Comics, cosplay and K-pop

With the spread of Korean pop culture (and K-pop music—most notably Psy's “Gangnam Style”) into mainstream America's consciousness, it's no surprise that this year's Kintoki-Con is branching beyond just Japanese pop culture. For starters, this weekend's festival will be adding “Korean, Filipino and Chinese related events” into the programming, according to its website. In other words, in addition to anime, manga, cosplay and video games, this year's Kintoki-Con will offer a kung fu performance, a K-pop music-video party, and a fashion show with clothing from Vietnamese, Filipino and Hmong cultures.

Also on the bill: special guests (including actors, artists, writers, dancers and game developers), an art exhibition, card tournaments, board games, video-game tournaments, an arcade, concerts, a semiformal dance, a masquerade, an art jam, a kendama tournament, a swap meet, kids' activities, workshops and vendors. Have a question about programming? Ask one of eight cosplay maids acting as roaming festival concierges. Basically, it's a miniature version of Comic-Con in downtown Sacramento. Costumes are encouraged, because you're Sacramento: You're a little bit geeky, and you probably like to dress up, anyway.

The three-day festival (Friday, July 26, from 2 to 11:30 p.m.; Saturday, July 27, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.; and Sunday, July 28, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.) will be held at Holiday Inn Sacramento-Capitol Plaza at 300 J Street. Weekend passes range from $17.50 to $45, and day passes range from $5 to $20. Visit www.kintoki-con.com for more information.