NerdaCon
Encyclopedia
NerdaCon is a multi-genre
fan convention
(first seen as a "gaming, popular arts, and crafts convention") held annually since 2007 at Columbus State University
by the school's Campus Nerds group, a campus organization that describes itself as "an organization that embraces all special interests and gives its members a community of like minded invidiviuals". Each year, the con is titled "NerdaCon vX", where "X" is the number of the con (The first was "v1", the second was "v2", etc.). As it is a multi-genre convention, it has no general focus other than that of the Nerds, in that the panels
, guests, and dealers each add a focus toward anime
, manga
, science fiction
, furry, gaming
, comic books, zombie apocalypse
, or a combination of these or other generally nerd
y or geek
y things to add to the atmosphere. Also unlike other conventions, admission to NerdaCon is free, and, as it is hosted on an open campus, parking for the convention is, as well. Instead, the convention makes its money through donations, in-con sales, et cetera. However, the Campus Nerds do not keep all the money; much of it is donated to such organizations as Children's Miracle Network
and the Hero Initiative.
By tradition, the convention is held on a Friday and Saturday in November, from 1800 to 2300 on the Friday, and 1000 to 2300 on Saturday. However, since NerdaCon v6 was held on November 11, 2011 (11/11/11), each day was extended by 11 minutes, making it end at 11:11 PM.
, trading card, and video game tournaments (and casual play), a costume contest to judge the best Cosplay
, and having the last panel
be one that shows the comedic side of hentai
. The costumes worn at the con and in the contest are often featured on cosplay.com.
Cross-genre
A cross-genre is a genre in fiction that blends themes and elements from two or more different genres.-Examples:*Action comedy *Comedy-drama or dramedy *Comedy-horror...
fan convention
Fan convention
A fan convention, or con , is an event in which fans of a particular film, television series, comic book, actor, or an entire genre of entertainment such as science fiction or anime and manga, gather to participate and hold programs and other events, and to meet experts, famous personalities, and...
(first seen as a "gaming, popular arts, and crafts convention") held annually since 2007 at Columbus State University
Columbus State University
Columbus State University is a public institution of higher learning located in Columbus, Georgia. Founded as Columbus College in 1958, the university was established and is administered by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, and is fully accredited by the Commission on...
by the school's Campus Nerds group, a campus organization that describes itself as "an organization that embraces all special interests and gives its members a community of like minded invidiviuals". Each year, the con is titled "NerdaCon vX", where "X" is the number of the con (The first was "v1", the second was "v2", etc.). As it is a multi-genre convention, it has no general focus other than that of the Nerds, in that the panels
Convention panel
A convention panel is a forum for discussion of a topic at fan conventions, often on the same topic of the convention, itself. It is often set up with a table of people in front of a room of people who are sitting in chairs. The hosts are usually guests, staff, or celebrities of the convention...
, guests, and dealers each add a focus toward anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
, manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
, science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
, furry, gaming
Gaming
Gaming is the act of playing a game.Gaming may also refer to:* A synonym for Gambling; playing games of chance for money.* Playing a role-playing game, in which players assume fictional roles....
, comic books, zombie apocalypse
Zombie apocalypse
A zombie apocalypse is a particular scenario of apocalyptic literature that customarily has a science fiction/horror rationale. In a zombie apocalypse, a widespread rise of zombies hostile to human life engages in a general assault on civilization....
, or a combination of these or other generally nerd
Nerd
Nerd is a derogatory slang term for an intelligent but socially awkward and obsessive person who spends time on unpopular or obscure pursuits, to the exclusion of more mainstream activities. Nerds are considered to be awkward, shy, and unattractive...
y or geek
Geek
The word geek is a slang term, with different meanings ranging from "a computer expert or enthusiast" to "a carnival performer who performs sensationally morbid or disgusting acts", with a general pejorative meaning of "a peculiar or otherwise dislikable person, esp[ecially] one who is perceived to...
y things to add to the atmosphere. Also unlike other conventions, admission to NerdaCon is free, and, as it is hosted on an open campus, parking for the convention is, as well. Instead, the convention makes its money through donations, in-con sales, et cetera. However, the Campus Nerds do not keep all the money; much of it is donated to such organizations as Children's Miracle Network
Children's Miracle Network
The Children's Miracle Network Hospitals is an international non-profit organization that raises funds for children's hospitals, medical research and community awareness of children's health issues. The organization, founded in 1982 by the Osmond family and John Schneider, is headquartered in...
and the Hero Initiative.
By tradition, the convention is held on a Friday and Saturday in November, from 1800 to 2300 on the Friday, and 1000 to 2300 on Saturday. However, since NerdaCon v6 was held on November 11, 2011 (11/11/11), each day was extended by 11 minutes, making it end at 11:11 PM.
Events
Though each iteration has its own unique events, there are a few that have stood as constants throughout the lifespan of NerdaCon. For instance, each year, there is a martial arts demonstration (in the middle of the first and/or second day), and the con ends with a rave. Other notable events include the bofferBoffer
A foam weapon, , is a padded mock weapon used for simulated handheld combat...
, trading card, and video game tournaments (and casual play), a costume contest to judge the best Cosplay
Cosplay
, short for "costume play", is a type of performance art in which participants don costumes and accessories to represent a specific character or idea. Characters are often drawn from popular fiction in Japan, but recent trends have included American cartoons and science fiction...
, and having the last panel
Convention panel
A convention panel is a forum for discussion of a topic at fan conventions, often on the same topic of the convention, itself. It is often set up with a table of people in front of a room of people who are sitting in chairs. The hosts are usually guests, staff, or celebrities of the convention...
be one that shows the comedic side of hentai
Hentai
is a Japanese word that, in the West, is used when referring to sexually explicit or pornographic comics and animation, particularly those of Japanese origin such as anime, manga, and computer games. The word hentai is a kanji compound of 変 and 態...
. The costumes worn at the con and in the contest are often featured on cosplay.com.
Event History
| version | Dates | Location | Attend. | Special Guests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| v1 | March 25 2007 | Columbus State University - Davidson Student Center Atlanta, Georgia |
1500 | |
| v2 | November 9-10 2007 | Columbus State University - Davidson Student Center Columbus, Georgia |
TBA | |
| v3 | November 14-15 2008 | Columbus State University - Davidson Student Center Columbus, Georgia |
TBA | |
| v4 | November 13-14 2009 | Columbus State University - Davidson Student Center Columbus, Georgia |
TBA | |
| v5 | November 12-13, 2010 | Columbus State University - Davidson Student Center and Schuster Student Success Center Columbus, Georgia |
TBA | |
| v6 | November 11-12, 2011 (1800 - 2311 and 1000 - 2311, respectively) | Columbus State University - Davidson Student Center, Schuster Student Success Center, Student Recreation Center (Costume Contest and Raffle only) Columbus, Georgia |
TBA | |
| v7 | November 16-17, 2012 (6:00 PM - 11:00 PM and 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM, respectively) | Columbus State University - Davidson Student Center, Schuster Student Success Center, Student Recreation Center Columbus, Georgia |
N/A | TBA |