Welcome

This is the Arizona Science Fiction page

It is intended to direct you to conventions, clubs, events, stores, and anything else related to Science Fiction in Arizona.

If you are looking for information regarding the prior Westercon 57: Conkopelli (July 2-5, 2004), click <HERE>.

If you are looking for information regarding the prior WesterCon 62: FiestaCon (July 2-5, 2009), click <HERE>

If you are just looking for Cons or Events, click <HERE>.
If you are just looking for Clubs or groups, click <HERE>.

First some basic information. Science Fiction is sometimes abbreviated SciFi or SF. Occasionally you will see the reference SF/F which stands for Science Fiction and Fantasy. These are often linked under the category of speculative fiction. Science Fiction has probably been around since the dawn of history. However the way it has been perceived has changed radically. Some have always considered it as simple stories for children. However it may have be responsible for all creative thinking for the advancement of mankind. SF is not just limited to outer space adventures. It applies to any form of conceptual thinking that uses the Scientific Method of thinking. We tend to do this subconsciously.

FYI: The scientific method has a set of rigid steps students follow as they begin an investigation. These steps are:

Asking Questions

Looking at Prior at Research

Constructing a Hypothesis

Conducting the Experiment

Analyzing Data

Reporting Findings

Popular Science Fiction is often categorized as "Literary" and "Media". Media is general considered Movies and TV. Literary is commonly thought of as just books and paperbacks, but lately Graphic Novels (aka Comic Books) are also included. Proponents of the forms of SciFi express strong attitudes as to which is best.

Conventions (aka Cons) are often grouped as Commercial (for profit) and Fan-run (not for profit operated completly by volunteers). The commercial conventions are primarily Media oriented. The Fan-run Cons are mostly Literary but there are MANY exceptions.

Clubs can be commercial driven to sell mechandise, social based, business oriented to accomplish a task, a grouping of fans that meet to share expertise toward a project or interest, or Re-Creation based to "pretend" a favorite story line. Most clubs have some shades of gray in each of these categories but usually one purpose predominates.

"Star Trek: The Official Fan Club" or the "Planetary Society" are examples of the first category. In this type of club, you may not have any other interaction with the parent group other than paying your dues and receiving a newsletter with no contact with other members.
The "United Federation of Phoenix" is an example of the second. This is a Star Trek based club but does not have any ranks, uniforms, and does not concentrate its activities towards just Star Trek. It provides a social setting for people that share the common interest.
The "Central Arizona Speculative Fiction Society, Inc." or "LepreCon, Inc." are examples of the third. These clubs have little social contact at their regular meetings. They concentrate their meetings just to plan and prepare for their conventions. They are very business oriented.
"The Southwest Costumer's Guild" is an example of the fourth. It meets for the common interest of costuming design and work. This provides for a social setting as a by product of its primary interest.
And many chapters of "Starfleet International, Inc." and the "Society for Creatative Anacronism, Inc." (aka SCA) are examples of the last. They form personas, have costumes, and assume methods of behavior related to the primary interest. This catagory can also include Role Playing Game groups (RPG's) that can be casual or very elaborate. While most RPG games consist of players sitting around a table rolling dice, other groups such as Live Action Role Playing (LARP's) groups will be as improv actors carrying on a story line to see where it ends.
You should keep these club goals in mind when looking for a club that interests you.

For other Arizona Sci-Fi references, check out AZSF.org.

Ongoing Arizona SciFi Conventions include:
   Amazing Arizona Comic Con    Last Jan 6-8, 2012.
   Taiyou Con    Last Jan 6-8, 2012.
   Mythos Con    Irregularly in January.
   Dark Con    Irregularly in January.     Last Jan 12-15, 2012
   Vul-Con    Irregularly in February. Last Feb 25-26, 2012
   Wild West Con (Steampunk)    Irregularly in March.
   Con-Nichiwa    Last Mar 23-25, 2012
   LepreCon    Usually early April. Last Apr 6-8, 2012.
   Costume Con    occasionally in Arizona. Last May 11-14, 2012 (Tempe AZ).
   KimeraCon    occasionally in Arizona. Last May 11-14, 2012 (Tempe AZ).
   Phoenix ComicCon    Memorial Day week-end, end of May. Last May 24-27, 2012.
   CopperCon    traditionally the week-end before Labor Day, but deviates. Next Aug 31-Sept 3, 2012.
   Saboten-Con    has been in September. Next Sept 1-3, 2012.
   Tucson Comic Convention    Usually in November. Next Nov 5-6, 2012.
   TusCon    Usually mid-November. Next Nov 9-12, 2012.

Westercon Occasionally in Arizona, traditionally Labor Day Week-end but deviates.

Upcoming regional SciFi Conventions:
WesterCon 65 July 5-8, 2012 (Seattle)
Costume Con (Tempe)

Send E-mail to Jim. (Jim@Strait.org)