Capricon

Last updated
Capricon
StatusActive
GenreScience Fiction
Location(s)Chicago area
CountryUnited States
Inaugurated1981
Organized byPhandemonium, Inc
Filing statusNot For Profit
Website http://www.capricon.org/

Capricon is a science fiction convention held annually in the Chicago area. It is sponsored by Phandemonium and has been held each year since 1981.

This article provides a listing of all Capricons, detailing their dates, locations, chairpersons, guests and (starting in 1999) the themes of each convention.

Except where indicated otherwise, all information is taken from the "History of Capricon" page at Capricon's web site. [1]

EventDateLocationChairThemeGuests
Capricon 1February 20–22, 1981 [2] Holiday Inn, Evanston, Illinois Chip BestlerAuthor Guest of Honor: Terry Carr/Wilson Tucker [2] [3]
Fen Guests of Honor: J.R. & Mary Jane Holmes [2]
Capricon 2February 1982 Radisson Hotel, Chicago, Illinois Leah BestlerAuthor Guest of Honor: Gene Wolfe
Fan Guest of Honor: Mike Stein
Capricon 3February 1983 Radisson Hotel, Chicago, IllinoisVirginia MeisingerAuthor Guest of Honor: Stephen R. Donaldson
Fan Guest of Honor: Otlie & Phil Foglio [4]
Capricon 4February 1984 Continental Hotel, Chicago, IllinoisMarty Coady FabishAuthor Guest of Honor: Paul O. Williams
Fan Guest of Honor: Jeff Duntemann
Capricon 5February 1985Lincolnwood (Purple) Hyatt, Lincolnwood, Illinois Ginny MeisingerAuthor Guest of Honor: Frederik Pohl
Artist Guest of Honor: Darlene P. Coltrain
Capricon 6February 28 - March 2, 1986Lincolnwood (Purple) Hyatt, Lincolnwood, IllinoisGinny MeisingerAuthor Guest of Honor: David R. Palmer
Fan Guest of Honor: Tim Allen
Capricon 7February 1987Lincolnwood (Purple) Hyatt, Lincolnwood, IllinoisNo chairAuthor Guest of Honor: Jerry Oltion
Artist Guest of Honor: Stephen Hickman
Fan Guest of Honor: Joan Hanke-Woods
Capricon 8February 1988Arlington Park Hilton, Arlington Heights, Illinois Alice BentleyAuthor Guest of Honor: Lawrence Watt-Evans
Artist Guest of Honor: Kay Reynolds
Fan Guest of Honor: Kathleen Meyer
Capricon 9February 1989Lincolnwood (Purple) Hyatt, Lincolnwood, IllinoisAlice BentleyAuthor Guest of Honor: Howard Waldrop
Fan Guest of Honor: Ken Fletcher
Capricon 10February 1990Lincolnwood (Purple) Hyatt, Lincolnwood, IllinoisAmy SchaeferAuthor Guest of Honor: P.C. Hodgell
Artist Guest of Honor: Todd Cameron Hamilton
Fan Guest of Honor: Bill Higgins
Capricon 11February 21–24, 1991Lincolnwood (Purple) Hyatt, Lincolnwood, IllinoisAlice BentleyAuthor Guest of Honor: Ellen Kushner
Editor Guest of Honor: Beth Meacham
Fan Guest of Honor: Becky Thomson
Capricon 12February 20–23, 1992Lincolnshire Resort, Lincolnshire, Illinois Amy SchaeferAuthor Guest of Honor: Terry Bisson
Special Guests of Honor: Kim Stanley Robinson & Paul Park
Fan Guest of Honor: Steve Scherer
Capricon 13February 18–21, 1993Pheasant Run, St. Charles, Illinois Amy SchaeferAuthor Guest of Honor: Terry Pratchett
Artist Guest of Honor: Darlene P. Coltrain
Fan Guest of Honor: George Laskowski
Capricon 14February 1994Wyndham Hamilton, Itasca, Illinois Karen BabichAuthor Guest of Honor: Connie Willis
Artist Guest of Honor: Mary Lynn Skirvin
Fan Guest of Honor: David Dyer-Bennet
Capricon 15February 16–19, 1995Wyndham Hamilton, Itasca, IllinoisKathy NeratAuthor Guest of Honor: Nancy Kress
Fan Guest of Honor: Sue Blom
Capricon 16February 8–11, 1996Wyndham Hamilton, Itasca, IllinoisDoug WinklerAuthor Guest of Honor: Sean Stewart
Artist Guest of Honor: Scott Gustafson
Media Guest of Honor: Michael Stein
Capricon 17February 20–23, 1997Oak Brook Hilton, Oak Brook, Illinois Doug WinklerAuthor Guest of Honor: Robert J. Sawyer [5]
Capricon 18February 5–8, 1998Holiday Inn O'Hare, Rosemont, Illinois Dina KrauseAuthor Guest of Honor: Josepha Sherman
Editor Guest of Honor: Steve Hockensmith
Capricon 19February 11–14, 1999Arlington Park Hilton, Arlington Heights, IllinoisDave McCarty and Tracy LunquistVillainsPro Guest of Honor: David Weber
