Events
JACON 2007 has many wonderful new and returning panels, contests, and events.
Opening Ceremonies
Opening ceremonies will be held at 6:00pm on Friday, May 16th in Main Events so that all convention attendees may attend. Open ceremonies is an event put on by the convention directors to introduce convention attendees to convention staff, guests, and update attendees on any changes to the convention schedule. For us, it is also the event where we hold the drawing to see who the lucky winners is of the Pre-Registration drawings.
Anime Date Auction
Time: 8 PM
Location: Paradise IV (Chibi Events)
Single? Need a date for the dance? Already have a date but want another one? Then we have an event for you! We are now hosting The Anime Date Auction, just before the dance, where you will have the chance to bid on a date with your favorite anime/game characters! All proceeds go to the charity "Give Kids the World"!
For more information on bidding or signing up as an "auctionee", please read our full description of the Anime Date Auction.
Anime That Doesn't Suck with Joey Snackpants
Joey Snackpants, Esq. (www.joeysnackpants.com/) - pilot of the Snackforce Prime; lead guitarist and front man for the emo punk glam rock legends “Snackforce 5!!!”; famed internet anime blogger; and now world famous podcaster! He has built a reputation on telling people across the globe that their "Favorite Anime Sucks!" Since showing up on the scene in the early 1990s, many have wondered what constitutes Joey's collection… what does he spend time watching (and why)? Now is your chance to see for yourself! Join Joey for an unfiltered discussion of anime and animation where he will tell you exactly why he's right and you are probably wrong. Check schedule for day and time.
Animusical Idol
from Wasabi Anime
Time: Friday – Contestants qualify from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM; The Show is at 8:00 PM
Location: Main Events
The Wasabi Animusical completed its trilogy last year – but the epic lives on… You think you have what it takes to produce a Wasabi Animusical caliber cosplay sketch? Here's your chance! Get together with your friends and put together an Animusical style number and present it to the Wasabi Anime judges. Five finalists (groups) will be selected to perform Friday night on stage at JACON 2008 in front of an audience - and one group will win the competition. Call your friends and tell them that you're "all in this together" and start rehearsing now!
For complete rules, please visit www.animusical.com
AMV Contest
Time: Saturday - Doors open at 3:00 PM
Location: Main Events
Always popular and tons of fun, the music video contest and screenings show-off the editing talents of anime fan. Combining the great visuals of anime with the beat of popular songs, fan music videos are one of the fastest growing areas of anime fandom today!
For more information, please read our full rules on the AMV Contest.
AMV Critique/Advice
New Event! We are pleased to add an AMV Critique/Advice panel to the schedule on
Sunday. To participate, please bring one of your AMV's and we'll view and advise. You are also welcome to come watch some of the submissions
and see what past winners and AMV judges have to say about the ups and
downs of videos and how to make a winning video! This panel is hosted
by this years AMV contest organizer and chief judge! Don't miss it!
Anime Family Feud
Time: Sunday at 4PM
Location: Main Events (Paradise Ballroom)
Now in its ninth year! The classic TV show with an anime twist. One hundred otaku are surveyed to find the top answers for the most offbeat questions we can think of. You don’t need a family to play, but friends who know anime and video games help to make teams of five to compete for fabulous prizes. (“Fabulous” open to interpretation.)
Art Auction
Join us Sunday for your last chance to snatch up the beautiful works of art that have been on display all weekend in the Art Show Gallery. In this open auction any unsold art work as well as those pieces whose bidding has exceeded the initial 'Buy Now' price may be presented at the artist's discretion one at a time by an auctioneer for your bidding pleasure. Prints of the art will not be sold through the auction. As this is your final opportunity to bid on artwork from the Art Show please have the cash funds available for your purchase(s) by the close of the auction event. Thank you for your participation and we look forward to seeing you there!
Art Contest Guidelines
JACON will be hosting our annual Art Contest for the fourth year in a row. Con goers are permitted to submit one entry of their own Japanese inspired artwork. (All entries must follow Art Show guidelines.) Unfortunately, all pieces already submitted into the JACON Art Show Auction are not eligible to be entered in the Art Contest as they will not be on display until Saturday during the convention.
For more information on the art show, please read the Art Contest Guidelines
Art Show
The art show is were artists may display their art for people to bid on for purchase. Artwork is normally artists' original work, numbered and signed. For more information on the art show, please read the Art Show Guidelines.
