[Jam-Kiske]

I don't see myself on the list. D:

But omg someone is cosplaying Touhou on Saturday? [tempted to swap cosplays around]

[Soy Sauce]

Jam-Kiske, on Apr 12 2010, 10:31 PM, said:

I don't see myself on the list. D:

But omg someone is cosplaying Touhou on Saturday? [tempted to swap cosplays around]

Got you back on there again.

[Soy Sauce]

Greetings everyone,

I hope everyone is doing good so far preparing for this year's Anime Central. I have an announcement to make regarding to the photoshoot on July 10th.

A few friends had explained to me about the news of the upcoming movie, Transformers 3. I was told that they had selected Chicago to be one of the shooting locations. We are not too sure what will be happening as of this point, but sources say they will be shooting starting on July 4th. This may or may not affect us, but it's better to be aware of it than to not expect it at all. Based on some websites, they will be filming at sites along Michigan Ave. and throughout the loop. Even though we are gonna be in the park sides of the city, but as of right now, it's not 100% guaranteed.

So here's a few scenarios that can happen:

1.) Proceed with photoshoot if sources say they will not be using the areas we are walking through.
2.) Cancel the photoshoot and move it to the different date, maybe August. (Picnic day will remain the same since I can't get refunds on permits.)
3.) Cancel photoshoot period for this year.
4.) Find a new location for the photoshoot, good chances it may not be in downtown.
5.) Randomly be extras for the T3 movie. (99.99% chance not gonna happen but putting it here for laughs.)

I'm going to wait til after Anime Central to see if there's any updates on this movie. We'll keep you posted until further notice. Contact me if you have any questions.

[Jam-Kiske]

I'm just gonna let you know that I approve of the last option. xD

But yeah... what happens happens. We shall see!

[Soy Sauce]

Information on The Battlefield, Cosplay Improv Masquerade, and SoyCon's Got Talent are now online.

Check the first post of this thread or the website for more details.

[Soy Sauce]

SoyCon Idol and Cosplay Group Photoshoot details now online.

[cloudking09]

can't wait to go

[Soy Sauce]

Now that the big anime con is done in the midwest for this year, now it's time to look forward to the big gathering of the midwest.

After I'm done with Fanime, I'll be fully focused on SoyCon.

Just a couple of reminders for those who aren't up to date with the gathering,

- Registration is only at location. Please arrive early to register early. For faster processing, print out the badge registration form and bring it with you.
- Events for the picnic are still accept pre-registration. Please sign your pre-registration either send it via e-mail or bring it during the picnic. All forms due before the event begins.
- All attendees are encouraged to contribute something to the picnic. It is potluck.
- A few events are still on hold and are still in the works. Please keep updated on when the guidelines will be released.
- Photoshoot is also on hold due to Transformers 3 filming locations. We are not sure how are we going to approach this day, but we'll keep you informed.
- Just reminding everyone that this is a cosplay gathering, not a convention. No dealers hall, Artist Alley, or panels. It's a large social event. It's a time to kick back and have a great time with people with common interests. We don't want any confusion.

If you have any questions or concerns, just give me a PM or e-mail. And please keep all comments under a positive level.

[cannibalannibal]

Sounds like fun.
This event is a great idea for getting people together :]
I can't wait to go this ummer, though I'm not sure about cosplay options yet, I'll see you all there.

[Scott]

This sounds fun... I'm tossing around the idea of attending on one of the days. As I love photography, the Saturday one sounds most interesting.

[Soy Sauce]

Just throwing this out there.

If you aren't aware, there is a day 0 beach gathering @ North Avenue Beach in downtown Chicago on July 9th beginning at 11:00am. The closest intersection to the beach is E North Blvd. and N Lake Shore Dr.

The beach gathering is mainly for everyone who is interested on getting a head start for SoyCon weekend. Cosplay isn't manditory, but it is alright to wear to the beach, I recommend beach clothing if you have any. You are not required to swim or hang around the beach all the time so feel free to walk around the area. Please bring your own drinks, snacks, and other beach supplies, we won't be providing any.

If you're swimming or relaxing on the beach sands, please remember to bring your towels, sun screen, and extra clothes. There are bathrooms at the location for you to change in.

We will probably stay there for a few hours, maybe 4-5 hours at most?

Since it's summertime, there will be alot of people there so just be cautious if you're wearing a cosplay. Plus relaxing space may be limited since it's busy weekend hour. We'll try our best to find a spot big enough for all of us to chill at. I'll probably make a red SoyCon banner flag so it's easier to spot where we're at.

