Monday, September 15, 2008

Atheist Alliance International Con.: Sept 25-28th


Where do you find Julia Sweeney, formerly of Saturday Night Live, having a chat with Ellen Johnson, Executive Director of Godless Americans Political Action Committee, while enjoying a moment with DC Atheist Advocate, Lori Lipman-Brown? How about sharing a coffee break with August Brunsman from the Secular Students Alliance and Jason Torby from the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers? The time has come for the 14th Annual Atheist Alliance International Convention, held this year at the Queen Mary, in Long Beach, Ca., called "Unsinkable Atheism".
There are dozens of workshops and events planned, including one for Locks of Love, and a blood drive. Student discounts do apply to the convention and dinner fees, and are substantial. The woman who wrote the song that is all over radio and satellite, "I Kissed A Girl", Jill Sobule, appears, along with an entire theater company doing a bit of Religionmania. Aside from entertainment and charitable events, the convention boasts a wide array of workshops and lectures including Jennifer Bardi- Anchoring Your Atheist Story; James Underdown- Navigating the Media; August Berkshire- Starting Your Own Radio Show; and dozens of other events to promote communication in our community. Panels include Women Recovering from the Constraints of Religion and a special recognition festival for Atheists in Foxholes. For those who are trying to get through loss, without the inappropriate prayers offered, there is even a workshop on Godless Grief.

The convention offers an online streaming video for those who cannot make a journey to the various programs in person. The prices are quite reasonable:1. $75 for all three days (Friday night-Sunday morning)
2. $20 Friday night only
3. $40 Saturday (all day and all night)
4. $20 Sunday morning only
To purchase a password, please visit:
http://www.onsitestreaming.com/index.php

And, if you would like to attend in person, visit the website and register:
$150 (AAI Member); $160 (Non-Member)
$80 (Full-Time Student Rate—Student ID required). The cost of the convention includes- a souvenir speakers booklet, Friday-night hors d’oeuvre and entertainment, a Friday night concert, admission to the exhibition hall, Saturday morning workshops, Saturday afternoon plenary, Saturday Happy Hour with hors d’oeuvres and music, Saturday night plenary with a musical presentation, Sunday Continental Breakfast, Sunday plenary, and Closing Ceremony. Additional charges exist for dinner, luncheon, and special "Fun Raising" events. Parking at the event is $12 per day, and the location is wheelchair accessible.

Exhibitors for the convention floor include:

American Atheists
American Humanist Association
Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Aspiring Atheist
Atheist Alliance International
The Atheist Spot
Atheists United
The Bill of Rights Security Edition
The Brights' Net
Center For Inquiry-Los Angeles
Center for Spirituality and the Mind
Charlie's Playhouse
EvolveFish
Final Exit Network
Godless Americans Political Action Committee
Hope Press
Libros RevoluciĆ³n
Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers
Orange County Atheists
Orange County People for Animals
Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science
Secular Coalition for America
Secular Nation Podcast Station
Secular Student Alliance
Scouting For All
Stephen Uhl

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, that sounds awesome!
I'm not familiar with how pay-for-streaming-video works. Is it possible for me to pay for it and watch it at a later time? I have a mass of Very Important Job stuff all next week and weekend.
Thanks for the help!

WireWoman
Lee, in Seattle

cathescomicz said...

I believe it's set up so you can either stream during the events, or order the video afterwards. Hopefully, you'll get to see whom you like!