Big Easy Con Announces Special Guests & Programming Highlights
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Catherine Llamido
Linda Roth Associates, Inc.
202-888-3573
Big Easy Con Announces Special Guests & Programming Highlights
Three Days Packed with Celebrity Appearances, Industry Expert Panels, and Exclusive Screenings
Fill the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
New Orleans, LA (October 24, 2019) – The first-ever Big Easy Con by LeftField Media announced today three days of programming complete with panels, workshops, celebrity appearances, and more, taking over the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Friday, November 1 through Sunday, November 3. Family-friendly Big Easy Con Jr, presented in partnership with the Toy Association, will bring all-ages programming to educate, engage and entertain on a dedicated stage and show floor.
Attendees will have the opportunity to see esteemed comic publishers at the event including Oni Press and DC Comics. Exciting additions to Big Easy Con include Artist Alley, a curated exhibition hall featuring over 25 independent and mainstream comics and visual art creators, webcomic artists, professional writers/illustrators and 2D artists; and Makers Market, an exhibition of artisans and crafters showcasing original handmade goods for guests.
The lineup of local and visiting artists and makers, as well as a full schedule of events can be accessed now at www.bigeasycon.com where fans can also purchase tickets, learn more about special guests appearing in New Orleans, and more. General admission tickets are priced from $30-60 for single day or full three-day weekend experiences.
Highlights from Big Easy Con 2019 include:
Main Stage Events
Hear from some of the most influential voices in the worlds of pop culture and comic books at panels, screenings, Q&As, and more. For a full lineup of confirmed guests visit www.bigeasycon.com/guest.
Main Stage events include:
● “Weird Al” Yankovic (7:30PM – November 1 – Main Stage)
● Star Trek Cast (3:30PM – November 2 – Main Stage)
● WWE® Superstars The New Day® (5:00pm – November 2 – Main Stage)
● Zachary Levi (12:15PM – November 3 – Main Stage)
● Kristin Bauer (3:00PM – November 1 – Main Stage)
● Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (4:30PM – November 1 – Main Stage)
● Dan Fogler (2:00PM – November 2 – Main Stage)
DC Comics
● DC Adventures in Middle Grade: Spotlight on Meg Cabot and Ridley Pearson (5:00PM – November 1 – Room 2)
Join The New York Times bestselling authors Meg Cabot (Princess Diaries) and Ridley Pearson (Kingdom Keepers) as they delve into their first DC projects: Black Canary: Ignite and Super Sons. Hear first-hand how these all-star authors put their unique spin on iconic DC Superheroes and Super-Villains and completely transformed them for middle grade readers!
● DC Adventures in Middle Grade (12:00PM – November 2 – Room 2)
Have you heard yet? DC has an exciting new lineup of original middle grade graphic novels that pair your favorite children’s authors and artists with DC’s most popular characters. Bring your kids to this fun discussion with Meg Cabot (Black Canary: Ignite), Ridley Pearson (Super Sons), Michael Northrop (Dear Justice League) and Kirk Scroggs (The Secret Spiral of Swamp Kid) to get the inside scoop on DC’s new lineup of graphic novels. You don’t want to miss it!
● DC Adventures in Middle Grade: Spotlight on Michael Northrop and Kirk Scroggs (2:00PM – November 3 – Room 2)
It’s DC Sunday Fun Day at Big Easy! Join acclaimed authors Michael Northrop (TombQuest) and Kirk Scroggs (Snoop Troop) as they delve into their first DC projects: Dear Justice League and The Secret Spiral of Swamp Kid. Hear first-hand how these all-star authors put their unique spin on iconic DC Superheroes and Super-Villains and completely transformed them for middle grade readers! Be part of the fun as there will be live sketching as well!
Big Easy Con Jr
Big Easy Con Jr, powered by the Toy Association, provides hours of fun with entertaining and educational programs for fans of all ages, including interactive workshops, character meet & greets, a costume parade, an entire stage dedicated to kids programming, and more. All programming will take place on the dedicated Big Easy Jr Stage.
● Kids Costume Parade (12:00PM – November 3 – Kid’s Stage)
Kids will have the chance to strut their stuff and show off over-the-top outfits in not one, but two costume parades inside Big Easy Jr. Entry is limited to the first 30 registrants and kids under 15.
● Wildlife Discovery with National Wildlife Federation (1:00PM – November 2 – Kid’s Stage)
Meet celebrity naturalist David Mizejewski of the National Wildlife Federation as he hosts an amazing wildlife showcase with the Audubon Nature Institute. He will be appearing at Big Easy Con along with some incredible wildlife to delight both kids and adults alike!
● Capoeira & Fencing Demonstrations (6:45 PM – November 1; 4:00 PM – November 2; 2:30 PM – November 3 – Kid’s Stage)
Curious about alternative sports such as fencing or the Afro-Brazilian martial art of Capoeira? Watch incredible demonstrations on the Kid’s Stage from Athletes Without Borders and see what all their cool virtual reality (VR) activities are all about.
