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Arkansas Anime Festival 2023

Arts and Entertainment

July 11, 2023

From: Arkansas Anime Festival

Schedule:

Friday July 14, 2023

2:00 PM – Let the Convention Begin!

Vendor Room Opens (Closes 7:00 PM)

Artist Alley Opens (Closes ~7:00 PM but Artists are Welcome to Stay Later)

Tabletop Area & Video Gaming Room Opens (Closes 11:00 PM)

3:00 PM – Panel Room 1

Chibi Art Workshop: Master the Basics and Create Your Own Mini Masterpieces

Join us for an exciting chibi drawing class designed for new artists and teens. Led by experienced artists and anime enthusiasts Jody Hughes and Hayley Denton, this beginner-friendly workshop will teach you the fundamentals of chibi art. Learn the unique anatomy, proportions, and expressive features of chibi characters. Receive step-by-step guidance, personalized tips, and take home valuable handouts to continue your artistic journey. No prior experience required. Grab your pencils and get ready for a delightful world of cuteness!

3:30 PM – Panel Room 2

Cosplay 101

If you’ve wanted to cosplay but didn’t know where to start, this panel is for you! Join the A2F Cosplay Judges as they explain how to get into the craft as well as give tips and tricks for bringing your favorite characters to life!

4:30 PM – Panel Room 1

How to Survive the Convention Weekend

New to the convention scene or returning after a hiatus? This panel is for you! We will discuss tips and tricks to make your con weekend more enjoyable. Stellae and Hobbs will go through their experiences and how they survived 11 years in the convention scene. This is a great space to ask your questions! Come join us!

5:00 PM – Panel Room 2

Sewing Tips & Tricks

Come learn some tips and tricks for sewing your cosplay – from installing a zipper to basic stitches that can change your style!

5:00 PM – Panel Room 3

Naruto! Become Hokage!!

Lady Tsunade is looking for the next Hokage!! Do you think you have what it takes? Games and fun await in this panel all about Naruto!

5:45 PM – Panel Room 1

Iron Artist Competition

Come watch artists go head-to-head in a fast-paced, quick draw game! Audience participation is encouraged!

6:00 PM – Main Events

Stranger Things Tea Party

Finders Keepers Cosplay invites you to the Stranger Things Tea Party, where guests will be able to enjoy sweets, tea, and conversation with old and new friends. Interact with your favorite Stranger Things character while enjoying live entertainment from our dance group members. We will even have door prizes!

6:15 PM – Panel Room 2

Indie Game Presentation: Death By Begonia

Death By Begonia is an Arkansas-based mystery visual novel developed by Paper Moon Studios. Come meet the characters and world of Begonia, play part of the demo with us, and discuss the Indie Game development process!

6:30 PM – Panel Room 3

Mini Painting Class

Join our host Lucy as she shows us some great techniques for beginners to advanced painters. Take home your own mini! Special thanks to Turbo Dork, Citadel and Games Workshop. SEATING IS LIMITED.

7:00 PM – Panel Room 1

Mermaids: for Beginners, by Beginners

Shello! And Whalecome to a Q&A with beginner Mermaids! Learn about what Mermading really is. Hope to Sea you there! Hosted by Kitsumi Hatter Cosplay & Nirana Moon Cosplay

8:00 PM – Main Events

Voice Actor Panel

Join this year’s VA guests – Chris Rager, Josh Martin, and Phil Parsons – as they talk about their journeys and answers questions!

8:00 PM – Panel Room 2

Narnia : Lore, Storylines, and Hidden Connections

Come and listen to the tales of Narnia and how it was created! From fun facts about the Author, to fascinating connecting pieces in the stories, the Land of C.S. Lewis’ books gain new meaning and interesting insight!

9:00 PM – Panel Room 1

How to Con with Disabilities

Conventions are as busy as they are fun, and when you have disabilities of any kind, they can also be tough to navigate. This panel is all about how anyone, disabled or an ally, can embrace a con while still caring for and accommodating themselves. Questions welcome and encouraged!

9:00 PM – Panel Room 3

Stranger Things DnD One-Shot

Finders Keepers Cosplay invites you to join us for our Stranger Things One-Shot! Join Eddie Munson as the Hellfire Club and Friends band together to face their greatest adventure yet! A wild sheep chase…

10:00 PM – Main Events

Krossplay Kabaret!
AGES:18+ | $5

Join Kitty Kouture, Alura O’Shaunacy and their special guests as they bring back this Con Favorite, the 18+ drag show. Get ready for a night of sass, class and just a bit of… laughs as they spend the rest of the night entertaining you! ID must be presented at the door. NO ONE under 18 is permitted.

