12 June 1st–June 7th, 2023 phoenixnewtimes.com phoenix new Times | music | cafe | film | culTuRe | NighT+Day | feaTuRe | NeWs | OPiNiON | feeDBacK | cONTeNTs | FANARCHY FANARCHY How to make the most of Phoenix Fan Fusion 2023, the Valley’s geekiest event of the year. By Benjamin Leatherman G eeks of the Valley, get ready to squee. Phoenix Fan Fusion, the biggest pop culture event in Arizona returns this weekend — and it’s going to be just as nerdy as ever. The weekend-long extravaganza runs from Friday to Sunday at the Phoenix Convention Center, and will be a three-day convergence of pop culture, sci-fi, fantasy, comic books, video games, horror and anime. Dozens of celebrities — including Marvel Cinematic Universe actors Jeremy Renner and Paul Bettany, “Star Trek” captains William Shatner and Anson Mount, Christopher Eccleston from “Doctor Who” and “The Mandalorian” star Katee Sackhoff — will appear at the event to sign autographs, pose for photos or participate in Q&A sessions. There’s more to Fan Fusion than just famous names, though. There are thousands of panels and programming events across the weekend, a massive exhibitor hall to explore, an Artists Alley populated by more than 70 comic book creatives, nerd-oriented activities, and a legion of cosplayers. In other words, there will be no shortage of things to geek out about. Kellie Ambrosia, Fan Fusion’s operations director, says that’s the point. “The spirit of Fan Fusion is the people,” she says. “The show gives everyone the opportunity to share their nerdy and geeky passions.” That’s not limited to the attendees, Ambrosia says, thanks to Fan Fusion’s inclusivity. “It’s [also] the staff and crew. It’s the exhibitors. It’s the guests. It’s the costuming groups. It’s the artists, creators, authors, and dealers in artist alley. It’s the panelists and speakers. The dungeon masters and game masters. The cosplayers and costumers. The Lego builders, scientists and gamers,” she says. “It’s people enjoying a whirlwind weekend where they can geek out, cele- brate their nerdom, hang out with family and friends new and old and just have fun.” If you’d like to make the most of Phoenix Fan Fusion 2023, we’ve put together an insider’s guide to the event as well as a rundown of the best things to see and do. When and where is Phoenix Fan Fusion? This year’s event is from Friday to Sunday at Phoenix Convention Center, 100 North Third St. How much is admission? Passes to Fan Fusion can only be purchased online (phoenixfanfusion.com). Daily general admission is $50 for either Friday or Sunday and $60 for Saturday. A Fan Fusion’s Must-See Programming R ubbing elbows with celebrities ain’t the only thing to do at Phoenix Fan Fusion. True, it might be a major draw, but the true heart and soul of the three-day event is its wide variety of panels, activities, and programming. Arizona fandom historian Hal Astell says it helps set Fan Fusion apart from other large- scale ‘cons. “It isn’t just the big Q&As with the [big- name] guests, though those can be essential if you’re a fan of a particular person or fran- chise,” he says. “There’s a lot of programming all day every day and it runs a pretty broad spectrum.” And it can be overwhelming. More than 1,000 hours of programming will be offered at the Phoenix Convention Center during Fan Fusion, and there’s likely something for everyone. Local geeks are already making plans about what they’re doing. Brenda Flavin of Phoenix will be attending the Steampunk Fashion Show. Valley resident Leah Erne is looking forward to attending the annual “Drinks with Authors” mixer. We’ve got our own to-do list of must-see activities at Phoenix Fan Fusion 2023, which range from building imaginative LEGO creations and learning how to use a light- saber to attending drag shows. Here’s a look at the most “must-see” programming events at this year’s Fan Fusion. Queen Lantern Corps: Dragstravaganza Local drag kings and queens will transform into characters from comic books, video games, and sci-fi and strut their stuff inside West 301BCD starting at 7 p.m. on Friday during the Dragstravaganza. This year’s edition will feature local drag legend Barbra Seville becoming a Barbra Gordon from the campy “Batman” television show from the 1960s, Freddy Charming dressing as Captain Kirk and Justin Cider as Wario. It’s free to attend with VIP seating available for $25 per person. Kids Need to Read