Signature Events
Every year we host events and activities that deserve special mention. They're unique. Fun. Engaging. We want to make sure you know about them!
And you have access to all of it* with your Single Day (for the day you're attending) or Full Event Badge.
You'll find just some of these Signature Events below, and we'll keep adding more till our show arrives this May!
*Seating is not guaranteed at any specific event due to room capacity limits; we do not clear panel rooms between events. A few workshops, charity fundraisers, or special events require a separate paid admission.
Baby Yoda's 51st Birthday Bash
Din Djarin is inviting all of Phoenix Fan Fusion to help celebrate his foundling son Grogu's 51st Birthday, and he's pulling out all the stops to make sure he wins Father of the Year... featuring a cast of Star Wars friends too long to list, more fun and adventure than any other toddler's birthday, and a night full of music that absolutely slaps, you don't want to miss this party!
Saturday May 28
8:00PM
Room 120CD
Anime Rave with DJ Heavygrinder
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NEW DAY!! NEW LOCATION!!
Due to popular response we are moving the Anime Rave to a BIGGER ROOM on Friday night!
We're bringing the After Dark Parties back with the return of the Anime Rave! And DJ Heavygrinder is in the house to lead the way.
In the Name of the Moon- you won't need sixty billion double dollars to party at Phoenix Fan Fusion! Whatever your Quirk, you can dance Super Saiyan style at this free event (with your Saturday, Full Event, or VIP badge) and discover how much fun it is to party at Fan Fusion.
Anime Rave with DJ Heavygrinder
Friday May 27
9:00PM
Room 120CD
HEAVYGRINDER have transformed themselves time and again throughout dance music’s constant evolution, working their love for Heavy Metal, Anime, J-Pop and EDM into dozens of releases, including official remixes for Thy Art Is Murder and DJ Bl3nd, several collaborations with chart-topping Japanese band GARNiDELiA out on Sony Music Japan, and original EPs which consistently feature on Beatport and iTunes charts.
IG: @djheavygrinder
Web: http://heavygrinderofficial.com/
Burlesque
By popular demand...it's baaa-acck... Burlesque returns to Phoenix Fan Fusion, and this time: It's free to attend!
Come see the hottest, geekiest burlesque and nerdlesque performers as they get your eyes wide, your jaw dropping, and your pulse racing. Must be 18+ years to attend.
Friday May 27
9:00PM
Room 301BCD
*General admission seating is free. A limited number of front of house and preferred seats will be sold in May, prior to the convention.
**Must be 18 years or older to attend.
Dragstravaganza: Queen Lantern Corps
Our drag show is back and this time it's free to attend!
Join some of the funniest and most talented divas from around the Valley and beyond for a Geek-Themed Drag Extravanganza!
Friday May 27
7:00PM
Room 301BCD
*General admission seating is free. A limited number of front of house and preferred seats will be sold in May, prior to the convention.
Potter Professors Present: Swish and Flick
Whether you’re in your first year at Hogwarts or prepping for your O.W.L.s, come and join the Potter Professors as they dive into the history, lexicon, wand movements and other lore surrounding the use of spells in the wizarding world. Make sure to bring your wand for this interactive lesson.
Sunday May 29
12:00PM
Room 124AB
Star Trek Universe Mixer
Join the United Federation of Phoenix and other local Star Trek clubs for a casual mixer and discover new friendships.
Come to this fun and free event (with your Saturday, Full Event, or VIP badge) and meet others who share your same passions and interests.
Saturday May 28
9:00PM
Room 104AB
Free Stand Up Comedy Show (18+)
NEW LOCATION!
We invite you to an evening of FREE comedy! Be barraged by a horde of nerdy local comedians, regaling you with tales of the things that matter most in life: comic books and video games. FREE comedy at Fan Fusion- it's almost an alliteration.
Free Stand Up Comedy Show (18+)
Friday May 27
9:00PM
Room 211AB
Saturday May 28
7:30PM
Room West 211AB
Loki Master of Mischief
Loki has been causing trouble in the Marvel Universe since 1962. Since that time Loki has remained one of the most popular Marvel Villains/ Anti Heroes. Come and learn about the origins of the character and how it shaped the character we see in the MCU.
Saturday May 28
4:30PM
Room 225A
Who is Moon Knight?
Moon Knight made his debut at Marvel Comics in 1975 and has been evolving ever since. Who is Marc Spector and his alter egos or multiple personalities? Learn about the comic origins and how they connect to the Disney+ series.
Saturday May 27
10:30AM
Room 225A
Phoenix Fan Fusion Comedy Show (18+)
NEW LOCATION
Enjoy an evening of comedy from local Arizona comedians and avid nerds as they tell jokes about life, liberty and the pursuit of nerdiness. This show is 18+ so leave the kiddos at home.
Phoenix Fan Fusion Comedy Show (18+)
Friday May 27
7:30PM
Room 211AB
Saturday May 28
9:00PM
Room 211AB
What are you Tolkien About? Lord of the Rings Trivia
NEW DAY AND LOCATION
Who's up for some Tolkien Team Trivia? Do you know the Extended Trilogy and Extended Hobbit Films? Have you been studying your Simarillion? Bring your own fellowship of friends into the lounge, and compete to win... "What Are You TOLKIEN About Trivia"! Hosted by Hayl the Widow.
