Dallas All-Con Features Celebrities, Sci-Fi, Anime/ Cosplay, Arts, Renaissance, Costuming, Film, and Theater Events

Dallas, TX (PRWEB) January 18, 2007 -- All-Con is a 3-day convention which provides an umbrella of content supporting fans of Science Fiction, Fantasy, Renaissance, Anime, Cosplay, Costuming, Theater / Performing Arts, Mystery, Art, Crafts, Collecting, Model Construction, and Film Making. The convention is Friday March 16th through Sunday March 18th; the second weekend of Dallas, Texas' Spring Break.

Special guests for 2007 include Kate Vernon (Ellen Tigh, Battlestar Galactica), Luciana Carro (Lt. Louanne "Kat" Katraine, Battlestar Galactica), Neil Kaplan (Optimus Prime, Transformers: Robots in Disguise), and JK Woodward (Artist: Fallen Angel, IDW Comics).

Before her three seasons on Battlestar Galactica, Kate Vernon was no stranger to Sci-Fi television. Star Trek Voyager fans may find her seemingly familiar since she was Commander Valerie Archer in the beginning of Voyager's fifth season. With a page full of cameo roles, Kate has an established acting history of reoccurring character. Vernon fans know her as "Whitney Thomas" from Nash Bridges, "A.D.A. Belinda Fox" from L.A. Law, and "Lorraine Prescott" from Falcon's Crest. All-Con looks forward to Ms. Vernon's appearance. When not focused upon Battlestar Galactica, perhaps she will reflect upon her other roles on shows such as CSI, Dawson's Creek, The Outter Limits, and Tales from the Crypt.

Luciana Carro has been busy beyond her own Battlestar Galactica Viper Pilot career (seasons 1-3). On the big screen she was in the cast of Doctor Doolittle 3, Two for the Money, White Chicks, and most recently Blades of Glory. Her television credits include Everwood, Smallville, and The "L" Word, among many others.

Neil Kaplan brings a smile to the faces of fans from several genre. As Optimus Prime in Transformers: Robots in Disguise he was the leader of the Autobots. Children may recognize his voice as that of Destruxo, Diabolico, and Gluto from the Power Rangers. Demonstrating his versatility, Mr. Kaplan has even provided the voice for the soul singing, pizza delivering episode of SpongeBob Squarepants. Mr. Kaplan voiced Hawkmon in the Digimon features. Anime fans who enjoy dubbed titles will know him from Sentou Yousei Yukikaze, Green Green, Ghost in the Shell, Kaze no Yojimbo, Yukikaze, and Tokyo Pig.

All-Con brings more to the table than just an impressive line of celebrity guests. The daily content also incorporates Artist Alley with artisans, comic book artists, and independent filmmakers. The dealer's room offers goods ranging from comic books to resin science fiction weapons and costuming props, to hand crafted jewelry, and plenty of great deals for modern toy and figure collectors. Costuming clubs representing Star Wars, Star Trek, G.I. Joe, and more will be dressing up throughout the weekend. For those non-costuming fans, the broad-interest fan clubs will be present as well. A dedicated 100 seat video theater will be playing Anime titles (sponsored in part by www.ADVFilms.com) during the day and fan films and shorts in the evening and into the night with complimentary popcorn provided by the Venus Texas volunteer firefighters.

Many of the discussion panels and workshops are presented by professional organizations.

Scarborough Renaissance Festival (http://www.scarboroughrenfest.com), the same organization who presents the Screams Theme Park annually, will be at the convention all three days providing demonstrations on fencing styles and choreography; horror, effects, and aging make-up techniques; Renaissance costuming; and even a discussion panel moderated by the 2007 King of Scarborough.

The Dallas women's roller derby team, "Assassination City" (http://www.acderby.com) will be attending to sign autographs, take photographs with fans, and present a full hour demonstration of the high-impact sport, along with presentations about the team and their activities.

Los Bastardos (www.http://LosBastardos.com) is an established and well-known theatre shadow cast that performs The Rocky Horror Picture Show every Saturday night at the Ridgmar Movie Tavern in Fort Worth, Texas. They are the longest running current DFW cast with over nine years experience with an accomplished, professional, reliable, and respected cast complete with a full technical crew, stage and prop crew, security team, and full stage cast. Their cast and crew will be at All-Con putting on all the moves in full dress to show you why watching Rocky Horror at home on a DVD just doesn't cut it.

The Dallas/Fort Worth FanForce (http://www.FanForce.net) will be providing weekend Star Wars content, along with their third annual "Ms. Star Wars" fan competition (http://www.MsStarWars.com). The competition is based upon fandom knowledge and Star Wars skills. Costumes are not required, do not effect scoring, but are encouraged.

Other competitions and events round out the three days of non-stop activity.

Attendees of the mini-comics workshop will learn all about the world of small scale self publishing. Participants will produce a mini-comic which will be released on Saturday. Everyone attending has the opportunity to contribute to the mini-comic. (All materials will be provided at the workshop.)

Hands-on demonstrations by The Dented Helmet (http://www.thedentedhelmet.com) include "Build Your Own Boba Fett (costume)" and "Vacuforming and Resin casting 101".

The Murder Mystery Dinner (http://www.DallasMurderMystery.com) consists of a brilliant 3-course dinner during which diners must figure out whom among them is involved in the sinister plots before the final dessert is served.

Anime fans will enjoy a dedicated Cosplay event, presented by the University of North Texas Anime Club (http://www.MuEpsilonKappa.com). The same club tirelessly provides the Anime panels and workshops all weekend long.

For the rest of the costuming community, the general costuming competition (http://www.DallasCostumeContest.com) is available Saturday night. The $200 first prize in the general competition draws novice and advanced costumers from around the state, and the surrounding region. Costume categories allow friendly competition between costumers of all ages and skill levels.

2007 marks the return of the model and diorama competition, operated by the rules of the International Plastic Modeling Society (IPMS). Build a model to enter on the show, or just stop in and see the models and dioramas others have build for this friendly competition.

Artists who wish sell their own pieces may take advantage of the All-Con art gallery. (Panels and tables are now available.) All-Con attendees are free to come in and see what the local talent has to offer.

The 4th Annual Alias Marathon (http://www.AliasConnection.com) will benefit the Pediatric Epilepsy Project, a charity supported by Alias & Heroes star Greg Grunberg, who has a child affected by Pediatric Epilepsy.

Sunday is Super Hero Day as science fiction and fantasy costumers look on to the fans that hold their own hero costumes. Both existing and imagined heroes attending the convention will have the opportunity to participate in the hero Values and Virtues competition.

No convention is complete without a dance. Powering up the dance floor this year is Keiichi.net EX² (http://radio.Keiichi.net), with their play list of over 4,000 titles from extreme Anime and J-Pop.

Discussion panels, workshops, demonstrations, events, and competitions start every hour on the hour with several different choices each hour. The three day weekend is $25 for an adult ticket; $12 for children 12-and-under, and include entry to all events with the exception of the Murder Mystery meal and celebrity autographs. Tickets are available online at http://www.All-Con.org using the "registration" link, or at the door until daily capacity is reached.

Guests wishing to stay at the Crowne Plaza Hotel will enjoy the special convention room rate by calling 1-800-227-6963 and using booking code: "ALC".

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