Tag: events

Update: The Tick…Midnight, Texas…Blade Runner 2049!

The positively huge Blade Runner 2049 Experience is under construction on First Avenue for 2017 San Diego Comic-Con!
The positively huge Blade Runner 2049 Experience is under construction on First Avenue for 2017 San Diego Comic-Con!

I was wrong! In a previous post, I thought the huge structure being built on First Avenue just north of Harbor Drive was for a private party. Wrong! It’s going to house the Blade Runner 2049 Experience. And it’s positively enormous! I also learned it will be free to the public–no Comic-Con badge required. You can bet I’ll be checking that out!

Today I also saw that progress has been made at Amazon’s The Tick Takeover site at the corner of First Avenue and Harbor Drive, and at the Midnight, Texas site near the Tin Fish. Here are some photos. Six days to go until Comic-Con!

A cool 4D experience being built near the Tin Fish promotes the upcoming NBC show Midnight, Texas.
A cool 4D experience being built near the Tin Fish promotes the upcoming NBC show Midnight, Texas.
It appears to me this old motorhome will be part of the spooky Midnight, Texas attraction at Comic-Con.
It appears to me this old motorhome will be part of a spooky Midnight, Texas attraction at Comic-Con.
A building with broken windows and a big gaping hole has appeared along MLK Promenade for Amazon's The Tick Takeover.
A building with broken windows and a big gaping hole has appeared along MLK Promenade for Amazon’s The Tick Takeover.
Every hero must face their destiny. Are you ready to face yours? The Tick.
And attached to the building is this. Every hero must face their destiny. Are you ready to face yours? The Tick.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

A look inside the Laika Experience at Comic-Con!

Models of characters in the stop motion animated film ParaNorman displayed inside the Laika Experience San Diego for Comic-Con.
Models of characters in the stop motion animated film ParaNorman displayed inside the Laika Experience San Diego for 2017 Comic-Con.

The Laika Experience San Diego opened this afternoon! This very cool exhibit created in the Gaslamp by Laika Entertainment runs through the end of Comic-Con. It’s free to the public and well worth checking out! You can find it at 520 Fifth Avenue.

Here are a few photos I took of the many highly detailed models, props, sets and puppets used by Laika in making their four films: Coraline, ParaNorman, The Boxtrolls, and Kubo and the Two Strings.

Laika still uses the stop motion method to create their awesome animation. I learned they only use CGI sparingly, for things that are difficult to animate, like fire and water. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and the kids in our small group had a blast. There are lots of amazing models from each of their four movies, and a video and informative displays that explain the stop motion animation process.

Kubo greets passersby in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter. A free exhibit by Laika Entertainment demonstrates their animation process and includes puppets, sets and props.
Kubo greets passersby in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. A free exhibit by Laika Entertainment demonstrates their stop motion animation and includes puppets, sets and props.
This cool artwork, made of LED lights, is from Laika's acclaimed first movie Coraline.
This cool artwork, made of LED lights, is from Laika’s acclaimed first movie Coraline.
Detailed model of Beldam from the movie Coraline.
Detailed model of Beldam from the movie Coraline.
Awesome model of the crooked house from ParaNorman!
Awesome model of the crooked house from ParaNorman!
Cool models of characters from ParaNorman.
Cool models of characters from ParaNorman.
From a hallway locker scene in ParaNorman!
From that hallway locker scene in ParaNorman!
Archibald Snatcher in his giant robot in the movie The Boxtrolls. Amazing detail!
Archibald Snatcher in his giant robot in the movie The Boxtrolls. Amazing detail!
A miniature set from Kubo and the Two Strings.
A miniature set from Kubo and the Two Strings.
The model of The Moon Beast from Kubo and the Two Strings was made using 3-D printing.
This model of the Moon Beast from Kubo and the Two Strings was made using 3-D printing then pieced together.
Norman is out on a San Diego sidewalk! You can meet him during Comic-Con and see a very cool exhibit created by Laika!
Norman is out on a San Diego sidewalk! You can meet him during Comic-Con and see a very cool free exhibit created by the stop motion animation wizards at Laika!
Shoe and Fish of the Boxtrolls wave hello!
Shoe and Fish of the Boxtrolls wave hello!

