Things to Do
Explore everything from anime screenings to panels featuring special guests, virtual reality demonstrations to family-friendly activities for the kids, and so much more.
At Saluki Con, There's a Lot to Do and See!
Panels & Workshops
Location: Student Center Auditorium (unless otherwise noted)
Student Center Map: Map of First Floor Map of Second Floor
Panels & Workshops Schedule:
Beyond Belters and Xenomorphs: How Wild Biochemistry Turns Sci-fi Plot Devices Into Real Science
Dr. Scott Hamilton-Brehm
11:00 AM
From The Expanse’s Belters to Alien’s xenomorphs, science fiction is packed with wild biology that seems impossible—until you meet its real-world cousins in the lab. Join Dr. Scott Hamilton-Brehm as he explores extremophiles, bizarre biochemistry, and the panspermia hypothesis to show how today’s microbes can inspire tomorrow’s starships. Come see why you don’t have to leave Earth to find life that feels straight out of science fiction.
Film Screening: Clare McNulty's Roach Trip
With Clare McNulty, moderated by Bug Davidson
12:00 PM
Roach Trip is inspired by a true event from writer/director Clare McNulty’s life. While driving from Los Angeles to Tucson after an acting job, she unknowingly picked up a cockroach at a gas station as night fell.
That moment became the foundation for a darkly comic short film about fear, grief, and the illusion of control. Roach Trip was funded by 183 backers on Kickstarter and completed in October 2025.
Artist Talk: Nate Powell
3:00 PM
Sharp Museum (No Saluki Con Ticket Required)
Graphic novelist Nate Powell will discuss his work on display at the Sharp Muesuem.
CATACOMBS & COMEDIANS
4:00 PM
Comedy crosses swords with D&D with a live, actual-play D&D show featuring comedians and creators roleplaying as an intrepid party of adventurers—defiling dungeons and degrading dragons. The Catacombs & Comedians live actual-play D&D comedy show has performed in comedy clubs and theaters, gaming conventions, and online streaming. Even if you’ve never played Dungeons & Dragons, you’ll be chuckling and chortling at the outrageous antics, puns, and most of all, the thinly veiled euphemisms and double entendres being flung from the stage like Eldritch Blasts from a belligerent Warlock. (It’s a lot.) Roll for hilarity!
Free to Saluki Con attendees. Parental guidance suggested.
Society for Creative Anachronism: Historical Fun in Modern Times
11:00 AM
It's Magic We Do: Black Faiths in Horror
Dr. Caleb McKinley-Portee
12:00 PM
Join Dr. McKinley-Portee in an exploration of Black faith in horror as demonstrated in Netflix's Castlevania: Nocturne and Ryan Coogler's Sinners.
Publishing Panel: Local Authors
1:00 PM
ACTORS PANEL: HENRY THOMAS AND ANNABETH GISH
1:00 PM
Ohio Room, 2nd Floor North End
Outdoor Weapons and combat Demonstration: Society for Creative Anachronism
2:00 PM
East Lawn
An Evening With Henry Thomas
Saturday, Doors open at 6:00 PM, Event starts at 6:15 PM
Student Center Auditorium
Event add-on must be purchased to attend. Special Henry Thomas Meet & Greet after the event for VIP pass holders!
Purchase the event add on here!
Neon Tiger Tattoo
Neon Tiger Tattoo will be at Saluki Con! They will be doing tattoos (Arms & Legs) and Piercings. They will be set up in the International Lounge on the Second floor of the Student Center.
Photo Booth
Art Alley, Second Floor
Provided by John A Logan College Advanced Photography
Saturday & Sunday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Anime Movie Marathon
Illinois Room, Second Floor
Brought to you by Animekai RSO
Saturday
- 11am-12:30pm Tokyo Godfathers (1 hr & 32 minutes) with movie host Mia
- 1:30pm-3pm Liz and the Blue Bird (1 hour & 30 minutes) with movie host Mia
- 3pm-5pm Steamboy (2 hours & 6 minutes) with movie host Matt
- 5pm-6pm Maquia: When The Promised Flower Blooms (1hr & 55 minutes) with movie host Courtney
Sunday
- 11am-12:30pm Batman Ninja (1hr & 25 minutes) with movie host Luis
Esports
Super Smash Melee
Saturday 12pm
Cambria Room, First Floor South End
Family Zone
Life-Size Games for the Whole Family
Hosted by Edie and Madie Ruez
Saturday & Sunday
10am-12pm & 1pm-5pm
Games include:
- Candyland
- Chutes & Ladders
- Space Invaders
- Horse Race
All children must be accompanied by an adult. No exceptions.
Food
Hungry? We've got you covered!
Bake Me Happy, Food Co
Old Main Room, Second Floor
Will be providing a robust menu!
Saturday & Sunday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Starbucks
First Floor
Open Saturday only, 10:30 AM - 6 PM
The University Bookstore
First Floor
Open Saturday only, 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Community Events
No Saluki Con Ticket Required
SIU Philosophy and the GPU present: Tron and the Advent of AI, with a special talk by Dr. Andrew Youpa
Thursday, April 16, 7:00 PM, Doors Open at 6:00 PM
The Varsity Center
The original Tron with its dazzling visuals and inventive depiction of cyberspace captured the world's imagination of the future of Artificial intelligence. Please join us in returning to the cinematic roots of AI in helping to not only understand our present, but also the future in our relationship between programs and programmers.
An Evening with Clare McNulty
Friday, April 17, 5:00 PM
SIU Center for Virtual Expression (Faner 1229)
Clare is probably most known for her role as Chantal Witherbottom on HBO’s Search Party. She also recently made a short film, Roach Trip, which she wrote, starred in, and directed. The film has been selected for a number of festivals and will be shown at SalukiCon. This event is a student-focused event where you will be able to meet Clare and discuss these projects.
Register for An Evening with Clare McNulty here!
Artist Talk: Nate Powell
Saturday, April 18, 3:00 PM
Sharp Museum
Words Unspoken featuring the works of Nate Powell and Len Davis will also be on display at the Sharp Museum through April 25th.