Mission

ConBust is a sci-fi/fantasy/anime/gaming convention put on each spring by students at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. This three-day event provides fans of various geekdoms the opportunity to gather and enjoy their interests as a whole. Panels and workshops, as well as movie and anime showings, and tabletop/LARP games, can be found in great abundance throughout the weekend. And of course, we have a fabulous array of guests who will be attending and presenting panels.
What sets ConBust apart from most other sci-fi, fantasy, anime, and/or gaming conventions is its focus on the female members of the participating community. While the various realms of geekdom remain stereotypically male-dominated, ConBust is held to celebrate the work and participation of women amongst these genres.


Directions

ConBust is housed in Seelye Hall on the campus of Smith College, a beautiful women's liberal arts institute in Northampton, Massachusetts.

Directions by car

From the South: Northampton is on Route I-91. Take Exit 18, and follow Route 5 north into the center of town. Turn left onto Route 9. Go through one set of traffic lights, turning left at the next set on to Route 66. Take the next right on to Green Street. There is a parking lot on the right, or you can park on the street. Seelye Hall is up the walkway from the parking lot. Just follow the sounds of geekery.
From the North: From I-91 South, take Exit 20, and follow onto Route 5 south into the center of town. At the intersection of Route 5 and Route 9 (Main Street), turn right onto Route 9. Then follow the same directions as above from Route 9 to campus.
From the East or West via the Massachusetts Turnpike: Northampton is on Route I-91 North (Mass Pike exit 4). Once on I-91, follow the directions above for visitors from the south.

Directions by bus

Peter Pan, Greyhound and Vermont Transit serve the area. Most routes go to the main bus terminal in Springfield, where you can catch another bus to Northampton. Buses run almost hourly between Springfield and Northampton. Smith is a 10-minute walk or a short taxi ride from the bus station.

Directions by train

Amtrak -- (800) 872-7245 -- runs trains to Springfield. From Springfield you can take a bus (about $4) or get van service ($20-$30) to Northampton from Valley Transporter. Valley Transporter requires advance reservations; call (413) 253-1350 or, from the airports or outside the 413 area code, (800) 872-8752.

Convention Times:

Friday: 5:30pm-12am
Saturday: 9:30am-11pm
One Dance to Rule Them All: 9pm-12am
Sunday: 9:30am-4pm

Artist/Dealer Room Times:

Friday: 7pm-9:30pm
Saturday: 9:30am-8pm
Sunday: 9am-4pm