Baha Blast (27, They/Them) is Michigan’s Clown Shapeshifter; with 7 years in drag and even more in cosplay, this multi stage conquering clown is ready to make your day. Baha Blast is so named for their laugh (and of course, the drink) and is finally coming to Penguicon for the first time! They’re known for helping their local communities through Drag events and deep cleanings. They’ve done drag in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania- and soon enough, the Penguicon stage! Stay tuned for a release on their socials (@bahablastdrag) for what they’ll look like the days of the con. They’re super excited to be here and meet you all~
Author: Lithie Dubois
Hello! My Name is Lithie and I am the Penguicon 2024 Hotel Liaison and head of Program Operations (Program Ops)
Have a question about our Hotel? Email: [email protected]
Have a question regarding Programming? Email: [email protected]
bookmark_borderUpdate on the Penguicon Schedule
Hello Penguicon Peoples and Folks!
This is a State of the Penguicon Schedule post. Feel free to share it. Let’s talk programming, the schedule, and a tentative timeline of when it will be open.
Currently we are in the process of sorting thru the programming you submitted. Once we’ve properly sorted everything we will get it into our Sched and contact everyone who submitted a proposed event.
Program Ops has set a goal of being in contact with all submitters by the end of the weekend. (Feb 25-26th.) We will also be in contact with those of you who have filled out the “I want to be on panels” form.
After we have the bulk of programming into Sched, we will publish a list of panels looking for additional panelists. This list will be published after Feb. 26th (ish).
The Writer’s Block applicants will also be hearing from team Program Ops hopefully next week. (If not sooner.)
Those of you who have completed the Room Parties form will begin to hear from us around March 1st.
Maker Market applicants – you should have been contacted already, so check your emails!!!
Barring technical difficulties, it is Team Program Ops hope that by the end of the weekend we can allow Presenters to view their schedules, and then we release the Sched by next week to the public. We greatly appreciate your patience and support as we work to schedule in this new and exciting space.
Once we’ve got the initial release of the schedule up and public, we’ll work on providing PDF Maps in advance to the community so you can begin familiarizing yourself with the new layout. We’re going to do our best to reach our goal deadlines, so bear with us as we work to fit all the pieces into this new Pengui-puzzle that is the Eagle Crest Ypsilanti hotel.
If you have questions regarding anything you submitted, please email [email protected] .
Team Program Ops:
- Lithie Dubois
- Pete Cerra
bookmark_borderSuggest and Event or apply to be on Panels!
HELLO PENGUICON PEOPLES AND FOLKS!
Not only have our Programming Submissions Form, Writer’s Block Bookstore Application and Maker Market Applications opened, but we now want to share that you can suggest an event or, you can tell us that you want to be on panels.
SUGGEST AN EVENT!
Do you have a suggestion for an event but do not want to present it yourself, please fill out our Programming Wish List here!
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This form is for suggested events you want to see at Penguicon but are unable to present yourself.
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Do not enter any panel that you want to present on this form. This is for suggestions only.
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Deadline: January 15, 2024
WANT TO BE ON A PANEL?
Want to be on a Panel? Don’t have a specific event to submit? Fill out this I Want to be on a Panel Application.
This form is for anyone who wishes to apply to be a presenter but may not have specific piece of programming to submit and wants to join other events.
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If we have any submission that has room, we’ll add you as a presenter!
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We can not guarantee that we can add you to any programming, but we will try, if you fill out the form.
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Deadline: January 15, 2024. Applicants emailed by Feb. 1, 2024
Questions about either form? Email [email protected]
bookmark_borderThe 2024 Penguicon makers Market Application is now open!
It’s that time, Penguicon. The 2024 Penguicon Makers Market Application is now open!
Penguicon is a do-it-yourself convention. In keeping with this, we curate a Maker Market, rather than a standard vendor hall. All of our Makers bring goods that they have handmade, or at least self-designed. It is a collection of unique, creative artists who love what they do and share that love with the rest of us.
In the interest of transparency, we’d like to share with you a little more info about our 2024 Makers Market.
Penguicon 2024 is located this year at the Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest from April 26th to April 28th. The new location allows us more space and more makers this year! Please read the application carefully.
Our Maker Market is just that… Makers. We only accept vendors whose items are handmade, with exceptions being artists who offer prints of their original artwork, and an occasional exception for creators who have more commercially-produced versions of their original designs. We have a STRICT one-artist-per-booth policy. Please be sure to mention anything you may be bringing/selling, and do not bring items you have not been juried in for (at least not without checking with the Head of Maker Market first). Penguicon is requiring Masks for 2024. You can read our Mask Policy located in our Code of Conduct.
We tend to get a great deal more applications than we could ever possibly accept, and our vendors are chosen via a jury process performed by that year’s ConCom.
What a Penguicon Maker Table provides our Makers:
- Penguicon 2024 will provide a 6′ table, 2 chairs, and one membership/badge. (For either “Secure Room” or “Hallway” tables)
- A second membership may be purchased for a discounted vendor price.