● How to be Spidey (1:00 PM – November 3 – Kid’s Stage)
With all the additions to the Spider-Verse there are many young Spideys in training. Join Spidey-Team as they give a crash course on the inner-workings of being a Spidey, from teamwork to important stretches; learn it all!
● Reading is Magic Celebration (2:00 PM – November 3 – Kid’s Stage)
Big Easy Jr has teamed up with DC Comics and Tubby & Coo’s Mid-City Book Shop to create a mega fun “Reading is Magic” program with activities all month, and will recognize participants at Big Easy Con during a special celebration. Every participant will receive a free weekend kid’s pass to the event along with a discount code for regular passes.
Additional Programming Highlights
● Canonization Ceremony for Chewbacca actor Peter Mayhew (7:00PM – November 1 – Hall J)
All hail our sacred drunken wookiee! The Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus is holding a ceremonial march in honor of the late Peter Mayhew who will be canonized into the Chewbacchus religion on Friday (All Saints Day). Attendees can also look forward to seeing the Holy Grotto and Bar2D2 on display at their booth.
● Tabletop Gaming (November 1-3 – Rivergate Room)
Big Easy Con is proud to partner with +1 Gaming for our Tabletop / Board Game room! All throughout the weekend, events will include a FREE board game library available, a Dungeons & Dragons Adventurers League and more! See the full schedule at www.bigeasycon.com/tabletop-gaming.
● After-Hours Costume Contest (8:00PM – November 2 – Main Stage)
Big Easy Con is hosting its inaugural after-hours costume contest! Costumes spanning the worlds of comics, movies, television, anime, manga, musicals, books, and games are all eligible for entry – as well as original characters inspired by these themes.
● Dr. Erin MacDonald (3:00PM – November 2 – Room 2)
Welcome to Astronomy 101! Always wanted to learn astronomy? Science Fiction fan? Due to popular demand, Dr. Erin Macdonald is reprising this talk for 2019 and will take us through the first semester of astronomy with hardly any math and a whole lot of science fiction references. We’ll blaze through the science of planets, the solar system, and stars at warp speed; come ready to learn!
● Set Your Phasers to Stunning Official After Party with the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus (8:00PM – November 2 – Republic NOLA, 828 S Peters Street, New Orleans, LA 70130)
The Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus is proud to present: "Set Your Phasers to Stunning", their annual costume and talent competition. Conveniently located two blocks from the Convention Center, their 10th year will be super-stellar as the Official Big Easy Con After Party for Saturday night at Republic Nola. Host Reverend Andrew Ward will captain the evening as we view the costume skills and secret talents of the Krewe members. Winners get a Lifetime Membership to the Krewe. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.
● Big Easy Con “Go Cups”
All weekend long, Big Easy Con will distribute branded “Go Cups” at participating New Orleans bars with drink specials through November 4. Look for them at the following bars:
o Barcadia NOLA, 601 Tchoupitoulas Street
o Claire's Pour House, 233 Decatur Street
o Cosimo's, 1201 Burgundy Street, 1201 Burgundy Street
o The Crown & Anchor English Pub, 200 Pelican Avenue
o d.b.a. New Orleans, 618 Frenchmen Street
o Howlin' Wolf, 907 South Peters
o Republic NOLA, 828 S. Peters Street
o The Rusty Nail, 1100 Constance Street
o Spotted Cat Music Club, 623 Frenchmen Street
SOCIAL MEDIA:
● Facebook: facebook.com/BigEasyCon
● Twitter: @BigEasyCon
● Instagram: @bigeasycon
WEBSITE & MOBILE APP:
www.bigeasycon.com and the Big Easy Con app have the most up-to-date information with new guests, exciting exhibitors, and special programming. Find the app by searching for “Big Easy Con” in the App Store or Google Play Store.
About Big Easy Con
Big Easy Con is a three-day inclusive pop culture convention celebrating the one-of-a-kind culture and people that make New Orleans one of the best cities in the world. Combining the excitement of the French Quarter with the passion and community of fandom, Big Easy Con will feature stars from television and movies, the biggest names in the comic industry, cosplay superstars, unique exhibits and vendors, and family-friendly programming. Learn more at www.bigeasycon.com.
About LeftField Media
LeftField Media, LLC is an events company focused on developing face-to-face events in a range of communities rooted in contemporary culture and shared passion. LeftField was formed in 2014 by Greg Topalian (President, LeftField Media) and is now owned by Topalian and Clarion Events Ltd. With a keen sense of the evolving needs of businesses and their consumers, as well as new opportunities created by change, LeftField takes a clean slate approach to its work. LeftField’s portfolio includes Awesome Con (awesomecon.com), Washington D.C.’s Comic Con; Rose City Comic Con (rosecitycomiccon.com), in Portland, O.R.; Big Easy Con (bigeasycon.com), in New Orleans, L.A.; and Anime NYC (animenyc.com), a Japanese pop culture festival in New York City. LeftField Media is headquartered in historic Trumbull, C.T. (leftfieldmedia.com).
###