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In my last post on the future of cons, looking at “micro-con” replacements for small cons when areas can’t support them, Serdar mentioned a house party he’d hosted, as well as the way some bands had done basement numbers. This let me flesh out an idea.
The House Con.
Imagine that, for a day, someone with a reasonably sized house makes it a mini-convention. It’s open visitation (to invited guests) and the house is open for a set amount of hours, so people aren’t there all at once. Then, you replicate a con in microcosm.
Of course you’d have a schedule, important so people know when to come, what to bring, and to let you use your rooms. Events could be like . . .
Media Room – One room can be constantly running shows and programs, probably on a schedule. It’s basically the video room, with one thing at a time.
Game Room – Set up a TV or two with some game consoles and go to town. Several friends of mine do gaming meetups this way, so why not make it part of a larger event.
Con Suite – Set aside a room or the backyard for a place to hang out and socialize. Let people connect and enjoy company. This would probably be the kitchen or dining room so you can have food.
Cosplay – If you got a basement or backyard or want to shut down an event space for an hour, do some cosplay! Why not? Make it a bit of a costume party.
Art Show – People can of course put their art up. OR you could get images of their art, put them into a rotating loop on a display program like Windows Photos and set up a laptop connected to a TV.
Panels – Why not have a few people speak on skills or do demonstrations or just have a discussion time?
Dealer’s Room – Friends selling stuff might bring a few things to deal in, or you could just have a giveaway or exchange table.
Library – Have a place with reading materials. You could also take donations to create a Little Free Library for the con or with what’s brought in.
Sure its a house party taken in a geekier direction. But why not give it a try? Maybe you and your friends could even have one a month, rotating through different houses, ans getting that small con feel in microcosm.
– Steve
