. A dwarf Fashion Show format will apply
Masquerade Parade Preparation – THIS IS UP TO YOU FOLKS INDIVIDUALLY
Time for you to get those cossies titivated and ready to unleashed on an unsuspecting Discworld! Get down to Chaos Costuming for lost buttons and popped seams!
Miss Susan’s Playtime – NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
A range of activities for children of all ages – clay, drawing and colouring, face painting – activities yet to be confirmed. Your chance to leave the children for an hour and go and see something adult!
NA4 Over To You – CONFIRMED/COMMITTEE
Have you loved it? Want to make it even better in 2013? Your chance to feed back and volunteer for the next one!!
Opening Ceremony – CONFIRMED COMMITTEE
Welcome ladies, gentlemen and er others! The 2011 Australian Discworld awaits you. Come to the Opening Ceremony to meet some of the stars, hear about what we have brought together for your delight and join up with your fellow conventioneers in what will prove to be the experience of a lifetime!
Philosophy (subject yet to be announced) – PROVISIONALLY CONFIRMED/LISA LARGERGREN/STEVE LEWIS/ ANOTHER VOLUNTEER
For all you Tsortians, Omnians and other deep thinkers, here is your chance to investigate the Philosophy of Discworld. Last time saw us building towers of sweets, not shooting a turtle and building the same boat many times! What will this year hold?
Prancing With The Idle L Factor – STILL BEING WORKED ON – NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
You have seen those Celebrity Dance Shows on the TV – now experience the real thing! Trolls, Dwarves, Vampires, Werewolves –come and strut your funky stuff; in groups or individually. This may be another opportunity to see the Dark Morris and we have been promised a bit of Turkish delight
Pendle Witches – TBC
Barry McCann, a UK writer, currently drafting a book on the Witches of Pendle, Lancashire, has agreed to join the convention. We hope he will be with us giving a talk on the Pendle Witches – the UK’s only witches to be executed for their ‘crimes’ . He will give us an insight into 15th century life and the role witchcraft played in it. Barry is an entertaining speaker and well worth stopping by to see.
Room 3B – Chill Zone – NEEDS NO ORGANISATON – JUST ENJOY
Not technically an event, more a state of mind! A quiet area where people can rest from the rigours of the convention. Gentle conversation is encouraged, but please don’t disturb the Lecturer in Recent Runes – he has come here for a rest too!
Scumble Tasting – BEING WORKED ON
We are delighted to welcome the Lark Distillery http://www.larkdistillery.com.au/ from Tasmania who will be allowing us to sample their world famous Cider (Scumble). There will also be an opportunity to sample their outstanding Whiskeys which are giving the Scots a run for their money! This is a strictly over 18s event. The door will be managed and entry will be by ticket only. Tickets are free but must be pre-booked at the convention and ID must be shown. Get Saving! You will want to take home some Scumble – I can guarantee.
Scavenger Hunt (Pre convention activity) – BEING WORKED ON
Want to make some money for your Guild before we even begin? Why not team up on the website with your other Guild members and join in the Scavenger Hunt? Organise to bring the items on the list. Earn points per item and there is an AM$ prize for the Guild we gets the most!
Significant Quest – CONFIRMED/BEN HUGHES
Every convention, demand for this game just gets bigger and bigger. Join your Inventor and Quest Master for the journey of a lifetime. A table top role playing game with a difference.
Snowgum Pictures Presents – TBC
This enterprising young Film production Company will be with us to show their latest work – who knows we may get an update on Troll Bridge?
Soft Foam Sword Fighting – PROVISIONALLY CONFIRMED/LISA LARGERGREN & DAVID CROSS
Ever wanted to buckle your swash? Lisa and David will give you the opportunity to do so in a safe and non-confrontational environment. Soft swords are ideal for learning the footwork and strategy of sword fighting. Elegant and deadly – a must for all wannabe Assassins
Terry’s Bedtime Stories – CONFIRMED/DANNY SAG/KERRY HUGHES/TANIA LEWIS/ ANY OTHER VOLUNTEERS?
What would bedtime be without a shot of Terry? A selection of short readings. Turn up in your PJs with a cup of cocoa and a pillow. Yes, really! We want to see some really bad nightwear at this event. (Not too revealing though guys – kids present!!) I can guarantee Where’s My Cow will be on the list at least one night!
Terry’s Shorts – CONFIRMED/DANNY SAG/TANIA LEWIS/ MORE VOLUNTEERS PLEASE
Arriving very early for one event in 2009, Committee members were stunned at the quality of the reading given at this event. If you want to hear top quality short stories by Terry, read dramatically and engagingly – this is the gig for you. These guys could even give Tony Robinson a run for his money!
