Ascendio 2012

Ascendio will be hosting fanfic readings throughout the conference – and the deadline to sign up is this week!

Are you a fanfic writer, or have a favorite fic you’re dying to do a dramatic reading of? Ascendio wants to hear from you! Slash, het, gen, drabbles, epics — anything goes! We invite Ascendio attendees to submit their information to our Fanfic Readings Chair, who will coordinate readings throughout the whole weekend! Authors big and small are encouraged to do readings, as well as fans of stories whose authors will not be attending. However, we do ask, if you’d like to do a reading of someone else’s work, that you secure permission from the author before doing so.

You can sign up here!

We’ve been saying it all along – the Portofino Bay Resort is a spectacular convention space. It looks like Malfoy Manor after Narcissa finished redecorating it after the fall of Voldemort, but with slightly more Murano glass chandeliers. You’re going to be amazed by the space!
But it still could use a few touches of wiazarding art to magic up the place, and we need your artistic and creative talents to help us enhance the space!

We’re looking for two kinds of art: (a) 2D and 3D pieces for display in the Ascendio Art Gallery alongside official Mary GrandPre art and special pieces of  Harry Potter film concept art, and (b) art that can be used to decorate Ascendio programming rooms and corridors, as well as the Ball.

Decorative Art

 Team Ascendio is looking for mural-size art to be shown in common areas; pieces should resemble advertising posters or banners, portraits and street art, and can be as large as 48inx54in. Maximum rating for decorative art is PG-13, and things that look like they are part of canon and/or the wizarding world are preferred. The deadline for submission of drafts is June 1, 2012. 

Some possible ideas are Wizard Rock, Quidditch and wizarding product posters/ads for food, fashions, wands and more, collages, caricature drawings, formal portraits and Wanted posters.  Art must be mailed to us in Orlando by mid-June, or delivered to the decorating team in person by June 20, 2012. We may be able to print a limited number of pieces.

To submit Art/Decor, or share an idea or draft that you have, send an email with a scan or photo of your draft or completed work to our Decor Chair, Tara, at ready2danc [at] gmail.com, or feel free to email her with any questions.

Art Pieces for Gallery

Are you an artist who would love to see their work on display at in the Ascendio Gallery, which will again connect to the Common Room and main event space? Whether you are attending the conference or not, we would love to display a wide variety of fan work at our art gallery. The deadline for consideration is June 15, 2012.

If you have questions or are ready to send in your submission, email artinsights [at] gmail.com (without the spaces). If you’re submitting your art, please include a clear scan, photo or digital version of your submission and put Ascendio Gallery in the subject. If you’re interested in submitting art for display and inclusion in the Ascendio Charity Auction, you do not have to be registered for Ascendio; we’ll be thrilled to include your contribution!

The Ascendio Gallery is seeking the following:

• illustrations/paintings (sketches, watercolors, acrylic, charcoal, etc.)
• 2D & 3D pieces
• sculpture
• photographic work
• multi-media (except fanvids; see the link above to learn how to submit fanvids)
• textile creations
• arts & crafts
• LEGO- or kit-based creations

The entire Call for Art is here; we can’t wait to see what you submit to the Gallery, and to decorate the halls, rooms and amazing con-space!

Just wanted to let people know, as we tweeted about this during our Board Meeting last night, but the HPEF Board has decided not to plan for, or take bids for, a 2013 event. Ascendio is the last one on the roster. So come on down to Orlando in July, and let’s make this a gala celebration so we go out in style. We’re wrapping up where we began (give or take about ten miles) and there’s something poetic about that.

Our Fashion Show is Wanded and Fabulous!

Is the catwalk calling your name? Were you born to vogue? Are you interested in watching creative fandomers showcase amazing, magical garb? Here’s your chance!

On Saturday evening, Ascendio is putting on a Fashion Show on the main stage! Come see some of fandom’s most ambitious and passionate costumers show off their digs, with styles ranging from “traditional” to fun wizarding takes on fashion staples, such as mod, avante garde and more!

There are many ways to participate, you can model your own costume/outfit, offer to model for a costumer, offer a costume for a model to wear, assist with makeup/hair, or hospitality backstage, or with tech/stagehand work. Learn more about how to participate here!

Can’t wait to read the thrilling sequel to Veronica Roth’s Divergent? Neither can we! In celebration of Insurgent‘s May 1 release, we’re giving away TWO copies, signed by Veronica!

Not only that, but we’ve got TWO SIGNED COPIES of Divergent, and some nifty Faction tattoos, as well! So whether you’re already a Divergent devotee clamoring for Insurgent or new to Veronica Roth’s dystopian series and want to catch up pre-Ascendio — we’ve got an awesome giveaway for you!

• Two grand prize winners will receive a signed copy of Insurgent
• Two runners-up will receive a Divergent prize pack, featuring a signed copy of Divergent and a set of Faction tattoos

How do you enter? It’s easy! Fill out the Rafflecopter form below, with a variety of ways to enter — the more ways you do, the more entries you get!

The giveaway is open from April 20-April 30, 2012. Winners will be chosen at random on May 1st!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And if you’re unfamiliar with Ascendio? We’re a Harry Potter fan conference taking place July 12-15 in Orlando, Florida, at which Veronica Roth will be present as a special guest! Veronica will not only do a reading/signing for Insurgent & Divergent, but she will be speaking on several panels about YA and books, along with a bunch of other amazing YA authors! Plus, Veronica’s agent, Joanna Volpe, and her editor, Molly O’Neill, are also attending as special guests, and will be doing an entire programming session on the Divergent series!

For more information about our Quill Track and the programming Veronica will be participating in, click here! If you’re interested in attending, day registrations start at $75. You can read more about registration here.

Avengers will assemble, MarkDoesStuff’s readers will be unprepared, District Tributes will gather, Newsies will carry the banner, and some will be Sherlocked. Find out about already-scheduled Ascendio Meet-Ups, or sign up to host your own for the fandoms/books/films/shows you’re interested in!

DVDs with commentary tracks from the cast, writers & producers are always funny, informative and fascinating – and live commentary tracks are all that, with the spontaneity of a live event! Some of Team StarKid will be live-commenting on A Very Potter Musical late Friday night, and anyone with a Friday or Saturday registration can get in for just $10. Click here to learn more about all our StarKid events!