Tekko (convention)

Tekko

Tekkoshocon 2010
Status Active
Genre Anime, Manga, Japanese popular culture[1][2]
Venue David L. Lawrence Convention Center
Location(s) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Country United States
Inaugurated 2003
Attendance 5,983 in 2015[3]
Organized by Pittsburgh Japanese Culture Society (PJCS)[2][4]
Website
http://www.teamtekko.us/

Tekko (formerly Tekkoshocon) is an annual four-day anime convention held during April at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[5] The convention has been held in various locations around the Pittsburgh metropolitan area and is run by a non-profit organization, the Pittsburgh Japanese Culture Society (PJCS).[1][2][4] Tekkoshocon's name was a blend of the Japanese word tekkosho, meaning steel mill (a reference to Pittsburgh's industrial steel-producing history), and adapting the suffix "-con" (from convention), which is a common nomenclature archetype among such conventions.[6]

Programming

The convention typically offers an AMV contest, anime viewings, concerts, cosplay masquerade, costume competitions, dance/rave, dance competition, dealers' room, fashion shows, gaming (board, LARP, table top, trading card), karaoke room, panels, video game tournaments, and workshops.[2][4][7][8][9][10][11][12] Tekko has held charity events since 2006 supporting organizations such as the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, and in 2011 the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Gackt's "Show Your Heart" charity, and Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.[6][8][13] The concerts at Tekko have drawn significant attendees, with over 900 for the Rampant concert in 2011, over 1,000 for Exist Trace in 2012, and 1,100 for Dazzle Vision & Cantoy in 2013.[14][15][16] Tekko contributed almost three million dollars to the Pittsburgh economy in 2014, growing to nearly four million (3.7 mil) in 2015.[11][17][18]

History

In 2002 the first attempt to hold an anime convention in Pittsburgh, Takocon, failed due to a booking problem at the Pittsburgh Marriott City Center and the lack of time to acquire additional space.[19] In 2003, the first Tekkoshocon was organized by Rebecca Roach and occurred at the Wyndham Pittsburgh Airport.[7] In 2004, the convention moved to the Pittsburgh Marriott North and became three days. From 2005 to 2007 Tekkoshocon was held in the Pittsburgh ExpoMart/Radisson Hotel Pittsburgh, but due to unexpected demolition work, Tekkoshocon moved to the Radisson Hotel Pittsburgh Green Tree for 2008.[20][21]

Tekkoshocon moved to the larger David L. Lawrence Convention Center in 2009 and for 2010 expanded into a four-day convention.[22][23] In 2011 due to the lack of available space at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, the convention moved to the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown (formerly Pittsburgh Hilton).[1] The convention celebrated its tenth anniversary and remained at the Wyndham Grand for 2012 while adding a fifth evening of events offsite at the Hollywood Theater Dormont.[7][24] Due to various issues (crowded staircases, hotel issues, noise complaints including an early shutdown Sunday morning), the convention announced that it would not be returning to the Wyndham Grand for 2013.[9] Tekkoshocon Inc. transferred its property to the Pittsburgh Japanese Culture Society, a non-profit organization, in September 2012.[2] The convention returned to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center starting in 2013, with the name shortened to Tekko for 2014.[2][25][26]

Tekko added dressing rooms for cosplayers, non photo cosplay locations, Japanese cultural/educational programming (Tekko Gakkou), and expanded the game room by 50 percent in 2015.[4][17][26] Pittsburgh declared it to be Tekko Week during the convention in 2016.[18] Two attendees got married during the cosplay masquerade and portions of the convention were streamed live (TeamTekkoTV).[12][18]

