WhoFest

WhoFest is a recurring Doctor Who-focused science fiction convention held in the Dallas, Texas, area. First held in November 2013 as a one-off celebration of the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who, WhoFest is now held annually each April.

WhoFest
WhoFest logo
StatusDefunct
GenreScience fiction
VenueWestin Dallas/Fort Worth Airport Hotel
Location(s)Dallas, Texas
CountryUnited States
Inaugurated2013
Attendance950+ (2015)
Organized byDallas Future Society
Filing status501(c)(3)
Websitewww.whofestdfw.org

WhoFest is a production of the Dallas Future Society, a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation that seeks to promote the advancement of science, literature, and music for all mankind.[1] This is the same organization that has run FenCon, a literary and music oriented general interest science fiction convention, since 2004.[2]

Programming

Notable features of WhoFest include how-to programming, panels, fan discussions, gaming, a diverse selection of guests, celebrity encounters, a charity auction, a dealers room, "WhoKids" children's programming, trivia contests, concerts, and a dance on Saturday night.[3][4] Many attendees wear costumes as various Doctor Who characters and others.[5]

Critical reaction

In June 2013, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram named WhoFest as one of the "red-letter dates for geeks, fans, [and] collectors"[6] as well as one of the signs that Dallas/Fort Worth has become "so geeky".[7] In November 2013, the Dallas Observer called WhoFest "an enjoyable, eye-opening experience".[8] In February 2015, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram declared WhoFest an event that "jumped out and made our nerd hearts go pitter-pat".[9] In April 2015, The Dallas Morning News described WhoFest as a way to "get your geek on" and "a fun event for all Doctor Who fans".[10]

Past conventions

2013 - WhoFest

WhoFest was held November 22–24, 2013, at the Crowne Plaza North Dallas in Addison, Texas. The convention was held on these dates to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the first Doctor Who broadcast in 1963.[11] While the event featured panelists, experts, and fans, there were no celebrity guests from the television series at the convention.[12] Activities included costume contests, discussion panels, videos, WhoKids children's programming, and participation in the live worldwide debut of The Day of the Doctor 50th anniversary special.[13][14][8]

Activities in support of Carter BloodCare, that year's designated charity, included a live auction and a blood drive. The convention chair was James Mahaffey.[1] The convention T-shirt was designed by Barry Whitewater and the "50 Years of Doctor Who" poster was created by Keri O'Brien. Forced to cap membership sales at 1,000 due to space limitations in the hotel, WhoFest sold out months in advance, prompting the convention to seek a new home for WhoFest 2.[3]

2015 - WhoFest 2

WhoFest 2 and the Irving Invasion was held April 24–26, 2015, at the Westin Dallas/Fort Worth Airport in Irving, Texas. Key program participants included actors Colin Baker (who played the Sixth Doctor),[12] Nicola Bryant (companion Peri Brown), Terry Molloy (Davros), and Nicholas Briggs (voice of Daleks, Cybermen, and other characters) plus producer Jason Haigh-Ellery of Big Finish Productions.[4][15] The convention chain was James Mahaffey.[3]

WhoFest held an auction and other fundraisers during the convention to raise $5,000 and hundreds of pounds of food donations for that year's designated charity, the North Texas Food Bank.[5] Artist Keri O'Brien designed the convention's signature "TARDIS dressed as the Sixth Doctor" artwork which was used by Michael Braun to create unique art prints and the convention's official T-shirt.[3][16]

2016 - WhoFest 3

WhoFest 3 and the Daleks of DFW was held April 22–24, 2016, at the Westin Dallas/Fort Worth Airport in Irving, Texas.[17] Key program participants included actors Eve Myles, Frazer Hines, Wendy Padbury, Richard Franklin, Simon Fisher-Becker, Ian McNeice, and Colin Spaull plus writer Andrew Cartmel.[18] The convention co-chairs were Tim Miller and Mike Erickson. WhoFest held a charity auction to benefit Habitat for Humanity of South Collin County. Artist Michael Braun designed the convention's signature "Dalek invasion via the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge" artwork featured on promotional posters, merchandise, and the convention's official T-shirt.[1]

