While many in the public know of James through his character and art for The crow, even more love him for his dramatic imagery in art. James will be appearing at All-Con as an honored guest all three days. Stop by his booth in the Vendor Room and see what pieces he has brought to share or commission him for an exclusive of your own!

Fans of the Invincible Iron Man animated movie will be thrilled to discover that production artist Chad Townsend has confirmed his appearance at All-Con this weekend! Chad has also worked on the Legion of Super Heroes. Grab your DVDs and bring them or Chad to sign, or stop by his table and see what cool offerings he has brought with him!

Becoming a member on one of the All-Con organizational committees is really cool, but not always the best place to get your feet wet. To meet the All-Con staff up close and learn how the convention runs behind-the-scenes, most people start as a convention volunteer. If you think that volunteering is a thankless job, then you've never been an All-Con volunteer! Volunteers can win free swag and get fed at a special appreciation event exclusively for them. Volunteers can even earn free badges for the following year. If you want to be noticed at the convention for your excellence, or work along side staff, or meet new friends, then click here and check out the volunteers page. It's a decision you may celebrate for many years to come.

ConStaff are 36 hours away from moving into the hotel. The online advance registration system is now closed. If you still want to get your badges via advanced registration (or if you need to pay with a credit card) TITAN Comics still has some left. TITAN Comics: 3701 W. Northwest Hwy., Suite 125, Dallas, TX 75220. Phone: (214) 350-4420. The registration booth at the hotel is in the main lobby and badges will be available for sale all three days. (Advance registration gets you into the door faster; but you can still get in by buying on-site.) A one day badge is $20 and an event badge which is good for every day is $35.

All-Con is celebrating another year at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Addison (North Dallas)! The hotel address is: 14315 Midway Road, Addison, Texas 75001. If you 'll be staying the night - or the weekend! - at the hotel, using the convention discount code will save you some money. Call the hotel at: 972-980-8877, tell them you're coming for All-Con and then give them our exclusive discount code: LCN.

For fans of Chuck, the great news is that you'll see Bonita again in an upcoming episode! ... Unfortunately her Chuck shooting schedule now falls on All-Con weekend, and so she is unable to attend the convention after all. We have her contact information and will keep her on our active list as a possible guest at an upcoming convention. For anybody who was looking forward to seeing her all weekend long, we apologize for any inconvenience. Actors love their fans, yet have to pay their bills like the rest of us and so work comes first.

Besides demonstrations of Medieval combat and scheduled instruction in arts, the SCA will be offering some craft classes at their booth in the Vendor Room throughout the weekend.

Noise Boundary is project started in late 2009 by the Dallas Personal Robotics Group. The intention is to create a fully autonomous robot music ensemble. So far a robotic glockenspiel has been created and a robotic reed organ is partially complete. Several more instruments will be added during 2010 until the ensemble can perform improvised music in a variety of genres ranging from ambient to techno.

Noise Boundry will be performing at the Dallas Personal Robotics Group's exhibit table in the main gallery on Friday evening.

2010 was to be our big breakthrough year to begin processing credit cards at the registration desk. So far we have not received the terminal hardware from our merchant services provider -- and the convention starts in 5 days! If you already know that you'll want to put your badges, shirts, and con-critters on plastic (saving your cash for the convention to avoid the ever-empty and somewhat pricey ATM machine) please buy your gear online now by clicking here. You can use your credit cards through PayPal without even having to create an account. It will all be waiting for you in a neat little bundle at the Will-Call booth attached to registration, which will also save you time getting through the door. (Remember that line last year for those who didn't pre-register???)

The online shopping cart is being taken off line Monday so we (the staff) can prepare for our move into the hotel later this week. Make 2010 the year you don't delay... or have to pay an ATM fee.

...SOLD OUT. Remember, other than the guaranteed seating rows, every other seat in the room is FREE. This year we're doing the "Front Row, Center" auction again. If you didn't get a guaranteed seat you can still bid you way into the pair of chairs in the center of the front row. The live auction will take place approximately 15 minutes before the performance starts in the Oak Ballroom. Cash bids only.

