Disney+ Singapore's Super Fun Star Wars Lightsaber Workshop With Fightsaber (23 September 2023)

Last Saturday (23 September 2023), Red Dot Diva and her geek pal Leo Cheong had a chance to be part of Disney+ Singapore's special event for a bunch of subscribers. The streaming company hosted a Star Wars Lightsaber Workshop and it was a blast! 

It was the first time Leo attended a Disney event at their premises, and here is his short write-up about the fan huddle!

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Masks haven't been trendy or ubiquitous since the heydays of the Covid pandemic, but I happily donned my Darth Vader mask for this special occasion. Hosting winners of the latest Subscribers Perks Programme competition at their swanky HQ, Disney+ Singapore put on a literal light show that will not be forgotten anytime soon.

No party is complete without epic loot and it doesn’t get more epic than an Ahsoka Tano Legacy Lightsaber Set worth a cool S$529.90 (US$387.95). Reminds me of Shinomori Aoshi’s double kodachis from Rurouni Kenshin/Samurai X.

For those not in the know, the latest live-action Star Wars TV series AHSOKA, is in full swing exclusively on Disney+. Making the force jump from animation, the series continues the adventures of Anakin Skywalker's disciple and includes the return of some fan favorites like *SPOILER* and *SUPER SPOILER*! Brought to life by the stunning Rosario Dawson, Ahsoka navigates through a post-Empire galaxy and expertly slices and dices her way with the aforementioned twin lightsabers when words don’t cut it.

Party attendees were treated to a performance complete with expert lightsaber choreography and cosplay by Fightsaber Singapore and a hands-on demonstration by Jedi Master Mikoda, and his lovely Jedi colleagues.

With the crowd sufficiently warmed up, everyone was raring to snag the grand prize (the ‘smaller’ prizes weren’t too shabby either to be honest). After a few rounds Star Wars trivia questions and some very happy winners, Disney+ made sure nobody left empty handed with goodie bags for everyone!

Kudos to Fightsaber Singapore for an excellent spectacle. Check out their social media if you're keen on starting your Jedi Master journey.

Huge thanks to Disney+ for their generosity and hospitality. If you're not already a Disney+ subscriber, you're missing out on epic experiences and high quality streaming entertainment.

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Darth Vader Plushie was at the event too! See what he was up to!

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Gamescom Asia - Grab Your Tickets For The Entertainment Zone!

Here's a reminder for the gamers out there. Have you got your tickets to this year's Gamescom Asia's Entertainment Zone? The consumer segment returns to a physical format from 20 to 22 October 2023, when Gamescom Asia's returns to Suntec Convention Centre.

Capcom Asia has already announced their presence at Gamescom Asia, and there will also be indie publishers showcasing their games. Other than the game publisher booths, attendees can enjoy watching e-sports on site, live panels on stage, play boardgames, buy merchandise, and take pics with cosplayers. Watch out for more exciting announcements as the gaming event of the year draws nearer.

Superfan tickets are very limited, and only Superfans are allowed entry on 20 October (Fri) before the general public. These special tickets cost SGD 65, and are available to purchase till 19 October or until sold out. Superfans will also get an official swag bag that includes a reusable tote bag, special lanyard and keychain, PLUS a 15% discount on all other official merchandise. It's a sweet deal for those who want to get the first dibs on the exhibition hall and try the new games and gear which will be promoted during the event.

As for the public, attendees will be able to enter to the convention on 21 and/ or 22 October (Sat/ Sun) by getting single day tickets. Single day ticket prices are at SGD 19 each.

Before ticket runs out, buy them at this link: https://gamescom.asia/ent-b2c/buy-tickets.

Do note that the ticket prices stated above are before booking fees.



