Raving Toy Maniac

Bloomington, Minnesota - April 30, 2012 - MetaCon 2012, the largest upcoming comicon, sci-fi, and anime con to come to Minneapolis is thrilled to announce that two more stars from Power Rangers will be joining the convention in 2012. Michael Copon (Blue Ranger, Time Force) and Nakia Burrise (Yellow Ranger, Turbo, Zeo, Mighty Morphin') will join MetaCon from August 31 - September 2, 2012 at the Doubletree by Hilton in Bloomington, Minneapolis for autograph signings and question and answer sessions. MetaCon will gather thousands of fans of TV, comics, sci-fi, anime, and popular culture to the Minneapolis, Minnesota area for a three-day weekend celebrating fandom and nerd life.

Michael Sowell Copon is an actor, model, producer, and singer, known for his role of Felix Taggaro in the television series One Tree Hill, playing Vin Keahi in the television series Beyond the Break, and starring in Power Rangers: Time Force. Michael has also starred as the lead in numerous films, including Night of the Demons, All You've Got, Dark House, Music High, and Bring It On: In It To Win It. He has also starred as the lead while producing or co-producing on Killer Holiday and Boyband.

Michael Copon has also played recurring characters on Beyond the Break, Greek, and That's So Raven, in addition to guest starring on Hawaii 5-0, CSI: Miami, and Reno 911.

As an actress, singer, dancer, writer, and model, when you take a look at Nakia Burrise's career, it becomes crystal clear that she is a triple threat and entertainment is her passion!

Growing up in Stockton, CA, Nakia was introduced to musical theater and performance in elementary school. She began performing acrobatics by the age of five and later ventured into theater, musical theater, dancing, singing and modeling. After graduating from Edison High School in Stockton, California, Nakia auditioned for UCLA's prestigious theater department. She was the only African American female freshman accepted into the theater department that year. By the time she was a junior at UCLA, her professional career had begun. She booked her first role as a series regular on Power Rangers, as Tanya Sloan, the yellow ranger; while simultaneously recording her first pop album with her singing group Divine. After Power Rangers Nakia took a break from acting full-time to begin a family. After the birth of her second child she began pursuing acting again and was diagnosed with a lung disease that again took her away from her passion, acting. In 2008, Nakia was blessed with a clean bill of health (as her illness was now in remission) and she once again pursued her dream of acting.

She has played an array of characters in such shows as 90210, The Middle, Rules Of Engagement, Melissa and Joey, Bones, Samantha Who, Boston Legal, Nash Bridges, Moesha and even found time to film a sitcom pilot that she wrote, produced and starred in titled, Crazy Daze. She is currently working as a series regular on an internet series for Mattel, due to premiere in 2012. Nakia plays the role of Nikki. Along with her television credits, she has appeared in numerous films, national commercials, and print ads. In addition, her stage performances continue to thrive. She has starred in musicals such as Bye-Bye Birdie, The Wiz, Two Gentlemen of Verona, Cinderella and the list goes on. Her resolve to be successful in the entertainment business is relentless. And her will to overcome life's obstacles are incessant. But, her desires do not begin and end with performing. She is determined to reach where it counts the most, the children.

In 2006, Nakia, founded a non-profit corporation, "A Day in the Life," with the mission is to reach inner city children by giving them the opportunity to explore careers, life options and community possibilities through field trips, presentations and field work; opportunities that are not readily accessible to many inner city youths.

Nakia and Michael will be joining other Power Rangers stars Jason Faunt and Jessica Rey for autograph sessions, interviews, and Q&A panels. Other guests include hit anime voice actor Todd Haberkorn (Hetalia, Soul Eater, Ouran) and Internet Entrepreneur YTCracker. The full guest list can be found online at http://www.metaconvention.com/guests

MetaCon is a three-day event filled with activities for fans of all media, including comic books, anime, video games, fashion, music, steampunk, lolita, and more. Events include numerous autograph sessions, costume contests, tournaments, and events. Fans of Japanese anime can enjoy discussion panels and Q&As with voice actors, while fans of music can enjoy concerts and DJs. Steampunk fans can get tips from professional costumers, and technophiles can talk about the gadgets they love. All types of geeks will come together for one of the largest three-day conventions to ever draw people to Minneapolis. Registration for MetaCon is just $25 in advance for attendees, and can be found online at http://www.metaconvention.com/