BELOW is our preliminary schedule of additional programming happening outside of the regular panels, talks and author readings! These are still subject to change and addition
Please note: Some events will be open to the General Public (as noted below), though most require a convention pass.
REGISTRATION – This year, all registration will be at the Biltmore, second floor landing
Thursday – Noon to 4:30pm
Friday – 8am to 7pm
Saturday – 8am to 6pm
Sunday – 7am to 3pm
PLEASE bring your eventbrite receipt
VENDOR HALL – Over 70 vendors await you at the Omni Hotel, Friday and Saturday 10am-6pm, and Sunday 11am-5pm. Check out the full list of vendors here!
For the list of core programming, go here.
And we’ll soon post a downloadable spreadsheet of all programming and events
ALL ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMING 2017
Jump to Thursday
Jump to Friday
Jump to Saturday
Jump to Sunday
WEDNESDAY – August 16
10:00 am to 5:00 pm – ARS NECRONOMICA:WONDERS OF THE VISIBLE WEIRD GROUP ART EXHIBITION – Woods Gerry Gallery, Rhode Island School of Design, 62 Prospect Street 02906 OPEN TO GENERAL PUBLIC (free)
Over 70 artists are featured in this remarkable two-week showcase of some of the finest in weird art. More information can be found at the Ars Necronomica page. The opening reception will be Thursday night. The Woods-Gerry Gallery is located directly across the street from Lovecraft’s last house.
5 – 8:30pm – Lovecraft on the Road & Caitlin R. Kiernan Papers – John Hay Library, Brown University, 20 Prospect St. 02906
Reception for the opening of two exhibits at the John Hay Library: “Greetings and Salutations: Lovecraft on the Road” and “Caitlin R. Kiernan Papers.” Remarks by Derrick Hussey and Caitlin R. Kiernan at 6 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. More information can be found at the facebook event page.
6pm to midnight – NecronomiCon Welcome Pre-Party – Aurora, 276 Westminster Street, Providence 02903 OPEN TO GENERAL PUBLIC
A welcoming party for NecronomiCon attendees hosted by creative venue Aurora. Local and visiting authors will read weird fiction, and the mic will be open – attendees are encouraged to share their own pieces, covers, and fan fiction. We’ll also be screening some special films and shorts, and have two bands playing later in the night – Rotgut God (Providence’s answer to David Tibet!), and FINE (local two-piece li’l queer basement rock!). If you’re arriving early for the convention, come and take part or just have a drink and hang out with friends old and new. Here’s the facebook event page!
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THURSDAY – August 17
10:00 am to 8:00 pm – ARS NECRONOMICA:WONDERS OF THE VISIBLE WEIRD GROUP ART EXHIBITION – Woods Gerry Gallery, Rhode Island School of Design, 62 Prospect Street 02906 OPEN TO GENERAL PUBLIC (free)
Over 70 artists are featured in this remarkable two-week showcase of some of the finest in weird art. More information can be found at the Ars Necronomica page. The opening reception will be Thursday night, from 6-8pm. The Woods-Gerry Gallery is located directly across the street from Lovecraft’s last house.
All day – Film Screenings – Providence Public Library (150 Empire Street) and Black Box (95 Empire Street) – see separate schedule OPEN TO GENERAL PUBLIC ($5 for public)
All day – Walking and Bus tours of Lovecraft sites around Providence – Separate ticket $10/$15 available now! See the schedule here.
Noon to 4:30pm – REGISTRATION open at Biltmore Hotel, second floor landing. Beat the crowds and come early!
5:00pm to Midnight – Weird Gaming – Biltmore, L’Apogee 18th floor. See separate schedule
5:00 to 6:00pm – OPENING CEREMONY – the First Baptist Church in America, 75 N. Main St. 02903 OPEN TO GENERAL PUBLIC (free)
Our convention Poet Laureate Donald Sidney-Fryer, local historians and luminaries, and others, will welcome attendees to this historic and symbolic Providence landmark. Barnaby Evans, executive director of WaterFire, will emcee, and internationally renowned organist Gigi Mitchell-Velasco will once again dazzle us with a perfect musical accompaniment to the ceremony.
