User:Tampering Ides/sandbox
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2009
Prior to the first LeakyCon in 2009, wizarding rock groups performed for a fundraising night outside of the Terminus 2008 convention in Chicago.[1] The dance party, held on Friday, August 8, 2008 and only accessible by showing ID to prove the attendee was at least seventeen, was organized by Wrock Wreggies.[1] Performers included The Chocolate Frogs, Dreary Inferi, Swish and Flick, and The Whomping Willows.[1] Though separate from the Terminus conference,[a] transportation was provided to the concert for Terminus ticket holders.[1]
The inaugural convention took place at the Park Plaza Hilton in Boston, May 21–24, 2009.[3] There were more than 750 attendees and more than 70 various panels and activities.[4] Panels included discussions on civil liberties, the cultural impact of Harry Potter as a "phenomenon", its impact on literature, and social justice.[4] Among the invited guests were Michael Goldenberg;[4] keynote speakers Hank Green and John Green;[5] Lev Grossman, who was discussing his then-upcoming release of The Magicians;[6] Arthur A. Levine Books senior editor Cheryl Klein;[7] and Kansas State University professor of British literature Karin Westman.[8]
Among the performers were the Potter Puppet Pals.[9] Live music performances at the event were compiled onto an album which was presold for US$17 and sold at the event for US$20, with proceeds benefiting Book Aid International and the Harry Potter Alliance.[10] Draco and the Malfoys, Gred and Forge, Harry and the Potters, Justin Finch-Fletchley and the Sugar Quills, The Moaning Myrtles, The Mudbloods, The Parselmouths, The Remus Lupins, Riddle TM, Swish and Flick, Tonks and the Aurors, and The Whomping Willows performed live,[11][12] and all had recordings on the album.[10] Music performances at the event were divided into three separate programs, not including performances that took place as a part of other portions of the convention.[11] The groups The House of Black and Ministry of Magic also had recordings included on the album.[13]
2011
No LeakyCon took place in 2010, as The Leaky Cauldron crew who had organized the 2009 convention had planned to take the year off.[14] However, they were contacted by Hank and John Green and helped to organize the inaugural VidCon.[14][15]
It was at LeakyCon 2009 that John Green met Esther Earl in person,[16] whose story later served as inspiration for The Fault in Our Stars.[17] After her death in August 2010,[18] the LeakyCon ball was renamed "The Esther Earl Rocking Charity Ball".[19]
Impact
The first convention's proceeds went to benefit Book Aid International and the Harry Potter Alliance.[4]
An authenticity-certified signed hardback set of the Harry Potter novels and companion books, ten in all, was provided by J.K. Rowling specifically for LeakyCon in 2009.[20]