If you haven’t read by now, Universal FanCon, the Baltimore fandom event dedicated to diversity, has been, “postponed” and the chances of it happening are very low. The event posted a statement on their website stating that they were, “working diligently to come up with solutions” and the reason behind the postponement is because they are in a, “financial deficit”. This comes after two years of planning and raising a kickstarter fund of $56,000. I could go on and on about the failed event and shady information that followed the cancellation but I’d rather highlight the events that are making up for the disaster. To get a better idea of the fiasco read, “Universal Fan Con: Peeling Back the Layers”, by Jazmine Joyner of Women Write About Comics.
The good people of Black Heroes Matter, The Nerds of Color, New Release Wednesday, theblerdgurl, in association with Andre Robinson of Carbon-Fibre Media and Elijah Kelley of the Be A Boss App have come to the rescue with a one day pop-up event entitled, WICOMICON 2018! WICOMICON (pronounced why-comicon) is named after the street it will be located on, Wicomico St. in Baltimore. The event will include panels with some of the featured guest from FanCon including cast from the SYFY shows The Magicians and Killjoys and #Oscarsowhite creator, April Reign. Cheo Hodari Coker, the creator of the Netflix series, Luke Cage, has also been added to the line up of special guests. The event will include exhibitors, vendors, cosplay contests, special guests, music and amazing food options. Admission will be only $10 for adults, free for children under the age of 12 and FanCon ticket holders are granted a discounted $5 entry fee.
Visit the site for more information
Below is a list of other events happening in the Baltimore area this weekend and guest who were going to attend FanCon:
A Comprehensive List of the Vendors Who Were Going To FanCon
Credit to universalartistalley.tumblr.com/
LGBTQIA Meetup w/ Aqua
(Meetup)
- When: April 27th, 1:30-4:00pm
- Where: BAMF Café, 1821 N. Charles St. Baltimore MD, 21201
- Who: Blogger @intrstller
Blush + Brews 2 Year Anniversary at the Crown
(Free Dance Party and Bar)
- When: April 27th, 10 pm
- Where: 1910 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21218
- Who: Blush + Brews
GRL PWR Presents Sweat! At Gatsby’s
(Drag Performances and Music)
- When: April 27th, 10pm-2am
- Where: 1815 N. Charles St.
- Who: GRL PWR
- $10
BSFS Impromptu Social
(Science Fiction and Anime Talk)
- When: April 27th, 6:00pm-9:00pm
- Where: 3310 East Baltimore Street, Baltimore
- Who: Baltimore Science Fiction Society
Women of the World Festival
(Festival that celebrates the achievements of women and girls)
- When: April 28th, 8:30am-7:00pm
- Where: Notre Dame of Maryland University –
- 4701 N. Charles Street Baltimore, MD 21210
- Who: Women of the World Festival
- $20
Meet and Greet w/ actors from SYFY shows, The Magicians and Killjoys
- When: April 29th, 12:00pm-6:00pm
- Where: Protean Books – 836 Leadenhall St, Baltimore, MD 21230
- Who: Lo Mo Pro and Protean Books & Records
- Free for FanCon Ticket Holders, $5 for Everyone Else
FAMCOM
(Online Stream w/ Artist)
A Virtual convention stream featuring scheduled guests for FanCon including the Color Theory and Cosplay Panel w/ Kurenai Kiba, Looking for Leia w/ Annalise Ophelian and Disability in Cosplay & Pop Culture panel w/ Jay Justice, #BlackComicsChat w/ Marcus Kwame Anderson and more.
- Where: Twitch Stream
- Who: I Need Diverse Games and a Panel of Fandom Artist
- When: April 29th, 12:55pm EST-10pm
Vendors
Akakioga’s Print Shoppe
Link to Store
Shea Parfait Store
Link to the Store
A Comprehensive List of the Vendors Who Were Going To FanCon