Monday, January 31, 2011

Omaha Costuming Day


While we suffer through this latest batch of horrendous weather, it is encouraging to remember that we are only two months away from the start of convention season. Naka-Kon is right around the corner, the weekend after OCD. Then April promises to be a very busy month: Willycon, Constellation, Demicon, not to mention Free Comic Book Day. So if looks like it's time to start thinking about your costuming wardrobe.

On Saturday February 12th we have just the event to help jump start you into a new costume or finish that cosplay character you have been working on. The Omaha Costuming Day (OCD)will have several workshops to give even the novice costumer something to wear at their next convention. Be it our Cat Ears & Tails workshop, our Headdress workshop, our Non-Sewn costume class, our Lord of the Rings costuming seminar, or build a prop in our Steampunk gun detailing workshop. Ww also have sessions on building a Duct-Tape Dummy to help you model your new design and a Presentation class to help you really impress the judges as you present your costume.

We will also have a specialist available to give you one-on-one help with whatever project you are working on. With sewing machines available to get it moving forward.

There is no site fee for this event. We will only be asking a small materials fee for some of the workshops to cover the cost of the supplies you will use. But then you will have something to take with you for that next convention.

So join us at the W. Dale Clark Library - 215 South 15th Street in Downtown Omaha. Meet lots of other people interested in costuming/cosplay and learn some new skills. It will be a fun day.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

More Movie Stuff

As people get ready for the return of Creature Feature with 20 Million Miles to Earth on January 29th, there is another Ray Harryhausen classic film on TCM the prior Saturday. Jason and the Argonauts will be shown on Turner Classic Movies Saturday January 22nd at 3PM. Before the use of CGI, nobody could do creature effects like Harryhausen. In fact the creature scenes in 20 Million Years to Earth were so well done that the film had to be edited for television, just like the original King Kong had been. I hope everyone gets to enjoy these two great films by the stop-motion master.

Friday, January 14, 2011

The Zombie Research Society, Omaha Chapter

Last Saturday night I went down to the Attic Bar and Grill for the monthly meeting of the Omaha chapter of the Zombie Research Society to meet these guys and see if they were interesting enough to be a part of OSFest 4.0. What I found was a very enthusiastic and knowledgeable group of fans. They are going to be a great addition to the program participants at OSFest.

Who are they: The Zombie Research Society (ZRS) was founded in 2007 and is dedicated to raising the level of zombie scholarship in the Arts and Sciences. ZRS Members represent diverse backgrounds, interests, and theories, but are unified in their support of the Society's three foundational principles:

  1. A zombie is a biologically definable, animated being occupying a human corpse.

  2. The zombie pandemic is coming. It's not a matter of if, but a matter of when.

  3. Enthusiastic debate about zombies is essential to the survival of the human race.


    They are also responsible for the podcast: Undead Air.

So check them out and we'll see what this crew does to the Crowne Plaza this July 22-24 at OSFest 4.0 System Upgrade.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Victorian Valentines Social

Victorian Valentines Social
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Friday, February 11 · 7:00pm - 11:00pm
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Location: TBA
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Created By Steampunk Society of Nebraska
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Last year's event was amazing

=- the gathering on Friday, the 11th of February -=

Come join Joe and Patty Carver for a Steampunk Victorian Valentines social. We will be gathering with all of our friends for a 1899 social.

Music will reflect the Steampunk genre as will the dress of the evening.

This is a free event in the potluck style. Bring yourself, a friend, a dish, snacks and/or drinks, but most of all bring a desire to socialize and have fun. Karaoke may be present as well.

There will be a contest at the event: "Sweets for the Sweets". Entries will be steampunk based candies, cakes, or other such desserts. The winning entry will get a prize.

Note: This event may have attendees under the age of 21.

Editor's Note: This would be a great way to view many excellent costumes and get ready for the Omaha Costuming Day on Saturday. Febr. 12th

Friday, January 7, 2011

The Gundam Modelers’ Workshop


Omaha has become the home to several fannish activities and groups in the last few years, I'd like to think this is the influence of OSFES but it is probably the effect of a pent-up demand that is finally manifesting itself. Whatever the reason there is now more things to do than ever.


One of those activities is the Gundam Modelers' Workshop at Krypton Comics. Gerald Ngau has organized a time and place each month for modelers to come together and share techniques and tricks. When pressed as to why he builds these scale replicas of giant robots, he responded: "Humm, I never thought about that, I assume when you buy a Gundam model you should know the story and the kind of mobile suit you like to put together. What I can think of in my own perspective is that I enjoy building Gundam models because they are fun to put together, they all come in color and snap together with out using any glue, super articulate great for display, and they come in all sizes and price (ranges), the technology that goes into making the model kit is the most advanced and detail I have seen, they have been around for 30 years and there is a huge follower all over the world."


The Gundam Modeler's Workshop meets the second Saturday of each month at Krypton Comics at 2819 South 125th Ave, # 261. You can contact Gerald for details at: neographix01@yahoo.com. But here are the guidelines as listed on the OSFES activities page:


• Bring your own Gundam (or any anime model kit.
• Bring your own paint and tool.
• Learn how to build a Gundam, share techniques on detailing and how
to post your model once it is complete.
• Showcase your best Gundam model.
• Bring any Hobby Japan or Gundam model magazine to help detail
your Gundam model.
• Exchange web site info.
• No glue require.
• Great fun for all age.
• Best of all the learning is free.
(Warning: We will be using sharp tools.)