Several of the Uncanny editorial staff will be making appearances at upcoming greater Chicago area events this summer and fall.

Wizard World Chicago (August 21-24, 2014, Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, IL) – Michi Trota will be on two panels at the convention, both on Saturday, August 23:

• Yellow Fever, Yellow Peril and the Yellow Ranger: Asian Americans in Geek Culture & History (1:30-2:15pm, Room 6) – “From otaku fan culture to the myth of the “model minority,” there’s a rising interest, enthusiasm, and host of assumptions about Asian Americans in geek culture today. But how have Asian Americans been represented in popular culture and what effect does this have on creators and fans? How does one’s ethnic identity affect the art we create and the way we consume it? Join Asian American comic writers, geek enthusiasts, bloggers, and musicians for an interactive discussion on Asian Americans in geek culture and history!” Panelists: Dawn Xiana Moon (producer/director Raks Geek), Kat Tanaka Okopnik, Brad Sun (SunBros Studios), Wesley Sun (SunBros Studios), and Michi Trota (Chicago Nerd Social Club). 
• Glass Ceilings, Missing Stairs and Gatekeepers: Geeks Still Deal with Sexism (Part Deux) (4:30-5:15pm, Room 6) – “We’ve established that yes, women can be geeks, so what gives? Con harassment is still a problem, we still haven’t gotten a Wonder Woman or Captain Marvel movie and geeky women continue to face barriers in geek spaces. Find out why talking about sexism and fighting for geeky gender equality is still needed and what we can do to create more inclusive geek spaces. A Q&A session will follow discussion with the panelists. Panel sponsored in part by the Chicago Nerd Social Club.” Panelists: Sooshe Bot: science writer/communicator (moderator); Laura Koroski: blogger Challenge by Geek; Carlye Frank: comics artist; Kate Lansky: writer, gamer; Dawn Xiana Moon; Erin Tipton: nerdy knitter; and Michi Trota.

THE GEEK SHOW: A Nerdy Variety Talky Thing (September 5, 2014, 8:00pm, Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL) – Michi will be a featured guest in this showcase celebrating the Chicago geek/nerd community. 

Chicago Humanities Festival: Journeys (October 25-November 9, 2014) – Lynne and Michi will join Mary Robinette Kowal and Ruth Ann Stern (moderator) to talk about Doctor Who at the “Chicks Dig Time Lords” event (Saturday, November 1, 2014, 1:30-2:30pm, School of the Art Institute Ballroom, 112 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL). “Don’t blink, Doctor Who fans! As the show enters its 51st year and introduces a new doctor, we are convening with Lynne Thomas, host of the podcasts SF Squeecast and Verity! and coeditor of Chicks Dig Time Lords: A Celebration of Doctor Who by the Women Who Love It. To be discussed: Who is the best Doctor? How does Capaldi compare? And what are the best ways for fans to pay homage to the show?” Ticketed event: $9 (CHF members); $12 (general public); $5 (students & teachers)

WindyCon 41 – Grimms Tales (November 14-16, 2014, Westin Lombard Yorktown Center, Lombard, IL) – Lynne  and Michael Thomas are attending with members of the SF Squeecast (with Elizabeth Bear, Seanan McGuire, and Catherynne M. Valente) as WindyCon’s Social Media Guests of Honor. Michi will also be attending.

Chicago TARDIS (November 28-30, 2014, Westin Lombard Yorktown Center, Lombard, IL) – Michael will be attending as a Guest of the convention. Lynne will also be attending.