Okie Geek

It's episode 254 of the Okie Geek Podcast brought to you by Okie Comics. The Oklahoma comic book scene is booming right now with work at Literati Press, Superhero School through New World Comics, Free Comic Book Day coming up on May 7th and, of course, New World Comic Con coming up at the end of July. New World Comics owner Buck Berlin joins us to talk about it in what will be an ongoing series for the Okie Geek Podcast. You can find out more about Literati Press on Facebook, Twitter and on its website. Find more on New World Comics on Facebook, twitter and instagram

In episode 253 of the Okie Geek Podcast we are talking with MIke Dattalo, organizer of TokenCon 2022. After two successful events in 2018 and 2019, the tabletop event is back from its COVID-19 hiatus in an all new venue: Embassy Suites by Hilton on South Meridian in Oklahoma City near the Will Rogers World Airport. You can find out more at TokenCon.net or on Facebook.

In episode 252, we are talking with organizers of AnthroExpo 2022, Brett Martin, Emily Hoebing and Devin Austin. The celebration of the furry community is taking place January 21st through the 23rd at the Downtown Oklahoma City Sheraton Hotel. In its second year, AnthroExpo incudes special guests, vendors, an artist alley and a variety of panels for this multi-fandom convention. The event is also working to raise money for SISU Youth Services. The cost for the event is $35 for one day or $60 for the weekend. AnthroExpo will also include a Fursuit Parade around Downtown OKC on Sunday at noon. You can find out more information at AnthroExpo.net or on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

In Episode 251 of the Okie Geek Podcast we are talking with Amber Hanneken and Matt Cavanaugh about a SoonerCon launching a Kickstarter to raise money for the state's longest running pop culture convention and raise awareness of SoonerCon 30 taking place June 24th through the 26th. The Kickstarter launches on January 3rd and runs for 30 days. You can get more information on SoonerCon on its website as well as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

This weekend, Edmond Memorial High School is hosting Edmond Mini Con. The annual event celebrating pop culture returns from a COVID-19 hiatus from 10am to 2pm on Saturday December 4th. Edmond Mini Con includes a Smash Brothers video game tournament, Dungeons & Dragons, Star Wars Role Playing Games, a costume contest and more. Find out more about the event on Facebook and Twitter.

In Episode 249, we are talking about OKiCon, Central Oklahoma's largest celebration of anime taking place over the New Year's Weekend from December 31st through January 2nd at Embassy Suites by Hilton in Norman. OKiCon includes more than a dozen celebrities from the world of anime as well as a cosplay contest, a variety of panels, entertainment and vendors. You can find more information on the OKiCon website along with TikTok, Facebook and Instagram.

In episode 248, we look at a new exhibition at Oklahoma Contemporary in downtown Oklahoma City showcasing video games as an art form runs through February 21st. The program includes many playable games and a look at their influence on contemporary art. Several events are planned over the next few months including GameFest OKC on November 13th, Video Game Trivia with the Lost Ogle on December 16th and Love is a Game featuring the Oklahoma Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra on February 13th. The exhibit is free to the public with donations welcomed at Oklahoma Contemporary's new location in Automobile Alley, 11 NW 11th Street. Open Wednesdays through Sundays 11AM to 6PM with special programming and evening hours on Thursdays. You can find out more on the Oklahoma Contemporary website as well as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

An Oklahoma City favorite event is returning to in-person after COVID forced it online last year. The Extra Life 24-Hour gaming event at Game HQ on South Western begins Friday evening, November 5th and runs through Saturday the 6th. The celebration of gaming includes table top board games, role-playing games including Dungeons & Dragons, Starfinder and Pathfinder as well as other table top events like Battletech and Warhammer 40K. There will also be food from Dickey's, Charleston's, Dominoes and others. And, as always raffles at four different times throughout the event. This all goes to raise money for Extra Life and the Oklahoma Children's Hospital Foundation. Find out more on the event Facebook page and website.

In episode 246, we are talking to Geoff Cupit with Great Plains Collectors Convention about the first ever Oklahoma City Collectors Convention at the Hobbies, Arts and Crafts Building on the State Fairgrounds. The event includes 40 vendors from several states taking up 120 tables, special guests from movies, comic books and anime as well as cosplay contest with a $250 grand prize. Tickets are just $10 for the convention running Saturday 10-6 and Sunday 10-4. You can find out more on the Oklahoma City Collectors Convention event Facebook page.