Artist Guest of Honor: Todd Cameron Hamilton
Fan Guest of Honor: Phoenix
Capricon 20January 27–30, 2000Arlington Park Hilton, Arlington Heights, IllinoisDave McCartyArmageddonPro Guest of Honor: Larry Niven
Science Guest of Honor: Chris Luchini
Fan Guest of Honor: Joseph "Uncle Vlad" Stockman
Capricon 21February 8–11, 2001Arlington Park Hilton, Arlington Heights, IllinoisTracy LunquistTellurian ExpositionPro Guest of Honor: Allen Steele
Fan Guest of Honor: Geri Sullivan
Capricon 22February 7–10, 2002Sheraton Chicago Northwest, Arlington Heights, IllinoisDeb KosibaFun & GamesFun Guest of Honor: Dr. Demento
Game Guest of Honor: James Ernest
Artist Guest of Honor: Kaja Foglio
Fan Guest of Honor: David Abzug
Capricon 23February 6–9, 2003Sheraton Chicago Northwest, Arlington Heights, IllinoisCary Williams & Marnie GucciardGods & MonstersAuthor Guest of Honor: Tim Powers
Artist Guest of Honor: Amy K. Brown
Fan Guest of Honor: Bill Roper
Capricon 24January 29-February 1, 2004Sheraton Chicago Northwest, Arlington Heights, IllinoisDave McCartySensawondahAuthor Guests of Honor: Spider and Jeanne Robinson
Artist Guest of Honor: Kimberly Reck
NASA Guest of Honor: Bryan Palaszewski
Capricon 25February 10–14, 2005Sheraton Chicago Northwest, Arlington Heights, IllinoisDeb KosibaMad ScientistsAuthor Guest of Honor: James P. Hogan
Artist Guest of Honor: Shaenon K. Garrity
Fan Guest of Honor: John Morse
Capricon 26February 9–13, 2006Sheraton Chicago Northwest, Arlington Heights, IllinoisGreg (Guido) WilliamsUniversity of Fandom (UFAN)Visiting Guest Faculty: Peter S. Beagle, Bryan Palaszewski from NASA, Kat Eggleston, Michael Longcor, Dr. Mary Crowell, Nick Pollotta, Jody Lynn Nye, Bill Fawcett, and Phyllis Eisenstein
Capricon 27February 8–11, 2007Sheraton Chicago Northwest, Arlington Heights, IllinoisGretchen RoperA Celebration of High FantasyAuthor Guest of Honor: Lois McMaster Bujold
Artist Guest of Honor: Erin McKee
Fan Guest of Honor: Cat Faber
Other special guests: Peter S. Beagle and Bryan Palaszewski from NASA
Capricon 28February 14–17, 2008Sheraton Chicago Northwest, Arlington Heights, IllinoisLeane VerhulstPiratesSF Author Guest of Honor: Mike Resnick
Pirate Guests of Honor: John Baur ("Ol' Chumbucket") and Mark Summers ("Cap'n Slappy"), creators of International Talk Like a Pirate Day
Artist Guest of Honor: Don Maitz
Other special guests: Michael Longcor, Janny Wurts, Tori Baur ("Mad Sally"), Tom Smith, Bill and Brenda Sutton, and Bryan Palaszewski from NASA
Capricon 29February 19–22, 2009Westin Chicago North Shore, Wheeling, Illinois Helen MontgomeryCamp Among the StarsAuthor: Sharon Shinn
Artist: Gary Lippincott
Fan: Christian McGuire
Filk: Barry and Sally Childs-Helton
NASA: Bryan Palaszewski
Capricon 30February 11–14, 2010Westin Chicago North Shore, Wheeling, IllinoisHelen MontgomeryCelebration!Authors: Frederik Pohl, Spider and Jeanne Robinson, and Robert J. Sawyer
Artist: Lucy Synk
Fan: Alice Bentley
Capricon 31February 10–13, 2011Westin Chicago North Shore, Wheeling, IllinoisErik OlsonEscapeAuthor: John Scalzi
Artist: John Picacio
Fans: Stephen Boucher and Janice Gelb
Capricon 32February 9–12, 2012Westin Chicago North Shore, Wheeling, IllinoisSandra de JongAmazing AdventuresAuthor: Cory Doctorow
Media: Javier Grillo-Marxuach
Artist: Les McClaine
Fan: Steven H Silver [6]
Capricon 33February 7–10, 2013Westin Chicago North Shore, Wheeling, IllinoisMike CyganiewiczArtificial IntelligenceAuthor: Daniel H. Wilson
Artist: Karen Ann Hollingsworth
Fan: Helen Montgomery
Capricon 34February 6–9, 2014Westin Chicago North Shore, Wheeling, IllinoisLaura Dombrowskithe 4th DimensionAuthor: S. M. Stirling
Artist: Tom Peters
Fan: Tadao Tomomatsu
Special: Jan Stirling and Sherrilyn Kenyon
Musical: Silent Nightmare
Capricon 35February 12–15, 2015Westin Chicago North Shore, Wheeling, IllinoisJohn (Shadowcat) IckesR & RAuthor: Matt Forbeck
Filk: Alexander James Adams
Game: Margaret Weis
Artist: John Bivens
Podcaster: John Anealio
Podcaster: Patrick Hester

