Welcome to the Oasis!
The Oasis Lounge is a radically inclusive, low-sensory, safer space for convention attendees and staff to rest, recharge, and renew their energy. You don’t have to talk to anyone if you don’t want to. Alongside our helpful staff, you’ll find fidget toys, books of short fiction and poetry, meditation aids, and coloring pages—all designed to help you recenter yourself when you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed so you can get back out there and enjoy Norwescon to the fullest.
If you need something you can’t find, let us know, and we’ll see if we can help. All persons of every kind are welcome. We can be found in room 7204 in the same wing as the BIPOC & AAPI lounge, but on the floor above.
Room hours:
- Thursday, Friday, and Saturday: Noon to 1 a.m.
- Sunday: Noon to 5 p.m.
Artemis: Cosmos, Presented by Starship Seattle
Be the crew! Fly a starship! Save the galaxy!
The beloved spaceship bridge simulator Artemis has been updated and renamed Artemis: Cosmos. The autonomous collective that has been running Artemis at Norwescon for about 15 years has branded itself “Starship Seattle.”
Artemis is a cooperative social game where several players work together to operate their ship and defend the sector from alien threats and space monsters. Multiple bridges can participate together in cooperative multi-ship missions. Each simulation runs 20–40 minutes. Players can drop in any time.
Report to the bridge in Maxi’s Salon for your assignment as Captain, Helm, Science, Communication, Engineering, or Weapons Officer. Check the program and Daily ’Zine for schedule updates.
Help the Labyrinth Cast with Your Fabric Donations
Hello there! I am Crystal Lloyd, the costumer for the upcoming shadow cast production of Labyrinth, premiering at this year’s Norwescon. I am looking for donations to help us make this show sparkle. If you can donate, please contact me directly. I can pick up in most cases.
Donations I need:
- 12+ yards of unbleached or earth tone (browns, beige, black, green) cotton, poly cotton, muslin, burlap (minimum of 1-yard pieces)
- 2 yards of red, blue, or yellow velvet, canvas, or suiting material (Sir Didymus)
- 3–4 yards of fancy trim, gold, silver, or shiny
- 2 yards of brown or black thin leather or pleather material
Items I would like to borrow for the show:
- 6 men’s pirate or peasant shirts (white, off-white, earth tones, black) in ANY SIZE
- 1 plain-colored full-size cloak of any material
Magic: The Gathering Drafts at Norwescon
Friday Night Magic: Two Draft Events.
- Mystery Booster 2 Draft—let chaos reign. With its limited release and hard-to-find cards, this is a rare chance to experience a truly chaotic draft. Limited to eight players at $50 per person.
- Edge of Eternities Draft—blast off into Magic’s space-fantasy set. Chart a course through the Sothera system to explore distant planets, wield dazzling magic, and wage war with alien factions. Limited to 24 players at $25 per person.
Saturday Night Magic: Two Draft Events.
- Bloomburrow Draft—cute, cozy, and full of chaos. Set in a magical world inspired by Redwall, Bloomburrow brings new, powerful mice, frogs, bats, birds, and more woodland creatures to the table. Three-pack draft, 40-card deck. Limited to 24 players at $20 per person.
- Khans of Tarkir Draft. Travel back to a beloved 2014 Magic set filled with fierce clans, powerful synergies, and, of course, rampaging dragons. Four-pack draft, 40-card deck. Limited to 10 players at $30 per person.
Sign‑ups are available on Warhorn pre-con and alongside general gaming registration in Lakeside Gaming.
Single Pattern Contest
Each year the Single Pattern Contest challenges your creative, sewing, and crafting skills by choosing one pattern as the basis for your creativity. The object of the competition is to construct a one-of-a-kind creation using this pattern. Some adjustments or changes to the pattern are allowed as long as the end product reflects the original pattern.
There is plenty of time to sign up or join us on Friday afternoon with your creation. Patterns can be found at the links below:
- Hooded Duster Coat Cloaks
- McCall’s Misses’/Men’s Lined and Unlined Cape (M4139)
More information and sign-up forms are available online.
Concerts Return to Norwescon
We’ve got a great lineup of musicians for you! All concerts will be held in the Tower Lounge (formerly known as Maxi’s) on the top floor of the DoubleTree Tower. There will also be an Open Drum Circle and Open Filk in the evenings in Evergreen 3/4.
Thursday, April 2
4 p.m.: Cathy McManamon
5 p.m.: Andrew Ross
Friday, April 3
10 a.m.: Gareth Davis
11 a.m.: The Faithful Sidekicks
2 p.m.: Paul Kwinn
3 p.m.: The PDX Broadsides
4:15 p.m.: Alexander James Adams
Saturday, April 4
1 p.m.: Faerie Born
2 p.m.: Cool Nerd Mark
4 p.m.: Ménage à Trio
5 p.m.: Vixy & Tony
Sunday, April 5
11 a.m.: Cecilia Eng
Noon: Griff the Filker
Lights, Camera, Norwescon!
Norwescon’s Speculative Film Festival is back for year six. Check out the newly published film list (complete with trailers) on our website. This year, we’re moving to one-hour blocks so you can easily drop in for some cinematic magic between your favorite panels.
Hey, Cosplayers and Costume Wizards
Dust off your glue guns and fire up those sewing machines—this year’s Norwescon Masquerade is going full-on legendary! We’re talking next-level prizes, including free passes to Norwescon 49.
But wait, there’s even more sparkle! Thanks to our amazing workmanship judge, Barnkow, and their convention-powered magic with Costume College, we’re also adding the following prizes:
- A Costume College scholarship with hotel stay
- A full year of Costumer’s Guild West membership
And because feedback is the ultimate XP boost, you’ll also get insightful, encouraging notes from our superstar panel of judges to help you level up your costuming skills. Bring your brilliance, your boldness, and your best builds. This masquerade is going to be unforgettable! Sign up online today.
Hotel Updates: New Names, Same Old Good Service
Here are several updates regarding the hotel restaurants, outlet, and a new hotel policy. Recently, the hotel changed its management company. This has not resulted in any change to day-to-day operations or staff we’ve come to appreciate.
However, they’ve changed the following names:
- Coffee Garden is now DoubleTree Breakfast Restaurant
- Seaports is now DoubleTree Restaurant & Lounge
- Thunderbird Market is now The Coffee Market
- Maxi’s is now Tower Ballroom and Lounge
The other big news is that the hotel has gone cashless. They will accept all major credit cards and debit cards. This is a new trend in a lot of businesses these days. Looking forward to seeing you all soon!
https://www.norwescon.org/2026/03/02/news-from-norwescon-march-2026/ #Artemis #Labyrinth #MagicTheGathering #SpeculativeFilmFestival
