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[Saffi]

Hey guys.. i've heard mention of Ad astra quite a bit on here...

I origionally, from some posts, gathered that it was in Ottawa on the weekend that MTac is on.. and that was the reason people wouldn't be able to go.

I just found out that on April 2-4 Ad Astra will be in Toronto.. is this the Ad Astra you guys are talking about.. and if so, how big is it and do people go in costume?

Cuz i'm interested and would love to check it out.. But i've never been to a scifi/fantasy con before so i don't know how similar/different it is to an anime one.

*grin* hope i'm not posting in the wrong spot.. forgive my ignorance.

-saff

[xiola]

ad astra is MUCH SMALLER than anime north, also much smaller than toronto trek.

it is primarily a literary/fantasy/sci-fi con, (held in conjunction with a gaming con)

cosplay IS encouraged, but their masquerade is generally very small compared to the other cons people here are used to. (last year's was their biggest yet and it has oh... 14 people?). this year's masq. will probably be slightly larger due to several costuming people/friends i know are going, but other than that...

i have not attended yet either, but as my boyfriend has been a department-head volunteer for several years and tells me certain things, and i have been to toronto trek which has illuminated some major differences between Anime North, i can make certain assumptions, which i will try to explain...

-the atmosphere is different than the anime cons and toronto trek, and events are likely based more around discussion panels and social events (there's some geek-comedy programming, a dance, and apparently lots of room parties)
- expect less young people running around flying at people, glomping unsuspected victims, and screaming. up till now, anyway... (i certainly hope it stays that way despite it's growing exposure. ^_^)
- expect more adults/older people. while it may sound biased or rude to say it, i have to be honest and mention that this DOES account for a large part of the shift in atmosphere between a sci-fi/fantasy con and an Anime Con. there *are* young people at sci-fi/fantasy cons enjoying themselves as much as anyone else but they are not the largest demographic, and in some subtle way, the programming and atmosphere reflects this shift, compared to anime cons (IMHO, from my observations between Anorth, CNA and Toronto Trek). This is not to say that a large part of convention enjoyment isn't adults getting to act more like kids, or anything. that's defenitely still there, as it should be. ^_~
- i'm not sure the exact score on picture taking but if it's anything like the progression from ANorth to TT, while you may expect random picture taking, expect ALOT less of it except for around masquerade-times.
- anime is perfectly acceptable if you want to cosplay it there, just don't expect ANYONE to recognize your costume - you'll be lucky if ONE person recognizes your character in a classic well-known anime outfit, let alone a recent trendy anime.
- additional note about anime cosplay: do not get offended at really bad guesses! they're probably just trying to be nice and encouraging and dont' realize that, say, calling you "someone from sailor moon?" when you're wearing a Utena school fuku might offend someone! it's not their fault! (remember: acting hostile and superior will not help the more traditional older people's opinion of "those anime kids" :PP)
- most of the guests are not media celebrities, so behavior and discussion may be slightly different than what you get with the tv/actor celebrities anime/media congoers may be used to... *shrugs*
- dealer's room, while they have interesting stuff, are more varied as to type of merchandise (usually not 100% media-series-collectible type stuff. usually there's some more artsy booths, and some books and stuff) and definitely much smaller than Anorth.
- website: http://ad-astra.org/

umm... i hope this helps. ^_^

[Saffi]

Thankyou very much.. that was very informative!

I'm really looking forward to this now... i'm hoping to put together a costume of Polagara from David Eddings' books, but I doubt many people will know who I am *grin*

we'll see what happens.

-saff

[Ninja Sensei]

I would like to take this opportunity to encourage ALL interested parties to give Ad Astra a shot. It has been around much longer than either Anime North or Toronto Trek (in fact, many of teh originators and early concom for these cons came from Ad Astra attendees and concom).

Originally Posted by xiola

ad astra is MUCH SMALLER than anime north, also much smaller than toronto trek.

it is primarily a literary/fantasy/sci-fi con, (held in conjunction with a gaming con)

True on both counts. Ad Astra used to be the big game in town but lost its place due to the influx of media fandom years ago ... Much like Toronto Trek is seeing its role as the big game in town being taken over by Anime North. The cons follow the "next wave" of fandom.

Originally Posted by xiola

cosplay IS encouraged, but their masquerade is generally very small compared to the other cons people here are used to. (last year's was their biggest yet and it has oh... 14 people?). this year's masq. will probably be slightly larger due to several costuming people/friends i know are going, but other than that...

