Entertainment
Geek out at Phoenix’s Fan Fusion 2024! Get your tickets now.
Geek out at Fan Fusion 2024 in Phoenix! Celebrity guests, cosplay, and more. Get your tickets now for the ultimate pop culture convention.
Last Updated on May 29, 2024 by Daily News Staff
The 2024 Fan Fusion comic con and pop culture convention is happening at the Phoenix Convention Center downtown this Memorial Day weekend.
Exciting Upside?
Fan Fusion features celebrity guests, game tournaments, fan panels, cosplay contests, and fandom meetups. It’s a massive event that will host some of the biggest names in geek and pop culture, such as, Dick Van Dyke, Simu Liu, and Gina Torres.
The show started yesterday on Friday and will last until tomorrow, Sunday, May 26, 2024. Fan Fusion 2024, the annual comic con and pop culture extravaganza in Phoenix, is back for this Memorial Day weekend, offering a jam-packed lineup of special guests, captivating exhibits, and thrilling activities.
At Fan Fusion, you’ll be able to talk to your favorite stars, get their autographs, and even snap a selfie or two in the Lower Level Exhibit Halls at the Phoenix Convention Center.
To see the full list of Phoenix Fan Fusion guests and the schedule of appearances, visit phoenixfanfusion.com.
The Gastronomical Downside?
With the Phoenix Convention Center’s draconian rules prohibiting outside food and drinks, get ready to part with a small fortune if you get peckish. A bottle of water will set you back an eye-watering $6 after taxes, and a soda clocks in at an outrageous $7. Sure, there are various food options like candy, cookies, sandwiches, and salads, but be prepared to pay through the nose.
Craving nachos? Get ready to pay over $15 for a platter. At the 8-Bit Beer Garden outside, drinks can reach almost $20. In the PHX Kitchens area, a simple chicken teriyaki at PHX Wok costs $12, while chicken tenders and fries at Tenders Love and Chicken are $14, and a burrito bowl at Mexican Kitchen will set you back $12. An article in azcentral also highlights the high food prices.
Fan Fusion is the perfect place for admiring all the elaborate cosplay. On Friday morning, fans showed up in costumes that might make you question reality.
The Phoenix Convention Center opened for Fan Fusion at 10 a.m. There wasn’t a mad rush to get in from what I heard. When I arrived after 12:00 PM, it was easy to get in. As the day went on, more people showed up.
The doors will be open for Phoenix Fan Fusion 2024 during these days and times:
- Friday, May 24: 8:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m.
- Saturday, May 25: 8:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m.
- Sunday, May 26: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
You can buy Phoenix Fan Fusion tickets online @ https://www.phoenixfanfusion.com/buy
Phoenix Fan Fusion 2024 promises to be a thrilling and unforgettable experience for all attendees. Despite the high cost of food and drinks, the chance to meet beloved celebrities, participate in unique events, and especially witness some of the most fantastic cosplay around makes it all worthwhile. Whether you’re a pop culture fanatic, a dedicated gamer, or just looking for a fun way to spend Memorial Day weekend, Fan Fusion is a must-attend event. Don’t forget to bring your enthusiasm—and perhaps a bit of extra cash—to fully enjoy everything this incredible convention has to offer.
https://stmdailynews.com/category/entertainment
About Phoenix Fan Fusion
Phoenix Fan Fusion (formerly Phoenix Comicon and Phoenix Comic Fest) is an awesome speculative fiction entertainment and comic book convention held every year in sunny Phoenix, Arizona. It kicked off as the Phoenix Cactus Comicon back in June 2002. That first event was just a quick one-day, six-hour gathering in Ahwatukee, Arizona.
Now, Phoenix Fan Fusion is a huge three-day extravaganza (Friday-Sunday) in the summer at the Phoenix Convention Center in downtown Phoenix. The kick-off includes a Thursday night preview for pros, exhibitors, and special pre-registered guests.
The convention started out as a hub for comic books, sci-fi/fantasy, and film/TV, but it’s grown a lot since then. Now, you can find all sorts of pop culture goodies, including horror, anime, manga, animation, toys, collectible card games, video games, webcomics, and fantasy novels.
