If You'd Like To Perform On The FanX Stage Next September...Just Fill Out The Application!

 

Even though it's months away, it's never too early to think about next Season's FanX. Some people think about it a lot...almost the whole year long. Some people, as soon as the final FanX event ends, they're already planning the next show twelve months in the future.

Such is life.

This is an invitation for those of you interested in participating in next September's show. If you have an act and you'd like to showcase that act on our Vendor Floor Stage, we'd love to hear what you've got. How do you submit your ideas, you ask? Simple...

Just fill out our application!

You can access the application by clicking: HERE. Now, I cannot guarantee you a place on our stage, but I can guarantee if you do apply, we'll consider your request to see if it fits in what we're trying to do at FanX.

Maybe you don't have an act, but if you know someone that does, please forward this post to them so they can submit an app. We're looking for fun, engaging, entertaining acts that our guests will love. Again, please let us know what you've got and maybe you'll be performing in front of Utah's largest convention crowds. Just fill out the application and we'll see what happens. Good luck--we'd love to hear from you.

Next Thursday, Friday, And Saturday...It's Where You'll Want To Be

 It's the most wonderful time of the year.

Sure, you'll most likely hear that at a different time of year, and I do agree that the holidays are hard to beat, but for me and tens of thousands of others, September in Salt Lake City can give the holidays a run for its money.

It's FanX time!

Ten years ago, we had nothing like FanX in Utah. Many/most had never attended a comics convention in their life. I know I didn't. Sure, comics conventions have been taking place for decades, but not where we lived. That changed in 2013 and I'm so glad it did.

Next week, I'll be at the event. My station? That narrow neck of land separating the southwest section from the northeast section, If you're familiar with the event, you'll know that location where the two main sections meet, is a stage. That's my baby. This year, we've got bands, dancers, fighters, musicians, a comedian, and even a magician, and many more. 

If you're going, stop by. I'll be there all day Thursday, part of Friday, and part of Saturday. I'd love to see you. Plus, you'll see some of the state's best talent (me excluded...). 

It's almost time. Can't wait!

Catching The Legendarium Podcast...A Live Version...At FanX

I've listened to dozens, possibly hundreds of Legendarium Podcast episodes. A few weeks ago I, along with thousands of others, watched a live version. Okay--it wasn't live, I mean, they recorded the show to be broadcast at a later date. I watched them perform at the FanX Comics Convention in Salt Lake City.

They were there because I wanted the convention attendees to see them for themselves.

Except for Craig Hanks, one of the founders, I have been involved in community theater productions with each person they had on stage. There's more members of the Legendarium family, but not all could make it. Too bad--they each provide a distinctive voice I've come to know over the years.

Theirs was not the only podcast that performed. There were several, in fact. When I asked the Legedarium if they'd like to participate, they simply asked what would we like to see them do. I told them, we'd like audience participation, and we wanted them to talk about things our convention goers would enjoy. 

And the Legendarium Podcast delivered! 

They had games and gave out prizes. I could have been more pleased--they did exactly what I hoped they'd do. And, the red team won, which is always nice.

I looked back at the photos I took of the group to include in this post. Amazingly enough, I did not get a picture of Todd. I got Craig and Ryan, Kenn and Megan, but not Todd. Actually, that's not true. In one picture you can see Todd's arm. Don't know what happened--sorry Todd.

If you're not familiar with the podcast, check out their website by clicking: HERE. You can start listening to current episodes, or check out the 200 + past podcasts. I'm even on one of them, episode #126, Dauntless, by Jack Campbell.

The group is fun and informative. They know their stuff. And, because I know most personally, it's extra fun for me. Give them a shot! If you're a geek like me, I think you'll love it, too.

How Was My Weekend? This One Picture Says It All...

I'm home and my head is buzzing. My feet are sore, my eyes are tired, and my ears keep expecting to hear the low rumble of thousands and thousands of people under one roof. It's an overall feeling I've experienced may times since 2013. It's the sheer exhaustion you feel after a major comics convention has ended.

A common question I've been asked while at the con, and one I often times ask my fellow convention attendees is this, "How's your con going?"

Mine can be summed up in one picture. It's the one posted above. It's a picture showing what a portion of the convention floor looked like around 3:15 this afternoon. It's a picture of success.

On the left side of the picture is a stage. It's small and looks even smaller surrounded by patrons. On that stage are three individuals, two contestants and one M.C. It's FanX's first ever Cosplay Lip Sync Battle Finals. And they were worth the wait.

I was worried about this one--so was the person in charge. We had two preliminary rounds Thursday and Friday, but today was the big one, the whole enchilada.