It's episode 245 of the Okie Geek Podcast, and we are talking with Kyri Hester about this weekend's Halloween Special from Red Dirt DnD. Kyri is our dungeon master as in the past holiday specials, but this time we are helping out Extra Life for Kids is raising money for the Children's Hospital Foundation. The game begins at noon on Saturday on the Red Dirt DnD Twitch channel.

It's episode 244 of the Okie Geek Podcast brought to you by Okie Comics, and this week we are talking about the Third Annual Theatre Crude Fringe Festival starting this Friday October First and running through October 10th at Factory Obscura in Oklahoma City. The event includes 55 different performances from several multidisciplinary artist groups from around the state, the country and the world. Joining us are organizers Jenny and Adam Brand along with artists Holly McNatt who created "The Kissing Booth" and Saige Cross who is presenting "Zona". The event includes different pricing levels to choose from on its website at TheatreCrude.org. You can also find out more information on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The Uncanny Comic Expo is coming to the Grand Casino and Hotel in Shawnee on August 28th. The celebration of pop culture includes more than 100 vendors along with cosplay, dungeons & dragons games and special guests. Tickets for the event are only $15 for participants 13 and up, with kids 12 and under getting in for free. Find out more information on the Uncanny Comic Expo website as well as Facebook and Instagram

It's episode 242, of the Okie Geek Podcast and this week we are talking about a new comic book publishing house getting created right here in Oklahoma. Our friends from Okie Comics are spinning off "New Star Comics" with a Kickstarter planning to launch this Saturday. Our guests are Tanner Fuerborn, Jeff Provine and Tyler Tarleton. You can find out more about New Star Comics on Facebook.

It's Episode 241 of the Okie Geek Podcast and we are talking with our good friend Buck Berlin, owner of New World Comics about New World Comic Con 6 coming up July 24th from 9AM to 7PM in the Expo Hall on the OKC State Fairgrounds. Tickets are just $7 for adults, $5 for kids 6-12 and free for five years of age and younger. The event includes all local vendors and a wonderful celebration of comics and pop culture. You can find out more on the New World Comic Con website as well as Facebook and Instagram.

It's Episode 20 and we are talking with Tanya Cox the organizer behind the all new Ayakashi Con in Blackwell to go along with ParaCon also up at the Blackwell Event Center. Just $40 gets you into both conventions running Saturday and Sunday, June 26th and 27th. You can find out more information on the website for Oklahoma Paranormal Association as well as Facebook

This week on the Okie Geek Podcast we talk with our friends at Literati Press about preorders for "We Promised Utopia", the third instalment from the Oklahoma City comic book publishers. The comic expected to run for 12 issues has already been getting major attention from comic book shops, readers and distributors. Joining us are Project Lead Adrian Morales, Co-Artist John Eric Osborn (JEO Creations), Co-Artist Chloe Elimam (Website) and C-Artist Jonathan Koelsh (website). You can preorder at your favorite comic book shop, and get more information from Literati Press on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and the web.

It's episode 238 of the Okie Geek Podcast. We are talking this week with friends of the show, Matt Cavanaugh, Amber Hanneken and Aislinn Burrows about Fundraising for Oklahoma's longest running pop culture convention, SoonerCon. Sadly, SoonerCon had to get delayed again for one more year, but it is coming back in 2022. To make that possible, organizers are holding a series of fundraisers to help keep the lights on and pay for much needed costs in preparation for the big part next year. From June 21st through the 27th there will be an online silent auction to raise money for the Future Society of Central Oklahoma. You can find out more about SoonerCon on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and on its website.

It's episode 237, and we are talking about the 21st year for one of the largest film festivals in the region, DeadCenter. Executive Director Alyx Picard-Davis talks about the quick shift the organization had to do last year in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic to move all of its viewings online. This year, the event includes a record number of films. While some of them will remain a virtual experience from June 10th through the 20th, there will also be in person events and viewings from the 10th through the 13th, along with a special screening during Pride Week on June 17th. This year's DeadCenter also includes more Indigenous films along with a Best Indigenous Film Award. Tickets vary depending on what you are wanting to do at the festival. You can see the schedule and more information at DeadCenterFilm.org. You can also fin it on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

It's episode 236 of the Okie Geek Podcast, and we are talking with artist Adam Conklin about his experience with his art, playing D&D and going to conventions amid the Coronavirus Pandemic. You can find and commission work with Adam on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and even TikTok. Plus, make sure and check out his daughter's work on Instagram.

