Programming Schedule
Friday, October 10
2 p.m.—Consuite and Registration opens.
2 p.m.—Gaming Room opens
Gaming may not start until around 3 p.m. The Gaming Room will be open throughout the convention, continuing until around midnight Sunday night. We’ll provide tables and chairs and some games. Feel free to bring your favorite games. Run by Thorin and Richard Tatge [Gaming Room]
2 p.m.—Music Room opens.
The Music Room will be open throughout the convention, continuing until around 4 p.m. Sunday. [Music Room]
2–4 p.m.—“Crafty Time”—
A time to work on your art or craft projects. You can also bring craft materials to share or give away. (Take back anything remaining at the end of the con.) Coordinated by Laura Krentz [Programming Room]
3 p.m. until 2 p.m. Sunday —“Mini Art Fair/Fannish Flea Market”—
Bring vaguely SF-related stuff to sell, trade, or give away. Clothing exchange: Bring clothes you don’t need that others might want (on hangers if possible). All items should be clearly marked with price [or “FREE”] and owner’s name. People can find the seller to make arrangements for items for purchase or trade. Or leave a moneybox if you’re okay with that. Bring your own change and perhaps a card table for your stuff. Don’t leave valuable items unattended. You must clear out everything remaining by 2.pm. on Sunday. Coordinated by Laura Krentz [Programming Room]
4 p.m. — “Make a Mask or Other Fancy Headgear” —
Decorate a mask or hat, possibly inspired by “War for the Oaks.” Some materials and basic mask blanks will be provided, but bring your own hat and any materials you especially want to use or that you are willing to share with others. This might be something to wear with your costume for later festivities. Laura Krentz [Programming Room]
4 p.m. — Pizza Party Signup —
If you want to join the group pizza order, be sure to get your order to Scott and Irene by 4 p.m. If you will be arriving late, please contact them ahead of time. Tentative cost is $3.00 per slice. Coordinated by Scott and Irene Raun
5 p.m. — India Buffet Signup Deadline —
Last chance for our out of towners to sign up for the Saturday's India buffet Cost $13 cash per person. Coordinated by Emily Stewart and Aaron Vander Giessen
5:30 p.m.— Dinner Break —
Go out to a nearby restaurant or opt in to a group order of pizza.
7:30 p.m.— “Opening Ceremonies and War for the Oaks Reception”—
Greetings, announcements, etc. Dress up in your favorite “War for the Oaks” costume or other fancy clothes (optional) and indulge in drinks and dessert while watching a slide show of Tim Cooper’s photos from his amazing photo book, "The Reader: War for the Oaks." We may have readings of some of the essays from the book and a chance for those in the photos to talk about their experiences in participating in the project. Watch the trailer for the ‘War for the Oaks’ movie that was never made. Bring your copy of his book or purchase one from Tim Cooper. Tim Cooper, Emma Bull, and Will Shetterly answer questions and sign copies of their books. Please bring a dessert to share if possible. Tim Cooper, Emma Bull, Will Shetterly [Programming Room]
8:30 p.m. or later — “The War for the Oaks Songwriting Contest” —
To be judged by Will and Emma. Start your creative juices flowing and bring us your interpretation of Emma's world. This may devolve into a music circle of songs related to other fantasy themes as well. Emma Bull, Will Shetterly [Programming Room & perhaps music room]
10 p.m. — “Let's Build a World!” —
Starting with some general categories (atmosphere, geography, economics, etc.), we'll take your suggestions -- loopy or logical -- then brainstorm an amazing world together, in just 75 minutes. Come see what materializes! Coordinated by Rachel Kronick [Programming Room]
11:15 p.m. until late — “Late Night Music Circle” —
Bring your instruments and a copy of Rise Up Singing if you want. [Music Room]
Saturday, October 11
Morning — Cartoons —
Join us for cartoons and/or other short features. Laura Krentz [Programming Room]
12 Noon.— “MnStf Board Meeting”—
Open meeting. MnStf Board [Programming Room]
12 Noon — "Photographers' Tips and Tricks"
Our expert photographers will share some tips before we go out to take photos at some of the "War for the Oaks: sites. Tim Cooper, David Dyer-Benet, Josh More [Programming Room]
1 p.m. — “War for the Oaks Mini-Tour” —
Instead of going on our usual Nature Walk, we’ll meet by Parking and Entrance #4 to carpool to Tower Hill Park, Minnehaha Falls Park, and maybe Como Conservatory (especially if the weather is bad). See a few locations from the book and read or listen to relevant passages aloud. This is an opportunity to take your own "Reader" photos. Wear a related costume if you like. Bring your copy of “War for the Oaks,” camera, water bottle, hat, sunglasses, walking stick, walking shoes, sunscreen, umbrella, etc. You may want to set up your own carpool in advance, and of course you can drive your own vehicle if you prefer. There may be some costs for parking, and Como Conservatory welcomes a donation. Each carpool can decide when they want/need to return to the hotel. Please make sure out-of-towners have transportation. Map and directions will be provided.
