Well, what would a convention be without anything to do? Ai-Kon has a variety of panels, demonstrations and events planned to make sure you'll always have something new and interesting to pass the time. Whether you want to learn something new, spend some cash on merchandise you can't find elsewhere, chat with other fans about anime related topics, or just chill out and meet new people over a cup of tea, we'll do our best in forming an environment that has something for everyone.

Of course, we've got all of the mainstays on the convention menu. We're equipped with several viewing rooms to showcase both animated and live action entertainment from Asia, with a schedule set up with programs enjoyable for people new to the scene, as well as people who've already seen it all. Our Vendors' Room is stacked with all sorts of unique, imported good up for purchase, as well as the Artists' Gallery, which brings in talent from kilometers around. The games room is set up with gaming booths both state-of-the-art, as well as set up for the types of imported games that never make it to North America, and how would we be complete without a masquerade where attendees in costume can compare their hard work and be judged in front of a rowdy audience.

After the Cosplay Masquerade, Saturday night is wrapped up with a dance where you can groove to the rhythms of your selected tunes. Our DJ's equipped with all the house and dance music you'd expect, but don't be afraid to request your favorite anime or J-music songs. We wouldn't be an anime con if we weren't prepared for that!

Here's what went on in 2009:

Ai-Kon Opening Ceremonies

Come and meet our special guests and enjoy some local Asian-themed entertainment!

Ai-Mart Bartering Post

Attendees may bring their second hand merchandise in for trading with other attendees. Barter your old stuff away for something new!

Ai-Kon Concert

See your favorite Anime songs performed by local Anime fans. Three bands will be performing a wide selection of songs from Anime and Video Games.

The performers list includes Winnipeg's very own 'Demo Version', a group of  musically intuitive Anime fans brought together for Ai-Kon's first rock concert in 2008.  They've been practicing all year so be prepared for a great show!

Brand new to performing at Ai-Kon is 'KLH' performing an acoustic show of some of their favorite Yoko Kanno English language songs, mainly from the Cowboy Bebop soundtrack, and some instrumental works from Nobuo Uematsu's Final Fantasy soundtracks.

The concert will also be featuring Winnipeg-based anime and video game string quintet 'Quintessence', which performed in last year Ai-Kon. They will be featuring familiar pieces from media such as Final Fantasy, Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles, Evangelion, and more.

Quintessence is an ensemble that was founded and produced by Michael Yong. All the members of the ensemble are highly qualified musicians in performance, collectively having diplomas in violin and piano performance, as well as having won numerous other scholarships and awards. They are happy to be performing for the second time at the Ai-Kon.

Ai-Kon Dance

Get ready to party on Saturday night at the annual Ai-Kon dance! Our DJ will have an awesome line-up of anime, video game and J-tunes to get you moving. Be sure to bring your Ai-Kon badges and glow sticks!

Anime Dance Tutorials

Have you ever wanted to learn Hare Hare Yukai, the ending theme song dance of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya? How about that ever-crazy Little Star dance? Or even the lesser-known dance performed by Buono! in their music video of Kokoro no Tamago, the opening theme to Shugo Chara? Now you can! All three will be taught at Ai-Kon this year.

Anime Music Video Contest

Ai-Kon will have another great lineup of music videos to show this year. And if you've created some anime music videos of your own, be sure to enter them for a chance to win some great prizes!

Anime RPG

Eight players will play anime characters from eight different anime, and try to save the world from its destruction by the hands of a mysterious army that's invaded their country. The players will have to match wits with the Game Master, and figure his plan while acting out the personalities of the characters, rolling dice, and completing the plot device.

Story: Two teams of heroes watch over Nigh Japan. In a world of beings who can not die through normal means (ie. they mostly just blasted off into the sky by angry women, and only die of old age), the heroes must find out why comrades, and innocent civilians, are suddenly getting injured, and sent to the hospital in critical condition when an unknown enemy invades. Can the heroes take on these strangers that wield such awesome power?

