NYAF: Rebirth

Where to begin? How ’bout the beginning?

NYAF gets bigger every year, bringing in bigger guests, cooler crowds, and almost too many bloggers. I mean the creator of Gundam, the entire cast of Soul Eater, pop stars from the Motherland itself? I don’t know how they do it. Just prior to the con, I was interviewed by NPR’S Weekend Edition staff member Carolyn Beeler, so maybe that will show up.

I even had a guest crashing on my floor with me! Evan Minto, anime/manga blogger and Executive Editor of www.anigamers.com. Speaking of which…I’ll send that article as soon as I’m done this post, Boss, I promise!

Friday Night was the premiere of Mario Bueno’s Cosplay Masquerade, an hour-long show with AMV’s, singing, dancing, and ending on an epic Code Geass skit that proves Mario’s budding role as an innovative and passionate director/performer. It’s going to be tough racing him to the top.

My performance for Saturday was very well received, considering the crowd showed up before I did…gonna have to find a private corner to start warming up now. With a little help from his friends, a buddy of mine proposed to his fiancee on my stage – sorry, no names. Felt a real bonding with the crowd. A Gundam in the dealer’s room was proudly holding up Pikachu like Simba in the Lion King.

After my show, I had three interviews to do back-to-back with the combat maid, A-log on the Air from SI, and Will, creator of www.animeloveu.com – a very dedicated journalist. He’ll be putting up the transcript very soon, so keep an eye out.

The masquerade this year really is its own post, and I apologize for not giving it the covered it deserves. With the grand prize being a trip to Japan and $1,000 to spend over there, the competition got fierce, with cosplay quality and performances blowing last year out of the water. 2 Vampire Hunter D Skits, one Trinity Blood, the most fantastic L Death Note cosplay skit imaginable (truly this man is the Andy Kauffman of cosplay). And can we talk about the epic win of Bumblebee? To everyone who participated: see you next year, you are all already winners.

My highlight was sharing the stage with cosplay maid pop star Reni Mimura. She and Say Moe taught me and the audience how to dance…or at least she tried. What can I say, I’m white, we don’t dance: we convulse rhythmically. With her adorable presence, love of crowds and MAGNIFICENT singing, it was clear this Japanese superstar is going to conquer America one day. This Sunday she’ll be performing at Top Tunes on the Upper East Side, and I can’t recommend it any higher. If so, I’ll see you there.

Just when I got home, I received a voice mail from the con chair at Otaku Mex, a humble convention in Albuquerque where my second album was recorded. The message was a familiar, screaming audience. It was like a rush of love that pierced my eardrums. I gave them a call, and they were still in closing ceremonies. I miss you too, Otaku Mex – set the date for next year!

Now onto business: as most of you know, August I gave a private show at the Drom Lounge in the Lower East Village. We had it videotaped by the crew of Out of Time Productions from Youtube. We want to make this into an official Uncle Yo DVD. Tentatively going for $15, production starting soon. Keep an eye out for the official fanart contest coming up soon. Even DVD’s need cover art, after all.

That’s it for now. Time to rest up for Zenkaikon coming up and get to post-production on the DVD.

Live, Laugh & Glomp.

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-09-27

• The creator of Crayon Shin-Chan was kidnapped and now is dead? That's like killing Seth McFarlane! Somebody get me a necromancer! #
• Going to see Joss Whedon talk near 95th street. surprise guests included. #
• Joss Whedon says 6 vampires could easily take 6 Reavers. He's so dreamy. #
• Just turned in another draft for Zenkaikon's Opening Ceremonies video. It's fun to help out and flex the ol' screenwriting muscles. #
• NPR's Weekend Edition just interviewed me about the New York Anime Festival, my past, and anime in general. still squealing. #
• See you guys at NYAF. Though I may never be at my artist alley table. #
• Tomorrow is gonna be fun. Show at 11am, masquerade. See you there. #
• Just did three interviews after the stand-up show. Soon: Masquerade. Don't think I'll ever get to my artist alley table today… #
• on stage right now with a moe cosplayer (Rini) from Japan. they're so cute, like a bunny riding a kitten into battle. #

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Anime USA and Cosplay Burlesque

So I’ve finally found a loophole to get into Anime USA, one of Virginia’s premiere fall anime convention (because let’s face it, Katsucon can only come once a year).