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Comic-Con: Netflix wraps in the Gaslamp and more!

A cool wrap promoting The Defenders on Netflix has been applied to a Gaslamp building for 2017 San Diego Comic-Con.
A cool wrap promoting The Defenders on Netflix has been applied to a Gaslamp building for 2017 San Diego Comic-Con.

This morning there’s some Comic-Con preparation going on in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. Three Netflix wraps are already up and construction has just begun on the Midnight Texas outdoor experience by the Tin Fish!

I got some photos!

A large Comic-Con wrap in the Gaslamp promotes Stranger Things 2, the second season for the series about the supernatural on Netflix.
A Comic-Con wrap in the Gaslamp promotes the second season of Stranger Things. The supernatural series thrills audiences on Netflix.
Construction has begun on the Midnight Texas outdoor experience near the Tin Fish, across from the San Diego Convention Center. The show is coming to NBC.
Construction has begun on the Midnight, Texas 4D experience near the Tin Fish, across from the San Diego Convention Center. The show is coming to NBC.
A third Netflix wrap on a Gaslamp building for Comic-Con. This one promotes upcoming fantasy film Bright, starring Will Smith and Joel Edgerton.
A third Netflix wrap on a Gaslamp building for Comic-Con. This one promotes upcoming fantasy film Bright, starring Will Smith and Joel Edgerton.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Syfy trolley wrap, and more new stuff for Comic-Con!

The fifth trolley wrap for 2017 San Diego Comic-Con promotes the Syfy channel. Because you're a pro at cons. It's a fan thing.
The fifth trolley wrap for 2017 San Diego Comic-Con promotes the Syfy channel. Because you’re a pro at cons. Check in. Geek out. It’s a fan thing.

There’s a fifth trolley wrap debuting for 2017 San Diego Comic-Con! I don’t recall there being as many as five different wraps before!

I got lucky and got some pics this morning. This new wrap promotes the Syfy channel and appeals to real fans of science fiction and pop culture entertainment. The graphics don’t appear to be all that fancy, but the words flashing by might turn out to be effective.

I also saw a couple other new sights. Some Game of Thrones banners were hung today along the trolley tracks near the convention center. And a gigantic structure is being built north of The Tick Takeover. A guy watching Amazon’s smaller areas along MLK Promenade thought it was for NBC. During past Comic-Con’s that parking lot has been utilized for private studio parties, if I recall correctly. (Of course, if you know more than me, please leave a comment!)

Syfy appeals to diehard fans of science fiction and pop culture entertainment.
Syfy appeals to diehard fans of science fiction and highly imaginative entertainment.
Don't judge a book by its movie. Which came first: The dragon or the egg?
Don’t judge a book by its movie. Which came first: The dragon or the egg?
Along the trolley tracks near the San Diego Convention Center some Game of Thrones banners were hung today. Winter is here.
Along the trolley tracks near the San Diego Convention Center some Game of Thrones banners were hung today. Winter is here.
A huge structure being built just north of Amazon's The Tick venue, on First Avenue south of Island Avenue. I believe it's for a private party. A security guy thinks it's for NBC--but I'm not sure.
A huge structure being built just north of Amazon’s The Tick venue, on First Avenue, south of Island Avenue… UPDATE! I learned this will be the site of the Blade Runner 2049 Experience!
One more quick shot of the new Syfy trolley wrap. Only amateurs stand up when the credits roll. It's a fan thing.
One more quick shot of the new Syfy trolley wrap. Only amateurs stand up when the credits roll. It’s a fan thing.

Here are two more pics that I took later. Several different San Diego Trolley cars feature different sayings!

Don't call it a costume.
Don’t call it a costume.
Free swag equals social currency.
Free swag equals social currency.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of fun photos for you to share and enjoy!

