The blog has moved!

A friend of mine offered to host the blog on his server, so I've transferred everything to WordPress (with a few minor hiccups). The new site is at ilcon.info ; I hope to see you there!

PSA: Jerusalem Beer Festival

The annual Jerusalem Beer Festival is taking place from August 31st, to September 1st. All you beer enthusiasts, this is your chance to par-tay!

If you are aware of any convention taking place here in Israel, or some other interesting event taking place, please notify me, and I will do my best to report on it!

REMINDER: Cami next week!

Cami is taking place next week! Be sure not to miss it!

If you are aware of any convention taking place here in Israel, or some other interesting event taking place, please notify me, and I will do my best to report on it!

REMINDER: Mythopia next week!

Mythopia is taking place next week! Be sure not to miss it!

If you are aware of any convention taking place here in Israel, or some other interesting event taking place, please notify me, and I will do my best to report on it!

REPORT: Cami 2016 (2016 כאמ"י)

Website: English Site | אתר בעברית
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/279522825730854/
Date: August 25th
Location: Binyanei Hauma, International Convention Center, Jerusalem
Convention type: Anime
Hours: 10 AM - 9 PM
Entrance fee: See below
Program: http://2016.cami.org.il/events/
Registration required for events: No
Pre-registration required for events: No
Contact: http://2016.cami.org.il/צרו-קשר/

Summer is here! And that means it's time for the annual anime convention known as CAMI! Taking place once again at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem, it's a must-go for all you anime fans out there!

Guest: Aimee Blackschleger
There will be a special event in the אשקול תכנים 1* with Aimee at 5PM, requiring a special pass and limited to 35 people. Until 12 PM, the (free) passes will be reserved for bearers of a Plus ticket. Afterwards, bearers of regular tickets can pick one up if there are any left.

*No clue what that means ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Tickets
Tickets can be preordered here. A regular tickets allows entrance into the convention and free access to all of the events. A plus ticket does the same, as well as guaranteed access to certain events.

A receipt of purchase (sent to email) must be shown before receiving a ticket; AMAI members must bring a valid membership card. Soldiers in uniform who also have a Israel Society for Science Fiction and Fantasy membership card can receive a discount as well. Tickets will not be sent through the post office.

Regular ticket: 55 NIS
Regular ticket (with AMAI membership): 50 NIS
Plus ticket: 60 NIS
Plus ticket (with AMAI membership): 55 NIS

Two-way travel ticket (from Haifa): 60 NIS
Two-way travel ticket (from Ashdod): 40 NIS
Two-way travel ticket (from Tel Aviv): 50 NIS
Two-way travel ticket (from Be'er Sheva): 65 NIS

Transportation

Haifa: 7:30 AM from the Lev HaMifratz bus station
Ashdod: 8:15 AM opposite the Central Bus Station (at Sderot Herzl)
Tel Aviv: 8:15 AM from the Central Train stop (Arlozorov/Savidor)
Be'er Sheva: 8 AM from the Central Bus Station

-Signups for transportation are available until the 21st (spots are limited)
-A ticket to the convention must be purchased along with the travel ticket.
-One way tickets aren't available.
-Should the number of passengers not be enough, the bus will be canceled, and the tickets refunded.
-The buses will not wait for latecomers
-The transportation has been organized so that all the buses will arrive at the convention around 10 AM. At 7 PM, the buses to each respective city will arrive, and will leave at 7:30 PM
-Both ticket vouchers received through email should be brought along as a means of proof of purchase (or the codes that come with them). Those who do not bring either will not be allowed to board.

NOTE: There is a chance that all buses will be canceled and tickets refunded, as a low amount of travel tickets have been currently purchased (it will be decided on the 21st).

For further questions, email transport@cami.co.il

UPDATE: Enough bus tickets to Tel Aviv have been sold. As of now, transportation from Haifa, Ashdod, and Be'er Sheva may be replaced with a minibus if their respective quotas aren't reached; spots will be reserved for those who purchased first. Anyone who has purchased a ticket to and from these places later, will be notified that their ticket has been canceled, and their money will be refunded.

Preorders of entrance tickets will continue until Tuesday.

If you are aware of any convention taking place here in Israel, or some other interesting event taking place, please notify me, and I will do my best to report on it!

