Thursday
4:00pm
A Buffy Retrospective
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” was a TV sensation when it first aired and gladdened the hearts of fantasy lovers, vampire fans and high school girls (not to mention a few librarians who loved their new image) everywhere. Do you miss is? Want to revisit all the old shows again? Come and join host Dave Grelk as he leads us all down a (scary) memory lane.
D. Grelk
CC16

6:00pm
How Did That Get Published?
A reprise of last year’s panel, Panelist Phil Kotula leads a discussion of really weird books that shouldn’t have been published, but somehow were.
P. Kotula
CC 15

Mad Comics
Join our Artist GOH and friends to see and discuss science comics. They’re funny, but they do have a point.
S. Garrity, D.Tiede
CC 16

7:30pm
Opening Ceremonies
Kick off the convention with a mad cackle of glee! Find out what mad experiments we have planned for you this weekend and meet our Guests of Honor. Bwah Ha Ha Ha!
Lake Michigan

8:30pm
Capricon 25’s Birthday Party
Enjoy cake and snacks as you mingle and get re-acquainted with your old lab partners.
Paramount Ballroom

FRIDAY
11:00am
Introduction to Phandemonium
If you are a member of Capricon, you are also a member of it’s parent corporation, Phandemonium. Find out about our Book Club and Movie Night, and learn how you have a say in the future of Capricon when you vote at the open meeting Sunday morning.
Phœnix, Deb Kosiba, Greg Williams
CC15

Reading by J. Galardi
New YA, and Adult author Judi Galardi reads from her most recent publications.
CC 16

Noon
Open Mike (2 hours)
Woke up in the mornin‘, went down to the lab, the villagers had been there, they took all they could grab. I got the blues. I got the ransacked laboratory bluuuuuues. If you think you can do better, come to our open mike and show us.
Internet Café

What Do I Read Next?
If you need new reading material or you really want everyone to read your favorite book or author, you have to come to this panel. Panelists discuss their favorite SF authors. Always thought provoking, this panel is sure to send you off with a list of new stuff to read. And the dealer’s room is just downstairs. What could be better?
J. Hogan, P. Koluta, T. Caputo, J. Liss
CC 16

1:00pm
Solar Power from Space
Jim Plaxco presents a slide show demonstrating how we can gather solar power and use it for our energy demands on earth.
J. Plaxco
Lake Michigan

Mad Science and
The Political Dissident
We hear a lot about the threat from terrorists using chemical, biological, and even nuclear weapons. Yet in fact almost all terrorists have used weapons that go BANG!! Is this a matter of psychology or are there technical reasons why “weapons of mass destruction” are less suited for terrorist use than we are usually told? And if the latter, can we expect this situation to continue?
R. Garfinkle, B. Thomasson,
N. Rest, J. Rittenhouse
CC 16

Gaming with the GoHs
GURPS Narbonic with
Shaenon Garrity (2 hours)
Gaming

2:00pm
Drawing Comics for Kids
Artist Tony Caputo entertains the con kids with comics just for them.
CC 4 - Children’s Programming

What Makes Scientists Mad?
Science, like every other job, has its share of annoyances and frustrations-problems that outsiders rarely see. What makes scientists wonder if it’s all worth while? What drives them literally mad?
R. Garfinkle, B. Higgins.
CC 5

Kaffeklatch with James P. Hogan
Join our Author Guest of Honor for coffee and chat. Seating is limited so sign up early at Program Operations.
CC 15

3:00pm
Mad Scientists:
Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
Viktor Frankenstein was the epitome of the Victorian Mad Scientist, trying to push the bounds of knowledge beyond what it was given man to know. Today’s Mad Scientist is likely to be an employee of a super secret government agency, plotting to fasten the bonds of tyranny on us. What sort of Mad Scientist would you put in a story set 300 years in the future?
R. Garfinkle, S. Garrity, K. Hite
CC 16

4:00pm
Father of the Critter Crunch
Hear our Fan GOH as he tells all about Critter Crunch and all there is to know about the Denver Mad Scientist’s Club. Learn how to survive the Critter Crunch.
J. Morse
CC 16

Happy Birthday to Us!
Capricon is celebrating it’s 25th birthday this year. Join all the Cap regulars and hear stories of Cap’s youth and childhood. Hear about Cap’s first steps and how it got to where it is today.
B. Higgins, J. Stockman and Everyone!
CC 5

6:00pm
Compelled to Create
Artists and Scientists Talk. Being a mad scientist implies a willingness--nay, a compulsion--to get one’s fingers dirty, work with dangerous materials, and toil long (and odd) hours making something no normal person would bother with. It occurred to one of our panelists that this description is equally true of artists. Just what is this compulsion to create? How is this urge different in scientists and artists--or is it?
S. Garrity, D. Murphy, D. Edwards
CC 16

