WasabiNews

August 31 2016

ENTER TO WIN Free Passes to WasabiCon 2016 on Facebook!

Wasabizilla WasabiNews Contest, Facebook, WasabiCon 2016

We’re going to give away four (4) pairs of weekend passes – eight (8) total – on Facebook! Here’s how to enter:
STEP 1: Invite your friends on Facebook to the official WasabiCon 2016 Event. Here’s the link: www.facebook.com/events/475425882651004/
STEP 2: Mark yourself as “going” on the event.
STEP 3: You’re entered!

As the RSVPs increase (“going”) – we will give away passes to folks who are listed there. Each winner will get TWO passes… one for him/her, and one for a friend they invited to the convention!
~~1st pair – 250 going~~ Congrats Brooklyn Arnemann!
~~2nd pair – 500 going~~ Congrats Emmanuel Cadiz!
3rd pair – 750 going
4th pair – 1000 going
The fine print:

No purchase necessary to enter or win!
You must be a U.S. resident to participate in the social media contest.
If a winner already has a ticket, his/her ticket can be refunded in order to use the comp code instead.
Winners will be notified via social media – so watch for updates.

August 30 2016

WINNERS! The Following Folks Have Won FREE PASSES To WasabiCon 2016!

Wasabizilla WasabiNews Contest, WasabiCon 2016

A couple of weeks back, we hosted a FREE Pokemon GO meet up in Jacksonville, Florida. Everyone there posted photos from their experience on Instagram and Twitter using hashtag #WasabiCon in order to spin the prize wheel there to win pins, lanyards, and more. As we initially announced, we were also using the all the entries that day to give away FREE PASSES to WasabiCon 2016. Here are our favorite photos… and the winners:
From Twitter: @tehgreyshoe

From Instagram: shenanigans_and_the_cooks

August 28 2016

FEATURED TALENT: the North Florida Ghostbusters are ready to believe you!

Wasabizilla WasabiNews Ghostbusters, Jacksonville Ghostbusters, North Florida Ghostbusters

Jacksonville Ghostbusters Fans of the popular film franchise of the eighties and today, the North Florida Ghostbusters are a non-profit costuming group that work with various charities to raise money and awareness for a number of organizations. They are dedicated to your supernatural and entertainment needs – and this will be their first time attending WasabiCon in Jacksonville! We’re thrilled to have them as a part of our first year downtown – so be sure to check out their panels and presentations during the convention.
Check them out online at www.facebook.com/NorthFLGhostbusters

August 27 2016

FEATURED TALENT: the 1701st Fleet Florida Squadron

Wasabizilla WasabiNews 1701st Fleet Florida Squadron, Star Trek

The 1701st Fleet (www.1701st.com) is a Texas-based nonprofit worldwide Star Trek fan and costuming organization and is comprised of and operated by Star Trek fans. The Florida based squadron appears at a number of events in the Sunshine State to promote costuming and fandom in an environment where people of diverse backgrounds and a shared interest in Star Trek can interact.
They will be joining us again at WasabiCon 2016 – so swing by their booth in the Vendors Room and sit in their replica captain’s chair!
The 1701st Fleet Florida Squadron Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1701stFleetFloridaSquadron

August 26 2016

FEATURED TALENT: YouTube Personality MissFushi (@MissFushiGaming) returns to WasabiCon!

Wasabizilla WasabiNews MissFushi, video games, YouTube

From MissFushi’s Facebook page… “It was a bumpy start. I knew I wanted to do this, do something, but I am always so critical of myself. There are a million and one channels out there and I thought, what makes mine so special? With each and every video I try and become more comfortable with representing my true self and giving you something positive to leave with. When you click that subscribe button you not only gain access to my videos everyday but you also give me affirmation, that you like what you see from me and want to see more. Thank you for your sub, comments and likes. They make me smile and keep me determined to keep on doing what I love. If you want more ways to interact with me please connect with me on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.”
Based in North Florida, MissFushi is a rising star in YouTube broadcasting – and as we love supporting local talent at WasabiCon! Be sure to swing by and check out her panels all weekend.
❤ YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/missfushi
❤ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/MissFushiGaming
❤ ASKFM: http://ask.fm/askFushi
❤ INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/missfushi
❤ TWITCH: http://www.twitch.tv/missfushi/profile