Fan: Elizabeth "Dr. Evil" Huffman

Capricon 36February 11–14, 2016Westin Chicago North Shore, Wheeling, IllinoisMarinda DarnellOnce Upon a Capricon...Author: Scott Lynch
Artist: Eric Wilkerson
Fan: Wendy Zdrodowski
Dance: Mae the Bellydancer
Puppet: Stacey Gordon
Special: Mark Oshiro
Capricon 37February 16–19, 2017Westin Chicago North Shore, Wheeling, IllinoisPeter HeltzerAnd the Children Shall LeadAuthor: Beth Revis
Artist: Nilah Macgruder
Fan: Meg Frank
Music: Tim Griffin
Capricon 38February 15–18, 2018Westin Chicago North Shore, Wheeling, IllinoisTerrence MiltnerExpanding UniversesAuthor: Timothy Zahn
Artist: Sarah Wilkinson
Fan: Dave McCarty
Gaming: Monica Valentinelli
Special: Matt McElroy
Capricon 39February 14–17, 2019Westin Chicago North Shore, Wheeling, IllinoisD'Andre WilliamsStrange Beasts AriseAuthor: Seanan McGuire
Artist: Phil Foglio
Fan: Doug Rice
Music: Carrie Dahlby
Capricon 40February 13–16, 2020Westin Chicago North Shore, Wheeling, IllinoisAimee DundonThe Tropics of CapriconAuthor: Tobias Buckell
Artist: Trungles
Fan: Lillian Sams
Capricon 41February 4–7, 2021VirtualTammy CoxenCreating the Future we Want Aliette de Bodard
Brandon O’Brien
John Jennings
Michi Trota
Dr. Cacophonie Tamayo
Capricon 42February 3–6, 2022Sheraton Grand Chicago, Chicago, IllinoisTori Carnall-HawkinsRockin’ In The Outer RealmsAuthor: Catherynne M. Valente
Artist: Gene Ha
Gaming: Tanya DePass
Capricon 43February 2–5, 2023Sheraton Grand Chicago, Chicago, ILDoug KillingsAEteriny AwaitsAuthor: Steven Brust
Artist: Christine Mitzuk
Fan: Moshe Yudkowsky
Capricon 44February 1–4, 2024Sheraton Grand Chicago, Chicago, ILSam Haney PressThe Endurance of StarsAuthor: K. Tempest Bradford
Artist: Ariela Housman
Literary: Catherine Lundoff
Fan: Victor Jason Raymond, founder of the Carl Brandon Society
Capricon 45February 6-9, 2025Sheraton Grand Chicago, Chicago, ILLet Your Geek Flag Fly!