Friday May 27
12:00PM
Room 211AB
La La Lando
SECOND SHOW ADDED ON SUNDAY
La La Lando is the musical starring the galaxy's greatest scoundrel, Lando Calrissian. Derek Jeremiah Reid is Billy Dee Williams as the caped wonder of Cloud City. Just after the battle of Endor we find Lando looking for love and laughs with all your favorite star wars characters. If you love musicals and Star Wars La La Lando is for you. You especially don't want to miss the new song "We Don't Talk About Lando"!
Saturday May 28
3:00PM
Room 232ABC
Sunday May 29
10:30AM
Room 232ABC
Cosplay Fashion Show
Our all-ages Cosplay Fashion Show is back by popular demand! Bring your favorite cosplay and show how savvy your slink is. Homemade, store bought, or professionally coutured...this show is all about the costume!
Friday May 27
3:00PM
Room 232ABC
Youth Fashion Show
Youth from birth to 15 years old are invited to the first annual All-Youth Masquerade and Fashion Show!
Join Jinx Cosplay and ThermoCosplay for 2 hours of fun with a judged costume contest and then time for kids to show off their costumes in the Youth Fashion Show!
The costume contest requires pre-registration online by May 1st. Fashion Show participants just show up 30 minutes before the show's start and sign up at the door. We will take the first 15 who sign up and others may join if time permits. This is an event not to be missed!
Sunday May 29
1:00PM
Room 232ABc
Riddler's Scavenger Hunt
The Riddler is back for our Scavenger Hunt!
And with all new riddles to challenge your sleuthing skills.
Bring your smartphone and your friends, as teams of four will compete to solve the riddles and find the items in a one-hour scramble across the convention. The ultimate prize being the highly coveted Riddler Trophy. This event is brought to you by Justice League Arizona.
Saturday May 28
130PM
Room 230
Dragons! And their Connecting Thread Across Cultures and Literature
Dragons!! Everyone loves dragons!
Is the dragon a monster, a mythical creature, a cultural symbol or quite possibly a heroic figure? What is the origin of the dragon and how has it managed to rear its enormous head in multiple tales across multiple cultures?
We will look at the little known dragons of ancient Egypt and the long, rich history of Asian dragons and finally the most famous dragons of literature.
Saturday May 28
4:30PM
Room 125AB
Did this Happen in Dune?
The Dune universe is expansive, complicated, and it gets pretty weird. Some things seem too bizarre to be believed. Test your ability to detect deception at this humorous and interactive panel. Friendly for all levels of Dune knowledge.
Friday May 27
430PM
Room 129A
Potter Professors Present: The "Bad-Guy" Wizard Tournament
Was Voldemort really the evilest villain to go after a bunch of teenagers? Or were there worse baddies lurking in and out of Hogwarts? The Potter Professors are settling this once and for all in a tournament-style “duel” to take home the bad-guy wizard cup.
Saturday May 28
3:00PM
Room 124AB
The Roast of Ash Ketchum
After almost 30 years... Ash Ketchum finally won a Pokemon Championship. His greatest friends, rivals, and magical creatures will now turn their attentions to pointing out how very bad he is at his job.
Saturday May 28
6:00PM
Room 232ABC
Wild Geek Magic Show
NEW DAY, TIME, LOCATION
Members of Phoenix's own Gas Light Circus present a mystifying magical showcase fit for the halls of Asgard to the Sanctum Santorum!
The Wild Geek Magic Show is a joint celebration of classic illusion and pop culture alike as they take iconic magic acts like the magic linking rings, the death-defying sword box, vanishing trunks, straitjacket escapes, and sleight of hand while simultaneously paying homage to the likes of Doctor Strange, Joker, Supergirl, Venom, Spiderman, Mario & Luigi, and the Legend of Zelda!
Gas Light Circus is Phoenix's original theatrical circus, with jugglers, clowns, acrobats, contortionist, magicians, dancers, and singers. If it were any better, it'd be under Barnum's own hat!
Saturday May 28
1:30PM
Room 232ABC
The Roast of Obi-Wan Kenobi
NEW TIME AND LOCATION!
Where you Ben Kenobi? The Roast of Obi Wan
Hello There! Obi Wan is just the worst, isn't he? After letting his mentor get impaled and then failing to finish off Darth Maul, he practically handed his Padawan Anakin over to the Dark Side (well most of him anyways). At least he spent twenty years basically doing nothing at the far end of the galaxy before letting Darth Vader cut him down.
Friday May 27
6:00PM
Room 132ABC
Compliment Dueling
NEW DAY
Steampunk culture requires, nay - demands - the use of a well-turned phrase. In this tournament-style gameshow panel, competitors will try to best their opponents in a battle of wits, using compliments!
Madame Askew and Bustle Girl preside over the well-mannered showdowns, and crown the winner Grand Champion of Compliments! Suitable for all ages. Prizes given!