Event history

Dates Location Atten. Guests
March 29–30, 2003 Wyndham Pittsburgh Airport
Coraopolis, Pennsylvania		600[27] Emily DeJesus, Robert DeJesus, Vic Mignogna, Chris Patton, Debora Rabbai, Monica Rial, Jan Scott-Frazier, and Greg Wicker.[27]
March 12–14, 2004 Pittsburgh Marriott North
Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania		 Greg Ayres, Steve Bennett, Bob Bergen, Emily DeJesus, Robert DeJesus, Vic Mignogna, Otaku Duet, and Greg Wicker.[28]
April 8–10, 2005 Pittsburgh ExpoMart
Radisson Hotel Pittsburgh
Monroeville, Pennsylvania		1,400[6] Greg Ayres, Emily DeJesus, Michael Gluck, Richard "Pocky" Kim, Bruce Lewis, Mike McFarland, Jeff Thompson, and Greg Wicker.[29]
March 31-April 2, 2006 Pittsburgh ExpoMart
Radisson Hotel Pittsburgh
Monroeville, Pennsylvania		1,771[30] Greg Ayres, Emily DeJesus, Robert DeJesus, Caitlin Glass, Michael Gluck, Tiffany Grant, Matt Greenfield, Hilary Hatch, Kyle Hebert, Michael Poe, and Greg Wicker.[30]
April 13–15, 2007 Pittsburgh ExpoMart
Radisson Hotel Pittsburgh
Monroeville, Pennsylvania		2,457[31] Greg Ayres, Hilary Hatch, Kyle Hebert, Mari Iijima, Vic Mignogna, Michael Poe, Carrie Savage, Brett Weaver, and Greg Wicker.[31]
April 11–13, 2008 Radisson Hotel Pittsburgh Green Tree
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania		 Robert Axelrod, Greg Ayres, Emily DeJesus, Robert DeJesus, Aaron Dismuke, Sandy Fox, Tiffany Grant, Matt Greenfield, The Hsu-nami, Mari Iijima, Lex Lang, Mike McFarland, and Carrie Savage.[20]
April 3–5, 2009 David L. Lawrence Convention Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania		3,239[32] Greg Ayres, Battlecake, Johnny Yong Bosch, David Brehm, Eyeshine, Freezepop, Hilary Hatch, Jonathan Klein, Otokage, Michael Poe, Derek Stephen Prince, Stephanie Sheh, Uncle Yo, and Stephanie Young.[32]
April 8–11, 2010 David L. Lawrence Convention Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania		3,522[33] Robert Axelrod, Greg Ayres, Johnny Yong Bosch, Colleen Clinkenbeard, Eyeshine, Barbara Goodson, Todd Haberkorn, Kyle Hebert, Mari Iijima, LeetStreet Boys, Luzmelt, Vic Mignogna, Wendy Powell, Derek Stephen Prince, Carrie Savage, Christopher Corey Smith, Dan Southworth, Suicide Ali, Uncle Yo, and Tommy Yune.[33]
March 31-April 3, 2011 Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania		4,000 (est)[7] Steven Blum, Richard Epcar, lix, Kevin McKeever, Mega Ran, Reni Mimura, Rampant, Ellyn Stern, and Tommy Yune.[34]
March 21–25, 2012 Hollywood Theater Dormont (21st)[24]
Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania		3,600 (est)[2] Exist Trace, David J. Fielding, Todd Haberkorn, Kevin McKeever, Mega Ran, SoundWitch, Uncle Yo, and Travis Willingham.[35]
April 4–7, 2013 Hollywood Theater Dormont (4th)[36]
David L. Lawrence Convention Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania		 Cantoy, Chris Cason, Dazzle Vision, David J. Fielding, Initial P, Tony Oliver, Chii Sakurabi, Uncle Yo, Cristina Vee, and Tommy Yune.[37]
April 4–6, 2014 David L. Lawrence Convention Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania		5,111[38] Charles Dunbar, Gacharic Spin, Caitlin Glass, Brittney Karbowski, Lolita Dark, Uncle Yo, David Vincent, and Greg Wicker.[38]
April 16–19, 2015 David L. Lawrence Convention Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania		5,983[3] Jerry Jewell, Nancy Kepner, Jamie Marchi, RinRin, ROOKiEZ is PUNK'D, J. Michael Tatum, Tune in Tokyo, and Uncle Yo.[3]
April 7–10, 2016 David L. Lawrence Convention Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania		 Misako Aoki, Back-On, DJ Bass, Charles Dunbar, Nancy Kepner, Lynda Leung, Matt Mercer, Chris Patton, Marisha Ray, Micah Solusod, Austin Tindle, and Uncle Yo.[39]

Tekko 1/2

Tekko 1/2 was a one-day anime convention created by the staff of Tekkoshocon that included anime showings, cosplay, karaoke, panels, and video games. Due to growth the event moved from the Carnegie Library to the Best Western Parkway Center Inn in 2008.[40]

Event history

Dates Location Atten. Guests
October 1, 2005[41] Carnegie Library Main (Oakland)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
October 14, 2006 Carnegie Library Main (Oakland)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania		 Mandy St. Jean[42]
October 27, 2007[43] Carnegie Library Main (Oakland)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
October 4, 2008 Best Western Parkway Center Inn
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania		 Battlecake, Carrie Savage, and Uncle Yo.[44]

KuroKiiro Festival

The KuroKiiro Festival is an educational anime festival that includes a carnival, dance, dancing maid cafe, swap meet, talent show, vendors, video gaming, and workshops.[45][46] In 2010, KuroKiiro moved to the Boyd Community Center (former school) in Pittsburgh and formed its own maid cafe group called KuroKiiro Cafe.[47][48] The event returned to the Boyd Community Center in 2011 and was held over Thanksgiving weekend.[48] KuroKiiro again returned to the Boyd Community Center in 2012 and 2013.[45][49] For 2014 the convention moved to the California University of Pennsylvania Convocation Center in California, Pennsylvania.[50]

