By Sam Liebrand
Another spring break means another I-CON Science Fiction Fair at Stony Brook.
One of the most popular comic and science fiction conventions in the North East is celebrating its 30th year at the University that has played host since 1982. This year, the annual weekend-long convention, which starts this Friday, showcases guests Julie Benz of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” fame and Golden-Globe nominated actor Thomas Jane of the HBO show “Hung.”
“One of the coolest things about I-CON is that we have something for everyone,” said Matt Weinberger, a spokesman for I-CON which is a non-profit organization. “We definitely get a healthy amount of Stony Brook students, and for clubs like the Science Fiction Forum or Animated Perspectives, I-CON is the biggest party of the school year.”
Other top guests include Denise Crosby who played Tasha Yar from Star Trek: The Next Generation, and actress Nicki Clyne. But the convention offers much more than a star-studded meet and greet. On Saturday, there will be a day-long tournament of Blood Bowl, a Games Workshop strategy board game that gives “Fantasy Football” a whole new meaning.
“There are those I-CON attendees who keep themselves in the board gaming room all weekend and participate in tournaments, but the vast majority mix it up,” says Weinberger.
There are also scheduled performances, book signings, as well as Super Hero auditions for costumed crime fighters. If you’re looking to see super sci-fi fans dressed up as their favorite characters from movies or television, you’ll have no problem finding them here.
The science fiction convention has been held at Stony Brook every year since 1982 with the exception of 2009′s convention which was moved to Suffolk due to campus construction.
It is held jointly with I-CON Campus Chapter, a Stony Brook University student organization. This year, the event has not yet sold out, so sci-fi fans or bored students staying at the University over break still have a chance to attend I-CON 30.