Bokken and Tanto Workshop

Returning to Ai-Kon after a short hiatus, this Bokken and Tanto workshop is certainly a sight to behold. Sign up sheets and waiver forms for each will be at the Registration Desk.

Calligraphy Workshop

Japanese calligraphy is a form of calligraphy, or artistic writing, of the Japanese language. Learn the art of calligraphy and how to write your name in this workshop. This panel will only have enough supplies for 20 participants.

Caring for Ball Jointed Dolls

Take part in this panel on BJD that will teach a step by step process of taking a doll apart, the pieces, learn how they work and how proper cleaning, sueding, re-stringing, faceup techniques, modification and aesthetics.

CLAMP Tea Party

Just as it states, a tea party much like that of the Ouran Host Club except with CLAMP. There will be games in which everyone can get involved with, and there will be prizes at the end. Prizes include Manga, DVDs and plushies... All CLAMP related.

Designing Aiko

A discussion and Q&A panel on the design of the Ai-Kon mascot, Aiko. We will be touching on selection criteria and what we look for each year for the mascot contest!

Fanfic Swap & Meet

Do you like to write, but have nowhere to get an opinion on your work, or have someone give you pointers or encourage you? This will help you find people and places that are willing to do so. Also, for those who are not familiar with Fanfics, you can learn what Fanfics are and why people write them.

Forum Meet & Greet

A chance for members of the Ai-kon forum to be able to introduce themselves to everyone else and hangout. Make friends and have someone to hang out with! Forum prizes will also be given out.

Getting Involved with Ai-Kon

Learn ways you can help with Ai-Kon. An information, question and answer panel lead by the current committee.

How to Cosplay: For Beginners

New to cosplay or looking to learn more tips and tricks? This panel will cover topics such as wigs (where to buy them, care for them, styling), fabric selection, costume construction, easy prop making, good resources in town to get supplies for, posing in costume, make-up for cosplay, shoes and hair for cosplay, etc.

Ikebana Demonstration

Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arrangement. More than simply putting flowers in a container, ikebana is a disciplined art form in which nature and humanity are brought together. Contrary to the idea of floral arrangement as a collection of particolored or multicolored arrangement of blooms, ikebana often emphasizes other areas of the plant, such as its stems and leaves, and draws emphasis towards shape, line, form. Though ikebana is a creative expression, it has certain rules governing its form. Learn more about these rules during this demonstration.

Introduction to Ball Jointed Dolls

Learn the basics of BJDs: the types, bodies, head molds, companies, and some basic maintenance to keep your BJD in great shape.

Introduction to Japanese

Topics covered will include things such as an introduction to how written Japanese works, hiragana, katakana, numbers (both readings, and kanji), and honorifics. There will be an explanation of basic concepts that might be of interest to fans of anime, such as casual vs. formal speech, why “Engrish” exists (explaining the Japanese sound system and how foreign words are made to accommodate it), and pronunciation and why it matters.

Let's Para! Featuring TechPara Winnipeg

TechPara Winnipeg is the city's first official Paralist Group in Winnipeg and proudly presents the 2009 Ai-Kon Para Panel. ParaPara is a Japanese form of club dancing featuring specific, preset movements for each Eurobeat song, with dancers doing the same moves all at once. In addition to a description of the history of ParaPara in Japan to date, the panel will also focus on the other two similar dance styles which evolved from it- The TechPara & TraPara; with TechPara danced to Techno and TraPara danced to Trance music. The dancers will demonstrate official routines currently seen in ParaPara Clubs in Japan.

Manga Illustration with Copic

A panel where beginner, amateur and advanced artists of all levels can learn new techniques on drawing and coloring manga. Broaden and expand your passion for coloring manga in the traditional style using the coloring rendering techniques that will be taught using Copic and other various mediums.

Sushi & Onigiri Panel

Only $6 for a panel and lunch! Sign up at the registration desk.

Want to run a panel or host an event at Ai-kon?

• Digital Projector
• White Screen
• Sound System with Microphone