With only eight days to spare, the complete programming schedule for Atlanta’s Dragon*Con has been announced.
Before we take a look at some of the highlights from the programming schedule, there are a few major things to consider for first time Dragon*Con attendees. Unlike San Diego Comic-Con, D*C does clear out its panel rooms prior to each and every panel. This means room camping is impossible (sorry Hall H and B20 fans). However, as with any large convention, lines are still very much a part of the experience so please plan your weekend accordingly and keep an eye out for lines forming for any panel you may be interested in well in advance.
And there’s plenty of options to be excited about. Dragon*Con hosts over 1,000 panels, with tons of special guests, fan-run panels (including several shows that didn’t make it to SDCC this year like Haven and Beauty & The Beast), and every possible niche you could be into. Steampunk? D*C has it. Want to know the history of Bento boxes? Got it. How about a puppet improv show with an actor from Archer? Done.
Underwater basket weaving? Okay, they have almost everything.
And now without further ado, let’s take a look at some schedule highlights for your Labor Day weekend:
Friday, August 29:
True Blood – 10AM, Westin Peachtree Ballrom A-F.
Listed panelists: Kristin Bauer, Nelsan Ellis and Michael McMillian.
A look back at HBO’s supernatural series.
*This panel is also taking place on Saturday at 11:30AM in the Hyatt Centennial II-III, and on Sunday at 1:00 PM in the Westin Peach Tree Ballroom A-F.
Guests from Middle Earth! – 11:30 AM Marriot Atrium Ballroom.
Listed panelists: Billy Boyd, Jed Brophy, Adam Brown, Dean O’Gorman.
A discussion of life and beyond Middle-Earth with a panel of diverse guests.
Voice Actors of WoW – 11:30AM, Hilton Grand Ballroom West.
Listed panelists: Dino Andrade, David Blue, Courtnay Taylor
High Tinker Mekkatorque and friends discuss life, the universe, and King Varian Wrynn’s personal grooming habits.
Sir Patrick Stewart – 1:00PM, Marriot Atrium Ballroom.
Listed panelists: Patrick Stewart.
Q&A with the actor that has played characters from Professor X to Gurney Halleck in Dune and beyond.
Spotlight on Karl Urban – 1:00 PM, Hyatt Centennial II-III.
Listed panelists: Karl Urban.
So many characters, so many questions…
Puppetry for TV and Film – 1:00PM, Marriott A704
Listed panelists: Donna Kimball, Paul McGinnis, Victor Yerrid
Pupeteers demonstrate skills and techiques used for television and film puppetry. Limited audience participation.
OUaT: Let Us Tell You A Story – 2:30 PM, Hyatt Centennial II-III.
Listed panelists: Lee Arenberg, Beverley Elliott, Giancarlo Esposito, Robbie Kay, Rebecca Mader, Sean Maguire.
Fairy tales can come true. Our guests share stories of their own journeys in Storybrooke.
Firefly: The Preacher & The Muscle – 4:00PM, Westin Peachtree Ballroom A-F.
Listed panelists: Adam Baldwin, Ron Glass.
Jayne and Book from Firefly/Serenity talk about their memories from the show and what they’re doing now.
Mike Grell: DC Legend – 4:00PM, Hyatt Hanover F
Listed panelists: Mike Grell
Wonder Woman, Green Arrow, Teen Titans, Warlord… this legend has done it all!
Jeri Ryan – 5:30PM, Marriot Atrium Ballrom.
Listed panelists: Jeri Ryan.
A Q&A with everyone’s favorite Borg.
Growing Up Potter – 7:00 PM, Hilton Grand Ballroom East.
Listed panelists: Scarlett Bryne, Evanna Lynch.
Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood) and Scarlett Byrne (Pansy Parkinson) on the Harry Potter films, fandom & the future.
Saturday, -August 30:
Why Did They Do THAT? Tales from Industry Insiders – 11:30AM, Hilton Grand Salon D
Listed panelists: Mike Capps, Starr Long, Alex Mayberry.
Industry veterans discuss behind-the-scenes stories and thought processes that lead to great (and not-so-great) moments in video gaming history.
Beauty and the Beast: Changing the Paradigm – 11:30AM, Marriott M301-M302
Listed panelists: June K Williams
A look at the shifting gears and ups and downs of the past year for Catherine and Vincent.
Blizzard: World of Warcraft Q&A – 1:00PM, Hilton Grand Salon E
Listed panelists:Jonathan LeCraft
A discussion with a game designer of what’s coming next in Azeroth.
Console Wars – 1PM, Hilton Grand Salon D
Listed panelists: Ian Bogost, Mike Capps, Alex Mayberry
XBox One, PS4… Who won? What’s next? Where did it all go wrong (or right)?
Arrow: It’s Complicated! – 2:30 PM, Hyatt Centennial II-III.
Listed panelists: Manu Bennett, Katie Cassidy, Katrina Law, Caity Lotz.
