SunnyCon Anime Expo 2023!!

12th June 2023


angelKat will once again be exhibiting at SunnyCon Anime Expo in Newcastle Upon Tyne!

SunnyCon is our local show with 2023 marking the its 10th event (not including Chibi Sunny) and we’re proud to have been part of it since the very beginning.

It’s a fantastic 3-day weekend full of art, cosplay, guests, panels, and the annual charity auction, with something for all of the family.


Where To Find Us

SunnyCon takes over multiple floors of St Jame’s Park, with the Artist Alley being on Level 4. You can find us at table A18, which is right beside the doors as you come into the hall. Simply take the lift or escalators to Level 4 and go through the door on the right.

There are some amazing artists sharing Level 4 with us, as well as the main stage, official event merch, TCG tournaments, and the guest signing area. So make sure you stop by!

There’s still plenty to explore on the other floors too;


Things To Do

Fantastic Butts & How To Draw Them

I’ll be hosting a panel during the weekend too!

Returning once again after a successful debut in 2022. Fantastic Butts & How To Draw Them is a tongue-in-cheek art tutorial and discussion about anatomy with a focus on crafting fantastic butts.

Because of the subject matter this panel will be 18+ and ID will be required for entry.

Time & Date: Saturday at 12pm in the Moncur Suite (Level 3)


Follow Us On Social Media For Updates!

We’ll be posting on Twitter and Instagram during the show, so whilst we’d love to see you there, if you can’t make it you can still keep up to date and enjoy the weekend with us in spirit! And remember our books and more are now also available to buy online from our store!

We hope to see you there!
Davy


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SunnyCon Anime Expo 2022!

1st June 2022


Finally, we’re back at our favourite local convention this month on Friday 24th – Sunday 26th June 2022! This will be our first show since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we’re so excited to see you all again! The event is returning to St James Park in Newcastle Upon Tyne after being cancelled in recent years due to national lockdowns.

We’ll be at Table A20, near the entrance to Level 4 in the Artist Alley all weekend and we hope you’ll join us for some LGBTQ+ comics, terrible puns, and the resurrection of the Sketch Machine of Doom!

Some things to look out for this year;


How To Find Us

Our huge table should be easy enough to spot in the Artist Alley, but a map is always helpful! You can find us on Level 4 at Table A20.

Catch the lift or escalators up to Level 4, and head through the door to the right. You’ll also find a ton of other amazing artists, the event main stage, and card tournament area here too.

SunnyCon Anime Expo 2022 Artist Alley Map
SunnyCon Anime Expo 2022 Artist Alley Directory

Surviving An Anime Convention

Whether it’s your first convention, or your first one back from the pre-plague days we’ve put together some tips to help you make the most of your weekend.

First let’s get the “we shouldn’t have to say this but…” section;

Now that that’s out of the way;


Newcastle Upon Tyne

Newcastle is our local city so for those out of towners who want the inside scoop on the best places to visit, eat, and shop whilst you’re here for a weekend of geeky fun then you’ve came to the right place!

So, if you have time between all of the excitement of SunnyCon, the after parties, and cosplay shenanigans, where should you go? Luckily St James Park is within a few minutes walk of the city centre, with local metro trains and bus services aplenty too!

Food

With the city centre only minutes away there are plenty of places to eat and drink. Eldon Square has a great choice of restaurants (we recommend the Custard Bao from Umai Mi). Or head towards Central Station and discover COOP Chicken House amazing chicken and hot sauces! And if you have a sweet tooth Kaspas is our favourite dessert place in the city.

Entertainment

Head through China Town and you’ll find The Gate.

Whether it’s films, arcades, escape rooms, or gaming lounges The Gate has you covered.

Personally, we’re a fan of the axe throwing at Game of Throwing!

Shopping

I’ve already mentioned Eldon Square, and there’s plenty of other great places to shop in the city such as the Grainger Market or Northumberland Street. But for the geeks among us, make sure to check out Grainger Street. Here you’ll find Forbidden Planet, Travelling Man, Geek Retreat, and just up the road Details Art Materials.