August 25 2016

FEATURED TALENT: Noise Complaint (Cosplay Performance Group)

Wasabizilla WasabiNews cosplay, Noise Complaint

Noise Complaint is Florida’s premiere professional tap ensemble…
… that also cosplays.
They perform many types of shows from one-song one-offs to full length productions. Tap Dancers are dancers as well as musicians, and through the rhythms we create with their feet and their bodies along with some of the best music, new and old, they put together stellar performances that will have you both glued to the edge of your seat and dying to get up and dance.
There truly is no way to describe the experience of a Noise Complaint show, but the following adjectives may apply:

…and most importantly: TAP!!
**Technically, “tap” isn’t an adjective by any standard dictionary. However, with Noise Complaint, “TAP” is a noun, a verb, an adjective and a way of life.
Performance details coming soon.
Check out Noise Complaint’s official website: www.noisecomplaintlive.com

August 23 2016

GUEST: Sean Schemmel (the voice of Goku in #DragonballZ) is coming to WasabiCon!

Wasabizilla WasabiNews Dragon ball Z, Dragonball Z, Goku, Over 9000, Sean Schemmel, WasabiCon 2016

Sean Schemmel is a biological entity known as a “human” born November 21st (the same day as his Mother and Bjork) 1968 in Waterloo, Iowa. When he was 12 years old he heard a voice inside his head that said, “You must play the french horn”. So he did. Professionally. But then in 1999, there was an open casting call for a show called Dragonball Z. Sean’s friends who had always been thoroughly encouraging and impressed with his ability to do character voices and impressions, insisted he audition. To which he replied, “No, I just wanna be a french horn player.” But after much prodding, he went to the audition and landed the lead role of Goku. It was at this point, Sean realized that he not only liked voice acting better than playing horn in orchestras (because that is a miserable experience, trust me), he was better at it. So he switched careers moved to New York City, and managed to continue voice acting multiple roles on many hit shows such as Pokemon, Yugioh, Yugioh GX, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Kappa Mikey, Speed Racer, Winx Club and 12 different thumbs on Thumb Wrestling Federation.
Sean was also an ADR director for NYAV Post, where adapted for english and directed numerous anime titles including Space Pirate Mito, Midori Days, Sadamitsu: The Destoyer, and Ah! My Goddess.
Sean has also lent his voice to many video games, including the voice of Bruce Wayne/Batman in The Dark Knight Rises for iPad/iPhone/Android, all Dragonball Z games as Goku, King Kai, and Nail, Jason in Gangstar Vegas, and many others.
In the realm of audiobooks, Sean is an award winning narrator, winning a 2010 Earphones award for his work in The Big Splash by Jack D. Ferraiaolo, and was nominated for a 2011 Audie Award in the category of humor for his work in Shit My Dad Says, by Justin Halpern and won a 2013 Audie for his work in I Suck At Girls by the same author.
Sean makes many appearances at conventions around the world, and is known for his “highly informative and entertaining but down to earth panels,” or at least that’s what a bunch of people told him.
Sean is also a “gear head” and in his home studio he uses Blue mics, and pres, Focusrite and Audient pres, and Sony Oxford, Waves, SSL and API plugins.
Sean plays PRS and Ibanez guitars. Not very well.
Sean currently lives in Los Angeles with his girlfriend and their magical dog. Though he still plays the horn from time to time he is more focused on electric guitar at the moment. He’s listening to Joe Satriani as he types this bio. Later, he’s going to try to beat his girlfriend at Mario Kart. He is going to fail miserably.
We have no doubt that Sean’s appearance in Jacksonville will be “over 9000!“
Sean Schemmel will be available for autographs all weekend long in the WasabiCon 2016 Vendors Room; there will be a fee for autographs, photos, etc.

August 16 2016

FEATURED TALENT: Blogger & Cosplay Model Candy Keane!

