Rod Library to host Rod Con April 9 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Gamers! Zelda fans! Movie lovers! New Batman fans! There is a place for everyone at this year’s annual Rod Con! 

All fans are invited to attend Rod Con on April 9 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at UNI’s very own Rod Library which is free and open to the public for all to enjoy. But what exactly is Rod Con? Their mission is, “to connect the UNI community to the public through the celebration of comics, heroes and the arts.”

On Saturday’s jam-packed day full of fun, attendees can expect a costume contest among other festivities. They encourage everyone to dress up as their favorite character from a comic book, anime, game or movie. On the main floor of Rod Library the fun continues with a magic show by The Amazing Zeno at 1 p.m. 

If you are  looking for social nonsense, look no further, as UNI professor Doug Shaw, the man who wrote the book, “Social Nonsense: Creative Diversions for Two or More  Players – Anytime, Anywhere,” will take lead everyone through writing, drawing, and storytelling games into order to bring out the creatively in people of all ages (this show is appropriate for ages 11 and up). If you’d like to see real life magic in action through science, stay on the main floor for American Chemical Society’s demo of their version of the Hogwarts Potion Class for a “Demonstration of Magical Proportions!” (You won’t want to miss these wizards)! There will also be tons of cool exhibitions booths on the main floor to check  out and possibly even purchase things from. If you’re looking for answers to your future or D&D centered activities, you can make your way up to the third floor. 

On the third floor of Rod Library, there will be Tarot, Palm Readings, Runes and more. Local divination experts will be on hand to provide readings at no cost (though tips are welcome and appreciated). Visit with The Alien Oracle reading runes from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tarot by Fae reading tarot from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mama Mage, Crystal Waltz offering various divination systems from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Readings by Yeya offering tarot and palm readings and Tarot by Starfire from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

For fans of Dungeons and Dragons, there will be a D & D Character Building workshop along with a short adventure led by the Holmes Jr. High Dungeons and Dragons club. There will also be a micro-system role-playing game for any experience level, sessions will be between 90 minutes to two hours, recommended for ages 13 and up, but  spots are limited. (Only six spots are available, and its walk-in spots are first come, first served). But the fun doesn’t stop there; moving outside, you can catch a number of other activities as well.

Early on Saturday morning you can enjoy UNI’s Pep Band as they perform a musical prelude to Rod Con 2022 from 9:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m. There will also be songs from the UNI Guild of Carillonneurs.  

“The UNI Guild of Carillonneurs is a student-governed organization founded in 2014 that aims to spread the music, history, and tradition of the Campanile to anyone who wants to listen. They have created on-campus events such as their annual Campaniling concert during Homecoming week, a community Easter Egg hunt and a Halloween concert.” Find the Guild at https://carillon.uni.edu or @UNICampanile on Twitter. (They accept song requests). 

Beyond the amazing music arrangements, there will also be an epic showing of swordsmanship from the UNI sword fighting club (Belegarth Medieval Society), They will not only show off their own skills but teach. You can learn “this full-contact, fun, easy-to-learn game of medieval/fantasy-style combat using foam-padded weapons.  Outside on the north side of the Library.” 

If you haven’t had your fill of fun you can attend the Superhero Drag Show at 8 p.m. at the Maucker Union Coffee House, according to Rod Con’s Website, “this event is hosted by UNI Proud and and sponsored by UNI Gender and Sexuality Services.  Please note: this Drag Show is intended for ages 16+.  A pre-show Drag 101 panel will be held at 6 p.m. in the Center for Multicultural Education classroom 109P, located on the upper level of Maucker Union.” 

  In addition to these numerous festivities,  there will be an escape room, trivia, panels of speakers and not to mention great food from the Book Bistro. 

All things pop culture will be at RodCon and there is something for everyone. For more information, visit their website rodcon.library.uni.edu.