Related Research Articles

Worldcon, officially the World Science Fiction Convention, the annual convention of the World Science Fiction Society (WSFS), is a science fiction convention. It has been held each year since 1939. The members of each Worldcon are the members of WSFS, and vote both to select the site of the Worldcon two years later, and to select the winners of the annual Hugo Awards, which are presented at each convention.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Science fiction convention</span> Science fiction fan gatherings

Science fiction conventions are gatherings of fans of the speculative fiction subgenre, science fiction. Historically, science fiction conventions had focused primarily on literature, but the purview of many extends to such other avenues of expression as films, television, comics, animation, and games. The format can vary but will tend to have a few similar features such as a guest of honour, discussion panels, readings and large special events such as opening/closing ceremonies and some form of party or entertainment. Science fiction conventions started off primarily in the United Kingdom and the United States but have now spread further. Several countries have their own individual conventions, as well as playing host to rotating international conventions.

WisCon or Wiscon, a Wisconsin science fiction convention, is the oldest, and often called the world's leading, feminist science fiction convention and conference. It was first held in Madison, Wisconsin in February 1977, after a group of fans attending the 1976 34th World Science Fiction Convention in Kansas City was inspired to organize a convention like WorldCon but with feminism as the dominant theme. The convention is held annually in May, during the four-day weekend of Memorial Day. Sponsored by the Society for the Furtherance and Study of Fantasy and Science Fiction, or (SF)³, WisCon gathers together fans, writers, editors, publishers, scholars, and artists to discuss science fiction and fantasy, with emphasis on issues of feminism, gender, race, and class.

Prisoners of Gravity was a Canadian television news magazine program. Produced by TVOntario, the show was created by Mark Askwith and Daniel Richler, and was hosted by Rick Green. The series aired 139 episodes over five seasons from 1989 to 1994.

Lunacon was an annual science fiction and fantasy convention organized by the New York Science Fiction Society - The Lunarians, Inc. Held from 1957 to 2017, it was the oldest science fiction convention in (usually) New York State, and was generally held on the third weekend of March.

Westercon is a regional science fiction and fantasy convention founded in September 1948 by Walter J. Daugherty of the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society. The original full name was West Coast Scienti-Fantasy Conference.

The Nihon SF Taikai is an annual science fiction convention held in Japan. Each of these conventions is officially the Nth Nihon SF Taikai (第N回日本SF大会), but they are more popularly known by the official nicknames given to them based on their locations, e.g. TOKON or DAICON.

SwanCon is a science fiction convention held in Perth, Western Australia. It is Australia's longest-running science fiction convention, and probably the longest-running in the southern hemisphere.

The 34th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known as MidAmeriCon, was held on 2–6 September 1976 at the Radisson Muehlebach Hotel and nearby Phillips House hotel in Kansas City, Missouri, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">61st World Science Fiction Convention</span> 61st Worldcon (2003)

The 61st World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known as Torcon 3, was held from 28 August to 1 September 2003 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and at the Fairmont Royal York and Crowne Plaza hotels in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ad Astra (convention)</span> Annual science fiction, fantasy, and horror convention in Ontario

Ad Astra is an annual science fiction, fantasy, and horror convention in Ontario. Major events of the convention include the Masquerade, Guest of Honour presentations, panel discussions, Art Show, and Dealer's Room, as well as a wide variety of privately run room parties. Other events on the convention program include a games room, book launches, and the Saturday evening dance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ConFusion</span> Science fiction convention in Michigan, US