Event history

Dates Location Atten. Guests
October 3–4, 2009 Best Western Parkway Center Inn
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania		 Battlecake, Dino Lionetti, Carrie Savage, and The SoftReset.[51]
November 5–7, 2010 Boyd Community Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania		 Stephanie Nadolny and Uncle Yo.[47]
November 25–27, 2011 Boyd Community Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania		 Kent Williams[52]
November 16–18, 2012 Boyd Community Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania		 Kyle Hebert[46]
November 1–3, 2013 Boyd Community Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania		 Crispin Freeman and Greg Wicker.[49]
August 29–31, 2014 California University of Pennsylvania, Convocation Center
California, Pennsylvania		 Leah Clark, Charles Dunbar, Nancy Kepner, Tyson Rinehart, and Greg Wicker.[50]

Sangawa Project

The Sangawa Project is an 18+ anime event created by the staff of Tekkoshocon geared towards mature fans that includes an AMV contest, cosplay contest, dealers room, panels, and classic video games.[53][54] Sangawa's name comes from the Japanese word for "three rivers", in reference to Pittsburgh's nickname.[55] The event acts as a revenue source, along with the KuroKiiro Festival, for Tekkoshocon.[7] For 2014 the convention moved to the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[56]

Event history

Dates Location Atten. Guests
December 4–5, 2010 Best Western Parkway Center Inn
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania		106 Dan Woren[57]
July 15–17, 2011 Best Western Parkway Center Inn
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania		 Matt K. Miller[58]
July 13–15, 2012[59] Best Western Parkway Center Inn
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania		 Kevin McKeever and Jeff Ryan.[60]
December 5–7, 2014 DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania		300+[61] Monica Rial[56]
December 4–6, 2015 DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Pittsburgh - Green Tree
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania		 Charles Dunbar, Nancy Kepner, Vic Mignogna and Sonny Strait.[62]
December 9-11, 2016 DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Pittsburgh - Green Tree
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania		 Charles Dunbar, Josh Grelle, Todd Haberkorn, and Nancy Kepner.[63]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tekkoshocon.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Parker, Max (2011-04-05). "Costumed fans commune at Pittsburgh's Tekkoshocon IX". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2011-05-21.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Eberson, Sharon (2013-04-04). "Tekkoshocon X-2 invades Convention Center with Japanese Culture; Steel City Con holds court in Monroeville". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2013-04-05.
  3. 1 2 3 "Tekko 2015 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2015-07-08.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Regina, Steven. "Tekko 2015 Pittsburgh April 16-19 The Swerve Magazine". The Swerve Magazine. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  5. ↑ "The Pittsburgh Japanese Culture Society Announces Tekko 2016". Anime News Network. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 Machosky, Michael (2006-03-30). "Anime interests expand beyond teen set". Trib Total Media. Retrieved 2012-03-05.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Kins, Jeremy (2012-03-27). "Japanese pop culture convention held in Pittsburgh". The Herald-Star. Retrieved 2012-04-03.
  8. 1 2 "Tekkoshocon, Fans Support Local, Global Neighbors Through Charity Events". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2012-12-29.
  9. 1 2 Kins, Jeremy (2012-03-30). "Opinion: Tekkoshocon delights with atmosphere; organization lacking". The Herald-Star. Retrieved 2012-04-03.
  10. ↑ Miguel, Andres (2009-04-03). "Avid anime fans flock to Pittsburgh for Tokkoshocon". The Pitt News. Retrieved 2012-12-29.
  11. 1 2 Arbogast, Sarah (April 7, 2016). "Organizers Expecting Thousands For 2016 Tekko Convention". KDKA. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  12. 1 2 Warnick, Aaron (April 8, 2016). "Attendees of Tekko 2016 take over the streets of Pittsburgh". Pittsburgh City Paper. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  13. ↑ Crawley, Dave. "Anime Enthusiasts Invade Pittsburgh For Convention". KDKA. Retrieved 2012-12-29.
  14. ↑ "RAMPANT plays to record attendance at Tekkoshocon 2011". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2012-04-03.
  15. ↑ "Exist†Trace's VIRGIN Begins Worldwide iTunes Sales". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2012-11-20.
  16. ↑ "J-Rock Bands Dazzle Vision and Cantoy set Concert Record at Tekkoshocon 2013". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2013-04-18.
  17. 1 2 "Pittsburgh's Anime, Gaming, Music/Pop Culture Convention Announces Tekko 2015". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  18. 1 2 3 Machosky, Michael (April 6, 2016). "Annual Japanese pop culture convention keeps growing". Trib Total Media. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  19. ↑ "Takocon 2002". Takocon. Archived from the original on August 6, 2002. Retrieved 2012-04-07.