REPORT: Mythopia 2016 ( כנס מיתופיה 2016)

Website: http://mythopia.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/566444910206229/
Date: August 25th
Location: Central Library, Emek Dotan 49, Modi'in
Convention type: Book - Fantasy
Hours: 10 AM - 11:30 PM
Entrance fee: free; see below
Program: http://mythopia.org/3075
Registration required for events: Some
Pre-registration required for events: No
Contact: info@mythopia.org

Do you like reading, and do you like fantasy genre? Well, then this convention is for you! It lasts all day, with plenty of lectures and workshops to satisfy your inner author.

Entrance to convention is free, but all of the events cost 20 NIS to enter. A full day ticket of free entrance to the events can be purchased at the convention for 75 NIS.

Most of the events under 'כיתת הלחשים' in the program have a minimum age requirement, and require pre-registration, which can be done at mythopia.contents@gmail.com. You can sign up at the convention itself, but there may not be any room left.

If you are aware of any convention taking place here in Israel, or some other interesting event taking place, please notify me, and I will do my best to report on it!

REPORT: DragonCon 2016 (דרקוניקון 2016)

Website: http://www.dragoncon.co.il/index.html Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1124582847605689/
Date: August 18th
Location: Ohel Shem Highschool, Rokeach 118, Ramat Gan
Convention type: Roleplaying
Hours: 9 AM - 11 PM
Entrance fee: See below
Program: http://www.dragoncon.co.il/information.html
Registration required for events: Yes
Pre-registration required for events: No
Contact: http://www.dragoncon.co.il/contactus.html

DragonCon has come again! You can find plenty of roleplaying games, miniatures, card games, tournaments, and more at the convention; if you've never played a role-playing game before, now is the perfect time to start! There will be a library of games for people to borrow, so try a few that you've never played before!

Tickets
Entrance ticket: 20 NIS (includes access to the game library, merchandise stalls, and lectures)
Single event ticket: 40 NIS (includes everything in the entrance ticket)
Full day ticket: 60 NIS (includes free access to everything)

You can preregister for games here. (An account is required. Spots are limited)

If you are aware of any convention taking place here in Israel, or some other interesting event taking place, please notify me, and I will do my best to report on it!

REPORT: Shirofest 2016 (שירופסט 2016)

Website: N/A
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1067336886637802/
Date: June 13th
Location: Eshkol Pais, 4 Shprintzak, Tel Aviv
Convention type: Anime
Hours: 11 AM - 6 PM
Entrance fee: 35 NIS
Program: (below)
Registration required for events: No
Pre-registration required for events: No 
Contact: N/A

REPORT: Legend-Con 2016

Website: http://legendcon.info/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/986960404717298/
Date: June 13th
Location: Eshkol Pais, 118 Rokeach St, Ramat Gan
Convention type: Anime/Gaming
Hours: 11 AM - 10 PM
Entrance fee: 45 NIS
Program: http://legendcon.info/#program (click the edge of the blue button)
Registration required for events: No
Pre-registration required for events: No
Contact: N/A

REPORT: PokéCon

Website: http://www.pocketmonsters.co.il/?p=44910
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/880849488695641/
Date: April 18th
Location: Eshkol Pais Ohel Shem, Ramat Gan
Convention type: Pokémon
Hours: 9:30 AM - 4 PM
Entrance fee: 40 NIS
Program: (same page as website)
Registration required for events: No
Pre-registration required for events: No
Contact: hitman.is.hart@gmail.com

Do you love Pokémon? If so, then you're in luck, for in ten days from now, PokéCon will open its doors! All you Pokéfans will be able to participate in Pokécompetitions for prize money, watch Pokéscreenings, go to Pokélectures, buy Pokémerchandise, and more! So come on down, and try to catch 'em all!

If you are aware of any convention taking place here in Israel, or some other interesting event taking place, please notify me, and I will do my best to report on it!

REMINDER: Harucon next week!

Harucon is taking place next week! Be sure not to miss it!

If you are aware of any convention taking place here in Israel, or some other interesting event taking place, please notify me, and I will do my best to report on it!

