Con-going From Your Couch: A Quick Guide

Since early 2020, small fan-run conventions and giant cons like San Diego Comic Con have either postponed, rescheduled, or outright canceled their gatherings to keep attendees safe amid coronavirus.

Fandom, thankfully, is adaptable and virtual events are now popping up in their place.

This not only provides a much-needed escape from the world at large, but it also allows people to connect from all over the world, with the click of a hyperlink and with no worries about travel costs. 

So far, I’ve attended a couple of events: Anne Lister Birthday Weekend, and WHOlanta Virtual TARDIS 2020. These two events have wielded Facebook Live to host intelligent and lively discussions with experts, panelists, and celebrity guests.

If you’re looking for a more general con-going experience, chat, or memes, the Concellation 2020 Facebook group (now boasting 34,000+ members) is the place to be, as the self-proclaimed “Sci-Fi and Fantasy Con that’s always canceled.” In the early days of cancellations and hunkering down, this group offered a fan-friendly place to get that convention vibe while staying put. 

But part of the fun of con is getting out of the house and being with friends – is it possible to recreate con vibes at home? The answer is overwhelming yes (wait lines need not apply) – and here are my top five tips. 

1. Check out the event ahead of time. Much like in-person cons, virtual events have a full itinerary and fine print. Do your research on the front end, and set reminders so you don’t miss a panel. Also, set up your tech so everything is charged and ready to go so you can kick back and enjoy. This is especially important if you’re purchasing a virtual meet and greet with a celeb. 
2. Wear something festive. While many cosplayers are participating in the #passthebrushchallenge or recreating their favorite scenes from Doctor Who, you can keep it casual. I’ve had fun dressing up for themed movie nights with friends to mix things up and give my leggings and hoodies a rest. For WHOlanta, I broke out a star-speckled pair of glasses with a new Doctor Who fan art shirt, a velvet skirt, and Harley Quinn’s sparkly duster from Birds of Prey. 
3. Have fun snacks on hand. Now is the perfect time to brush off those fandom cookbooks and whip up something. It could be a feast fit for hobbits, a batch of butterbeer cocktails, or a simple but posh tea time. Take out and curbside ordering is also a good option if you’re keeping it super low key. (Be sure to tip well if you go that route!)
4. You can multitask (if you want to). Despite being stuck at home, most everyone is still busy. Virtual events can offer you a little reprieve and let you get ahead on repairing a cosplay, start some soothing knitting, or catch up on simple housework while still geeking out. Plus if you miss a panel, there will be replay options later to enjoy. 
5. Hang with friends. Houseparty has been a game-changer for me in these strange days, and I’m often chatting with groups of friends via the app, but Facebook has also added a similar room feature so you can save the Zoom meetings for work. If you miss chatting with your crew, throw a virtual room party to close out your con experience. 

We’re nearing four months of being in quarantine, and I have no idea how brick-and-mortar conventions will be fundamentally changed in the future. But I’m incredibly grateful to be able to tune out from the world for a few hours thanks to fellow fans who have decided to create events in a completely virtual setting.