We aren’t going to have the flying version, but there will be Quidditch pickup matches and possibly something a little more physical. I (Heidi speaking personally) have been voted down about Segway Quidditch again (although if someone wants to sponsor it, who knows?) but we’re planning some interesting Quidditchy elements.
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Azkatraz 2009 - Auction by hpef on Flickr.
T-Shirt Contest!
Calling all artists! We’ve got an opportunity for fame and glory…at least among Ascendio attendees. We are looking for designs for the official Ascendio t-shirt, just as we did in the lead-up to past events, including Nimbus 2003 and Azkatraz. You can see a selection of designs for past HPEF events in our CafePress store (still under construction), but don’t feel bound by any styles or fonts we’ve used before. Instead, since the Ascendio theme is “Flights of Fancy” please let that inspire your creativity.
A few guidelines:
No larger than 8.5 x 11″ in finished digital form; must be at least 300 dpi
The artwork and text must be rated PG-13 or lower
Design should be single-color (for a one-color imprint on blue or purple). Glow-in-the-dark & metallic imprinting is an option, if that inspires you!
Artwork should include the following elements: the word “Ascendio”, ‘HPEF Presents’ and the event dates (July 12-15, 2012) and “Ascendio 2012″ should be in this font: Jellyka Western Princess (http://www.dafont.com/jellyka-western-princess.font)
Any characters included in the art should not be identified by name. We strongly encourage using generic magical creatures and characters rather than content directly from the films or books.
As our theme for Ascendio focuses on flight – metaphorical, literal, animalian and human – we encourage incorporation of those aspects.
Do not use any of the official “Wizarding World of Harry Potter” artwork or trademark.
Submissions will be accepted until midnight (EST) November 30, 2011 at pr@hp2012.org. Any questions can be forwarded to that address as well, or posted here.
The artist who submits the winning design will win a single-day admission ticket to Universal Orlando Islands of Adventure which can be used during Ascendio.
Do you have burning questions for the team planning Ascendio 2012? Want to share a brilliant idea? Volunteer? Or just hang out with us and enjoy yummy appetizers?
We’ll be at the Hard Rock Cafe on Sunday, October 9 from 7 PM til about 9. Most of the Ascendio Senior Staff will be present, and we’re eager to meet Orlando-area fans and talk about the con! Attendees may even get a sneak-peak at some of our exciting, upcoming announcements!
Reblog if you know anyone who might want to go! This meet-up is a great way to talk directly to Team Ascendio and to get involved!
Lev Grossman, TIME Magazine’s book critic and tech writer, is the newest special guest to join the Ascendio programming roster. Mr. Grossman’s best-selling novels, “The Magicians” (2009) and “The Magician King” (2011) have been called “The Catcher in the Rye for devotees of alternative universes…” (Chicago Tribune) and “Harry Potter for grown-ups” (The Guardian).
Lev has been TIME magazine’s resident writer on books and tech issues since 2002 and posts all over the Internet, including Time.com, his personal blog at levgrossman.com, and @Leverus on Twitter. You may have read his 2010 TIME Person of the Year story on Mark Zuckerberg, or his 2011 piece on fanfiction, which featured Harry Potter fandom. Lev also edits TIME’s annual Best Inventions and 10 Ideas issues and pioneered their coverage of video games, blogs, viral videos, Facebook, and webcomics like Penny Arcade and Achewood.
At Ascendio, he will not only be doing a reading and signing of his books, but will lead Formal Programming sessions on Pottermore from the perspective of a gamer, a parent and a technologist, and give exclusive insights into his 2005 interview with J.K. Rowling and his 2011 article on fanfiction. Lev is no stranger to Harry Potter conventions — in 2009, Lev was a special guest at HPEF’s 6th event, Azkatraz.
The Loews Portofino is 1/3 sold out of our special room rate! Haven’t booked yet? You can do so now via our special event page.
The standard room rate – which is good on any night between July 8 and July 19, 2012 – is $210 plus tax for up to four people in a room. We also have Deluxe rooms available for $265 plus tax for up to four people in a room. All the rooms feature elegantly appointed accommodations, comfy robes, fantastic bathrooms and great tvs, but the Deluxe rooms include a little extra living space. Suites are available if you call or fax the hotel with our code, at 25% off the rack rate.
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We’re getting nostalgic for Infinitus! Check out our album on Facebook, where we are celebrating some of the most awesome costumes from Infinitus 2010. Have an awesome costume pic? Photo reply!
Team Ascendio just got back from our site visit, and now that we’ve seen the (ridiculously gorgeous) space, we are ready to coordinate meet-ups! Official con space (ie: where the formal programming is done) is available in the evenings for groups to meet. Even if you meet off-site, we will be including all meet-up info on our website and in our program!
Get first dibs on space and submit your request/info today!
GODDESS INTERRUPTED (3/27/2012)
Kate Winters has won immortality.
But if she wants a life in the Underworld with Henry, she’ll have to fight for it.
Becoming immortal wasn’t supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she’s as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he’s becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate’s coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans.
As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future.
Henry’s first wife, Persephone.
TEAM ASCENDIO is enchanted to announce that Aimée Carter, author of The Goddess Test and next January’s Goddess Interrupted (both from Harlequin TEEN), will be attending in July. Aimée has written fanfic and original stories for nearly fifteen years, and has long participated in the Harry Potter fandom; she was on staff for POAIMAXNYC in June of 2004.
Aimée will be doing readings and signings at Ascendio, and participating in panels on writing, including the differences between writing fanfic and writing in a self-created universe. On her website, Aimee wrote that fanfiction is:
“how I learned how to write, and there is nothing like the kind of feedback you get online from total strangers who just want to read a good story. Talk about toughening you up. Most of what I wrote was Harry Potter fan fiction from roughly 2000 and on, but I did dabble in Hanson fan fiction before then.
Yes, I am a geek and totally proud of it.”
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The second Ascendio Newsletter was posted today, and it includes updates about making hotel reservations online and how to volunteer, organize a meet-up, propose a programming session. We also announced Mark of MarkReads.net as our first special guest. Click the banner to read the newsletter, and we’re looking forward to seeing you next summer!
NEWS LETTER CONTENTS:
Informal Programming chair Mallory Vance wants to know what you’re interested in enjoying, watching, listening to and participating in at Ascendio. Click above, take the survey, and let us know! And please reblog to share the questions around!
REBLOG IF YOU ARE LOYAL TO HARRY POTTER…
HP will never truly be gone as long as we celebrate!
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It’s National Coffee Day! How many cups did you need to wake up the morning after Night of a Thousand Wizards at Infinitus?
(photo credit: Jenn Racek. Taken at Infinitus 2010)
Know you’re going to Ascendio but haven’t registered yet? Our special $200 Full Registrations ($25 off the regular price of $225) are almost sold out! Don’t worry, you can still register after, but who doesn’t want to save a little mulah?
Remember that you can always add more events to your registration (or upgrade) later - so if you’re waiting for us to announce our park event and other special event details, you can go back and snag tickets to those later!
Do you love Drarry? Join other Harry/Draco fans at Ascendio! Meet-up details are TBD, but it will most likely be Friday night (July 13).
Click to RSVP!