Wasabizilla WasabiNews Candy Keane, cosplay

Candy L. Keane began a modeling career in college and would often bring her own creations to shoots when not modeling other company’s designs. In 2005 she started Three Muses Inspired Clothing as a way of turning her passion for creating costumes into a career.
Since then her costumes and cosplay photos have been featured in movies, TV, magazines, books and online. She is most well known for her Slave Leia and Wonder Woman cosplays which have been featured on E!’s 25 Most Memorable Swimsuit Moments, in Empire Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, Good Housekeeping, Folio Weekly and in the documentaries Jedi Junkies and ComicCon Episode IV A Fan’s Hope (both the book and movie).
She not only makes the costumes, but also does her hair, make-up and special fx (horns, ears, fangs, etc.) to go with each outfit.
In 2009 she opened a retail location in Jacksonville, FL featuring her own handmade items, plus retail brands and items by local artists. Candy continues to share her love of costuming with people all over the world through her boutique website ThreeMusesClothing.com and by dressing up at numerous events and conventions throughout the year. She also maintains GeekMamas.com – chronicling her life cosplaying while navigating motherhood with her young son, Keelan.
We’re thrilled to have Candy join us at WasabiCon for another year!

August 12 2016

THIS WEEKEND! Play #PokemonGO with WasabiCon at Riverside Park in Jacksonville!

Wasabizilla WasabiNews Jacksonville, Pokemon GO, Riverside Park

This is a family friendly event and is FREE to the public!
Join the team from WasabiCon, Jacksonville’s ultimate pop culture convention, for a “Sunday in the park” catching dozens of Pidgeys and Rattatas (and maybe more) as we all play Pokemon GO together in Riverside Park. The park has seven Pokestops to visit, and we’ll have a tent set up giving away free passes, pins, and lanyards from WasabiCon!
The event starts at 4:00 PM and runs until 8:00 PM at night.
Riverside Park is located at 753 Park St, Jacksonville, FL 32204.
PARKING IS LIMITED. Please plan to carpool, Uber, etc. to avoid crowding issues. Remember to watch posted parking signs on private property.
The closest recommended public parking area is the Riverside Arts Market – a five minute walk east of the park.
You can RSVP on our Facebook event for updates: www.facebook.com/events/1588177284813319/

This event is not officially associated with Nintendo of America, Nintendo Co., Ltd., and/or Niantic, Inc. All images are copyright their respective owners except for the WasabiCon logo which is copyright 2016, Green Mustard Entertainment, Inc.

June 14 2016

ARTIST NEEDED! Can you draw Wasabizilla? Are you from Jacksonville? Drop us a line!

Wasabizilla WasabiNews Artist, Artist Alley, WasabiCon 2016, Wasabizilla

One of the key focuses of WasabiCon since Year One has been to integrate our convention into the LOCAL fan community. As part of this initiative, we’re looking to bring on a staff artist for WasabiCon 2016 to help with the forthcoming ad campaign (launching in July).
Interested?
Here’s what we’re looking for:

A *local* artist. This means you are based in Jacksonville/the Jacksonville, Florida region.
The ability to produce artwork in a digital format for online and print use. You will also be designing the convention badge.
The ability to communicate clearly via email.
The ability to draw our mascot, Wasabizilla. You know… this guy:

What we’re offering:

You will be listed as Featured Talent for WasabiCon 2016.
We will provide a complimentary Artist Alley table for you at the event. (You will be able to sell prints based on the artwork your create for us and your other artwork, too!)
In addition to your Featured Talent pass – we will provide you with two (2) additional complimentary Weekend Passes for your friends/family.
A hotel room at our host hotel (The Lexington) checking in Friday and checking out Sunday. (Two [2] nights.)

HERE’S HOW TO GET YOUR NAME IN THE RUNNING:

Draw a sketch of Wasabizilla so we can see how your style matches up to our character’s look.
Email it to [email protected] with the subject “WasabiCon Artist” with the following info:
– Your name
– Your artist website
– Your age
– Your zip code

We will select an artist before the end of June.
For reference, here are some Wasabizilla sketches

(You can request additional reference art via email.)
NOTE: Artist Alley spaces will go on Sale after the first weekend in July.