Philcon

Fri., Nov. 20, 6 p.m.-mid.; Sat., Nov. 21, 10 a.m.-mid.; Sun., Nov., 22, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; $25-$60, Crowne Plaza Hotel, 2349 W. Marlton Pike, Cherry Hill, philcon.org.

by Nicole Saylor

[ convention ]

Science fiction has come a long way since Jules Verne. Originally a fringe literary genre, sci-fi now makes itself known in film, TV, music, fashion and perhaps even some technology — many geeks claim that clamshell-shaped phones like the Motorola RAZR were modeled after the original Star Trek communicator. Philcon, an annual conference held by the Philadelphia Science Fiction Society, tips its hat to all of sci-fi's offshoots: There are panels on technology, Doctor Who and the media; filk (sci-fi-themed folk music) concerts; speakers like novelist Catherine Asaro and tech blogger Cory Doctorow; and masquerade contests. But the best part of the event, according to Philcon chairman Rock Robertson, can only be enjoyed down the road. "If you go to a science fiction convention," he says, "you'll see what's coming next."

Fri., Nov. 20, 6 p.m.-mid.; Sat., Nov. 21, 10 a.m.-mid.; Sun., Nov., 22, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; $25-$60, Crowne Plaza Hotel, 2349 W. Marlton Pike, Cherry Hill, philcon.org.