Queen City Anime Convention (QCAC) was an endeavor I founded inspired by a profound appreciation for anime, cosplay, and the performing arts. Rather than solely focusing on traditional anime convention elements, QCAC distinguished itself by showcasing a wide array of live shows that I often described as “a performing arts festival disguised as an anime convention”
In 2017, the Queen City Anime Convention (QCAC) debuted in Charlotte as a modest, one-day event with an entry fee of $6. The event was a grassroots effort with minimal budget, marked more by its ambition than by its size. Our inaugural event hosted over 1000 attendees, and laid the groundwork for the event’s future.
From its inception in 2017, Queen City Anime Convention (QCAC) experienced remarkable growth in attendance. In four years, QCAC expanded from a modest gathering of 1,000 attendees to an impressive 7,000.
The main events lineup frequently included acts like cosplay wrestlers, aerialists, burlesque performers, bands, DJs, rappers, improv performers, taiko drummers, theatrical productions, dancers, drag queens, and others.
In 2019 I founded and performed in Cirque Du Cosplay, a performing troupe of aerialists an circus performers that specializes in fandom and cosplay inspired circus productions. The group has since gone on to perform shows inspired by Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Demon Slayer.
In August 2021, Queen City Anime Convention (QCAC) became one of the first anime conventions in the country to return to live events post-lockdown. This transition presented an array of unprecedented challenges, particularly in the context of managing health risks and attendee expectations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to a mask mandate, QCAC implemented a rigorous "vaccine card or negative test" policy in it’s 2021 event. This policy was a critical step in ensuring that our return to a live event was conducted responsibly, and it was critical in securing the trust and comfort of our staff and volunteers. It was also important to include children and families in our event, many of whom were ineligible for vaccine at the time. Understanding the importance of accessibility to testing, we procured 2,000 BinaxNow tests, enabling us to conduct on-site testing for attendees. Mecklenburg county reinstated a county wide mask mandate only days before the event began.
Navigating the event under these circumstances required meticulous planning, clear communication, and adaptability. Our proactive approach to enforcing health and safety measures, coupled with the external support from local authorities, allowed us to minimize risk and promote responsible gathering in a time of great uncertainty.
A cornerstone of QCAC's mission was its commitment to community engagement and social responsibility. In 2021, we raised $27,000 for Greater Charlotte Rise, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing community aid to homeless individuals in Charlotte. These accomplishments were a source of pride for everyone involved – from the organizers and volunteers to the attendees and performers.
I’m grateful and proud to have achieved what I always considered the ultimate accomplishment: building a community and organization resilient enough that I could leave them in the hands of capable successors.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to every individual who has generously volunteered their time, graced QCAC as guests, showcased their talents, or invested their hard-earned money in supporting this venture. It's through the collective dedication and passion of these remarkable individuals that both Queen City Anime Convention and Cirque Du Cosplay continue to thrive.
