Windycon is a science fiction convention that has as its core focus the literature of the fantastic, such as written science fiction, fantasy, and horror fiction. While that is the main focus, the Windycon tent encompasses television and movies of the same genres, along with all the expected fandoms that come with geekhood. At each Windycon, there is a strong aura in the air of Star Trek: The Original Series, which indubitably is a main column of science fiction “fen,” or science fiction fandom. Each year, the science fiction fen gather at Windycon to attend panels on various aspects of speculative fiction and media, indulge in the vendor’s room, and enjoy an art show focused on the non-mundane.
Before the megaconventions came on the scene, science fiction conventions have existed and have been held yearly since the 1930s. They have a long history and gave impetus and influence to the other conventions we see today. In a sense, science fiction conventions such as Windycon are the origin of all the geek conventions seen today.
This was the 51st Windycon, and the theme was Rise of the Machines, celebrating the interaction of humanity and technology. This was the third year Windycon was held at the DoubleTree Hotel in Oak Brook, Illinois. The main attractions during the daytime are the panels (where fans can indulge in “sercon,” serious and constructive discussion), the vendor room, and the art show, along with various fan tables in the lobby. There was also a consuite, a blinkie room where conventioneers could make electronic blinking lapel ornaments, a tabletop gaming room, and the main stage where filk (yes, correctly spelled filk), a form of folk music with science fiction and fantasy-themed lyrics, is played throughout the day by live musicians.
The art show is a fascinating anchor for Windycon each year. The art show doubles as a silent auction and a live auction. Three bids on an art piece in the silent auction send that piece to the live auction on Saturday night. Luminaries of the current science fiction fandom art world include Theresa Mather and Peri Charlifu. Mather, a Colorado-based artist, paints intricate dragons, cats, and steampunk ships on slabs of fine marble with precious stones that are framed, creating an impressive effect. Peri Charlifu is a wheel-thrown potter, creating handmade pottery with Lord of the Rings and Doctor Who themes. Both of their works are highly esteemed and always go to the live auction. Other great artists in the show are Karen Ann Hollingsworth, a Windycon local whose Alphonse Mucha-esque artwork draws in a lot of bids and admiration, and Patricia McCracken, a New York based artist who has a light Japanese floating world quality to her work.
The vendor room had a ton of different wares for offer, including services such as a full body massage and a psychic past life reading. Many authors both self-published and traditionally published were hawking their novels and books, including P. Finian Reilly, a lawyer by day and science fiction author by night who just published a dystopian climate eco-novel set in Antarctica called Ice’s End. We also had local horror fiction writer Brian Pinkerton selling his latest scary thrillers. Also found in the vendor’s room were metaphysical items such as runes for divination and Eastern and ancient styled knick knacks, retrofuturistic steampunk plastic blasters, and tables of filk CDs.
The night brings on the parties of Windycon. These happen Friday and Saturday night in the upper floors of the hotel. The parties compete with each other for awards, such as Best Party, Best Drink, Best Decorations, and so forth. Barfleet is an organization infamous for its parties at science fiction conventions. Barfleet always has a DJ and fine sound system, along with strategic strobing lights, and a bar from outer space, of course. Competing directly with Barfleet is the Royal Manticoran Navy who throw parties to rival Barfleet’s. In fact, both are so renowned for their great parties that they seem to be alternating with receiving the party awards each year. Partygoers vote on best party, best drink, etc., and these votes are tabulated and the award winners announced at the closing ceremonies on Sunday.
Next year Windycon will be moving hotels. Next year’s gathering will be at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Rosemont, a hotel well-known for hosting big ticket conventions such as Anime Central and FanExpo. Next to the Donald E. Stephens convention center, Windycon will be moving to a place accessible to O’Hare airport, giving easier access to those from out of Illinois and interested in attending Windy. Next year’s theme will be Sanctuary Among the Stars, implying that this convention is a home and safe haven for fen of all kinds.
Bonus: Interview with P. Finian Reilly, science fiction author of the new novel Ice’s End, guest in Windy’s vendor room this year:
DD: Welcome to your first Windycon! I will ask some pertinent questions. How did being part of local media inform or influence your fiction writing?
PFR: Being part of local media influenced my fiction writing in several ways. I worked for two local newspapers in northwestern Montana and covered all kinds of problems involving water. Some of these problems were disputes over water rights that stretched back a century or more. In other cases, the waters around Glacier National Park were being threatened by oil-by-rail transport or invasive species. And of course climate change is inflicting all kinds of damage on the local environment, even when many residents don’t want to acknowledge it. My time out there eventually led me to write Ice’s End, a book where past generations’ actions matter in a world that takes today’s environmental problems to the extreme.
DD: Is it speculative fiction’s job to predict or to warn or both?
PFR: I would say speculative fiction’s job is to both predict and warn, but more so the latter. You can’t look into a crystal ball and say, “this is exactly how things will turn out,” but you can say, “here are some trends in the world today, and here’s where they could lead if they don’t change course, so maybe we should try to change course while there’s still time.” To take my book Ice’s End as an example, it’s set in a future shaped by privatization of water, corporate capture of government functions, competition for decent living conditions, exploitation of Earth’s last untouched environments, and of course climate change. Those are all real trends in our world today, and I did want to warn people that they could interact in a pretty bad way. But in addition to those two things you mentioned, I would argue speculative fiction needs to offer hope too. Predictions of dire futures are everywhere these days. In this situation, I think the author’s most important function is to highlight the aspects of human nature, or our physical world, or both that could help us adapt and cope.
DD: Thank you for your time and glad you enjoyed your first Windycon!
PFR: I enjoyed Windycon very much and it was so great to meet everyone!