REPORT: Harucon 2016 (הארוקון 2016)

Website: http://2016.harucon.org.il/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/161454730883426/
Date: March 24th
Location: International Convention Center (Binyanei Hauma), Jerusalem
Convention type: Anime
Hours: 10 AM - 9 PM
Entrance fee: See below
Program: http://2016.harucon.org.il/events/
Registration required for events: No
Pre-registration required for events: No 
Contact: http://2016.harucon.org.il/צרו-קשר/

Purim is nearly upon us, and that means that Harucon has once again graced us with her presence! Filled with lectures such as, 'An Introduction to the World of Figurines', 'Cats in Japan', 'Behind the Animation: Anime Studios', merchandise to buy, a musical to attend, screenings to watch, a game room, and more! The convention will once again taking place in Jerusalem, so it will be easier to travel to and from. And this year, Harucon will be hosting two special guests: Yoram Yosefberg, a professional Israeli actor and dubber of many cartoons, and Toru Furuya, a Japanese voice actor who has voiced characters from many animes, among them Saint Seiya, Sailor Moon, and Dragon Ball Z! Don't miss this golden opportunity to meet with these two!

Tickets
Bracelets are being used in place of tickets, and are currently available to be pre-ordered here. Members of AMAI (Anime and Manga Association in Israel) can receive a 5 NIS discount on their bracelet. Soldiers in uniform and members of the Israeli Society for Science Fiction and Fantasy can also receive a 5 NIS discount. There are no cumulative discounts, and all sales are final.

A regular bracelet can be purchased for 50 NIS, which enables free access to the convention and its activities (first come first serve). A VIP bracelet can be purchased for 60 NIS, which in addition to the regular bracelet, enables preferential seating at events.

There will be a special line for those who pre-ordered. Further information about tickets can be found here.

Rules and regulations of the convention can be found here.

UPDATE
There will be transportation available to and from Tel Aviv, Haifa, Ashdod, and Be'er Sheva, (Information regarding leaving times and stations will be made available later). Two way tickets can be purchased here. The prices are as follows:
Tel Aviv: 40 NIS
Ashdod: 50 NIS
Haifa: 60 NIS
Be'er Sheva: 65 NIS

The planned arrival time to the convention is 10 AM, and departure at 7:30 PM. A ticket to the convention must be purchased in addition to bus ticket. Further information can be found here. Questions about the transportation can be sent to transport@harucon.org.il

An app for the convention (Android only) can be found in the Playstore here. (not all devices are compatible)

One final note: I wish to apologize for the lack of any updates, reviews, and such in the past months. Suffice to say, I've had problems organizing my life, and I'm ashamed of my actions. This is not the first time that this has happened, and it may not be the last, but I am going to try my best to ensure that reports and reviews arrive at least in a semi-timely fashion. I've been currently working on completing reviews that are months overdue, so you'll be seeing a bunch of those soon.

If you are aware of any convention taking place here in Israel, or some other interesting event taking place, please notify me, and I will do my best to report on it!

Hippogriff 2015 (היפוגריף 2015)

Website: http://www.hippogriff.roleplay.org.il/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/539056136241758/
Date: December 13th
Location: TBA, Jerusalem
Convention type: Roleplaying
Hours: 4 PM - 11 PM
Entrance fee: Free
Program: http://hippogriff.roleplay.org.il/program-2/
Registration required for events: Yes
Pre-registration required for events: No
Contact: http://hippogriff.roleplay.org.il/contact/

Hippogriff is a small roleplaying convention taking place in Jerusalem this Chanukah. It starts late afternoon and runs for the rest of the day, so those of you who are working and enjoy roleplaying can still attend this convention!

Tickets
One round: 50 NIS
Full day: 70 NIS

If you are aware of any convention taking place here in Israel, or some other interesting event taking place, please notify me, and I will do my best to report on it!

Karmicon 9 ( כרמיקון 9)

Website: http://karmicon.roleplay.org.il/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1496003180696282/
Date: December 10th - 11th
Location: Ort Pisgot High School, Ha-Pisga St 71, Karmiel
Convention type: 
Hours: 10 AM (Dec. 10th) - 6 PM (Dec. 11th)
Entrance fee: Free
Program: http://karmicon.roleplay.org.il/אירועים-בכרמיקון/
Registration required for events: Yes
Pre-registration required for events: No (recommended)
Contact: http://karmicon.roleplay.org.il/צור-קשר/

The great Roleplaying Convention of the North is taking place during Chanukah in its ninth incarnation. Those of you who live in the area should definitely check it out, and perhaps even those who live southward and don't mind travel! There will be board games available as well for those who wish to try out new games. My friends, Karmicon is koming.

