PolaCon 9: An Instant Film Convention

Name: PolaCon 9: An Instant Film Convention
Start: 2024-09-27T08:00:00-05:00
End: 2024-09-29T22:00:00-05:00
Location: Downtown Denton

Schedule

Fri Sep 27 2024 at 08:00 am to Sun Sep 29 2024 at 10:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

Downtown Denton | Denton, TX

Mark your calendars for the 9th PolaCon back where it all started* — Denton and Dallas, Texas!
Start to make travel & lodging plans to join us Friday, Sept. 27 through Sunday, Sept. 29. And, by popular demand, IFS will also plan some “Day Zero” events for Thurs., Sept. 26.
We can’t wait to see y’all!
Instant Film Society’s PolaCon returns again for 3-days** packed with 20+ demos, talks, Q-&-As, panel discussions, workshops, Photo Walks, photo booths and much more.
We’ll have sessions for beginners just starting their instant film journey as well as advanced workshops for the long-time friends. Here's the full schedule:
*This schedule is subject to change. For the most up to date schedule information be sure to join the PolaCon NTX WhatsApp Group and follow Instant Film Society on social media.
☞ THURSDAY (Day 0)
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm | Lunch
\\ Austin St. Truck Stop - 208 N Austin St
\\ For the early birds! Grab a bite to eat at one of Denton’s most loved meet-up spots and gear up for a weekend of instant film fun! \\ Open to the public
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm | Pinball & Polaroid
\\ Free Play Arcade - 101 W Hickory St
\\ Pinball and Polaroid, a match made in heaven! Join us at Free Play Arcade for classic arcade games and refreshments. Remember to tell them you’re with the Instant Film Society! \\ Open to the public
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm | Happy Hour Meet & Greet
\\ Union Bear Brewing Co. - 215 S Bell Ave
\\ Grab some drinks and a bite to eat at Denton’s newest brewery! Mix and mingle with instant film friends old and new while snapping a few frames. \\ Open to the public
7:00 pm – 11:00 pm | Live Music: WTFemme Productions Showcase & May May Graves
\\ Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios - 411 E Sycamore St
\\ Hop across the train tracks for a night of burlesque and live music provided by our friends at WTFemme Productions. \\ Open to the public
☞ FRIDAY (Day 1)
DALLAS, TX
10:00 am - 8:00 pm | 13th Annual Rain-or-Shine Polawalk at the State Fair of Texas
\\ Fair Park - 3809 Grand Ave, Dallas, TX
\\ Bring your favorite instant film cameras and a couple packs of film as we celebrate the opening day of the fair! Don’t have an instant camera? No worries! All cameras are welcome! Includes the State Fair Scavenger Hunt. Meet-ups behind Big Tex at noon, 2:30 pm and 5 pm.\\ Open to the public
DENTON, TX
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm | Workshop: Make Your Own Cyanotype with the Instant Film Society
\\ Harvest House - 331 E Hickory St
\\ Discover the art of cyanotypes with Instant Film Society board member Alexas Monroe! This all-ages workshop is FREE to attend and all supplies will be provided.\\ Open to the public
1:30 pm – 2:00 pm | Workshop: Instant Film 101 & Story Time with the Instant Film Society
\\ Harvest House - 331 E Hickory St
\\ Learn the ins and outs of instant film with Instant Film Society board member Alexas Monroe. Follow up this all-ages workshop with story time for the little ones.\\ Open to the public
2:15 pm – 3:00 pm | Workshop: Instant Film Scavenger Hunt with the Instant Film Society
\\ Harvest House - 331 E Hickory St
\\ Take the skills you’ve learned and put them to work on an instant film scavenger hunt! Get creative and most importantly, HAVE FUN! \\ Open to the public
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm | Workshop: Make Your Own Zine with Denton Zine & Art Party
\\ Harvest House - 331 E Hickory St
\\ Turn your scavenger hunt photos into instant art with our Make Your Own Zine Station provided by our friends at Denton Zine & Art Party. \\ Open to the public
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm | Dinner Break
\\ Choose your own adventure
\\ Take a break and grab some grub before the evening’s entertainment begins. \\ Open to the public
6:30 pm - 12:00 am | PolaCon 9 Welcome Party
\\ Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios - 411 E Sycamore St
\\ Let your hair down and mingle with instant film friends old and new! Enjoy live music from DJ Douggpound, Fat Tony, Johnny Pemberton, Sudie, RM Brown, and Fishboy! Render: Texas Delicatessen will be on site with a flavorful menu (vegetarian options available).
☞ SATURDAY (Day 2)
8:30 am – 10:00 am | Downtown Denton Mural Walk with Evan Blowers
\\ Downtown Denton – Meet at Jupiter House Coffee - 106 N Locust St
\\ Grab some coffee and make your way around historic downtown Denton for an early morning mural walk! Evan will guide you on a leisurely walk while highlighting the city’s many murals. \\ Open to the public
10:00 am – 12:00 pm | Meet-Up: Denton Camera Exchange
\\ Denton Camera Exchange - 117 Piner St
\\ Stock up on film and mingle with fellow instant film fanatics before the main event begins. We’ll photo walk our way to Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studio for the main event. \\ Open to the public