It's episode 235 of the Okie Geek Podcast brought to you by Okie Comics. This week we are talking with Rad Janloo about the OKC Pop Culture Convention coming to Oklahoma City May 8th and 9th at the Windham Garden OKC Airport on south Meridian. The show features Ray Park who you might remember as Darth Maul. It also includes celebrities from the Mighty Ducks, Cobra Kai, Power Rangers and more. There are also going to be many vendors, cosplay contests and movie screenings. Tickets right now are just $15 for Saturday, $10 for Sunday or $20 for the entire weekend, but tickets will go up $5 soon so pick up your preorders now and avoid the long line on convention day. You can find out more on the OKC Pop Culture Con website as well as Facebook and Instagram.

Our friends at Extra Life are holding their United Tournament this Friday, April 23rd through Sunday. We get a chance to talk with streamer Ryan Ritter who will be taking part in the festivities to raise money for the Children's Hospital Foundation of Oklahoma. The special event to play games and save lives includes a variety of games as well as a special online cosplay competition. There will also be a special appearance by Jack Black who will be playing Among Us on Saturday. You can find out more on the Extra Life United Tournament Facebook Page and the Extra Life homepage as well as Twitch, Twitter, Reddit and Instagram. And make sure to follow Ryan Ritter on his Twitch channel along with Facebook and Twitter.

Grab your garb and head up to the Guthrie Renaissance Faire May 8th & 9th. In episode 233 of the Okie Geek Podcast, we talk with John Pagonis and Christie Lewis about the two day event to include jousting, birds of prey, belly dancing, a trebuchet and Viking battles. The faire off Highway 33 west of town at 308 N. 5th Street also includes a children's area, a mature manor with a beer bus, winery and mead, and a Dungeons & Dragons tent. The celebration is taking place on 80 acres of land with plenty of parking. The cost is just $5 a day online and $10 a day after May 3rd. Organizers are still looking for volunteers and sponsors. You can find out more on the Guthrie Renaissance Faire Facebook page where you can find postings of the myriad of entertainers and vendors coming to the event.

It's episode 232 of the Okie Geek Podcast, and we are talking about the Medieval Fair of Norman 2021 taking place April 9th through the 11th. Coronavirus shut down festivities last year, but this year, organizers are bringing it back. Although, it will look different because of the ongoing pandemic. Reeves Park will still have all your favorite food vendors including turkey legs, but you are encouraged to take the food to go, because you can watch the performers from the comfort of your own house on the Internet. Find more information on the Medieval Fair of Norman Facebook page and on its website.

It's episode 231 of the Okie Geek Podcast and we are talking with Brian Gililland and Nicholas Szabo with local podcast favorite "Okie Show Show" kicking off its fifth season on April 5th. We talk about the impact the Coronavirus has had on the industry as well as the industry's boom in Oklahoma. And, of course we talk about the upcoming season. You can find the Okie Show Show wherever you get your podcast and they also have a presence on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and sometimes Twitter as well as the Okie Show Show website.

It's episode 230 of the Okie Geek Podcast brought to you by Okie Comics. Tulkon, an annual event focusing on science fiction and fantasy is coming to Tulsa on April 16th, 17th and 18th at the Doubletree Warren Place in Tulsa. Convention Chairman Scott Richardson says The celebration of literature event includes authors and voice actors from all over as well as a masquerade contest Saturday evening. Richardson says in its first year, the vendor and artist alley are already full, but he is still looking for volunteers. He says the convention has also made precautions to deal with the Coronavirus including checking temperatures at the doors and requiring masks. Tickets for the three-day event run from $15 to $35 with special offers on the Tulkon website and on its Facebook event page.

