Image Meet and Greet presents
NORTHEAST COMIC CON AND COLLECTIBLES EXTRAVAGANZA
December 6 & 7, 2014 at Shriners Auditorium, Wilmington Mass.
WILMINGTON, Mass. (November 9, 2014) – Pop culture fans will be converging at one of the largest celebrations of popular culture in New England, the Northeast Comic Con and Collectibles Extravaganza. This holiday event takes place December 6th and 7th, 2014 at the Shriners Auditorium in Wilmington, Mass. (99 Fordham Road).
This year’s event highlights include a holiday shopping experience for nerds and the people who love them, cosplay for adults and children with “Create-A-Hero/Villain/Character”contests, voice actor workshops and script readings, free-play video game arcade and tournaments, workshops for K!DZ, celebrity autograph signings, panel sessions, plus 150 vendors of vintage and modern toys, comic books, collectibles, art, jewelry, fashion and pop cultural artifacts. In between holiday shopping, guests of all ages will enjoy live music and entertainment to marvel at between sessions and booths.
Kids are invited to the NECC K!DZ area, with creative events and attractions just for young fans. Learn how to sketch or show off your sketching skills led by Eplis Comics author and artist Emily Drouin, be dazzled by “The Geek Balloonist” Josh Steinhouse, read and hear fascinating stories with Ellen Weisberg and Ken Yoffee, and even train like a Super Hero (juggling, tumbling) with Simply Circus, who are also performing throughout the weekend on trapeze and lyra high above the ground. Video game fans will keep feet firmly on the ground and enjoy free video game play and tournaments with prizes.
The Shriner’s Auditorium Fez Room restaurant/bar will be transformed into the Kreature Kantina with food and beverages, live entertainment, pop culture Stump Trivia contests for Star Wars, Stargate, Dr. Who, Marvel Comics, DC Comics, and Disney fans. The band Tsunami of Sound will be performing classic “instru-Mental” TV theme songs – and of course, the Star Wars Cantina song.
According to seasoned show producer Gary Sohmers, “Created as a holiday show, this Comic Con offers the best of all worlds to fans of contemporary and retro pop culture. Whether you are a holiday shopper for the geek on your list, a collector, video game junkie, cosplayer, illustrator, anime fan, or sci-fi geek, there’s something unique for you to discover at Northeast Comic Con.”
Gary Sohmers is CEO of Image Meet and Greet, a Boston area pop culture expert serving the industry with fan events and convention for 30 years. Also known for his role on the PBS TV program “Antiques Roadshow,” Sohmers and his business partner and technology expert Deric Shea are a dynamic duo dedicated to utilizing the latest innovations in event management to ensure an affordable, safe, and organized two-day convention for all guests. Expedited entry for pre-sale ticket purchases, safety checks and coat check areas for storage, and a family-friendly atmosphere are just a few elements in this year’s event plan.
This year’s celebrity guests range from local heroes to international superstars, including Marky Ramone (The Ramones, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee), Billy West (Futurama, Ren & Stimpy), Nicholas Brendon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Criminal Minds), Butch Patrick (The Munsters), Leah Cevoli (Robot Chicken, Deadwood), Gary K. Wolf and Charles Fleischer (Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, Rango, Back to the Future), Naomi Grossman (American Horror Story), MacKenzie Lintz (Hunger Games, Under the Dome), Mike Pollock (Sonic the Hedgehog), Tom Wayland (Pokemon, Yu Gi Oh), Christopher Judge (Stargate SG-1, X-Men: Evolution), Paris Themmen (Mike TV from Willie Wonka), Mike Zohn, Evan Michelson and Ryan Matthew (from the cast of Oddities, Obscura), Kayli Mills and Peter Bernard (from Those American Girls), and 50+ authors and illustrators listed on the website here.
For budding actors, the Voice Over Actors Workshop is a specially ticketed event within the Northeast Comic Con. At a separate ticket price of $99/day and offered both Saturday and Sunday, the VOA Workshop is lead by Tom Wayland (Pokemon, Yugioh) and Mike Pollock (Sonic the Hedgehog). The workshop will cover beginners’ basics and technology, creating and collaborating. In addition, the event features a professionals’ script reading directed by Johnny Cavooto involving Pollock, Wayland, Billy West (Futurama, Ren & Stimpy), Leah Cevoli (Robot Chicken) and Charles Fleischer (Roger Rabbit). Tickets to this workshop also include early admission, swag goodies, and admission to the Saturday night after party – and collectible autographs from the cast of this script reading.
It isn’t a Comic Con without cosplay events and contests, and Northeast Comic Con invites all new and veteran cosplayers to enjoy the art of cosplay. Enjoy contests and games sponsored by Costume Super Center or dress up for fun and simply enjoy people watching. A complete list of safety guidelines and rules for cosplay and prop weapons may be found at NorthEastcomiccon.net.
For guests seeking a holiday photo with Santa in cosplay attire but don’t want to go to the mall dressed to impress, a Santa photo station with a green screen backdrop offering a wide range of imaginative backdrops.
Love the TV horror genre? Don’t miss a “50 Years of Horror on TV” panel featuring Butch Patrick (Eddie Munster), Nicholas Brendon (Xander, Buffy the Vampire Slayer), and Naomi Grossman (Pepper of American Horror Story).
With free parking and hotel packages, Northeast Comic Con ticket prices are among the lowest in the industry. Advanced tickets are now available for purchase online; ticket prices will be higher at the door. Online advance purchase prices: $25 for a two-day pass and $15 per one-day pass on either Saturday 12/6 or Sunday 12/7. Adult tickets at the door are $20 daily or $30 for a weekend pass. Children under 6 are free; kids ages 6-13 are only $5 in advance and $10 at the door for a one-day pass (two-day passes are $10 in advance, $15 at the door).
Vendor and artists spaces are sold out, but there may still be a handful available for dealers who sell pop-culture items, antique and collectible toys, authentic memorabilia, accouterments of the nerd or geek lifestyle, anime and animation artwork and toys, comic books and art.
For a schedule of events, VIP packages and tickets: www.NorthEastComicCon.net and contact Gary@IMAGEMeetAndGreet.com. For media and sponsorship inquiries, contact Julie Dennehy, Dennehy PR, Julie@dennehypr.com, 508-479-9848.
###