Calling all Dayton geeks! These events are for you

Comic books, anime, tabletop gaming and more await you, pop-culture enthusiasts
The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery hosted its annual GeekFest on Friday, April 20 through Saturday, April 21. Like past years, GeekFest 2018 was packed full of events, vendors, special guests, treats, costumes and more, but this year, organizers turned GeekFest into a two-day event. STAFF PHOTO / SARAH FRANKS

The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery hosted its annual GeekFest on Friday, April 20 through Saturday, April 21. Like past years, GeekFest 2018 was packed full of events, vendors, special guests, treats, costumes and more, but this year, organizers turned GeekFest into a two-day event. STAFF PHOTO / SARAH FRANKS

The Miami Valley is a great place to be if you get excited about things like tabletop, comic books or anime. Dayton is home to many awesome events for pop-culture enthusiasts. Whip out your calendar and put these down, because 2019 is already filling up with cool stuff to do. Here are some of our picks:

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The fourth annual GeekFest at Boonshoft Museum of Discovery is sure to be the best GeekFest yet! Don’t miss it on June 21 and 22. CONTRIBUTED

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GeekFest

June 21-22, Boonshoft Museum of Discovery

The fourth annual GeekFest is sure to be a blast. In addition to the throngs of vendors, cosplay, and family-friendly fun that we’ve come to expect, they’re adding an adults-only “geek prom” this year.

 
Elves and fairies enchanted the Yellow Cab Tavern in downtown Dayton for the 14th Ye Olde Yellow Cabaret on Saturday, August 4. The event is a celebration of all things fantastic and features burlesque dancing, fire spinning, aerial arts, live music, a food truck, and several vendors. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Credit: Tom Gilliam

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Credit: Tom Gilliam

Ye Olde Yellow Cabaret XVI

August 10, Yellow Cab Tavern

The theme for this Ye OIde Yellow Cabaret will be “Gods and Goddesses.” Entertainers such as belly dancers and aerial artists will thrill you. Also, there will be live music and Son of a Biscuit food truck. It’s everything you could want from a variety show.

 
Kabo 2018: Fandom Fundraiser is a charity event to benefit Dayton Children’s Hospital through Extra Life Dayton. There will be gaming, a raffle, a costume contest, and a showing of the anime film, "Cowboy Bebop: The Movie." CONTRIBUTED

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Kabo

October 5, D20

Kabo is an anime-centric shindig that raises money for Dayton Children’s through Extra Life. Celebrate your fandom with game tournaments, raffles, and special guests, all at our region’s first board game bar.

The second annual Dayton Mini Maker Faire is August 5 and 6 on Carillon Historical Park s beautiful 65-acre campus. As Montgomery County s official historical organization, Carillon Historical Park celebrates how Dayton changed the world. CONTRIBUTED

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Make It Dayton Festival

October 5, Carillon Historical Park

This festival is a gathering of Dayton Makers of all kinds. It’s the perfect event for people who want to experience unique inventions and cool gadgets. Many activities and demonstrations.

Un-Con XIII

October 11-12, Comfort Inn Miami Valley Centre Mall

Hanging out at this unique convention in Piqua is like going to a family reunion. It’s a warm, welcoming crew of cosplayers and geeks. Special guests, activities, and lots more await you at this magical celebration.

You can play fun RPGs and watch playthroughs run by experienced gaming podcasters at AcadeCon. The fun goes from November 8-10 at Dayton Convention Center. CONTRIBUTED

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AcadeCon

November 8-10, Dayton Convention Center

The worlds of gaming and podcasting collide at this full-scale convention hosted by The RPG Academy podcast. All kinds of games for every comfort level, plus panel discussions, live-plays, and tons of vendors.

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MARK YOUR CALENDARS

The third annual DayCon gaming convention will be in full effect this weekend, April 5-6. This year, the fun will be spread out over two days instead of just one. CONTRIBUTED

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DayCon

Date TBD

DayCon is a super fun and friendly gaming convention with games of all kinds. Fans of board games, miniature games and RPGs will feel right at home at this Dayton-sized version of a Gen Con or Origins-type convention.

The 14th annual Gem City Comic Con is one of Dayton's longest running geek culture events and is a celebration of comic books and gaming. The two-day event took place at the Dayton Convention Center on Saturday, April 27 and Sunday, April 28. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Credit: Tom Gilliam

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Credit: Tom Gilliam

Gem City Comic Con

April 25-26, Dayton Convention Center

GCCC is one of Daton’s longest-running events. Attendees can expect to meet comic creators, shop fun booths, and go to neat workshops. There’s also a costume contest and a game developer’s lab.

 

Geek Gala

Date TBD, Blind Bob’s

This pop culture-inspired dance party is a benefit for Dayton Children’s Hospital through Extra Life. Start working on your cosplay now; the costume contest at Geek Gala is off the chain, and so are the raffle prizes.