Early signs that 2017 Comic-Con is almost here!

A pad has been set up near the Convention Center trolley station on MLK Promenade. I'm pretty sure Amazon will set up their animatronic The Tick venue here.
A pad has been set up near the Convention Center Trolley Station on MLK Promenade. Amazon will set up their The Tick venue here.

While no building wraps are being applied quite yet, a few interesting things have popped up near the San Diego Convention Center that indicate 2017 Comic-Con will soon be here! I walked all over the place after work and this is what I saw. A week and a half to go! (I spoke to a guy at the Amazon site, and he said they’re getting started a bit early, before lots of other construction trucks arrive in the coming days.)

Another nearby pad that I also believe will be utilized by Amazon during 2017 San Diego Comic-Con.
Another nearby pad that I also believe will be utilized by Amazon during 2017 San Diego Comic-Con.
Have u seen this person? I noticed these flyers around the Gaslamp and also in Mission Valley today. It appears Nickelodeon is engaging in a guerrilla marketing campaign during 2017 San Diego Comic-Con.
Have u seen this person? I noticed these flyers all around the Gaslamp Quarter and also along Friars Road in Mission Valley today. It appears Nickelodeon is engaging in a guerrilla marketing campaign during 2017 San Diego Comic-Con.
The second of three types of flyers I spotted. It appears we're supposed to search for characters in the popular animated television series Hey Arnold!
The second of three types of flyers I spotted. It seems we’re supposed to search for characters in the popular animated television series Hey Arnold!
The Chuck Jones Gallery in the Gaslamp will be featuring DC and Marvel Comics fine art, and other great stuff.
The Chuck Jones Gallery in the Gaslamp will be featuring DC and Marvel Comics fine art, and other great pop culture stuff, as usual!
A poster promoting Shooter on USA Network near the Tin Fish.
A poster promoting Shooter on USA Network is already up near the Tin Fish and Hard Rock Hotel.
The Omnia Nightclub will have Rave of Thrones during Comic-Con weekend!
The Omnia Nightclub will have Rave of Thrones during Comic-Con weekend!
The San Diego Trading Company in the Gaslamp is stocked up on lots of Comic-Con gear!
The San Diego Trading Company in the Gaslamp is already stocked up with lots of Comic-Con gear!
I spotted Supergirl patrolling the Gaslamp, making sure no supervillains have appeared yet.
Finally, I spotted Supergirl patrolling the Gaslamp, making sure no supervillains have appeared yet!

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Bayou Brothers rock the House of France!

Folks dance on the stage at the center of Balboa Park's International Cottages. The lawn program today was hosted by the House of France.
Folks dance on the stage at the center of Balboa Park’s International Cottages. The lawn program today was hosted by the House of France.

For a moment I thought I’d taken a wrong turn. Was this Louisiana? Upon entering the lawn area of Balboa Park’s International Cottages, the energetic, rollicking Zydeco music coming from the stage made me suddenly feel like dancing about! And I don’t dance!

San Diego’s own Bayou Brothers band was the main entertainment this afternoon for the House of France’s lawn program! And they appeared to be an enormous hit!

An accordion starts hands clapping and feet stomping.
An accordion starts hands clapping and feet stomping.
A nice crowd enjoyed some great entertainment on a perfect Sunday afternoon.
A nice crowd enjoyed some great entertainment on a perfect Sunday in the park.
People gathered outside the House of France to listen to the music, talk, and look at some cultural displays.
People gathered outside the House of France to listen to the music, talk, and look at some cultural displays.
A poster says Welcome to the House of France. It depicts Mont St. Michel, Château de Versailles, la Tour Eiffel, and other popular national attractions.
A poster says Welcome to the House of France. It depicts Mont St. Michel, Château de Versailles, la Tour Eiffel, and other popular national attractions.
Some visitors inside the House of France sample treats and enjoy more good conversation.
Some visitors inside the House of France sample treats and enjoy more good conversation.
While outside, the music played. Another wonderful event in Balboa Park.
While outside, the music played. Just another wonderful day in Balboa Park.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of fun photos for you to share and enjoy!