It's episode 229 of the Okie geek Podcast and we are talking with the one and only Jerry Bennett, artist for "Glamorella's Daughter". Our friends at Literati Press are starting a Kickstarter campaign for issue two of the amazing series. You can find Literati Press on the web as well as Twitter and Facebook. You can find Jerry Bennett also on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

In episode 228, we talk with Edmond Memorial High School Esports Coach Kate Swearingen about the teams playing against others across the state. You can find their games on Twitch.Transcript:og228Michael: Greetingsand salutations my fellow geeks and welcome to episode 228 of the Okie GeekPodcast brought to you by Okie Comics I'm Michael Cross. Students at EdmondMemorial high school are enjoying the ever-growing community of e-sports. Theircoach is chemistry teacher, Kate Swearingen and she joins us now, Kate, welcometo the show.Kate: Hi, it's sogreat to be here. Michael: So justtell me first off e-sports at Edmond Memorial High. What's going on with that? Kate: Yeah, so wehave a great program. We run three different games. We have Rocket League,League of Legends and Smash Brothers. A ton of kids are involved. So it rangesbecause we have a club and a class we have about 30 plus kids in the class, andthen we have just extra kids in the club, but we're hoping to even grow morenext year. But yeah, it's, it's really exciting stuff. Michael: What madeyou decide to start this thing? Kate: So I'vealways had a passion for making sure that kids have a space that they feel likethey belong.And I used to work at a middle school where I started ananimate club and I would DM, Dungeons and Dragons as well. For a group of kidsthere. And then when I moved to the high school, I knew I wanted to coache-sports because I played a MOBA at that time called heroes of the storm, whichisn't really around anymore.But then, well it's around, but it's just not the same as itused to be. But then a kid approached me cause I kind of let them know, youknow, Hey, like I like this based on like this to a kid approached me. He'slike, I really want to start a League of Legends team. And I knew about Leagueof Legends because in the same genre that I played so I was like, yeah, thiswould be great.You know, like some of my stuff will transfer over. So itkind of took him the rest of the year to get the club going. And then last yearwe had our first team League of Legends team. And then this year we have it asan actual class. So we have even more e-sports now than we did last year. Causeeach of each of the own games are their own e-sports so, Michael: , Andthere's a community like a whole competition going on.Correct. Kate: Right. , weparticipate in two different tournaments right now. We're a part of OBSL whichis the whole global e-sports league. And there are several high schools inOklahoma that participate in that one. And that's our state tournament. And ourplayoffs will be April 3rd, but we're, we're sort of finishing up the regularseason.We have just a couple more games of that to go. And thenwe're a part of a nationwide tournament. That's called play BS. So we, we playin that as well. And those, those real games, we have pre-season games rightnow, but we're starting our real games for that. At the beginning of March. Michael: That'samazing.And so how are you guys doing so far? Kate: We're doingreally, really well. We haven't started our real play yes games but for our ESLgames right now, we're undefeated. So in all of our sports, Michael: That'samazing. , Who else is in this  league, The major players that you would know would be maybe unionor broken arrow, Jenks Okay, C grant and then there are some smaller schoolstoo.Like we played Stillwell, not,  Stillwater Stillwell, and then we weresupposed to Salina today, but that got moved around. And so, yeah, there's,there's just a whole range of schools, depending on which e-sport, it is some Ssome of these sports are a little bit cheaper to get into than others.Kate: So they're alittle bit more accessible. Michael: Right. Doyou travel to these places too? Or do they come to you or do you just do it allonline? Kate: Yeah, thisyear, we're all in line. Because it's, you know, it's, it's better that way forus this year. So they, they, we do play from a central location. We gettogether and they get together, but the matches played online.And when we, we played together, we're sitting apart fromeach other. And there, the replay vs games, we all played from home for thosegames because that's how play the us is structured this year. But for Oso, wetried to play it together. It's just, it helps the integrity of that match alittle bit more.So has the COVID 19 impacted the, the games or, or thetournament's in any way? Yeah, it's made it a lot more difficult for some of theschools to get teams together. Just because. Schools in general are, have putso much energy into kind of the remote learning slash you know, trying tofigure out AB schedule or whatever they're doing this year that a lot ofcoaches or teachers don't even have the ability to branch out into these kindsof things.So we had some schools that had dropped from ESL this year.Just because they didn't have the bandwidth, so to speak to really get in onthat. Michael: Yeah.It's right now, schools are eating up a lot of bandwidth with their, at

In Episode 227. we talk with out friends with Literati Press getting ready to move forward with its biggest projects so far. On February 18th, they are starting the Kickstarter for the newest Comic Book "We Promised Utopia". The newest publication will join "Glamorella's Daughter" and "Black Jack Demon" as the newest titles for this growing organization. Our guests include the creator of the comic Adrian Morales, along with Literati Press Art Director John Eric Osborn and Creative Director Charles Martin. You can join the Kickstarter campaign for "We Promised Utopia" and you can find Literati Press on its website.

