We just got back from vending Convergence 14 – America’s Premier Gothic Gathering in Ybor City, FL.

Live music provided by: Voltaire • Iris • Audra • Fiction 8 • Missile Command • The Synthetic Dream Foundation • Faded Sympathy • The Passing Hour • Exit

DJ’s:  DJ Spider • Spinmistress batty • DJ Satori • DJ Vikki Wilson • DJ Sexbat • Alex Reed (Thou Shalt Not) • DJ Keith • DJ Scar • DJ SailorGloom • DJ Storm • TheOneBob • CarrieMonster • DJ ian Nothing.

Overall we had a great time, although turnout was bit low at around 250 people, compared with last year in Portland of around 2,000. I guess the event is being turned back into it’s original roots as an event “By Netgoths, For Netgoths”, thus it was a bit more homey.

The great part of the event was the people we got to meet! We were lucky to be vending right next some awesome folks.

On our left side was Mark and Kurt from Seraphemera Books , who had an amazing display and were great to speak with. They specialize in hand bound journals, Victorian Mourning cards, the Romanti-Goth A to Z Coloring books and are home to the dark and spooky fairytale comic Polyglot & Spleen, among many other fantastic curiosities.

On our right, was Occult author, DJ and Priest, Raven Digitalis. Raven’s recent books include Goth Craft and his new Shadow Magick Compendium. I was somewhat familiar with his works before coming to C14, and had wanted to make it a point to meet, so I was happy we were boothed right next door, so we got to chat about all things Occult for a bit. Accompanying Raven, were Estha and Madeline who help to run their Metaphysical Shop Twigs and Brews. We picked up some great herbal teas, hand made soaps. like a star shaped Dragonsblood and are still enjoying them. Estha and Madeline were also very warm, open and great to speak with. It’s great getting to speak with people from other towns and sharing their perspective on life. I was on a definite high from our conversations, having had the chance to speak openly on Spiritually oriented topics.

I got to speak at length with Curse from Kambriel. This was enjoyable and I am happy they are getting the gothic scene some high profile attention while being invited to be a part of the current museum exhibition: “Gothic: Dark Glamour” hosted by The Museum at FIT in New York City, with such well known designers as Yves St. Laurent,Givenchy and Christian Lacroix.

Meeting Calan, creator of Gingerdead Gothic Webcomic was also fantastic, but more on this in another upcoming post….

Overall, a fun time was had, and we will see what next year brings!