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News.com.au
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Aussie TikTok star Maddy Macrae lives at airport for one week
An Aussie TikTok star has gone viral for living inside an airport for a week. Maddy Macrae, 32, from Sydney, decided to stay at Changi Airport in Singapore as part of a 'social experiment'. 'I am a big fan of the movie The Terminal and chose Changi because it's the best airport in the world (that's won all these awards),' she told 'But obviously I wasn't going to be making beds out of the seats in the airport,' she laughed. Instead, she stayed at Crown Plaza that's located at Terminal 3 – a rare hotel that allows guests to 'go outside'. 'I wanted to see what it would be like, to see if I would go crazy, would I go insane but I didn't, it just felt like a holiday,' Maddy said. The TikToker went live every day, detailing what she did to her 1.9 million followers. 'This is the most insane airport,' she said in her first viral clip. 'My first stop was the Jewel to see the waterfall – absolutely breathtaking. It's also a huge mall so I had a quick walk through before grabbing a milk tea and hopping on a skytrain to get to my hotel.' 'The pool is right next to my room and this is just insane it's here for a layover.' While Maddy stayed at the hotel for a week, guests with long layovers can book in six-hour blocks for $305 or $330 for an eight-hour stay. 'The worst thing about layovers is you're stuck inside but the hotel has a pool that's outdoors,' she said. 'Having that fresh air available to you is so nice, so is having access to a nice shower and gym.' While a social experiement, Maddy acknowledged that she was approached by the hotel to experience everything the airport in full. She also wanted to see what all the fuss was about Changi Airport given it was also recently recognised as the world's best airport hotel by Skytrax. 'There's so much great cultural food and experiences you can do without leaving the airport,' she said. 'I spent about $50 a day – you can get a great Singaporean dish between $7 and $15 – and a lot of the activities are free.' She said she never ran out of things to do having visited the 40m-tall waterfall surrounded by more than 900 trees and palms in the Forest Valley, Butterfly or Sunflower Garden. She was shocked to discover the airport hosts free outside tours for passengers with long layovers. 'I did do a free tour which took me to the river and Marina Bay,' she said. 'It's actually available to people who haven't even cleared immigration. You can be on the airport side and have a long layover and go on this free tour. 'If you're in the arrival side and haven't come through you can still do it.' Maddy's followers, while some sceptical about her living at an airport for a week, were mostly excited about how her 'experiment'. 'Going to Singapore in 6 weeks but im going to need a good reason to leave the airport,' one user wrote. 'My dream? There's a literal hedge maze in an airport!! It's giving Bridgerton meets The Terminal, and that's exactly the kind of storyline I belong in,' said another. 'That sounds like an amazing opportunity! Excited to see how the week-long layover unfolds. Changi Airport is definitely a great place to start the adventure,' a third added. Maddy said one of the weirdest things is how 'time doesn't exist'. 'The phenomenon around airport limbo exists even when you live there,' she said. 'So time is a construct and having a cocktail at 7am whether you're living there or not is absolutely on the cards. 'I had a cocktail once at 10am – nobody will frown at you for doing that,' she laughed. She said overall it was a 'fun challenge' and perfect airport for a long layover.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
All the comic book, anime, and geek culture conventions happening in Minnesota in 2025
Minnesota is home to dozens of comic book, gaming, and other pop culture conventions every year. The list of events is gigantic, showcasing a diverse and encompassing community of gamers, artists, and fans that host everything from intimate gatherings with niche interests to massive events with alluring guests. Here are (nearly all) the conventions taking place in 2025 where you can stroll through markets, meet people with similar interests, and otherwise embrace your interets with others in the community. When/Where: Feb. 15–16 at Crown Plaza Minneapolis West in PlymouthWhat it is: A long-running tabletop gaming convention with activities and an impressive list of gaming $60 at the door When/Where: Feb. 28–Mar. 2 at DoubleTree by Hilton in BloomingtonWhat it is: It bills itself as the first-ever sports romance convention, featuring authors of, well, sports romance books. The event features panels, signing opportunities, and plenty of vendors. Cost: $50–$275 When/Where: March 2 at Eagan Community Center in