The wide range of talent we have at GEEKcon this year will be unforgettable. This event would not be possible without our featured guests, and we are beyond thankful and excited for them to present their talents to you. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the music, interviews, competitions, and other passions and talents at GEEKcon 2020. Check out the schedule below and join us from your couch on December 5th, 2020 to experience the fun and free events for GEEKcon!
NOTE: The schedule is still being updated, so check back regularly before the event for time changes and more great guests!
10:00am | Introduction
Opening greetings from UWEC Chancellor, Jim Schmidt.
Visit UWEC website
10:15am | Trivia Question 1
Hosts ask the first of many trivia questions.
Listen for your chance to win prizes!
10:20am | E-Sports Spotlight
Learn about the UWEC gaming community and what they have been up to.
10:35am | Visible Sound
Visible Sound is a cutting-edge performance act fusing the art forms of music and juggling. Sage Leary’s original rock/blues/American music combined with Mark Fiore’s expert juggling skills provide action-packed entertainment for all ages. Sage commands the stage with his live looping and beatboxing to create a full band sound, while Mark’s choreographed juggling routine captivates the audience. Mark uses a variety of props including balls, clubs, rings, hula hoops and more. The show has been described as a “dynamic interplay of live looping, wailing harmonica, and soulful lead guitar” paired with “mesmerizing juggling & visual arts.” This is one show you won’t want to miss!
10:45am | Trivia Question 2
Second trivia question.
Be ready for more prizes!
10:50am | McIntyre Library Spotlight
Library director Jill Markgraff talks about all the great things available for UWEC students at the McIntyre Library.
More info
11:00am | Peter Phippen Performance 1
Peter Phippen is a Grammy Award Nominee, International Acoustic Music Awards Nominee, One World Music Awards Nominee, and multiple Native American Music Awards Nominee. Phippen is a performing and recording artist specializing in traditional flutes from around the world. Over the past three decades Phippen has researched the history and performance technique of flutes both ancient and modern.
In his approach to world flute performance, he is an experiential, natural folk musician with a penchant for creative and artistic musical improvisation. Phippen offers a captivating collage of sound images, covering the folklore and history of flutes from around the world and throughout time. Phippen performs an enchanting mix of the very old and very new in music. He has shared the stage with R. Carlos Nakai, Coyote Oldman, Xavier Quijas Yxayotl, and many more.
As a recording artist, Phippen has recorded for Curb Records, Canyon Records, and Promotion Music Records. Phippen's flute playing has also appeared on Lifescapes, Sounds True, and Heart Dance Records.
More info
Visit website
11:05am | 48 Hour Film Competition Winner
In November, the University Activities Commission Film Committee hosts an annual 48 Hour Video Project every year! Amateur filmmakers from UWEC and around the community teamed up and faced off to create short films that follow an assigned prompt. The 2020 prompt was "Alone(?)" Filmmakers could take whatever creative direction they chose, with a few stipulations: They were required to include a specific line, prop, and character name; and they needed to complete the video in 48 hours or less. The winning video of the 48 Hour Film Competition is excited to air their video during GEEKcon!
Watch Movie
11:15am | Trivia Question 3
Third trivia question.
Be ready for more prizes!
11:20pm | Tim Seeley - DC and MARVEL Comics Creator
Tim Seeley is an American comic book artist and writer known for his work on books such as Grayson, Nightwing, G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, G.I. Joe vs. Transformers and New Exiles. He is also the co-creator of the Image Comics titles Hack/Slash and Revival.
Visit Website
11:30pm | Two to Tango
Two to Tango will do a dance demonstration and talk about what their club is all about.
Visit Facebook
11:00am | Sponsor Spotlight
Geekcon is incredibly thankful to Charter Bank for their support.
Visit Website
11:15am | Trivia Question 4
Fourth trivia question.
Be ready for more prizes!
11:35am | Student Office of Sustainability
The Student Office of Sustainability is one of nine commissions within UWEC Student Senate. The general assembly meets on a weekly basis to discuss the allocation of “The Green Fund”. These funds are allocated to foster sustainability in our campus community through innovation, education, and foundational improvements. Campus community members are invited to submit proposals for consideration by the body to request funding for initiatives that benefit our students in a "big picture" sense through sustainability
Visit website
11:40am | Guinea Pig Tanks!
Tim Sway shares his ingenious guinea pig accessories.
Visit Youtube
11:45am | Trivia Question 5
Fifth trivia question.