- Any further badges must be purchased at full price.
- A dedicated Maker Profile with a link to your website, on our Sched.com scheduling app provided to every attendee.
- Maker Profiles in our digital Penguicon Souvenir Book.
“Secure Room” tables must be manned during the entirety of the Maker Market official hours, with the room being locked securely when Maker Market is not open. For 2024 our “Secure Room” is expansive and central to all Penguicon Programming. We recommend this area for the most foot traffic during the con.
“Hallway” tables are generally in the lobby-type areas, and allow you to stay open longer hours, if you wish. We still request that you stay open during official Maker Market hours. There is no security, and you should break down your tables when Maker Market is not open. Penguicon accepts no responsibility for your merchandise during off hours. For 2024 “Hallway” Makers will be placed in various areas around the hallways. There may not be a central “Hallway” Makers area. If you are looking for a more central location, we recommend utilizing our “Secure Room”All Table Displays must remain within the 6ft Table space and Makers may not utilize the open spaces between tables to place additional displays. Should a Maker’s display be set up outside of their designated table, we will ask such display be removed.
Any questions, choices, or other parts of this form are not intended to be a promise of anything to come, and is in no way a contract, either for Penguicon or for the applicants.Applications will close at Midnight on January 15, 2024.
READY to APPLY? Complete the Maker Market Application here!
Questions? Email: [email protected]
The deadline for application will be January 15, 2024. Jurying will be processed by February 1st.
bookmark_borderAnnouncing our first Guest of Honor, Stefani Goerlich!
Good morning, Penguicon. You did it! You got those first programming submissions in! And so, it is my great pleasure to introduce you to our first-announced Guest of Honor for Penguicon 2024.
Stefani Goerlich describes herself as an expert on the edges and a bridge builder between the margins and the mainstream. An expert in working with Gender, Relationship, and Sexuality Differences, as well as with those from minority religious traditions, Stefani is a Certified Sex Therapist, a Board Certified Diplomate of Sexology and an expert voice for Cosmopolitan, The New Yorker, The New York Post, Shape, Women’s Health, Marie Claire, The American Spectator, and many more. Her most recent book is With Sprinkles On Top: Everything Vanilla People and Their Kinky Partners Need to Communicate, Explore, and Connect.
We absolutely look forward to all of the amazing variety of programming Stefani will be bringing to Penguicon.
bookmark_borderPenguicon 2024 Hotel Room Booking and Registration is now live!
Hey everyone, we have some exciting news to share!
Penguicon 2024 will be held at the Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest from April 26th to April 28th! The cost per night for the hotel is $165 (before taxes and fees).
Registration is now open too! The cost for registration is $75 (before the processing fee) until December 1st, 2023, after which it will increase to $80.
Additionally, when purchasing a registration, you have the option to donate to Penguicon. If you feel led to donate, we’d really appreciate it because it’ll help us have a bit of a cash cushion to ensure we put on the best Penguicon possible. Anyone who donates will receive a shoutout in the 2024 program book. We’re also actively working on the 2024 website and should have more information on that soon.
Please direct any questions to [email protected].
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/4bb5rnmc
Reserve your room here: https://tinyurl.com/2yebfdxa
bookmark_borderThe Writer’s Block Bookstore Application is now Open.
Greetings Penguicon!Authors of Penguicon, we come to you with news! We’ve heard your feedback that in past years we’ve opened applications for our Writer’s Block Bookstore late in the planning phase. We agree! We’re thrilled to announce that the 2024 Writer’s Block Application is open!!!
What is the Penguicon Writer’s Block?
The Writer’s Block is a convention hosted bookstore devoted to the promotion and sale of books by our Guests of Honor, Featured Guests, and attending authors. Authors will Staff the Writer’s Block in 50 minute shifts to be on hand to help readers find just the right book. Authors must take on 2 shifts, at minimum and present one event at Penguicon (Author Reading counts), in order to have their books in our Bookstore.
The 2024 Writer’s Block will be located in the Elizabeth Ann Ballroom. The room will be set up on one side with furnishings to allow for a cozy bookstore experience, and on the other side, long tables and additional tables which will display the books for sale. It’s an official, cozy Penguicon Bookstore! Authors and literary fans are encouraged to hang out; the room will serve as a gathering spot for lovers of words and fans of Penguicon’s participating authors.
If you are an Author and want to participate in our Writer’s Block bookstore and even host your own Author Reading/Signing, you can now apply to do such. This application is open to any creatives who want to sell their books in our co-op bookstore; Novels, Novellas, Anthologies, Graphic Novels, Comics, etc. If you wrote/created it, you can apply!
Please check out our Writer’s Block Bookstore Application for detailed information and to apply!
We are so excited for you to see the new space our Writer’s Block Bookstore will be in (Hint: First Floor – woooooooo)
Penguicon has amazingly talented Authors and we look forward to their Bookstore in 2024! If you have questions, email [email protected]
Penguicon has amazingly talented Authors and we look forward to their Bookstore in 2024! If you have questions, email [email protected]