It's episode 226 of the Okie Geek Podcast, the guys from Absurdist Production are holding a Kickstarter campaign for their newest Fifth Edition Dungeons & Dragons zine adventure "The Beast of Bridgedunon". Will Thompson and David Thomas join us to talk about this adventure as part of Kickstarter's Zine Quest. You can find the campaign on Kickstarter right now with the campaign running through February 19th. You can find Absurdist Productions on the web at: https://www.absurdistproductions.com/ as well as Twitter and Facebook.

In episode 225, we are talking with Red Dirt DnD's Kyri Hester who is running a one shot Dungeons & Dragons adventure on the Red Dirt DnD Twitch Channel at noon (Central Time) Saturday, February 13th. The Valentine's Day themed special was written by Kyri and marks her first time in writing an adventure for D&D. "One Shot at Love" includes all of your favorite Red Dirt DnD players in different roles. You can also check out an interview between Kyri and Johnnie Payne on the Red Dirt Twitch channel Wednesday night at 7pm. You can find Kyri on Twitter, Instagram and Tik Tok. And make sure to check out the Red Dirt DnD website with new episodes every Wednesday.

In Episode of 224 of the Okie Geek Podcast we get a chance to talk about a new comic on Kickstarter. "Post and Rogers" was created by artist Tanner Feuerborn and writer Tyler Tarlton. Also on our show is editor and Okie Comics creator Jeff Provine. The Kickstarter for the "Post and Rogers" ends on February 9th and you can find it here.You can learn more about Okie Comics on its website as well as Facebook and Twitter.You can find Tanner Feuerborn on Instagram and Facebook as New Star Comics and More.Tyler Tarlton can be found on Instagram as The Story Genie and Facebook.

It's Episode 223 of the Okie Geek Podcast, and we are talking about a new online newsletter dedicated to cosplayers. The Sentinel is the brain child of cosplayer Petra Germany and photographer Andrew Mills, who you might remember from Episode 180 on his company "Legendary Toyography". Andrew and Petra have some great plans for the future of The Sentinel including an ongoing podcast and an upcoming charity event around Valentine's Day to raise money for Feed the Children and the Children's Tumor Foundation as well as an awards show for cosplayers this summer called "Coscars" and a possible Cosplay Convention. You can find The Sentinel on Facebook. You can find Petra Germany on Facebook , Twitter and Etsy. You can find Andrew and his company Studio 4 Photography on Facebook and Instagram.

It's Episode 222 of the Okie Geek Podcast and we are joined by friend of the show DC Bueller from Commonspace Game Cafe. The new gaming location in Norman is holding a Kickstarter campaign for renovations in the space. We talk about all the new things available to guests as well as the impact of COVID-19 on his business. You can find Commonspace Game Cafe on its website and on Facebook. You can also join the Kickstarter campaign at: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/csgcafe/commonspace-game-cafe-level-up/description

In episode 221 of the Okie Geek Podcast we talk with our dear friends from Literati Press, Brandy Williams, Jerry Bennett and Charles Martin, about the new Kickstarter campaign for "Glamorella's Daughter". The new comic tells the story of Comet, the daughter of the Super Hero Glamorella. The Kickstarter campaign only runs through December 12th and any help is appreciated. You can find out more on Kickstarter and learn more about Literati Press on its website.

It's Episode of the Okie Geek Podcast, and we are talking about Red Dirt DnD Live with Dungeon Master Ash King. The four hour event takes place on the Red Dirt DnD Twitch channel to raise money for Extra Life OKC. Find out more information on the Red Dirt DnD Facebook Page.

It's Episode 219 of the Okie Geek Podcast brought to you by Okie Comics. The 2020 Extra Life OKC 24-hour gaming event is taking place again this year, but with a new twist. Because of the recent surge in Coronavirus cases, the celebration is moving online. The change actually allows for some extra activities including a scavenger hunt at metro game stores as well as video games. There will still be role playing games like Star Finder and Dungeons & Dragons coordinated through the extra life discord channel. We get a chance to talk to organizers Amber Hanneken and Matt Cavanaugh about the event on the Extra Life OKC webpage.