There will be no shade so it maybe a good idea to bring some kind of beach umbrella. You may also bring volleyballs, footballs, or any beach entertainment. Please remember that the beach don't have nets. (Also, I'm not sure if they have poles. I thought they did have them.)

For those who are driving there, and also recommended, I'm not sure where and how much parking is. I'll probably check it out sometime this June. For those who are taking transportation, I highly suggest leave early in the morning because it's quite a ride and quite a walk to get there. Please be sure to have enough money to come and go.

If you have any questions, please contact me through PM.

[Krystal]

I'm working on my tan on the first day of Soycon. XD

[Jam-Kiske]

If I had the right wig I could totally be swimsuit Yukari Takeba, but I don't... D:
I can't swim anyway so I'd be willing to just hang out on the beach and have fun~

[Shampoo-chan13]

You know I'm going >D

[sweetbeanpaste]

This sounds like so much fun! If I can convince my friends to go, I'm in. How many people went to Soycons 1 & 2?(i checked the website)

This post has been edited by sweetbeanpaste: 01 June 2010 - 11:37 PM

[Kasin]

Do we have to register again, like last year?

IDK, if my daughter should come. I she might get tired...

[Scott]

I was thinking the Sunday picnic would be a lot easier to get to, is there still a lot of cosplay and asking for photos going on?

[Soy Sauce]

Kasin, on 02 June 2010 - 01:24 AM, said:

Do we have to register again, like last year?

IDK, if my daughter should come. I she might get tired...

Registration this year will be on-site only, but you can print out a form and bring it to the photoshoot day so you can skip the registration form line and jump into the badge card pickup line.

Scott, on 02 June 2010 - 05:57 AM, said:

I was thinking the Sunday picnic would be a lot easier to get to, is there still a lot of cosplay and asking for photos going on?

If the weather isn't so humid like last year, there should be some cosplayers around the area. The picnic is more laid back and it's more of a hangout than setup photoshoots/gathering in such.

[Kasin]

great.

[Krystal]

Where is the beach for day zero?

[Soy Sauce]

North Avenue Beach is the name of the beach we're staying at. The biggest landmark we can say is that the place has a giant boat on the sand and it's white, red, and blue. We'll do our best to be easy to locate. I might make a flag in red that says "SoyCon" so we're easy to spot. Just by looking on Google Earth. It's pretty close to E. North Ave. and Lake Shore Dr.

There's no direct address to the location, but if you look it up on Google Earth or Mapquest, it should be over there. Just look for a giant boat and there's where we'll be.

[Krystal]

Okey dokes! Thank you!

[Jam-Kiske]

As seems to happen every single year, there's a party I want to go to the Saturday of Soycon.
I shall see if I can go to part of it or something... I dunno...

[Matt]

I won't be going to SoyCon itself, but I plan on meeting up with you guys at the beach on Friday. If my train gets in on time, I'll be getting there plenty early, but I will probably head straight over to the beach. All I have to do now is find out which bus goes from Union Station to North Avenue Beach.

[Soy Sauce]

Matt, on 18 June 2010 - 03:13 PM, said:

I won't be going to SoyCon itself, but I plan on meeting up with you guys at the beach on Friday. If my train gets in on time, I'll be getting there plenty early, but I will probably head straight over to the beach. All I have to do now is find out which bus goes from Union Station to North Avenue Beach.

Based on Google Maps, if you take the #151 Bus on Canal and Jackson, it should be a 30 minute trip from Union Station to North Avenue Beach. Just get off at Lake Shore and North Ave.


In other news, I was informed by friends and researched various sites that Transformers 3 shoot should not be conflicting with SoyCon. The movie will be shooting around LaSalle on July 10th and the rest of their shoot should fall a few days after SoyCon. Pretty much things are looking positive for this year's photoshoot day.

Edit on 11:52pm: Cosplay Contest and pre-registration is now online! Please click here for more details on the event. Also, I changed pre-registration forms for Improv and Talent events. If you already printed yours out, just submit that and we'll do what we can to make the adjustments.

This post has been edited by Soy Sauce: 18 June 2010 - 10:53 PM

[Soy Sauce]

I would like to announce that the SoyCon Cosplay Mock Wedding page is now online. That means that pre-registration is now online for the event as well. Check the "Events" page on the website for details and "Forms" to download the pre-registration form.

Also, we are still looking for attendees to pre-register some of our other events such as Idol, Improv, Cosplay Contest, and Talent Show. Check out the "Events" section for more information!

I would like to bring your attention about weather conditions for SoyCon. Since Chicago is pretty odd of when to rain or shine, so it's best to keep yourselves prepared for any weather conditions. Below is a list of actions in case of rain weather conditions.