Join this fun and free event (with your Saturday, Full Event, or VIP badge) and discover how much fun geeking out at Phoenix Fan Fusion can be.
Friday May 27
130PM
Room 124AB
Masquerade
Fantastically talented costume creators show off their most amazing work on the big stage. See some of the best cosplayers of the convention at this always anticipated annual event.
Saturday May 28
8:00PM
Room 301BCD
Umm Actually...
NEW LOCATION, TIME
The only thing a true geek loves more than knowing more than you is TELLING you they know more than you.
Join our distinguished panel of “experts” as they read off incorrect trivia tidbits, only to be corrected by the audience.
But, you only get points if you start off your correction with the words “Ummm…Actually…” in true geeky fashion and extra points if you really ham it up.
Friday May 27
6:00PM
Room 128A
18+ Only
Saturday May 28
7:30PM
Room 129A
Sunday May 29
12:00PM
Room 122ABC
Quick Draw Sketch Events
NEW SESSIONS AND LOCATION
Quick Draw sketch events feature Guest Artists who take audience suggestions on what to sketch with a short time limit. Who's the fastest draw and will knock you down with the power of their art?
Friday May 27
3:00PM
Room 128A
Saturday May 28
3:00PM
Room 128A
Sunday May 29
3:00PM
Room 128A
Quick Draw for Kids
Saturday May 28
12:00PM
Room 128A
All Puppet Players Movie Classic
NEW TIME AND LOCATION!
The hottest, funniest, all-around furriest puppet gang!
All Puppet Players invite you to enjoy a movie “classic” with them! Watch a cult classic with our puppets as they scream at the screen, crack jokes, and basically question why this movie was even made.
Twisted and Fisted Puppet Comedy Hour (18+)
Friday May 27
9:00PM
Room 122ABC
All Puppet Players Meet The NeverEnding Story
Saturday May 28
9:00PM
Room 132ABC
Sea Shanty Sing-Along
One of the biggest musical trends during the past two years was the rise in popularity of SEA SHANTIES!!!
Alas, land lubbers, come forth and lend your voices to the chorus of people in the largest desert city in the country singing songs of sailors upon the seven seas!
Hosted by Yellow, from Heroines in Disguise.
Saturday May 28
12:00PM
Room 232ABC
Let's Settle this like Nerds
Superman vs Goku. Star Wars vs Star Trek. The Book vs The Movie. There are some debates that will just never die, no matter how much we wish they would (spoiler… the book wins).
It’s time to put these debates to bed once and for all and ... settle this like nerds!
Friday May 27
6:00PM
Room 124AB
What the Fic? A Fan-Fiction Battle
Welcome to the world of competitive dramatic reading of fan-fiction.
That's right! Two teams face off, each given five minutes to read the weirdest, craziest fan-fics as artfully as possible. At the end of five minutes each, the fans decide who wins the round. After five rounds, we declare a winner (who is really any person who didn't write the fan-fic in question). Hosted by Jacqueline Hide. Must be 18+ years to attend.
Saturday May 28
6:00PM
Room 132ABC
I Like Big Bots... and I cannot lie...
You dig giant robots! We dig giant robots! Whether its Transformers or Gundam, big bots can be found all over pop culture, capturing our interest by overloading our senses. We'll talk about overall designs, morals, and finally answer the question - is bigger always better? Walk your mech, combine your zords, or roll out as we discuss who reigns king of the machines.
Friday May 27
6:00PM
Room 227AB
Phoenix Ultimate Geek Smackdown
Witness the ridiculously entertaining carnage of the qualifying round of The Phoenix Ultimate Geek Smackdown (PUGS) as 16 fans square off in heated debates on the silliest comic fest related topics we could come up with!
And then join the FINAL ROUND of the Phoenix Ultimate Geek Smackdown as 8 fans square off!
Think you have what it takes as a contestant? Sign up here: https://forms.gle/6apQ4QAF38StSomH7
Qualifying Round
Friday May 27
730PM
Room 132ABC
Final Round
Saturday May 28
730PM
Room 132ABC
Anime Battle Royale
NEW TIME
Are you a connoisseur of anime fight scenes? Do you like to see two people beating each other up to a bloody pulp? If you’re like us, you cheer when your favorite character lands the final blow to their opponent!
Come see some of the best fights that anime has to offer! Enjoy the exciting, emotional, and sometimes hilarious fights that will leave you wanting more.
Only come to this panel if you are ready to see a beat down of some evil - and sometimes heroic - anime characters!
Friday May 27
3:00PM
Room 124AB
Score to Film: A Heroic Journey Through Sound
Join us on an exciting and in depth journey through the music from your favorite comic book films! This session will highlight specific pieces of music from various composers and how their scores drive different emotions from the audience.
Music composer Durrell Johnson will take you through an experience like none other as he demonstrates through digital audio how these scores effect the tones and the way we view our favorite heroes!
Sunday May 29
1:30PM
Room 230
Ultimate Character Showdown
Could Dick Grayson take on Jason Bourne? What about Baby Groot vs Baby Yoda? Bird Person vs. Big Bird?! This is one showdown that will have you screaming KHAN to the very end!
Saturday May 28
12:00PM
Room 129A