All-Con is a community convention and we owe our success to the generosity of the participating organizations and individuals who go the extra mile to support us. We offer a limited number of Deluxe Badges every year, designated to be for “Friends of the Convention”. Friends of the convention stand at the top of their peers for contributing to All-Con and helping the convention to grow and be enjoyed by all. For 2010 we are adding TAKESHI NAGAYAMA to our list of Friends of the Convention and welcoming JEREOMY FABER back for his fifth year as a Friend.

image by Takeshi Nagayama

If you happen to spot Takeshi-san or Jereomy at the convention (wearing their special badge) please take a moment and thank them again for their extra support in keeping the convention on the path to growth.

In seven short days, All-Con VI kicks off a three day weekend, filled with the best of convention events, guests, panels, and costuming! Advance registration will be taken offline this Monday, so time is running out to not have to stand in line to buy your badge. (Still need to register? Click here.) We've got the weekend really packed and are still adding more last-minute panels almost daily. To keep up and start plotting your course through the amazing choice of content, you can download the latest schedule here. Don't forget to pack your video recorder for the "Capture the Con" contest (Jan 25 blog entry) and to pack all of your necessary con accessories (March 2 blog entry). WE'LL SEE YOU AT ALL-CON!

All-Con has over fifty unique panels from A ("Assassination City Roller Derby") to Z ("Zombies: The Board Game"). To emphesize the quality of content, we'd like to highlight a panel by presented by Jeff Tregre: "How to bring your Projects to Life using LED Lighting Effects". Jeff has found a way to bring communities together over a common theme. Costumers, model builders, and robotics communities can all utilize LED technologies in their projects. For people not in need of LED technology, the information in Jeff's panel is sure to fascinate as he divulges his knowledge with remarkable imagery. As a prelude to the panel, we invite to check out Jeff's website: Building Ultimate Models today.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ALL-CON TO HOST U.S. DEBUT OF JAPAN'S 24-HOUR ENDURANCE 1,000 ANIME SONG MEDLEY
March 13-14 Marathon Event Will Star Otakuzake and Prizes Galore

DALLAS, TX and SHINJUKU, JAPAN - March 3, 2010 - Japan's ultimate event for anime otaku is coming to America! All-Con is honored to host the U.S. debut of the 24-Hour Endurance 1,000 Anime Song Medley on March 13-14, in Dallas, Texas.

Celebrating its 16th year, the 24-Hour Endurance 1,000 Anime Song Medley is a nonstop show of anime and tokusatsu titles, scenes, and rarities, collected and presented by the deeply knowledgable--and very funny!--Otakuzake duo of indy filmmaker Keisaku Kimura ("Famires Senshi Purin," 2009) and manga artist Kazushi Hinoki ("Chaos Gear" [2000, Magazine Z Comics]; "Twin Tail" [2003, Young Champion Comics]; "Famires Senshi Purin" [2003-06, Young King Comics]; "Gun x Sword" [art only; 2005, Shonen Champion Comics], "Idol H: Himeko no Himitsu" [2008-09, GA Comics]; and "Police Girl" [2009, Nichibun Comics]).

"This is a fantastic chance to learn trivia about your anime and tokusatsu favorites, see great things you never knew existed, sing along, and even compete for prizes," said Ardith Carlton, a survivor of four Medley marathons in Japan, who will provide English-language support for the U.S. edition.

The Medley will be held in Crowne Plaza North Dallas' Addison Theater, complete with comfy tiered seating, from 1:00 p.m. Saturday to 2:00 p.m. Sunday (24 hours, with the start of Daylight Savings Time). Admission is free for All-Con attendees, and a smorgasbord of anime- and tokusatsu-related loot from donor HobbyLink Japan--including several hot new releases from Bandai and Kaiyodo--will be up for grabs in contests throughout the Medley.

Until now, the Medley has been held at Shinjuku's famed otaku-friendly live house, Loft Plus One...and in fact the longtime cult-favorite event will return there a week after All-Con, when the unstoppable Otakuzake again serves up the Medley--this time with special guest performers Isao Taira and MIQ, and coupled with a mini-documentary on the All-Con adventure--on March 21-22.