And it was brilliant.

We thought our fans might get into the spirit of what we were doing, and when a Freddie Mercury look-alike donned the stage and lip synced the entire Bohemian Rhapsody song, the crowd sang along with him. It was amazing and I loved helping in a small way bringing this experience to our guests. Thanks Howie and your team for all the hard work, thanks to Liz for everything, and thanks Blake for letting us prepare a line-up that worked so well. 

All I can say at this point is I'm beat, but just wait until next year--we're going to blow your socks off!

Yup...I Oversold It...I Oversold N'Sync

I first heard about the change in plans when I first arrived at FanX Comic Convention yesterday. I was pulled aside and told that sometime between 4pm and 5pm, my little convention floor stage would get a couple of visitors.

Several, actually.

We were going to be visited by Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick. The former members of N'Sync would be arriving via golf cart to the stage area. Then, there would be an explosion of dancers (okay, that may be over the top...) and thus would begin a dance party right there, at our stage.

The first thing I did, after finding out about the change, was find the person we had booked on the stage between 4pm and 5pm. That happened to be James Artimus Own. Because James is such a pro and an amazing guy, he was at first shocked, but then he said he'd roll with it. I know some who would have balked--it wouldn't matter who was interrupting them, but not James. He met with the event organizer and found out what was going to happen. Then we all went on our way until 4pm hit.

James began his panel. If you haven't heard his story, it's one of those "come from behind" tales where sheer will triumphed over potential disaster. His story is inspiring and meaningful, especially in our cynical world. As James continued, I kept looking down the vendor hall waiting for a golf cart. Because I was excited, and wanted as many people as possible to experience whatever it was that was going to happen, I told friends as they walked by that they needed to sit down and wait because N'Sync was going to put on a show.

I completely misunderstood. 

The show was for Joey and Chris. They weren't the performers, but the audience.

I'm sure I was told this, but in my mind, they were going to hop on stage so everyone could see them. Nope, didn't happen. And that's just as well. Everyone in the area saw the stars on the cart and gave them the recognition they deserved. But when it was all over, I realized, to those I spoke to earlier, I misrepresented what was going to happen.

The picture above is a snapshot of a video I took from the back of the stage. You can barely make out section of the golf cart and on that cart were the stars. It would have been fun to welcome the two up on our stage. I'm glad they got to see the hard work put on by the dancers. After all, they put in all the work to prepare for the surprise. All I did was oversell N'Sync.

Calling For Submissions...Join Us On Utah's Biggest Stage!

Do you have an act you'd love to share with over 100,000 people? Do you have interesting talents you think others should see? Have you ever wanted to perform on the state's biggest stage?

If so, here's your chance!

We're scheduling vendor floor acts for September's FanX show and we'd love to have you join us!

Okay, maybe all 100k will not see your act. I mean, at any given time maybe a couple of hundred people are able to see the stage at any given time. But, here's an opportunity to be with tens of thousands of fans, people watchers, autograph seekers, writers, artists, cosplayers, musicians, and the general public and share your talents with them.

Here's what we're looking for:

Acts the audience would love--themes consistent with the FanX experience

Unusual (and safe) performances--magic acts, comic routines, things that highlight all things geek/nerd

Acts must be family-appropriate

Acts with audience participation: a plus

If you have an act and would like to be considered for the state's biggest party, e-mail us at: scott@fanxsl.com. 

Also, we're trying something new this time--a Lip Sync contest! I'll blog about this later.

Last April, FanX put in a stage on the vendor room floor. We learned some things, got a better idea of what people want, and what they might not like as much, what works and what doesn't work as well. If you don't have an act, but know of someone who does, or you know an act the FanX patrons will love, please contact us. We want to make this show the best one ever. And we need your help to do it!

Join us in September--it's going to be great!

If You Haven't Heard The Rust Monster Band Live...You Should

When I got an assignment several months ago to look into booking acts for the April FanX Comics Convention Vendor Floor Stage, I thought about a local band and how they'd be a great addition to the lineup. 

And so I sent out a request.

And they answered the request.

With a "yes."

I'm SO glad they did.

Today I had the pleasure of hearing my friend's band, Rust Monster not once, but twice! And they were just as good both times. This band has several personalities. Today, they were pirates. The did a fantastic job! I took pictures, took a few videos, but mostly enjoyed the show.

And I wasn't the only one! Many people stopped and watched, tapped toes, and show the band on their phones.

One of the thing I wanted on the stage was diversity. With this one act, I got that...

And more.