[SUNDAY READ + WATCH] Sci-Fi in the Valley Con Brings Jedi, Vulcans to Ebensburg

Mike Mirobelli of Pittsburgh's Snake Eyes Gaming surveys the field during Sci-Fi in the Valley Con's "Warhammer 40,000" tournament play.

On Friday and Saturday, the North Central Recreation Center in Ebensburg was the epicenter of a splash of sci-fi, fantasy and horror subculture previously unseen in this area.

The first "Sci-Fi in the Valley Con" packed the rec center for two days of geeky communion.

The event wraps up today, yet many starships have landed, lightsabers have “vwoomed” and undead have shuffled alongside pirates and robots on the show floor - luckily, author Kirk Allmond put together a "Zombie Preparedness" panel.

Sci-Fi in the Valley Con is moving out of the Valley

Johnstown’s first ever science-fiction convention will now become Ebensburg’s first ever science-fiction convention.

Uematsu's music takes Benedum Center to Distant Worlds

The Distant Worlds Philharmonic tune their strings and set their keys in preparation of Saturday's Distant Worlds concert at Pittsburgh's Benedum Center.

On Saturday evening, Pittsburgh got a rare taste of choice pieces from Nobuo Uematsu's beloved Final Fantasy compositions - The Benedum Center along Liberty Avenue played host to Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy. 


The Distant Worlds Philharmonic Orchestra brought in dozens of local musicians and Grammy award-winning conductor Arnie Roth, who's traveled with the show since its inception in 2007, lovingly led the packed hall through a gamut of the most memorable FF tracks.

Johnstown's 1st science-fiction convention to take War Memorial by storm(troopers)

For a city whose early summer is drowned in a cacophony of engine revving and Ted Nugent, Johnstown might be the last place anyone would expect to find a Stormtrooper.

But in May, the Cambria County War Memorial Arena will play host to undead, wizards, superheroes and space marines at “Sci-Fi in the Valley Con,” the area’s first-ever science-fiction convention.