Cosplay is encouraged DEFINITELY!!!!! And their masquerade, like the con, is growing once again. (BTW - Last year they had 16 entries I believe ... a far cry from the years they had 6!!! but far from "back in the day" when they had 30 or 40 ... more on that later )

Originally Posted by xiola

i have not attended yet either, but as my boyfriend has been a department-head volunteer for several years and tells me certain things, and i have been to toronto trek which has illuminated some major differences between Anime North, i can make certain assumptions, which i will try to explain...

-the atmosphere is different than the anime cons and toronto trek, and events are likely based more around discussion panels and social events (there's some geek-comedy programming, a dance, and apparently lots of room parties)

TRUE. Due to the difference in target audience, Ad Astra is more of a traditional SF con. The guests (mostly authors) tend to be more approachable (I've had chatted with Jerry Pournelle, Ed Greenwood, Tanya Huff ... MANY times with Tanya and Fiona both!), the atmosphere is more social ... and definielty not as charged as an anime con. (Although I hear the dance is VERRRRY popular for burning off the excess energy you store up).

Originally Posted by xiola

- expect less young people running around flying at people, glomping unsuspected victims, and screaming. up till now, anyway... (i certainly hope it stays that way despite it's growing exposure. ^_^)

TRUE. While Ad Astra does have an Anime Room (run by Kent Wong I believe) and occasional anime portions to the programming track, "glomping" is practically unheard of. Or at least more sedate than launching oneself at someone in costume.

Originally Posted by xiola

- expect more adults/older people. while it may sound biased or rude to say it, i have to be honest and mention that this DOES account for a large part of the shift in atmosphere between a sci-fi/fantasy con and an Anime Con. there *are* young people at sci-fi/fantasy cons enjoying themselves as much as anyone else but they are not the largest demographic, and in some subtle way, the programming and atmosphere reflects this shift, compared to anime cons (IMHO, from my observations between Anorth, CNA and Toronto Trek). This is not to say that a large part of convention enjoyment isn't adults getting to act more like kids, or anything. that's defenitely still there, as it should be. ^_~

TRUE. (emphatically so) This is the difference between the styles of con. For instance let's look at costuming. Cosplay per se is not as common (in that "in character" is not as important as socialising to most of teh costumers). The basis of Ad Astra's costuming crowd tends to come from a more traditional ("classical"?) theme base, with some SCA-influences dropped in.

To be continued...

Originally Posted by xiola

- i'm not sure the exact score on picture taking but if it's anything like the progression from ANorth to TT, while you may expect random picture taking, expect ALOT less of it except for around masquerade-times.

Part II:

Picture taking is encouraged and welcomed by the con and attendees. Yes, most of it occurs around the masquerade ... That's because the degree of hall costumes has dropped in recent years (as it has at MANY traditional cons). It seems that all of teh enthusiastic hall costumers are off at these darn anime thingies!!! *sigh*

TBC...

Originally Posted by xiola

- anime is perfectly acceptable if you want to cosplay it there, just don't expect ANYONE to recognize your costume - you'll be lucky if ONE person recognizes your character in a classic well-known anime outfit, let alone a recent trendy anime.

- additional note about anime cosplay: do not get offended at really bad guesses! they're probably just trying to be nice and encouraging and dont' realize that, say, calling you "someone from sailor moon?" when you're wearing a Utena school fuku might offend someone! it's not their fault! (remember: acting hostile and superior will not help the more traditional older people's opinion of "those anime kids" :PP)

Part III:

TRUE. Although you might be surprised when some grey-haired old fart comes up and actually knows what/who you are cosplaying as. After all, we old folks like watching anime too (or at least watch with our kids.)

Originally Posted by xiola

- most of the guests are not media celebrities, so behavior and discussion may be slightly different than what you get with the tv/actor celebrities anime/media congoers may be used to... *shrugs*

TRUE. But the guests are usually much more approachable. If you read at all (you know, reading? That thing that's in the bubbles for all the manga and such out there ... or teh subtitles!) and enjoy thoughtful or crazy discussion about things, then give Ad Astra a try.

One of the best panels I'd attended in recent years was on "the Aspect of 'Hero' in Lord of the Rings" (I still think Sam is the TRUE hero of the story ... even though Eowyn has always been my favourite.)

Also, any budding writers out there may do well to attend some of the talks from the authors (there are also workshops sometimes).

Originally Posted by xiola

- dealer's room, while they have interesting stuff, are more varied as to type of merchandise (usually not 100% media-series-collectible type stuff. usually there's some more artsy booths, and some books and stuff) and definitely much smaller than Anorth.

Sadly TRUE. Like participation in teh masquerade, the size of teh dealer's room is influenced by the life cycle of the con itself. While Ad Astra is growing, it will be awhile before it's back at the size it was in the "old days".