Saturday July 15, 2023

10:00 AM – Welcome!

Vendor Room Opens (Closes 6:00 PM)

Artist Alley Opens (Closes ~6:00 PM but Artists are Welcome to Stay Later)

Tabletop Area & Video Gaming Room Opens (Closes 11:00 PM)

10:00 AM – Panel Room 1

We Survived 2012-2014 Tumblr

Were you a part of Tumblr during the Superwholock days or want to hear about its mark on the internet? Stellae and Hobbs are firing up the Tardis and taking a journey back in time to revisit the cringe of the Tumblr fandoms. From Mishaployse to flower crowns, come join in on the fun of going down memory lane!

10:30 AM – Panel Room 3

Let’s Weiss Schwarz!!

Do you like card games? Do you like anime and video games? Then come learn to play a card game including titles such as Chainsaw Man, Date a Live, Bang Dream! And many more!

10:30 AM – Panel Room 2

Stardew Valley Kahoot with Cuties

Kahoot is a game many of us have played and loved, and now it’s coming to you straight from several eligibles in Pelican Town! The questions presented will be about trivia, in-game lore, and facts, with small prizes for the top three performing audience members and free candy for all!

10:30 AM – Main Events

School of Rock NWA House Band Performance

Join these talented youths as they rock out to your favorite hits!

11:00 AM – Panel Room 1

UA Class with Deku & Bakugo

All Might and Aizawa leave the class up to Deku and Bakugo! Come learn what it takes to be a hero! Join us for a Q&A and a Quiz, it will be great fun!

12:00 PM – Panel Room 1

Go Beyond! Plus Ultra!

Join Kitsumi Hatter and Not Invisible Angel for a Plus Ultra Time. My Hero Academia characters will undergo challenges and answer questions.

12:00 PM – Panel Room 2

So Ya Wanna Get Into Character?

So you’ve gotten into cosplay, You’ve made all the props. You are ready to do photos. But, how do you get into character now that you’re in cosplay? Join Sammy I Ammy Cosplay as they explore all of the tips and tricks that can help you get into character. From the funny to the stoic, and everything in between! Come ready to act and have fun!

12:00 PM – Panel Room 3

Mini Painting Class

Join our host Lucy as she shows us some great techniques for beginners to advanced painters. Take home your own mini! Special thanks to Turbo Dork, Citadel and Games Workshop. SEATING IS LIMITED.

12:30 PM – Main Events

Promstuck

Homestuck in 2023? Jump back in time for this radical event where people of all ages are invited to our exclusive prom event! Enjoy music, games, snacks and drinks, and bust out your best cool kid dance moves! Most importantly, don’t forget to bring your bucket.

1:15 PM – Panel Room 1

Stick Figure to Human Figure

Join me and learn figure drawing skills so you can draw your favorite characters or create your own!

1:45 PM – Panel Room 2

Let Me Tell You About Homestuck

Join Finders Keepers Cosplay as we take it all the way back to 2011. Karkat and friends welcome you to ask questions at our character Q&A where we will discuss all things Homestuck and play exciting in-character activities!

2:00 PM – Main Events

Voice Actor Panel

Join this year’s VA guests – Chris Rager, Josh Martin, and Phil Parsons – as they talk about their journeys and answers questions!

2:15 PM – Panel Room 3

Iron Cosplay the Game

Attendees will form teams and take a bunch of random items, cloth, and ducktape to create the best costume for a scaled down model. Scaled down cosplays will be auctioned for charity.

3:00 PM – Panel Room 1

Helluva Jeopardy: Helluva Boss Trivia!

The Helluva Boss trivia game panel is a chance for fans to compete in a Jeopardy-style game featuring categories such as character backstories, episode plotlines, and memorable quotes. Come test your knowledge of the show and discover new details in a fun and engaging way!

3:30 PM – Main Events

Cosplay Prejudging

This event is for those who have signed up for the Cosplay Contest. Please come and get your cosplays looked at up close by our judges. Those signed up for the Cosplay Contest must come to prejudging to be included in the Cosplay Contest.

4:00 PM – Panel Room 2

Spy Wars (SpyXFamily games)

Join characters from SpyXFamily in this panel all about fun and games!

4:00 PM – Panel Room 3

Mini Painting Class

Join our host Lucy as she shows us some great techniques for beginners to advanced painters. Take home your own mini! Special thanks to Turbo Dork, Citadel and Games Workshop. SEATING IS LIMITED.

4:15 PM – Panel Room 1

Genshin Impact 101

Ad Astra Abyssosque! Welcome to Genshin Impact! Here you can ask questions about the popular video game that’s taken over phones, computers, and consoles everywhere. There will be a basic overview of the game, suggestions on how to build characters, and more! Hosted by Emmy the Color Queen.