Beach Day
- Rain Before = Canceled
- Rain During = End Day

Photoshoot Day
- Rain Before = Canceled
- Rain During = End Day

Picnic Day
- Rain Before = Pending
- Rain During = Pending

*Rain only applies when it gets very heavy and it lasts for a good amount of hours. Light rain should not cancel/end the gathering.

I will inform everyone 3 hours prior to the gathering. Please keep up with facebook, ACen forums, and SoyCon related sites for any updates. Also, check the weather radar the week of SoyCon to get a heads up on temperature and weather conditions.

[Matt]

If (God forbid) Beach Day does indeed get cancelled, would anyone mind hanging out with me in Downtown Chicago that day (perhaps shopping at Water Tower Place or along the Magnificent Mile)? I'm pretty much stuck in Chicago that day, since my most of friends in Chicago will probably all be at work. And I can't go home because I'm arriving in Chicago from Indiana (no car, but if I had one, it would be a long trip back). No worries if you can't, though. I'll probably find something else to do.

[Soy Sauce]

Matt, on 26 June 2010 - 04:09 PM, said:

If (God forbid) Beach Day does indeed get cancelled, would anyone mind hanging out with me in Downtown Chicago that day (perhaps shopping at Water Tower Place or along the Magnificent Mile)? I'm pretty much stuck in Chicago that day, since my most of friends in Chicago will probably all be at work. And I can't go home because I'm arriving in Chicago from Indiana (no car, but if I had one, it would be a long trip back). No worries if you can't, though. I'll probably find something else to do.

Not sure I can if it does cancel since the next day is gonna require more preparations. Lets hope it doesn't rain.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We are less than 2 weeks away from the biggest cosplay gathering of the summer.

I'm sending a message to everyone on a couple of reminders and some things you should all know before coming to SoyCon.

First, I would like to ask everyone to update their RVSPs (on facebook) so I can get a better idea on how many people are coming or not. I got a lot of maybes and then there's some how are still under "attending" and they're not at all. Please update them as soon as you can.

I would also like to suggest to get there before SoyCon registration begins. Maybe getting there around 9:30am at the museum campus would be a good time. It's better to get there early rather than getting there late.

For badge card registration, I would highly suggest printing out the registration form (located on the forms section on the website), fill out the information, and submit it when you arrive. Most likely you'll be directed towards the badge card line or pick off/drop off line. There will be registration forms at the photoshoot so don't worry if you forgot to print one out.

Speaking of registration, we still have pre-registration open for cosplay weddings, soycon idol, soycon's got talent, improv masquerade, and cosplay contest. You can read the rules and guidelines under "Events" and you can download your pre-registration forms under "Forms". All pre-registration are due July 5th at midnight. There will be at-event registration during the day, but you have until before the event begins to register. Also, slots are limited so I highly suggest to pre-register.

For the photoshoot, I highly suggest bringing water bottles and snacks. We don't want anyone passing out due to dehydration or hunger.

In terms of places to eat, I'm creating maps for everyone so you'll have an idea of where to walk to if you need food. Which btw, everyone will be on their own getting food. The photoshoot will be still going, but you and/or your group are welcome to step out and have a meal. Just make sure you let one of your friends who's still staying know where the gathering is currently at.

For the picnic, it's potluck. Please bring something whenever if it's food, drinks, napkins, plates, etc. Also, I noticed I'm lacking in grills and grillers for this year's SoyCon. If anyone is willing to cook during the picnic, please do. It will be a bummer if there's no burgers or hotdogs during the picnic. Another thing I want to add is if you have a tent, please bring those too. We may not have enough benches to seat everyone so at least you got some place to relax in. Also, portable chairs, coolers, footballs, soccer balls, or anything picnic related, you are welcome to bring.

Does anyone have a megaphone, a big one? I'm not looking for those mini ones. If you have one, let me know!

Please keep up with the weather channels and SoyCon sites for any news on weather situations. Especially after July 4th.

I think that's all I can cover for now. If you have any questions, please PM me. Don't be afraid. I won't bite your head off.

Hope to see you all there!!!

~ Arthur "Soy Sauce" Garcia
Gathering Director of SoyCon
SoyCon@soycon.com
http://www.soycon.com

This post has been edited by Soy Sauce: 27 June 2010 - 01:30 PM

[Jam-Kiske]

Do you have separate facebook events for each day?
I feel like that might be more accurate and useful at this point...

[Soy Sauce]

Kinda too late to make it at this point. I'll try doing that for SoyCon 4.