By Sarah Sussman
Each year, the Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo brings together the biggest super nerds and comic fans from across the continent, offering hundreds of vendors and exhibitors, panels, workshops, photo ops, costume contests and more. The 2017 Expo takes place from April 27 to 30 at Calgary Stampede Park. Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a seasoned Expo aficionado, here’s a guide to getting your fill of fandom in Calgary. [Photo credit: Calgary Expo]
Whether you’re a super geek or a curious spectator, don’t miss the fifth annual Pow! Parade of Wonders on April 28 at 10:30 a.m. on Stephen Avenue. The cosplay parade serves as the kick-off for the Expo and is free for everyone to attend. There is one condition if you want to walk in the parade – you must be dressed in costume (cosplay).
When the Expo shuts down for the day on April 28, the fun continues as James Marsters (Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer) takes the stage at Cowboys Dance Hall for a headlining solo acoustic performance. While most people know Marsters as a brooding bad boy vampire, he’s also had an extensive musical career as an alternative-rock bluesman. Advance tickets to the show are available online.
One of the most sacred events of the Expo, the annual Costume Contest takes place April 29 at 4 p.m. inside the Stampede Corral. Expect to see some of the most creatively crafted costumes, colourful performances and a whole lot of unexpected surprises.
Another highly anticipated event takes place April 29 when film icons Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes (better known as Jay and Silent Bob) come to The Corral for a special live on-stage recording of their Jay and Silent Bob Get Old podcast. Tickets are available online. If you can’t make it out to the recording, you can listen to the podcast for free when it becomes available online.
This year’s convention features a jam-packed schedule of events that kicks off April 27 and runs until April 30. There’s something for everyone at the Expo. Events include the opportunity to take a two-hour workshop on improv comedy, learn about the traditional Japanese Ka Muso Kai swordsmanship club, take a crash course in cosplay and even learn how to play Quidditch.
Other events include daily independent film and webseries screenings, as well as seminars on how to become an independent filmmaker or how to break into the acting business.
This year’s vendors range from Arda Wigs Canada to the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Fugitive Toys, Phoenix Comics and more. The exhibitor halls are also home to the incredible Artist Alley, which features artwork for sale by more than 125 different artists.
The Calgary Comic Expo offers attendees a chance to meet their favourite stars and get up close and personal for a photo op. Sign up to pose with your favourite celebrities and receive a glossy photo print to cherish for the rest of your life.
This year’s roster of guests includes movie star John Cusack, Canada’s kings of humiliation Kenny Hotz and Spencer Rice, James Marsters, Kristian Nairn (Hodor from the HBO’s Game of Thrones) and Alberta’s own sci-fi golden boy Nathan Fillion (best known for his roles as Richard Castle in Castle and as Captain Malcolm Reynolds in Firefly).
Purchase your photo op ticket online or on-site and show up at the photo op area at least five minutes prior to your scheduled photo. From there, you’ll enter the booth, get your picture taken, have a major fanboy or fangirl moment and within five minutes you’ll walk out with a keepsake photo print.
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One of the best parts of the Expo is seeing the cosplayers dressed in homemade costumes and awe-inspiring outfits. In addition to the Pow! Parade of Wonders and Costume Contest the Expo is also bringing in several special cosplay guests – Devouring Dark, Knightmage, Moderately Okay Cosplay, Silver Lining and SuperKayce.
For those who want to test the waters of cosplay, pick a character and get started on putting your costume together. If you don’t want to do it yourself, head to The Costume Shoppe or Don’s Hobby Shop to pick up costumes that are (for the most part) fully assembled and ready to wear.
If you want to get crafty and challenge yourself, Fabricland is the mecca for sewing supplies. Browse through the store’s offering of fabrics, textiles, buttons, accents and more to find exactly what you need to make your cosplay as authentic as possible.
Whether you’re a newbie looking to dip your toes in geek fandom, a seasoned Expo attendee or a reigning cosplay champion, the time is right to glut your inner geek during the Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo – as well as at Calgary’s comic book stores, gaming meet-ups and everywhere true geeks gather.
