Celebrating Anime, Comics, Gaming and More!

Natsu Con is returning this year to the Bowman Library, brought to you by the Teen Advisory Board and Natsu Con Committee. 

Hear engaging speakers, participate in character panels, learn Minecraft and gaming tips and tricks, show off your talent in our masquerade, and compete in our cosplay contest! 

Registration is only required for the Character Panel and the Masquerade. The Cosplay contest sign-up (ages 13-18) will begin at 11AM the day of the conference. 

Schedule

11:00 Artist Alley Opens

Artists are being sought for the Artist Alley, and interested artists should contact Donna Hughes at 540-869-9000 x215 or dhughes@handleyregional.org.

*Current schedule is a work in progress and subject to change so check back often!

12:00 Opening Speaker: Fredrica Dooley-Brown, M.M.T., MT-BC

Rirakkusu: Music Therapy and Stress Management

What is Music Therapy, and how can it effect our mood?

Fredrica Dooley-Brown is a Board Certified Music Therapist and a current member of the American Music Therapy Association and the Virginia Music Therapy Association. She is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Shenandoah University and has developed and oversees a trauma-informed music therapy program for Grafton Integrated Health Network’s Winchester campus. During this interactive presentation, Dooley-Brown will engage teen participants through music therapy, share how music can effect our moods, and provide stress management tips and tricks. Although this is a teen-focused program, the content of the presentation extends to all ages and all are welcome to observe.

1:15 Character Panels 

Registration is now open for our Character Panels! Click here!

Character Panel participants must be in middle or high school and at least 13 years old. Register in advance with character information and genre (anime, comic, or uniquely created characters welcome.)

2:00 Library Closes

After-hours participants to move to the Meeting Room to prepare for the cosplay contest.

All middle and high school youth are welcome to attend. Contest and masquerade participants should be over 13 and abide by the guidelines listed below for cosplay and weapons allowed. 

2:15 Cosplay Contest*

Multiple categories and prizes! Registrations for the contest will be on the day of the event, beginning at 11am. Ages 13-18 welcome. 

2:45 Minecraft Tips/Tricks and Just Dance Event

Details and time subject to change.

3:30  Masquerade

Registration is now open for our Masquerade! Click here!

Register your group and prepare your skit or music act for your 5 minutes of fame! Please register in advance for one 5 minute slot per group, one group per participant. 

4:00 Artist Alley closes

4:30 Cosplay Contest Winners and Closing Remarks

*Cosplay guidelines:

Because of the family nature of our library, all cosplay outfits should be family friendly. Library staff reserves the right to request alterations or clothing changes. 

Permitted Cosplay Weapons

Staves, wooden swords, rubber model firearms (like the red/blue training ones easily identified as props)
Fake weapons if they are safe
Prop weapons less than 6'6"
Bows if not strung with authentic bowstring and taut.

Weapon Restrictions:

No Metal Weapons of any kind
No Projectile Weapons of any kind with the exception of non-functional nerf or water guns.
No Compound Bows - authentic arrows are not permitted (they're projectiles)
No "Paddles"
No Nunchaku
No Explosives or Chemicals

Questions? Contact Cheryl Costello at ccostello@handleyregional.org or Donna Hughes at dhughes@handleyregional.org.