Calling all comic fans!
The Baldwinsville Public Library will be holding its first-ever comic convention later this month, complete with competitions, cosplay (the practice of dressing up as a character from a movie, book or video game, particularly one from the Japanese genres of Manga and Anime), gaming, vendors and a chance to meet with authors of this unique genre.
“Cons have been going on since the 60’s, possibly longer, and are simply conventions based around science fiction,” said Julia Schult, event coordinator and BPL adult programs librarian. “Quite often cons are based around a more general concept such as “speculative fiction” (or SF) which folds science fiction, fantasy and any kind of writing, gaming or T.V. shows based on a “what if” concept. Sometimes a con is based around a particular series, such as Star Trek conventions, which my grandparents attended in the sixties — bringing me back a toy tricorder, much to my delight!”
Other times a convention is based on a related field, such as gaming conventions where people play video games, role playing games such as Dungeons and Dragons, and card games such as Magic: The Gathering or Yu-gi-oh.
On Sunday, Aug. 24, the library will host this free, inaugural event to the public. Registration begins at noon, followed by gaming, sessions with authors and artists such as Joe Orsak, a local graphic artist and creator of “Captain ‘Cuse,” and demonstrations of medieval fighting techniques and Japanese flower arranging — “anything of interest to self-proclaimed nerds who are into [science fiction], gaming, role-playing or comics,” Schult said.
Cosplayers will enjoy participating in a Cosplay costume competition, with judging to begin at 1 p.m. A Create a Comic contest will also be held. Details on both can be found at http://www.bville.lib.ny.us/content/comicconversation/comic/html.
The Baldwinsville Public Library also holds several regular events related to Con interests, such as Yu-gi-oh and Pokemon tournaments, and a monthly Onondaga Otaku meeting where Japanese Anime videos are shown.
“Many people use our Manga materials and the Science Fiction collection,” Schult said. “In the past few years, we have held several Doctor Who events that have been well attended.”
“My favorite part of the whole thing is working with our steering committee (largely 20-somethings) who are helping shape the kind of event they would like to attend,” said Valerie Chism, event coordinator and young adult librarian. “Many of them first helped us with the Dr. Who events. They are a hard working multi-talented group giving us a new perspective on what a library can do.”
Chism also commended library director Meg Van Patten “who is always game for new and unusual programs.”
The library is located at 33 E. Genesee St. in Baldwinsville. For more information on Comic ConVersation, call 635-5631 or go to bville.lib.ny.us/content/comicconversation/comic/html.
