Team Sakura

Team Sakura, formerly Tour Otaku, was originally formed in an effort to publicize Sakura-Con within the fan community. Its members could be found at conventions across the Northwest handing out fliers, recruiting dealers, and generally getting the word out about the Northwest's premier Anime convention.

Team Sakura has expanded its role and become actively involved with the larger fan community. Team Sakura is still publicizing Sakura-Con, but it is now also about supporting fellow non-profit cultural events by announcing them to our members and in some cases collaborating with them as participants and/or sponsors.

By increasing our role at cultural and community events, and other fan conventions, an addition to anime-specific events, we are more fully honoring the Asia Northwest Cultural and Education Association's mission as well as more effectively promoting Sakura-Con.

A brief summary of the basic Team Sakura activities is provided below:

General Team Sakura Event Categories

National Anime Conventions
Local Asian Cultural Events
Local Media and Gaming Conventions
Local Fairs, Music & Film Festivals, and Other Large Events
Local Science Fiction and Fantasy Conventions

Team Sakura Activities

Wearing a Sakura-Con T-Shirt
Handing out Fliers
Running a Sakura-Con Table
Assisting in the distribution of Sponsor and Exhibitor's Packs
Being an ambassador of "Sakura-Spirit"-supporting cultural education by making friends and learning new things about the broader world of Asian culture.

Team Sakura Summer Calendar

What is Team Sakura? Team Sakura is our effort to promote Sakura-Con while supporting educational community events and fellow non-profit fan run events, in keeping with our mission and our "for the fans, by the fans" ethic.

June 25th Shoreline Arts Festival
June 25, 10-7 & June 26, 10-5
Shoreline Center
18560 1st Ave NE, Shoreline
http://shorelinearts.net/Shoreline-Arts-Festival/shoreline-arts-festival.html
Please come enjoy this great event and be sure to stop by our booth!
*Not a cosplay event

July 1-4 Anime Expo
Los Angeles California
http://www.anime-expo.org/
Sakura-Con will be in the exhibits hall holding fun raffles; giving out Sakura-Con swag; and giving away "Rebuild Japan" buttons for a small donation to Peace Winds America. Please be sure to stop by!
*Cosplay Event. We'd love to grab a picture of you in your cosplays!

July 8-9 Dragon Fest and Anime Costume Contest
International District, Seattle
http://www.cidbia.org/events/chinatown-id-dragon-fest-2011
We will have a booth at this great event, selling registrations for a $5.00 discount. In the evening be sure to catch our second annual Dragon Fest costume contest. Prizes will include free memberships to ANCEA which allow you to attend Sakura-Con 2012!
*Cosplay Event.

July 16-17 Bon Odori
http://seattlebetsuin.org/index.php/bon-odori-festival/
Just like the festivals you see in your favorite anime Bon Odori features delicious Japanese foods, dances, music and more! Don't miss this Seattle favorite!
*Not a cosplay event but a perfect opportunity for wearing a Traditional Summer Yukata.

July 23-24 Uwajimaya Bellevue Japanese Festival
Uwajimaya Bellevue
699 120th Ave NE
Bellevue, WA 98005
Phone: (425)747-9012
Team Sakura will be here showing off our costumes and representing fans of Japanese pop media. Please be sure to stop by!
*Cosplay friendly event.

July 24th Cosplay Parade/Chinatown Parade
International District, Seattle WA
http://www.seattlechinesechamber.org/chinatown-seafair-parade
Every year our presence in this parade grows! Come out and show your cosplays to the world. Team Sakura is proud to return for what has become an annual highlight of our summer.
*Cosplay friendly event.

Rules/reminders:

Please bring water, sunscreen and any snacks or medication you might need. Cameras are encouraged (please send your pics into publicity {at} sakuracon.org to share!).

Costume and behavior guidelines: Please Observe the General Sakura-Con Weapons Policies — note this now includes not allowing any formerly firing projectile device such as disabled airsoft guns, etc. If you have a "gun" prop it must not have or ever have had the ability to fire or have parts on it that fit that same criteria. Please read the policies for full details regarding other weapons and props.
Additionally, we ask you to keep in mind that the parade is a family event, and your costume should be in keeping with that fact.

Please observe courtesy with your fellow parade participants, and be sure to listen and follow the instructions of the Team Sakura organizers at the event.

We reserve the right to refuse participation to any potential participant based on costume or behavior concerns, etc. (But you guys have been so awesome we've never had to do that!) If you have any specific questions, please contact public_relations {at} sakuracon.org.

August 29th Seattle Mariners Japan Night
Safeco Field, Seattle
http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/
Details will be available soon on how to purchase your discounted tickets for Japan Night with the Seattle Mariners. Let's show Seattle the power of the Team Sakura spirit and show up in large numbers! If we get enough tickets sold Sakura-Con will be listed on the reader board! And what fun it would be to see cosplayers waving banners in the stands! ANCEA is pleased to provide this discount for members.
*Not a cosplay event but family friendly cosplays or traditional Summer Yukata are welcome.

September 3-5 Kumoricon
Hilton and Red Lion Hotels
Vancouver Washington
www.kumoricon.org
If you haven't discovered Kumoricon you are missing out! Kumoricon is our "little sister" con in spirit-fully fan run, non- profit and in the Pacific Northwest. Please come by our booth to say "hi". We will be selling memberships at a $5.00 discount.
*Cosplay friendly event.

September 10-11 Aki Matsuri
Bellevue Community College
www.enma.org
Put on by the non-profit ENMA this annual event is a must for any fan of Japanese media and culture. Please be sure to come see us at our booth. We will be selling memberships at a $5.00 discount.
*Not a cosplay event, but family friendly cosplays are welcome.

September 30-October 2 Pacific Coast Origami USA Conference
Westin Hotel Downtown Bellevue, WA
www.origami-usa.org/PCOC2011
Come see the best that Origami has to offer. Notable talents from around the world will be featuring their artwork and holding presentations. This event promises to have something for everyone from novice to enthusiast. Please be sure to say hello to us at our booth. We will be selling registrations at a $5.00 discount.
*Not a cosplay event, but family friendly cosplays are welcome.

October 8-9 Geek Girl Con
Seattle Center
www.geekgirlcon.com
Sakura-Con is pleased to welcome Geek Girl Con's first year. Geek Girl Con is non-profit and fan run organization seeking to celebrate the contribution of women in "Geek Culture". Please come by our booth and get your membership at a $5.00 discount from the online price.
*Cosplay friendly event.

If you have any events to suggest to Team Sakura or just a great Japanese cultural festival or performance you think we should put on the calendar for members, please contact us at Team_Sakura@sakuracon.org.