'Dr. Who' fans, kids too, will find lots to do at LI convention
LI ‘Dr. Who’ Convention, a three-day “Doctor Who” convention celebrates the British sci-fi series, first broadcast in 1963, with a number of exhibitions, costumes, authors, entertainment, gaming and more Nov. 13-15, at the Hyatt Regency in Hauppauge. Credit: Maria Boyadjieva
Young fans of the British sci-fi television series "Doctor Who" will find lots to do at the three-day L.I. Who 3 convention Nov. 13-15 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Hauppauge, says the conference's organizer.
Some of the highlights: Craft projects (make a Tardis tissue box, or Dalek planter, for instance); a panel on time travel books (with time for young readers attending the panel to share the titles of their favorites); a "Jeopardy!"-style quiz, where kids can square off on their knowledge of all things "Who" (and win a prize); and a cosplay parade (best costume will be chosen).
"This year, we have more programming centered around young 'Whovians' than ever before," says L.I. Who showrunner Ken Deep, using the nickname for the television show's fans.
One reason is that the conference now has its own children's programming director, Stefanie Gangone, who is a teen librarian for the Copiague Memorial Public Library and chairwoman of the fandom outreach committee for the Suffolk County Library Association. "Her sole purpose is to present fun activities that are fun and positive," says Deep.
Tickets for children (and adults) are still available, from single-day ($19 to $35 for kids; $40 to $60 for adults) to three-day passes ($79 kids; $95 adults). They can be purchased via longislanddoctorwho.com, which has a full conference schedule. Call 631-213-7946 for more information.
Here's a rundown of kid-focused activities:
FRIDAY, NOV. 13
6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Make a Tardis pendant
SATURDAY, NOV. 14
11 to 11:50 a.m.
Make a Tardis tissue box
Noon to 12:50 p.m.
Gallifreyan "Jeopardy!" show
1 to 1:50 p.m.
Junior cosplayer workshop with cosplay expert Amanda-Rae Prescott, who will show children how to make a simple "Doctor Who" costume piece to take home
2 to 2:50 p.m.
Time-traveling books panel, with Suffolk County librarians
3 to 3:50 p.m.
Make a River Song journal
4 to 4:50 p.m.
Make a Dalek planter
5 to 5:50 p.m.
"Gaming With Your Kids," a panel with Suffolk County librarians about age-appropriate games and how to handle gamer tantrums
SUNDAY, NOV. 15
10 to 11 a.m.
Junior cosplayer parade and contest
11 to 11:50 p.m.
Make a sonic screwdriver
Noon to 12:50 p.m.
Whovian storytime, with special appearance by Cat Smith, who will play the ukulele
1 to 1:50 p.m.
Meet the "Doctor Puppet" crew from the stop-motion animated web series
2 to 2:50 p.m.
Dalek protection plan: How you and your family can stay safe from Daleks, a panel
3 to 3:50 p.m.
"How to Grow Up to Be the Doctor," a panel
4 to 4:50 p.m.
Legos and coloring
