Why I love Dragon*Con: 67 beautiful women (and one man) onstage in costumes ranging from elaborate to barely existent where, as contestant Athena said, “Attitude is more important than the costume.”

Snapshot impressions of the costumes in the 10th Annual Dawn Look-ALike Contest include “Best Armor” winner Gayle Klar’s carbon dioxide powered wings that opened and flapped at the push of buttons, cleverly concealed in her palm; the Yaya Hahn-designed black feather wings of contest winner Ruby Rocket that floated and swirled in seeming defiance of gravity; a stunning multitude of snaps, velcro, and Goddess magic that allowed Aurora Celeste’s dress to tear away on stage to reveal the Goddess within; as well as Dawn brought to the world of Chinese opera by Jamila Sisco, the forest by Jennifer Ofunne, the speakeasies of Prohibition-era America by Sarah, and a Dawn of the Dead worthy of George Romero by Gayle Grant.

Read The Full Story…

“If you call him Shrek, he’ll beat you senseless.” —Bryan Thompson, King of the Trolls (as quoted by Grant Imahara)

The Masquerade is a bittersweet moment at Dragon*Con. It’s always a fantastic show, arguably the best at Dragon*Con, and this year was no different. Masters of Ceremony Grant Imahara and Kari Byron from the Discovery Channel’s Mythbusters were among the best that have ever served in that position, with quips and reactions that will be long remembered in the annals of the convention. The costumes themselves were, as always, incredible, and the 501st evictions few.

Director Marilee Coughlin and her crack staff have once again put on a good show.

And yet, the Masquerade marks the climax of the convention. Every concert or panel brings us that much closer to the moment where we must leave the Paradiso Geek and return to our lives beyond.

Read The Full Story…