It's Episode 218 of the Okie Geek Podcast, after the Coronavirus shut down the convention circuit earlier this year, some are making a comeback. Festival of Freaks was supposed to take place last March, but now it will be Saturday, November 7th at the Arts, Hobbies and Crafts Building at the Oklahoma City State Fairgrounds. Organizer Chelsea Boen says the festival had to make some changes to cope with the current pandemic, but she still promises an exciting event for all ages. Tickets are only $5, but space is limited, because of social distancing. You can find out more information on the Festival of Freaks Facebook page.

The Theatre Crude Fringe Festival is returning for its second year. Because of the pandemic this year, the event is taking place online with mostly prerecorded shows and one live stream. The festival running October First through the tenth includes local and national performers. Our guests include Theatre Crude co-founders Adam and Jenny Brand, as well as performers Sarah Fenner King from the Namron Players Theatre in Norman and Brianna Gagné from Brooklyn, New York. You can find out more on Theatre Crude on its website as well as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. More on Sarah Fenner King and the Namron Players Theatre is available on the web. Brianna Gagné has her own website and can be found on Instagram.

In Episode 216 of the Okie Geek Podcast we are talking with the cast of Red Dirt DnD. The actual play Dungeons & Dragons show combines D&D with the wild west in a unique take on the Role Playing Game. Our guests include the Dungeon Master Ash King, Brook Bullock as the Dwarven sorcerer Mak'ren Stoneshaper, Johnnie Payne as the half-Elf Rogue Xonimus and Kyri Hester as Halfling Druid Poppy Tealeaf. Red Dirt DnD can be found on Apple Podcast, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere you get your podcasts. You can also find and follow them on Facebook, Twitter and on the Red Dirt DnD website.

It's episode 215 of the Okie Geek Podcast brought to you by Okie Comics. Hannah Hall is finishing up her undergraduate work at the University of Oklahoma and is getting ready to release her first science fiction novel. "Awake" is coming out on Tuesday, September 15th, and tells the story of Blue Emerson, a freshman college student in the year 2030. "Awake" marks Hannah's third work overall, and you can find the Kindle edition right now on Amazon. You can learn more about Hannah on her website. You can also find her on Instagram and Twitter.

It's episode 214 of the Okie Geek Podcast, brought to you by Okie Comics. The Oklahoma Board Game Community is returning to physical venues to hold its Board Game Meetups. Founder Mike Dattalo says the mask mandate in Oklahoma City is helping to dramatically drop the number of positive cases in the area, so after a survey with members, they decided to return to playing board games in person. There will be restrictions including mandated face coverings and the playing areas will have tables spaced at least six weeks apart. You can get more information on the Oklahoma Board Game Community Facebook page.

It's episode 213 of the Okie Geek Podcast brought to you by Okie Comics, and our friends from Literati Press are getting ready to step into the big time with three upcoming comic publications to hopefully rival some mid-level publishers. The first of the three titles "The Black-Jack Demon" is currently on Kickstarter working to raise money for publishing costs with some fantastic reward levels. Joining us on the show is Literati Press Creative Director Charles Martin, Black-Jack Demon creator and artist Nick Hermes and New World Comics owner Buck Berlin who is coming on as a strategist for the organization. Literati Press also plans an exhibition at the Paseo Plunge titled "Comics as Art" September 4th through the 27th. You can find Literati Press on its website, twitter and Facebook and in the real world in Oklahoma City's Paseo District. You can find New World Comics on Facebook and make sure to visit its physical location at NW63rd and Meridian in Oklahoma City.

It's episode 212 of the Okie Geek Podcast brought to you by Okie Comics, SoonerCon is getting postponed until next year, because of the pandemic, but you can still show off your favorite Costumes in its contest to be viewed online. Organizer Summer Rain, a cosplayer herself, joins us to talk about the event, and what we can expect as participants and fans. The regional contest is only open to 50 participants so make sure to get your entry in soon. You can find out more information on how to submit your cosplay on the SoonerCon website. And be sure to tune in August 15th at 7pm to watch the contest on the SoonerCon Facebook page.