Artist Alley
Artist alley is located outside of Main Events and is an area were artists may display and sale their works. The tables for artist alley are on a first come, first serve basis. For information about acquiring a table, please read the Artist Alley Guidelines.
Bishounen Bash
Time: Saturday, 11 AM-1 PM
Location: Paradise IV (Chibi Events)
Welcome to the Bishounen Bash, a party for those who like pretty boys in their anime and manga! This event is striking out on its own for the first time, and we have a lot planned! There will be games, open conversations, showing, AMVs, and more, all centered around those bishounen we love so much! In addition, there will be a brunch buffet available. And you never know who might drop by…
For more information, please read our full rules on the Bishounen Bash.
Celebrity Dinner
Time: Friday at 7PM
Location: Chibi Events (Paradise IV)
Cost: $20
Want to have dinner with your favorite JACON celebrity guest. Dinner attendees are seated in the order in which you purchased your pass – and the meal includes a dinner salad; your choice of grilled chicken, vegetable medley cuscus, or NY strip steak; parmesan potatoes; and tiramisu dessert. Water, tea, and soft drinks will also be served. Don’t miss this once in a lifetime chance to share a meal with one of our stars.
Cel Painting Workshop
MEDIC! JACON’S 2nd annual Cel Painting workshop. Come Learn the exciting art of animation cel painting. You’ll learn how to create your own professional painted cel to show off to all of your friends. Everything is provided: just bring yourself. This workshop is designed for the artist in you. A fee of $8.00 will be needed to cover cost of supplies.
Costume Competition
Time: Saturday - Doors open at 5:00 PM
Location: Main Events
The Costume Contest is out main costume event at JACON. This is the event where costumes are judged on many craftsmanship skills and elements, and compete for awards. Bring and enter your own costume, or just come and watch the spectacle! Our entrants pour a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into these creations, so come and show your appreciation!
For more information, please read our full description on the Costume Competition.
If you want, fill out your entry form and bring it with you.
Contest Contest Entry Form
(You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader or Preview [Mac].)
Dealer's Room
Ahhh, the Dealer's Room. An anime fan's merchandising dream (and financial nightmare). JACON will feature a Dealer's Room full of Vendors hawking their anime-related wares! So come and find that Gundam model you've been looking for!
Duplisity’s Name Your Own Convention Mini-Convention
from Duplisity: The Fan Convention Culture Podcast
Time: Late Saturday/Sunday Morning at 1AM
Location: Chibi Events (Paradise IV)
You ever mix two things that just don’t seem to make sense… but somehow they seem to work? Florida conventions seem to be trying new concoctions, and Angie & Chris Duplis are going to give it a try to! Come see their “mini-convention” regarding two topics selected by the fan on their podcast… who knows what could happen? Zaniness is guaranteed to ensue!
For complete rules, please visit www.duplisity.com
JACON Guitar Rockstar Competition
Time: Sunday at 2PM
Location: Main Events (Paradise Ballroom)
Coplay like a rock star! Dress as a “band” (musically or other) to perform in a game of Guitar Hero III or Rock Band. Entrants are judged based on (1) Performance, (2) Costumes, and (3) Game Score.
The Latest from Japan
Time: Late Saturday at midnight
Location: Video Room 1 (Ft. Lauderdale)
Don't see any shows from the latest season in our schedule? This is where you find them. We'll be screening the hot new shows that have come out just before our convention. Come see the some of the titles that may become the Next Big Thing.
The Manga Masquerade: Enchanted Katamari
Time: Saturday evening
Location: Main Events
This year's event will be hosted by the King & Queen of the Universe. Our musical guest, Select Start, will plays video game music for the first half of the dance; while pop/dance music will move us through the rest of the night. The Manga Masquerade will segue into a rave around midnight.
For more information, please read our full description on The Manga Masquerade: Enchanted Katamari
Mask Making Panel
Need a mask for the ball? Join us and we’ll help you design and create your own unique mask for the Jacon Masquerade. We’ll show you easy steps to create and apply mask making techniques. They won’t know you didn’t buy it! A fee of $5.00 will be needed to cover cost of supplies.
Odin: Photon Sailer Starlight Midnight Endurance Marathon
Time: Friday at midnight
Location: Main Events
After Space Battleship Yamato, after Blue Noah / Thundersub, the next unlikely nautical vessel that Yoshinobu "The Nish" Nishizaki launched into space was the Starlight, the noblest Spanish galleon to ever sail the sea of stars! Join Paul 'Gooberzilla' Chapman and Joey Snackpants as they embark on a mission to survive two hours and nineteen minutes of epic disaster in film form. Do you have the guts to challenge Odin: Photon Sailer Starlight, the movie infamous among the fandom community as perhaps the greatest narrative failure of the golden age of anime?"