Tickets
Members of the Israeli Roleplayers Association receive 5 NIS discounts on their tickets. Membership can be purchased at the convention for a one time fee of 10 NIS. The board games are free to play.
Tickets can be preordered here.

Preordered
Member: 50 NIS
Non-Member: 60 NIS
Youth/Soldier: 35 NIS

Non preordered
Member: 55 NIS
Non-Member: 65 NIS
Youth/Soldier: 40 NIS

Members/Non-Members can buy a second ticket at half price. Game Masters receive one free game, and can purchase a second ticket for 35 NIS.

Directions to the convention can be found here. Classrooms will be opened to permit sleeping at the conventions, though sleeping bags and the like must be brought.

If you are aware of any convention taking place here in Israel, or some other interesting event taking place, please notify me, and I will do my best to report on it!

Fandominum Ball 2015 (2015 נשף הפאנדומים)

Website: n/a
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1502215126744037/
Date: December 8th
Location: https://www.facebook.com/events/1551675458384604/
Convention type: Ball/Rave
Hours: 6 PM - 12 AM
Entrance fee: 55 NIS
Program: n/a
Registration required for events: n/a
Pre-registration required for events: n/a
Contact: http://fandominum.somee.com/Contact.aspx

Do you like dancing? Does moving to the beat as your favorite character catch your fancy? Does jumping up and down like a lunatic for six hours straight appeal to you? Well, it just so happens that you're in luck, because the Fandominum Ball is back for 2015! Get ready for hours of dancing and fun! You'll be pleased to hear that the dress requirement for the ball has been waived this year, so feel free to come in regular clothes. The ball/rave is for ages 13 and up, and alcohol is EXPRESSLY forbidden at the event. If one is apprehended with alcohol or found drunk, they will be removed from the event  immediately with no refund.

Water will be made freely available at the event, and food will be served as well. The hechsher for the meats is Rav Rubin, the chicken Rav Rubin and Rav Landau, the vegetables are Gush Katif Eda Charedit Yibul Nochri, and the rest of the food is under the Rubin/Landau/Eda Charedit hechsherim.

Hotaru Drawing Contest 2015
Do you enjoy drawing, or perhaps have a talent for it? Is your math notebook full of doodles? Then perphaps you'd like to join the Hotaru Drawing Contest 2015! Draw one or more of the Hotaru mascots (Lu, Blu, and Gadget) in some funny situation while dresssed in a cosplay any sort of, be it anime, video games, comics, science fiction, fantasy, or perhaps even a business suit! Send your pictures to hotaruarts@gmail.com, along with an explanation as to why the character is dressed as they are, any references used in the drawing, your full name and your magnificent appellation! (i.e., your nickname).

Any artist who cannot attend the ball, and are interested in participating, can inform the contest organizer in the email that they won't be coming. If the artist wins, they can receive their prize in one of the following ways:
-designate a person who will be attending the ball as someone who will bring the prize to the artist
-designate someone specific in the email who can receive the prize for the artist
-send their address along with the mail. They will be notified, and the prize mailed to them

Contest Rules
-No drawing limit (each drawing will be judged separately)
-No copying
-No obscene or offensive material
-People of all ages may participate

The contest is free of charge to enter. Minimum amount of participants: 12 - over 9000

Last date to send drawings: December 4th
Mascot references: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10203857945088852&set=gm.1673515482890676

If you are aware of any convention taking place here in Israel, or some other interesting event taking place, please notify me, and I will do my best to report on it!

REMINDER: Icon next week!

A friendly reminder that Icon is taking place next week! I can't wait to see you all!

If you are aware of any convention taking place here in Israel, or some other interesting event taking place, please notify me, and I will do my best to report on it!