.12:00 pm – 6:00 pm | Zines & Things Swap Meet
\\ Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios – 411 E Sycamore St, PATIO
\\ Buy, sell, or trade zines, photo books, prints, and all things photo related at our Zines & Things Swap Meet! Shop from additional local vendors and sponsors and support the Instant Film Society by stocking up on exclusive PolaCon 9 merch.
.12:00 pm - 12:10 pm | Opening Address
\\ Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios – 411 E Sycamore St, PATIO
\\ A welcome address from the Instant Film Society. Get a quick orientation to PolaCon and the flow of the weekend's festivities at this short opening address.
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm | Workshop: Instant Film 101 with Jen Brimmage
\\ Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios - 411 E Sycamore St, PATIO
\\ Cyanolumen prints combine cyanotype and lumen print processes, using photographic paper versus watercolor paper. This combination of techniques lends itself to whimsical results, limited only by one’s imagination.
\\ Class Size: 10-25
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm | Workshop: Polaroid 101 with Martin Souza
\\ Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios - 411 E Sycamore St, PATIO
\\ An interactive workshop for Polaroid beginners and the Polaroid-curious! We’ll talk about the basics of Polaroid film and the fundamentals of shooting with it from a beginner-oriented perspective. All questions welcome, no previous instant photography experience necessary!
\\ Class Size: 10-25
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm | Workshop: Cyanotypes with Corasonora
\\ Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios – 411 E Sycamore St, PATIO
\\ Here comes the sun! In this workshop, Corasonora will walk you through the process of making your own Cyanotype prints.
\\ Class Size: 10-25
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm | Talk: How An Artist Can Inspire Your Work with Paul Souza
\\ Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios – 411 E Sycamore St, RUBBER ROOM
\\ Here comes the sun! In this workshop, Corasonora will walk you through the process of making your own Cyanotype prints.
\\ Class Size: 10-25
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm | Workshop: Light Painting & Beyond with Sean McGarry
\\ Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios – 411 E Sycamore St, RUBBER ROOM
\\ Join multimedia experimental artist Sean McGarry for a one-of-a-kind light painting demo and workshop. Learn Sean’s process, then try your hand at creating your own instant film artwork.
\\ Class Size: 20-35
3:00 - 4:00 | Demo: What Can You Do With a Polaroid Pack Film Camera? with James Skelton
\\ Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios - 411 E Sycamore St, RUBBER ROOM
\\ Join photographer and camera hacker James Skelton as he shows you just what you can do with a Polaroid pack film camera. From manual shutter speed mods to 600 conversions, Jim gives new life to orphaned instant cameras.
\\ Class Size: 10-25
3:00 – 4:00 | Workshop: The Art of Instant Film with Martha Rincon, Lu and Alexas Monroe
\\ Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios - 411 E Sycamore St, PATIO
\\ Embrace your inner artist! Instant film photographers and artists Martha Rincon and Lu will discuss their artistic process, followed by a hands-on mixed media workshop. \\ Class Size: 20-35
4:00 – 5:00 | Workshop: Music Photography Panel with Rahm Carrington, Daniel Rodrigue & More
\\ Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios - 411 E Sycamore St, PATIO
\\ Get a backstage pass into the world of music photography with Rahm Carrington, Daniel Rodrigue, and more! Learn how they get the shot and implement instant film into their work. Afterwards, take what you’ve learned and snap a few frames during our PolaCon Masquerade Ball!
\\ Class Size: 20-35
5:00 - 6:00 | Talk: The State of the Emulsion Address with The Instant Film Society & More
\\ Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios - 411 E Sycamore St, PATIO
\\ A PolaCon tradition! Join the Instant Film Society and friends for a panel discussion and Q&A covering a variety of instant film related topics. Got a question you'd like to ask the panel? Bring it on! This crew is ready for you. God bless the United States of Emulsion.
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm | Dinner Break
\\ Choose your own adventure
\\ Take a break and grab some grub before the evening’s entertainment begins. Render: Texas Delicatessen will be on site with a flavorful menu (vegetarian options available). \\ Open to the public
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7:00 pm – 1:00 am | Live Music: PolaCon Masquerade Ball
\\ Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios - 411 E Sycamore St
\\ Dance the night away to some of your favorite 80s and 90s hits from local favorites Panic (The Smiths & Morrissey Tribute) and Oatmeal Pizza (Nirvana Tribute). And don’t miss local favorites Smothered and Violent Squid before welcoming the return of 80s Dance Night with DJ G! \\ Open to the public

