I.C.Y.M.I.: Enter The ReedPOP 'Metaverse,' Attend The Residency's Artist Summit + More!

Greetings, fellow pop culture aficionados, and welcome to week 27 of our I.C.Y.M.I. (In Case You Missed It) blog series. Our museum may be temporarily closed to visitors based on guidance from public health officials to slow the spread of coronavirus, but we're still here to recap a handful of trending tidbits from the past week(s) in popular culture, in case you missed them.

Last week, we brought word of the reemergence of G4, the former video game and pop culture television network that recently teased a 2021 return. This week, we begin by highlighting a multi-day online pop culture gathering that you can be a part of right now. Read on!

Enter The ReedPOP "Metaverse"

For those of you who were eagerly looking forward to attending Emerald City Comic Con this past March (*raises hand*), a virtual event has arrived to help hold you over until ECCC (*fingers crossed*) returns to Seattle in 2021.

ReedPOP, the organizer behind ECCC and other large, nerdy gatherings like New York Comic Con and Florida Supercon, has put together a four-day online excursion of panels, meet and greets, cosplay competitions, and more as part of what they're calling the "Metaverse." Happening now through Sunday, August 16 over at FindTheMetaverse.com, fans are invited to experience some of those same con events they know and love from the comfort of their own homes. 

"You’ll encounter one-of-a-kind interactive experiences with your favorite celebs and creators, discover new releases, explore a rich exhibitor marketplace, get access to sweet merchandise, and connect with other fans from across the globe to celebrate all things pop culture," says the "Metaverse" announcement. 

A complete lineup of panels, talks, exhibitors, merchandise, and artists can be found right here and, if you can't find time this weekend to "attend" the "Metaverse" as it happens, New York Comic Con's YouTube channel is stockpiling all the "Metaverse" content for your viewing pleasure. Perhaps I'll "see" you there!

The Residency Youth Hip Hop Program To Host Artist Summit 2020

If you're still interested in more virtual event content after you power through ReedPOP's "Metaverse," or if music is just more your jam, The Residency youth hip-hop program is hosting an artist summit next Monday, August 17 and Tuesday, August 18. The two sessions are open to the public (registration is required).

• Related: The Residency's Aréte Garner Shares 5 Songs That Keep Him Happy

Monday's session, titled "The Music in the Movement: Art x Activism," features Seattle artists Rell Be Free and ParisAlexa and New Orleans rapper Dee-1 for a conversation at the intersection of social justice and music. Tuesday's gathering with Jamila Woods (Chicago), Sango (Seattle) and NOVAWAV (Los Angeles) showcases their journeys as artists, songwriters and producers: their path to finding confidence, opportunities and sustainability in their careers, and lessons learned along the way.

Learn more at TheResidencySeattle.org

What Else To Catch Up On This Weekend

• For some family-friendly entertainment, join us on Sunday, August 16 for a matinee online watchalong of Freaky Friday, part of our POP+ Punk virtual programming. Registration for Sunday's 4 p.m. PT event is now open.
• Speaking of POP+ Punk, our MoPOP Book Club charges on next Monday, August 17 with a live online discussion of Carrie Brownstein of Sleater-Kinney's memoir, Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl (bump this Sleater-Kinney playlist as you begin to read!).
• Teaser events for Pop Con 2020 continue Friday with another POP TALKS event hosted on NPR Music's Instagram live.
• Our blog series celebrating 20 years of MoPOP continued this past week with a look back at the launch of Sound Off!, our nonprofit museum's 21-and-under music showcase.
• And we wished legendary Seattle rapper Sir Mix-a-Lot a happy 57th birthday this past Wednesday by sharing a 1999 oral history interview he did with MoPOP.

What'd We Miss?

Now that we've filled you in on a few things, what do you feel we failed to mention? Let us know in the comments, or hit us up with a suggestion on social media. We'll look to include your ideas in our next edition of I.C.Y.M.I.

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