24-Hour Endurance 1,000 Anime Song Medley, March 13-14
at All-Con, March 12-14
Crowne Plaza North Dallas, Addison, TX

For further information contact:
Ardith Carlton, 2010 Medley Liaison
anisoncentral@gmail.com
URL: http://www.all-con.org/anison.html

We just spent a full week updating the schedule and panel descriptions and while it's not the final revision, it's getting close.

Here is a checklist of things you don't want to forget to pack:

Conventions love to give away great prizes almost as much as you love to win them! This year HobbyLink Japan has agreed to send some really impressive prizes to All-Con!

Started in 1995, HLJ is an Internet mail-order business located in Japan which ships hobby products, toys, anime items, books, magazines and more to customers all over the world. HLJ was started and is run by Scott T. Hards. An American who became involved in the hobby industry while living in Japan, Scott got tired of people outside of Japan asking him to send kits because they were not available overseas, or priced at absurd levels. So in 1995, he started a business to do just that. Since then, HobbyLink Japan has grown steadily, and expanded its catalog offerings to include many items from Europe, North America and around Asia, too!

Most of the collectibles are destined for the 24-hour Anisong marathon, but we've been assured that some of the very nice contributions will also be available to be won by non-Otaku attendees in other convention areas. Believe us, some of these 'prizes' are each worth sending a thank you note directly to Scott they're so nice! HLJ's customer service is friendly (English and Japanese speaking) and their prices are beyond competitive. We first became aware of them when one of our staff started ordering from them in 2004. For HLJ to come on board to support All-Con is an honor. Check out their website for yourself!

The DFW Costumers Guild is proud to be teaching Beginner's Knitting at All-Con 2010. If you've ever wanted to learn how to knit, this is your chance to get started. In order to keep this panel free to All-Con participants, those interested in the panel are Strongly encouraged to bring their own supplies. There will be a Very limited amount of supplies available to borrow during the instructional panel.

The supplies list is as follows:
1. US 7, 8 or 9 needles
  Hobby Lobby has great short 'learner'-type needles made by Red Heart in sizes US 7, 8, and/or 9, for a couple of bucks a pair - they're called 'basics' or 'learners' and come in red, blue and yellow, respectively

2. A light-colored yarn.
  a. Sugar and Cream dishcloth cotton, or
  b. Sinfonia cotton, or
  c. a non-novelty acrylic yarn (smooth yarn without any frou-frou crap
    in it - makes the stitches more defined and clean, and easier
    to see and understand), or
  d. Inexpensive yarn options available at big box stores:
    1. Red Heart Super Saver,
    2. Patons Classic Wool
  e. Yarn store options - reasonably inexpensive, and available
    in many colors:
    1. Cascade 220 (100% wool)
    2. Encore Worsted (acrylic/wool blend)

After you've mastered the basics, the DFWCG and Austin Browncoats invite you to participate in our first Knit-a-Thon for charity!

Thank you, Funimation. For the third consecutive year Funimation has sent us boxes of videos to screen and promotional items to find creative ways to give away to you! Last year (2009) was a particularly difficult year for give-aways at All-Con, yet Funimation has never faultered, throwing their support not just to All-Con, but directly to you through their generosity. This year the interest seems to be in "RIN - Daughters of Mnemosyne" (mature viewers only). It definately looks like it's worth checking out; as are all of the titles we've seen from Funimation.

Ultimate Mixes is the premier independent DJ company in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. DJ Brian and his wife have provided mobile DJ services in Dallas for over 16 years, and Brian has also been DJ at some of the biggest DFW clubs. Not only are they DJ’s about town, they are avid fans as well. Brian has personally traveled from Star Wars Celebrations to World Con. He has even had the privilege of hosting a series of Blacklight Parties, which are referred to as "legendary" and "infamous" in certain circles to this day. Brian and Angela take their job very seriously . . . throwing a party everyone will remember! Prior to the convention Brian will be taking requests via Twitter, @ultimatemixes. Just send him a direct message with the title and artist. He can’t guarantee the availability of specific songs, but he will have the best music in town.

