After a year and a half of this pandmic, we were finally able to attend a convention, and we were so. ready! Comicpalooza, Texas’ largest comic book, pop culture, and entertainment convention, happened last month in Downtown Houston. We attended both days, enjoyed local geekery during the weekend, and I proudly welcomes several friends for their first Comicpalooza. Here’s a short and sweet recap of a whirlwind weekend…
[Related: Comicpalooza 2021: The Countdown Is On!]
From badge pick-up to a nerdy dinner Friday night to a full Saturday and Sunday at the convention, I think we did it all! We shopped, ate, drank, geeked out, costumed, enjoyed others’ costumes, visited with friends, attended panels, and just had a great time all around. It felt good to feel normal again, and for that, I thank Comicpalooza for giving us weirdos exactly what we needed after such a long hiatus.
Masks were optional, social distancing was encouraged, and everyone in my circle fully vaccinated. We even isolated for 2 weeks following the event to be extra safe. I shouldn’t have to mention these things, but I’ve seen people be pretty judgey and downright nasty to each other online. I digress…
For the first time as long as I remember, badge pickup was never offered in advance. But this year it was, and it absolutely eliminated long lines. Well done! My group picked up badges on Thursday night at Phoenicia Foods near GRB Convention Center and made an evening of it with dinner, wine, and making last minute excited plans at the table. I don’t know if you can see the walls in the photo above, but they were featuring badge art around the restaurant. So cool!
On Friday my friends Jessi and Paige of Cosplay and Cocktails podcast arrived from out of state, and we met them for dinner at Hobbit Cafe. They’re huge Tolkien fans so I insisted we dine there. And of course they brought their darling hobbit costumes! I had just enough time to order peasant shirts, maxi skirts, and sort of Renaissancey vests so my neice and I could dress up with them. What…doesn’t everyone costume when they go to Hobbit Cafe?!
Saturday morning was a hot mess, only because I was a hot mess. I wanted to walkabout in my McGonagall costume for a bit (because I love it so much, obvi), but I got overheated in that wig and needed to change into something cooler like asap. So we drove home for lunch and costume change.
Saturday afternoon was the best! My neice and I wore my newly finished Grady sisters from The Shining, and we met up with several friends that afternoon. We attended the packed Mandalorian panel, and ended up at Phoenicia again for dinner. Hey, I love that place! I was also very tired, it was, after all, more “peopling” than I had done in a very, VERY long time.
[Related: Costuming the Grady Sisters From The Shining]
Sunday I was rested and ready to introduce my friend Melissa to her very first convention ever! She’s a make-up artist (Sorelle Atelier) and fellow geek, so of course she had the best time. She did our make-up for extra creepiness. We shopped and spent the day creeping people out, and sprinkled in some geeking out and adult beverages. Y’all, I think she’s hooked!
[Related: Costuming the Grady Sisters From The Shining]
Back to my friends Jessi and Paige of Cosplay and Cocktails podcast. The did all the things! We didn’t see them much through the weekend but played “count the Loki’s” and checked on each other via text and social media. I’m so glad they had a great time and welcome them back next year, hopefully to do a podcast episode in situ! On their way home, they recorded 2 episodes recapping their experience at Comicpalooza, and I think you should give them a listen below!
Listen to Episode 70: National Steakhouse Chain Margarita
Listen to Episode 71: Big D Energy
You can also find Cosplay and Cocktails on Facebook and Instagram @cosplayandcocktailspod
Other costuming convention adventures on the blog:
Costuming at Comicpalooza 2019
Costuming at Comicpalooza 2018
Costuming at Comicpalooza 2017
Ghosts of Costumes Past: DragonCon 2018
Ghosts of Costumes Past: DragonCon 2016
Ghosts of Costumes Past: DragonCon 2015
Ghosts of Costumes Past: DragonCon 2014
Ghosts of Costumes Past: DragonCon 2013
More costumes made and worn by me here: https://redshoesredwine.com/category/geekery/costuming/
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