ANIME USA is held in Arlington, VA, very close to Washington D.C., and a quick jump from Baltimore. The guest page alone should tell you just how big this con can get.

I’ll be doing a late-night show with the Cosplay Burlesque team, a gang of vaudeville enthusiasts known for taking cosplay one step further. I’d love to show you clips but let’s just say some of their routines would make Shin-Chan blush.

And if you’re around NYC this weekend, then I had better see you at the New York Anime Festival.

Zenkaikon Coming Up!

Listen up, everybody, ’cause I’m only gonna Tweet this once.

ZENKAIKON, one of Pennsylvania’s best anime conventions, as far as I’m concerned, is coming up.

I’ll be on their guest list along with Johnny Wong Bosh, Robert Axelrod (the voice of Lord Zedd from Power Rangers,) Fighter’s High Studios, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Be sure to check out their opening ceremonies this year: I helped write the script.

I’ll be doing my normal hour-long stand-up routine, hosting their cosplayer masquerade, participating in Whose Line is it Anime, as well as our Surviving a Mecha Attack Panel at noon on Sunday. Besides that, I have Sunday reserved to run some independent table-top RPG’s in their gaming room in 2pm until the con closes around 5. Sign up at the con and delve into the quick-to-learn-lifetime-to-master games such as InSpectres, Panty Explosion, Dread and My Life With Master.

This is gonna be a long, but very fulfilling convention. Keep an eye out on the Leet Street Boys coming starting October 7th, where I’ll be making my first fictitious appearance in their webcomic!

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-09-20

• 200 followers? Nice. #
• If my roommate takes all my furniture, why do I have to buy/furnish her a new bed? #
• VH-1 should have a show: This week in Celebrity Deaths. #
• Spice and Wolf: feudalism bartering economics…with furries! What else could I want in an anime? #
• Today I waited on Buffy's Angel, David Boreanez. Best celeb yet. #
• If you've ever asked yourself "wouldn't Uncle Yo be great in a LeetStreet Boys comic"…I agree. would be great if it happened…;) #
• Took my many moons, but I finally possess a playstation 2. Come to Daddy, Deadpool. #

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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-09-13

• Watching Best in Show in Princeton and getting cuddled by an Australian Sheep Dog. When did this become my life? #
• "Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman is arrested for allegedly choking reality TV star Tila Tequila." I'd like to thank the Academy. #
• My restaurant totally Rickrolled itself at ten-thirty this morning. #
• Roommate took back all furniture. Just you and me, Domo plushie. #
• Had that dream again. Where you're onstage and your boss comes on, gives you new choreography and walks away like nothing happened. #
• Still listening to Regina Spektor's new album. Highlights are "Human of the Year" and "Laughing With." She never knows how to end her albums #
• You know it's too early when you dream of going back to bed. #
• Why was everybody coming in for brunch JUST to be in a hurry to go somewhere else? Too rainy to make plans. #
• Twitter is Live Journal for the Terse. Also, might do some late night venturing for Anime USA in November. #

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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-09-06

• That lump is getting bigger everyday. Good thing it's not on me. #
• District 9. Yes. #
• http://bit.ly/4Ohnd
  made "Shonen vs Shojo" into a comic strip. Bless you, bored girl. #
• Disney bought Marvel. Coming out next year, Marvel Ultimate Alliance/Kingdom Hearts Crossover. Deadpool vs Sora. Enjoy having Squirrel Girl. #
• Not launching a secret spy satellite. Honest. #
• Delving into an independent RPG called "My Life With Master." You play a self-loathing minion and harass a village. much like high school #
• Finished "My Life With Master" – part mathematics, part banking on genre stereotypes. Iffy, need a good party to experiment it, though #
• I may have an entire hour dedicated to Disney taking over Marvel Comics. "It's a Dark Reign After All…" #
• Woot to Friday off. To the Longish Island. #
• Name an anime set in modern times about battling ghosts/demons/etc. want an InSpectres demo appropriate for an anime con. #
• In the end, isn't Twitter the greatest alibi ever invented? #

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