Dec 03 2008
Convention Profile: Azkatraz 2009 (an HPEF convention)
Note: This blog entry marks the beginning of a series of profiles on various conventions around the world. Do you have a convention you love to attend? Are you a volunteer or organizer for a convention? If you’d like to see your convention featured, feel free to leave a comment with some contact information, and we’ll chat! Your convention does NOT have to be in the United States for it to be profiled. You don’t have to be an organizer to request a profile of a con!
It all started as a project by the online groups Harry Potter for Grownups, FictionAlley, and the Leaky Cauldron, and it has since become one of the most talked about Harry Potter convention series in the United States! HP Education Fanon, Inc. , also known as HPEF, is the group behind the conventions Nimbus - 2003, The Witching Hour (2005), Lumos 2006, Prophecy (2007), Portus (2008) and the upcoming Azkatraz (2009) and Infinitus (2010) convention series. Although based in the United States, HPEF conventions have attendees join them from all over the world, including Canada, Puerto Rico, Peru, Brazil, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Finland, China, the Philippines, and Malaysia (just to name a few).
But why do HP fans from all over the globe flock to this convention series in particular? It probably has a lot to do with the unique focus of the conventions. HPEF cons provide a mixture of fandom and scholarship, unlike any other convention out there. HPEF cons do include costume contests, video contests, an art gallery, fan-fic readings, Wizard Rock concerts, Quidditch games, etc. Additionally, local and national vendors (Barnes & Noble and Whimsic Alley for example) are present to offer up their Harry Potter merchandise. HPEF cons also provide round table discussions, workshops, and scholarly presentations. Some past HPEF convention guests include Henry Jenkins, Monique Trottier, Connie Neal, Ed Kern, Chris Rankin and John Granger.
A Snapshot from Portus’ Ball (photo courtesy of HPEF)
For the upcoming Azkatraz convention, the scholarship focus will “[explore] the themes of justice and the choice between what is right and what is easy, bringing the backdrop of Alcatraz / Azkaban to the forefront of the real issues of social justice, gender equality, tolerance, and due process, as they are reflected in the Harry Potter books and the larger contexts of fandom and the world around us” (www.hp2009.org).
If you’re interested in attending Azkatraz (July 18-21, 2009), you should know that this convention is geared toward adults, although anyone between the ages of 14 - 17 (as of July 16, 2009) is allowed to come with a registered parent/guardian (or chaperon, provided that a parental permission slip appointing the chaperon has been signed and notarized).
Azkatraz primarily takes place at the Parc 55 San Francisco Hotel, with some events taking place around the San Francisco area. They also have a special deal where you can purchase transportation to Comic Con (which is that same weekend), occurring in San Diego. Basic registration for Azkatraz is $145 until February 28 (it goes up incrementally afterward), and includes all Saturday - Monday programming tracks, the Welcome Feast, the Leaving Feast, pick-up Quidditch, admission to the Vendor Room, Common Room, the auction, in-hotel film showings, the Fun with Your Flock meet-ups, the Podcasts, and the Prison Break Ball. Visit the Azkatraz website (www.hp2009.org) for more information about prices, hotel registration, and the special Comic Con deal, or contact the organizers at info@hp2009.org.
Although more than a year away, fans interested in HPEF’s next convention, Infinitus 2010 in Orlando, can visit www.infinitus2010.org to be put on a mailing list.