Team of Santas urges kids to eat healthy food!

Real Santas United to End Childhood Obesity pose for the judges in the Uniform Contest at 2017 OTL. Photo courtesy Bill Swank.
Real Santas United to End Childhood Obesity pose for the judges in the Uniform Contest at 2017 OTL. (Photo courtesy Bill Swank.)

People playing Over The Line on Fiesta Island today had to be blinking their eyes. They didn’t just see Santa Claus striding across the sand–they saw a whole team of jolly Santas!

Real Santas United to End Childhood Obesity is competing this year in the OMBAC World Championship Over The Line Tournament in San Diego! And they’re spreading the important message that kids should eat healthy, nutritious food!

The unique team of Santas is organized by “Sustainable Santa” Richard Eckfield, and its members were observed this morning parading around the island handing out carrots and talking about the dangers of processed, sugary junk food and the rise of childhood obesity. Supported by several sponsors and the International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas, their mission is simply to promote healthy eating habits for children. “Healthy, Happy and Fit for Life!”

Members of Real Santas United to End Childhood Obesity can also be seen from time to time at farmers markets across San Diego County. They encourage children to eat real, honest-to-goodness wholesome food.

Will they win the OTL Camummy Division this year? I don’t know. I do know these Santas have a winning message!

You might like to follow the Santa & Mrs Claus for Healthy Children Facebook page!

Unlike most presents unwrapped at Christmas, good health is a gift that will last a long, merry, magical lifetime!

Kristin Francy, Miss Emerson in 2015, and a team of sporty Santas at the Over The Line World Championship tournament in San Diego. Photo courtesy Bill Swank.
Kristin Francy, Miss Emerson in 2015, and a team of sporty Santas at the Over The Line World Championship tournament in San Diego. (Photo courtesy Bill Swank.)
Photo of Baseball Santa Bill Swank and Richard “Sustainable Santa” Eckfield at the Linda Vista Farmers Market last December. Photo courtesy Bill Swank.
Photo of Baseball Santa Bill Swank and Richard “Sustainable Santa” Eckfield at the Linda Vista Farmers Market last December. (Photo courtesy Bill Swank.)
Front and back of cards that Sustainable Santa hands out at farmers markets throughout San Diego County. (Click to enlarge.) Image courtesy Bill Swank.
Front and back of cards that Sustainable Santa hands out at farmers markets throughout San Diego County. (Image courtesy Bill Swank.)
Baseball Santa Swank holds up carrots which the Real Santas United hand out to kids instead of sugary candy canes. Photo courtesy Bill Swank.
Baseball Santa Swank holds up carrots which the Real Santas United hand out to kids instead of sugary candy canes. (Photo courtesy Bill Swank.)

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A collection of past Comic-Con cosplay photos!

I’m starting to get excited about upcoming 2017 San Diego Comic-Con! It begins in less than two weeks!

Now that I’m beginning to think again about Comic-Con, I’ve been remembering some of the cool cosplay photos I’ve taken the past few years. Just for fun I’ve collected links to old blog posts that contain lots of cosplay photos!

Click the links to see everything!

 

From 2016 San Diego Comic-Con:

Photographs of cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con!

More photos of super creative cosplay at Comic-Con!

Cool cosplay and crazy fun outside Comic-Con!

 

From 2015 San Diego Comic-Con:

Super cool awesome cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con!

More super awesome Comic-Con cosplay photos!

Cool cosplay and fun outside San Diego Comic-Con.

Insane Comic-Con: crowds, hype, fun and firemen!

 

From 2014 San Diego Comic-Con:

Cosplay and Comic-Con craziness in the Gaslamp!

Comic-Con morning near the convention center.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera. This year I’m going to photograph lots more Comic-Con stuff! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Photos of America’s best Fourth of July parade!

Many say the best Fourth of July parade in America takes place every year in Coronado. Thousands of spectators line Orange Avenue and watch a glorious two hour parade that stretches from one side of the island to the other.

