SCHEDULE
Welcome Reception – Friday, 9/28, 8:00pm-11:00pm
The episode “Shindig” from the series “Firefly” opens in a Pool Hall. What better way to start our Shindig? Upstairs at Buffalo Billiards, we will have a private room with 5 pool tables for 3 hours. Snacks will be provided, but the bar will cash and only for them of drinkin’ age (21 in Pennsylvania.) We are working on live entertainment for this event. http://www.buffalobilliards.com/philadelphia,
Night on the Town – Friday, 9/28, 11:00pm
After the welcome reception, the Browncoats may play the night away at Buffalo Billiards, explore the nightlife of Old City Philadelphia (it’s a safe neighborhood where all the cool people go) or return to the hotel to rest up for the next day’s adventures.
Walking tour of Historic District & Chinatown – Saturday, 9/29, 9:00am-11:00am
Professional guides meet BCB attendees at the convention hotel to take them on a guided tour of the Historic District of Philadelphia. Sites on the tour could include Independence Hall, The Liberty Bell Center, National Constitution Center, Declaration House, the First Bank of the U.S., Congress Hall, Christ Church and Betsy Ross House. The tour will also explore Philadelphia’s Chinatown. This will be attendees’ first opportunity to collect images for the photographic scavenger hunt.
Vegan Dim Sum at Kingdom of Vegetarians – Saturday, 9/29, 11:00am-1:00pm
What better way to end a tour of Chinatown than with a traditional Chinese meal? Dim Sum is a Cantonese phrase which translates literally as “touch the heart” but means “morsel” or “snack”. It’s a brunch-like meal consisting of a wide spectrum of small choices, from sweet to salty, served in small steamer baskets or on little plates. We like to call it, “Some of ‘dis-n-some of ‘dat”. It traditionally includes combinations of meat, vegetables, seafood, as well as desserts and fruit. At the Kingdom of Vegetarians, it is all Vegan and all Kosher. They have convinced non-meats to impersonate pork, chicken, beef and even seafood. This is a great and friendly choice for those who dine vegetarian, vegan or Kosher. It’s also a grand experiment of “what’s possible” for alternate protein in a ‘verse where fresh meat is hard to come by. This mid-morning meal will be followed by shopping at Reading Terminal Market. (See below.)
(Estimated additional cost: $10)
Reading Terminal Market – Saturday, 9/29, 11:00am-1:00pm
Vegan Dim Sum with make-believe meat served in Chinese fashion may not be to everyone’s taste, so BCB attendees who prefer an alternative will be delivered directly to the Reading Terminal Market for lunch and shopping. “Mouth-watering aromas. Produce fresh from the field. Amish specialties. Fresh meats, seafood, and poultry. Unique, hand-made pottery, jewelry and crafts from around the world. The hustle and bustle of a multitude of diverse people.” This is your chance to try a genuine Philadelphia Cheesesteak!
http://www.readingterminalmarket.org/,
(Estimated additional cost: $10)
Track Activities and Big Damn Bus Tou – Saturday, 9/29, 1:00pm-5:00pm
Because there is so much to see and do in Philadelphia, when registering for the event, you will be asked to choose “track” which best represents your interests, i.e. what activity do you want to do Saturday afternoon. General Admission Fees will be covered in your Browncoat Ball Membership, but if you wish to see any special exhibits at your track destination, you will have to purchase that on your own. (See the TRACKS/TOURS page for details.)
A Big Damn Bus will pick up our wayward band at Chinatown’s Friendship Gate at 1:00pm and take us on a partial tour of Philadelphia, dropping members of each track at their respective destinations along the way. When you are finished at your track destination, you hop on the Big Damn Bus again (they circulate on a regular basis) and get back off near the hotel. All track destinations close at 5:00pm. Your ticket for the Big Damn Bus Tour is also included in your Registration for the BCB.
Downtime – Saturday, 9/29, 5:00pm-7:00pm
This is your time do with as you please. Rest up from the morning’s adventures. Explore the local attractions on your own. Hang out in “Kaylee’s Kitchen”, the BCB Hospitality Suite with fellow Browncoats. Get read for the evening festivities!!!
Cocktails – Saturday, 9/29, 7:00pm-8:00pm
Saturday night’s festivities begin with a cocktail hour. Mix and mingle with your fellow Browncoats. This is also the deadline for the photographic scavenger hunt.
Banquet – Saturday, 9/29, 8:00pm-9:00pm
We have a very special Buffet Menu planned for you with many di-‘verse’ selections. Much of it is a surprise, but we will tell this much. There will be vegetarian and kosher options, as well as dishes prepared from the Big Damn Chefs charity cookbook!
Ball – Saturday, 9/29, 9:00pm-12:00am
The Bedlam Bards will be performing for us. If you aren’t familiar with the Bards, not only do they play “RenFolk” music, but are ALSO Browncoats. Their Firefly/Serenity inspired music was used in the fan documentary “Done The Impossible” and is compiled on their own CD, “On The Drift”. Songs include “The Ballad of Joss” and “Big Damn Trilogy”, among others.
http://www.bedlambards.com/ http://cdbaby.com/cd/bedlambards/
In addition to their ‘verse music, The Bedlam Bards will also play some formal music for traditional English dance. We will have a “caller” on hand to instruct those who wish to learn and will lead the group in several dances. This will include a march to show off your fine costumes.
In fact, costuming is encouraged. There will be awards in several categories which we will be presenting during the ball. Scavenger hunt awards will be presented at the same time. After the traditional English dancing and the awards, BCB attendees would be welcome to dance the night away to strange sounds of that new fangled rocker music.
Big Damn Breakfast – Sunday, 9/30, 10:00am
Unfortunately, due to a scheduling conflict, Tom Smith (aka “FilkerTom” ) couldn’t join us at the Browncoat Ball this year. However his song “A Chef Called Jayne”, along with the Big Damn Chefs cookbook, has inspired us to start a new tradition – The Big Damn Breakfast. The idea is that this would be the last activity everyone would get together for before disembarking from the weekend’s events. (Location and costs TBD.