Photo Essay: MAGFest Brings Music, Cosplay and Video Games to the National Harbor
As one approached the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center on the weekend of Feb. 18 to 21, individuals on the sidewalks became more and more unorthodox.
Joggers along the National Harbor slowly became cosplayers.
Heavy down jackets in the cold winter weather slowly but surely turn to scantily clad versions of video game characters.
The fourteenth annual Music and Gaming Festival (MAGFest) brought together more than 20 thousand attendees to dress up, watch concerts and play every kind of video or table top game you could possibly imagine.
The event also boasted many celebrity appearances, with the Angry Video Game Nerd, Portal voice actor Ellen McLain and internet comedy band Ninja Sex Party.
A row of players line up against a group of machines playing Jubeat, a rhythm game by Konami at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center at the National Harbor on Feb. 18, 2016. (Jack Angelo/Bloc Reporter)Leigh Daniel Avidan and Brian Wecht of Ninja Sex Party answer questions at their panel at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center at the National Harbor on Feb. 18, 2016. Some in attendance waited more than 6 hours to see them. (Jack Angelo/Bloc Reporter)Ninja Sex Party frontman Danny Sexbang sings a cover of the Tears For Fears song “Everybody Want to Rule to World” at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center at the National Harbor on Feb. 19, 2016. (Jack Angelo/Bloc Reporter)Danny Sexbang of Ninja Sex Party nails the final note of “Take on Me” by A-ha during NSP and TWRP’s performance at MAGFest at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center at the National Harbor on Feb. 19, 2016. (Jack Angelo/Bloc Reporter)Rapper Lucio Pro performs a song about Super Mario Bros. 2 alongside The One-Ups at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center at the National Harbor on Feb. 19, 2016. (Jack Angelo/Bloc Reporter)New York “feminerd” rapper Sammus gets emotional during a song about her experience as a black woman growing up in New York at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center at the National Harbor on Feb. 19, 2016. (Jack Angelo/Bloc Reporter)Tupper Ware Remix Party Bassist Commander Meowch roars during the bands performance at MAGFest at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center at the National Harbor on Feb. 19, 2016. (Jack Angelo/Bloc Reporter)
Featured Photo Credit: Ninja Sex Party singer Danny Sexbang performs comedy music in the style of 80s synth rock to a crowd over nearly 5000 at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center at the National Harbor on Feb. 19, 2016. (Jack Angelo/Bloc Reporter)
Jack Angelo is a senior broadcast journalism major and can be reached at JackMAngelo@gmail.com.
