Fae Day Unleashed: Blerdcon '23 - Friday Edition
Joseph Watkins: Da Watcha
Amidst a sea of exquisitely crafted cosplays, larger-than-life displays, and phenomenal actresses and actors, BlerdCon has once again outdid itself as one of the premiere Comic-Cons for Black and Brown people to come together and be “Nerdy, Blerdy, Flashy and Classy”. From newbies to veterans, Friday was an outstanding day as many showed love to each other creating a space of love and acceptance. In my opinion, the daytime was the Essence Festival, at night, it was Club Blerdcon.
With each passing year, as I made my way to BlerdCon, held at the Hyatt in Crystal City, Virginia, I am always captivated by the ever-expanding magnitude of the fandom. The entire hotel became a vibrant hub where individuals of all ages gather to express their unwavering support for their beloved fictional characters and revel in the shared adoration of the convention. Witnessing a diverse array of attendees, whether it be a cosplayer embodying the spirit of Jiraya, or a futuristic robot with a cycloptic eye, it fills me with immense joy and reassurance to know that the love and dedication for this convention continues to grow.
Cosplay
With Friday’s excursion, the spirit of fandom took over as the power of cosplay transported me to another world far beyond my own. As soon as I walked into the doors of the hotel, in the blink of an eye, I saw sayian warriors, beautiful, yet, dangerous fairies, extraterrestrial beings, even psychic consultants. It's remarkable how the Blerd community pours their hearts and souls into creating their outfits, painstakingly crafting every detail bringing their characters to life. To me, I lose myself in a realm where imagination reigns supreme and the boundaries of reality blur into insignificance. Blerdcon is more than just a 4-day excursion, it’s an alternate universe that brings people together, forging connections that transcend language, culture, and geography.
This Is the BlerdCon Universe or I would like to call it...the “BCU”.
My travel into the BCU is not without a visit to the Panels. As for the panels, the true connection into understanding the fandom isn’t built on superficial conversations, but on diving into the depths of shared experiences, and experiencing the emotions of the fans. Each panel in my opinion discussed a particular aspect of the fandom culture through a Blerd perspective and for Friday, I was able to attend one panel, and was on the waiting list for another.
Disney Trivia
My 1st Panel brought me to 2000s Disney Trivia Channel, a Kahoot session quizzing guests on the Disney channel in the early 2000s (and 90s). This included Disney movie premieres, Disney cartoons, and specials. I must be honest with myself; my knowledge of Disney is minimal and it showed as I was placed 42nd -61st out of 65. All within the span of 5-6 questions. My lack of Disney intellect Is not without its merits as I learned verbatim The Proud Family theme song by Solange ft. Destiny Child and other tidbits of Disney pop culture. Shoutout to ‘Jay’ for this wonderful panel.
Anime and Twerk
The Line for Anime and Twerk
Catering to the 18 and older crowd, Anime and Twerk encompassed “Twerk Jitsu” using Caribbean and traditional African dance styles. No photos were allowed for this event and all who entered had to participate in the “Twerk Jitsu”. As I approached the sacred halls, I, unfortunately, was turned away due to the max capacity of the room. All I can say is that this event was so popular that a line was formed two panel doors down.
Although it seems I took a major ‘L’ in both panels, these experiences did offer opportunities for self reflection from a Blerd perspective:
1. The Disney fanbase for Black and Brown groups is immensely huge. So huge that even the Disney panel reached Max. Capacity and had to escort people out of the showcase due to fire hazards. Additionally Disney played a huge role with Black and Brown families promoting Diversity and cultural appreciation, highlighting the beauty, strength, and diversity within the Black community.
2. Twerking is more than just the objectification and sexualization of the human anatomy, it is also viewed as a form of self-expression in which it is empowering and allows the dancer complete independence of their body as they embrace their confidence and celebrate their personal identity.
Blerdcon's impact on the Blerd community is more than just an event; it's a catalyst for empowerment, unity, and cultural celebration. By providing a dedicated space for Black nerds to come together and embrace their passions, Blerdcon transcends the traditional boundaries of a convention. It becomes a transformative experience that fosters a sense of belonging, amplifies diverse voices, and inspires a new generation of Blerds to embrace their uniqueness, whether it be Blerdy, Nerdy, Classy or Flashy.
And I’m glad to be a part of it again for 2023....
Also, the AfterParty, was Lit AF…..Shoutout to DJ JusJamz (outside) and DJ Tsunami (inside) for the late night vibes.
