Nauticon, held every May in Provincetown, MA, is not the average convention. Taking over the whole Provincetown Inn, this 21+ event is a creative and fun way for fans of fantasy, sci-fi, anime, comic books, and more to come together and celebrate all things nerdy.
There's plenty of geeky fun for attendees to do at the convention. Activities include karaoke, geeky trivia contests, craft workshops, and a weekend-long, hotel-wide NERF war. No respectable convention would go without panels, either. Those range from discussions of Doctor Who and Star Trek to programs run by the Dirty Old Lady’s League and the Miracle Providers Drag Queens. Costumes aren’t required but certainly encouraged, as it gives you a chance to interact with fellow fans of video games and cartoons and participate in cosplay meetups. Hang out with Deadpool in the lobby or grab a photo with Soldier 76 on the beach.
If you like to shop, the Artists’ Colony replaces the typical convention’s dealer’s room. Artists, writers, and craftsmen can showcase their talents throughout the convention, using hotel rooms as their shop space. Find handcrafted items that speak to your inner geek, like corsets, armor, painted figurines, books, jewelry, ocarinas, pint glasses, and more.
Naturally, there are fabulous performances, too. Friday night this year presents the Heart-Shaped Box Avant-Garde Experience, a two-woman show displays their exquisite fusion of belly dancing and burlesque theater while mixing in props, comedy sketches, sword-dancing, and live music. Saturday night goes even bigger with the Big Show, where Belly Burlesque and Drag Queens bewitch and ensnare the audience’s mind with stage performances like you’ve never seen. Want to get on stage yourself? Sign up for Drunken Karaoke and entertain the crowd with a tipsy rendition of “Disco Inferno.”
Being a 21+ con, alcohol is abundant. For a small fee, guests can join in on tasting workshops, where they can try Scotch, gin, vodka, and cocktails, all with clever titles like “50 Shots of Grey Goose” and “The (Mad!) Science of Gin.” On Friday night, join the dancers of Heart-Shaped Box for “Homebrewed Shenanigans” to try their menu of artisan liquor infusions and brews ranging from rice wine to a secret vodka recipe. Saturday features “My Little Alcoholic Pony,” where you can indulge in a sweet array of colorful cocktails inspired by My Little Pony characters. Past conventions have also held late-night panels, including one where people get drunk and try to explain the plot of pop culture classics like Mass Effect and The Lord of the Rings.
Nauticon’s parties are nothing to sneeze at, either. Barfleet is a national organization that will be holding an official party for guests, giving them a chance to mix(ology) and mingle in a casual and friendly atmosphere. Looking for something smaller? There are plenty of room parties to choose from. Some attendees start making their homebrews weeks in advance, while others fill their refrigerators with Jello shots to share.
Many con-goers register online in advance, but curious visitors can get at-the-door day passes and join in the nerdy shenanigans. Just make sure to have your ID on you to prove you’re 21, otherwise, you won’t be getting a badge.
-By Ettractions Digital Content Editor, ALLISON BENNETT
Massachusetts: Boston
Other States: Connecticut Maine Massachusetts New Hampshire Rhode Island
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