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Check out previous articles relating to the write-up of Gamescom Asia show:

* Gamescom Asia 2023 - Capcom Announced For Inaugural B2C Entertainment Zone

* Gamescom Asia 2023's Entertainment Zone To Shift To Physical Format (19 to 22 October 2023)


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Gamescom Asia is the satellite event of Gamescom, the world's largest event for computer and video games and Europe's largest business platform for the games industry. Both events are organized by Koelnmesse, one of the world's largest trade fair companies.

For more information and the latest updates, visit Gamescom Asia website, or follow their social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Discord, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

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If you enjoy my content, feel free to help keep the blog and other Red Dot Diva endeavours going via ko-fi. Thank you for your support!

Pop Toy Show Singapore (8 - 10 September 2023) - Meet Toy Designers Alex Solis, Jon-Paul Kaiser, Luke Chueh, Simone Legno and More!

Remember the time, one of our major pop culture event was called STGCC or Singapore Toy, Game and Comic Convention? And then, somehow, after a couple of years, both the “T” and the “G” segments became more and more non-existent? Even after the show was renamed, the gaming aspect came to almost zilch except for table top games. And last year, Hot Toys - who was usually a major exhibitor - did not even have a booth there.

This provided a lucrative opportunity for someone else to fill the niche regarding designer toys in the local scene. Enter POP MART, a leading China toy company that champions for collectible designer toys, coupled with their innovative marketing strategy. They have taken advantage of the popularity of the blind box culture amongst the younger crowd, and have sunk their roots in Red Dot Island with a flagship store at Funan mall, plus a few other shops spread around the island.

To expand their reach to pop-culture enthusiasts and toy collectors even further, POP MART Singapore has launched its inaugural POP TOY SHOW - the company's first festival held outside of China. POP TOY SHOW opens its doors this weekend from 8 to 10 September 2023 at Sands Expo & Convention Centre.

Other than getting your hands on more cute DIMOO, MOLLY and PUCKY blindboxes and figurines (there is no such thing as not enough space for a hardcore collector! hahaha!), what else can you expect from POP MART'S mega showcase festival? Well, based on their social media announcement, the event is looking up to a be a designer toy collector's haven.

Firstly, the artists of the popular POP MART toy figures - Agee & Yap, Ayan Deng, Kenny Wong, Lang, Pucky, and Skullpanda - will be attending the show. Joining them are a few internationally reknowned designer toy artists will be making their way to POP TOY SHOW, armed with their exclusive artwork and collectibles. So far, the list names local hot favourite Simone Legno of Tokidoki, Alex Solis, Jon-Paul Kaiser, Luke Chueh, Punk Drunkers and Quiccs. Phew! This is a great chance for you to get your precious stuff signed at the show! Do check out the guest signing schedule on their website.



Next, POP TOY SHOW has lined up a series of interesting events for each day's stage programme, including presentation by studios like Smobler and Chiko Roko, live drawings by Jon-Paul Kaiser, Lesdoublewood, Luke Chueh and more, and even an auction of WETWORKS' exclusive figure. There are also key panels about toys on Friday and Sunday, but the one that Red Dot Diva says is worth a shoutout is Women In Toy Art moderated by Jessica Emmett and featuring speakers Erika Tay, Klaris, Sarah Isabel Tan, Steffi and Yang Ovo. Go to this link to see what other segments might interest you for the day(s) that you are attending - https://poptoyshow.sg/pages/stage-programme

The directory of exhibitors who will be at the upcoming POP TOY SHOW is pretty impressive. And well, guess what? Hot Toys will be exhibiting at the event too! So will BE@RBRICK - now with extra notoriety cred due to the recent billion-dollar money laundering bust here. Locally-based toy designers like Daniel Yu, Jessica Emmett, Sarah Isabel Tan and Ziqi Wu will make their presence felt at the show as well. These names are just the tip of the iceberg. You can check out the exhibitor roll at POP TOY SHOW'S website.

This has been a long time coming for ardent designer toy collectors and creatives in the toy design field. Grab your tickets and join the party at the POP TOY SHOW this weekend!


