Swancon Thirty Six | Natcon Fifty: it’s quite a mouthful and a lot of history. We’re so glad that we have the opportunity to host the fiftieth Australian Natcon at this year’s Swancon. Perth has hosted nine of them already, and we’re ready to make this one the best so far.

Take a look at our program, and I think you’ll agree it’s pretty awesome! There will be lots to do, see, hear and say. Whether you’re in the mood to listen to presentations from writers, editors, artists and academics; debate ideas with other fans of speculative fiction; network and socialise with guests and members in one of the Hyatt’s many bars and cafes; or just spend time in our fabulous dealers room and fan lounge; there will always be something for you to do.

Remember that Thursday night is free! So bring a friend or two and see what Swancon has to offer.

Swancon Thirty Six | Natcon Fifty is all about fandom, and the fans. We’re holding a party in your honour – all you have to do is show up and have fun. We’ve compiled a short summary of what’s on offer. There will be more announcements as we go, so be sure to keep an eye on our rss feed, or our Twitter feed (@natcon50) for more exciting updates and news throughout the year.

But first, the basics:

21-25 April 2011
Hyatt Hotel, Adelaide Tce, Perth

From the moment you receive your membership card, the kind folks at Planet Books and Fantastic Planet have offered to give you 10% off all the books you buy – valid until 25 April 2011. You really can’t afford not to sign up!

Until 20 April 2011, membership of Swancon Thirty Six | Natcon Fifty will be $210, or $155 for students and concession card holders. Once registration opens at 4:00pm on Thursday 21 April prices will be $250 / $185. You can buy day memberships for $70 per day, or $50 student/concession. Supporting memberships are $20.

You can purchase memberships online, at Planet Books, Fantastic Planet, White Dwarf, Empire Toys, Quality Comics, Tactics and Tokyo Underground, or in person from Swancon Thirty Six committee members.

Become a member of Swancon Thirty Six | Natcon Fifty today!

See our program here.

Call for Expressions of Interest

Natcon50 would like to invite expressions of interest for the exhibition ʻFuture Imperfect: Exploring the future from the pastʼ, to be held at Easter 2011 in Perth, Western Australia.

ʻFuture Imperfect: Exploring the future from the pastʼ will explore the way people have historically imagined our present. We are seeking aspiring and semi professional Australian artists to examine this theme in a tight body of work. In order to be considered, please submit 2-3 low resolution images of your current work that best represents you.

For successful applicants, the Natcon50 art show will provide an attractive space to display your works of art to members of Natcon50 and the general public at no cost. The exhibition will be promoted widely, and will provide you with the opportunity to sell your works. Natcon50 will collect a 10% commission on the sale of each item.

Submissions are invited for artists working in any media. Due to the exhibition space preference will be given to two dimensional pieces, however three dimensional works of art or other media will be considered.
Please send all queries and responses to the attention of Kate and ensure that your expressions of interest are lodged by 10 April 2010.

Download a pdf to circulate amongst your friends and colleagues here.

Australia will celebrate its 50th Natcon – more officially known as the Australian National Science Fiction Convention – at Easter 2011. First held in Sydney in 1952 as an event run by fans for fans, today it attracts hundreds of fans, writers, editors, booksellers, publishers, movie-makers and other science fiction and fantasy enthusiasts from around the country and even overseas.

The Natcon50 committee is pleased to announce the publication of a commemorative book to celebrate this milestone. But we need your help to compile Natcon’s history. We want photos, stories, programs – whatever you’ve got.

You can share your Natcon mementos with us in whatever way is most convenient. If you have a Flickr account, upload photos and scanned images (or find stuff you’ve already uploaded) then tag them with “Natcon50″ to add them to the pool. You can also email us at natcon50@gmail.com, contact us through our Facebook page, or mail to:

Natcon 50
PO Box 3027
Yokine, WA, 6060

Keep up to date with how the project is going by following our RSS feed or follow @Natcon50 on Twitter.

Let’s ready to party like it’s Easter 2011!