Other Places To Visit

For those of you who want to spend some time outdoors and see some culture while you’re at it, Newcastle and the surrounding area has several museums, art galleries, Roman ruins, beaches, aquariums, and some generally cool buildings.

Blue Reef Aquarium in Tynemouth is just a metro ride away, as is the fairground and beaches of South Shields (including arcades, a bowling alley, and swimming pools). South Shields also has a reconstructed Roman Fort built alongside the dig of the original fort! In Newcastle you can explore the Castle Keep, Laing Art Gallery, Life Centre, and even part of the medieval cities wall still stands along with Morden Tower near China Town (across the road from the venue).

The Castle Keep of Newcastle (or “Newcastle Castle“) also has events and occasionally screens cult classic films on an evening.


Follow Us On Social Media For Updates!

We’ll be posting on Twitter and Instagram during the show, so whilst we’d love to see you there, if you can’t make it you can still keep up to date and enjoy the weekend with us in spirit! And remember our books and more are now also available to buy online from our store!

We hope to see you there!
Davy


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SunnyCon Liverpool 2019!

13th July 2019


No, you’re eyes do not deceive you – this year there is not one but TWO SunnyCon Anime Expo‘s and we’ll hopefully be seeing you at the new addition to the SunnyCon lineup on Saturday 10th – Sunday 11th August in Liverpool!

We’re incredibly excited, not just because SunnyCon Newcastle is our favourite (and local) show of the year, but because somehow in a decade of exhibiting at cons we’ve never been to Liverpool.

For those unfamiliar with SunnyCon it’s a fun weekend long event featuring anime voice actor guests, artists, a ton of geeky traders, talks and workshops, VR gaming, cosplay contests, and more. It’s a great family event to enjoy this summer with friendly staff that makes it ideal for those wanting to attend their first convention. And for those a little older there are also 18+ panels too (ID required).

The Liverpool show will be hosted in the ACC on Kings Dock (Hall 2) and we can be found in the exhibition stands area at TABLE 12-13 (bottom right corner)!

We’ll have LGBT* comics, art prints, mugs, and more – with Davy taking commissions and sketching all weekend too. So make sure to stop by and say hello.


SunnyCon Anime Expo Liverpool 2019 Map
SunnyCon Anime Expo Liverpool 2019 Directory

As always, if you’re attending, please look after yourself. Conventions are busy, hot, and everything’s shiny and distracting. Don’t forget to eat an actual meal occasionally, and get plenty of water. It’s always a good idea to pick up cash before you get to the venue as often ATM’s end up with large queues. We do take card (so long as we can get a signal) and many other vendors do too, but this isn’t guaranteed so it’s always a good idea to bring cash to avoid disappointment.

The current weather forecast includes two severe weather warnings: Friday (when we travel/set up) will have heavy rain and possible flooding in areas, with Saturday having strong winds that may affect travel plans. Please be careful when you’re travelling!

Also, whilst we’re talking safety tips, there are a few things to keep in mind when visiting a large public event. With any kind of large gathering there’s bound to be one or two people who decide to be less than honest. With that in mind please keep an eye on your belongings and valuables, don’t take open drinks/food from strangers, and arrange to meet friends in a set location in case you get separated (and make sure everyone has each others number etc. for good measure).

Please have fun, come and say hello to us, and be safe out there!

Until next time!
Davy


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SunnyCon Newcastle 2019!

1st June 2019


Yes, that’s right – it’s that time of year again! From Friday 28th to Sunday 30th June we’ll be heading to our favourite local convention to join in the festivities. St James Park in Newcastle Upon Tyne plays host once again to the one of the largest anime events in the country: SunnyCon Anime Expo!

We’ve been proud to be part of the show since the very beginning as part of their Artist Alley (we’ve even hosted panels and workshops too!) and every year the show just keeps getting bigger and better.

SunnyCon has everything you could want from a fun weekend of geeking out. There’s guests, cosplay, games, panels, Japanese culture, merch, whiskey tasting, a huge charity auction, and of course us artists!

