SEMINARS
There is more to enjoy at the Nostalgia Con than meeting Hollywood celebrities and shopping with vendors. The event room offers slide show seminars hosted by historians, authors, professors, magazine editors, and museum curators. You do not have to attend all of these events but we do recommend you take a moment and look over the schedule and plan to visit the seminar room sometime during your visit. Some of these events are so popular that the room fills pretty quickly!
THURSDAY
9:00 am TO BE ANNOUNCED
To Be Announced.
10:30 am TO BE ANNOUNCED
To Be Announced.
12:00 noon INTERVIEW WITH HERB BOOMHOWER
Steven Turek had the pleasure of interviewing Herb Boomhower, who was was in numerous musicals including Mame, Zanadu, Hello, Dolly! and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Steven interviewed Herb on his DieCast Movie Podcast and the interview was such a success that it was essential Herb be interviewed on stage.
4:00 pm THE GOTHAM RADIO PLAYERS
The Gotham Radio Players specialize in performing re-enactments of “lost” radio scripts from the Golden Age of Radio, programs for which no recording exists and which have probably not been heard since their original broadcast more than 60 years ago. This year the group will perform an episode of LIGHTS OUT from March 8, 1939, titled "One Day it Rained Blood," which does not exist in recorded form. A rare treat for those who love the series or love horror radio dramas!
5:00 pm INTERVIEW WITH CELEBRITIES ON STAGE
To be announced.
7:00 pm TO BE ANNOUNCED
To Be Announced.
8:30 pm MOVIE SCREENING OF WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND (1961)
After a confusing exchange with a strange man (played by Alan Bates) they find hiding in their family barn, Kathy Bostock (weekend guest Hayley Mills) and her young siblings jump to the conclusion that the man -- in reality an escaped killer -- is none other than Jesus Christ. Excitement erupts as word spreads among the children in their small farming community in northwest England. Adult skepticism abounds, until their father (Bernard Lee) catches wind of the tale and begins to investigate.
FRIDAY
9:00 am TO BE ANNOUNCED
To Be Announced
10:00 am WHAT'S MY LINE?
Herb Boomhower hosts a panel just like the classic television program of the 1950s. There will be a Mystery Celebrity where the panelists would have to wear masks and answer questions and guess who the mystery celebrity is. Put on your thinking caps and come join in the fun.
11:00 am TO BE ANNOUNCED
To Be Announced.
12 noon OLD-TIME RADIO TRY-OUTS
Try your hand at playing a role on stage with script, sound effects and microphones. Open to anyone who attends the tryouts at 12 noon. Win the role and you get to perform on stage!
3:00 pm OLD-TIME RADIO RE-ENACTMENT
Don Ramlow will direct a radio drama complete with microphones, radio scripts and sound effects! This year's presentation to be announced.
4:00 pm CHARITY AUCTION FOR THE ST. JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL
Have a few things about the house that you want to get rid of? Bring it to the convention on Friday and put them on the auction tables. All items will be accepted and every dollar raised during the sale of the auction items will help benefit children with treatable cancer. Bring your checkbook because you can make payment out to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, should you bid on items. (Please consult a CPA regarding tax deductions.) This year we are asking people NOT to donate audio cassettes or VHS videos, since no one is bidding on them during the auction. Thank you!
5:30 pm INTERVIEW WITH CELEBRITY GUESTS ON STAGE
To Be Announced.
7:00 pm INTERVIEW WITH CELEBRITIES ON STAGE
To be announced.
8:00 pm SPECIAL SCREENING OF TIGER BAY (1959)
Rough-and-tumble street urchin Gillie (weekend guest Hayley Mills) witnesses the brutal killing of a young woman at the hands of visiting Polish sailor Korchinsky (played by Horst Buchholz). Instead of reporting the crime to the authorities, Gillie merely pockets a prize for herself -- Korchinsky's shiny black revolver -- and flees the scene. When Welsh Detective Graham (John Mills, Hayley's father) discovers that Gillie has the murder weapon, the fiery young girl weaves a web of lies to throw him off course.
SATURDAY
9:00 am TV AND THE JFK PRESIDENCY
When John F. Kennedy was inaugurated as the 35th President of the United States, he said the torch had been passed to a new generation. Indeed. JFK’s optimism reflected in his pledge to land a man on the Moon by the end of the 1960s. His resolve diffused the Cuban Missile Crisis. His charisma set a new standard for political candidates and provided for televised press conferences that were entertaining as well as informative. Prime time television during this time mirrored the Kennedy energy. In an example of JFK’s mantra “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country,” East Side/West Side showed the challenges that social workers face in the inner city. Route 66 gave us compelling stories set in a paradigm of wanderlust and exploration. The Dick Van Dyke Show featured the characters Rob and Laura Petrie, who resembled the Kennedys. Cultural historian David Krell will take you on a walk through the Kennedy presidency and television’s outstanding shows during the era. There will be a TV trivia contest with prizes.
10:30 am SIDE BY SIDE: DEAN MARTIN AND JERRY LEWIS
Writer-Historian Michael J. Hayde discusses the unprecedented popularity of Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis, the most financially successful comedy team in show business history. Using excerpts from their radio and TV work (including from shows notcommercially available), Hayde – author of SIDE BY SIDE: DEAN MARTIN & JERRY LEWIS ON TV AND RADIO – will talk about their widespread appeal, dispel a few myths, and answer your questions.
12 noon METRO WASHINGTON OLD-TIME RADIO CLUB
You do not have to be a member of the old-time radio club to attend their monthly meeting. You do not have to be a member of the old-time radio club to attend their monthly meeting. The group gathers together for a number of festivities. This year the group pays tribute to the late Jack French, a historian and author, with a recreation of his original Lone Ranger radio script, along with video clips of Jack’s work over the years. And, of course, you can sign up to become a member of the club after the meeting and get their bi-monthly newsletter. (Or you can visit the club website and sign up in advance at www.mwotrc.com)
1:30 am A CHRISTMAS CAROL ON RADIO
Craig Wichman will present us with a fascinating history of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol as it was dramatized on radio for almost 100 years. Many know that Lionel Barrymore played the role annually as a tradition but did you know of the other renditions?
7:00 pm SATURDAY NIGHT MEET AND GREET
Instead of a Saturday night dinner banquet, we are having a Meet and Greet. Some of the celebrities will be attending -- food, drink, music, and lots of social interaction. (No photos with celebrities or autographs allowed.) Tickets are expected to sell out for this event. This is a great way to close out the weekend. This event requires a separate fee and is not included with general admission. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance, sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. (Which is why we recommend you purchase your tickets in advance.)