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JULY 31, 2008 at 9:56 PM
Posted by CHEESER
Source: PRWeb via Yahoo! News
HPEF
has announced their summer 2009 conference for Harry Potter fans, aptly named Azkatraz:
Not long after the release of the next Harry Potter book, J.K. Rowling's Beedle the Bard, Harry Potter fans from around the world will converge on San Francisco for AZKATRAZ (http://www.hp2009.org) -- a four-day conference focused on the novels, the films, the sports and games, Wizard Rock, fan creativity and, for the first time, The Business of Harry Potter, Inc.
Our theme, 'The Choice Between What is Right and What is Easy,' brings the dual backdrops of Alcatraz and Azkaban to the forefront of the real issues of social justice, gender equality, tolerance, and due process, as they are reflected in the Harry Potter books and the larger contexts of fandom and the world around us.
This is the same group that brought fans together for Nimbus 2003, The Witching Hour 2005, Lumos 2006, Prophecy 2007 and Portus 2008.
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Prof. Alfred W. Mandoore
Points: 2445
JAYSTARR says:
Brilliant...But, it sounds more like an American Prison?
Posted Jul 31, 2008 at 10:57 PM EST
Hogwarts Social Worker
Points: 3599
SnoopyLover says:
Cool. Something in California.
I hope that I am able to go; the topics sound good.
Posted Jul 31, 2008 at 11:24 PM EST
Head
Points: 429
FawkesFan68 says:
Very interesting topics--- I wonder how many will get into this, as the Potter books were originally set for children. I imagine that the original fan base has grown up enough to have some idea what Social justice and tolerance may be about.
Maybe I'm wrong in thinking that young fans are the ones interested in going to these conferences. Are there that many 40+s (like me) obsessed with the Pottermania?
Posted Jul 31, 2008 at 11:49 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2852
H/HrShipper4Ever says:
Thats so cool! I want to go there. It sounds pretty awesome. Too bad it's all the way in San Francisco.
Posted Aug 1, 2008 at 12:31 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2076
Feelin' Felix Felicis says:
How fun, I wish I could go.
Posted Aug 1, 2008 at 12:45 AM EST
Auror
(Moderator)
Points: 2484
Since the Start says:
I wonder how long they'll be able to keep these things up for now. JAYSTARR that's because the conference is being held in the same place the Alcatraz is, so it's a play on that and on "Azkaban".
Posted Aug 1, 2008 at 1:18 AM EST
Witch
Points: 503
Twilight princess midna says:
I would love that.
I wish i can go to San Francisco.
Posted Aug 1, 2008 at 5:27 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2424
bonniewrightrulz says:
That sounds pretty cool.Its too bad i dont live in San Francisco, i would have loved to go there too.Sounds like it will be interesting.
Posted Aug 1, 2008 at 6:30 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 468
SoccerChick22 says:
That sounds very interesting. I wish I could go.
Posted Aug 1, 2008 at 9:44 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 331
Andros&Aiden says:
Interesting. Both Alcatraz and Azkaban are prisons set out on islands in the sea... I wonder if there's any connection other than this conference.
@FawkesFan68: There are plenty of adult fans. I think that, somewhere around book 4, Jo stopped writing for kids, and started writing for everyone. Most young'uns aren't going to get even half of the mythological, religious, and historical references that the books are steeped in. Most of us just wish she'd conjugate her Latin properly.
Posted Aug 1, 2008 at 10:30 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1675
lissir10 says:
Thats pretty cool.. I probably wont go though... opposite sides of the country...
Posted Aug 1, 2008 at 10:36 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 369
Big_D says:
Interesing...i love the books but that is something I would not go too.
Posted Aug 1, 2008 at 10:49 AM EST
Keeper of Harry's Fate
Points: 8934
TheOneWhoMustBeNamed says:
It would be great to attend. Also, nice to see something make it out to the west coast for a change. Should be a lot to discuss at this one.
Posted Aug 1, 2008 at 10:54 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1412
awsomearies4potter says:
*SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE* Something in my neck of the woods! YaY! Woot!
Posted Aug 1, 2008 at 11:47 AM EST
Lunarly challenged
Points: 2480
Grayback'sVictim says:
I wanna go!
I wanna go!
Oh I hope I'm in San Francisco next year. There's actually a small chance that I am there next summer.
*fingers crossed*
Posted Aug 1, 2008 at 11:59 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 387
diva_alix says:
I live in San Francisco and am SO EXCITED about this already. I will totally go!
Posted Aug 1, 2008 at 12:03 PM EST
Points: 4
Team AZKATRAZ says:
Hi everyone - I'm posting on behalf of Team Azkatraz, and thanks to HPANA for posting about the event.
Just so y'all know, most of our attendees don't live in the city where the con takes place. For our last event, Portus, over 90% of the attendees came from a city or town other than Dallas - we had people from the UK and Australia and the Philippines, too!
Most of our attendees are well over 18, too. All the con team members are over 25 - but we have a lot of attendees between the ages of 13 and 18, too. Kids under 13 can come to Quidditch, or the Vendor Room with their parents, but the programming isn't really for that age group.
Those of you who can come - we'll be thrilled to see you there!
Heidi for Team Azkatraz
Posted Aug 1, 2008 at 1:10 PM EST
Witch
Points: 660
HalfBloodMel says:
Oh thats sounds very fun and exicted, too bad i cant go, i live too far away and well lucky the persons who is going!.
Posted Aug 1, 2008 at 2:04 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1608
~Harry's true love~ says:
Haha! You know, I have never gone to one of these things. Kinda souns like fun! And it's not too far from where I live...hmm. I should go to this. Meet some other cool Harry Potter Fans.
Posted Aug 1, 2008 at 2:47 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2108
phoenix_feathers says:
Wow. That is extremely inspiring, and very interesting. Good for them!
Posted Aug 1, 2008 at 4:02 PM EST
Witch
Points: 819
accio_kim says:
This is so cool, the topic sounds so interesting. Hopefully we will hear some of the thoughts from the day, for those of us who can't attend.
Posted Aug 1, 2008 at 11:14 PM EST
I Am Queen of My Castle
Points: 3674
Hecate3fold says:
All I can say is; "Don't I wish", but it will never happen.
Blessings! Hecate3fold!
Posted Aug 1, 2008 at 11:37 PM EST
Witch
Points: 885
Prof. Weasle says:
That sounds like it would be really awesome - esp. the part about bringing "to the forefront of the real issues of social justice, gender equality, tolerance, and due process, as they are reflected in the Harry Potter books and the larger contexts of fandom and the world around us". I think we definately need more of that in the world!
I have friends who live in S.F. ... so it would be cool to go - if only getting there didn't cost so much!
I hope it all goes well and that many people get to attend!
Posted Aug 1, 2008 at 11:59 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2363
Nataly says:
A four-day conference? wow! so interesting :) wish i could go
Posted Aug 2, 2008 at 11:59 AM EST
Squib
Points: 123
Halfblood-Princesss says:
Wow! That's so cool! The only thing is that I live in the Netherlands and it will be held in SF.. Anyone who has a bed to sleep in there? ;)
Posted Aug 2, 2008 at 1:20 PM EST
Witch
Points: 549
wendelinDewyrd says:
Ooo This seems fun - Azkatraz sounds cool.
Posted Aug 2, 2008 at 1:59 PM EST
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