REPORT: Icon 2015

Website: http://2015.iconfestival.org.il/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Festival.Icon
Date: September 29th - October 1st
Location: Eshkol Pais, Shprintzak 4, Tel Aviv
Convention type: Science Fiction / Fantasy
Hours: See below
Entrance fee: Free
Program: http://program.iconfestival.org.il/cod/
Registration required for events: Yes
Pre-registration required for events: No
Contact: http://2015.iconfestival.org.il/contact_us/

Icon, the biggest nerd/geek convention in Israel, is once again taking place this Succot! Three days of fun filled events, cosplay competitions, awesome merchandise, and wonderful, wonderful things! This year, I will be only coming on the second day, to my dismay, but that's life. I hope to see you all there!

P.S. Remember that lightsaber battle that was supposed to happen last year? Your patience has been rewarded.

Most of the events cost money; pre-registration requires registering an account, which can be done here,

Hours
The events run during the below times, though the area itself will be open earlier:
Day 1: 12 PM - 1 AM
Day 2: 10 AM - 1 AM
Day 3: 10 AM - 12 AM

(I'm sorry for the delay in this report and the convention reviews; I've been in a university prep course, but it's ending very soon, so expect them soon)

If you are aware of any convention taking place here in Israel, or some other interesting event taking place, please notify me, and I will do my best to report on it!

REMINDER: Cami and Mythopia next week!

A friendly reminder that Cami and Mythopia are happening next week! I will be going to Cami, and I can't wait to see you all there!

If you are aware of any convention taking place here in Israel, or some other interesting event taking place, please notify me, and I will do my best to report on it!

REVIEW: AnimeClash 2015

I came to the convention pretty early; I wasn't sure if the buses would get me there in time, but in hindsight, I don't think I should have worried. Being early, I was asked to help set up the convention, and I did so, bringing down tables and chairs, setting up booths, among other things.

I ended wandering a bit throughout, helping when I could and watching when I couldn't. Eventually, I found myself drawn to the Super Smash Bros. Wii U stand; it had been a few years since I last played a Super Smash Bros. game, and so I immediately took the opportunity to reacquaint myself with the game. I had been a pretty good player beforehand, so it didn't take long for me to resume playing somewhat well. Over the course of the convention though, I would get my rear end handed to me a multitude of times, as a few hours of practice was definitely not enough to regain what had been lost. I also signed up for a Smash tournament that was to take place later in the day.

The gates opened around fifteen minutes after that, and people started to trickle in. I continued playing Super Smash Bros. Wii U for a while longer, before I moved on to the other console section. Every game there was a fighting game, from Tekken to Injustice to J-Stars Victory Vs. They even had Super Smash Bros. Melee, in which I completely trounced a bunch of noobs.

VICTORY IS MINE!

In the intervening hours between this time and the start of the Smash tournament, I played games (mostly Smash Bros. Wii U), toured the place, talked to friends, and took pictures.

Unfortunately, I didn't do very well in the tournament; I got knocked out in the second round by a veteran player. I stayed for a little while to watch the other players, but I found it too hot and stuffy in the room, so I left. I got lunch, and took quite a long break, and just watched everyone else. I also removed my costume, as I found that it was getting too hot to walk around in. I played more games, sat around, enjoying the atmosphere.

Because panda

After a while, I met my friend Chen; we chatted for a bit, and he introduced me to the people who were organizing Summer Con. After an intense discussion regarding preparations, I excused myself, and went to see how the Smash tournament was faring. The final games were the most intense Smash matches that I've ever seen, and I was very impressed at the level of skill shown. Behold, the final rounds:

And these were the winners! Congrats!

Not long after this, I packed up my things, and left. The convention had its share of issues; lack of proper air conditioning, only fighting games being available, and a shortage of other events that one could participate in should one like to take a break from the games (as I did). Still, I did have a decent time, and I think that I wouldn't mind having another go next year.

(the full album can be found here)

If you are aware of any convention taking place here in Israel, or some other interesting event taking place, please notify me, and I will do my best to report on it!

PSA: League of Legends Israel Championships

Israel is hosting its very own League of Legends Championships event! If you love LoL, then this event is something that you should definitely check out! It takes place August 19th in Bat-Yam, details regarding its location can be found here. Tickets can be purchased here; get them early so you can get the best seats!

If you are aware of any convention taking place here in Israel, or some other interesting event taking place, please notify me, and I will do my best to report on it!