Tag: Sidney

Van Isle Convention, June 9th! at Sidney by the Sea

null 1The third annual Van Isle Comic Convention is taking place June 9th and it promises to continue in the tradition of focusing on industry talents than star power.

Headliner Nick Kondo of Sony Picture’s ImageWorks will be present to talk about Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse and perhaps hint at what’s next. Celebrity power is creeping in slowly; Two former Power Rangers (Blake Foster, Turbo, and Michael Sowell, Timeforce) are going to talk about their time in their role as Blue Power Ranger. No martial arts demonstrations from them are scheduled as most fans know those sequences were put in from original Japanese footage. This franchise’s staying power has made stars out of many and they delight in meeting fans.

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Bold Directions are in Store for Van Isle Con Year Two on June 10th!

null1By Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Van Isle Comic Con is back, and it promises to be bigger than last year’s. This event takes place on June 10th, 2018 and will take over the Mary Winspear Center up in Sidney, BC. This venue is not too far from the town core and this location is beautiful during a warm summer’s day. This event goes beyond simply comic books. It’s a look at popular culture in many of its forms, and this year it gets behind the scenes than in front of with the talent pool who is coming over to interact with fans. Plenty of activities will be offered not only on site but also off. For a quick bite, plenty of terrific eateries are nearby.

I talked to Josh Kully about what’s in store in Year Two. Support for island events is needed. Not everyone can afford to hit up the big shows on the mainland. These intimate events on Vancouver Island provide for a great change of pace, and who knows, maybe a celebrity can be spotted taking a break from filming. Getting to this township is easier for those coming from the mainland. It’s right next to the airport and ferry terminal. There’s a rumour one very loved Doctor Who star takes his breaks at Sidney by the Sea.

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Novelty Sodas to Rule Them All?

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By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

Strangely named sodas have been around for some time, perhaps dating as far back as 2005. Whether they come from globally recognized brand names like Pepsi’s Salty Watermelon and have limited distribution, how can I not resist the staple of my summer fiesta with Phillip’s Soda Works Smarkmouth Ginger Ale? This drink is tame when compared to the strange brews, namely Rocket Fizz’s Peanut Butter & Jelly Soda, there’s plenty more to discover on websites like the Vintage Soda Company.

My co-writer James Shaw (yes, he’s alive and living in a cave these days) and I were up in Sidney, BC over the Summer and one place we regularly visit is the Lilly Gobble Sweet Shop. They started carrying these novelty drinks early this year and when we discovered them, we were like kids in a candy store. I bought a couple to try out, and James … well, we were supposed to write this piece together. Sadly, he’s slipped into a sugar coma. Also, ever since the seasons changed, he’s put himself in hibernation mode and I believe he will never awaken.

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Impressions on Van Isle Con

Van Isle Con (held in Sidney, BC) successfully compressed down what felt like a weekend event to one day and left me wishing for more.

Van Isle ConBy Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

Out of the many conventions I have attended over the years, some leave me wanting for more and others make me wish it could go on forever. With small events, the choices of what to do can leave me realizing I can take on most of the show in under a few hours and enjoy the sites from the city/town that’s hosting.  Van Isle Con successfully compressed down what felt like a weekend event to one day and left me wishing for more.

Well, that’s if you are not like certain buddies of mine who will remain nameless. One had a long work day the night before, and the other was here to work (sort of) but he does not understand these geek shows as well as I do. Although I did not get much sleep, as I’m a night owl by nature, I did not crash n’ burn or find myself mentally exhausted when I took a long bus ride to and fro to get to this show.

I did need time to write (and edit) to describe all that I have experienced:

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Van Isle Con to Highlight Canada 150 this June!

Van Isle Con 2017 Promotional PosterOn June 11th, 2017, Van Isle Con promises to give nerds and Canada 150 partners a fun-filled weekend in Sidney, British Columbia. Located north of Victoria, the capital of this province, this township may well get a new nickname. Instead of book town, it will be all things sequential art related, and that’s not including the written word. It will shape the landscape around this community starting in May and it will lead to this event.

Josh Kully is part of the team who is helping to shape it. As a freelance illustrator making roads into the comic book industry with his recently published work, The Stork, he has come to know the local talents also living on Vancouver Island. In fact, they may appear in this show; Dan Schoening (Ghostbusters) and Ken Steacy (Tempus Fugitive) are well-known. His involvement in the local community and knowledge of the medium will be pivotal to making this show great.

“I honestly don’t remember a time I wasn’t into comics or art. It’s just something I have always been drawn to and it is a huge part of my life,” said Kully.

When considering the past history of events in Victoria, questions will also be asked by those unsure about the success. Over at Otakunoculture, we want all local geeky shows to succeed. I got a chance to talk to Josh, and had to begin with the tough one:

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