Sonic Boom West - Orange, California, September 14th

[Tani Coyote]

Official Facebook Page

Organized and hosted by Shayne “SonicRemix” Edwards and Lidice Garcia of SonicAnime and Sonic Radio.

 

Time and Date: Saturday, September 14, 2013; 1:00 PM

Location: Dave and Buster’s, 20 City Blvd W Ste G1, Orange, California 92868-3120

 

Details:

 

For starters, the event is open to the public and anyone can get in. However, a room has been rented for three hours that can hold twenty people; it includes a table and TV. One highlight of this will be the showcasing of Metropolis Mayhem and Sonic Shorts 8 thanks to Sonic Paradox granting permission.

 

There will also be a trivia contest, hosted by yours truly. I will be asking questions on all forms of Sonic media and not just the games; are you prepared to strain your brain, mates? Most importantly, there are in fact prizes, which will be provided by yours truly. No, my bobblehead is not one of them, sorry!

 

More personally, I will be recognizable by my Sonic Boom St. Louis shirt and my Lost World lanyard. I will also be wearing my Ogilvie Maurice tag once more.

 

So far it’s at about 14 going and 9 maybes. Small, but so was Summer of Sonic when it began, aye? Of particular importance is the fact Evan Stanley of Archie might be in attendance; as it stands she and her boyfriend are trying to work with school scheduling. Fingers crossed the workload isn’t too big, as it would be a dream to have her as an inaugural guest. It sounds like she’s open to signing stuff too! I’ll bring some of my comics just in case…

 

So it’s a small event, but overall it’s looking grand for any Cali fans. If it does well, an even bigger event is planned for next year. Since it’s not a large crowd it also offers a greater ability to socialize than the noisy, crowded venues of the more well-known cons.

 

So… anyone else besides me considering going? Who doesn’t mind an excuse to visit Disneyland?

Edited August 14, 2013 by Ogilvie Maurice

[RobotOmega]

Dang, if I lived closer to California, I'd consider going. Kansas sucks! 

[Jix Hedgehog]

X

Edited August 14, 2015 by Jix Hedgehog

[Mando-Whirl-Wind]

I would go, I am about a half hour north of Santa Barbara(Santa Ynez Valley for any of you in the region), however I shall be in college at presscot which is 8 hours away as opposed to 3, so sadly I cant go

[Tani Coyote]

Seeing all these would-gos breaks my heart, I say! I wish I had the funds to pay for plane tickets...

Ran into Evan Stanley at Comic-Con! She drew me a quick Shard sketch cuz I was dressed up as him.. another instance of being at the right place at the right time during SDCC (ran into Iizuka & Senoue just by chance last year)

 

She's a sweetheart and I hope she makes it to the party

 

I know her boyfriend actually, and it would be wonderful to meet both of them not just personally but in a professional setting as well. Getting her autograph is definitely something I'd covet.

 

I would go, I am about a half hour north of Santa Barbara(Santa Ynez Valley for any of you in the region), however I shall be in college at presscot which is 8 hours away as opposed to 3, so sadly I cant go

I'm sorry to hear about that my friend! Hopefully next year.

Overall it sounds like the choice of a school year date was somewhat improper.

[Linkabel]

So what happens if more than 20 people attend the event?

[Tani Coyote]

So what happens if more than 20 people attend the event?

They said they'd need to be seen out on the main floor.

So there's still socialisation, but as it stands there's a limit on how many can go in the room... shame, it's where I plan on holding my little contest.

The room size was chosen based on how many people it got in the first few weeks... so far it looks like it's just about the right size, unless my advertising is miraculous and a hundred people show up.

[mikeblastdude]

Awesome. I appreciate the effort to make something like this happen for those of us Sonic fans closer to the west coast.

 

I might actually be able to make it to this, although I'm not 100% sure yet.

[Tani Coyote]

So it sounds like they'll also be on the lookout for possible staff at future events at this one as well, a sort of "staff open house," if you will. They've already more or less accepted me as one of the staff at a future one (primarily in the field of PR and such), but the more the merrier it sounds like!

Either way I'm eager to see fellow SSMBers, Blasters, and fans in general at the event. I'm sure we'll have a great bit of fun and find out how we can make 2014 an even better one.

[Tani Coyote]

Bit of an update.

Dave and Busters' policy is that all people under 21 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to claim responsibility for them. In my case, the hostess Shayne Edwards has agreed to claim responsibility for me if necessary (I'm seeing if I can bring along my father just in case), but that might be an obstacle to some possible meetup members!

Hoping everything goes by fine... as it stands I have prizes ready, and I'd hate to be denied because of some theoretical possibility that I'd want to drink alcohol.

Edited August 15, 2013 by Ogilvie Maurice

[Johnny Boy]

Damn it, everything has to be held on the other side of the country. I would fly over there if I weren't in college right now.

[Chaos Incarnate]

Well now... this is the closest I've ever lived to a Sonic Boom event( I live in Arizona.) While I would love to go, I'm going to have to decline. I'm only 15, I'm broke on money, and it would take me seven hours to get there. Still though, have a great time, everyone that's going!

[Tani Coyote]

I presume this event will always remain a California exclusive.

However, Shayne has shown interest in helping other fans set up their own meetups (and later conventions) once Sonic Boom West is a success. While this is my main project at the moment, if it gets off the ground... I'd be happy to help everyone else get events going as well.

The ultimate key is networking; one should start with small meetups and gradually attract more and more people in the area until even a small convention would be worthwhile. What starts with one or two dozen people can grow into the hundreds with some dedication. The key is finding ways to hunt down all the fans in your area!

