Oh yes! Halloween has already passed in Blainville and it was big!

This year, the event took place at the Blainville Equestrian Park on October 17, 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26 2008. Big inflatable games, maze, pony rides, various shows, the haunted house and of course, the Alliance Imperial were at the scene.

A true paradise for children, the Blainville Halloween Festival wowed us from singer Anouchka, performing her hit "Stop le taxage", to its numerous mascots who were assaulted from all sides by anything that moved, to the "straw" event that gave milk a favourable taste, to the haunting cries coming from the haunted house and to the admiration in the eyes of the young children who saw costumes ranging from fantasy, horror and science fiction.

The Alliance Imperiale museum, principally put together by Joe, was gigantic. Provided with seven tables and two gigantic screens lent to us as well as many collectible items brought by the members of the Alliance, the kiosk attracted several interested gazes! A special mention goes out to Elmo that literally tired out children, much to the delight of parents!

On the whole, this was a pleasure from beginning to end!

Pictures available here

Festival's website

Located in Atlanta, Georgie in the United States, Dracon*Con is a convention that welcomes more than 30 000 members and more than 340 guests ranging from all sub-genres of science fiction, from Japanese culture, the universe of Joss Whedon, fantasy, horror and many others!

This year, the walk of fame (being most expensive one for autographs and photos) had among actors from the Stargate franchises, several members of Battlestar Galactica, Firefly and Star Trek, all in the same room in order to relate their better moments during their respective series.

It was also a pleasure for the members of the AI to meet once more Jeremy Bulloch, honourary member, and Peter Mayhew aka Boba Fett and Chewbacca respectively. Jeremy remembered well his dinner in our company in the Fall of 2007 and had much appreciated the welcome that we extended him. As for Peter, the AI offered him stickers of our logo as a gift, as he is a friend of our group since its beginnings.

The immense dealer room situated in the hotel basement allowed guests of Dragon*Con to find whatever they desired and also to find that which they expected not to find at all. From clothing to the humourous publications, medieval costumes to cinematic weapon replicas of films and animated series, to toys of all sorts and even to a new version of console that allows to play old Nintendo video games, it was difficult not to find something that interested us.

For the first time, the Alliance Imperial unveiled its official flag during the Dragon*Con parade held in the streets of Atlanta. Furthermore, it was with great pride that the fifty-four Colonial Marines joined themselves into this grandiose event as well as other genres as varied as The Lord of the Rings and of Star Wars.

Dragon*Con has of all to satisfy, even skeptics: meeting with your favorite actors, elaborate musical shows, admiring costumes more elaborate than the next, a friendly and festive mood and meeting people as passionate as you over your favorite subjects that fascinate you and all that, in a single place.

The road to Dragon*Con was tiring, but seemed quicker than the 25 hours it took to arrive. The stop in Wildwood during our return was very appreciated as well as the stop in Atlantic City where our toes were able to appreciate to touch of the sea.

On the whole, for those that were not with us this year, I invite you to make at least one trip to Dragon*Con once in your life. All to see people, a lot of people!

Pictures available here

Dragon*Con website

Otakuthon 2008 was very busy in its third year. Taking place at the Palais des Congrès, as opposed to Concordia University for the two preceding years; the location was ideal for the large locales at the disposal of the event organizers. Otakuthon offered a multitude of activities to its guest: Japanese anime rooms, video game rooms, art rooms, different organization promoters and sellers, photo area, principal area where all the most important events took place such as the masquerade, the J-Rock concert, the improve show, etc.

The live chessboard costumers, a new event for this year, were much appreciated by the public and participants. A game of chess played by anime & video games characters competed on a life-size chessboard. The two players, located further away, played on a true chessboard while giving their moves using a microphone. Otakuthon Idol presented seven participants of which the winning singer was a young woman who delivered a professional performance (although the background music was almost inaudible, but the people in the room applauded rhythmically to the music for her encouragement) and a dynamic on the music of Real Emotion that one can hear at start of Final game Fantasy X-2.

The Imperial Alliance left its mark as a group of soldiers from Shinra as well as of Tifa and Aerith were the big winners of the masquerade, in the category of "Best in Show".

For all fans of this genre, the mood was dynamic and joyous. The only issue to be found on was with the sound team that seemed to have difficulties with events requiring music or sound.

On the whole, Otakuthon remains a festival full of surprises and a place where it is very easy to meet friends once again!

Pictures available here

Otakuthon website

The crown event Imperial Alliance, Polaris 22 was a convention not as acclaimed as usual this year. The main reason probably being its lack of big-name actors.

Undaunted, the Imperial Alliance created its own fun while arriving with costumes more original than previous years.

Friday April 11th 2008 was dedicated to the Klingon Karaoke, a very busy evening where members of the convention could sing their favourite songs to a less than finicky audience. The first-hand appearance of the S.T.A.R.S. team was an immediate success.

Saturday announced itself a little more eventful than the day before. For a second consecutive year, the Colony Sweep would once again please everyone. Starting at the lobby level, the members of the Colonial Marines made their way to the second floor to confront alien xenomorphs, predators and a predalien, the latter being without equivocation the strong point of this bug hunt. All it took was to look at the facial expressions all around them to assess the admiration that the people had for the new bug. Without forgetting our female predator as well as the Powerloader; heavy machinery used by Sigourney Weaver in Aliens and finally, a bloody alien chestburster bursting out of a member of the Alliance.

At the beginning of evening, we had the Battlestar Galactica geek-off, hosted by none other than Sebastien Mineau. Participating measured their knowledge level, the winner advancing to the final geek-off where several prices were offered.