Otaku Insomnia, The Wasabi Anime Rave!
Time: Saturday at midnight
Location: Main Events (Paradise Ballroom)
So what are you supposed to do after a long hard day of wearing costumes and shopping in the dealer’s room? Why – dance to “oonce oonce” music with glowing thingies in your hands! The staff at Wasabi Anime bring their “rave in a box” back to JACON for another year...this time with more cowbell!
Panels
Panels and workshops, from discussion on the anime industry and fandom to how to make your own anime plushie. At the Convention check out our Yellow Schedule Grid for times and locations of all our panels and workshops.
Got an idea? Want to give a panel? Fill out our Panel Application Form.
The Return of Saturday Morning Cartoons
Time: Saturday at 6AM
Location: Main Events (Paradise Ballroom)
Children of the 80’s unite! Come spend the morning the way it used to be – hopped up on sugar and cartoons about pretty girls and giant robots. (Cereal and milk will be provided free of charge at the event.)
The Royal Flush Casino
Time: Saturday 10 PM- ?
Location: Paradise IV (Chibi Events)
Last year, our casino was a hit with our con goers, so of course we’re bringing it back…and while we’re at it, let’s make it better, stronger, faster! We’ll have a team of dealers prepared in the ancient arts of Blackjack, Roulette, Texas Hold ‘Em, Casino War, and maybe even some Craps! Stylish. Hip, and exciting, this event is a little touch of Vegas in the heart of Orlando! So dress to the nines, or just come straight from the Masquerade, for this highly stylish and wildly fun experience!
For more information, please read our full description on The Royal Flush Casino.
“Shoot Me!”- A Cosplay Photo Shoot Contest
Exhibition and Awards Ceremony
Time: Saturday during the Costume Competition
Location: Paradise I-III (Main Events)
Back for its fourth year, the Photo Shoot Contest is still going strong! We’re going to show off our entries in Main Events during our Costume Contest so even more of our attendees can enjoy these mini-masterpieces. So brush off your lenses and suit up- let’s see those pearly whites!
For more information, please read our full description on the Photo Shoot Contest.
Smarter Than an Otaku?
Time: Sunday, 3 PM - 5 PM
Location: Paradise IV (Chibi Events)
Sure, everyone TALKS big...but how much do you REALLY know about anime? Can you outsmart, oh, say...an otaku? Well, it's time to put up or shut up! We've rounded up some BNFs in the Florida anime community, and we challenge you to test your mettle...and your useless trivia reserves! So come on out and prove that you're smarter than our otaku!
JACON Spring Fling Tennis Tourney and Picnic
A Tennis Cosplay Event
Time: Sunday, 12:00 PM- 3:00 PM
Location: Paradise IV (Chibi Events)
Join us for the Second Annual JACON Spring Fling Tennis Tourney and Picnic and show off your tennis skills while chilling with your friends… and maybe make some new ones! A light-hearted, relaxing Sunday wind-down event, the JACON Spring Fling Tennis Tourney and Picnic is just what it sounds like- a mini tennis tournament with a side of picnic! Play as an anime tennis character, or just come and cheer them on! And this year, we have a real tennis court! Yay!
For more information, please read our full description on the Spring Fling Event.
World of Warcraft Super Panel
(or “How I Survived Goldshire Without Even Thinking”)
Time: Sunday at noon
Location: Main Events (Paradise Ballroom)
WoW… like, WoW! (Get it – WoW!). Come join other slaves to the Internet revolution and discuss not just the game, but the cultural phenomenon that is World of Warcraft.
Yaoi PJ Party
Time: Friday, 10 PM- 3 AM
Location: Paradise IV (Chibi Events)
This event is 18+ only. Valid photo I.D. and convention badge is required for entry.
Join us for the 5th anniversary of the always-popular Yaoi PJ Party! In celebration, we’re shaking things up and making this one the best yet! The Bishounen Bash section of the party will now be a separate event completely (on Saturday afternoon), so we’ll have more time to party with the grown-ups! We’ll have the usual slumber party experience- movies, food, prizes, and wacky games! We’ll bring back the best of all the previous years, and throw some new and exciting things (I’m still trying to figure out how to hang the pinata from the hotel ceiling)!
For more information, please read our full description on the Yaoi PJ Party.