Relationships past, present, and future define character paths. What choices led to dark paths less taken?
New Trek – 4:00 PM, Marriott Atrium Ballroom.
Listed panelists: Karl Urban, Garett Wang, Peter Weller.
The actors of Star Trek: Into Darkness.
Guardians of the Galaxy Guests – 5:30PM, Marriot Atrium Ballroom.
Listed panelists: James Gunn, Sean Gunn
The Gunn Brothers are in the house to talk about the blockbuster movie!
Orphan Black – 7:00 PM, Sheraton Macon.
Listed panelists: Ken Spivey, Caro Brown, R. Bowen, A. Mahboob
The Dyad Institute has been up to no good in Series Two; here we talk about all things cloning and Orphan Black!
History of Stop Motion – 8:30PM, Marriott A704
Listed panelists: Rachel Gitlevich, Alisa Stern
Learn about the origins of stop motion animation and how this antique medium has evolved in the digital age.
You’ve Seen the Movie, Now What? – 8:30pM, Hyatt Hanover F
Listed panelists: Chris Brennaman, Spencer Perry
For those who loved The Avengers or Man of Steel, tips on which comics to read to continue the adventures.
Sunday, August 31:
Arrow: The Rule Of Law – 10:00 AM, Marriott Atrium Ballroom.
Listed panelists: Manu Bennett, Paul Blackthrone, Katie Cassidy, Katrina Law, Caity Lotz, David Nyki
Vigilantes, crime lords, and those just trying to keep the peace, all face the truth when the Arrow asks for their help.
Haven-ly Intervention – 11:30AM, Marriott M301-M302
It takes a certain kind of person to live in Haven, Maine. A look back at the past season and forward to the renewal for next year.
Q&A with Adventure Time Guests – 11:30AM, Marriott Imperial Ballroom.
Listed panelists: Davey Beauchamp, Jessica DiCicco, Jeremy Shada, Niki Yang
Guests from Adventure Time answer your questions.
OUaT: Sharing the Grimm Tale – 1:00 PM, Hyatt Centennial II-III
Listed panelists: Beverley Elliott, Robbie Kay, Rebecca Mader, Sean Maguire.
Happy endings are not guaranteed by any fairy tale. Our guests have faced that truth in the telling of their own tales.
Puppet IMPROV! The Kids Show – 2:30PM, Hyatt International North
Listed panelists: Stacey Gordon, Haley Jenkins, Donna Kimball, Alison Mork, Victor Yerrid, Lucky Yates
Back by popular demand, a hilarious improv puppet show for kids!
Marvel NOW! – 4:00PM, Hyatt Centenniel I
Listed panelists: Mark Bagley, Mark Brooks, Peter David, Kelly Sue DeConnic, Nathan Edmonson
Top Marvel creatrs talk about their current and upcoming releases.
Sony Online Entertainment Presents: Landmark – 4:00PM, Hilton Grand Salon E
Listed panelists: Tony “RadarX” Jones, Colette Dexela Murphy, Tiffany Spence, Ted “Mepps” Stone
Floating pyramids, giant fire-breathing dragonhead statues and mighty ice castles are just some of the things available to build in Landmark.
Venture Bros. – 5:30PM, Marriott Atrium Ballroom.
Listed panelists: Doc Hammer, Ken Plume, Dana Snyder, James Urbaniak.
An hour with Doc Hammer, Dana Snyder, and Dr. Venture himself, James Urbaniak.
Teen Wolf: Humor & Horror Meet – 7:00 PM, Westin Chastain ED.
Listed Panelists: Eaddy Mays.
A fan-panel discussion of the hit show with a special guest moderator.
Dances & Balls:
Intergalactice Military Ball – Friday August 29, 10PM
Hyatt Regency VI-VII
Put on your military best from whatever universe you serve and help us combat hunger. Charity event to benefit the Atlanta Food Bank!
Avenger’s Ball – Saturday August 30, 10PM
Westin Peachtree Ballroom A-F
Break out your hammers and S.H.I.E.L.D.S. Avengers! Dance the night away with the Whedonverse.
Heroes & Villains Ball – Saturday August 30, 10PM
Sheraton Grand Ballroom A-F
DJ Jennocide spins tunes that will cause you to forget the rivalry between Heroes and Villains.
Spectrum Party – Saturday August 30, 10PM
Westin Augusta Ballroom
DJ GlowBear spins the beats will go-go grrls n boyz dance for LGBTQ and allies.
Zombie Prom – Sunday August 31, 10PM
Sheraton Grand Ballrom A-F
Slip into your bloodiest best and shamble onto the dance floor for an unforgettable night! Who knows, you may even be the next Promp King or Queen.
You can find the complete programming schedule on Dragon*Con’s site.
Making the trip to Dragon*Con this year? Let us know what events and panels you’re excited for in the comments!
