Head ConChair Christina Mortali opening the Milk and Cookies feedback session.
From March 27-29, Smith College in Northampton hosted Conbust for the 13th year.
Conbust is a three-day multi-fandom convention run by a staff of Smith College students. It is open to all ages.
Attendees can participate in panels and discussions involving comic books, anime, steampunk, sciFi/fantasy books and movies.
The convention’s focus is to bring forward women in media. Christina Mortali, as this year’s Head ConChair, has been referred to as Conbust’s Dumbledore (though she prefers Tonks). She describes Conbust as “empowering”.
“We are a team of strong, independent women,” said Mortali. “We are all about empowering women in a male dominated society.” Conbust has developed into a community, connecting great people and building equality no matter gender, sexuality, or race. Numerous panels were about how genders and races are represented in comics, books, and movies with titles like “Female Protagonists/ Female Villains” and “Dark Matters.”
Conbust is filled with some heavy discussions and big debates. Not to say that this convention is entirely serious.
It is also filled with panels that allow fans to share in all of the things they love. “How to be an Evil Overlord”, “Dragons are Awesome”, and “Homestuck Late Night: Ask a Troll” are just a few examples of fans just plain having fun.
Of course, panels are not the only way for attendees to have fun. Conbust provided areas for guests to play table top or video games and to just chill out. Venders and artists populated the first floor of the building for a bit of shopping and Saturday night included a dance with glow sticks and a costume contest.
Costumes were a big deal. Costumed attendees known as cosplayers were found around every corner dressed as their favorite characters or in intricate steampunk and period outfits. Workshops helped teach how to build props and make costumes on a budget.
For a bit of fresh air, attendees could go outside to the lawn where weapons demonstrations featuring combat styles ranging from sword and dagger to colonial military displays were held. One could even see a demonstration of lightsaber combat. Conbust also provided unique opportunities. Many panels were populated by the convention’s guests of honor including well-known writers, artists, editors, costumers/prop masters, and a librarian that has made a name for herself lecturing on geek culture.
Aspiring writers and artists could get advice on character and storybuilding, tips on how to break into the industry, and warnings on the risks involved with sharing your work with a critical audience.
Some guests of honor could be found around the building outside of panels for one-on-one discussions and questions.
If you wanted to sit back and enjoy a show there were events for that, too. Aone could watch the Smithee Awards, which were a tribute to bad cinema, screening the worst movies ever made. Guests who were old enough could enjoy a bawdy cabaret show or a geeky comic book-themed burlesque show if they were 18 or older.
Con staff put forth every effort to make sure guests were happy with their experience. To that end, staff provided free food such as instant noodles, sandwich fixings, and snacks to guests around mealtimes. This really set Conbust apart from other larger conventions where buying food can be a significant part of your budget. If you wanted more than just the food provided, you can go to any of the restaurants in downtown Northampton. To close out the event, staff held a guest feedback session known as “Milk and Cookies’, during which free milk and cookies were provided while staff and attendees gathered to share concerns and suggestions that came up over the weekend. The community around the convention has a chance to help mold it and make it better. Staff is receptive to complaints and open to ideas.
The Conbust team has done a great job of keeping it a favorite among those that attending and working the convention circuit. Conbust has proven to be a good convention to attend for those new to these kinds of events or those who have become disenchanted with the much larger events. Thanks were given to Mortali for a job well done this year, and congratulations wnet out to Madeline Klein for being elected Head ConChair for 2016. If you wish to learn more and would like to attend next year visit their website at www.smith.edu/conbust.
