Corvids have a reputation for wisdom, trickery, and mimicry and are important symbolic figures in many mythologies and cultures. They have appeared in fantasy stories as spies, wise creatures, or bad omens. Discuss our fascination with these creatures. Participants: Lisa Hario (mod), Renate Fiora Hyer, Satish Jayaraj, David Lenander, Kerry T Peterson
We all love costumes, but what can they tell us about the characters wearing them? Join knightandneedle.cosplay, as they discuss how to utilize costuming to help tell your story, as well as how to take this knowledge and use it to level up your cosplays. Participants: Haruka
Want to make a Star Wars costume, whether for fun or to join an official club, but don't know where to start? Is the complexity or cost holding you back? Join 501st and Rebel Legion members as we discuss affordable costumes that are easy to put together. Participants: Kayla Beckemeyer, Kat Hosley, Jill McTavish
Musicals are more than singing and dancing--they're fantasy, action, science fiction, even horror. Join alumni Guest of Honor Lee Harris and obsessive musicals fan Windy Bowlsby as they dive into what makes the musical format so familiar to the SF/F fan. Participants: Windy Bowlsby, Lee Harris
When you have genetic engineering for humans, humankind will change--possibly splitting or...who knows? What do the panelists think will happen? Can we sanction manipulating our offspring while avoiding the pitfalls of eugenics? Participants: Arthur J Kneeland (mod), Lee Brontide, Kurt Fleschner, Laura Okagaki
Learn the basics of sewing, from the various kinds and purposes of different stitches to how to determine which settings to use on your machine. Participants: Eiryn Katherine (mod), Cassara Carriere, Ashley M Mages, Elizabeth Merritt, Erin Wilaby
In recent years, indie devs have taken over PC video games with titles that cover every combination of topics and styles imaginable. Join our panelists while they attempt to discern if a game is safe to play at work based just on the name! **mature content** Participants: Geoffrey Benson, Lucien Benson
In this world of increasing threats from mass surveillance and automation, how can we continue to be nerds and skeptical of the technology around us? What can the history of anti-technological movements tell us? Participants: Elizabeth Merritt (mod), John Thomas Bliss, David Carlson, Satish Jayaraj, Sarah Keuper
You may not know it, but you may already have the basis for a great cosplay in your closet. Learn how to make use of everyday clothes. What tricks can you employ for putting together a costume from what you have already? Participants: Chris Wester (mod), John Thomas Bliss, Katie Heilman, Jera Of All Trades, Melanya
A discussion about online and local options for sourcing fabric and notions for your ever growing pile of projects. Participants: Kendrick Edmund Hogue (mod), skazka 9000, Cassara Carriere, Eiryn Katherine, Kori Kontz
The Evil Queen. The Headless Horseman. The death of Mufasa. How did these characters and scenes like these affect your childhood? Participants: Jera Of All Trades (mod), Kendrick Edmund Hogue, KitKat, Janelle Kloth, Eric Alexander Norton
Have you introduced children in your life to your favorite fandom yet? If not, do you plan to? We will explore the roles of parents, guardians, and communities in promoting the healthy development of hobbies and interests for children and youth. Participants: Nick the Board Game Librarian (mod), Annelise Hodge, Shanna Jansen, Jennifer L Klumpp, Kellee Lee Wolf
Perfectionism ruins stories and arcane grammar rules inhibit all writers. But should we just give in to bad writing, accept tropes, and encourage messy creativity? Let's debate the merits of breaking convention. Participants: Anthony W. Eichenlaub (mod), Mallory Glass, John Heimbuch, Becca Justiniano, Stephanie Olson
Want to learn more about what it's like to be a performer in the Twin Cities (and beyond)? Come hear stories from and ask questions of the cast of this year's CONvergence Cirque Show. Participants: Shadowcat Sophie
Four authors write complete flash fiction stories in five minutes based on topics suggested by the audience. Participants: Lee Harris (mod), Jerry Belich, Nick Glover, Melissa Sue Kaercher, Dawn Krosnowski, Jeremy Stomberg