6:00 to 8:00pm – Ars Necronomica Art Exhibition, Opening Reception – Woods Gerry Gallery, Rhode Island School of Design, 62 Prospect Street 02906 OPEN TO GENERAL PUBLIC (free)
This is the official reception for the 2017 Ars Necronomica exhibition, the Wonders of the Visible Weird. The gallery will be open all day, and other days of the convention, as well as the two weeks following, so you won’t have to worry about missing this remarkable exhibition of world-class weird art, featuring the works of our Guest of Honor, John Jude Palencar, and over seventy additional artists from around the world.
6:30 to 7:45pm – The Tattered King theatrical production – Garden Room, Biltmore 2nd Floor
A special dramatic reading of a play that pulls itself from the depths of Carcosa and into the very arms of the King in Yellow. Do you dare risk the madness that shall ensue?
8:00 to 9:30pm – “The Haunter of the Dark” Dark Adventure Radio Theater – Garden Room, Biltmore 2nd Floor
The H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society presents a live premiere performance of its brand new Dark Adventure Radio Theatre – “The Haunter of the Dark.” An ensemble of voice actors, brave musicians and fearless foley artists collude to present this bold adaptation of one of HPL’s most cherished short stories for the first time.
7:00pm to Midnight! – A special outdoor celebration of Weird Providence, concert and party – Facade Lot, 35 Weybosset St. 02903 OPEN TO GENERAL PUBLIC (free, 21+)
By popular demand, we’ve got some special outdoor events planned, including a concert featuring special musical acts including local musical monstrosities Big Nazo Intergalactic Band, local psycho-goth-punk band The ViennaGram, a Frank Difficult Presents music/video/mashup, and other special screenings. There will be a beer garden with plenty of Narragansett Beers (including the latest – The Temple, and a few other tasty beverages), and a very fitting carnival fire pit roast by Great Northern BBQ to feed your cultist belly. More plans still in the works!
8:00pm to 1:00am – BLACK LODGE PARTY – Thee Red Fez, 49 Peck St. 02903 CLOSED EVENT
A private club for Golden Key and Silver Key members (passes required). A small getaway spot for Key members. But remember – there are only three rules about Black Lodge…
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FRIDAY – August 18
10:00 am to 5:00 pm – ARS NECRONOMICA:WONDERS OF THE VISIBLE WEIRD GROUP ART EXHIBITION – Woods Gerry Gallery, Rhode Island School of Design, 62 Prospect Street 02906 OPEN TO GENERAL PUBLIC (free)
Over 70 artists are featured in this remarkable two-week showcase of some of the finest in weird art. More information can be found at the Ars Necronomica page. The Woods-Gerry Gallery is located directly across the street from Lovecraft’s last house.
All day – Walking and Bus tours of Lovecraft sites around Providence – Separate ticket $10/$15 available now! See the schedule here.
9:00am to Midnight – Weird Gaming at Biltmore – L’Apogee 18th floor. See separate schedule
1pm to Midnight (and beyond?) – Film Screenings – Providence Public Library (150 Empire St.) and Black Box (95 Empire St.) – see separate schedule OPEN TO GENERAL PUBLIC ($5 for public)
6:15 to 7:30pm – “Horace Whitly and the Unimaginable Horror” (world premiere!) performed by David Neilsen; opening act, the eldritch magicks of James Harrison – Garden Room, Biltmore 2nd Floor
Join actor/storyteller David Neilsen on a journey into madness as he brings to life his own original tale blending dark humor and twisted horrors. To set your mind at the ready, you will be regaled by the remarkable magickal feats of James Harrison. Do not miss it!
7:00 to 9:00pm – Guest Reception – Biltmore L’Apogee 17
Private reception for Guest pass holders and Golden Keys, with hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, and damn near the best damn view of Weird Providence.
7:30 to 9:30pm – “The Brotherhood of the Beast,” Dark Adventure Radio Theater – Garden Room, Biltmore 2nd Floor
The H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society presents a special live presentation of its Dark Adventure Radio Theatre – “The Brotherhood of the Beast.” This live show features an ensemble of actors, thrilling music and sound effects and delightful opportunities for audience participation.
9:00pm to Midnight-ish – ELDRITCH BALL – Biltmore Grand Ballroom, 17th floor
The return of the Eldritch Ball, with a very unique theme — Beyond Innsmouth! Sure to be a night of epic adventure you won’t soon be able to forget! The ball is a fancy-dress, costume, masquerade, cosplay, semi-formal affair of Cyclopean scale. OPEN TO GENERAL PUBLIC
Tickets available July 20. The ticket cost for convention pass holders (including off-duty minions) is $23.00 advance / $26 at the door, and includes two drink tickets (21+ ID required for alcohol). The cost for limited number of general public tickets is $30 advance / $35 at the door. Sorry, only Golden Key and Guests of Honor get in free. Capacity is just 320 souls, so act fast. More details soon. Passes available here, beginning July 21.
