West Michigan Pop Arts Convention Returns to Downtown Grand Rapids, Marks 20th Anniversary
Grand Rapids, Mich. – Oct. 14, 2015- Last summer a beloved West Michigan anime convention became a victim of its own success, but is set to open again in summer 2016.
JAFAX, the annual Japanese Animation, Film & Art eXpo, was last held in 2014 on the campus of Grand Valley State, but after drawing in a crowd of 5,500 people during the course of the weekend event, GVSU needed them to find a new home.
“Grand Valley couldn't keep track of all the people we were bringing in,” said event Chair, Will Burgess. “JAFAX was quickly becoming the largest event of its kind on campus.”
For the next year JAFAX staff set their sights on venues like DeVos Place and the Amway Grand Hotel, some of the largest convention spaces available in downtown in Grand Rapids. Now the team has announced dates: June 24 to 26, 2016.
“DeVos Place and Amway are great properties,” said Burgess, “They will allow us to do things we couldn't on a campus facility, like have overnight programming, from Friday to Sunday evening.”
2016 will mark the 20th anniversary event for the convention which celebrates attendees dressed in costumes of popular Japanese animation characters, cultural seminars, like how to make traditional Japanese meals, and even local artists who will exhibit at booths throughout the weekend.
“JAFAX has a talented community of local artists,” said Promotions Director, Rae Morris. “and we are constantly bringing in both established and new artists from all over the Midwest.”
More information about JAFAX and where to buy tickets can be found at: www.JAFAX.org
JAFAX, the annual Japanese Animation, Film & Art eXpo, was last held in 2014 on the campus of Grand Valley State, but after drawing in a crowd of 5,500 people during the course of the weekend event, GVSU needed them to find a new home.
“Grand Valley couldn't keep track of all the people we were bringing in,” said event Chair, Will Burgess. “JAFAX was quickly becoming the largest event of its kind on campus.”
For the next year JAFAX staff set their sights on venues like DeVos Place and the Amway Grand Hotel, some of the largest convention spaces available in downtown in Grand Rapids. Now the team has announced dates: June 24 to 26, 2016.
“DeVos Place and Amway are great properties,” said Burgess, “They will allow us to do things we couldn't on a campus facility, like have overnight programming, from Friday to Sunday evening.”
2016 will mark the 20th anniversary event for the convention which celebrates attendees dressed in costumes of popular Japanese animation characters, cultural seminars, like how to make traditional Japanese meals, and even local artists who will exhibit at booths throughout the weekend.
“JAFAX has a talented community of local artists,” said Promotions Director, Rae Morris. “and we are constantly bringing in both established and new artists from all over the Midwest.”
More information about JAFAX and where to buy tickets can be found at: www.JAFAX.org
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