Boldly Going to Avondale

Perhaps the coffee is particularly potent, or maybe it’s all those late night Moons Over My Hammys, but when a group of science fiction junkies start holding monthly meetings at Denny’s some amazing things can happen. Which might not be all that surprising considering the circumstances. The Central Arizona Speculative...

By Rob Kroehler

August 21, 2014

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Perhaps the coffee is particularly potent, or maybe it’s all those late night Moons Over My Hammys, but when a group of science fiction junkies start holding monthly meetings at Denny’s some amazing things can happen. Which might not be all that surprising considering the circumstances. The Central Arizona Speculative Fiction Society launched CopperCon, also known as FANtasm, more than 30 years ago and it has transmogrified (bonus for using a spooky sci-fi sounding word) into one of the largest sci-fi conventions in the Southwest. Hosting numerous authors, musical guests, scientists and -- no joke -- a zombie expert, CopperCon achieves at not only promoting an often scorned literary genre, it educates while it entertains.The weekend long convention boasts a charity auction, a film festival, an art exhibit and did we mention zombies? Check out the 'con at Avondale’s Hilton Garden Inn, 11460 West Hilton Way, on Saturday, August 23. Admission to the all-day event is $25. Visit www.casfs.org for details.

Fri., Aug. 22, 5-11 p.m.; Sat., Aug. 23, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., Aug. 24, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 2014

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