Be ready for more prizes!
11:50am | UWEC Theater Project
A short preview of the UWEC Theater Department's performance of "Out Of My Dreams, A Revue!"
Visit website
12:15pm | Trivia Question 6
Sixth trivia question.
Be ready for more prizes!
12:45pm | Trivia Question 7
Seventh trivia question.
Be ready for more prizes!
1:15pm | Trivia Question 8
Eighth trivia question.
Be ready for more prizes!
1:45pm | Trivia Question 9
Ninth trivia question.
Be ready for more prizes!
2:15pm | Trivia Question 10
Tenth trivia question.
Be ready for more prizes!
2:45pm | Trivia Question 11
Eleventh trivia question.
Be ready for more prizes!
3:15pm | Trivia Question 12
Twelfth trivia question.
Be ready for more prizes!
TBA | LEGO Creations
See what local LEGO creators have been working on!
TBA | Rob Mattison
Rob is a prolific collector, creator, and enthusiast of classic monster models. He'll share some of his passions, creations, and experiences from his life.
Visit Website
TBA | Hello Adorn
Adam and Jess make beautifully handcrafted jewelry, together. It's their smallest accomplishment yet.
They are a couple of dreamers. They both had 10+ year careers in the demanding world of corporate finance and insurance where dreams are meant to be big. Big business. Big companies. Big responsibilities. But where they really found happiness was traveling and spending time together with their children and families. With Jess having recently lost both of her parents there was a heavy realization that there's no guarantee for tomorrow and these moments that they love are precious. These 'big' dreams they had accomplished weren't allowing them the time to enjoy the things that really made them happy. That's when they decided that they wanted a small dream. A small business that would allow them the opportunity to create happiness. They make beautiful jewelry that makes them just as happy as it makes the people who receive it. They let go of their big dreams for a small dream that would create an opportunity for them to enjoy their lives the way they want to. Together and truly happy. They are still dreaming big, just in a smaller way.
TBA | Audacious A Capella UWEC
Audacious is a women’s a cappella group from UWEC whose mission statement is to empower women through music. Celebrating their 15th anniversary this year, the group currently consists of 10 members. Audacious participates in a number of performances throughout the course of the year, both on campus and in the greater Eau Claire community, while also touring the Midwest region annually. In recent years, Audacious has partnered with a number of community outreach organizations, including Girls on the Run and Bolton Refuge House, to further their mission statement of empowering women.
More info
View on facebook
TBA | Odin Makes Cosplay
Odin is a popular youtuber who builds cosplay outfits and props from foam and other materials. Odin will be giving a talk about how he builds, how he got into the industry, and show off some of the props he built. Check out Odin’s youtube channel if you want to learn more prior to the event.
More info
Visit Youtube channel
TBA Pine Hollow Recording Studio
Learn what inspire Evan Middlesworth to create Pine Hollow record studio.
Visit Website
TBA | Gaming Check-In
Check in with the Blugold gaming competition
TBA | UWEC Jazz Ensemble
Immerse yourself in the world of jazz. At UW-Eau Claire, our ensembles are led by faculty who have years of experience playing in groups large and small. Within these groups are students with a broad range of interests, from hardcore bebop enthusiasts to passionate part-timers. Students don't even have to be music majors or minors to audition. As well as our University sponsored big bands and combos, there are several student-led, faculty-guided groups that play shows throughout the region.
Visit Website
TBA | Blugold Marching Band
The 2020 season will mark the beginning of the 3rd decade since the rebirth of the modern Blugold Marching Band. The modern BMB was born in fall 2000 with a modest, 60-member ensemble. It has since morphed into a vibrant, 475-member collegiate marching band that tours extensively and performs on the world stage.
Visit Website
3:35pm | TBA
Check back soon for updates!
3:50pm | Closing Remarks and Trivia Grand Prize Winner
Winner of the trivia GRAND PRIZE is chosen.
TBA | Caleb Carr - Student Curator
"The Nature of Our Disposition" is the first known Foster Gallery student curated project. Proposed and curated by Art & Design student, Caleb Carr, the exhibition features the work of Adriana Barrios, Gregory Euclide, Nick Brandt, Peter Krsko, and Steve McPherson. The aim of this project is to spread awareness of sustainability related issues through art. Carr writes, "although sustainability is a topic that relates to many disciplines, it is often associated with science, engineering, and public health. This exhibition will aim to connect those interested in sustainability with art as well as connect those interested in art with sustainability."
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