Going to conventions is fun but going to their after parties can be just as fun. While San Diego Comic Con’s and E3 Expo’s after parties are legendary there aren’t many other conventions known for their after parties. Stan Lee’s LA Comic Con’s is trying to get into the con after party picture in the last couple of years. This year they threw a FREE, that’s right free for anyone who had a badge at the Club NOVA (formerly Club Nokia) at LA Live right next door to the convention. I like when cons throw free ones with anyone with a badge.
You can see in the flyer above that is was dubbed a Cosplay Ball which is cool. However Club NOVO has club rules. For those who don’t know, Club NOVO is on the third floor at the LA Live and you have to go up stairs or elevator to get to the entrance. When I arrived in my Kylo Ren cosplay I was greeted by a staff member from NOVO on the bottom street level. No cosplay props were allowed inside NOVO. I was like WHAT?! This is a cosplay ball. With out my lightsaber my cosplay kinda sucks. There were many angry cosplayers on the street level. Like myself many of us parked pretty far away. Some took uber or the train to downtown LA. As you can see on the flyer, there was no mention of this rule. Nothing on the facebook event page. People were pissed and hand the right to be. I decided to just go upstairs anyway. I mean come on its a plastic lightsaber. When I got to the security entrance to the club they look over my lightsaber and said it was fine. My friend with me had to leave his sharpie pen that could be used as a weapon. Crazy. The NOVA staff at the entrance was very nice to us about everything.
Once inside everything was fine. It was a fun conversation starting point for any other cosplayer I meet inside the club. I just felt bad for any cosplayers outside that didn’t bother to try to come upstairs. Speaking of meeting, got to meet a stormtrooper from Heavy Star Wars. For those who don’t know its something that combines two of my favorite passions: Rock N Roll meets Star Wars. Also got to meet world famous Ballusionist Brian Potvin.
There was plenty of entertainment on the stage. The event was hosted by Bernadette Bentley and The Geek Gatsby (Bernie Bregman) from Nerds Like Us. The band The Flux Capacitors who dressed as cosplayers from Back to the Future performed hits from the 80’s. DJ Galactic Ray, DJ Quickpheet, and VJ The Dave was spinning in between band sets. The group The Library Bards performed where they take top 40 hits and turn them into nerd themed songs. Think Weird Al. They were great.
Overall the event was a lot of fun. I hope they keep this free after party traditional going next year. Maybe expand it with some booths, VR Demos and photo booths. You can check out more photos from the event below. By @SteveSievers