[GuyWithThePie]

For a second I thought they were doing another Sonic Boom this year, and I was going "What?" Then I realized it was a small fanmade event. Aw. Can't they rename this convention to avoid any confusion?

Edited August 18, 2013 by GuywithPie3376

[Tani Coyote]

For a second I thought they were doing another Sonic Boom this year, and I was going "What?" Then I realized it was a small fanmade event. Aw.

More reason to support this!

The essential goal is to, after a few years, become recognised enough that a convention could be held with SEGA recognition, by the fans, for the fans... so, to recap, basically an American Summer of Sonic.

It goes without saying it'll be hard work but hey, anything's possible with enough determination (not to mention money).

If nothing else we'd no longer be at SEGA's mercy for a convention.

ALSO! It has just been announced that buttons from Summer of Sonic will be available courtesy of Sonic Show; there will also be a raffle for attendees for a prize.

Edited August 15, 2013 by Ogilvie Maurice

[RobotOmega]

Well now... this is the closest I've ever lived to a Sonic Boom event( I live in Arizona.) While I would love to go, I'm going to have to decline. I'm only 15, I'm broke on money, and it would take me seven hours to get there. Still though, have a great time, everyone that's going!

 

Seven hours? Damn... where do you live in Arizona? Are you on the most eastern part?

[Turbo the Punk]

I'd be more than willing to attend, though as far as I see this is more of a online meet up type thing, which is fine, but to be quite honest I'd feel way out of place in such an event.

 

Nonetheless sounds great and you guys will enjoy yourselves.

[Tani Coyote]

I'd be more than willing to attend, though as far as I see this is more of a online meet up type thing, which is fine, but to be quite honest I'd feel way out of place in such an event.

 

Nonetheless sounds great and you guys will enjoy yourselves.

Anyone who's a Sonic fan is welcome!

I'm fairly awkward but I'm more than willing to give it a go (bad memories from Boom 13 aside), as the idea of an American Summer of Sonic one day spawning from this is well worth the trip on my end. Who knows, I may make some new friends.

[RobotOmega]

Hey Ogilvie, you should see if the SEGA blog could post something about Sonic Boom West. That'd probably be the best way to get the word out for your event...

[Tani Coyote]

Hey Ogilvie, you should see if the SEGA blog could post something about Sonic Boom West. That'd probably be the best way to get the word out for your event...

I don't think we're big enough for that, my friend!

Never mind, we're already at 17 going and 14 maybes... I think our room is going to be pretty stuffed!

Maybe next year...

In the meantime, though Evan Stanley's attendance is still up in the air, Tentenswift, the from this year's official Boom has teased at attending Boom West with the suit as well... well, I'm looking forward to the photo ops!

Also will make my possible surprise more... interesting, certainly.

[Turbo the Punk]

Anyone who's a Sonic fan is welcome!

I'm fairly awkward but I'm more than willing to give it a go (bad memories from Boom 13 aside), as the idea of an American Summer of Sonic one day spawning from this is well worth the trip on my end. Who knows, I may make some new friends.

Nah, I'd hate to impose on such short notice, and chances are that week is filled for me. My apologies in advance and thanks.

 

If it's of any use I'd be more then pleased if I could contribute in any way if there is intention of holding a similar event for 2014.

[RobotOmega]

If it's of any use I'd be more then pleased if I could contribute in any way if there is intention of holding a similar event for 2014. 

 

Same thing with me. Hopefully I'll have more subscribers then on youtube so I could tell them about it.

 

Also, Ogilvie, make sure to take pictures at the event if you can. Those of us who can't attend would love to see them!

[Tani Coyote]

I find it humorous that we picked up so many people AFTER a room was reserved. At the rate we're going... we might have worse shortage issues than SOS does! I know I said we want this to one day be the American equivalent of SOS but this isn't quite what I meant! XD

 

If it makes anyone feel better, I talked with Shayne at Sonic Radio earlier today. She wants a good head count of extra people so she knows how big to make the next one.

 

Also, she has purchased 20 dollar tabs for all attendees so they don't need to pay for their own food; there will be a donation jar regardless, however! I'm aiming to have the Sonic Social Fund raise 100 dollars to donate before September.

 

If it's of any use I'd be more then pleased if I could contribute in any way if there is intention of holding a similar event for 2014.

 

It was established early on that more staff are always welcome! While I was approached by ShadowRemix (Shayne's husband) earlier today about helping out with future events (naturally I accepted the opportunity in a heartbeat), so far it looks like anyone's welcome to contribute!

 

Same thing with me. Hopefully I'll have more subscribers then on youtube so I could tell them about it.

 

Also, Ogilvie, make sure to take pictures at the event if you can. Those of us who can't attend would love to see them!

 

I was planning on taking plenty of photos and videos while there to let others know what they're missing! I'm hoping to help make this event incredibly grand so next year we can get a much, much bigger venue and turnout!

[TCB]

Okay, as small compared to (as I see it) the U.S. equivalent to Summer of Sonic goes, this is going along quite nicely.

 

Take photos, videos, anything you and anyone else can of this. While I'm mixed about the reasoning behind the reasoning for this (since I don't live in California), I'm positive about this little event is getting stream.

[Tani Coyote]

I'm amazed it's already showing signs of being overbooked!

 

I will definitely be taking as many photos and videos as I can... hopefully I can find a volunteer to hold the camera during the trivia contest!

 

While several have painted the event as the western fandom throwing a tantrum... I think it's really a wakeup call if anything; it shows the dangers of being dependent on SEGA for an event. Really I'm amazed this has only happened in California and not in other places like the Northeast or the South.

 

But, Boom West intends to get to those areas eventually...