Thank Gods You’re Here – BEING WORKED ON
Pre register to be one of a small group of people taking part in the Discworld version of this great TV favourite. Actors will find themselves in strange situations and be required to act themselves out of them! A real hoot is guaranteed.
The Dark Morris – CONFIRMED/TANIA LEWIS
We are honoured to have been given the opportunity, by Bernard Pearce & Stan M Tunstall-Otterburn to learn and perform the fabled Dark Morris. Over two sessions Conventioneers will learn about the traditions of Morris dancing in Roundworld, watch the dance being performed and then be invited to learn the steps. All participants will be expected to wear black. The second session will be a quick rehearsal followed by a twilight performance, outside in the gathering gloom. Performed in complete silence, the Dark Morris is a must for all folkies and those interested in the Wyrd!
The Great Debate – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Two teams debate a hot Discworld topic. Expect lots of people hamming it up good time and many examples of bad behaviour disguised as debate. Bound to include Granny Weatherwax and possibly Wizards that looks like Martin Pearson and Nick Heath! Laughs galore.
The Josh Kirby Art Collection – TBC
Fans of Terry’s cover art will remember the wonderful work of Josh Kirby who illustrated some of Terry’s early novels and gave the inner creativity its outer glory. Sadly, Josh left this plane a number of years ago, but some wonderful examples of his masterful works are housed here in Australia and it is our intention to display them for you to marvel at. If ever there was a lie to ‘Never judge a book by ite cover’ Josh’s work was it.
The Trial of Vetinari – NEEDS (VERY BRAVE) VOLUNTEERS
Evil genius or Man of Vision? – you decide, as Lord Vetinari is cross examined by two teams of expert liars (sorry) lawyers. Is he naughty or nice? Don’t leave it to the Hogfather to decide, be there and make an informed decision for yourself!
Thud Training Sessions – NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
If you have never payed Thud, then this is your opportunity. Thud, the official game of Discworld, invites you to recreate the ‘The Battle of Koom Valley’, where Dwarfs and Trolls battle for supremacy. Use these training sessions to build up a vocabulary of strategy and prepare you for the . . .
Thud Tournament – NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
Intended to run over a whole day, this will be the knock out contest (or round robin depending on number of entrants) to end all contests. Pit your wits against players at all levels. All abilities and species welcome.
Unseen Academicals v AllComers Football Match – NEEDS VOLUNTEERS TO RUN AND PEOPLE TO SIGN UP
We will be looking for 24 people to come and hold an English style Football match. Come prepared to play in character. Is anyone brave enough to dress as an Orang Utan? A trophy for the winning team. We encourage spectators for this – bring your whistles and wooden rattles and wear costume!
UU Quiz – NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
Form teams before, or on the night and join in this rollicking romp through the long lost byways of Discworld. The 2009 Quiz was fiendish – this one will be its equal or better. Get reading those Discworld books and brushing up on the minutiae of your favourite Author, Sir Pterry!
Varangian Guard Display – TBC
We are delighted to welcome back the New Varangian Guard who will be displaying, for your delight, many elements of combat and war wear from an age gone by. This is REAL history folks. Entertaining and informative – not to be missed.
Vikings Invade! – TBC
The nearest we could arrange to a barbarian hoard for you! Come and meet the Vikings. Scourge of Western Europe in the 8th and 9th Centuries, discover the truth about these pioneers of travel. Their code of ethics, their skills and their hopes and fears for their race. Oh yes and touch their killing implements too!
Virtual Terry – TBC
It is our dearest wish that Terry join us at this celebration of his genius. However, we fully appreciate that he has bigger fish to fry and cannot guarantee his attendance. Should he be unable to join us, we intend to offer you the chance to speak with him live. Fore some of you die hard cosplay fans, this is a rare occasion to meet your maker. Watch this space for more on this!
Werewolf – CONFIRMED/THE ONE AND ONLY PAT ALLAN
What would a convention be without Werewolf? And without the WolfMaster himself? Pat Allan has, once again, kindly agreed to lead this event. Join in this parlour game with BITE! Young and old have fallen for the charms of Werewolf – now is your chance to enjoy it.
Wossnames – BEING WORKED ON
Remember Blankety Blank? A Discworld sentance read out with
gaps – which a panel of Discworld characters have to fill in secretly. Contestants try to match the panel’s guesses to win AM$! A huge success at the 2009 Convention – had them rolling in the aisles! Don’t miss this one!
Writers Workshop – NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
Ever wanted to write? Need some inspiration? Got some fan writing you want to share? A daunting prospect to walk in the footsteps of Terry, but we know that many of you are just bursting with ideas! Come and talk to our resident writer and see what spills out from the end of your pen.
Writers Workshop Revealed. – NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
If enough pieces are readable, we would offer the writers the opportunity to read them aloud. If not, they may end up at Bedtime stories or we will find other opportunities.