☞ SUNDAY (Day 3)
11:00 pm - 12:00 pm | Meet-Up: Denton Camera Exchange
\\ Denton Camera Exchange - 117 Piner St
\\ Shake off your hangover and meet up with your instant film friends at Denton Camera Exchange before polawalking your way to Dan’s Silverleaf. \\ Open to the public
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm | Brunch: Pam Food
\\ Dan’s Silverleaf - 103 Industrial St
\\ Enjoy a chef-prepared brunch at an affordable price. \\ Open to the public
12:00 pm - 3:00 pm | Live Music: Donuts & Donuts with Brian Brooks & DJ Yeahdef
\\ Dan’s Silverleaf - 103 Industrial St, INDOORS
\\ Enjoy a sweet treat for the senses with a 45-only set by DJs Brian Brooks and Yeahdef! FREE donuts provided by the Instant Film Society (while supplies last). \\ Open to the public
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm | Demo: Get To Know The Polaroid Lab with Andy Odom & Lora O.
\\ Dan’s Silverleaf - 103 Industrial St, BACK PATIO
\\ Join Instant Film Society board members Andy Odom and Lora O’Shaughnessy for a discussion and demo of the Polaroid Lab. Learn how they use this innovative tool to get the most out of instant film! \\ Class Size: 20-30
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm | Workshop: Polaroid Macro Photography with David Hunter
\\ Dan’s Silverleaf - 103 Industrial St, BACK PATIO
\\ Get in close for a Polaroid macrophotography workshop with instant film photographer David Hunter. David will discuss his process for capturing detailed close-up shots on instant film. \\ Class Size: 20-30
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm | Demo: Polaroid 8x10 Photography with Armand Kohandani
\\ Dan’s Silverleaf - 103 Industrial St, BACK PATIO
\\ Go BIG or go home! Join Armand Kohandani, owner of Denton Camera Exchange, for a Polaroid 8x10 demo. Afterwards, step right up and have your portrait taken on this magical instant film format.
\\ Class Size: 20-30
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm | Demo: Polaroid Transparencies with Andrew Roibal
\\ Dan’s Silverleaf - 103 Industrial St, BACK PATIO
\\ Think outside the frame! Artist and instant photographer Andrew Roibal will guide you through his process for creating Polaroid transparencies.
\\ Class Size: 20-30
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm | Live Music: Local Music Showcase with The Baptist Generals & Friends
\\ Dan’s Silverleaf - 103 Industrial St
\\ Enjoy a special performance from DFW’s own The Baptist Generals, as well as a solo performance by Chelsey Danielle – FREE for all PolaCon attendees.
7:00 pm - 12:00 am | Live Music: PolaCon 9 Wrap Party
\\ Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios - 411 E Sycamore St
\\ Dance the night away with Gee Tee, R.M.F.C., Answering Machines, Sacred Attention
\\ Open to the public

Follow @instantfilmsociety on Instagram and Facebook for more details as they develop.

WHERE TO STAY IN DENTON?
Denton is located 40 miles north of Dallas, 25 miles north of Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) Airport & 36 miles north of Dallas Love Field (DAL) Airport. Book early while attendees have several nearby hotels, AirBnBs and real B&Bs to choose from.
We have secured a limited amount of discounted rooms at Hilton Garden Inn (code 91U, deadline 9/6) and Embassy Suites (deadline 9/13). Check the event comments for the links!
Check out Denton accommodations here: discoverdenton.com/where-to-stay/
Thanks to our sponsors and partners:
Polaroid
Denton Camera Exchange
Garland Camera
Union Bear Brewing Company
Norman Roscoe
Rose's Costumes
Barnhart's Barbershop
Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios
Dan's Silverleaf