`Squid Game,' `Star Wars' actors are among featured guests at Kyber Con 3
Fan conventions have grown tremendously since their inception back in the 1930s, especially with the establishment of Comic-Con in 1970. Now it has gotten to the point where people do not have to travel too far to score some pop culture memorabilia, meet other costumed attendees and listen to panels of those who have made a name for themselves in the world of comic books, sciencefiction, video games and more.
Solano County has a few conventions that pop up each year, and one is coming to Fairfield on Feb. 11.
Vacaville business Kyber Cave will be bringing its third annual Kyber Con to Fairview Elementary School, featuring vendors, celebrity guests, giveaways and more.
Kyber Cave was founded in Fairfield and sells custom-made electronic swords similar to the Lightsabers used in “Star Wars,” but unlike the toy renditions, owner Van O'Bryan said these can actually be used for combat.
“They're very durable,” he said. “The blades are made out of high polycarbonate. The hilts are made out of T6 aircraft grade aluminum, so these are duel-worthy sabers. These aren't like the ones you buy at the amusement park that break after a few taps.”
O'Bryan also said that Kyber Cave's swords can be used in sporting leagues such as the Saber Legion and Lightspeed Saber League.
Prior to moving to Eubanks Court in Vacaville, Kyber Cave operated in downtown Fairfield where the first two Kyber Cons were hosted, attracting “Star Wars” actors such as Dominic Pace from “The Mandalorian,” C. Andrew Nelson, who portrayed Darth Vader in new scenes shot for the Special Edition re-releases, and Tim Donaldson, who portrayed a Jawa in “A New Hope” when he was just 5.
The third Kyber Con will feature a noteworthy panel. One of the guests will be John D. Michaels, who portrayed a VIP in the smash hit Korean Netflix series “Squid Game.” O'Bryan had gotten to know Michaels through O'Bryan's YouTube channel, KyberCaveProductions, and learned that Michaels, who lives in South Korea, would be visiting California for some acting gigs in Los Angeles.
“I set up this con around him being here in the Bay Area,” he said.
O'Bryan said this would be Michaels' only North American appearance in the near future.
“He's the only `Squid Game' actor to come visit people at cons, so what I'm hoping is that people that are big `Squid Game' fans, this is their chance to get close to `Squid Game,' meet an actual actor from the (show) in the United States,” he said.
Also on the panel will be Alan Fernandes, the last living Tusken Raider actor from “A New Hope,” and Joshua Pilla, a worldclass flow artist.
“Flow is the art of throwing the Lightsaber up, spinning it around your body, doing cool tricks with the Lightsaber that don't involve fighting,” O”Bryan said.
Rounding out the panel will be actor-comedians Tommy Bechtold and Erik Voss, the hosts of the New Rockstars YouTube channel.
Bechtold has had roles on “The Middle,” “Glee” and “Abbott Elementary” and made six appearances on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” including as an obsessed Princess Leia fan who dons her famous outfit from Jabba the Hutt's palace in “Return of the Jedi.” Voss has performed with sketch comedy troupes such as Groundlings and the Upright Citizens Brigade and wrote the spec script “Gator Country,” a semi-finalist at the Austin Film Festival.
On their channel, Bechtold and Voss discuss everything from pop culture news, episodes of popular TV shows and breakdowns of recently released movie trailers.
“They're YouTube stars,” O'Bryan said. “They have almost 4 million followers on YouTube.”
Different vendors, such as Waterfront Comics from Suisun City and All Funked Up from Vacaville, will be selling comic books, collectibles, movie memorabilia and autographed items. Fernandes and Michaels will also be signing autographs.
Additionally, there will be demonstrations, hourly giveaways, live music by Sacramento rapper Mr. Hooper, a performance by Twilight Knights which will incorporate Lightsabers into Renaissanceera jousting, a Lightsaber contest and a costume contest. The first 50 attendees to show up in costume will receive a $5 coupon for vendors.
“It's gonna be a fun, packed event,” O'Bryan said.
Kyber Con will take place from noon to 5 p.m. Feb. 11 in the multipurpose room of Fairview Elementary, 830 First St., Fairfield. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door and free for children 10 and under. Vendor space is also available. For more information and to purchase advance tickets, go to Kybercave.com/ kyber-con-3.