Get your geek on at Shreveport’s Geek’d Con
SHREVEPORT, La. — Today through Sunday bring plenty of reasons for geeky folks to drive south to the Shreveport Convention Center and proudly satisfy their fandom at Geek’d Con.
This is the fifth anniversary for Geek’d Con with guests like Michael Rooker, LeVar Burton and Lori Petty attending to celebrate with star power. Show hours run 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
We caught up with a busy Geek’d Con founder and organizer, Greg Atoms, for an email Q&A to get the scoop on this year’s con. Here’s
what he said, lightly edited for space:
1. Q: How did Geek’d Con get started and what was the inspiration behind it five years ago?
A: I first interviewed to join Townsquare Media in 2014. When I came down we talked about events that I’ve helped put on in the past, outside of concerts. Really the only thing I had was when I helped start up Cherry Capital Con (now Cherry Capital Comic Con) in Traverse City, Mich. So when I arrived in Shreveport back in 2015, we started working on putting a similar event on here … When I first got here, there were two independent comic shops, multiple local gaming stores, and video games stores everywhere. I realized that this area had WAY more “geek” stores than a metro area this size should have. It’s pound-forpound one of the “geekiest” areas in the country.
2. Q: What sort of niche does Geek’d Con try to fill in the comic con/pop culture convention world?
A: Everything! We aim to touch on as many fandoms as we can every year. So we try to get comic books, sci fi, pro wrestling, anime, horror movies and everything in between.
Our goal is always to prove that EVERYONE is a little geeky. Whether it’s going to Marvel movies in the theatre, or watching “The Walking Dead,” “Game of Thrones” or pro wrestling on TV, those things are all geeky. Everyone likes something that we’re going to cover.
3. Q: Has the con grown and if so to what do you attribute this growth? What’s the fandom like down in Shreveport and Northern Louisiana?
A: This place is poundfor-pound one of the geekiest areas in the country. We have grown over the last couple of years in some areas. There are aspects we’d like to see further growth in, but it’s a fun challenge every year.
4. Q: Your guests this year — what are some highlights and who’s generating buzz/ convo pre-Geek’d Con?
A: This is our biggest lineup ever. We have stars like Michael Rooker, who plays Yondu in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (“Guardians of the Galaxy” movies and the new “What If?” series), who has some other iconic roles too. LeVar Burton from “Reading Rainbow,” “Star Trek,” and much more. WWE Hall of Fame members Trish Stratus (who just had her final match at WWE’s SummerSlam) and Kevin Nash. The Night King from “Game of Thrones,” Richard Brake. Two stars from “The Office,” Oscar Nunez and Leslie D. Baker. Barry Bostwick from “Rocky Horror Picture Show,” Lori Petty from “Tank Girl” (and a ton more), and Samantha Smith from “Supernatural.” We have even more guests. We’ve put so much into this year’s lineup it’s hard to get it all in.
5. Q: What else would you like visitors to Geek’d Con to know before they come on down for the event?
A: There’s A LOT to take in. Over 100 vendors from across the country, all of the celebrities, free panel discussions, video game trucks, bounce houses, and so much more. Give yourself some time to enjoy it all!
(Tickets: Adult weekend pass $30, adult Saturday pass $25, adult Sunday pass $20, adult Friday pass $10, children’s passes for 6- to 12-year-olds are $5 less than adult. Get tickets at Geekdcon.com. Check the website for cosplay rules and pro photo op times and prices.)