10pm – 11:30pm — RadioTheater NYC presentation of Weird Tales, part one – Providence Public Library, 150 Empire St. 02903 OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC ($5 for public)
The award-winning, critically acclaimed RADIOTHEATRE NYC returns for two evenings of tales of terror, complete with a cast of great actors, original orchestral scores and a plethora of sound effects! This is NOT an old time radio show, folks, but a unique LIVE ON STAGE audio performance. (At last Necronomicon, some patrons actually FLED from the room!). Bring your imaginations to this nights presentations of:
The Lurking Fear, by Lovecraft – Do you dare to seek what lurks in the House of Martense?
Dracula’s Guests, by Stoker – A young couple find their way to a new home in the Carpathian mountains.
Night Radio, by Arnold – A night watchman hears a strange radio broadcast late at night.
Hop Frog, by Poe – The King’s joker is no one to laugh at!
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SATURDAY – August 19
10:00 am to 5:00 pm – ARS NECRONOMICA:WONDERS OF THE VISIBLE WEIRD GROUP ART EXHIBITION – Woods Gerry Gallery, Rhode Island School of Design, 62 Prospect Street 02906 OPEN TO GENERAL PUBLIC (free)
Over 70 artists are featured in this remarkable two-week showcase of some of the finest in weird art. More information can be found at the Ars Necronomica page. The Woods-Gerry Gallery is located directly across the street from Lovecraft’s last house.
All day – Walking and Bus tours of Lovecraft sites around Providence – Separate ticket $10/15 available here. See the schedule here.
9:00am to Midnight – Weird Gaming – Biltmore L’Apogee 18th floor – See separate schedule
Noon to Midnight (and beyond?) – Film Screenings – Providence Public Library and Black Box (95 Empire Street) – See separate schedule OPEN TO GENERAL PUBLIC ($5 for public)
6:30 to 7:30pm – The HPL ‘Comedy’ quiz show – Garden Room, Biltmore 2nd Floor
Brought to you by Chris Lackey and Chad Fifer, the lads behind the masterful H.P. Lovecraft Literary Podcast, this promises to be a delightful evening of weird humor and curious questions, and features special guests including HPLHS’s Andrew Leman. More details forthcoming
6:30pm – 7:30pm – The Madness from Below, theatrical production – Black Box Theater, 95 Empire St. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ($5 for public)
An abandoned cemetery in a Florida swamp. A family crypt, left forgotten in Massachusetts. An ancient temple hidden beneath an English estate. The madness always escapes from below.
Come witness three weird tales written by HP Lovecraft, adapted by Calvin Campany, and reanimated by the talented voice actors of South County’s Contemporary Theater Company. This is a live radio show, presented as a multimedia experience.
8pm – 9:30pm — RadioTheater NYC presentation of Weird Tales, part two– Providence Public Library, 150 Empire St. 02903 OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC ($5 for public)
The award-winning, critically acclaimed RADIOTHEATRE NYC returns for two evenings of tales of terror, complete with a cast of great actors, original orchestral scores and a plethora of sound effects! This is NOT an old time radio show, folks, but a unique LIVE ON STAGE audio performance. (At last Necronomicon, some patrons actually FLED from the room!). Bring your imaginations to this nights presentations of:
The Call of Cthulhu, by Lovecraft – Two men go in search for the mighty Cthulhu!
The Black Cat, by Poe – A man thinks he is being driven insane by his favorite pet.
From Beyond, by Lovecraft – A mad scientist intends to prove to his terrified fiancee that we are living amidst unknown invisible creatures!
The Cask of Amontillado, by Poe – A wine lover invites his arch nemesis to his underground cellar.
**Don’t forget all the film screenings – see separate schedule!
9:00pm to 1:00am – COVEN, BEASTMAKER, MAGIC CIRCLE – The Columbus Theater, 270 Broadway, 02903 – OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC (tickets on sale below)
An absolutely epic night of dark dirge and sonic heaviness featuring COVEN, the godparents of doom metal, and two other incredible acts in one of the most gorgeous settings we could hope for, the beautifully restored 1920s era Columbus Theater. Tickets on sale here.