2017 - WhoFest 4

WhoFest 4: The Power of Five was held May 5–7, 2017, at the Westin Dallas/Fort Worth Airport in Irving, Texas.[19] Key program participants included actors Peter Davison (who played the Fifth Doctor), Dan Starkey, and Mark Strickson and toastmaster Devin Pike. WhoFest held a charity auction to benefit local PBS station KERA. The convention co-chairs were Robyn Winans and Mike Erickson.

Upcoming conventions

On September 17, 2017, WhoFest announced on its Facebook page that the convention had begun an indefinite hiatus.[20]

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References
  1. "Official website". Dallas Future Society. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
  2. Auping, Alicia (October 4, 2013). "Your Tutorial for This Weekend's FenCon X". Dallas Observer. Dallas, TX: Voice Media Group. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  3. Gallagher, Danny (April 24, 2015). "WhoFest Regenerates This Weekend in Irving For Second Year". Dallas Observer. Dallas, TX: Voice Media Group. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  4. Philpot, Robert (April 22, 2015). "'Doctor Who' fans, get ready for WhoFest 2". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Fort Worth, TX: McClatchy. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  5. Ouellette, Courtney (May 2, 2015). "Sixth Doctor gets personal with Who fans at WhoFest II" (PDF). The Rambler. Irving, TX: Rambler Newspapers. p. 8. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  6. "Red-letter dates for geeks, fans, collectors". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Fort Worth, TX: McClatchy. June 13, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  7. Philpot, Robert; Darling, Cary (June 13, 2013). "When did DFW get so geeky?". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Fort Worth, TX: McClatchy. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  8. Gallagher, Danny (November 25, 2013). "How a Room Full of Fez-Wearing, David Tennant-ogling Doctor Who Fans Made Me One of Them". Dallas Observer. Dallas, TX: Voice Media Group. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  9. Philpot, Robert; Darling, Cary; Svokos, Heather (February 11, 2015). "A very geeky Valentine's Day in DFW". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Fort Worth, TX: McClatchy. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  10. Peele, Britton (April 9, 2015). "Get your geek on at these upcoming D-FW conventions". The Dallas Morning News. Dallas, TX: A. H. Belo. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  11. McPhate, Christian (November 20, 2013). "WhoFest in Addison: Cos-play, Merch, and Drunken Elf Girls. It's a Whovian Paradise". Dallas Observer. Dallas, TX: Voice Media Group. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  12. Gallagher, Danny (September 19, 2014). "DFW's Second Annual WhoFest Books an Actual Doctor Colin Baker". Dallas Observer. Dallas, TX: Voice Media Group. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  13. Philpot, Robert (November 23, 2013). "'WhoFest DFW' celebrates 50 years of 'Doctor Who'". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Fort Worth, TX: McClatchy. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  14. Laughlin, Jamie (November 25, 2013). "These Ten Costumes From WhoFest Will Make Your Monday Magical". Dallas Observer. Dallas, TX: Voice Media Group. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  15. Peele, Britton (April 23, 2015). "WhoFest 2". The Dallas Morning News. Dallas, TX: A. H. Belo. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  16. Fischer, Scott (April 26, 2015). "Pics: WhoFest 2 in Irving". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Fort Worth, TX: McClatchy. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  17. Peele, Britton (March 26, 2016). "GuideLive: WhoFest 3". The Dallas Morning News. Dallas, TX: A. H. Belo. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
  18. Gallagher, Danny (April 20, 2016). "WhoFest 3". Dallas Observer. Dallas, TX: Voice Media Group. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
  19. "WhoFest 4". Dallas Future Society. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
  20. "WhoFest 4 Facebook page". Dallas Future Society. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
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