It's Episode 211 of the Okie Geek Podcast brought to you by Okie Comics. Okie Comics is working to raise money through Indie GoGo to pay publication costs for Issue Number Seven. Editor and Publisher Jeff Provine joins us to talk about the magazine featuring local artists and writers providing stories about the Sooner State. Issue #7 Spooklyhoma comes to a local store or library near you or you can have it delivered directly to you for the right giving level on Indie Gogo.You can help out Okie Comics at: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/okie-comics-issue-7-spooklyhoma?fbclid=IwAR2u09I7SfUhd-83cb8sZaMQZDbUqrP_OAlRLhs6TPecUrSzeF2ruEn_XGU#/Also Jeff, looks to have some new ghost stories coming out soon, this time featuring Shawnee and Pottawatomie County: http://jeffprovine.com/

It's Episode 210 of the Okie Geek Podcast. This week we are talking with KOSU's Allison Herrera about a new podcast called "Imaginary Oklahoma" in collaboration with This Land Press in Tulsa. The podcast features readings of stories about Oklahoma by authors who don't live in the state. Currently in its first season, Allison says she's hoping to see more to come. You can find out more on the websites for This Land Press and NPR.

It's episode 209 of the Okie Geek Podcast. This week, we are talking with the Pollard Theatre's Jerome Stevenson about a new podcast known as "D20 to Curtain". The show brings together local actors who have created characters to play in Dungeons and Dragons as Jerome plays as Dungeon Master. "D20 to Curtain" just started with only its fifth episode uploaded to wherever you get your podcasts. So, unlike other D&D programs it won't be hard to catch up on this amazing show. You can find out more on the "D20 to Curtain" website and on its Facebook page.

It's Episode 208 of the Okie Geek Podcast, and we are talking with Alyx Picard Davis with the DeadCenter Film Festival. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, venues across Oklahoma and the U.S. have been forced to cancel or postpone. However, DeadCenter is still planing to celebrate its 20th year, but this time it will be a virtual experience lasting twice as long, but at half the price. DeadCenter begins June Sixth and lasts all the way until June 21st with All Access passes costing just $100. This year, participants can watch any of the 140 films picked for the festival You can find out more at DeadCenterFilm.org

It's Episode 207 of the Okie Geek Podcast brought to you by Okie Comics. This Saturday, a group of gamer nerds are coming together for an online event they're calling "Clerics for Medics" to play Dungeons & Dragons raising money for "Direct Relief" and its fight against the COVID-19 outbreak. I got a chance to talk with WackyZach who will be the Dungeon Master for the game and HeyLochNess who will be playing a Firbolg Nature Cleric. In fact, all the participants will be playing 7th level clerics of various Divine Domains. Other players include JenericLive, GutterNerds, Hrothmar and RetreatingGoon. The event takes place Saturday, April 25th at 1pm Central Time on Mixer.com.

It's episode 206 of the Okie Geek Podcast brought to Okie Comics. This week we are talking with Gene DeRosa, along with his wife the co-creator of Fandom Facemasks. Gene used to do the convention circuit which sadly shut down with the pandemic, so he turned to making facemasks out of the same 100% cotton used to make the bags they sell at events. They run the gamut in geeky material from Harry Potter, Star Wars, Disney, Doctor Who, Comic Book characters and even muppets, minions, My Little Pony and more. Also, for every mask purchased, the couple donates another mask to hospitals, doctor's offices and other medical professionals. You can find the company on the web and on Facebook.

It's Episode 205 of the Okie Geek Podcast. This week we are talking about YesLove OKC with Executive Director Albert Rios and Treasurer Andrew Fredrick over Zoom Cloud Meetings. The organization is using awareness, art, continued education and social media to push for more inclusion of all people. YesLove OKC had originally planned a pop culture event called UBU Diversicon at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, but the Coronavirus pandemic forced organizers to postpone it. But, they say it won't stop the group's message of diversity and love for all people. You can find them on Facebook, Twitter and on their website.And, of course, your Week in Geek...Disney is hiring actress Rosario Dawson to play Ahsoka Tano.https://comicbook.com/starwars/2020/03/21/star-wars-the-mandalorian-rosario-dawson-cast-ahsoka-tano-season-2/Free Comic Book Day gets cancelled because of the Coronavirus outbreak.https://oklahoman.com/article/5658673/free-comic-book-day-postponed-due-to-coronavirusNetflix taps Ryan Reynolds to star in its live action version of Dragon’s Lair.https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/ryan-reynolds-talks-tackle-live-action-film-80s-game-dragons-lair-1279270A museum in Wisconsin plans an exhibit to the creator of Dungeons and Dragons.https://journaltimes.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/museum-in-lake-geneva-plans-exhibit-to-honor-dungeons-dragons/article_38ac8887-5e91-5414-88c0-0616fc0c18a3.html