Tekkoshocon Expands in Pittsburgh with Four Days of Concerts, Events

PITTSBURGH, PA - February 8, 2010 - Tekkoshocon, Pittsburgh's anime and otaku culture convention, expands this year to provide four days of fun for fans of anime and Japanese media from Thursday, April 8, to Sunday, April 11.

Headlining convention programming is a genre-spanning series of concerts. Leading off are Internet phenoms the LeetStreet Boys, whose pop-rock anthems thrill congoers with witty anime and video game references. Singer/songwriter Mari Iijima, whose recent Macross collaboration single "Iki wo Shiteiru Kanjiteiru" debuted in the Oricon weekly Top 10, will make a rare East Coast appearance. Also appearing in concert is Pittsburgh native Vic Mignogna, who has released five studio albums in addition to earning fame for his myriad voice acting roles. Finally, Japanese visual-kei/industrial band Suicide Ali will be performing twice throughout the weekend as they film a concert DVD.

These concerts take place as part of a weekend packed with events. Gothic/Lolita fashion enthusiasts and the curious alike will enjoy a fashion show where models will present looks from top brands. For cultural enthusiasts, the Confused Greenies troupe from Cleveland, Ohio, will present traditional Japanese comedy with modern sensibility during their presentation of Mad Words: The Art of Kyōgen. Hobbyists will find several panels and workshops, such as demos in the dedicated AMV theater and model building tutorials run with the cooperation of the Three Rivers chapter of the International Plastic Modelers Society. Additionally, Sleeping Samurai will be on hand to demonstrate traditional sword techniques and invite attendees to try their hand at foam combat. These events take place alongside countless others such as game tournaments, fan panels and dances.

Guests from the anime, tokusatsu, video game, podcasting, and comic realms will highlight this year's Tekkoshocon as well as featured contests in model building, AMVs, cosplay, and cosplay prop construction. The convention website at http://www.tekkoshocon.com features frequent updates to the guest lineup as well as detailed event information.

ABOUT TEKKOSHOCON INC.: Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Tekkoshocon Inc. seeks to promote multicultural awareness with a particular emphasis on Asian and Japanese culture. In addition to hosting and participating in community events, Tekkoshocon Inc. currently presents two major events each year: Tekkoshocon, Pittsburgh's anime and otaku culture convention, and the KuroKiiro Festival, an educational event dedicated to promoting Japanese traditional and popular culture to a wide audience.