Charity Poker Tournament Want to make like the crew from “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and attend a late- night poker sesh? This 18-and-over charity tournament from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday in West 106ABC benefits local nonprofit Kids Need to Read and will involve no-limit games of Texas Hold’em for prizes. You might even see a special guest or two playing. The buy-in is $20 per person. Registration is at 7 p.m. LEGO Build Off Aspiring LEGO Masters with quick hands and imagination to spare can show off their skills during daily build-offs in West 102ABC. Presented by local LEGO enthusiast group Cactus Brick, the competitions are open to both youths and adults and take place at 3 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and at noon on Sunday. If you’d rather just snap together colored bricks, free-build sessions occur throughout the weekend. Padawan Lightsaber Training “Star Wars fans” have been playing with lightsabers since the laser swords first appeared on the silver screen in 1977, be it the plastic toy versions, screen-accurate replicas, or stand-ins like wrapping paper tubes or broomsticks. If you’d like to learn to how to wield one properly, the Jedi Masters of Phoenix Saber Academy will teach the basics of footwork, blocks, and strikes to padawans ages 7 and up during two 30-minute sessions from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Friday inside West 106ABC. Wonderful World of Ghibli Hayao Miyazaki is a god among animated filmmakers. The oeuvre of the Japanese animator, director, screenwriter, producer, and co-founder of Studio Ghibli contains an unrivaled list of unqualified cinematic masterpieces, including “My Neighbor Totoro,” “Spirited Away” and “Howl’s Moving Castle.” Miyazaki’s flicks and the imaginative characters that populate them will be discussed in detail during this panel at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday in North 222AB. Phoenix Ultimate Geek Smackdown If there’s one thing nerds love, it’s arguing over different aspects of geekdom. During the Phoenix Ultimate Geek Smackdown, they’ll do so for fun, bragging rights and a unique trophy. The competition involves participants debating nerd-oriented topics in point-counterpoint fashion. Organizer Jeff Moriarty describes it as “a fearsome battle of minds [over] the most mindless fluff imag- inable.” This year’s edition is at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday in North 132ABC. Drinks With Authors Local bookworms, bibliophiles, and word nerds can mingle with novelists, writers, and authors at this event on Saturday. Taking place in West 106ABC, this laidback mixer will feature several author guests and a cash bar. The theme will be villainy, so expect conversations about overthrowing mankind or dabbling in the dark arts. Anyone 18 and older can attend, but you’ll have to be 21 to imbibe. The affair starts at 8 p.m. Admission is free. Masquerade Costume Contest Want to see the best costumes at Fan Fusion? Head for West 301BCD at 8 p.m. on Saturday for this signature event. The intricate and impressive-looking creations of local cosplayers will be showcased during the event, which is one of the major high- lights of the weekend. Seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Turtles Shell-A-Bration Fans of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, rejoice. This “event within an event” will be located in sections H301 to H306 of the Hall of Heroes and feature TMNT memorabilia and appearances by actors from the 1990 live- action film, including Brian Tochi (the voice of Leonardo) and Judith Hoag (April O’Neil). A Q&A panel will happen on Friday at 10:30 a.m. in West 301BCD. A separate screening of the film will also take place at 8 p.m. that evening at the AMC Arizona Center 24, 565 North Third Street. Tickets are $25. Double D-20s: A Nerdy Burlesque Ecdysiasts and burlesque performers from Three Fates Revue and other striptease troupes in the Valley will undress for the occasion inside West 301BCD starting at 9 p.m. on Friday. They’ll be adorned in geeky costumes before taking (most) of it off for the delight of those in attendance during the 18-and-over show. It’s free to attend with reserved seating available in the front of the house for $25 per person. >> p 15 Jeff Moriarty Jeff Moriarty with the Phoenix Ultimate Geek Smackdown trophy.