The masquerade presented interesting sketches and very original suits. From gigantic puppets of Harry Potter and of Ron Weasley, to a confrontation between Lara Croft and Altair and another between Aquaman and Green Arrow, the masquerade was without any doubt an event not to be missed for its unique humour.

The dance on Saturday evening presented an all-new DJ team, the Men In Black. Knowing the world of science fiction and the atmosphere that surrounds it, they understood the likings of the convention members, being themselves of the fans of the genre.

Sunday was supposed to be a quiet day where the majority of hotel patrons leave at the end of their allocated time. This was far from being the case. Around 6h30 in the morning, the fire alarms fire resounded through the hotel, forcing a partial evacuation to the exterior one establishment. The firemen presented themselves, did a quick inspection, and left. Peace resumed for a little while, but sleep was interrupted once more when the alarms went off for a second time to 8h30. Exhausted, guests left within the hour that followed.

For those who were a little more patient and remained met with Baal, played by Cliff Simon, who shared words that defined every Stargate SG-1 actor. (For example: Richard Dean Anderson-ego, Amanda tapping-Sexy, himself-Big Balls.) As we were as well, he was saddened to learn of the death of Don S. Davis.

On the whole, the return home was tiring due to lack of sleep, but the weekend was exciting as we were in such good company.

Pictures available here

Polaris website

ToyCon May 2008: ToyCon is a convention for comics, figurines, toys and other sorts of collectibles which first began in June 1997. It was established in Montreal by the owners of Toys On Fire, an online store that began selling toys and sports cards in 1992.

On May 4 2008, ToyCon presented for the fifth time in three years various products for the avid collector. Collectible items, amongst others Batman, Transformers and Stargate were to be found on the tables, as well as hundreds of comic books. Empty-handed customers leaving the convention were rare indeed.

The Alliance Impériale strolled about at the convention site suited as Orcs, Stormtroopers, one as Optimus Prime, and many others. The admiration of children who were attending could easily be seen. Thanks to all those who participated and the products offered at the event, ToyCon was a happy and joyful event that brought a smile to all in spite of a rainy day.

Pictures available here

ToyCon website

The sound of a special musical montage.. at first we hear the radio chatter of an F-18 pilot. Next, there is the THX "Deep Tone" then "Also Sprache Zarathustrsa" from 2001: A Space Odyssey. At this point in time, an animated logo of my husband's paintball squad is projected on a six foot screen. Smoke begins to shoot...

To the sounds of sirens, the music changes... suddenly, the four other members of my husband's paintball team dressed in SWAT gear, screaming, "Hands in the air! Get down! On the ground, now! (Really loudly!) They have laser red sight on their guns; they grab my husband and the lay him down on the ground. They pull him up and place his hands against the wall in order to search him. Evidently they weren't bothered by inspecting his buttocks! They place him in a kneeling position, his hands behind his head, all at the center of the dance floor.

The music then changes to the Darth Vader them, inter-mixed with the sound of submachine gun fire. Then, the entry of the members: Stephen opens the march, followed by Martin, Gabriel, Pierre, David, André and Nick. I can only imagine the vision in my husband's mind as he sees all these characters enter through this smoky atmosphere; it was most impressive! While the Alliance members press my husband's cheek with their weapons, the paintball squad fall back discreetly and return with his gift, contained in a wooden crate, the kind that would be para-dropped to soldiers on a mission. On the crate are written the words: MISSION P40, 1968 - 2008, SECRET TOP, SK-DRON-ROND (the name of their squad, a funny name, but this is a gang of lunatics!) The music finishes with an explosion and a heart beat that fades out...

Pictures available here

On March 15th of this year, the Alliance Impériale participated in the Super Vidéodon event at the Superclub Vidéotron of La Prairie. Lottery tickets whose proceeds went to Opération Enfant Soleil, whose goal is to fund hospitals and health-care organizations of Quebec.

Customers arriving on site were surprised to see the reception committee awaiting them. Chewbacca, Mandalorians, Men In Black and many others were to be seen at the establishment. Many photos were taken and several tickets sold

A nice day for a choice event!

Pictures available here

Going down slopes in groups of 4, 5 or 6 people in inner- tubes is the perfect activity to do in winter. It at the Village Vacances Valcartier that the members of the Alliance reverted to their childhood and make the most of a splendid day in the sun. Straight slides, in group or alone, on half-pipes, it was certainly the ski lift that gave a hard time to everyone!

An experience so well received by it's members, the Alliance will repeat it next year. Be there!

Pictures available here

Video Games Live took place last February 7th and 8th, at Théâtre St-Denis, an orchestral and choir concert of music from video games. Experts as well as amateurs were amongst the audience in attendance. The sublimely played music and participation of the concert-going public made the night simply unforgettable.

The main creators of this event are Jack Wall, conductor, and Tommy Tallarico, music composor and master of ceremonies. Their good mood spread in the entire room and never receded. The concert started with a medley of classical music with a huge background screen playing several sequences of old Atari video games. Several pieces succeeded one another like Zelda, Halo, Starcraft 2, Civilization and many others! The audience could only ask for more... and the orchestra certainly gave it. The encore was "One Winged Angel" from Final Fantasy VII.

The show allowed people to participate and earn prizes such as gift cards from Future Shop (the exclusive sponsor of VGL in Canada), sweaters, books, etc. There was a costume contest in which 3 of 4 members of the Alliance distinguished themselves by staying in the top 5; our very own Sheik was the winner. Also, a competition of a full-scale Space Invaders, where the participant was the vessel thanks to a sweater provided with detectors and had to shoot with the aid of a controller in the objective to earn an exclusive console of VGL.

All in all, the producers are very happy of the warm-hearted reception in Montreal, the two presentations were sold out, and fans promised to be there when they return to Montreal!

Pictures available here