Guests

Applegeeks

Otafest is very proud to present, for their very first con in Canada, Mohammad “Hawk” Haque, and Ananth Panagariya of Applegeeks! Applegeeks is the fantastically popular webcomic featuring the misadventures of “Hawk”, a college student with an unnatural fondness for Apple products, and his aspiring writer friend Jayce. Applegeeks have routinely been guests at such cons as Anime Central, Otakon and Katsucon and we are very pleased to be Applegeek’s first time in Canada! 

For more information about applegeeks – check out their website!

http://www.applegeeks.com/

The 404s

Theeeeeey’re back! The 404s are a touring group of improv performers based in Alberta, Canada. Presenting their own brand of improv comedy at events across Canada and in the United States, they combine heavy audience participation with their own witty charm, and leave every show with a bloody trail of busted guts and teary eyes in their wake. Perennial favorites at Otafest since Otafest 2005, we are very pleased to have the 404s return!

For a schedule of the 404's performances, check out their website here! http://www.the404s.com/ 

Dave Rathnow & Shin Ken Kai Nobara

Iaido is the art of Japanese sword practice done with a live blade. Dave Rathnow has practiced the art for 12 years, and has given regular demonstration and talk on Iaido at the Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens in Lethbridge. Be sure to check out his demonstration and mini-lecture on this exquisite art!

For more information on Iaido, check out Shin Ken Kai Nobara's website here! http://www.skknobara.com

Midnight Taiko

Midnight Taiko is a group of taiko drummers, spreading their love of the art of Japanese drumming in Calgary. The group is so named because they are very passionate about good taiko and would gladly stay up all night playing! Midnight Taiko has played at Otafest the last 2 years, and due to their unique brand of audience participation, they put on a show you are sure not to want to miss! For more information on Taiko, check out Midnight Taiko’s website here! 

http://www.midnight-taiko.com

Dr. Antonia Levi

Dr. Levi is an early scholar in the area of Asian popular culture studies, having studied at Tokyo University and Stanford. She has taught at Amherst College, Loyola Marymount University, Whitman College, and Portland  State University.  She is the author of Samurai from Outer Space:  Understanding Japanese Animation, other articles on anime, and is currently working on an edited volume about yaoi in North America. Previously, she has been a guest at Anime Evolution, Kumori-con and Sakura-con, and we are very excited to have her join us at Otafest 2008! Be sure to check out her impressive scholarly slanted panels as part of our Anime Academia panel lineup!

Jonathan Love & Voice Spot WCS

Otafest is thrilled to be able to announce the return of Jonathan Love! Our very first guest ever, back in 2005, Jonathan is a consummate entertainer having worked on screen, on stage and especially, on mic! His past anime works have included, amongst others: Banner of the Stars, Betterman, Ceres Celestial Legend, Flame of Recca, Jubei-chan, Saber Marionette J to X, and Dragon Ball. He has also provided voice direction on Mobile Fighter G Gundam, and was the voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars ‘The Clone Wars’ video game!

Jonathan is also a facilitator with Voice Spot WCS, a company in Calgary that focuses on talent development specifically in the area of voice-over and microphone performance.

Voice Spot WCS runs workshops for small groups interested in pursuing voice-over for themselves. All workshops are held in some of the top audio studios in Calgary. Each class is taught by a professional voice-over talent, experienced in their profession across Canada as well as the United States.

For all of you ever interested or curious in the VO industry, head on over to the Voice Spot WCS website for more information on workshops and opportunities at http://www.voicespotwcs.com/!

For more information on Jonathan himself, head on over to his own

Personal website at http://www.xoxentertainment.com/!

And of course, don't forget to go to Mr. Love's Q&A voice work panel!