Originally Posted by xiola

umm... i hope this helps. ^_^

I'm sure it did. It's always nice (and refreshing) to see the con through the eyes of a new person!

... And I hope to see both you and Kisa competing in the masquerade!!!

And to finsih up MY comments...

I would encourage any of you fine cosplayers to attend Ad Astra - even if it's just the Saturday - and to participate in the masquerade. The audience is very appreciative of any theme and accepting of good work. It is a non-stressful show that you could use to prep for Anime North (or Toronto Trek) a few months later. (Tweak your presentation so to speak.)

(I met the new masquerade directors a week ago and this will be their first time doing it ... so if you're inclined, you could offer to help in the running of it! Or better - compete!!! Oh ... and they're about your ages as well.)

Remember that if we don't support the other venues, they will disappear due to lack of interest and we will lose another outlet for our hobby. (...and so goes the "greying" of fandom.)

...Oh yeah, one last thing .... they have SOME costuming programming because they have a kick-a$$ Fan Guest of Honour!!!!

... And I'm willing to chat about costuming as long as anyone wants to (preferably along with a bheer in the best con suite I know of!) I hope to see you there.

- Gord

[Kia]

Originally Posted by Ninja Sensei

I would encourage any of you fine cosplayers to attend Ad Astra - even if it's just the Saturday - and to participate in the masquerade. The audience is very appreciative of any theme and accepting of good work. It is a non-stressful show that you could use to prep for Anime North (or Toronto Trek) a few months later. (Tweak your presentation so to speak.)

^_^ That was my plan exactly!

Gordie, are you really part of some sort of Dating Game at Ad Astra?
If so I'm bringing a camera.

[Ninja Sensei]

Originally Posted by Saffi

Thankyou very much.. that was very informative!

I'm really looking forward to this now... i'm hoping to put together a costume of Polagara from David Eddings' books, but I doubt many people will know who I am *grin*

we'll see what happens.

-saff

Actually, I would think that this could be quite a striking costume ... and for this con, I'd expect at least a few of the attendees will know who you are supposed to be!

[Ninja Sensei]

Originally Posted by Kia

^_^ That was my plan exactly!

Gordie, are you really part of some sort of Dating Game at Ad Astra?
If so I'm bringing a camera.

Ummm ... No comment.

[Kisa]

^_^ is it the cheesecake thing?

[neko rinchan]

on the first post, saffi mentioned that ad astra was in ottawa during MTac. so, IS it in ottawa, or is it just in toronto? any info, would be greatly appreciated!

[Ninja Sensei]

Originally Posted by neko rinchan

on the first post, saffi mentioned that ad astra was in ottawa during MTac. so, IS it in ottawa, or is it just in toronto? any info, would be greatly appreciated!

It is in Toronto. Check the website: Ad Astra

[Ninja Sensei]

Originally Posted by Kisa

^_^ is it the cheesecake thing?

That was last year!!!

*shakes head*

[lainey]

i'm guessing that there is no day ticket for just saturday?

i'd love to check it out

[Kaijugal]

Originally Posted by xiola

- anime is perfectly acceptable if you want to cosplay it there, just don't expect ANYONE to recognize your costume - you'll be lucky if ONE person recognizes your character in a classic well-known anime outfit, let alone a recent trendy anime.
- additional note about anime cosplay: do not get offended at really bad guesses! they're probably just trying to be nice and encouraging and dont' realize that, say, calling you "someone from sailor moon?" when you're wearing a Utena school fuku might offend someone! it's not their fault! (remember: acting hostile and superior will not help the more traditional older people's opinion of "those anime kids" :PP)


umm... i hope this helps. ^_^

I was so excited when I saw you posted this! You ROCK!! I officially dub you "Xiola the Wise"!

<~~A toast to you and you're awsomeness!

I'll be there, and I hope you all ENTER THE MASQUERADE!!!! (or else!) ?? hehehe...

[Kia]

Originally Posted by Kaijugal

I was so excited when I saw you posted this! You ROCK!! I officially dub you "Xiola the Wise"!

:: bows to Xiola the Wise ::

Originally Posted by Ninja Sensei

That was last year!!!

*shakes head*

You did Cheascake last year and I missed it?!

[Ninja Sensei]

Originally Posted by Kisa

^_^ is it the cheesecake thing?

Originally Posted by Kia

You did Cheascake last year and I missed it?!

*sigh* Yes ... you missed it. But don't worry, the "Best Before Date" on that beefcake was a looooong time ago.

(And Kisa, don't try that coy ^_^ face with me young lady! After you and Xiola getting me drunk at Worldcon ... I know the truth! )