This past weekend Creation Entertainment hosted the Official East Coast Star Trek Convention in Parisppany, New Jersey. On the guest list was George Takei, Jeri Ryan, Casey Biggs, Jeffrey Combs, Armin Shimerman, Max Grodenchik, Vaughn Armstrong, Nana Visitor, Ethan Phillips, and J.G. Hertzler (who was a last minute replacement for Jennifer Lien, who canceled).

Cosplay in America is a coffee table book filled with spectacular full color photographs of cosplayers from various anime conventions in the United States. The photographer and mastermind behind the book is Ejen Chuang. Chuang photographed approximately 1,651 cosplayers over a five month period in 2009 in order to gather the images for the book. The Convention Fans Blog has been given a copy of Cosplay in America, which has been signed by Ejen Chuang, to give away to a lucky reader!

It’s happened to me, and it could happen to you: you’re at a convention and you’re accosted by some extremely friendly individuals in costume. Suddenly people are menacing you with foam-covered plumbing supplies, talking about vampire princes or what happens if you look Cthulhu in the eyes. (Hopefully not at the same time!) Don’t fear, dear conventioneer. These people are not rogue plumbers, blood-gurgling parasites or cultists: they’re Live-Action Role Players, or LARPers.

“The future is upon us, bleeding into the now; and if we don’t pay attention we’ll be left behind.” At Star Wars Celebration V, it’s all about enthusiasm for actors, astronauts, backyard filmmakers and garage roboticists. Star Wars Celebration V is an epic-level convention. It’s expensive, the venue is bigger than several shopping malls stuck together, and the expected 30,0000 attendees have come from all over the world to be there.

This upcoming year marks the ten year anniversary for Ai-Kon and is expected to be the best year yet. It’s humble roots began from a small University based anime club and has expanded into an ever-growing, ever-changing community that brings fans and enthusiasts together every year. The continued support of a dedicated committee and growing number of attendees has made it possible for Ai-Kon to grow year after year. It is because of the fans and industry support that they are able to continue for the tenth year, marking a decade of Manitoba’s largest anime convention.