If these postcards don't look familiar to you, then you aren't on our mailing list. (Yes, that's a Santa hat on the 2010 ConGirl. We mailed out holiday cards, too.) If you would like to start receiving postcards in the mail, click here to send us your name and mailing address, and we'll add you to our mailing list starting with the current postcard. You should receive it in 1-3 days depending on where you live.

We tend to focus quite a bit on the celebrities and schedule. Today we step back and acknowledge that there are Vendors, Artists, Clubs, Costumers, Authors and Entertainers who are coming to All-Con to see you. Last night we completed construction on our Vendor Room and Exhibit Hall pages. 2010 promises to be one of our most interesting and diverse years! Don't miss out!

Okay, you've been following along faithfully - Celebs? Announced. Dealers? Sold out. Clubs and Exhibitors? Sold Out. Burlesque? Announced (and nearly sold out). Lovely souvenirs? Pictured above and very popular. For the final 38 days we're going to focus on content. For the Cosplay and Anime/Manga audience we have two very large events: the Friday Night Cosplay brought to you by the Mu Epsilon Kappa Anime Society, and the Saturday/Sunday 16th year "24-Hour Endurance 1,000 Anime Song Medley Festival" presented by Otakuzake duo of filmmaker Keisaku Kimura and manga artist Kazushi Hinoki. (This is the first time the anime otaku has been presented in the USA!) All weekend long the MEK Anime Society will also be presenting informative discussion panels and games to play. A continually updated listing of 2010 content can be found by clicking "Panels and Workshops" on the menu at the left of every page.

PHOTO UPDATE: The critter pictures are now clikable for close-ups so you can see just how adorable they are.

All Artist, Club, Exhibit, and Hall tables are now sold out. If you want to get on the list for next year, please email our general "info" address and consider being seen this year through participation by volunteering to provide panel content. Panel registration deadline is approaching. Don't delay - get your panel approved today.

The hottest hour at All-Con Saturday March 13th at 10:00pm. In the Oak Ballroom after the Costume Competition, All-Con and La Divina Burlesque offer a performance sure to wow the audience with some very tasteful burlesque. On the stage you will see La Divina, Black Mariah, Cora Coquette, Ginger Valentine, and Rose Darling. The first six rows are $15 a seat (which sell out in advance of the convention every year) with the remaining seats all free to convention badge holders. To get your guarenteed / front section Burlesque seat and your convention badge, you can click right here!

With 42 days until the opening ceremonies, All-Con's promotions department has taken our theater advertisement and shrunk it down to YouTube size! If you don't have a chance encounter with our 15 second blaze of glory in a dark packed theater, you can still see it above; at the top of the blog page.

You're coming to the convention anyway, why not try to win some free stuff while you're here?

Make your own 30-90 second video during the 2010 convention which best represents the entire spirit of All-Con. Submit it to the convention by April 15th (one month after the 2010 convention closes) and win cool swag for the 2011 con!

Did you notice that the official convention hours are until 2a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights? The Dealer's Room is sold out, the hall gallery is about to sell out, the schedule is filling in nicely... Whatever you do, don't forget to book your room! Call 972-980-8877 and give them the booking code: LCN to get the 2010 convention room rate. Need more info? Click here!

January 31st is the end for the Early Online Registration Discount. (Online registration will still be open.) If you're going to come to All-Con you've got 14 short days left to take advantage of the great discount for early online registration. It's also the best time to get some of the last Burlesque tickets remaining. Last year the Burlesque tickets were gone before the convention opening day and this year sales are even better. Get your discounted tickets until 1/31/10 -- and if you miss that deadline GET THEM BEFORE THEY'RE GONE! Click here!

If you prefer to buy your tickets at a brick-and-mortar store, tonight we dropped off the first shipment of All-Con 2010 tickets to TITAN Comics in Dallas. TITAN is located at: 3701 W. Northwest Hwy., Suite 125, Dallas, TX 75220. Phone: (214) 350-4420.

The countdown on the blog is at 57 days as we write this quick update. Dealers! If you haven't been in touch with us yet about a table ... too late. The last one was booked today. We thank you very much for your consideration and invite you to hop onto our stand-by list. Artists and clubs? SIX TABLES LEFT and the gallery will be sold out as well. Thank you for your attention, and we look forward to seeing everybody in less than 2 months!

