You might be inclined to think that Doctor Who conventions, whether official or fan-run, are confined to the coasts of the continental United States… or even more likely, happen across the pond in the now-highly-popular show’s country of origin.
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But not so!
I am here today to tell you about a very awesome and very involved Doctor Who fan-run convention called “Time Eddy,” and it happens right here in the USA, this year from October 2-4, 2015! Not only that, this one calls Wichita, Kansas home, which means that it is in a prime, centrally-located spot for the whole of the nation!
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The more that I’ve learned about this event and the people behind it, the more impressed I’ve become. The line-up of guests include Colin Baker (the Sixth Doctor), Nicola Bryant (Peri), Peter Purves (Steven Taylor), Deborah Watling (Victoria), Andrew Cartmel (script editor, 1986-1989), Ellis George (Courtney Woods), Victor Pemberton (actor, script editor, 1967-1968), Katy Manning (Jo Grant), and Daphne Ashbrook (Dr. Grace Holloway). (Katy and Daphne have been to Kansas before and apparently… they love it!)
All of these guests will sit on various panels and sign autographs throughout the convention, except Victor Pemberton, who is there for Friday and Saturday only.
But here’s the really fun part. Aside from the usual celebrity panels and autographs, “Time Eddy” offers two limited-seating celebrity meal experiences where twenty or so fans get to have a private meal with several of the guests! Now how cool would that be? Imagine the bragging rights! Imagine the envy of your Whovian friends!
And there’s MORE!
- Also coming are Big Finish writer Nev Fountain, and Lars Pearson from the Mad Norwegian Press.
- KTPS Channel 8 of Wichita is bringing a TARDIS green screen experience where fans can have their picture taken.
- The cosplay contest is being run by ICT Cosplay Gallifrey and there are four award categories.
- There will be panels run by fan groups from the Midwest, including The Whovians of Wichita, The Tulsa Doctor Who Viewing Society, and The Doctor Who Fan Club of Nebraska.
- There will be a variant of the improv show “Whose Line is it Anyway” — and some of the celebs plan to participate along with fan entrants! (WHAT? This sounds almost too funny to be true!)
- A professional Patrick Troughton impersonator will be making the rounds at the convention.
- Dr. Elizabeth Behrman, a professor of quantum physics from Wichita State University, will be delivering a lecture on time travel.
- There will be a gaming room, including board games, video games and some games from Doctor Who‘s on-screen adventures.
- Lots and lots of vendors, including the Doctor Who Store from Chicago, plus local geek favorites.
WHEW! If all of that doesn’t sound amazing to your little Whovian hearts, then you ain’t no Time Lord!
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Kieran Kinsella, “Time Eddy’s” Man Behind the Curtain, has some pretty impressive Whovian credentials, too. He grew up just outside of London and became a fan as a toddler thanks to his dad. When he was just five years old, he played the role of the child postman delivering mail to Fifth Doctor Peter Davison in his TARDIS as part of a post office advertising campaign!
By the age of 15, he ran The Herts and Essex Doctor Who Group with a school friend, John Dorney, who now writes for Big Finish. They hosted celebrity fan events with the likes of Terrance Dicks and Chris Boucher. They also did a first convention — Miracle City — a few years later that featured Sophie Aldred, Deborah Watling, Barry Letts, and others. Keiran stayed somewhat involved with Doctor Who through his website www.bestbritishtv.com, for which he interviewed a lot of actors.
Kieran says that then, having moved to the US, (um, why?!) he “got the craving” for another convention:
"“I got in touch with some contacts from the show and fandom in both the UK and USA to test the water. Then I established contacts with local fan groups and folks from Wichita’s dynamic convention scene. I roped in some friends from the banking and hospitality world to help with logistics and very quickly things started to fall into place. That’s pretty much how it came to be.”"
He makes it sound easy! Nevertheless, this convention is definitely one that deserves to be on any American Whovian’s radar, that’s for sure. Given Keiran’s background, his knowledge of the local fandom scene, and his wide and diverse contact network, “Time Eddy” should prove to be a Whovian gathering to remember!
Fitting it should be held in a state whose motto is “Per aspera ad astra” which translates to “To the stars through difficulty.” It seems that “to the stars” is exactly where Kieran and his “Time Eddy” are headed! You can find out more about this fantastic convention at their website or Facebook page. Allons-y!
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