9:00 to 10:00pm – Lovecraftian Trivia Night! – McCormick & Schmick’s (Biltmore first floor)
Our pal, Pete Rawlik, is a trivia master. Fortunately for you, you don’t have to compete against a team he’s on. Unfortunately, you have to compete against HIM. Pete pulls together a great collection of Lovecraft- and weird-fiction-related trivia, some fairly easy, some hard enough to even make S.T. Joshi whimper. Good news is we’re putting this on in a bar! So come lubricate your brain (Pete accepts whiskey bribes, by the way), and put it to work at the same time.
10:00 to 11:00pm – “The Call of Cthulhu,” performed by David Neilsen; opening act, the eldritch magicks of James Harrison – Black Box Theater, 95 Empire St. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ($5 for public)
Join actor/storyteller David Neilsen on a journey into madness as he brings Lovecraft’s horrific masterpiece to life. Discover a world of forbidden knowledge, dark cults, and ancient secrets leading to an apocalyptic encounter with a terrifying behemoth from beneath the sea and beyond the stars. Sanity not included. Or guaranteed. To set your mind at the ready, you will be regaled by the remarkable magickal feats of James Harrison. Do not miss it!
10:00 to 11:00pm – Innsmouth Sea Shanties! – McCormick & Schmick’s SEAFOOD Restaurant (Biltmore first floor)
The boys from the H. P. Lovecraft Historical Society bring their finest singing voices, and expect you to croak and bleat along with all your favorite hits, such as Innsmouth Girls, Old Captain Obed, and everyone’s favorite – The Devil Reef Chanty! The boys are planning a fun time, so be sure to shamble on over.
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SUNDAY – August 20
8:00 to 9:30am – CTHULHU PRAYER BREAKFAST – Grand Ballroom, Biltmore 17th Floor
The unholiest of cosmically unspeakable breakfasts, hosted by Most Exaulted Hierophants Cody Goodfellow and Anthony Teth. Separate ticketed event – tickets on sale July 21 via our eventbrite page
Golden Key and Silver Key members receive complimentary admission. Please note, this event partly overlaps with other events.
All day – Walking tours of Lovecraft sites around Providence – Separate ticket $10 available now! See the schedule here.
9:00am to 5:00pm – Lovecraftian Gaming – Biltmore L’Apogee 18th floor – See separate schedule
TBA – Film Screenings – Black Box (95 Empire Street) – See separate schedule OPEN TO GENERAL PUBLIC ($5 for public)
2 to 5:00 pm – ARS NECRONOMICA:WONDERS OF THE VISIBLE WEIRD GROUP ART EXHIBITION – Woods Gerry Gallery, Rhode Island School of Design, 62 Prospect Street 02906 OPEN TO GENERAL PUBLIC (free)
Over 70 artists are featured in this remarkable two-week showcase of some of the finest in weird art. More information can be found at the Ars Necronomica page. The Woods-Gerry Gallery is located directly across the street from Lovecraft’s last house.
6:30 to 7:30pm – Quiet & Bold: Consultants Paraordinary – LIVE! – Black Box Theater, 95 Empire St. 02903 OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC ($5 for public)
Quiet & Bold is a comedy audio series from creators Greig Johnson (BBC2 The Mash Report) and Chris Lackey (HPL Literary Podcast)! Influenced by Lovecraftian weird tales and occult science, Quiet & Bold follows the investigations of Dr. Silence Quiet and Randolph Bold as they fight the supernatural forces of evil with mad science and occult mysticism! The live show includes both parts of The Scorned House as well as a Q&A after the performance, and features live music and sound by Reber Clark and the voice talents of Rachel Lackey, Andrew Leman, Heather Klinke and Chad Fifer.
9:00pm to 11:00pm – The Dunwich Horror PICTURE SHOW! – Columbus Theater, 270 Broadway, 02903 OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC ($5 for all)
Come see the classic, 1970’s Dunwich Horror, presented on 16mm film in all its psychedelic weirdness like you’ve NEVER seen it before. Come enjoy the nicest old theater in Providence! Come dressed as your favorite Whateley sibling and sing along with your favorite chants! Come spend your last few bucks on one of the last few Lovecraft ‘Gansetts left. Ticket prices at the door are $5 per person, in order to defray the necessary expense of renting this beautiful venue! Visit the facebook event page here!
Dear gods…
that’s IT!
What MORE DO YOU WANT FROM US????
Blood?
Is it blood you want?
We’ve got blood.
Oh…..
It’s sanity you want, innit?