In 2016, they hit a record attendance of 106,096 people! The event reportedly brings in around $5 million for the city of Phoenix. Since 2013, the then-Phoenix Comicon started spreading out into nearby hotels like the Hyatt Regency, Marriott Renaissance, and Sheraton Phoenix Downtown, adding even more space for fans to geek out. (Wikipedia)
https://www.phoenixfanfusion.com
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Food and Beverage
NYC to Host 5th International Volcanic Wines Conference on June 10
New York City will host the 5th International Volcanic Wines Conference on June 10, 2026 at Manhatta, featuring global volcanic regions, masterclasses, a Grand Tasting, and the Volcanic Wine Awards with JancisRobinson.com.
New York City is about to get a crash course in “wines with a sense of place.” Volcanic Wines International (VWI) announced the 5th International Volcanic Wines Conference (IVWC), set for June 10, 2026 at Manhatta in Manhattan. The one-day event brings together producers, sommeliers, buyers, journalists, and educators for tastings and masterclasses focused on wines grown in volcanic soils—an increasingly talked-about category known for its tension, mineral-driven structure, and unmistakable origin.
Why volcanic wines are having a moment
Volcanic vineyards sit on some of the planet’s most dramatic landscapes—think steep slopes, black sand, and lava-strewn terrain. But the conference isn’t just about scenery. The IVWC is built around a simple idea: volcanic terroir can shape wine in distinctive ways, influencing everything from texture and acidity to aromatics and perceived “energy” in the glass.
As VWI co-founder John Szabo, MS put it, volcanic wines often stand out for their “energy, structure, and clear sense of origin,” making them a natural fit for wine lists that prioritize discovery.
A global tasting tour—without leaving Manhattan
Hosted in what VWI calls the largest and most influential wine market in the U.S., the conference offers a rare side-by-side look at volcanic regions from around the world. Participating producers are expected from territories including:
- Etna (Sicily)
- Santorini (Greece)
- Canary Islands (Spain)
- Hungary
- Pantelleria (Italy)
- Lake County (California)
Masterclasses, seminars, and a Grand Tasting
The June 10 program is designed for wine professionals who want to go deeper than a quick sip. Attendees can expect guided tastings and educational sessions exploring how different volcanic soils—and the climates that surround them—can influence grape varieties and wine styles.
Seminars are slated to spotlight volcanic wines from:
- Soave (Italy)
- Etna
- Hungary
- Canary Islands
- Lazio (Italy)
The day also includes a Grand Tasting, where exhibiting wineries will pour for a curated audience of sommeliers, buyers, importers, educators, and media.
A new “Volcanic Origin” certification will be announced in the U.S.
One of the headline moments: the conference will host the official U.S. announcement of a new Volcanic Origin certification, created by the Vinora association of Auvergne, France. The certification is designed to help recognize authentic expressions from volcanic regions worldwide—an important step as interest grows and consumers look for clearer signals of provenance.
Volcanic Wine Awards + JancisRobinson.com partnership
VWI also highlighted a major media partnership with JancisRobinson.com for the Volcanic Wine Awards, an international competition celebrating standout wines from volcanic regions.
Award-winning wines will be featured on JancisRobinson.com and showcased in a dedicated space during the NYC conference.
“Volcanic regions produce some of the most characterful wines in the world,” said Tara Q Thomas, Managing Editor at JancisRobinson.com, adding that the partnership aims to bring greater attention to these terroirs.
The big picture: story-driven wine in a crowded market
Beyond the technical details, the conference is tapping into something the wine world is actively chasing: narrative and identity.
“Today more than ever, the wine world needs compelling stories that reconnect wine lovers with place and identity,” said Gino Colangelo, President of Colangelo & Partners and partner in VWI. Volcanic wines, he noted, offer “dramatic landscapes, ancient soils, and wines with unmistakable character.”
How to attend or exhibit
For information about exhibiting or attending, VWI directs inquiries to Bianca Panichi at bpanichi@colangelopr.com. Updates are also available at www.volcanicwinesinternational.com, with social channels on Instagram (@volcanicwines_intl) and Facebook (Volcanic Wines International).
