Robot Chicken on Wheels

The team behind the Cartoon Network’s “Robot Chicken” are on an unusual cross-country tour: You can meet the show’s creators — Seth Green, Breckin Meyer, and Matthew Senreich — and go roller skating at the same time! The closest the “Robot Chicken on Wheels” tour will get to New England is New York City’s Riverbank State Park, which they will hit on Thursday, August 13th from 8:00-11:00pm. For details visit http://www.adultswim.com/presents/robotchickenonwheels/.

Albacon 2009

The Albacon science fiction convention will take place in Albany, NY on the weekend of October 9th-11th. The guests of honor are author Elizabeth Hand and artist Stephen Hickman. Here’s a brief description from their website:

Albacon is a weekend gathering of fans and creators of Science Fiction or Fantasy, including literature, movies, games, and other mediums. Join us for three days of panel discussions, interviews, films, games, readings, autographs, an art show, special events, a fabulous dealers room, debates, conversation, and socializing with people who share your interests!

To learn more about the convention, visit http://www.albacon.org/.

What’s Coming Up in August

And now, ladies and gentleman, I present your monthly listing of what’s happening next month! (That I know about so far…)

Connecticut
July 31st-August 2nd: Connecticon
July 31st-August 2nd, August 7th-8th, 14th–16th, 21st–22nd: Night of the Musical Dead
August 1st-2nd: Midsummer Magick Faire
August 8th: Authors Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson present “The Winds of Dune”
August 21st–23rd: 4Pi-Con (originally listed as being in MA but is actually just over the border in CT this year)

Maine
August 15th–16th: New England Gaming Association Convention
[Note: I'm not sure what happened to the Maine Renaissance Faire -- when I put it on the event calendar there were dates listed for August 2009, but when I go to the faire's website now it's talking about dates for 2010. Weird.]

Massachusetts
August 2nd: Larry’s Comic Book Show
August 5th: Authors Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson present “The Winds of Dune”
August 13th: Signing by author Lev Grossman
August 21st–23rd: 4Pi-Con (technically in Enfield, CT)
August 21st–23rd: Game Unicon

Rhode Island
August 4th-9th: Rhode Island International Film Festival, with special events for William Shatner on the 6th and Ernest Borgnine on the 7th.

Montreal
July 31st-August 2nd: Otakuthon
August 6th-10th: Anticipation, the 2009 World Science Fiction Convention

New Jersey
July 31st-August 2nd: Creation’s Star Trek Show
August 28th–30th: Creation’s Twilight Show

Please be sure to check the links for each event’s original website for the most recent news — I do try to recheck my links, but as you can see with the Maine Renaissance Faire, sometimes events go away without me realizing it.

Super Megafest 2009

Super Megafest returns to Framingham, MA November 21st-22nd. This show includes pop culture, comics, and media guests such as actors David Prowse, Lindsay Wagner, Lee Merriweather, Julie Newmar, and artists Ethan Van Sciver and Kevin Liell. Visit http://www.supermegafest.com/ for information.

Another Anime Convention 2009

Another Anime Con, which is, as you might guess, an anime convention, will take place the weekend of November 20th-22nd in Nashua, NH. The guest of honor will be voice actor Wendy Powell; more guests will be announced. Visit http://www.anotheranimecon.com/ to learn more.

Otakuthon 2009

Otakuthon 2009, an anime convention, will be held in Montreal, Quebec (within reach of northern New England) the weekend of July 31st-August 2nd. For more information visit http://www.otakuthon.com/.

Harry Potter: The Exhibition

Boston’s Museum of Science has announced that a new temporary exhibit, Harry Potter: The Exhibition, will open starting Sunday, October 25th (with a special preview for museum members on Saturday the 24th). Whether or not it’s particularly scientific, the event certainly sounds like fun for Potter fans:

Harry Potter™ is a cultural phenomenon, inspiring the imaginations of millions across the globe. Now it’s your chance to peer into the wizard’s world in a new exhibit featuring more than 200 authentic props and costumes from the Harry Potter films, all displayed in settings inspired by the film sets — including the Great Hall, Hagrid’s Hut and the Gryffindor™ common room. View iconic film artifacts such as Harry’s glasses, the Marauder’s Map, and Hermione’s Yule Ball gown, and pause to pull a screeching Mandrake from its pot or try your hand at tossing a “Quaffle.”

Showcasing the supreme artistry and craftsmanship that went into the making of the ever popular film series, Harry Potter: The Exhibition is sure to spark curious minds and foster an excitement of discovery among visitors of all ages.

The exhibit will run until February of 2010. For more information visit http://www.mos.org/exhibits_shows/coming_soon&d=3834 and http://www.harrypotterexhibition.com/.

Audition for “War of the Worlds” Radio Play

The Post-Meridian Radio Players have announced that their Halloween radio show this year will be an adaptation of the famous 1938 broadcast of “War of the Worlds” and they are actively seeking actors, foley artists, and others to help with the all-volunteer production. The final performances will be staged at the Somerville Theatre in Somerville, MA October 29th-31st. For more information visit http://www.huboftheuniverseproductions.com.

[Tip from http://community.livejournal.com/davis_square/1868392.html]

Author Appearance: Lev Grossman

Author Lev Grossman will appear at the Boston Public Library on Thursday, August 13th at 6:00pm to discuss and sign his new young adult fantasy novel, The Magicians. For more information see http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/event/3003736 and http://www.bpl.org/news/calendar.htm?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D84144479

William Shatner and Ernest Borgnine at Rhode Island International Film Festival

The Rhode Island International Film Festival will take place at several venues in Providence, RI from August 4th to August 9th, 2009. A number of science fiction and fantasy films are scheduled to be shown during the festival; you can browse a list of screenings at http://riff.bside.com/2009/films/category/Sci-Fi+%26+Fantasy.

UPDATE: William Shatner’s appearance has been cancelled. Contact RIFF for details.
Star Trek‘s William Shatner will be given the Nathanael Greene Humanitarian Award, which “honors individuals who show universal and impartial benevolence to their fellow citizens and whose talent – on and off the screen – demonstrates the value they place in humanity.” The ceremony will take place on Thursday, August 6th at 6:45pm. It will be followed at 8:30pm by a live conversation with Shatner, called “William Shatner Unplugged,” and a screening of the film “William Shatner’s Gonzo Ballet”:

On a cold, Milwaukee night, high art meets pop culture as the music of William Shatner (‘Star Trek,’ ‘Boston Legal’) and Ben Folds (Ben Folds Five), from their critically acclaimed album, ‘Has Been,’ is transformed into ‘Common People,’ a ballet from award winning choreographer Margo Sappington (‘Oh! Calcutta!).

‘Gonzo Ballet’ explores this unique collaboration, as well as the musical journey that has taken William Shatner from the trippy covers of ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds’ and ‘Mr. Tambourine Man’ in the 1960′s to his recent original work with Ben Folds, and finally, to the ballet.

For more information about the event visit http://www.film-festival.org/WilliamShatner.php.

Actor Ernest Borgnine, who has appeared in a long list of films and TV shows in his career (including some sci-fi/fantasy entries such as The Black Hole), will be given a Lifetime Achievement award on Friday, August 7th at 7:00pm. The event will include a screening of his latest film, “Another Harvest Moon.” For details see http://www.film-festival.org/Borgnine.php.

To learn more about the overall schedule for the Rhode Island International Film Festival, visit http://www.film-festival.org/.

[Tip from Dave of the New England Browncoats]