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Venue: Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming) clear filter
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Friday, July 17
 

1:00pm EDT

Sound Checks
Friday July 17, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT

Friday July 17, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)

2:30pm EDT

Folklore and Fantasy
Friday July 17, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Folklore and Storytelling have long been a part of speculative fiction.  From retellings of classic fairytales and Arthurian Legends to new versions of old myths, how can authors incorporate the old (and respect the tradition) while still bringing something new to the story.

Moderator: Gail Martin
Speakers
avatar for Wayland Smith

Wayland Smith

Literary Guest
Wayland Smith is the pen name for a native Texan who has lived in Massachusetts, New York, Washington DC, and presently makes his home in Virginia. His rather unlikely list of jobs includes private investigator, comic book shop owner, ring crew for a circus (then he ran away from... Read More →
avatar for Tally Johnson

Tally Johnson

Special Guest
Mr. Johnson is a graduate of Spartanburg Methodist College and Wofford College with degrees in history. He is the author of Ghosts of the South Carolina Upcountry, Ghosts of the South Carolina Midlands, Ghosts of the Pee Dee (all for The History Press) and Civil War Ghosts of Sou... Read More →
avatar for Steven S. Long

Steven S. Long

Literary Guest
Steven S. Long’s been involved in the gaming industry for over thirty years, during which time he’s written, co-written, edited, or developed over 200 books. He got his start as a freelancer for Hero Games, for whom he wrote several books in the mid-Nineties. He soon branched... Read More →
avatar for Gail Z. Martin

Gail Z. Martin

Literary Guest
Gail Z. Martin writes urban fantasy, epic fantasy, steampunk and more for Solaris Books, Orbit Books, Falstaff Books, SOL Publishing and Darkwind Press. Urban fantasy series include Deadly Curiosities and the Night Vigil (Sons of Darkness). Epic fantasy series include Darkhurst... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)

4:00pm EDT

Alexandra Higgins in Concert
Friday July 17, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Alexandra’s unique folk / indie / Americana silvery enchanting voice and clever, refreshing lyrics combine for a unique sound listeners find both soothing and captivating.  
Speakers
avatar for Alexandra Higgins

Alexandra Higgins

Performance Guest
Alexandra Higgins (aka the Platypus Princess) is a self-taught singer/songwriter whose folk-indie sound evokes the spirit of Joan Baez (direct quote heard randomly and unprompted at every performance!). Her voice, often described as angelic, carries melodies that mix ethereal beauty... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)

5:30pm EDT

Geeky Trivia for Chocolate!
Friday July 17, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm EDT
Do you have what it takes to overthrow your fellow geeks? Syrinx (and volunteers) brings his brand of bar trivia to the convention for some friendly single-elimination competition. The audience members will have a chance to be geek gurus as they answer questions spanning different fandoms and geek cultures.


Speakers
avatar for Carol Cowles

Carol Cowles

Online Media Guest
Carol has long been a fixture of Geek Culture in Charlotte, NC. She has served for several years as the Programming Director for ConCarolinas and worked the Carolina and Arizona Renaissance Festivals for 15 years. She also podcasts – she is Carol the Cat on Guardians of the Geekery... Read More →
avatar for Dance Harden

Dance Harden

Fan Guest
Dance Harden is a 3rd generation SFF fan with a background in the performing arts. Their kink performance group was the featured local guest for Lollapalooza 1996 in Newport, TN. Later, they studied history and media studies at UTK. After moving to Charlotte, NC in 2008, they entered... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)

7:00pm EDT

Opening Ceremonies
Friday July 17, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Grab your Hawaiian Shirt and join James Fulbright (Con Chair) and Mike Pederson as we introduce our guests and tell you about the special events happening this weekend!

Each year, ConGregate remembers contributors that we have lost from the science fiction and fantasy world. The tradition began in memory of Aaron Allston, who was well known for his love of Hawaiian shirts. We encourage everyone to wear a Hawaiian shirt on Friday, July 17.

This is also where the Manly Wade Wellman Award will be presented. The Manly Wade Wellman Award for Science Fiction and Fantasy was founded in December 2013 to recognize outstanding achievement in science fiction and fantasy novels written by North Carolina authors.
Speakers
avatar for Sherrilyn Kenyon

Sherrilyn Kenyon

Special Guest
Defying all odds is what #1 New York Times and international bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon does best. Since her first book debuted while she was still in college, she has placed more than 80 novels on the New York Times list in all formats and genres, including manga and graphic novels, and has more than 70 million books in print worldwide.A pioneer in paranormal, fantasy, science fiction and romantasy, she has become one of the most popular and influential authors in the world (in adult, YA and... Read More →
avatar for Tally Johnson

