Nerd Nation

Area cat-sitters, prepare yourselves. Science fiction and fantasy enthusiasts will be requiring your services for the better part of the weekend. That's because FenCon, the region's hottest fan-run literary sci-fi and fantasy convention, is upon us. FenCon IV hosts more than 50 guests (among them Hugo Award-winning author Connie Willis, Filk Hall of Famers Tom Smith and Kathleen Sloan and James O'Barr, creator of The Crow) and enough activities to fill an ice wizard's bag of infinite holding, including an art show, a writers workshop, a charity auction and "open filking"—which is not nearly as dirty as it sounds. FenCon IV runs 11 a.m. to midnight Friday, 9 a.m. to midnight Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 14315 Midway Road in Addison. Admission is $15 for Friday or Sunday, $20 for Saturday or $35 for a weekend pass. For more information visit fencon.org.
Fri., Sept. 21, 11-midnight; Sat., Sept. 22, 9-midnight; Sun., Sept. 23, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 2007