Awesome Con is coming up soon on April 26-28, 2019 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. In preparation for the event, Awesome Con has released information on panels, workshops, celebrity appearances, and more.

The convention will host several focused pavilions on the main con floor and in panel events. Awesome Con Jr presented by the Toy Association, is a family pavilion with events to educate and entertain kids and their parents. Smithsonian is partnering with Awesome Con for Future Con, a science pavilion that highlights how science and science fiction crossover with live demonstrations and experts discussing space exploration, spy tech, and more. Pride Alley, partnered with Geeks OUT and Washington Blade, showcasing LGBTQ creators and fans in artist alley with special programming that addresses diversity in pop culture.

Celebrity guest panels include Q&As with Weird Al Yankovic, Matt Smith, and cast reunions for The Karate Kid, The Office, Riverdale, The Princess Bride, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Weird Science.

Future Con programming includes Exploring the Future of Crime, The Science of Voltron: Legendary Defender, Science of Aquaman, Germ Warfare: A Very Graphic History, Astronomy 101 Through Science Fiction, Intelligence Super Models: 3D Modeling in the Intelligence Community, and The Story and Science of Gravitational Waves.

Awesome Con Jr events are Monster Battle Time KO!, Dreamworks Screening, Kids Costume Parade, and National Wildlife Federation Animal Show with Naturalist David Mizejewski.

Pride Alley programming includes Fabulous Fictional Females, Gender in SFF Fiction: Women & Nonbinary Authors, Diversity Amongst the Stars, Strengthening Geek Culture, Exploring Gay & Lesbian Comic Creators, Resistance, Feminism & Fandom, We Are Gaymers! Be Proud!, Pro Wrestling Connection for Marginalized Fans, Crossplay 101, Representation Matters, So Make It Good, The Blerd Panel, and Cositivity.

Additional programming highlights are on voice acting, short film festival, teaching kids about science and writing, CIA historians discuss spy planes and places like Area 51, 80 years of Batman comics, and librarians at CIA.

To see the guest list at Awesome Con and for more con details, check out our Catch the Wave coverage.