This past weekend, Aug. 9 – 11, 2019 fans of fantasy enjoyed a variety of fun, geeky activities at Myths and Legends Convention. Held at the Denver-Aurora Radisson, Myths and Legends Convention, or MAL Con for short, featured panels and activities centered around all things fantasy with special emphasis on the “core” fandoms of “Harry Potter,” “Doctor Who,” “Firefly,” “Lord of the Rings,” and “Game of Thrones.” Featured guests of honor included artist Chaz Kemp, musician Leslie Hudson, David J. Peterson, linguistic consultant for Game of Thrones, and Maven of Ceremonies Veronica Calisto.
From gaming to cosplay to crafting, MAL Con had something for everyone. The vendor floor showcased unique one-of-a-kind fan art and served as a silent auction venue. Popular events included Tea Dueling, Make-and-Take art and crafting activities, and a costume contest. There were also a plethora of panels for would-be writers and an impressive emphasis on diversity and inclusion issues in science fiction and fantasy.
Smaller, local cons like MAL Con often offer unique opportunities for fans who want to go beyond superficial interactions with one another or with creators. From panels about plot building to character development to chainmail construction, attendees had several opportunities to learn from experts. On Saturday, I attended a panel called “Historical Influences on Game of Thrones,” featuring Dr. Kim Klimek, associate professor of History at Metropolitan State University in Denver. Through a lively discussion with audience members, we explored parallels between events in Westeros and historical events in Europe including the War of the Roses and construction of Hadrian’s Wall. Through a comparison between the White Walkers and the Plague, I learned a great deal about how the spread of the Plague shaped world history!
As a researcher who studies fan conventions from a sociological perspective, impromptu experiences at cons are often some of the most memorable. For example, at Saturday night’s costume contest, while the judges were deliberating, no entertainment was formally scheduled. That didn’t stop several youthful con attendees and costumed participants, however, who treated the crowd to what could be described as a Disney Karaoke Dance Party. There’s nothing like a crowd singing along to “Under the Sea” while a real-life Mermaid cosplayer acts out Ariel’s part!
MAL Con also demonstrated a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. There were several panels about inclusive cosplay including cosplaying on a budget, disabled cosplay, and tips to incorporate a mobility aid, and crossplay and gender-bent cosplay. Body positivity, gender, and sexual diversity, and racial diversity in medieval and early modern worlds were also featured topics.
Written by Tanya Cook