POP TOY SHOW (SGCC) 2023
Where: Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Halls D & E
Date: 8 to 10 September 2023 (Fri, Sat and Sun)
Admission: SGD 32.00 per person for 1-day access. Various other multi-day and group options available. Please check the ticketing link.

Singapore Comic Con 2023 (SGCC) - Tickets Are Available Right Now!

It is time again to gather your geek squad and get ready to strut into this year's Singapore Comic Convention (SGCC). The pop-culture event will return to Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre on 9 and 10 December 2023.

SGCC will be taking up 5 halls of the convention centre on two floors, Level 1 and B2. As in past years, the event is part of the Singapore Media Festival and supported by The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) Singapore and the Singapore Tourism Board.

Red Dot Diva wishes that organiser Generation Experience is able to announce at least one or two main guests at the same time tickets are available. Many of the geeks she knows are holding back on getting tickets right now, but it seems that they banking on generic traffic to be flowing in rather than hardcore geeks. Well, whatever works for them.

Last year's SGCC comic book guests were interesting. So, it would not be farfetched to assume that Generation Experience already has a list of fantastic guests in store for this year's show. We would just need to wait for the guests announcements on SGCC's social media channels.

Other than that, SGCC has started posting teasers on the exhibitor booths who will be on the showfloor. These include the insanely popular Aussie animated pre-school series BLUEY, local toy store Simply Toys, LEGO/ The Brick Shop and Art-2 Gallery.




TICKETING INFORMATION

Tickets are available right now from the Klook website. (Note: The prices exclude $2 Klook booking fee per ticket.)

For a 10% discount on tickets (capped at SGD 7.00), go sign up for a FRANK by OCBC Card before grabbing your tickets. More details on the codes to use are on the Klook website.

Early birds, which are those who purchase tickets before 31 August 2023, are automatically entered into the SGCC 2023 lucky draw. Prizes include a LEGO The Mandalorian N-1 Starfighter set, a Sabermach Xentinel V2 lightsaber and Pop! Star Wars: Star Wars Celebration 5pk SWC 22 iEX.



Regardless of who might be the guests for SGCC, there will be lots to do, like panels, cosplay competition, orchestral performances, and more. Even if you are not attending SGCC because of the guests, the event is a great time to reconnect with the local geeks and those who will be visiting from neighbouring countries. Red Dot Diva recalls that during last year's SGCC, the reunions with the Filipino artists like Harvey Tolibao, and Boey the creator of the When I Was A Kid book series, were such a joyous occasion for her and the friends of the Glam Bloggers Alliance. It is also an enriching adventure discovering artists and creatives at Artist Alley. In fact, the Artist Alley is Red Dot Diva's hangout venue during SGCC.

The geeks are what makes SGCC more fun than you expect. Red Dot Diva's cannot wait to make new memories with you all again!



SINGAPORE COMIC CON (SGCC) 2023
Where: Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre
Date: 9 & 10 December 2023 (Sat and Sun)
Admission: SGD 35.00 per person per day. SGD 65.00 per person for 2-day tickets.
*Kids under 12 enter FREE! (Each paying adult can be accompanied by a maximum of 2 children under 12)

Illustration Arts Festival 2023 - From Cute Designs to Demonic Girls and Shaolin Monks

This year's Illustration Arts Festival (IAF) is held at a hall within the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC). The event was organised by the Organisation of Illustrators Council (OIC Singapore) together with and 32CM32CM.

Red Dot Diva arrived at the venue just past 1230 PM. Registration at the ground level was smooth and quick. It saves time if you have pre-registered and booked your slot via the Eventbrite website. By the way, there is also a food and drinks stall just beside the registration lines if you need some nourishment. You will not be able to access to the IAF market space via the elevators. Instead, you would need to ride several levels of external escalators to Level 7.

