General Rules

This event is supposed to be uplifting to the community. We are here to participate in self expression, establish roots in our community, and enjoy all our geekiness has to offer. We want everyone to have a good time, which means we do have a few (but basic) ground rules. We expect everyone to keep this event friendly and welcoming by following these simple rules:

  • Use common sense and have respect for other people and their property. This applies to all interactions with guests, staff, and anyone else at the bar.

  • Practice consent. Even taking pictures of a cosplayer you love deserves and demands consent.

  • Be nice. Even if your cosplay character is a little unruly, we want everyone to feel safe and welcome.

Together we can make this a warm and safe space.

Cosplay Competition Rules

We want everybody to have a good time, at all different levels. So we are going in a different direction from typical cosplay judging. Instead of having 1st, 2nd, etc winners in different skill categories, we are establishing five areas of judging:

  • Master of Reconstruction - If you up-cycled your cosplay, this is for you. If you have amazing hot glue skills, we are cheering you on! You made something new and amazing! Show it off.

  • Master of Art - If you crafted your cosplay from scratch, we want to see it. Show off those sewing and sculpting skills, tell us about your process. We love the details and we want to see it!

  • Master of Expression - If you are more into your makeup and how you bring out the attitude and personality of your cosplay, we want to see you SLAY!

  • Master of Innovation - Did you flip the script? Tear out the pages? Make a mash up that’s turning heads? Or otherwise defy our conventional geek standards? Then you belong here.

  • Fan Favorite - After all contestants have shown off their work, there will be a popular vote. Fans will choose one special person to take a people’s choice award.

By having these 5 different categories, we hope to encourage all levels to make something and wear it proudly. All ages are encouraged to compete. If you like to be technical, go ham! If you like every color of the rainbow, go wild! We want to see all that you can do.

When registering please choose the category that you would like to enter. If you are competing for the Master of Art title, 75% of your cosplay must be hand made. Look for a welcome email. It will have more instructions for the day of the competition.

On competition day, please arrive at 11 am for pre judging. This is when you will able to show the judges any techniques you would like them to consider so they can see everything up close and personal. You can also show judges examples of your character and mention anything you might consider good for them to know.

You will have 30 seconds on stage to show off. Demand that runway! Be confident!

Because this is our first event we do not have any restrictions on source material. However, there are two big areas we want to avoid at all costs:

  • If it looks like a firearm, please don’t. If it fires projectiles like a firearm, please don’t. If it has a laser, please don’t.

  • For similar reasons, please don’t wear any uniforms worn by law enforcement, government agencies, or military personnel. If the uniform is fictional and will not be confused with an existing agency, it can be worn.

We love Cosplay, you love cosplay, or at least you want to try it because you want to love it. So please be considerate of everyone around you. It takes guts to compete regardless of level, and we want to encourage and support all of our Cosplayers. Be Kind. Be considerate. Have fun.

General Dress Code

This is a family friendly event. The guideline here is cover the bits (all genders must cover the bits). Have fun but be reasonable. We won’t permit clothing or cosplay that depicts hate speech, or graphic sexual imagery.

Cosplays cannot generate smoke or odors indoors.

And to reiterate, there are two big areas we want to avoid at all costs:

  • If it looks like a firearm, please don’t. If it fires projectiles like a firearm, please don’t. If it has a laser, please don’t.

  • For similar reasons, please don’t wear any uniforms worn by law enforcement, government agencies, or military personnel. If the uniform is fictional and will not be confused with an existing agency, it can be worn.

NO HARASSMENT

This is a queer forward safe space event. We are dedicated to providing a fun and welcome experience for the community. We will take harassment very seriously.

Harassment includes, but is not limited to: all forms and expressions of discrimination; bullying; abusive verbal comments; displaying sexual images in public spaces; deliberate intimidation and stalking; unwanted photography or recording; being disruptive; inappropriate physical contact; unwelcome sexual attention; or encouraging any of the above.

Discrimination is based on the prejudice against someone because of their race; national origin; religion; gender; gender identity and expression; sexual orientation; disability; physical appearance; body size or type; or age. In other words: discrimination is based on prejudice against someone because of who they are.

If you see something say something. If you feel something, say something. If someone makes you uncomfortable please report it to any staff member of Town Hall Collaborative or the Marketplace.

Questions

If you have any questions about these rules or guidelines, please reach out to us at thosegeeks@poindexterslab.art