Tuesday, December 11, 7-9pm at Comet Ping Pong, 5037 Connecticut Ave NW
On the evening of Tuesday, December 11, the Museum of Science Fiction will host a More Than Human Holiday, the first of a series of gatherings celebrating different science fiction works and creators, as well as the work of local writers, artists, and more. Join us in the back room of Comet for a reading and presentation of artwork in honor of humanist sci-fi legend Theodore Sturgeon on the occasion of his centenary.
Have a drink, connect with local writers, artists, and sci-fi fans, learn about Sturgeon, and listen to one of his short stories. Local writers will share their Sturgeon-inspired short stories aloud, alongside projected work made by participating artists.
With readings by: Sarah Pinsker, Karen Osborne, Vivian Shaw, Arkady Martine, Glenn Dixon, Bron Treanor, Sarah Eberhardt, Lauren C. Johnson, Joe Gregor, Jordan McLaughlin and art by: Bonaia Rosado, Maggie Famiglietti, Raul Zahir De Leon, Maurice Buckley
OUR INSPIRATION: Sturgeon was the author of over 200 short stories and books, including More Than Human, Venus Plus X, and The Dreaming Jewels. He was a Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy award winner, and an inspiration to other greats like Robert Heinlein, Kurt Vonnegut, and Samuel Delaney. He also wrote two episodes of the original Star Trek series, coining the Vulcan phrase "Live long and prosper" in the 1967 episode Amok Time. Sturgeon was not a writer of "hard" science fiction, but is instead known for his humanist and socially conscious approach to writing, incorporating progressive ideas about psychology, gender, sexuality, and war. He wrote compassionately about his characters, many of whom were loners and outcasts. Links with more info on Sturgeon and his legacy are below.
Special thanks to Comet Ping Pong and the Theodore Sturgeon Literary Trust.
MORE ABOUT STURGEON:
What You Need to Know About Sci-Fi Legend Theodore Sturgeon (SyFy Wire)
Celebrating Theodore Sturgeon's Centenary (LA Times)
The Theodore Sturgeon Literary Trust
A few Sturgeon stories you can read online, including The Man Who Lost The Sea
7 Thought Provoking Books by Theodore Sturgeon (The Portalist)
Meet Theodore Sturgeon (YouTube)
The Museum of Science Fiction is a nonprofit working to bring a physical museum space to the Washington, DC area that will provide a comprehensive history of the genre of science fiction across the arts. Over Memorial Day weekend in May of 2019, the museum will be holding it's annual Escape Velocity convention at the National Harbor in DC.
Image courtesy of the Theodore Sturgeon Literary Trust.