What to watch for (STM Daily News)
- Whether the new Volcanic Origin certification becomes a widely adopted benchmark
- Which regions and producers dominate the Volcanic Wine Awards spotlight
- How volcanic wines continue to move from “sommelier obsession” to broader consumer demand
Hungry for what’s next? STM Daily News’ Food and Drink section dishes up the latest in restaurant news, beverage trends, seasonal recipes, culinary events, and food culture stories readers love to share.
New hybrid event aims to give grieving audiences meaningful holiday viewing, with films from more than 25 countries and a mission centered on love, loss, and emotional truth.
A new film festival debuting in late 2026 is taking a different approach to holiday entertainment. Grief Fest™: The Grief Film Festival, created by My Grief Angels Inc., is being introduced as what organizers believe is the world’s first film festival dedicated entirely to grief, remembrance, resilience, and healing.
The hybrid festival will run in two segments: November 25–29, 2026, during Thanksgiving week, and December 24, 2026, through January 3, 2027, during Christmas and New Year’s. Top Honors films will be announced on December 31, 2026.
Organizers say the timing is intentional. Research cited in the announcement shows that grief and loneliness are major holiday stressors for many Americans, making the season especially difficult for people coping with loss. In that context, Grief Fest™ is positioning itself as an alternative to the flood of traditional feel-good holiday programming.
The festival is open to short films, features, documentaries, experimental work, AI-generated projects, and VR experiences. It is described as inclusive, non-religious, and LGBTQ+ friendly, with submissions already received from more than 25 countries. All films will be presented in English, either spoken or subtitled.
Grief Fest™ will be available both in person and virtually through Film Festival Plus, making it accessible to audiences worldwide. The launch of GriefFest.com also includes Lumen, a multilingual AI guide designed to help filmmakers and attendees navigate the festival in their preferred language.
Rather than focusing on industry prestige, organizers say the festival is centered on community and emotionally honest storytelling. For audiences who feel unseen during the holidays, Grief Fest™ is aiming to offer something rare on the seasonal screen: recognition.
Source: PR Newswire
Related Reading
- Grief Fest: Official festival site
- My Grief Angels Inc.: About the nonprofit behind the festival
- Film Festival Plus: Virtual access platform
Catch the latest in movies, TV, music, pop culture, and live events in STM Daily News’ Entertainment section.
anime
Bible Anime Series in Development at Texas Studio With Global Faith-Based Ambitions
A Texas animation studio is developing a TV-MA Bible anime series, blending faith-based storytelling with cinematic anime for global streaming audiences.
Last Updated on April 10, 2026 by Daily News Staff
A Fort Worth animation company is betting that faith-based storytelling and anime can meet in a way that feels cinematic, serious, and built for modern streaming audiences.
History In Motion Studios has announced Shinjitsu Ugoki (Truth Movement), a TV-MA Bible anime series now in development. The Texas-based studio says the project is designed for mature audiences and will present biblical narratives through serialized storytelling, theological research, and character-driven drama.
The announcement places the studio at the intersection of two growing markets: faith-based entertainmentand the global anime industry. Rather than aiming for a traditional family format, the series is being positioned as a more intense, long-form production shaped by conflict, consequence, and spiritual tension.
History In Motion Studios is also using Unreal Engine as part of its production pipeline to support cinematic world-building and high-fidelity environments. Script development, early character design, and broader production planning are underway through 2026.
Founder Edith Alvarado said the studio sees a major opportunity in bringing biblical storytelling into anime.
“As audiences continue to seek meaningful, story-driven content, we believe there is significant opportunity within the anime format to engage biblical narratives with depth and seriousness,” Alvarado said. “The question isn’t whether biblical stories belong in anime, it’s why it took this long. We’re here to change that; Anime will know the story of Jesus.”
The women-led Christian studio operates out of Fort Worth, adding to the growing list of independent creative companies building outside traditional entertainment hubs. As of Q1 2026, the series remains in active development, with more partnership and expansion announcements expected later this year.
Related Links
Source: History In Motion Studios
STM Daily News’ Entertainment section delivers the latest on movies, television, music, pop culture, events, and industry buzz. From breaking news and trending stories to feature coverage and community-centered entertainment reporting, it keeps readers connected to what’s happening on screen, on stage, and beyond.
