Hi Everyone!

I was a little sad that I hadn’t purchased tickets to Comic-Con, so after a little bit of research- I found that those of us that do not have tickets to the big event can still be apart of the festivities! Check it out!

Check out this year’s Comi-con
(Even without a Comi-Con Ticket)

THE ART OF COMI-CON (Free Admission Now thru August 30th)
For the first time, trace the history of Comic-Con through artwork by checking out this exhibition that features original comic book art exclusively created for Comic-Con over the past 45 years from more than 60 artists.
The Art of Comic-Con presents select pieces from the organization’s archives, including works by Sergio Aragonés, Howard Chaykin, Cliff Chiang, Michael Cho, Colleen Coover, Rick Geary, Gilbert Hernandez, Jim Lee, Dave McKean, Frank Miller, Marshall Rogers, John Romita Jr., Bill Sienkiewicz, William Stout, Babs Tarr and others.
Where: San Diego Central Library, 330 Park Blvd., San Diego.
Information: sandiego.communityguides.com/onview

GAM3RCON ($10- $60 per person Now thru July 12th)
A gaming convention that takes place during Comic-Con, Gam3rCon features four floors of gaming entertainment, including a Video Game Arena, Tabletop Gaming Lounge, gaming industry panels, live theatre, gaming-themed artwork and rooftop parties.
Where: Tenth Avenue Arts Center, 930 10th Ave., San Diego.
Information: www.gam3rcon.com

HOP-CON 3.0: THE WOOTSTOUT FESTIVAL ($40-$100 per person July 8th at 8:00pm)
The third annual celebration of beer geekry, with hosts Stone Brewing Co. CEO Greg Koch and staff, Wil Wheaton, Aisha Tyler, ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” creator Kevin Eastman and illustrator Dave Johnson, will feature craft beer, gourmet food and a few surprises. A designated driver ticket is available. Must be 21 or older to enter.
Where: Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens, Liberty Station, 2816 Historic Decatur Road, San Diego.
Information: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1636842

NERD HQ ($22 per person July 9th -12th )
The Nerd Machine’s NERD HQ returns this year with a new venue, the New Children’s Museum, and a new partner, IGN. NERD HQ offers a free retreat for fans, as well as a series of panels with special guests for those who have pre-purchased tickets. The Conversations for a Cause panels series includes a slew of special guests, such as William Shatner, the men of “Orphan Black,” Joss Whedon and more. Proceeds from the panel ticket sales will benefit the nonprofit Operation Smile. For the first time, the panels will be livestreamed by IGN.
Where: New Children’s Museum, 200 West Island Avenue, San Diego.
Information: www.thenerdmachine.com/nerd-hq

THE NERDIST CONIVAL (FREE ADMISSION)
Chris Hardwick’s The Nerdist is joined by Felicia Day’s “Geek & Sundry” and Smart Girls, an online community created by Amy Poehler, at Petco Park for a giant game of BattleBorn Laster Tag, a joust, robot building, and just about everything else a geek could want. There will also be live interviews with Eli Roth, Nathan Fillion, the cast of “Orphan Black”, Daniel Radcliffe and many more.
On July 10, Hardwick will bring his standup routine, The Funcomfortable Tour, to the Balboa Theatre. Tickets for the show are $35.
When: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. July 9-12 and 7:30 p.m. July 10.
Where: Petco Park, 100 Park Blvd., San Diego; Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., San Diego.
Information: http://bit.ly/CONIVAL

MORE NERDIST..($35 per person July 11th at 7:30 or 10:30pm)
“The Nerdist” podcast will also record two live shows July 11 at the Balboa Theatre. The 7:30 p.m. show will include special guests Sir Ben Kingsley and Peter Capaldi and the 10:30 p.m. show guests will be Maisie Williams. Tickets can be purchased through Tickermaster for $35.
Where: Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., San Diego.
Information: http://bit.ly/NERDPODCAST

TREK NATION: A NIGHT WITH ROD RODDENBERRY ($7 per person on July 9th)
Rod Roddenberry — son of Gene Roddenberry, the creator of “Star Trek” — plans to present a film documentary, “Trek Nation,” that follows his journey to learn more about his father and the impact he had on the world. Tickets include entrance to the San Diego Museum of Photographic Art and a screening of the film followed by a Q&A with Rod Roddenberry and a raffle.
Where: Museum of Photographic Art, 1649 El Prado, San Diego.
Information: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1577888

WOOTSTOCK 7.0 A NIGHT OF GEEKS AND MUSIC ($40 per person on July 9th)
Join TV host and special effects artist Adam Savage, actor and blogger Wil Wheaton, music comedy duo Paul and Storm and special guests as they celebrate the rise of geeks. Attendees can expect a night of music, readings, comedy, films and more.
Where: Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., San Diego.

SUICIDEGIRLS: BLACKHEART BURLESQUE ($25-65 per person on July 9th)
Kicking off their U.S. tour, the “SuicideGirls: Blackheart Burlesque” show will take over the House of Blues in San Diego. The alternative pin-up girls incorporate the latest pop-culture into their comedy/dance act. Must be 18-years-old or older to enter with a valid ID.
Where: House of Blues, 1055 Fifth Ave., San Diego.
Information: blackheartburlesque.com

BAMF ($5 and up per person July 10th-July 12th )

The Big Awesome Music Festival will take over Ruocco Park “where geek meets music on the streets of downtown San Diego.” The three-day festival will include different musical acts each day plus comedians, a burlesque show and even a Quidditch match and bounce house. A selection of local craft beers and food will also be available. Comic-Con badge holders can purchase discounted tickets.
Where: Ruocco Park, 585 Harbor Lane, San Diego.
Information: thebamfest.com
Information: sandiegotheatres.org

WALKER STALKER FAN FEST ($10 and up per person July 10th-11th)
The two-day “The Walking Dead” fan festival will include panels with special guests from the television show, as well as artist from the graphic novel. Some of the featured special guests include Chad Coleman, Michael Rooker, Scott Wilson, Emily Kinney and more. Events include interview panels, autograph and photo opportunities, Emily Kinney in concert and “The Walking Dead ESCAPE” obstacle course. Many events require additional ticketing.
Where: Petco Park, 100 Park Blvd., San Diego.
Information: walkerstalkerfanfest.com

Reference

Batcha, S. (2015). Retrieved from: http://www.la.com/celebrity-gossip/ci_28440865/comic-con-2015-top-10-things-do-without?source=rss