Tag: Canada

Tsukino-Con Day One: Cosplayers & Smiling Artists

By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

Tsukino-Con
February 14 – 16, 2014
University of Victoria
Gordon Head
Saanich, British Columbia

Tsukino2I’ve always wanted to attend Tsukino-Con but the attitude among my friends were that of disdain. They believed Tsukino was a cosplay event directed at pre-teens and teens than adults who some consider the “real fans.”

I had listened to them for years but secretly I yearned to be among the people who had the same interests as I did. I couldn’t afford to travel to the big cons like Dragon Con or Anime Expo (again), and Tsukino is closer and cheaper. GottaCon is mostly for gamers but I’m an anime fan at heart.

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GottaCon Picks Up New Hotel Sponsor

By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

Gottacon

The following information was provided by Evan Hatch, co-organizer of the GottaCon gaming convention:

The Empress, which is connected to the conference centre, is now confirmed as one of our two hotel sponsors this year with rooms at $99/night!!! This is an amazing introductory year rate. Full details are coming to our website in the next week but you can now call and book your rooms by calling 250-384-8111 or 1-800-441-1414 and mentioning you are booking for the GottaCon 2014 Gaming Convention otherwise this rate will not be available. Also the hotel is providing parking (valet or self) at $20 per day instead of $32. If that parking fee is still too rich for your blood we are looking at other options and will release that soon.
We are extremely excited to have the Empress take part in our event with such an affordable rate for such an amazing hotel…and you don’t even have to walk outside! Room quantities are limited so call and get yours asap!

The GottaCon Gaming Convention runs from Feb 28 – March 2, 2014 in Victoria, British Columbia. You can visit GottaCon’s official website here.

[Victoria, BC] Rocky Horror Show: Its Good To Relieve a Little … Tension

By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)
Revisions by Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

rockyhorror2Rocky Horror Show
McPherson Playhouse
Oct. 31 – Nov. 1, 2013

Kaleidoscope Theatre lets it all hang out as sexual promiscuity mixes with fetishes, classic Hollywood horror and a little alien fun. With Rocky Horror Show — a benefit performance in support of continuing this groups effort to bring the Arts to the youths of Victoria — lines are blurred between hero and villain. And perhaps we are all just people wanting to be understood.

The Rocky Horror original stage show saw success at London’s Royal Court Theatre before going on to greater success in the United States, thanks in part to producer Lou Adler. With UK show director Jim Sharman and original star Tim Curry as Frank N’ Furter (later replaced by Paul Jabara) transferred to the US, the rest of the cast was filled with Hollywood and Broadway performers. Pre-Bat Out of Hell Meat Loaf would play the roles of both Eddie and Dr. Scott.

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Happy Halloween From Otaku no Culture!

By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

That candy is obviously sugar-free. The poor child in the corner has died from malnutrition because of it.
That candy is obviously sugar-free. The poor child in the corner has died from malnutrition because of it.

We here at Otaku no Culture would like to wish all of our readers a safe and happy Halloween!

In this photo is Denise Pearson, award-winning professional Johnny Depp impersonator. Here she is as Captain Jack at Carnevil 2013, a event run on borrowed property by neighbourhood parents.

[Victoria, BC] Exploring Dracula, The Blood is The Life’s Revisions & News for Next Year

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

Dracula

Craigdarroch Castle
1050 Joan Crescent
Victoria, BC V8S 3L5

Ticket Reservations:
250-592-5323

Dates and times:
October 30th 7pm & 9pm
October 31st 8pm

Lord Dracula is back, and this time, the terror is twice as bloody, if not wickedly fun. Launch Pad and Giggling Iguana Productions revisits the legend of the vampire king in a show that’s said to be pumped up to an extra level of terror. Practically all of the classics from the Golden Age of Terror — Dorian Gray, Jekyll & Hyde, Poe and Faust — has been covered, and the news that The Wolfman will be appearing next will be highly anticipated. To round out the world, Frankenstein may be a massive undertaking to pull off. It can be done, if the management of Craigdarroch Castle allows it.

But for visitors pondering a visit to Victoria, BC for All Hallows Eve, they might want to consider purchasing tickets in advance to ensure this type of site-specific play will not be missed.

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Don’t Get Shrek’ed with the Musical, A Review

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

shrekmusicalShrek the Musical debuted to audiences in Seattle in 2008, and after it moved to Broadway, it played there for three years. In 2009, a show was recorded for video release, but it was delayed until now. Released on Amazon.com Sept 17 as a digital download and on Oct 15 to disk, this show showcases the talent known as Brian d’Arcy James (Shrek), Sutton Foster (Fiona), Christopher Sieber (Farquaad) and Daniel Breaker (Donkey). Amazingly, this musical production improves upon the source and the video release is a must-see for how it adds to DreamWork’s now retired product.

The Blu-ray release offers a behind the scenes construction of the musical, and both releases include a songbook for fans to sing along to. If this release can help Shrek return for some direct-to-video piece, fans can rejoice!

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