Once, she reached Level 7, Red Dot Diva welcomed the air-conditioning because she had endured a mostly an unshaded walk from Tanjong Pagar MRT station on such a hot, sultry day. The venue hall was very spacious. There was ample space for everyone to move around, which made browsing along the neat rows of artist booths (about 90 of them!) such a pleasant experience compared to other art fairs. An interested crowd was already gathering, with more people streaming in after lunch time.

Red Dot Diva observed that there were more young illustrators who were boothing this year. Some of their ideas and designs are interesting, but a number of them tend to be similar, and do not quite stand out amongst the crowd, especially those of the kawaii variety. Still, cuteness may be your jam, and such illustrations range from food related designs to adorable animals.

However, Red Dot Diva was more interested in those that have built a unique style of their own, and that was how the dark, gothic horror of freelance graphic designer Parin Cashmony's booth caught her eye. The macabre aesthetic of his wares was like a black, enveloping cocoon in the midst of all the cuteness. He was also selling demonic-fueled figurines that he designed and then, crafted them himself in limited quantities, using 3D printing.

Another interesting booth you have to visit is Vivian Lee's. In fact, you could smell it before you see it. Vivian is Malaysia's first Coffee Caricature Artist. Her drawings, using coffee beans as ink, are so intricate. She has a set of art prints and postcards of the Chinese zodiac coffee art available for sale, as well as an art book.

If you are looking for quirkier comics and graphic novels to read, head to local indie publisher Difference Engine's booth. The staff manning the booth are eager to give you an introduction of their publications, which range from fun, family friendly stories like Amazing Ash & Superhero Ah Ma by Melanie Lee and Arif Rafhan, to more serious social issues like Worlds Apart: A Conversation About Mental Health by Wayne Rée and Nurjannah Suhaimi.

One of the best things of attending such art markets is connecting with friends and acquaintances. So, Red Dot Diva was happy to spend a few minutes catching up with artist friend Sarah Isabel Tan aka onibi_art. Sarah's character designs lean to the pop-culture but with a cheeky twist to them. She also loves monsters, and makes vinyl toys. Go check out her Smol Bear vinyls, as well as the Darumao.

Next to Sara's booth is self-taught illustrator Poon Yew Fai, the creator of wuxia book SHAOLIN AND YOU. The book has a unique Chinese scroll design and is full of beautiful rendered martial arts poses, like a training manual. The book costs SGD 36, but if you decide to get the tote bag, the bundle costs SGD 40. Red Dot Diva could not resist taking up on the bundle. The tote bag was so eye-catching, and was of a good quality too. Now, she can wander into the concrete jungle Jianghu, like an urban badass.

Besides artist booths, there were interesting talks and workshops held outside the market hall. Families with children can also have a smidgen of fun with ART-ZOO's giant inflatable cactus sofa placed at the concourse. There was even a corner where tattoo enthusiasts can observe tattooist Jasper Tan aka tiredbutwoke at work. IAF 2023 seems to have a range of activities covered for the casual art appreciators to the industry creatives, all held in a safe, comfortable environment.

While ambling around the showfloor, Red Dot Diva overhead a boyfriend telling his partner, “I'm a Science person, and this is like too much art for me.” Red Dot Diva found this comment rather strange because if you are a Science person, you would realise that there is artistry in nature and science. Does he know of the Fibonacci sequence? So, don't be put off if you think that you are a ‘science person’. Art is for everybody, and a good way to get started on appreciating art is taking that bold step into this year's IAF.

Don't miss the chance, the festival is still running for a second day on Sunday, 30 July.

