MaxFunCon

As promised, MaxFunCon class sign-ups open Monday morning, May 30, at 10AM Pacific Time!

Sign-up here.

How It Works

MaxFunCon has two "class periods": Session A (Saturday morning) and Session B (Saturday afternoon). Each attendee should sign up for ONE class in each period. One class in session A, one class in session B.

Couples, please sign up INDIVIDUALLY. This is the only way we'll have a full list of names for each class. (Yes, you can sign up your spouse for a class if they're at work or whatever, but please do so separately from your own signup - register only one person at a time.)

Don't Feel Like Taking a Class?

That's fine! Just sign up for "Free Time." It's available during both sessions. You can use the pool, jacuzzi, and fitness center, read a book, or do whatever you want.

Class Descriptions

If you haven't yet had a chance to read descriptions of this year's class offerings, you can do so here.

Questions?

Email theresa@maximumfun.org .

Comedy Open Mic Workshop with Maria Bamford and Jackie Kashian
Maria and Jackie will lead a small group of performers. Perform new material, get help, enjoy others' performances. All skill levels welcome. (This activity is only available in session B.)


Cooking with Julia Crookston
Julia is a chef experienced in almost every cooking setting, from running huge kitchens to being a private chef. Join her for the ‘Art of Rueben’, where you’ll assemble and grill Rueben sandwiches. As we do so we'll talk about the transformative properties of naturally occurring bacteria, why it is a good thing and then we'll eat 'em up. Vegetarians, do not overlook this class, we will spend a lot of time talking about naturally fermented vegetables - especially cabbage and root vegetables.


Mind Melding for Moon Bears: Group Creativity with Kasper Hauser
Working in a group can be a great way to create. But busted skills can turn your productive hive-mind into a collective soul-hole/scratch-fest. Come with Kasper Hauser and let the tears flow in this fun, hands-on session focusing on generating creative possibilities in any group setting, from pawn shop to porno factory (mainly just those two, though).


Improv with Jordan Morris
Jordan Morris isn't just the co-host of Jordan Jesse Go! and an on-air correspondent for Fuel TV. He's also a UCB-certified improv instructor. Try improv for the first time (Session A is open to all) or further your skills in the afternoon (Session B is for experienced improvisers.)


Lake Stroll
Enjoy the fresh air and natural beauty of Lake Arrowhead by strolling the trail along the lake’s shore with other MaxFunsters.


Pub Quiz with Chuck Bryant and John Hodgman
Hosted by Chuck Bryant, co-host of podcast ‘Stuff You Should Know’, and Daily Show correspondent John Hodgman. Have a beer. Earn valuable bragging rights. (This activity is only available in session B.)



Yoga for Comedy Nerds
Neal Pollack isn't just the author of "AlternaDad" and "The Neal Pollack Anthology of American Literature." He's also a yoga practitioner. Join him for some talk about how a comedy nerd came to yoga, and a bit of yoga for beginners.


How To Rock A Funky Story
Glynn Washington, host of NPR's Snap Judgment, dives directly into the nasty nitty-gritty of sexy sound-rich narrative. The process, the pain, the music, the tools, the edit, the betrayal, the love, and the shame - some or all of this will be covered in a session dedicated to creating the perfect story.


Getting Crafty with Jessica Kallam
Get crafty with expert crafter and craft teacher Jessica Kallam! Wield your creative genius in a blizzard of felt, glue, crepe paper and pipe cleaners! Jessica will teach needlefelting, which is the process of turning sheep's wool into 3D objects using a special, sharp needle and stabbing motions.This is for any level of crafter, especially recommended to any students whose lives are stressful and could benefit from stabbing an inanimate object repeatedly.


Writing with John Roderick
As frontman of The Long Winters, John Roderick has done almost everything you can do in rock music, short of becoming rich and famous. John also considers himself a widely-respected journalist, an extensively-quoted author and philosopher, a prima ballerina, a cowboy and an astronaut. His writing workshop will touch on how to keep writing when everything you write is boring and terrible, and how to, when all else fails, become a colorful personality. (Session B will focus on songwriting.)


Making Music Videos with Benjamin Harrison
Learn the full life cycle of making a music video, from conception to pitching, planning, shooting, and promoting it, with Benjamin Harrison, music video director and Director of Visual Messaging at Double 7 Images.


Animation Time with Pendleton Ward
Learn about the art, craft, and process of animation with the creator of Adventure Time (Cartoon Network) and executive producer of the award-winning ‘Secret Mountain Fort Awesome’. Pen will also get old-skool with some hands-on animation creation.


Making ‘You Look Nice Today’ with Adam Lisagor
Twitter celebrity and ‘You Look Nice Today’ co-host Adam Lisagor will take you on an adventure that is part podcasting class, part YLNT retrospective superfan celebration. Adam will take participants through the process of making the podcast, using clips and examples to demonstrate the production process.


Free Time
Use this time however you please! Explore the conference center grounds; take advantage of the pool, jacuzzi, and fitness center; chat with new friends in the main lodge; or curl up with a book by the fireplace in your condolet.

A few folks have asked about the weather in Lake Arrowhead. We encourage you to check (especially for rain) before you leave, but here's some basic information. Lake Arrowhead is in temperate Southern California, but it's also high in the mountains. Daytime temperatures have often been in the low 70s with clear skies, but nighttime temps are much cooler - they often dip into the low 40s. Remember that our s'mores roast and standup show are held in the evening in outdoor venues, and you can expect temps in the low 50s. Bring something warm to wear - past MaxFunsters recommend a sweater or sweatshirt, a coat and a scarf. Some folks have enjoyed having a lap blanket for the Saturday night show.

Activity Signups for MaxFunCon 2011 will go up Monday (Memorial Day) at 10AM pacific, 1PM eastern.

MaxFunCon activities are on a first-come, first-served basis, so if you have strong preferences, be sure to sign up online. You can also, of course, sign up for activities when you arrive and register, but some are likely to be full.

Given the rip-roaring success of our "Country Estate" theme last year, I thought we'd make it a tradition. For Saturday evening's party at MaxFunCon 2011, bring us your country best. Earthy colors and tweedy fabrics will be on display. Coats and ties appreciated, gentlemen. For some inspiration, see what folks wore last year.

I'm so happy to share that Lee Unkrich, the Oscar-winning director of Toy Story 3, will be joining us at MaxFunCon 2011. He'll be sharing a conversation about his work with interrogator and Famous Minor Television Personality John Hodgman.