Hampton, Virginia- On November 3-5, 2006 the Hampton Roads Convention Center will welcome over 2,900 otkau (geek, fanboy, fangirl) to NekoCon 9, a Japanese anime convention being held for the second consecutive year in Hampton’s newest and largest meeting facility. The event will feature everything from cosplay (a combination of the words costume and play, cosplay that refers to individuals dressing up in outlandish costumes) - to L.A.R.P. (or Live Action Role Playing) in which attendees dress up as their favorite anime characters and become part of the action.
One of the longest running traditions at NekoCon is the much-heralded Art Show, featuring work from both amateur and professional artists showcasing their anime, fantasy, and sci-fi inspired work. Convention attendees are encouraged to browse all art selections, as well as make bids on selected pieces that are currently up for sale. On Sunday November 5, the Art Auction will allow conventioneers the opportunity to finalize or make any changes to their bids. There is no fee to display art.
Different from the Art Show and Art Auction is the Artist Alley, an area designed
to allow artists to display, create, and commission their own traditional work in formats
ranging from models, t-shirts, calendars, drawings, posters, and more. The artists are encouraged to display and sell their own merchandise. While fan art is not banned from the alley, the sale of fan art is restricted and will be strictly policed for copyright infringement. (An example of fan art would be an artist selling HIS/HER rendering of Spider Man though the artist did not create Spider Man).
Other highlights of NekoCon 9 include an AMV contest; a dealer’s room where fans can purchase LDs’ CDs, posters, wallscrolls, manga, idol cards, and more; and a video game room. NekoCon 9 will also include guest appearances by some of the biggest names in anime, including Donnie Sturges, Robert and Emily DeJesus, JL Brown, and Luci Christian. Friday and Saturday’s festivities will conclude with dances: The Giant Robot Dance featuring DJ Ayres at 10:00 p.m. on Friday November 3 and Catseye with Househeadz United at 10:00 p.m. on Saturday November 4.
NekoCon 9 Hours:
Friday November 3, 2006: 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
Saturday November 4, 2006: 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Sunday November 5, 2006: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
NekoCon 9 Admission:
There is no admission fee to attend NekoCon if you are a member of the organization. However, if you are not a member, you can purchase memberships at the door for $45.00.
For more information on NekoCon 9, check out www.neckocon.org or call 757/272-0985.
Partially bordered by the Hampton Roads harbor and Chesapeake Bay, Hampton, with the new 344,000 sq. ft. Hampton Roads Convention Center, is located in the center of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. Hampton is the site of America's first continuous English-speaking settlement and is home to such visitor attractions as the Virginia Air & Space Center and Riverside IMAX ® Theater, the Cousteau Society, Hampton History Museum, harbor tours and cruises, Hampton University Museum, Fort Monroe, award-winning Hampton Coliseum, The American Theatre, among others. Hampton was twice-named All-America City, the nation's oldest and most prominent community recognition award.
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