ArmadaCon 2023 Programme
Main Hall - Friday
18:00 - 18:30 Meet and Greet
A quick hello to start the convention, so “Hello!”
18:30 - 19:00 Quiz: Bits and Pieces
Barry hosts a quiz, shows bits, and goes to pieces.
19:00 - 20:00 Opening Ceremony
The countdown reaches zero, and the blue touch paper is lit.
20:00 - 21:00 Book Launches — Not one, but two!
Who is Anna Stenberg? by Tracey Norman
Dawn and Dave of the Dead by David Wake
Come and see if these are autobiographical.
Dawn and Dave of the Dead by David Wake
Come and see if these are autobiographical.
21:00 - 22:00 Guest Storytelling — The House of Usher
Our guest, Beth Webb, relates Edgar Allan Poe's classic tale. Her storytelling performance has an
unusual twist — you'll discover why the House hated the Ushers so deeply. And it isn't nice…
Please note: the dealer's room is NOT open to convention attendees on Friday. However,
gaming space is available in the adjoining hall.
Main Hall - Saturday
10:00 - 11:00 Guest Talk — Demons, Druids, and Dark Magic
Thoughts on how not to be too prissy about magic. Beth Webb will discuss her four books in the
Iron Age Star Dancer series — how she started by being too careful about magic,
how the demons stalked her, and what she did with them. (OK, she might not tell you that bit, as it's
a spoiler alert…)
11:00 - 12:00 — TBD
This was originally going to be a guest talk by Dominic Glynn, but unfortunately he has
had to cancel his appearance due to illness. We will figure out something else to put
in here soon.
12:00 - 13:00 — Lunch Break: HP LunchCraft
The challenge is laid down — can we knit 60’ for the 60th?
Everyone's chance to contribute to our Doctor Who scarf. Organised by Vicky Vagg.
13:00 - 15:00 — Auction
Fantastic, incredible, and must-have items to bid on and buy!
15:00 15:30 — Auction Wrap-Up
The time for the people who have bought items to pay and collect.
15:30 - 16:30 — Panel: Writers discuss their craft
A chance to ask writers why they do it. Why? I mean, 'Why?' We'll have as many as we can persuade
to give us their secrets.
17:00 - 18:00 — Guest Panel: Marc Burrows
Guest Mark Burrows presents his Terry Pratchett presentation.
18:00 - 19:30 — Dinner: Yum-yum
Eat, drink, and be Merry! Or be Pippin! We're not that picky.
19:30 - Late O'Clock — Entertainment: Happy Anniversary to Us!
ArmadaCon is 35 — happy anniversary to us…but we aren't the only people with anniversaries
to celebrate. Join us for a light-hearted celebration of some of the shows, films, or books we love —
or love to hate…including special guest stand-up!!!
Please note: We encourage you to wear costumes during the day, and we'll award floor prizes.
Main Hall - Sunday
10:00 - 11:00 — Talk/Panel: Folklore and Myth
A panel on folklore and its influences on SF and Fantasy. Mark Norman moderating Beth Webb and David Wake.
11:00 - 12:00 — Panel: Terry Pratchett, rediscovered
It's 40 years since the first Discworld novel, and a new collection of Terry Pratchett's short stories
has just been published. A panel of those involved in his new book — Pat and Jan Harkin
— as well as Mark Norman and guest Marc Burrows discuss our former guest and his writing.
12:00 - 13:00 — Lunch Break: HP LunchCraft
13:00 - 14:00 — Guest Panel: Behind the sofa
Sixty years of wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey stuff.
Forty-five years of not panicking.
Forty years of improbably balanced living environments.
Thirty-five years of it being cold outside without any atmosphere.
Thirty years of being all alone in the night, but knowing the truth is out there.
And some other years of some other things.
14:00 - 15:00 — Talk: We All Bleed Red
Or do we? Dr Bob and Dawn Abigail talk about blood: its types, its colours, the escaping rabbits,
Vulcan copper blood, snacks for vampires, and donations.
15:00 - 16:00 — A Brief History of Moon Rovers
Gary Loveridge gives us an overview of the recent moon rover missions. Find out what they’ve
discovered, where you can get a glass of water, and who and when the next astronauts will walk
there. And, hopefully, he will dispel the idea that the moon is an egg.
16:30 - 17:00 — Raffle
You bought your raffle ticket(s), right? Time to find out if you managed to win anything.
17:00 - 17:30 — Closing Ceremony
The committee closes out the convention, thanks the people that deserve it, and probably those that don't.
This will include the Jeremy Ogden award.
Announcements will be made for the following year's convention.
19:30 - Late O'Clock — Post-Con Meal
A relaxed meal with ArmadaCon friends to celebrate the end of this year's convention. Be sure to book
your space IN ADVANCE at the ArmadaCon registration desk.