If you've ever wanted to wield the power your characters do, you can! But this isn't flashy prestidigitation or thunderous AoEs--more like maxed-out Luck, Intuition, and Wisdom. Learn about bringing (real) magic out of your games and into your life. Participants: Emily Allen
Letters! Numbers! And Conundrums! Can you make longer words and get the numbers faster than our panelists? Most likely! Participants: Filima, Nathan Gerber, Lee Harris, Philip D Henry, Melissa Sue Kaercher, Dawn Krosnowski
Friday July 3, 2026 11:30pm - Saturday July 4, 2026 12:30am CDT Hyatt 2, Greenway FG
Your feelings aren't fact. How can you talk with people who deny science and maybe actually reach them? Participants: Renate Fiora Hyer (mod), Jason Brown, Kendrick Edmund Hogue, Janelle Kloth
Depression can be a self reinforcing cycle where it cuts us off from the things that sustain us! Let's talk about our experience of depression inside and outside of nerd-dom. Participants: Nybieee (mod), Renate Fiora Hyer, KitKat, Kiki Joy Latham, Natalya Rose
In the past few years, the heat has turned way up for the relationships we have between the ghouls and the girls. Let's talk about our reception of this change to our "hear me out" lists. Participants: Lisa Hario (mod), Sonni de Soto, Mallory Glass, Charlene Holm, KitKat
Unconventional paths exist to working in STEM. You don't always have to have a PhD or go to school for STEM to work in the various fields. What roles in tech, medicine, etc. , don't need advanced degrees or have alternate paths to success than schooling? Participants: Stephen Nein (mod), Michael Contos, Vanessa East, Saz (Mdog) Kos, Kerry T Peterson
Former CONvergence Guest of Honor, local filmmaker Troy LaFaye, moderates this panel discussion and Q&A featuring locally-based women filmmakers discussing their craft, their work, and the film industry. Participants: Troy Antoine LaFaye (mod), Jolanta Kissoon Young, Kari Layland, Vanessa Magowan Horrocks, Jennifer Prettyman
Androids are often depicted in a future that promises to be equal for all, but that is often not true. What does it mean for artificial beings to be depicted as Black? How are androids and allegory intertwined? How does Afrofuturism explore these themes? Participants: T. Aaron Cisco (mod), Martin Peter Law, Nur-D, T'Yanna L Singleton
The panel where we talk about anything and everything *except* the CONvergence Masquerade. If you are interested in everything *except* the masquerade, this is the panel for you! Participants: Molly Glover, Nick Glover, Melissa Sue Kaercher, Jeremy Stomberg
Wanna play a goofy end-of-the-world dating sim? Better yet, wanna voice one of the ridiculous characters? Pop your name in and see if you get drawn! If doing a voice isn't your jam, no worries. You can join us in the audience for a perfectly silly time. **mature content** Participants: Filima, Nathan Gerber, Philip D Henry, Dawn Krosnowski
Saturday July 4, 2026 11:30pm - Sunday July 5, 2026 12:30am CDT Hyatt 2, Greenway FG
Does the idea of making swords, masks, armor, and more rock you to your very core? Want to learn about how EVA foam can be used for your cosplay? Mango and Douglas have years of experience and an award or two. Participants: Val Mango, Douglas Szklarski
From the newly premiered Starfleet Academy, to Strange New Worlds, to the ongoing hope for a fourth Kelvin timeline movie, join us to discuss what's new in the growing world of Star Trek. Participants: T. Aaron Cisco (mod), Tony Artym, Wes Huntington, Assad Khaishgi, Michael Scott Shappe
What do you get when you combine a pandemic, a Zoom account, four TV series, one film, and three TV movies? A killer group chat, custom t-shirts, long-running in-jokes, and friends for life! Join us for a view of ALL things Stargate that is very personal. Participants: Windy Bowlsby (mod), Scott Jenicek, Laurie Richardson Sweep
Find out who we lost this year in genre film and get some recommendations from the panel on what work to seek out. Participants: Garrick A Dietze (mod), Kelvin Hatle, Melissa Sue Kaercher, Megan M Slawson, Noel Thingvall