4:30-6:00 p.m. — “Minicon Programming Brainstorming Session” —
This meeting is not an official, badged event, and anyone is welcome to attend. Deanna Sjolander [Programming Room]
6:00 p.m. — Dinner Break —
Go out to a nearby restaurant or click here for information on how to opt in to an order of Indian food from Best of India to be served by 6:30. Coordinated by Emily Stewart and Aaron Vander Giessen
8 p.m. — "A History of Minnehaha Falls in Photographs" —
What did this crucial site in "War for Oaks" look like in the past? Karen Cooper is an expert on the history of the falls as seen through photos, postcards, stereo pictures, and other memorabilia. Karen Cooper [Programming Room]
9 p.m. — “Dramatic Reading of the ‘War for the Oaks’ Screenplay” —
Bring a copy of the screenplay if you can (available on Amazon.com). We’ll take turns reading parts, or you can just listen if you prefer. We’ll continue for as long as people want to read, or until we reach the end. Emma Bull, Will Shetterly [Programming Room and possibly Music Room]
11 p.m. until late — “Late Night Music Circle” —
Bring your instruments and a copy of Rise Up Singing if you want. [Music Room]
Sunday, October 12
Morning – Cartoons —
Join us for cartoons and/or other short features. Laura Krentz [Programming Room]
12 Noon — "Open Portrait Session with Tim Cooper" —
Strike your best pose for our "Reader" photographer. Afterward, he will e-mail you copies of your photos. Tim Cooper [Music Room]
1 p.m. — “Coffee and Books” —
Cozy up with a cup of coffee (or other beverage) and talk books with Emma and Will. They may also read from some of their works. Emma Bull, Will Shetterly [Programming Room]
2 p.m. — “Closing Ceremonies” —
Should we do this again? Do you have ideas for next year? Will you help run things, we are in need of a chairperson. Tell us your favorite memory of METHOD Con 2. Don't forget to fill out your survey. Then we need everyone to help clear out the Programming Room and move us into the Consuite. “Many hands make light work.” Patricia Zetelumen, Laura Krentz [Programming Room]
6 p.m. — “Dinner at the Tea House in Plymouth” —
Sign up by 2 p.m in the Consuite. Please indicate on the sign-up sheet whether you intend to meet us at the restaurant or meet by Parking and Entrance #4 at 5:30 p.m. to carpool to the restaurant, and whether you can provide transportation if needed. Website: www.ourteahouse.com
8 p.m. to whenever — “Dead Dog Party” —
Come back to the hotel after dinner and hang around, chat, play games, and eat leftovers. (Warning: if you hang around long enough, you’ll probably be asked to help with final cleanup.) The party will continue until everyone wants to leave or must end by Noon on Monday. [Consuite]
Notes:
Subject to change, of course. We’ll announce and post changes at the convention. Locations for these events are listed in [brackets]. Program participant names are listed in italics.
Talk to Laura to volunteer to help with program items. Please consider bringing your own bottle/mug/cup for water, coffee, tea, etc. to help reduce the amount of waste this con produces. Every little bit helps! Thanks!
When events are not scheduled in the programming room, it is available for impromptu (or not-so-impromptu) discussions or the showing of DVDs. (We will bring some DVDs and a video projector.) If you come up with an idea during the convention for an event that you’d like to share with the rest of us, talk to Laura Krentz.