Alternate and Historical Fiction

The Alternate and Historical Fiction Track is the destination for all things bygone and never was. It covers everything from fan discussions of period films and tv, speakers on overlooked history and society milestones, to even demos of period costuming techniques.
There is fun for all who fancy festive frolics through factual and fictional former times. The flux capacitor is set to give a peek into the past and future: fan panels on shows like Our Flag Means Death and The Gilded Age; maker panels on recreating vintage hair, makeup, and fashion; historical dives into spiritualism, powerful women, sea shanties, and even the cults of our beloved Dragon Con itself!

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In addition to fan discussions of historical fiction shows and period pieces, panels on overlooked history, and deep dives into genre-specific topics, this year, our etiquette lesson will include dances and flowers, a psychologist’s look at Oppenheimer, and an exploration of the Roman Empire. If you’re looking for a chance to be shouty, 2023’s surprise hit – the Boasting Contest will be back, along with a reformatted Things You Should Have Learned in History Class, and the wildly popular Theatre on the High Seas (Pirate Improv). We’ve been watching Lessons in Chemistry, For All Mankind, Bridgerton, Outlander, Bass Reeves, Masters of Air, and Our Flag Means Death and we are ready to chat about them all. If cosplays are on your to do list – we’ve got tips and tricks to pull together a historical look along with some historical cosplay how-tos and learn a few tricks and tips to pull together a historical look of your own.

We’ve extended our programming beyond the track room to include two brand-new events. The Dragon Con Cotillion is the opportunity to break out your favorite Regency formal wear or fashion-forward Cosplay and compete to be crowned the Dragon of the Con. And we’re introducing the Con to a brand new side of the Splendid Teapot Race – the Demitasse League, a race specially developed for kids with the Robotics and Makers and Kids Track.

Coming in 2024

• Splendid Teapot Racing & The Splendid Teapot Demitasse League – You can learn all about our classic Splendid Teapot Race AND the brand-new kid-oriented Demitasse League on our Splendid Teapot Race site or  dragon-con-splendid-teapot-race.mailchimpsites.com. Signups are open for the 2024 Splendid Teapot Race on our site and aren’t needed for our Demitasse racers. 
• Temporal Formal: Rhapsody in Blue – This year’s Temporal Formal blends dance instruction with live music for a timeless experience! From waltz to swing, expert instructors and talented musicians create a night to remember celebrating the joy of movement and music honoring the 100th anniversary of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue!
• The Dragon Con Cotillion: Crowning the Jade Dragon – We’re transporting the Con into a Regency-esque world where the finest Con attendees can join us for mingling, dancing, and the chance to win the esteem and blessings of our very own Director. Learn historical dance steps, take a turn on the floor and show off your period look or fanciest cosplay.
• The All-Ages Boasting Contest and The Adult Boasting Contest – Tell us a truth or spin us a yarn as – for this contest –  the best storyteller wins. We’ve assembled a panel of master story crafters to judge your execution (but not your accuracy), so see if you can win the prize to be this year’s very best orator.