It's that time again. Another annual sales pitch for the Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention, held September 15 to 17, 2016, at the Hunt Valley Wyndham. Three days of nostalgic fun recognizing a bygone era where cowboys were heroes you could look up to, Bond girls were both beauty and deadly, and science-fiction was both thought-provoking and entertaining. Celebrities sign autographs and pose for photos with fans, vendors sell lots of merchandise and collectibles, a movie room screens films 24 hours a day, and slide show seminars will provide an educational aspect prompting deeper appreciation for classic movies and old-time radio.
This year provides a novelty that cannot be found from most conventions and film festivals: the event will be video streamed live courtesy of Facebook. In the past, the convention video-streamed the seminars and celebrity panels so that folks who lived in Alaska, Oregon, England and other geographical locations that made it difficult to attend the show in person, could watch the events as they unfolded. But the companies responsible for this technology charged a fee and MANC, in turn, had to charge a small fee to viewers for this service. Worse, the camera was not mobile because of the direct Internet connection which restricted the camera from moving behind its position. This year Facebook introduced a new form of social networking, video streaming, with a few perks that will raise eyebrows.
Thanks to Facebook, the events through the weekend will be video-streamed for free. Facebook does not charge for the streaming service so MANC does not have to charge a fee. Wireless internet in the hotel also ensures the camera will be mobile through the weekend so on top of the slide show seminars there will be exclusive one-on-one interviews with celebrities and viewers can ask questions and the celebrities will answer them for you. And a charity auction to benefit the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital will be open for those viewing the stream, allowing you a chance to bid on items. If you have never attended the Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention, here is your chance to be there without leaving the confines of your own home.
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| Robert Fuller from WAGON TRAIN |
Celebrity guests include Robert Fuller (Wagon Train, Laramie, Emergency), Kent McCord (Adam-12), Bernie Kopell (Get Smart, The Love Boat), Robert Conrad (The Wild, Wild West, Hawaiian Eye), Luciana Paluzzi (Bond girl from Thunderball), Britt Ekland (Bond girl from The Man with the Golden Gun, The Wicker Man, Get Carter), John Amos (Good Times, Roots, The West Wing), Gary Lockwood (The Lieutenant, 2001: A Space Odyssey), Keir Dullea (2001: A Space Odyssey, The CBS Radio Mystery Theater), Kathy Garver (A Family Affair, The Ten Commandments), and others.
Here is the schedule of events (Eastern Time)
Few notes of interest. Streaming may begin Wednesday night for an informal backstage tour of the event itself. In the afternoon where there are no events scheduled, Thursday and Friday, there may be walk-around where you can see vendors and their merchandise, celebrities signing autographs for fans, exclusive interviews with the celebrities, and conversations with magazine editors, museum curators and film preservationists (including one from the Library of Congress). On Friday afternoon there will be a pan and scan of the items available for auction to help benefit the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital so if you want to place a bid on an item or two, details will be provided at the time. The first presentation on Saturday morning will not be video streamed, nor will the two movies scheduled, but most of the other events will be streamed.
If you are not on Facebook, sincere apologies for this news item. Streaming is provided through Facebook so this is the only venue. The link to the convention's Facebook page (you will have to "like" the page to watch the streaming for free) is enclosed below. Video will stream automatically so there is practically nothing else you have to do beyond liking the page.