5:30 PM – Main Events

Cosplay Contest!

Join us at our main stage for the Cosplay Contest! See amazing cosplays and have a great time!

8:00 PM – Main Events

Cosplay Drag Show
Aall Ages | Free

Kitty Kouture and Alura O’Shaunacy are back to help you find your spotlight. Come see our hosts as they put on show featuring some of the very cosplayers from this convention. Wanna try your hand at it? You may still have time to sign-up at their table. If not find yourself in the audience and enjoy this show.

9:30 PM – Panel Room 1

Family Fued: Demon Slayer Edition

Join Regoku in this fun filled game session!

10:00 PM – Panel Room 2

Multi Animator Projects: Your Fandom’s Best Friend

Multi Animator Projects, the fastest growing source of serotonin for any fandom enjoyer. But what even is a MAProject?! How do I make one? How do I join one? Fret not, my sweet, unscathed con-goer! I will teach you the secret to success in MAProject hosting, part creation, and more!

10:00 PM – Main Events

A2F DANCE NIGHT!

Welcome DJ Keanu Trias! We are gonna lay down some great beats to end the night right!

Sunday July 16, 2023

10:00 AM – Welcome!

Vendor Room Opens (Closes 4:00 PM)

Artist Alley Opens (Closes 4:00 PM)

Tabletop Area & Video Gaming Room Opens (Closes 4:00 PM)

10:30 AM – Panel Room 1

Fan Club!!

Join Not Invisible Angel and show off your FANdom(s). With a fan you design yourself!
Supplies are limited.

10:30 AM – Panel Room 2

Tropes, Tags and Tears: Fanfic Writing 101

So you want to start writing fanfiction, but where do you even begin with all that? This panel is here to give writers new to the fanfic writing world tools, tricks, and know-hows of bringing their creativity to life, all from experienced writers.

10:30 AM – Panel Room 3

Mini Painting Class

Join our host Lucy as she shows us some great techniques for beginners to advanced painters. Take home your own mini! Special thanks to Turbo Dork, Citadel and Games Workshop. SEATING IS LIMITED.

11:00 AM – Main Events

Drag Tea Party
ALL AGES | $5 ENTRY

Join our Resident Cosplay Drag Artists for a mid morning tea Party complete with games, drag, laughs and refreshments. Tea Time just got way more fabulous!

11:45 AM – Panel Room 2

Haikyuu! Q&A

Join Finders Keepers Cosplay for a Haikyuu in-character Q&A where you will have the chance to ask your favorite character questions and participate in our fun-filled activities for all ages!

12:00 PM – Panel Room 1

2D Animation Workshop Redux

A workshop teaching the 12 principles on animation with demonstrations and audience participation.

1:00 PM – Panel Room 2

For the Love of Scraps

Hua Cheng hosts a panel filled with games and laughter based off of Heavenly Official’s Blessing and other novels by Mo Xiang Tong Zui. Learn all about these novels taking the world by storm from one of the characters!

1:00 PM – Panel Room 3

Wigs 101

Join us and learn how to style wigs, and all the other basics you need for wig working!

1:30 PM – Main Events

Voice Actor Panel

Join this year’s VA guests – Chris Rager, Josh Martin, and Phil Parsons – as they talk about their journeys and answers questions!

1:30 PM – Panel Room 1

Chaos of the Ouran Twins!

Dive into the chaos with the Ouran Highschool Host Club Twins!!! Join the Twins on their chaotic adventures and explore the wonders of their devious minds! Come see what tricks they have planned and enjoy mischievous company!!

2:30 PM – Panel Room 3

Meet the Kings and Queens of Narnia

The Narnia Faire is prous to present its talented group of Royal Actors! Come and meet High King Peter, Queen Susan, King Edmund, and Queen Lucy! Ask them questions about the realm, hear them recount tales of their age of ruling, and hear fantastical stories about Narnian magic and lore!

2:30 PM – Panel Room 2

A Miraculous Hangout!

Miraculous! Against Paris? What is funniest? Which one will you choose? Feel luckiest? What will you ingest? Fear not for heroes are with you! Miraculous! Hosted by: Kitsumi Hatter Cosplay, Not Invisible Angel Cosplay, and Nirana Moon Cosplay

2:45 PM – Panel Room 1

Picture Perfect

Wanting to work with photographers but unsure how? No worries, we will give you some tips on just what to do!

Date: July 14 - 16, 2023

Location:  Four Points by Sheraton Bentonville - 211 Southeast Walton Boulevard Bentonville, AR 72712

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