  20. 1 2 "Tekkoshocon 2008 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  21. ↑ Spatter, Sam (2008-08-28). "Monoreville losing -- and gaining -- exhibition space". Trib Total Media. Retrieved 2012-05-25.
  22. ↑ Machosky, Michael (2009-04-03). "Anime convention Tekkoshocon VII opens". Trib Total Media. Retrieved 2012-03-07.
  23. ↑ "Tekkoshocon Speeds Into Downtown Pittsburgh". AmericanTowns.com. Retrieved 2012-03-07.
  24. 1 2 Riely, Kaitlynn (2012-03-23). "Anime fest provides a paradise for nerds". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2012-12-29.
  25. ↑ "Female J-Rock Band Gacharic Spin Returns to America for Tekko 2014". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2014-01-01.
  26. 1 2 Machosky, Michael (April 15, 2015). "Downtown Pittsburgh's Tekko gathering celebrates Japanese pop culture". Trib Total Media. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  27. 1 2 "Tekkoshocon 2003 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2012-10-27.
  28. ↑ "Tekkoshocon 2004 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2014-11-01.
  29. ↑ "Tekkoshocon 2005 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2014-11-01.
  30. 1 2 "Tekkoshocon 2006 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2008-02-10.
  31. 1 2 "Tekkoshocon 2007 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2008-02-10.
  32. 1 2 "Tekkoshocon 2009 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
  33. 1 2 "Tekkoshocon 2010 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2009-10-31.
  34. ↑ "Tekkoshocon 2011 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2011-04-27.
  35. ↑ "Tekkoshocon 2012 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2012-03-05.
  36. ↑ Isenberg, Robert (2013-04-01). "Top 10 The 10 best things to do in Pittsburgh this April". Pittsburgh Magazine. Retrieved 2013-04-08.
  37. ↑ "Tekkoshocon 2013 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2013-03-24.
  38. 1 2 "Tekko 2014 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2015-01-25.
  39. ↑ "Tekko 2016 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2016-03-01.
  40. ↑ "Tekko 1/2 Expands with Carrie Savage, Uncle Yo, and Musical Guest Battlecake". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
  41. ↑ "Tekko 1/2 2005 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
  42. ↑ "Tekko 1/2 2006 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
  43. ↑ "Tekkoshocon VI". Tekkoshocon. Archived from the original on October 3, 2007. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  44. ↑ "Tekko 1/2 2008 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
  45. 1 2 "KuroKiiro Festival Brings Japanese Culture, Dancing Maid Cafe, Kyle Hebert to Pittsburgh November 16–18". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
  46. 1 2 "KuroKiiro Festival 2012 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2012-11-20.
  47. 1 2 "KuroKiiro Festival 2010 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
  48. 1 2 Regina, Steven. "KuroKiiro Festival Knowledge Feast for all Things Japan". The Swerve Magazine. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  49. 1 2 "KuroKiiro Festival 2013 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2014-02-11.
  50. 1 2 "KuroKiiro Festival 2014 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2014-08-27.
  51. ↑ "KuroKiiro Festival 2009 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
  52. ↑ "KuroKiiro Festival 2011 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
  53. ↑ "The Sangawa Project Anime Con". Pittsburgh Underground. Retrieved 2012-10-30.
  54. ↑ Regina, Steven. "Anime Con Offers More to a Mature Audience". The Swerve Magazine. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
  55. ↑ "Pittsburgh's First Eighteen-and-Over Anime Event Welcomes Voice Actor Dan Woren". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
  56. 1 2 "Sangawa Project 2014 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2014-07-01.
  57. ↑ "Sangawa Project 2010 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2012-03-11.
  58. ↑ "Sangawa Project 2011 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2012-03-11.
  59. ↑ "Sangawa Project 2012 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2012-05-25.
  60. ↑ "Guest(s) Of Honor - The Sangawa Project". Sangawa Project. Archived from the original on December 17, 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
  61. ↑ "The Pittsburgh Japanese Culture Society Announces Sangawa Project 2015". Anime News Network. November 19, 2015. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
  62. ↑ "Sangawa Project 2015 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2015-11-30.
  63. ↑ "Sangawa Project 2016 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2016-11-29.

Coordinates: 40°26′45″N 79°59′47″W / 40.44583°N 79.99639°W / 40.44583; -79.99639

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