ConFusion is an annual science fiction convention founded in 1974 by a University of Michigan science fiction club known as the Stilyagi Air Corps, and is currently run by the Ann Arbor Science Fiction Association, a not-for-profit group. Typically, it is held during the third weekend of January. It is one of the oldest science fiction conventions in Michigan. ConFusion is a regional, general science fiction convention similar to Windycon and Lunacon. The programming consists of panels on science fiction and fantasy, literature, media, science, fandom, art, comics, music, costuming, etc. with discussions by authors, scientists, fans, and artists. There is a large music track, board games and roleplaying games, KidFusion — a track of programming specifically for kids —and a masquerade or costume contest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">10th World Science Fiction Convention</span> 10th Worldcon (1952)

The 10th World Science Fiction Convention, or the tenth instance of Worldcon, was held on the Labor Day weekend, 30 August – 1 September 1952, at the Morrison Hotel in Chicago, and was chaired by Julian May.

ApolloCon was a science fiction convention held annually in Houston, Texas by the Houston Science Fiction Association (HSFA), a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation.

The 20th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known unofficially as Chicon III, was held on 31 August–3 September 1962 at the Pick-Congress Hotel in Chicago, Illinois, United States.

Stellar Occasion was a three-day science fiction convention held in the Dallas, Texas area in the mid to late 1990s. It blended science fiction literary and media guests with space science in an unusual, fan-oriented cross between the traditional science fiction convention and a commercial media event. Stellar Occasion is notable for being an early proponent of the television series Babylon 5 and featuring both writers and actors from the show each year.

RavenCon is an annual American science fiction convention founded in 2006 and held in Richmond, Virginia. The name "RavenCon" was chosen as a tribute to author Edgar Allan Poe, who lived in Richmond for a time. The convention runs over 300 hours of programming and activities featuring authors and panelists across genres, including horror, sci-fi, fantasy, military fiction, and other areas of fan cultures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CAN-CON (convention)</span> Canadian science fiction and fantasy convention in Ottawa

CAN-CON, stylized CAN•CON, or more completely "CAN•CON: The Conference on Canadian Content in Speculative Arts and Literature", is a periodic science fiction and fantasy convention in Ottawa put on by The Society for Canadian Content in Speculative Arts and Literature. Founded in 1991 by James Botte and Farrell McGovern in response to a perception that there were no dedicated public venues that featured primarily Canadian speculative fiction writers, editors, and artists. In addition to the focus on Canadian content, it was also an attempt to bring a focus on the book back to Ottawa science fiction and fantasy events. It ran from 1992 through 1997, and again in 2001 before taking a hiatus of several years due to the two founders moving out of Canada for employment reasons; it was then relaunched in 2010 after they had both returned to Canada.

Philadelphia Science Fiction Society (PSFS) is a science fiction club in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Established in 1936, PSFS is the second oldest extant group in science fiction fandom, and hosted what is considered by some to be the first science fiction convention. Anyone living in the greater Philadelphia area and interested in science fiction, fantasy, horror, whether written or on TV or in the movies; SF, fantasy, and horror art; gaming, board games or video games; comic books/graphic novels; and related arts is welcome.

MOBICON is an annual fan convention held in Mobile, Alabama. Named for an earlier convention known formally as the Mobile Comic Art and Science Fiction Festival, MOBICON was re-founded in 1998 and its membership has steadily grown since its inception. MOBICON is a multigenre convention with a broad focus on many aspects of popular culture, fandom including science fiction, fantasy, gaming, movies, anime, horror, art, and comics.

References

  1. "History of Capricon". capricon.org. Phandemonium. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 "Conventions". Locus . January 1981. p. 14.
  3. Capricon I Program Book, p.2.: Terry Carr was unable to attend and Wilson Tucker attended in his place.
  4. Capricon 3 Program Book
  5. "Science Fiction Writer Robert J. Sawyer: Sawyer Guest of Honorships". sfwriter.com. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  6. Vitale, Alyssa (December 21, 2011). "Capricon sci-fi convention to feature Javier Grillo-Marxuach, Cory Doctorow". The A.V. Club . Retrieved March 28, 2012.[ permanent dead link ]