Tally Johnson

Special Guest
Mr. Johnson is a graduate of Spartanburg Methodist College and Wofford College with degrees in history. He is the author of Ghosts of the South Carolina Upcountry, Ghosts of the South Carolina Midlands, Ghosts of the Pee Dee (all for The History Press) and Civil War Ghosts of Sou... Read More →
avatar for Richard Kadrey

Richard Kadrey

Guest of Honor
Richard Kadrey is the New York Times bestselling author of the Sandman Slim supernatural noir series. Sandman Slim was included in Amazon’s “100 Science Fiction & Fantasy Books to Read in a Lifetime,” and is in development as a feature film.Some of Kadrey’s other books in... Read More →
avatar for John Scalzi

John Scalzi

Guest of Honor
John Scalzi is the Hugo-winning and New York Times bestselling author of Old Man’s War, Redshirts, The Kaiju Preservation Society, and Starter Villain, among other novels. Some of his short work was featured in the Netflix animated series Love, Death + Robots.He was president of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (now the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association), but he got better.He owns one dog, three cats, a six-necked guitar and a church. His burritos are internet infamous and possibly actual crimes. He lives... Read More →
avatar for Sam Montgomery-Blinn

Sam Montgomery-Blinn

Literary Guest
Samuel Montgomery-Blinn grew up on a family farm in Indiana and now spends his days helping ensure the trustworthiness of artificial intelligences. Once upon a time he published Bull Spec, a print magazine of speculative fiction, and now he administers The Manly Wade Wellman Award for North Carolina Science Fiction and Fantasy, meaning yes, he’s read your book. He lives in Durham with his wife, two too-grown teenagers, two cats who are very good boys, and one dog who... Read More →
avatar for James Fulbright

James Fulbright

Con Chair / President, ConGregate
James Fulbright was introduced to AD&D by a friend in 1979. After joining his first gaming group, his friends convinced him to start attending conventions like StellarCon. It wasn’t long before attending cons led him to start helping out with those cons; which, in turn, led to running... Read More →
avatar for Michael D. Pederson

Michael D. Pederson

Fan Guest
Way back in 2004, Mike came up with the crazy idea of hosting a convention in Richmond, VA. He’s been chairing RavenCon ever since.In addition to running RavenCon, Mike Pederson was the publisher/editor/graphic designer responsible for the fanzine Nth Degree (2002-2019). Mike b... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)

8:00pm EDT

Congregate: Fully Improvised!
Friday July 17, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Where Fandom Meets the Unscripted.

Prepare for a high-energy, side-splitting comedy experience as the Idiot Box Comedy Club takes the stage at Congregate! This isn’t your standard improv show—it’s a deep dive into the heart of the con.

Our players are ditching the script and plugging into the Congregate hive mind. We’re taking your suggestions and spinning them into instant comedy gold. Whether you’re a sci-fi stalwart, a fantasy fanatic, or just here for the vibes, come see your con culture reflected, refracted, and hilariously presented in real-time.

No Scripts. No Safety Nets. Just pure, unadulterated, improvised geekery.

Grab your badge and your sense of humor—we’ll see you there!

Speakers
avatar for Dave Dobson

Dave Dobson

Literary Guest
A native of Ames, Iowa, Dave loves writing, reading, boardgames, computer games, improv comedy, pizza, barbarian movies, and the cheaper end of the Taco Bell menu. Also, his wife and kids.Dave has written ten novels including fantasy, sci-fi, mysteries, and thrillers. In addition... Read More →
avatar for Sammie Cassell

Sammie Cassell

Film Guest
Sammie Cassell is a North Carolina based filmmaker, actor, improv and sketch comedian, and all around busy guy. His film/tv credits include Halloween Kills, Eyes of Tammy Faye, Kill Giggles and upcoming appearances in Righteous Gemstones and Please Don’t Destroy. A life long comic book fan and collector along with being a lover of all things horror, wrestling and pop culture, he’s also known as Sammie the Comic Book Man. Sammie and his production partners, Dan Sellers, Jeff Cochran, and Chad Hunt with Wreak Havoc Productions also do the... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)

9:30pm EDT

DJ McGuire Presents "Make Britain Great Again" in Concert
Friday July 17, 2026 9:30pm - 10:30pm EDT
What if Arthur was a self-absorbed narcissist, Merlin's "wizardry" was in propaganda, and the Germanic communities were simply victims of hatred? DJ McGuire's new album Make Britain Great Again takes the Arthurian legend to a dark but all-too-conceivable place.
Speakers
avatar for DJ McGuire

DJ McGuire

Performance Guest
D.J. McGuire began his geek journey watching Star Trek Original Series on syndication. These days, he works in Defense IT and teaches economics at his local community college. He has been a musical performer (bass and vocals) for over eight years, starting with Dimensional Riffs in 2017. He has also played with the Nefarious Ferrets... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 9:30pm - 10:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
 
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