AnimeNEXT gives us an exciting opportunity to hang out with other cosplayers from the area and enjoy the events the anime convention has to offer. It's located in Somerset, NJ at the Garden State Exhibit Center and the Doubletree hotel. AnimeNEXT is an event that you will need to pay a fee to get in ($55 at the door for a weekend pass). You can find out more about it here: http://www.animenext.org. If you're planning on going already, please make the time to come meet up with us! If you're not, you should consider it!
We'll meet in front of the Doubletree Hotel at 2:30pm. See you guys there!
There's a thread in the forum about what people are cosplaying as for AnimeNext and I'd love for those that are coming to let us know what you're wearing either in a comment here or in that thread. However you don't have to be cosplaying to hang out with the group.
Hope to see a bunch of you there! Let me know if you want to come but can't make the time/date.

There will be a cosplay photo shoot as part of the Sakura Matsuri at the Brookyln Botanic Garden. Let's go enjoy the cherry blossoms and the various events in costume together!

There is a $12 fee to get into the gardens. Find out more information here

Coming in costume is not mandatory but is encouraged!

"Sakura Matsuri, New York City's "rite of spring," marks its 28th year with over 50 events and performances celebrating Japanese culture and the blossoming of BBG's 220 cherry trees. Visitors to the weekend-long Cherry Blossom Festival can enjoy a range of performances from traditional Japanese music and dance to concerts by some of Japan's hottest J-pop stars, plus taiko drumming, an anime voice actor panel, bonsai pruning workshops, J-pop DJs, a traditional kimono show, and demonstrations and workshops for all ages. Bring your camera and join anime comedian Uncle Yo and the World Cosplay Summit Team USA in a giant Sakura Matsuri cosplay photo shoot!" -direct excerpt from http://www.bbg.org/exp/cherries/sakura.html

Thank you to zhouwuatsien and Laura Jackson who pointed this event out!

Fabric & Craft Supply Shopping Meet- This is a good meeting for those who are interested in making their own costumes and props. Want some good company while shopping or need advice and opinions on what you are buying for your costume? This meeting is for you. Bring your references and ideas!

We'll meet at Jo-Ann Fabrics, peruse the pattern and fabric section diligently, and take a quick look at the craft section. Then we'll head over to Micheal's (carpool or drive yourself, it's only about 5 minutes away but not walkable) for some more thorough inspection of their craft supplies that can be turned into some props, accessories, and embellishments for your costume. Not sated? Assuming we have time, we can head to Pearl's Art Supply as well (a few minutes away).

Note: Jo-Ann is having one of its coupon commotions this week. There are sometimes coupons in the store but I'd advise signing up on their website to get the coupons emailed to you so you have them if you are interested and not getting them already.

Not your neck of the woods? I'll be putting up a similar shopping meet to the micheal's, joann's, and pearl's near centereach. Interested but time and date don't work for you? Let me know, this is a small group and it may be perfectly feasible to accommodate you.

Let's pick up some supplies together! For cosplayers who make their own costumes JoAnn can be a great resource. We'll meet up at JoAnn in Centereach, help each other find what we need for our current/next project, and then (optional, depends on how the group feels) go to one of the shopping center's eateries to talk and get to know one another.

Centereach too far out for you? Don't worry, we'll have other supply shopping trips in different locations on the island, as well as head into the city a few times.

A chance for us to get to know one another and share our interest in cosplay.

Please bring pictures of your previous cosplay or/and your future plans. I'll bring along a laptop if you'd rather bring a flash drive or burn a cd than actual developed or printed photos but it won't have internet access. It will also give us a chance to discuss possible future events and what you would like to see from this meetup group.

Can't wait to meet you all!