(Editor’s Note: If you saw Monday’s “This Week at GGOrlando” post, I have decided to change today’s post… May do the “Rule of 20” thing next Friday.)
Kind of like how Chinese New Year is a few weeks after our New Year, today marks the changing of the calendar for Orlando-area geeks. With the opening of Otronicon at the Orlando Science Center, it’s Geek New Year here in O-Town. If you want to know what 2012 has in-store for the local con-scene, check out this handy guide. Note that some of the cons towards the end of the year do not have official dates/locations yet, but we’ll have them here as soon as they’re announced.
Otronicon
January 13th-16th
Orlando Science Center
The con year kicks off this weekend with Otronicon – Orlando’s video game and digital entertainment show. The show runs all weekend at the Orlando Science Center, featuring the EA SPORTS Experience, the Reboot Lounge, and Battlefield Live.
MegaCon
February 17th-19th
Orange County Convention Center
Like NASCAR, the pinnacle of the Orlando geek calendar occurs this year in February with the annual extravaganza MegaCon. With a huge list of celebrities from comics, television, and film, this year’s event seems like it will be as incredible as always. Tickets are available online now, but will be available at your local comic shops beginning Monday – or Tuesday depending on if they finish printing in time. Definitely a must-see, no matter your chosen realm of geekdom.
Knightrokon
March 3rd
University of Central Florida
The Anime Spot at UCF is hosting its first convention, Knightrokon. Being held on the campus of UCF, the one-day con will feature Kyle Hebert from Dragonball Z and Wendee Lee of Cowboy Bebop fame. A unique event is the Murder Mystery Host Club, a mixture of host club Anime and a murder mystery theater. Panels will also include ones from local podcasters, the Anime Addicts Anonymous.
Anime Planet Convention
March 16th
Seminole State College – Heathrow Campus
Being held for the first time at the Heathrow campus of Seminole State College (my beloved alma-mater, though it’ll be SCC 4 life), the college’s Anime club will be hosting their first con. The small con will feature local artists, panels, and viewing parties.
Spooky Empire’s May-Hem
May 25th-27th
Wyndham Orlando Resort
With the popularity of their Fall con, Spooky Empire launched last year a second annual event, May-Hem. May-Hem brings a taste of Halloween to horror fans a few months early. As I write this (it’s Thursday night), they just posted to their blog that they are still locking in guests for this year’s event. So watch their blog as the dates approach.
Anime Festival Orlando
August 3rd-5th
Wyndham Orlando Resort
What better way to spend a hot August afternoon than walking down International Drive dressed as your favorite Anime character (in many warm layers of clothing). That’s usually the scene around Anime Festival Orlando, the area’s biggest Anime and Japanese culture convention. In it’s 13th year, the con brings many famous names from the industry – it’s a little too early for them to make any announcements – and fun events such as the annual Conquerors of Neo-Orlandia LARP (live-action role-playing) game.
Star Wars Celebration VI
August 23rd-26th
Orange County Convention Center
Apparently the Orlando-area did something right… After the success of Star Wars Celebration V in 2010, the biannual event will return again in August. The 2010 event celebrated the 20th anniversary of the release of Empire Strikes Back, this year’s event coincides with some major events in the Star Wars universe: the 3-D release of all 6 films, the continued success of The Clone Wars animated series, the “hopeful” announcement of the often-speculated new live-action series, and more. Having attended in 2010, the festival is worth going to just to see the life-sized models of iconic Star Wars vehicles like X-Wings, Tie Fighters, and the Millennium Falcon.
Vulcan Events presents Away Mission: Orlando
October(?)
TBD
Hopefully returning in 2012 – no announcement as of yet, but it’s still early – is Away Mission: Orlando. While the name screams Star Trek, the con features an overall sci-fi vibe. Besides Patrick Stewart, last year’s event also featured Jewel Staite of Firefly and Stargate: Atlantis fame. Watch their page for an announcement of this year’s event in the next few months.
Spooky Empire
October 26th-28th
Hilton Orlando
Also announced as I write this is the dates and location for this year’s premier horror-themed convention, Spooky Empire. The Hilton Oralndo – located near SeaWorld – will host the macabre the weekend before Halloween as Spooky Empire moves in. Again, too early for official guests to be announced, but watch their website for future updates!
Guess what… I’m sure there are many, many other cool cons and events that I’m missing in this list. Know what you can do about it? E-mail them to me at grandowl@ggorlando.com. We would love to help promote all the major (and even minor) events going on throughout Central Florida. Matter of fact, that’s what we’re here for.
Have a great weekend and see you at Otronicon (I’ll probably be there Monday afternoon)!