ILLUSTRATION ARTS FESTIVAL 2023
Where: Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, 1 Straits Boulevard, Level 7
Date: 29 and 30 July 2023 (Sat and Sun)
Time: 11 AM to 7 PM
Admission is FREE


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PREVIOUS ARTICLES ON IAF

The Inaugural Illustration Arts Fest Held on 28 to 30 October and 4 to 6 November, 2016

Illustration Arts Festival Returns On 12 & 13 August 2017 With A Bigger Artists Market

Illustration Arts Fest is BACK on 22 & 23 September, LASALLE McNally Campus

Illustration Arts Festival 2023 - Meet Local and Regional Artists At Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, 29 and 30 July 2023

Illustration Arts Festival 2023 - Meet Local and Regional Artists At Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, 29 and 30 July 2023

The fourth edition of Illustration Arts Festival (IAF), brought to you by the Organisation of Illustrators Council (OIC Singapore) and 32CM, is back in action at Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) on 29 and 30 July 2023. The first IAF was held in 2016 with foreign indie press East London Comics Arts Festival (ELCAF) and Nobrow Press making their presence felt on the showgrounds. There was supposed to be an IAF held in 2020, but like many other physical events scheduled in that year, the Covid-19 pandemic forced several organisers to cancel or postpone their plans.

With Red Dot Island back in business this year, the IAF will be hosting over 100 local and regional artists across 90 booths. These artists will be featuring their original artwork and content, so art lovers will have plenty of opportunities to connect with these creatives. One of the artists who will be on site is self-taught illustrator Poon Yew Fai, whose wuxia book SHAOLIN AND YOU has caught the eye of famous martial arts Jet Li. Not only can you grab a copy of Poon's book, he will also be doing signing sessions. But, Red Dot Diva thinks his special Shaolin wuxia tote bags (see below), which will be on sale at his booth, are pretty awesome.



Other interesting artists visitors can meet at IAF include EBAO (co-founder of art collective DPLMT), Ziqi Wu (well known for his vinyl toy series Monster Little), Shian, and Erikartoon.

Besides booth hopping and busting your wallets, there are two workshops announced. They are:

* Sew-A-Pin with illustrator Siqi (@laughandbelly)
Date/ Time: 29 July, 11 AM - 1 PM
Cost: SGD 8.00 + SGD 3.85

* Creative Zine Making with Beverley Ng (@madebybeverley)and Aik Beng Chia (@aikben9chia)
Date/ Time: 30 July, 11 AM - 1 PM
Cost: SGD 25.00 + SGD 2.29 Fee

In addition, there will be free talks on both days. Artist Shanlyn C will be sharing about how she created her brand Mushroom Mountain while local indie comics publisher Difference Engine will be providing their insights on how to make meaningful books with a South-East Asian narrative.


You can find more information about these sessions, and book for your tickets at Eventbrite.

In fact, you are strongly encouraged to register at Eventbrite to gain access to the IAF. Red Dot Diva understands that this is because the hall's capacity is capped at 600 at any one time for safety reasons. There will be a Walk-In line for those without e-tickets, but it would help with crowd management if you pre-register for a timeslot. The admission rules are also on the Eventbrite page. So, click on to this link to book your relevant timeslot(s). Admission to IAF is free of charge!



ILLUSTRATION ARTS FESTIVAL 2023
Where: Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, 1 Straits Boulevard, Level 7
Date: 29 and 30 July 2023 (Sat and Sun)
Time: 11 AM to 7 PM
Admission is FREE


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PREVIOUS ARTICLES ON IAF

The Inaugural Illustration Arts Fest Held on 28 to 30 October and 4 to 6 November, 2016

Illustration Arts Festival Returns On 12 & 13 August 2017 With A Bigger Artists Market

Illustration Arts Fest is BACK on 22 & 23 September, LASALLE McNally Campus

Gamescom Asia 2023 - Capcom Announced For Inaugural B2C Entertainment Zone

Here is a piece of exciting news for this year's Gamescom Asia, which will be held from 19 to 22 October 2023 at Suntec Convention Centre. Capcom, one of the largest gaming developers and publishers of the world, has confirmed their participation at this year's inaugural B2C Entertainment Zone. The B2C zone will be held on 20 to 22 October 2023, with 20 October open to business visitors and a limited number of pre-registered fans only. Gaming enthusiasts will be very familiar with Capcom's best-selling series like Resident Evil and Street Fighter.

