So last Friday I had the opportunity of a lifetime; an opportunity that has been on my bucket list, vision board, whatever you call it! I FINALLY got the opportunity to DJ at an anime convention, but it wasn’t just any anime convention. For the past 10+ years or so, I’ve gone to a dozen of anime and gaming conventions, and each one had a different atmosphere to them. Some had that early-mid 2000’s old school vibe that I came to know when I first started going to anime conventions. Others were more like the modern-day cons of today; industry-driven panels, exotic car shows, EDM festival-adjacent afterparties, the whole nine yards!

For me however, I’m an otaku of an elder age (I’ll be 35 in November), and with that comes a new set of interests in terms of convention atmosphere. I have no issue with the family-friendly route anime conventions are taking nowadays, but this convention that I got the opportunity to DJ for, felt like I was among friends that were in my age group. This convention felt more like a party, than an actual con (even though it is). This con is as colossal as the name itself; Colossalcon East.

What is Colossalcon East?

Like any other anime convention, Colossalcon East is a multi-day convention filled with everything that you’d normally find at a con; cosplay, anime, gaming, dealer’s room, artist alley, panels, voice actors, you get the gist. What makes this convention different is the fact that its the only con in the Mid-Atlantic region that is a 4-day event! (Most cons are 1-3 days.) Another thing that makes this con different than any of the others that I’ve been to, is the party-like atmosphere. While Colossalcon East is an anime convention, it’s also known by attendees as a ‘Partycon’. From the moment I set foot inside the Kalahari hotel, I felt it.

There were DJs stationed in the lobby preppin’ for lobby parties later that night. Attendees had their hotel doors decorated to match whatever anime/shenanigans they plan on getting into later in the evening. Multiple afterparties were being held in the “BIG 5” suites of the Kalahari (which you have to be 21+ to enter). And finally, the After Hours Rave in the Waves party.

If I had to describe Colossalcon East in a nutshell; it’s an anime convention by day, and Spring Break in Florida by night! With me being a first-timer, it was definitely something different. I’m pretty sure there were a lot of other attendees who have gone to this convention for their first time, so if I had any advice for those who plan on pullin’ up in 2025; go out, socialize, have fun, and bring a lotta cash! My only regret is that I didn’t stay longer, but that’s something I plan to rectify come CCE 2025! (I would’ve made this review a bit longer, but I was only there for two days.)

So if you’ve read the title of this post, I not only talk about my experience at Colossalcon East, but also the name change of BASSMODE: Nerdz Nite Out, to Club BASSMODE!

Club BASSMODE is new in ‘name only’, so it’s basically the same DJ & Nerd Party Entertainment promotion you’ve come to know; since the first event back in March. We’re still on a mission to bring the ‘Club Life’ to anime, cosplay, and gaming nerd culture in Baltimore, MD. (And possibly York, PA!) The first event that will take on the new name is Club BASSMODE RetroBash: Shounen Showdown 2, in late-March 2025!

So that will do it for my Colossalcon East review, and the new name for BASSMODE: Nerdz Nite Out. Until next time, keep spinnin’! 😉