Kennon James did a remarkable job with his submission for the 2010 All-Con ConGirl contest! (His original submission was the figure we used for our Christmas card sent out last month. If you didn't get one, make sure we have your current address for the next mailing.) The t-shirts have arrived here at All-Con central, and so the count down to "sold out" has started. It doesn't cost you any extra to order online and your shirt will be waiting for you at registration when you arrive, saving you from having to remember to wear it to the convention on the first day! To order yours click on the image and scroll down to the shirt ordering section. They're only $20 this year for S-XL (2XL and 3XL sizes also available).

We receive celebrity requests from time to time and we do what we can to accommodate the public since ultimately it is 'you' who makes the convention worthwhile. We received an unusually heavy load of emails all *demanding* that we invite the incomparable John Billingsley. John was unable to attend last year as he already had a professional engagement. (John can be seen co-starring in the movie 2012 - in theaters now!) Today we are thrilled to announce that John is coming to All-Con in March!

The sixth annual Ms. Star Wars pageant is at All-Con on Saturday March 13th at 1:00! The website for the fandom competition (which does not require a costume to win!) has had a spectacular classic make-over! The event is hosted by the DFW Fan Force and sponsored in part by It's All Geek to Me with prize packs donated by All-Con, A Piece of the Action Collectibles and Wilco! Models. Ladies, it's time to get your geek on and watch the guys line up! The main website can be found at MsStarWars.com

Japan's ultimate event for anime otaku is coming to America! Celebrating its 16th year, the 24-Hour Endurance 1,000 Anime Song Medley Festival is a nonstop show of anime and tokusatsu titles, scenes, and rarities, collected and presented by the deeply knowledgeable--and very funny!--Otakuzake duo of filmmaker Keisaku Kimura and manga artist Kazushi Hinoki. A fantastic chance to learn trivia about your anime and tokusatsu favorites, see great things you never knew existed, sing along, and even compete for prizes!

Wayne's Comic Closet has been checked into the Dealer's Room with two booths for 2010! Wayne is a returning supporter of All-Con and we welcome Wayne's Comic Corner back with arms open wide. Please stop by his booth in March and find out why he's one of the most popular dealers at the convention.

Pepakura Designer software allows you to create paper craft models from 3D data. Pepakura Designer is developed in Japan and has been translated to English. This software is open to the public as shareware so you can download and try it freely. John Wieger has been using the software for a number of years and will be demonstrarting the use of the software to create paper models and armor.

This Saturday is APOTAC's Comic, Toy, & Collectibles Swap Meet 6 at the Crowne Plaza hotel. (That the hotel where All-Con resides annually...)

The Swap Meet is a one-stop source for comic books, Hot Wheels, HeroClix, action figures, autographs, toys, and collectibles. Star Wars, Star Trek, Marvel and DC super heroes, G.I. Joe, and more!

Admission is just $2.00! (What a bargain!) Half price with a flyer available at many DFW area comic shops.

All-Con promoters will be at the hotel on Saturday with updates on our 2010 convention and WE'RE BRINGING OUT OUR LASER TAG EQUIPMENT!

All-Con laser tag team play is at 10:00am (1 hour before dealer's room opens to the public), 2:00pm, and 4:00pm. There is NO COST to play, as long as you have paid your entry into the Swap Meet. (see http://www.APOTAC.com for those half-price flyer locations! Laser tag and a collectibles swap meet for a buck cannot be beat!)

Swap Meet Information: APOTAC's Comic, Toy, & Collectibles Swap Meet 6, Saturday July 25, 2009 11 AM - 6 PM, Sunday July 26, 2009 10 AM - 3 PM

Crowne Plaza North Dallas, 14315 Midway Road, Addison, TX 75001

We'll see you on Saturday!

