Liz Ohanesian

Jarod Lee Nandin cosplays an infamous South Park character at Long Beach Comic Expo.; Credit: Liz Ohanesian

A South Park Cosplayer With a Message for the Trolls

Liz Ohanesian
Jarod Lee Nandin is sitting at a desk in a crowded hallway inside Long Beach Convention Center. One hand is posed on top of a prop computer keyboard. The other, which is wrapped in a brace, clutches the mouse. There are loose CDs, empty cans of Rockstar Energy Drink, a......
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Long Beach Comic Expo

Liz Ohanesian
Stop moaning that comic book conventions are about everything but the books. At Long Beach Comic Expo, it's those time-honored stories with pictures that take center stage. Once a small, one-day offshoot of the annual fall Long Beach Comic-Con, this springtime fest has blossomed into a larger, weekendlong gathering of......
StoryForge is a multi-media production company that appeared at WyrdCon.; Credit: Liz Ohanesian

Wyrd Con: The Convention That's All About Storytelling

Liz Ohanesian
If you're a fan of something, you'll likely be able to find a convention where you can nerd out. From comic books to anime to Doctor Who to My Little Pony, the U.S. is overflowing with weekend fan events. Amongst them, Wyrd Con, which took place at the Westin LAX......
Luna Lovebad and Jessi Jae Joplin at Kawaiiland; Credit: Shannon Cottrell

Instagram Fashion Stars Gather at Kawaiiland

Liz Ohanesian
Inside Los Globos on Saturday night, fans of adorable street fashion turned up for Kawaiiland. They filled up both floors, dressed bright colors and platform shoes, their hair often dyed shades of pink, blue and purple. The event, presented by Ninja Crate and Studio Kunu, combined music, art and fashion......
CSULA students spend the afternoon at Eagle-Con.; Credit: Liz Ohanesian

Eagle-Con, CSULA's Pop Culture Convention That's All About Diversity

Liz Ohanesian
Eagle-Con isn't a typical fan convention. Named for California State University Los Angeles' mascot, the Golden Eagle, this is an event for students. The convention, which opened on Thursday, takes place over two weekday afternoons inside of the Student Union on a campus that serves over 20,000 students. For some, the convention......
Das Bunker's "May the 4th Be With You" Star Wars party; Credit: Lina Lecaro

How "May the Fourth" Became a Massive Star Wars Fan Holiday

Liz Ohanesian
DJ Franck H-Bomb is hunched over the decks on the upstairs stage of Los Globos, his tall frame shrouded in a Sith Lord's cloak. He drops tracks with big, marching beats and vocals as menacing as Darth Vader's choke holds. Electronic sounds shoot from the speakers as though they're on......
"The FlipBooKit Show" at GR2 showcased animated works from over 40 artists.; Credit: Liz Ohanesian

An Art Show of Motorized Flipbooks

Liz Ohanesian
Art was in motion on Saturday evening at Giant Robot 2. Instead of simply standing a safe distance from the works, people leaned forward. They pressed a button on one of the boxes artfully displayed on the walls of the West Los Angeles gallery. Once they pushed that button, 24......
Dinner with Friends with Brett Gelman and Friends airs April 24 on Adult Swim.; Credit: Adult Swim

Comedian Brett Gelman Hosts a Dinner Party and It's Really Weird

Liz Ohanesian
There's a full room waiting for Brett Gelman inside Rockwell: Table & Stage last Thursday night. The comedic actor, known for his work on the show Eagleheart, as well as a slew of television guest spots, is getting his own cable special. Dinner with Friends with Brett Gelman and Friends airs......