This years charity auction will be raising funds for the North East Autism Society, which is very dear to our hearts as they provide support services to Donna’s younger brother, Peter.

This years guests are two awesome voice actresses;


Where To Find Us

This year we’ll be easy to find but just in case you need some directions check out the maps below! We’ll be the ones on Level 4 next to the entrance with the 12 foot blue and rainbow covered table 129.

We’ll have plenty of LGBT* comics, art prints, original sketches, mugs, pins, and much more available all weekend.

SunnyCon Anime Expo 2019 Artist Alley Map
SunnyCon Anime Expo 2019 Traders Map

Tips For First Timers

Sometimes conventions can be overwhelming, especially for first timers. But don’t worry because angelKat are definitely veterans at this by now so we probably have some useful tips and wisdom that may make your weekend even better.

First let’s get the “we shouldn’t have to say this but…” section;

Now that that’s out of the way;


Newcastle Upon Tyne

Newcastle is our local city so for those out of towners who want the inside scoop on the best places to visit, eat, and shop whilst you’re here for a weekend of geeky fun then you’ve came to the right place!

So, if you have time between all of the excitement of SunnyCon, the after parties, and cosplay shenanigans, where should you go? Luckily St James Park is within a few minutes walk of the city centre, with local metro trains and bus services aplenty too!

Food

Along with the usual fast food (Five Guys, Burger King, McDonalds, Pizza Hut, etc), you’ll also find plenty of restaurants nearby. Our top recommendations have to be Za Za Bazaar (a world buffet that looks like the set of Blade Runner), and The Coop (delicious rotisserie chicken and shots of hot sauce).

Za Za in The Gate is our go to option for large groups because whilst it’s pricey at £10-£15 per head it serves everything from curries, sushi, lasagna, pizza, fish and chips, and more – so you get to avoid the headache of finding something everyone likes. The Coop is a little further afield, near Central Station, but a chicken with sides and shots of sauce makes for a surprisingly tasty and charming place to eat.

If those options don’t grab you Grainger Street and Eldon Square offer a whole host of options too. Wagamama is a well known Japanese restaurant chain if you want something familiar, or there’s an entire section of Eldon Square devoted to new restaurants that are definitely worth a look. As a side note, if you venture into town during the day – check out the Grainger Market! This indoor market is 184 years old, and there are even more food options inside including a wonderful little stall that sells Gyoza and Bao!

You’ll also find not one but two ice cream parlours on Grainger Street (Creams) and up the road from The Gate (Kaspas). We prefer Kaspas but what’s not to like about a place that only serves desserts, and is all pink glitter and black leather?

Entertainment

Newcastle city centre has two cinemas that are both worth checking out. The Gate houses the local Cineworld with the usual selection of brand new releases and if you’re eating there already why not see a film too? A little further away just off Northumberland Street and around the corner to Monument you’ll find the Tyneside Cinema. It’s an old newsreel cinema that often plays classic films, streams of national theatre plays, and more.

The Gate also has a gaming lounge, called The Ctrl Pad, that opened last year with plenty of retro and modern games to choose from. During the week they also host gaming tournaments, Dungeons and Dragons sessions, and more.

Shopping

You can find a surprising amount of geek retail within walking distance of the venue. In fact on Grainger Street you’ll find the comic shops Forbidden Planet, and Travelling Man are practically next door to each other with the Geek Retreat cafe, and a Harry Potter store both almost directly across the road. Nearer to Eldon Square you’ll find a great little geek merch shop tucked away on a corner filled with everything from Stranger Things, to Star Trek!

For those who find that their wallet is burning a hole in their pocket (and for some reason haven’t spent it already in Artist Alley): there’s also the Metrocentre, once the largest Mall in Europe according to my geography text books from the 90s – a short bus/metro ride away in Gateshead.

Local History & Culture

For those of you who want to spend some time outdoors and see some culture while you’re at it, Newcastle and the surrounding area has several museums, art galleries, Roman ruins, beaches, aquariums, and some generally cool buildings.