This year I managed to take a bunch of good photos. You can get a flavor of the patriotism and the appreciation our community has for those who serve in the military. Coronado, of course, is home to many Navy SEALs and a Naval Air Station, including two active aircraft carriers. And San Diego is home to most of the Pacific Fleet and a large number of Marines. Over the years, many veterans have also settled down in our fair city.

I saw many smiling families and much love of country on this Independence Day. These photos (except for the one above) are in chronological sequence. First we see a crowd gathering along the parade route…

The Star-Spangled Banner was sung before the parade commenced. Hats came off, and some saluted.

The kids were drawing poop circles. If a horse makes a deposit inside your circle, you win!

Here we go!

These guys, under the direction of a Drill Instructor, periodically reenacted Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima during the parade.

A wounded warrior received a Thank You and loud cheers.

People crossed Orange Avenue during breaks in the parade.

Those guys in the classic cars are Pearl Harbor survivors.

There were some guys engaged in Star Wars cosplay at this point during the parade. Check my previous blog post to see photos of that!

That’s just a taste of what is arguably the best Fourth of July parade in America!

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of fun photos for you to share and enjoy!

Comic-Con banners: Get tested for the X-Gene!

A huge banner hung on the San Diego Hilton Bayfront parking structure promotes The Gifted for 2017 Comic-Con. The X-Gene can't be seen. Do your part. Get tested.
A huge banner hung on the Hilton San Diego Bayfront parking structure promotes The Gifted for 2017 Comic-Con. The X-Gene can’t be seen. Do your part. Get tested.

Check it out! Three super huge banners have already been hung on a building for 2017 Comic-Con. They cover much of the Hilton San Diego Bayfront parking structure, and promote the upcoming FOX series The Gifted.

Those attending Comic-Con are urged to get tested by Sentinel Services for the X-Gene. (I wonder–if those who are tested are found to be positive, will they be sent away in an armored Mutant Transport trolley?)

In past years, I don’t recall huge banners like this appearing several weeks before the big event. I imagine tons and tons more cool stuff is on the way! Stay tuned!

Marvel's upcoming series about the mutant X-Men is coming to FOX television.
Marvel’s upcoming series about the mutant X-Men will be on FOX television.
Get tested for the X-Gene. Sentinel Services. A promotional banner on the Hilton during San Diego Comic-Con.
Get tested for the X-Gene. Sentinel Services. This promotional banner will be displayed on the Hilton parking garage during San Diego Comic-Con.
A happy family provides a chilling message. It's not a crime to have the X-Gene. But it is a crime to hide it. Get tested.
A happy family provides a chilling message. It’s not a crime to have the X-Gene. But it is a crime to hide it. Get tested.
Here's an example of what you might become if you have the X-Gene and suddenly mutate. I think this sinister-looking character is called the Toothy Composite Oddity. I spotted this sticker along Harbor Drive. I wonder if the Spiderman web-shooting gets tangled in the Wolverine claws?
Here’s an example of what you might become if you have the X-Gene and suddenly mutate. I think this sinister-looking character is called the Toothy Composite Marvel Oddity. I spotted this sticker along Harbor Drive. (I wonder if the Spiderman web-shooting gets tangled in the Wolverine claws?)
Or worse, you might become Sheldon Cooper. That's Sheldon, isn't it? One outcome, I suppose, would be an intellect that almost matches the brain power of Reed Richards. And an over-sized ego nearly the size of Ego.
Or worse, you might mutate and become Sheldon Cooper. This is Sheldon, isn’t it? One super power, I suppose, would be brain power that almost matches that of Reed Richards. And an over-sized ego nearly the size of Ego.
The first huge banners have appeared on a San Diego building for 2017 Comic-Con, several weeks before the international pop culture event!
The first huge banners have appeared on a San Diego building for 2017 Comic-Con, several weeks before the massive international pop culture event!

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of fun photos for you to share and enjoy!