Tag: United States

Sakura-Con Brings Japan’s Band-Maid To the American Masses

Band Maid - Maid in Japan Album CoverSomeone at Sakura-Con has good taste in music or they know the next best thing when they see it. It wasn’t just a coincidence that Sakura had pre-fame J-pop band Scandal as guests in 2008. Now Sakura may have history repeating itself when Japanese rock group Band-Maid perform their first concert Stateside this March.

Band-Maid was formed in July, 2013 and consists of members Saiki Atsumi (vocals), Miku Kobato (guitar, vocals), Kanami Touno (guitar), Akane Hirose (drums), and Misa (bass). Known for their maid outfits commonly worn by hostesses of Japan’s Maid Cafés, their look was a concept born from the experiences of founding member Miku who worked at Noodol Cafe in Tokyo‘s Akihabara district.

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ECCC Brings Farscape’s Chiana to Northwest’s Emerald Capital

Gigi Edgley Publicity StillYou don’t have to be a mind reader to know many of Emerald City Comicon’s (ECCC) guests are strategic — many con guests have something to push or promote. A good guest is a busy guest. But the question one has is why is Gigi Edgley here? Edgley played the role of the Nebari Chiana in what is considered one of the greatest science fiction television series of all time, Farscape. The series’ father of creation Rockne S. O’Bannon (Defiance, CW’s Cult) announced in 2014 that a film version of the former SyFy produced series was in development. Where it is now is still in very early stages. One can only hope that Edgley will be here to promote the Farscape film but like any actress in-demand, she has other projects on the go.

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AX ’97 Masquerade Video Surfaces on the Net

Anime Expo LogoWhen scouring the internet, it is not easy to find photos of early Anime Expos (AX)– especially the ones your parents went to. And it is even more rare to discover a video. But it is thanks to people like Michael Winslow, who treasure such memories, that videos like this even exist. Although the video clocks in at 2:00:17 the masquerade itself runs 1:46:05. That’s enough time to cover the entire event.

Shot in 1997, Anime Expo had just made a return to it’s previous venue of the Los Angeles Aiport Hilton Hotel in California. The last time AX had been at the Hilton was in 1995.

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D23 Reveals Star Wars-Themed Land

By James Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

MillenniumFalcon

Chairman and Disney CEO Bob Iger announced earlier today at the Disney Expo that Disney will be building a 14-acre space dedicated to the Star Wars licensing. The new attraction will be found at both Disney’s Orlando, Florida and Anaheim, California theme parks.

Both additions will allow fans to be immersed in a whole planet populated by droids, humanoids and aliens. Visitors will be able to see a life-sized Millennium Falcon and the Mos Eisley Cantina. Each store and restaurant in the Star Wars land

Have a look at the concept art.

Ed on by for Seattle’s Cinerama Experience

10548066_10205688374821130_5286970000640909208_oThe Cinerama is a very special movie theatre located in Seattle, Washington that brings back all that’s enjoyable about watching films on the big screen. It’s been raved about by a few friends who have been there more than I. To learn about its history is one thing, but to know what it’s become is another. When the operation started up in 1963, just after the Century 21 Exposition, it had its share of problems when interest in getting a proper movie-going experience went on a decline in decades that followed. Microsoft co-founder, Paul Allen, loved coming to this theatre and rescued it in the late 90’s.

Stepping into this building’s interior was like a walk back through time. I was greeted with friendly smiles and helpful assistance from the staff. The next thing that caught my eye were the displays of authentic movie and television costumes in the foyer. The concession looked like a massive stand that offered a bit of everything. I was reminded of how The Vic Theatre back home displayed their food items and when considering the age of that home-based theatre to this one, I would not be surprised if they were built in the same decade.

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The Vintage Tempest’s Emerald City Comic Con Journal 2015 & Ch-ch-changes!

Changes are in store for Emerald City Comic Con now that it is under new ownership. Some of it is noticeable at the 2015 event and based on what I have experienced, I think what’s planned will be good. For one thing, instead of three days of the show, there will be four. That might alleviate some of the congestion as not many people will attempt to cram as much into a day.

Emerald City Comic Con

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

Changes are in store for Emerald City Comic Con now that it is under new ownership. Some of it is noticeable at the 2015 event and based on what I have experienced, I think what’s planned will be good. For one thing, instead of three days of the show, there will be four. That might alleviate some of the congestion as not many people will attempt to cram as much into a day.

And maybe for next year’s show, some events can be spread out better or there will be the return of some fond favourites. The Star Wars reading by Twisted Toonz was missing this year. In previous shows, it was re-enacted by the voice talent that comes to this Seattle-based show. This year would have been killer with the fact that Patrick Warburton, the voice of the Tick and the television version of Buzz Lightyear, was in the house! Include Janet Varney, the lead character in Avatar: Legend of Korra, Steve Blum (voice of Starscream in Transformers Prime), Veronica Taylor (Ash from Pokemon) and Tabitha St. Germain (My Little Pony), and the possibilities would have been stellar!

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