EaganWhat it is: The Pokémon-themed convention features contests, retro Pokémon games, anime, vendors, and more. Masks are $25 pre-registration/$30 at the door When/Where: Mar. 7–9 at Hilton Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport in BloomingtonWhat it is: A fan-run convention focused on science-fiction and fantasy, anime, art, cosplay, and more. This year's guest of honor will be Jason Carter, who played Marcus Cole on Babylon $70 weekend pass/$30-$45 single-day pass When/Where: March 14–16 at the Minneapolis Convention Center in MinneapolisWhat it is: A life-size journey through the world of dinosaurs, Jurassic Quest features animatronic dinosaurs that move around as visitors move through the prehistoric landscape. Cost: $30–$94 When/Where: March 22–23 at the Minneapolis Convention Center in MinneapolisWhat it is: It's a market of curated, handmade, and geek-themed wares. It's for "nerds who make things," as the Expo puts TBD When/Where: Mar. 28–30 at Hyatt Regency Hotel in MinneapolisWhat it is: The state's longest-running anime convention has been around for more than two decades, celebrating anime and manga fandom. Cost: $70 until Mar. 1/$75 at the door When/Where: April 11–13 at Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West in PlymouthWhat it is: A gaming convention focused on video games, video game music, and the chance to see gamers do speedruns for charity. It bills itself as part convention and part music festival with live performances from Glitch Kibbitz, 8-bit & the Single Players, Steel Samurai, Kirby's Dream Band, and moreCost: $78 weekend pass/$37–$47 single-day passes When/Where: April 12-13 at Graham Arena in RochesterWhat it is: The convention features more than 80 vendors with comics, collectibles, art, cosplay, and more. It'll also have guests like David Howard Thornton (Art the Clown from Terrifier), Tracy Lynn-Cruz, Ming Chen, William Ragsdale, and $27.72 weekend pass/$12.16–$17.35 single-day passes When/Where: April 12–13 at Eagan Civic Arena in EaganWhat it is: A tour LEGO fan event with LEGO masters, vendors, and $15 advance/$20 at the door When/Where: April 18–20 at DoubleTree by Hilton in BloomingtonWhat it is: Minicon 58 is a broad sci-fi convention that offers diverse programming amid its readings, author and artist signings, film screenings, cosplay, and other $65 until Mar. 25, $90 at the door/$30 students at the door/$20 kids 6 to 12 at the door/free for kids under 5 When/Where: April 26 at Boom Island Brewing in MinnetonkaWhat it is: Boom Island is hosting an all-day party for retro game lovers. It'll have retro consoles (free to play), Nintendo-themed event beers, a Nintendo-themed DJ set, vendors, and revelers dressed for the occasion. Cost: Free When/Where: May 2–4 at Gamezenter in RosevilleWhat it is: A gaming convention focused on "Marvel Champions."Cost: Sold out When/Where: May 16–18 at Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West in PlymouthWhat it is: It's a broad fan convention that celebrates sci-fi, fantasy, anime, horror, and the paranormal. Cost: $50 through May 1 When/Where: June 6–8 at Brickmania Toyworks in MinneapolisWhat it is: A gathering of LEGO enthusiasts with a focus on models of historical and military-related scenes and $90–$94 weekend pass/$15 public exhibition ticket When/Where: June 7 at MN State Fairgrounds Education Building in Falcon HeightsWhat it is: A one-day version of the MNCBA's fall convention. It features comic book vendors, artists, a kids crafts area, and more. Cost: $10/kids nine and under are free When/Where: June 13–15 at DoubleTree by Hilton in MinneapolisWhat it is: A small "conversational convention" about fantasy fiction. Cost: Registration is not yet open When/Where: June 20–22 at Charles Thompson Hall Deaf Club in St. PaulWhat it is: A convention for gamers who speak ASL (American Sign Language) with board games, card games, and role-playing games. Cost: $40 When/Where: June 28–29 at Minneapolis Marriott West in MinneapolisWhat it is: It's a two-day festival celebrating books and authors across genres. Cost: $80–$212 When/Where: July 3–6 at Hyatt Regency Hotel in MinneapolisWhat it is: An annual convention for fans across the sci-fi and fantasy landscape. Cost: $115 weekend pass through May 31 and $135 afterwards/$55–$75 day pass When/Where: July 12–13 at the Minneapolis Club (redubbed the Xavier Institute for the weekend) in MinneapolisWhat it is: An immersive two-day convention focused on the X-Men universe. There are cosplay contests, vendors, and guests that include Tyler Mane, who played Sabretooth in X-Men (2000) and Deadpool and Wolverine (2024). Comic book writer Gail Simone will also be among this year's guests. Cost: $95 (plus fees) general admission/$10 for kids 12 and under/$100 "afterparty in the mansion" tickets/$375 VIP Where/Where: July 12–13 at the Iron Trail Motors Event Center in VirginiaWhat it is: A celebration of fandoms, "from comics to videogames, movies to manga."Cost: $20–$25 weekend pass/ $15 single-day pass When/Where: Aug. 16–17 at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center in DuluthWhat it is: Excalibur Con is a pop culture and tabletop gaming convention with an expansive focus that includes sci-fi, fantasy, gaming, anime, and other nostalgic fandoms. It touts vendors, artists, cosplay contests, and gaming tournaments (including "Magic the Gathering," "Warhammer," and "Kings of War"). Guests include Leilani Shiu (The Mandalorian) and Cheryl Chase (Rugrats).Cost: $40 early-bird weekend pass/$20–$30 early-bird single-day passes/tournaments cost extra When/Where: Aug. 22–24 at DoubleTree in BloomingtonWhat it is: It bills itself as the state's largest gaming and esports convention. It features a massive arcade of current and classic arcade and pinball machines, gaming tournaments, artists and vendors, panels, a cosplay show, and more. Tournaments include "DanceDance Revolution," "Campcom vs. SNK 2," "Super Smash Bros.," and "Mortal Kombat 1."Cost: $60 weekend pass/$30 for kids 7–13 When/Where: Aug. 29–31 at The Heritage Center in Brooklyn CenterWhat it is: It's an X-Files fan festival with appearances from actors who appeared in the series, including Mitch Pileggi who played Assistant Director Walter $125 weekend pass/$65 day pass When/Where: Sept. 5–7 at Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West in PlymouthWhat it is: Diversicon, run by SF Minnesota, is a con dedicated to diverse speculative fiction. Guests of honor this year include Lyda Morehouse and Naomi $30 until March 15/$45 for adults through July 31/$55 for adults/$30 for students When/Where: Sept. 5–7 at the Hyatt Regency in Downtown MinneapolisWhat it is: It's an annual furry fandom event with parties, dance competitions, art, and other 2024 prices — $60 in advance/$75 at the event When/Where: Sept. 12–14 at Crowne Plaza West Hotel & Conference Center in PlymouthWhat it is: The horror-centric festival spans mediums, celebrating horror in film, TV, anime, comics, and anywhere else the macabre is found. It features celebrity guests, film screenings, and vendors with toys, comics, props, art, and more. Guests in 2025 include Christian Serratos, Callan McAuliffe, and Khary Payton from The Walking Dead; CJ Graham (Friday the 13th movies); Bill Moseley (Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2); and $70 weekend pass/$20–$40 single-day passes When/Where: Sept. 26–28 at the Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West in PlymouthWhat it is: The three-day gaming convention focuses on "Pathfinder" and "Starfinder Society."Cost: 2024 price — $30 When/Where: September 26–28 at TBDWhat it is: The LAN party is a family-friendly, weekend-long PC and console gaming event. It's a bring-your-own computer/console situation, though. Details are not available for this fall's event, but previous ones have included tournaments around games like Mortal Kombat, Golf with Your Friends, Mario Kart, and other 2024 prices — $45–$60 When/Where: Oct. 3–5 at Crowne Plaza Suites MSP Airport/Mall of America in BloomingtonWhat it is: An annual convention that broadly touches on sci-fi, fantasy, horror, comics, and games, but with a focus on LGBTQ+ fans and friends. Cost: Registration not yet available When/Where: Oct. 10–12 at the DoubleTree Hotel in MinneapolisWhat it is: The third annual convention honors the late Dave Arneson, co-creator of "Dungeons & Dragons," with a weekend full of board games, role-playing games, and $40–$50 three-day pass/$10–$30 single-day passes When/Where: Oct. 11–12 at the MN State Fairgrounds in Falcon HeightsWhat it is: One of Minnesota's largest comic book conventions, featuring guest creators, vendors, and a broad celebration of comics. Lots more details will be released in the coming 2024 prices — $15 for the weekend/free for kids nine and under When/Where: Oct. 17–19 at Crowne Plaza West Hotel & Conference Center in PlymouthWhat it is: A celebration of all things anime with game rooms, cosplay, vendors, and $40 standard/$115 patron/VIP When/Where: Oct. 18–19 at Public Functionary in MinneapolisWhat it is: After a year away, ConFluence is back. It's a two-day event celebrating art, sci-fi, fantasy, and futurism, centered on content by and for Black people, Indigenous people, and other BIPOC $40 weekend pass (early bird price)/$25 single day pass (early bird price) When/Where: Nov. 7–10 at the Minneapolis Convention Center in MinneapolisWhat it is: A classic convention for "all things nerdy," featuring an artist alley, vendors, cosplay, and celebrity panels. This year's guest list won't be announced for a while yet, but last year guests included Hayden Christensen and Ian McDiarmid, Lou Diamond Phillips, and three stars from Boy Meets World. Cost: 2024 prices — $55–$70 weekend pass/$25–$50 single-day passes