7:00pm
Mad Scientist Show & Tell Set-up
Do you have a new invention that will change the world? Do you have a new monster that will destroy it? What ever your creation is, we want to see it. Entry forms can be found in Registration and Ops and must be brought into Lake Ontario before 7:30 p.m.
Lake Ontario

Beyond Harry Potter
Librarian and Golden Duck Awards Chair, Lindalee Stuckey discusses the newest Kid’s and Young Adult books to read while waiting for the next Harry Potter book.
L. Stuckey
CC 4 - Children’s Programming

8:00pm
Mad Scientist Show & Tell
The may be Mad but they still like to brag. Come and see your fellow mad scientists show off their latest machines and mutants!
Lake Michigan

9:00pm
Dance
We tried DJ’s, we tried mixed CD’s, we had Dr. Demento, we even tried one year without a dance. This year, we decided to try something different and brought in a live band. So go down and jam to the tunes of Suzy Brack & the New Jack Lords!
Paramount Ballroom

Mad Scientist’s Laugh Contest
After the Show & Tell and before the prizes are announced, Capricon will be auditioning for “The Mad Laugh.” You know it when you hear it, so come and try out. Maybe you’ll win!
Lake Michigan

9:30pm
Eric Coleman Concert
CC 3

SATURDAY
10:00am
Traveler’s Kit
You’re traveling to a new world, a non-technological one. Planning to be the Ruler of the World, you plan a special traveler’s kit so you can wow them. You have one ScramJet carry-on bag (standard suitcase). What’s in it? What special skills do you have that you can use?
B. Thomasson, J. Hogan,
P. Sayre McCoy
CC 16

11:00am
Visiting Titan
Just a month after the Titan plunge, what do we know? Come for a slide show and discussion of the newest data.
B. Higgins
Lake Michigan

Kaffeklatch with James P. Hogan
Join our author GOH for a cozy chat about writing, books and life in general. Seating islimited, so sign up early at Programming Ops.
CC 15

Blood Drive
The Chicagoland area is about 300 pints short right now, so every drop helps! LifeSource will be here until 3:30 p.m.
Lake Ontario

I’ll Show Them All!
A discussion of what crackpot ideas the panelists would most like to cram down the world‘s throat. How extreme can they get? Do you really want to know?
R. Garfinkle, N. Rest, L. Ahearn
CC 5

Noon
Future of Human Space Exploration
Jim Plaxco’s slide show provides a detailed overview of President Bush’s new space exploration initiative which calls for a return to the Moon and a human mission to Mars. Addressed are changes to NASA, planned phases and components, and associated issues.
J. Plaxco
Lake Michigan

Super-Con-Duck-Tivity Meeting
CC5

My Favorite Books
Young Adult Author Judi Galardi leads the kids in a discussion of their favorite books. Bring your kids. Whether they want to talk about their favorite books or learn about new ones. They’ll thank you.
J. Galardi
CC 4 - Children’s Programming

Open Mike (2 hours)
Darkness Weighs Heavy, Static Tingles on My Teeth, My Project Awaits. You don’t have to sing at the open mikes. Make up some Mad Poetry!
Internet Caf

1:00pm
Remember Tom Swift
Well, do you? There are actually three Toms, one from the 20s, one from the 40s, and a modern one. Share your favorite stories and “Tom Swifties.” Don’t forget those neat gadgets either--are any of them around today? Visual aids a plus so bring anything you want to share. We guarantee to be impressed.
B. Higgins
Lake Michigan

Wacky Wizards and Wyrd Witches
There is ample evidence in the literature that it isn’t only scientists who can seem a bit ... odd ... to the average villager. Do authors make these characters seem way out there just because they’re more interesting to read about, or is there some truth to the idea that having unusual talents or knowledge inevitably makes you a misfit at best? A view from the fantasy side of the genre.
Panelists: D. Murphy, R. Garfinkle,
D. Edwards, L. Darrow
CC 16

Autographing
F. Pohl, J. Hogan, P. Eisenstein
CC15

Introduction to SF Juveniles
The fiction of Robert Heinlein
Heinlein Society President David Silver leads a discussion of his favorite kids books--the ever popular juveniles of SF master R.A. Heinlein. D. Silver
CC 4 - Children’s Programming

2:00pm
Kelly Freas Memorial Panel
Kelly Freas, one of the legendary SF artist, recently passed away. He will be sorely missed. Hear our panelists reminisce about the man and his art.
P. Eisenstein, A. Eisenstein,
B. Chumley
CC 16

