Happenings in September

Hello and welcome to the magnificence of our blog. We will try our best to get out all the info you could ever possibly need to keep up with Japanese culture that is present in the great state of Georgia. There are a lot of festivals, concerts, conventions, and other opportunities to delve into the greatness that is Japan.


Here's what's happening in the month of September!


Dragon*Con (Atlanta, GA): August 29-September 1
Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Atlanta Marriott Marquis, and the Atlanta Hilton.
If you didn't know, Dragon*Con (the largest sci-fi/gaming/etc. convention in the country) starts tomorrow. We realize that tomorrow is technically August, but just for the sake of it's awesomeness, Dragon*Con will count as a September event. Good luck getting tickets (memberships in con speak) because if you didn't plan ahead, memberships START at $50 for just Sunday and Monday. It'll be sick no doubt, but sadly enough, none of the Musketeers can make it this year. Guests will include Kevin J. Anderson, Sean Astin, Linda Blair, Laurell K. Hamilton, George Takei, Alan Tudyk, and many others. If you can make it, go! Saturday will include the annual parade down Peachtree St downtown, which always amazing to see. For more info, go to the official site, http://www.dragoncon.org/


Movies with a Mission Screening: "Our Pride - The Spirits of Black Japanese in Georgia" (Atlanta, GA): Sept 4, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
The APEX Museum, Trolley Theater, 135 Auburn Avenue
Movies with a Mission is a FREE program that SankofaSpirit runs in the Atlanta and Chicago areas. The films that they show serve to counter the myths about Africans and people of African descent so often promoted in popular culture. This month's movie is about the experience of individuals in Georgia of Black and Japanese descent and how the lives are shaped by their dual ethic backgrounds. SankofaSpirit has yet to disappointment me, so it will be a great experience. For more info, go to their site, http://www.sankofaspirit.com/. If you have specific questions, email info@sankofaspirit.com.


Anime Weekend Atlanta 14 (Atlanta, Ga): Sept 19-21
Renaissance Waverly Hotel, 2450 Galleria Parkway
The largest anime convention in Georgia and one of the most popular in the US, Anime Weekend Atlanta (referred to as AWA for the duration of this blurb) is in its fourteenth year of greatness. All things anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture related are showcased here. There'll be cosplay, gaming, artwork, concerts, panels and wondrous dealer's room. If you like anything akin in anyway to current Japanese culture, it will be there. Come out and enjoy the magic of people dressed up as fictional characters from popular (and not so popular) anime, manga, games, and fashion. The Musketeers will be there too! For more info, go to http://www.awa-con.com/. Get your tickets soon!


JapanFest (Duluth): Sept 27-28 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Saturday; 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Sunday
$8 All-day admission; children 6 and under free; free parking
Gwinnett Center Convention Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway
JapanFest is one of the largest festivals in the country that focuses on Japanese Culture. One this year's highlights is the millennium celebration of the Tale of Genji. It will feature taiko drumming, concerts and dancing, concerts & dance performances, martial arts demonstrations, cultural workshops, children’s games, Japanese food & beer garden, bonsai trees, and contemporary folk music. Tickets are cheap, or even free if you volunteer or go to a school that has Japanese classes. Go to http://www.japanfest.org/ for all the info.

And that's September for ya! It's got something special for every week of the month!