For the last two iterations of the gaming festival, the B2C segment had been scuppered due to Covid-19 social restrictions. The key B2C highlights in 2021 and 2022 were broadcasted mainly via Gamescom Asia's online shows PRIMETIME and STUDIO, and it was just not the same as having gaming fans gathering physically on site, where you can wear your favourite costumes, or meet your friends and bond together over the love for gaming.

“We are extremely excited to open the Entertainment Zone onsite to the public for the first time this year. We know it has been long anticipated by passionate fans and gamers and we look forward to welcoming them to gamescom asia. As the team works to put up a good show this year with new highlights and expanded mainstays, we invite companies to join us and make gamescom asia the premier Southeast Asian destination to showcase and testbed their games, latest gaming products and services, and reach an audience that is unique to the region,” said Mathias Kuepper, Managing Director and Vice President Asia-Pacific of Koelnmesse Pte Ltd, the organiser of gamescom asia.


Not only will Capcom be making its presence felt at Gamescom Asia 2023, companies like Xsolla, AWS for Games, Unlimit, and Worldline, have also been confirmed as sponsors for the event. In addition, the B2B Trade Zone will be expanded at this year's exhibition floor, and will consist of exhibitors and pavilions from Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Japan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong S.A.R., Taiwan, Canada, Israel, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, USA. Some big names have already been confirmed to be speakers on the conference stage. This include CD PROJEKT RED (Cyberpunk 2077, The Witcher), Focus Entertainment, SUNSOFT and Ubisoft.

So, what can gaming fans expect to see at the Entertainment Zone? There will be well-known game publishers and indie studios showcasing their current and upcoming games as well as group play zones. Esports will definitely held on site for so that fans can root for their favourite players and teams. Fans can also enjoy the range of interactive and live entertainment on stage, cosplay, boardgames, merchandise, and more. Oh, and if you get hungry for nourishment, you can attack the range of noms at a designated food alley.

At gaming festivals, Red Dot Diva always found the indie section to be intriguing because these publishers tend to create more quirky and unique games. She is glad to learn that there will be an all-new Indie Wavemakers area where fans and industry folks can test new indie releases and demos. In addition, there will be an Indie Wavemakers Live Stage, where indie exhibitors can share about their products.

Also, in partnership with Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), the SEA Game Awards winners will be recognised for the first time at Gamescom Asia. The winnners will be announced at MYDCF 2023 (Malaysia Digital Content Festival) on 29 September 2023 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The SEA Game Awards aim to recognise and celebrate creativity, artistry, and technical genius of the finest game developers from the Southeast Asian and International video game industry.

If all these announcements are making you eager for Gamescom Asia 2023, look out for further announcements regarding ticketing. Tickets for the public will start to go on ssale from end-July.

And for those who will not able to visit Red Dot Island for the festival, do not worry. The show's trademark online shows PRIMETIME and STUDIO will return on 19 October and 22 October respectively to help beat the FOMO-feeling, and you will still be able to keep your finger on the pulse of the latest gaming highlights.


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Check out previous articles relating to the write-up of Gamescom Asia show:

* Gamescom Asia 2023's Entertainment Zone To Shift To Physical Format (19 to 22 October 2023)

* Gamescom Asia 2022 - A Peek At The Physical Trade Zone

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Gamescom Asia is the satellite event of Gamescom, the world's largest event for computer and video games and Europe's largest business platform for the games industry. Both events are organized by Koelnmesse, one of the world's largest trade fair companies.

For more information and the latest updates, visit Gamescom Asia website, or follow their social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Discord, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

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If you enjoy my content, feel free to help keep the blog and other Red Dot Diva endeavours going via ko-fi. Thank you for your support!