Wizard World Comic Con is back in Madison for the third straight year, taking place Friday through Sunday at the Alliant Energy Center.
New this year is the entertainment stage, which features free, non-stop programming throughout the weekend. Highlights include:
- Wizard World Hall of Legends Induction Ceremony (7 p.m. Friday)
- Wizard World Karaoke (8:15 p.m. Friday, 5 p.m. Saturday)
- Kids Costume Contest (2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday)
- Rock It Man Entertainment Dueling Piano Show (10 a.m. Sunday)
- Klingon Pop Warrior (11:30 a.m. Sunday)
- Thomas Nicholas Acoustic Performance (1 p.m. Sunday)
The host for the entertainment stage will be Milwaukee native Brian Kato Kaelin, who was gracious enough to do an interview with EatDrinkMadison.com:
EatDrinkMadison: How did you get involved with Wizard World Comic Con in the first place?
Kato Kaelin: I got involved with WW because the current CEO John Maatta saw me do some hosting at an event with the First Lady of Belize, and I guess he liked it. He called me late night from the Austin Wizard World show and hired me over the cell phone. BTW, John also ran the WB network and started the CW network.
EDM: How does it feel to be back in your home state?
Kato: I LOVE WISCONSIN. I’m so excited to be here and especially to share it with all the people of Wizard World Comic Con, because I’ve been bragging about the beauty of the state as well as the MOST wonderful people on the planet. I’m an INSANE sports fanatic, and I follow ALL Wisconsin sports teams! I’ve been fortunate enough to make friends with Packers and Brewers front office people. ON WISCONSIN!
EDM: Have you been to Madison before? When was the last time?
Kato: I haven’t been to Madtown in about 28 years! Sad, I know. Actually, I did drive through the town the last two years on the way to the family’s cottage in Lac du Flambeau. I can’t wait to see how much it’s changed and if the beer is still cold! I used to visit friends at school there and spent weekends in Ogg Hall.
EDM: Though Wizard World Comic Con has been to Madison twice before, the entertainment stage is new to us. What can attendees expect?
Kato: The entertainment stage is “the gateway to the celebrity signings and pics” if you think “America’s Got Talent” with me as the host playing the part of Tyra Banks. I bring up the best of the Wisconsin on stage. We have music acts, magicians, jugglers, hall of legends inductees, celebrity karaoke (KatoRoake), trivia giveaways and continuous DJ tunes! It’s FUN!
EDM: What are some funny anecdotes you can share about entertainment stages you’ve hosted in other cities?
Kato: Some of the things that have happened on the entertainment stage has been NYC-style runway show between Wonder Woman and Gwen Stacy [from Spider-Man] giving their best poses. We had 10 Deadpools laying on stage posing for paparazzi, and we even had a two-year-old baby Hulk running wild on stage only to pause for 30 seconds to load his diaper with gamma rays! Well, I think you know what I mean. I still hope that was no indication of my performance as Emcee. Ha ha! The kids on stage in cosplay contest always steal the show!
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Photo courtesy of Wizard World Comic Con
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