Tag Archives: salt lake comic con

FanX 2024 Thursday Panels Schedule Revised

Posted on by

FanX 2024 Thursday panels have undergone some changes from the first look that I did. So a quick look at the new schedule, as of 9/12/2024, is in order with a reminder that convention schedules are subject to change.

Anthony Daniels is still on the schedule for 6pm, and he’s a must-see. However, he’s not the only heavy hitter panel on Thursday. FanX has scheduled a Lord of the Rings celebrity panel for 2pm. Fortunately, these two panels are far enough apart in time that I think we can make them both. Before two, we can grab some food and take our time exploring the vendor hall and some of the rooms that have displays not requiring a specifically timed visit.

Matthew Lillard is at 3pm, which is also a change that means we might be able to see him. The Ghostbuster celebrity panel is at 4pm. After that, we’ll have some time to get something to eat while we wait for Anthony Daniels. At 7pm, Brandon Sanderson will be presenting. So all told, our schedule will look something like this for Thursday:

  • 2pm – Lord of the Rings celebrity panel
  • 3pm – Matthew Lillard
  • 4pm – Ghostbusters celebrity panel
  • 6pm – Anthony Daniels
  • 7pm – Brandon Sanderson

As always, one of the best ways for me to enjoy a convention is choose one thing I want to do every day, but just one. Then, as long as I accomplish that one thing, the rest of the day is icing on the cake. It’s not always possible to accomplish the one thing though because conventions can change their schedules, so having a back-up plan is a good idea as well.

What’s the one thing you’re looking forward to at FanX 2024 on Thursday? Let me know in the comments.

FanX 2023 in Salt Lake City and ‘Disneyland Is Creativity’

Posted on by

It’s official! We are less than a month away from FanX 2023 in Salt Lake City, and I have a panel, “Disneyland Is Creativity.” Based on my book, this panel will provide ways to improve your creativity by using examples and metaphors from Disneyland’s structure and history. This panel is a must for fans of the park and for those who are interested in learning principles of creativity to improve their lives and the lives of others. The time and place of the panel will be released with the FanX app. Download the app, bookmark our panel, and join us for a walk down memory lane.

Get ‘Disneyland Is Creativity’

You can get a copy of “Disneyland Is Creativity” and its sequel “The Haunted Mansion Is Creativity” from Amazon. You can also order them directly from me and pick them up at my panel. We will bring a very limited supply of books to be available at Darren Lamb’s table in Artist Alley. (Darren is known as the Worst Buddhist; his table will have cool, geek-inspired Buddhas and stickers as well as books he’s written.) I’ll be happy to sign your books when I see you at FanX in Salt Lake City.

FanX 2023 in Salt Lake City

FanX 2023 is Salt Lake City’s premier comic convention. It will be held September 21 to 23, 2023. Tickets often sell out. Get yours ahead of time.

As always, events and panels are subject to change. Be sure to confirm the panels and activities you’re excited for, ahead of time.

‘Napoleon Dynamite’s’ Jon Heder Cancels Appearance at Lilac City Comicon 2019

Posted on by

The good news is: Jon Heder found more acting work. The bad news is: it interferes with his scheduled appearance at Lilac City Comicon 2019, so he will not be in Spokane for the convention.

In 2014, I got to see Jon Heder as part of Salt Lake Comic Con’s (now called FanX) “Napoleon Dynamite” reunion. Heder and co-star Efrin Ramirez took the stage to talk about the movie, its effects on their lives, and what it meant to them. Heder was convinced to try to recreate the infamous dance routine, which he said he couldn’t really remember because it was improvised.

While Heder is generally recognized for his first feature film role, he has done several other comedies of note, including “Benchwarmers,” and “Blades of Glory.” Heder has also voice acted in “Star vs. the Forces of Evil” and “Pickle and Peanut.”

For those who are interested in Walt Disney’s story, Heder played Roy Disney in “Walt before Mickey.” [Author’s note: As the author of “Disneyland is Creativity” and with “The Haunted Mansion Is Creativity” scheduled for release at Lilac City Comicon 2019, this role seems like it may be the most important.] He also did vocal work for “Epic Mickey 2.”

While Heder is no longer scheduled to be in Spokane for Lilac City Comicon 2019, these guests are still on the docket: Chris Kattan, WWE wrestler Hacksaw Jim Duggan, and “Stranger Things” star Randy Havens. Get your tickets for Lilac City Comicon 2019. Remember that guests may change for any comic convention as actors book acting gigs or other obligations may pop up.

Be sure to preorder your penguinate.com penguins, books and other merchandise and have it available for you at the convention. Same convention pricing, just pick it up at our table.

You can read more about the Salt Lake Comic Con 2014’s “Napoleon Dynamite” Reunion at our archive at http://www.penguinate.weebly.com. Or watch videos from the Salt Lake Comic Con 2014 on YouTube.