Blue Reef Aquarium in Tynemouth is just a metro ride away, as is the fairground and beaches of South Shields (including arcades, a bowling alley, and swimming pools). South Shields also has a reconstructed Roman Fort built alongside the dig of the original fort! In Newcastle you can explore the Castle Keep, Laing Art Gallery, Life Centre, and even part of the medieval cities wall still stands along with Morden Tower near China Town (across the road from the venue).

The Castle Keep of Newcastle (or “Newcastle Castle“) also has events and occasionally screens cult classic films on an evening. And luckily enough there’s a screening there on the Saturday night of SunnyCon! So, if you’d like to watch George Romero’s classic Night of the Living Dead, in an 800 year old castle you’re in luck (and it’s less than £10 admission too)!


Keep Up To Date

We’ll be posting on Twitter and Instagram during the show, so whilst we’d love to see you there, if you can’t make it you can still keep up to date and enjoy the weekend with us in spirit! And remember our books and more are now also available to buy online from our store!

For those who will be joining us: we look forward to seeing you there!

Until next time!
Davy


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SunnyCon Anime Expo 2018!

6th June 2018


Hey everyone! It’s that time of year again.  We’re returning to our favourite local convention: SunnyCon Anime Expo in Newcastle Upon Tyne! You can find us on Level 4 at table 127 – directly across from the entrance on the right!

The show is on Friday 22nd June – Sunday 24th June. Boasting a ton of amazing activities, stalls, artists, performances, cosplay, and more. This year that includes; “The Yaoi Gameshow” hosted by our friend Tab Kimpton. Water colour classes hosted by the amazingly talented Kidura. Performances by the Kaminari UK Taiko Drummers. Japanese language taster sessions from Newcastle University. Whiskey tasting. And a special murder mystery themed escape room game! And that’s without mentioning the gaming area, voice actor signings/talks, and us of course.

As for angelKat, you’ll be able to find us behind our gigantic twelve foot rainbow-adorned table in Artist Alley. We’ll be peddling our comics, art prints, mugs, stickers, pins/badges, limited edition (and one of a kind) artwork, custom sketches, and taking commission slot bookings with an exclusive convention-only discount!

SunnyCon Anime Expo 2018 Map

Newcastle Upon Tyne

SunnyCon Anime Expo is our favourite local show for a reason; the atmosphere, amazing venue and staff, friendly attendees, etc. really set this event apart as one that we love to support and attend/exhibit at every year.

Not to mention how much we love the host city. We’re a little biased here as locals. However, you couldn’t ask for a better place for a geeky weekend. St James Park is only a few minutes walk from the city center where you’ll find a ton of great places to eat. Whether you want to play it safe with a Five Guys burger or something a little more hipster like The Botanist. The city has a huge variety of Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Vietnamese restaurants. How about restaurants that serve nothing but ice cream and cake like Kaspas? Or do you prefer menus packed with innuendo like The Rub? Of course there are plenty of pizza places to choose from. Or if you can’t decide: why not try ZaZa Bazaar in The Gate, which serves up a tasty world buffet in a Blade-Runner-esque setting. Or you could wander a little further to our favourite chicken place The Coop for rotisserie chicken and shot glasses of your choice of sauce (including some that require waivers for those who like to live dangerously).

If you’re more interested in just piling on some more geekery on top of your weekend Newcastle has you covered. Our two major comic book stores are practically neighbours – Forbidden Planet and Travelling Man. You can even relax in the Geek Retreat cafe across the road too! For those inspired by Kidura’s watercolour class: why not check out the Newcastle Arts Centre just up the road from the venue?


Join The Fun!

So why not join us for a day or three of geeky fun, try your hand at something new, throw an axe or something at a zombie, or even come and get a cheeky sketch from angelKat?

For now, remember to follow us on Instagram and Twitter for updates from us at SunnyCon, photos, and maybe even a live stream if the WiFi gods allow!

We look forward to seeing you there!

Until next time!
Davy


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