Lest you think that sci-fi conventions are packed with droll fanboys searching for a few autographs, Gene Smith, chairman of Chicago TARDIS, the city’s largest Doctor Who convention, wants you to know that things can get pretty crazy. “A few years ago while one of the after-parties was going on, a security guard was doing his rounds and found one of the actors we had invited standing in the middle of the pool, fully clothed, drinking a beer,” Smith recounts.
Spaceships, scarved time travelers and the sporadic drunk–actor are all part of the package at Chicago’s homage to the British sci-fi series Doctor Who, the longest-running TV show ever. Named after the “Time And Relative Dimensions In Space” machine—a fictional time machine in Doctor Who—the convention draws in 1,200 Who groupies from across the state. Now in its 11th year, TARDIS is a mix of fan paraphernalia, panel discussions with Brit sci-fi writers and actors—like Frazer Hines from the original Who, and Gareth David-Lloyd from Who spinoff Torchwood—and pure silliness.
Panels range from a discussion on who the mysterious time-traveling character River Song truly is to horror stories about fan encounters from writers and producers. To kick things up a notch, this year’s Chicago TARDIS also includes adults-only discussions that center on the show’s portrayal of sex and sexuality. As for the after-parties, Smith says you never know what might happen. “Let’s just say we give people good value for their money.”
Chicago TARDIS touches down at the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center (70 Yorktown Center, Lombard, 888-734-7386, chicagotardis.com) on Fri 26, 10am–11pm; Sat 27 10am–9pm; Sun 28, 10am–6pm. $55, kids ages 6–10 $30, kids under 6 free, weekend passes $100, reserved seating tickets and admission to a VIP after-party Thu 25 $160 (kids ages 6–10 $80).
Read more at chicago.timeout.com
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