Movie Trailers
Lake Michigan

Artists Jam
You bring the ideas and we provide the supplies and space. Learn new techniques and share yours. Some pieces may be in the art auction, so bring your best. (2 hours)
CC 15

2:30pm
Capricorn One Film Roast
Join our intrepid film critics once again as they get out their razor-sharp wit. We laughed ourselves silly last year watching Barbarella with them; now see what they do to the Con’s eponymous film. Please note that audience participation is not only encouraged, but mandatory.
Films

3:00pm
Hypnotist Presentation
Lee Darrow, stage magician and hypnotist, will demonstrate hypnotism and explain what hypnotism is and is not. Volunteer to be hypnotized and see what it’s like.
L. Darrow
CC 16

Storytelling
Join Lindalee Stuckey for an hour of entertaining stories for con kids.
CC 4 - Children’s Programming

Erica Neely Concert
Lake Michigan

Reading by James P. Hogan
CC 5

4:00pm
The Heinlein Society and The Influence of SF on Space Flight and Explorations
View the unique tape of a news program of July 20, 1969, occurring before, during and after Neil Armstrong’s moon walk, with commentary by Walter Cronkite Robert Heinlein, Arthur C. Clarke, and Kurt Vonnegut. Following the video, panelists will discuss the past and continuing influence of SF on space flight and exploration.
D. Silver, C. Coffin, J. Hogan.
Lake Michigan

Exquisite Corpse
Artists’ and authors’ game. Draw a picture. Hide it and give the paper to a writer. Write a line or two. Hide the caption and pass it onto another artist. Repeat until no more paper. See what we come up with! Everyone is invited.
CC 15

Cardmaking
With the new Design Originals from Close To My Heart company, the kids will make really cool, retro cards designed for any occasion. Stickers and color-coordinated supplies make any child an artist.
P. Sayre McCoy
CC 4 - Children’s Programming

Reading by F. Pohl
Well-known local hard SF author Fred Pohl reads from a selection of his works.
CC 5

5:00pm
Open Mike (2 hours)
These two positive-strain E-coli go into a bar. The first one says, “I’m so thirsty I could suck the cytoplasm off a Bacillis Anthrax pilli!” and the second one says, “Moooo!!!: Got a few Mad Scientist jokes? We’d love to hear them at the open mikes!
Internet Café

7:00pm
Gaming with the GoHs
Chez Geek with
James P. Hogan. (2 hours)
Gaming Room

8:00pm
Art Auction
The showmanship of Chicago’s Auctioneers is legendary and we are honored by be able to watch them turn Selling Art into an Art Form at Capricon 25. Come early to claim a seat because it is standing room only every year! (apx.4 hours)
Lake Michigan

9:00pm
Tom Smith Concert
CC 3

Gaming with the GoHs
Car Wars Battle Cattle with
John Morse (2 hours)
Gaming

SUNDAY
10:00am
Phandemonium Board Meeting
If you’re at Capricon, you’re a member of Phandemonium. Join us and vote for the new board members.
Lake Michigan

11:00am
From Bugs to Giants
Discussion of James P. Hogan’s books and his far-reaching ideas. Panelists discuss their favorites and the “also-rans.” Come and defend your favorite.
T. Caputo.
CC 15

ISFiC Board Meeting
CC 5

Dark and Stormy Planet Contest
We read out loud some of the more creative entries submitted to us. Get yours in to Registration by Saturday night.
CC 16

Noon
Critter Crunch
This year we have John Morse, the creator of Critter Crunch as MC. Come down and watch those little bots beat each other up!
Lake Superior

Reading by L. Stuckey
Chair of the Golden Duck awards, Lindalee Stuckey reads from her works
CC 16

1:00pm
It came from the stacks
SLOF (Secret Librarians of Fandom) and friends share horror (?) stories of what’s really in the stacks among all the nice, safe books. After all, even mad scientists do research.
P. Sayre McCoy, K. Hite, L. Stuckey
CC 5

Authors Roundtable
Join fellow authors to discuss the business of writing, selling and such. All are welcome to join in.
F. Pohl, J. Hogan, B. Boyd
CC 15

3:30pm
Closing Ceremonies
Who won Best Party? Which Gopher put in the most hours? What will you be doing at this time next year? Join the Concomm and our GoHs as we end Capricon for 2005 and look forward to 2006.
Lake Michigan

February 10-13, 2005
Arlington Heights, IL

James P. Hogan- Author GoH
Shaenon K. Garrity - Artist GoH
John Morse - Fan GoH

Site by
P&D Design