Convention Fans

Last month I posted a press release for Pop Japan Travel, which is offering an incredible travel package for anime and cosplay plans. I just received an updated press release yesterday, announcing the addition of an exclusive meeting with Yaoi creator Makoto Tateno. You can see the original press release by clicking here. The new press release, with info about Makoto Tateno, is below:

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  Pop Japan Travel Announces Exclusive Meeting with Legenday Yaoi Creator, Makoto Tateno!

(Los Angeles, January 9, 2009) - Already celebrating its fourth tour of 2009, Pop Japan Travel is pleased to announce the return of the highly anticipated Fujoshi Paradise Tour, which now includes an exclusive meeting with legendary yaoi creator Makoto Tateno!

From May 13th until May 21st, Fujoshi shall unite as Pop Japan Travel brings Yaoi fans to Japan for what could be considered the most unique tour of the year.  Focused entirely on the theme of Yaoi (also known as “Boys Love” or “Shonen Ai”), our Fujoshi Paradise Tour is so exciting that it was featured in a recent issue of Metropolis, the most widely circulated English-language magazine in Japan.  Adding to the excitement, this year’s tour now features an EXCLUSIVE meeting with Makoto Tateno, the creator of some of the best-selling Yaoi titles in history, including Hero Heel, Yellow, Steal Moon, Hate To Love You, Red Angel, and Omen!

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I haven’t done a quick “News Blurbs” posting in a while, sorry! This is basically an anime related entry, so if you’re more into the sci-fi/fantasy cons no need to keep reading.

1. There is still no update to the story of Deborah Fourzan. Deborah is the girl who went missing at the beginning of this month, having allegedly left town with a 40 year old  man. They were apparently intending to attend IKKiCON and other anime cons on their way to California. They were not found at IKKiCON, and are still missing. Refer back to this post for police contact info and a full description of both Deborah and the man she’s apparently with. Let’s hope this ends well, and she’s found unharmed.

2. Con-G occurred last weekend, in Guelph, Ontario. According to the official website, the convention was a “huge success.” About 350 people attended the convention. You can read the full comments and the “thank you” messages here.

3. There’s an interesting post over at TuftsDaily.com about a Professor of Japanese and her comments about anime fandom. The professor, Susan Napier, has a book out called “From Impressionism to Anime: Japan as Fantasy and Fan Cult in the Mind of the West.” She stopped by the Tuft’s University’s Hirsch Reading Room to discuss it. You can read the entire article here.

As always, if you have convention news, contact me and tell me about it!

The Internet is full of wonderful resources, especially for those of us who are into fandom and conventions. I recently came across a site called the Sci-fi Conlist, which I just had to share. It is a site dedicated entirely to science fiction conventions all over the world, and includes a calendar to help con-goers plan their year out in advance. If you can’t find a particular convention on the website, you can add one. Those who do attend conventions in the database are encouraged to leave feedback for others to see.

To check out the calendar, click here. As you can see, spring is crazy busy for cons. For example, on the calendar you can find Megacon, WonderCon and ConDor all taking place next weekend (Feb. 27 - March 1). Then it’s Albacon (March 6), followed by All-con, Wizard World LA, and MomoCon (a free convention) on March 13 - 15.

There’s also a blog on the site, filled with articles like “The Top 10 Hottest Con Slave Leias Ever” and pictures of a Lego made Serenity ship.

If you know of a great fandom website or blog (especially if it pertains to conventions), be sure to post a link in a comment!

Last week I posted a press release announcing the Klingon Bloodwine Festival. Yesterday, I received an e-mail from Rick Smith, the Event Coordinator,  letting me know that it has been decided to donate 100% of the Gate Profit from the festival to the charity Free Wheelchair Mission.

From the e-mail:

“Please come helps us support this important cause. I have had the pleasure of having worked with them in the past, and the work they do has moved us to help in this unprecedented way. So please help us help them, even if you can’t make the event buy a one day General Admission Pass, every little bit helps.”

What a truly honorable gesture! Thanks again to Rick for letting me know, so I could share this latest info with all of you.

Here is a quick update to a convention I posted about a few weeks ago, CHS Otaku Fest, which is happening in Maryland this April. They have reduced their prices! It’s now $10 before March 21st, $15 after, and $17 at the door. Also, dealer’s spaces now cost $60 per space. Go ahead and take a look at the release for more info:

 CHS Otaku Fest Announces Price Reductions

Ellicott City, MD February 21st, 2009 – CHS Otaku Fest, the new anime convention in Maryland to be held on April 25th, is pleased to announce that is has reduced its registration fee and dealers room fee.

The price is now $10 per person before March 21st and $15 after. At the door price has been reduced from $22 to $17 and the dealer’s room is now $60 per space.
Additionally, the official hours of the convention are now 10:30 am to 7:00 pm.

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