Come kickoff APA Heritage Month with community leaders and elected officials at San Francisco City Hall this afternoon! Monday, May 1 5:30 - 7:30pm North Light Court. Entertainmnet, light refreshments by Yank Sing and Sugar Bowl Bakery. Open to the public. Kickoff Invitation

By Angela Pang

Photo credit: Project 760 Productions

Fans of Rurouni Kenshin, Naruto, Sailor Moon, Cowboy Bebop and other Japanese animation - also known as "anime" - shows now have the chance to dress up as their favorite characters and compete in the Asian Heritage Street Celebration's first ever Anime Costume Contest. The contest is open to the public and there is no fee to enter. Contestants will be judged on how creative and accurate their costumes are as well as how in character they can be. They are also welcome to perform skits. The contest will take place on the day of the Celebration at the Karaoke stage, at a time to be announced.

First prize winner will get a round trip ticket anywhere in the U.S. courtesy of Southwest Airlines! Various other anime prizes will be given to second and third place winners and other honorable mentions. No one who enters the contest will walk away empty handed. Consolation prizes will be given to all who participate."This contest showcases the interests of today's contemporary Asian Americans," said Booth Coordinator Sequoia Nagamatsu. "We're really excited to have this event at the fair."

In the last decade, as anime broke its way into mainstream U.S. pop culture, so have anime costume contests. They have become so popular that they are affectionately referred to as "cosplay" contests. According to this year's cosplay coordinator, Ray Nagar, many anime fans love to dress as characters when attending anime conventions and shows. For fans who frequent anime shows in self made costumes, Nagar said this is a great opportunity for people to show off their outfits and "latest creations" before the big summer anime convention season starts. "The contest is also a good opportunity to further promote Japanese animation and fandom around it," said Nagar. Nagar, owner of Project 760 Productions has co-organized Anime costume contests for Japantown's Cherry Blossom Festival for 8 years with Japan Video & Media. He said the crowd always loves to see people in costume and those in costume often stop to pose for pictures.

To enter the contest, email Info@Project760.com by 5 p.m. on May19. People can also sign up during the Celebration, by visiting the AHSC Information Booth in the morning.

Comcast Corporation is the nation's leading provider of cable, entertainment, and communications products and services.  With 21.5 million cable customers and 7 million High-Speed Internet customers, Comcast is principally involved in the development, management, and operation of broadband cable networks and in the delivery of programming content.  But at Comcast we also believe our commitment goes well beyond bringing the best cable and HDTV or Internet technologies into our customers' homes.  Our greatest investment is supporting and serving the community that is home to both our customers and our employees.

Among the touchstones of Comcast's commitment to service is helping to enrich local communities.  There have been several recent programs and events designed to empower neighborhoods, and we believe that one of the most important investments we can make as citizens is to support our community through local partnerships and sponsored events. Read More