Grand International Cosplay Ball this month!

Animetion has been sent the following press release for the Grand International Cosplay Ball, one of our favourite events, happening at the end of this month:

'On Sunday, 28^th November, cosplayers from around Europe are set to converge on London’s Clapham Grand for the third annual Grand International Cosplay Ball. Held in a converted Victorian theatre, it is the only event in the world to combine cosplay performances with circus acts and professional performers!

The Grand International Cosplay Ball is one of the few shows in the calendar where hundreds of costumers from many different countries can get together, break out their formal cosplays and socialise, so expect to see Lelouche waltzing with Princess Jasmine, or Mario boogieing with Sailor Moon!

Previous years have seen everything from fire performers and aerial acrobats grace the stage, alongside cosplay performances and live bands. Cosplay guests have included world reknowned cosplayers Yaya Han and Giorgia Vecchini – as well as hundreds of visiting cosplayers from all over the UK, Europe and Asia!

This year’s theme is Arabian Nights, so guests can expect bellydancers, a sword performance and an Arabian Bazaar, as well as the usual bands, DJs and ballroom dancing. The Guest of Honour for 2010 is Metroid cosplayer Jenni Kallberg (aka Pixelninja) from Sweden.

Anime fans and general public are welcome at the event too, as cosplay is not compulsory. There is a no jeans or trainers rule, however.

Tickets are available from the ball website: http://www.grandcosplayball.com or can be bought from Tokyo Toys London store at the Trocadero in Picadilly Circus. A limited number of tickets will be available on the door.

Grand International Cosplay Ball: Arabian Nights

Date: 28^th November 2010

Venue: Clapham Grand, London SW11 1TT

Time: 19:00 – 01:00

Age: 18+ only

Tickets: £18 from http://www.grandcosplayball.com or Tokyo Toys store (London branch).'

Barbican Lates Cosplay Extravaganza!

Animetion has received a press release for the upcoming Barbican Lates this Saturday (6th November):

'This November, join us for a fun-filled Cosplay LATES night, inspired by the Barbican's Japan season. Manga heros and magical princesses invade the Barbican’s foyer from 6pm with a Goth Loli fashion show and parade by some of the UK’s best cosplayers! Or if Japanese music is more your thing, party with live bands and DJs until 1am!

Other highlights include a Puri Kura booth offering free prints, Japanese street fashion photographs projected across the foyer, video game tournament (sponsored by Tecmo-Koei) and a talk by celebrated author Helen McCarthy on the origins of cosplay and “otaku” culture. A number of stalls will also be present , selling manga artwork, anime merchandise, fashion and cosplay accessories.

If you are a cosplayer or lover of Japanese fashion, be sure to wear your best outfit – Cosplay Fever’s Rob Dunlop and Pete Lumby will be on hand snapping away so you can get a photo with the Barbican’s unique architecture as backdrop!

The event coincides with the Barbican’s exhibition Future Beauty: 30 Years of Japanese Fashion, running until February 6^th 2011. On Saturday, 6^th November the exhibition will be open until Those with a flyer for Barbican LATES: Cosplay Extravaganza may claim a £2 discount on tickets for the exhibition.

A late screening of Kamikaze Girls will also take place in the Barbican cinema at 11pm, as well as Japanese theatre production Shin Ten, taking place in the theatre at 7:45pm. Tickets are available on the website.

For a full schedule of events, please visit the Barbican website: http://www.barbican.org.uk'