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Over 200 Events At Nine Worlds Geekfest In London Next Weekend

Published Sat, 04 Aug 2018 08:30:01 -0500

I'll be going along to Nine Worlds Geekfest, returning to the Hammersmith's Novotel London West hotel, next weekend. Maybe I'll see you there? There are quite a lot of panels I intend to be sitting at the back taking notes about.

Dubbed the petri dish of the future of genre conventions, by Kieron Gillen, the show bends over to be accessible and enjoyable to all audiences, whatever their personal circumstances – and then find opportunities to turn that journey into part of the experience.

There's an emphasis on programming, with more panels, presentations and discussion than any other show in the UK, and the price tag reflects that diversity of content. They boast hundreds of speakers and over 200 events in those three days. The only show I've seen with a great range and depth of content are San Diego Comic-Con and Angouleme, and they are many, many times its size. Nine Worlds doesn't so much punch above its weight as create a brand new form of physics. It really is a worthwhile event and the community bonding is intense.

For 2018 they are featuring events that will cover (breath in) academic talks; historical accuracy; meetups; Steven Universe singalongs; board gaming; books; cheese & cheese; comedy; comics; cosplay; crafting; creative writing; dealers' room; cyberpunk; toilet fantasy physics; engineering; fandom toxicity; fanworks; games design; hackers; LARPing; LGBTQAI+ culture; launch parties; swordpunk workshops; animorphs; Bifröst Cabaret and Disco; knitting; world building; movies; quizzes; signings; singalongs; social gaming; swordcraft; tea parties; technology; future tech; trains; TV; and video gaming, polished off with The Rock Club at the End of the Universe.

There is an extensive kids' programme including parties, cartoons, crafting and lots and lots of storytelling.

We will be looking at specific panels of interest at Bleeding Cool over the next few days, but one of the aspects that sets Nine Worlds from other shows – and provides a road map for the future – is they way they offer 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 complimentary personal assistant ticket.

Ticket prices have been frozen at £119 for an adult three-day, but day tickets are also available for £49.99. Under 16s go free with a pre-booked ticket, but must be accompanied by an adult ticket-holder. The show runs from the 10th to the 12th with an evening get-together on the 11th…

I'll see you there.

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