Bigger and lower cost than ever before! With this being our third year ordering from the same supplier, we're getting BETTER deals on the con critters, and we're passing our good fortune on to you! In the past the con critters were 10'' animals. Starting in 2010 they will be SIXTEEN INCHES and we are able to drop the price down to $18! The images above are from the manufacturer's website so the custom 2010 convention mini-shirt isn't shown, but rest assured they WILL all be properly dressed for the convention when you pick them up at Will-Call in 2010. Here's the catch. Like last year we're only ordering ONE batch of con-critters and when they sold out, they're gone. Don't wait until the convention and *hope* your critter of choice is still in stock. Order now and be certain to get yours. (Note: The Tiger is not for sale on the website. He's only available as a give-away at the Volunteer Appreciation Event on the final day of the convention. If you want a chance at the tiger, sign up on the Volunteers group list and when the schedule is posted, select the hours you're available at the convention.)

Corsets are important wardrobe whether costuming, wearing historical period clothes, setting up a roller derby photo shoot, or just hanging out at a Rocky Horror event. (They're also still used as elegant outerwear; their original function!) To better serve your corset needs at All-Con, Scarlett's Corset is expanding into a second booth! With more selection and twice the space to browse, come and see what Scarlett's Corset is bringing for you in March.

2009 was our fifth event. We received some really positive feedback and many valuable comments. Our first round of improvements are a direct result from listening to what you had to say immediately after the convention.
No More Registration Computers We thought we were being high-tech but they ended up slowing down the registration process as people figured out the three-step process. (Will Call was extra happy they didn't have to register.) Next year in the lobby, walk up; buy your badge; done.
Credit Cards Accepted Remember those registration computers? They'll be tied to PayPal and can be used to make payment on-site using any major debit or credit card.
Super Hero Sunday Expanded! Villain and Hero categories with Adult and Child groups. Everybody can now play in this full-fledged event.
New Costume Contest Category #1 Robots and Mechs have swept the Sci-Fi category for years. They now have their own category, allowing us to award MORE winners!
New Costume Contest Category #2 Costumers who spend hours hand sewing their costume may not be given their due since sewing is so easilly overlooked amongst the crafted costumers. Contestents of any category may hop over into the "Hand Sewn" category if their costume has not been constructed using a sewing machine. A qualifying judge will inspect costumes in this category to verify eligibility. Any costume which fails qualification may be entered into any other appropriate category.

Volunteers win free swag. Volunteers earn free badges. Volunteers get free food. Volunteers get to see parts of the convention that nobody else gets to see. At the final volunteer work parties for 2009 we heard that people didn't know they could volunteer BEFORE the convention. Here's your notice! Click on the VOLUNTEERS tab on the menu at the left, sign up for the Volunteers group and prepare to learn all about how a convention gets put together and runs so smoothly! Don't wait until next March! All-Con 2010 officially launched starting *today*.

We've already got our first guest signed for 2010 with a couple of invitations out for negotiation. Several performers who wanted to make it in 2009 but didn't confirm in time are also being contacted so that we can be sure they'll be here next March (2010). Piece-by-piece the website is being rebuilt with next year's information. To stay on top of the convention development you can subscribe to our Yahoo Group, follow us on Twitter, or become our friend on Facebook and MySpace!

Between the links sent in and Google, we've come up with a great assortment of photos from 2009! Click on any of the links below to see the photographs online. Thanks(!!) to all who attended the convention and contributed their photos!

When a convention is six years old, to have vendors show up each and every year speaks a lot for the convention, the attendees, and most of all the dedication of the vendor. Having only missed our very first event, Celtic Chrystal returns annually supplying very finely hand crafted non-costume jewelry. You can't miss them. They're the endcap on the left when you enter the Vendor Room. "Thank You" Celtic Chrystal for continuing to support All-Con and congratulations on being the very first to get your application back in for 2010!

All-Con and our official photographers took several hundred photos of the event which we'll be compiling into albums over the next week. If you got galleries of your own which you would like for to use, please send the links to: info@all-con.org.

HAPPY POST-CON DAY to everybody who attended our record shattering year at All-Con! We hope your Monday is going well as you reflect on the past weekend of excitement and entertainment. We're already hard at work planning the 2010 event! As you may have noticed by some of tTodhe con swag you received (if you attended) we've announced our next convention date... March 12-14, 2010. Mark your calendar!