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.