Tucson is in for a real treat on this upcoming Friday the 13th!
On this day, the 36th Annual TusCon Science-Fiction Convention (TusCon 36) will kick off events with a jam-packed weekend of sci-fi, fantasy and horror. After all, this is “the
best little sci-fi, fantasy and horror convention in Arizona.” It is
also the longest running sci-fi convention in Arizona. This weekend
event, scheduled to take place in less than two weeks at the Inn Suites
downtown, has something for everyone.
Of course, I am going to take advantage of the chance to get some
ghost hunting tips from Paul Bradford, who is currently the newest team
member on Ghost Hunters International (GHI). If the name sounds familar, Paul is the co-founder of Arizona’s own Sonoran Paranormal Investigations (SPI). SPI is a proud member of the “TAPS Family.” If you watch Ghost Hunters or GHI, you know what I am talking about.
Bradford will hold a session on ghost hunting equipment that
should prove to be very informative. Paul will also co-host a “Ghost
Stories FAQ” session with “
Tucson Ghost Girl” Rebecca Petithory-Hayes.
I caught up with Petithory-Hayes this evening. I asked her if she
has slowed down since Halloween. She hasn’t slowed down because she’s
preparing for the upcoming TusCon event. If you haven’t participated in
a “Tucson Ghost Girl” downtown tour, you will have the chance on the
evening of Saturday the 14th. A downtown ghost tour led by
Petithory-Hayes is on the convention agenda. If you wish to take part
in this particular 2.5 hour session, remember to bring your walking
shoes.
Petithory-Hayes has been involved with this conference since 1988.
She’s even on the conference committee. The Tucson Ghost Girl is always
on the go.
If writing sci-fi, fantasy or horror is your thing, published
authors will lead writing and publishing sessions. Weston Osche is the
Guest of Honor at this year’s event. Osche is a Bram Stoker Award
Winning Author (Scarecrow Gods, 2005. Delerium Books).
Baja Arizona Science Fiction Assosciation (BASFA)
is the organization behind the convention. You can view the convention
agenda on their website. There could be some additions to the agenda as
the date approaches. Believe me, this conference has something for
everyone: art, literature, videos, anime, ghosts, and computer gaming.
You can view the
convention agenda on BAFSA’s website.
Oh, and about that computer gaming, TusCon partners with
TusLAN. TusLAN
is comprised of some serious gamers. The Tucson Citizen’s own Thomas
Hruska has mentioned the conference in recent days in his
Gamerz blog. There’s
space for 50 gamers and you can BYOC (Bring Your Own Computer) with
prior registration. Extreme Mobile Gaming will also have their mobile
gaming center on-site. There will be some serious tournament action
downtown on that weekend.
——————
When: November 13 - 15, 2009 (YEAH! Starts on Friday the 13th!)
Where: Inn Suites Hotel, 475 N. Granada Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701
Cost:Membership is $45 at the door, but
discounted rates are available if only attending a portion of the
event: $20 (Fri), $35 (Sat) or $15 (Sun)
The Tucson Ghost Girl tour is not included in the membership
price. Bring an extra $5 per person for this event, if planning
to participate.