{"id":2480,"date":"2018-04-23T14:01:23","date_gmt":"2018-04-23T14:01:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/johnpicacio.com\/onthefront\/?p=2480"},"modified":"2018-04-23T18:16:20","modified_gmt":"2018-04-23T18:16:20","slug":"constellation-nebraska","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/johnpicacio.com\/onthefront\/2018\/04\/23\/constellation-nebraska\/","title":{"rendered":"Constellation Nebraska"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p> $\"\"$ Memo to sf\/f pros and fans: DO NOT SLEEP ON NEBRASKA.\n

I was the Artist Guest of Honor at Constellation 9<\/a> in Lincoln, Nebraska this past weekend. It\u2019s a small sf\/f convention \u2014 the kind that pulls a modest 350-person attendance and serves a \u2018big tent\u2019 approach to fandom, celebrating art, books, films, TV, anime, gaming, cosplay and more. However, in all of my years of attending conventions, I\u2019ve never seen a show with bigger heart. How big are we talking here?<\/p>\n

Big enough to take The Mexicanx Initiative<\/a>\u2018s $4333 remaining distance toward its $15,000 Assistance Fund goal and CRUSH IT in a single, unrelenting, hellacious Saturday Night Charity Auction.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s right.<\/em><\/p>\n

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED for The Mexicanx Initiative\u2019s Assistance Fund \u2014 we reached our $15,000 goal this past Saturday night<\/strong>, thanks to everyone who gave in recent weeks and finished off by the incredible sf\/f fandom of Constellation Nebraska, who believe in an American dream where all cultures are represented and welcomed. Shoutouts to Nanci H., Sam S., Nate W., Theron, Brian H., and the greatness of Dylan N. of NebrasKon (pictured upper right)<\/em>, who offered to shave his head AND his beard in order to raise money for The Initiative, generating a thunderous roar from the approving mob, reportedly causing onlookers to pass out. It was an epic night, hosted by John Pershing and Richard Graham, and by the end of the three-hour fever dream, Constellation Nebraska generated a whopping, record-setting $4,444, which brought the Mexicanx Initiative\u2019s Assistance Fund total to $15,121!<\/em><\/p>\n

And Nebraska wasn\u2019t done \u2014 on Sunday, more contributions arrived, bringing The Mexicanx Initiative\u2019s Assistance Fund total to $15,304.19 \u2014 $4,627.19 of that coming from the hearts, souls, and hairlines of the legendary Nebraskan people. Every dollar of that will benefit the 50 Mexicanx all-star pros and fans attending Worldcon 76<\/a> this summer.<\/p>\n

This was Constellation\u2019s ninth convention. I think this event has room to grow. They\u2019ve got a great facility and great core leadership. I\u2019ve seen my art on countless convention t-shirts over the years, but I\u2019ve never seen one cooler than Constellation 9\u2019s. I will wear it proudly. Thank you to Rod, Jodie, Jeff, Terri, Patricia(!!), Ray(!!), Mary, Noel, Carrie, Nate, Tom, Justin, Leia Buns, and of course, Nanci, for everything you did. It was a terrific weekend, and I look forward to seeing this convention become bigger and better in its next ten years.<\/p>\n

In Loteria We Trust.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/body>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"