Got your New Year’s plans squared away? Well nuts to that! Go toMAGFestinstead!

From January 3-6, the Music And Gaming Festival will once again be tearing down the walls of the Gaylord National Hotel in National Harbor, Maryland. Those who have attended past events can’t stop singing its praises, and I doubt its 11th iteration will be any different.Four-day passesstart at $40 per person, $30 per person if you are rolling in a crew of eight or more, andhotel ratesstart at $135 a night.

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Last year, extraordinary performances by Nobuo Uematsu’s bandEarthbound Papas, live speedrunners / rock collectiveBit Brigade, and others left attendees all wet in the pants. On the schedule so far this year, Bit Brigade will return as will my boy Random a.k.a.Mega Ran. Special guests include Arin “Egoraptor” Hanson, the voice of Duke Nukem Jon St. John, and most likely theHAWPcrew plus Ashley Davis, though they have yet to be formally announced.

But the headlining guest is none other than Kinuyo Yamashita, famed Japanese composer responsible for the soundtracks of the originalCastlevania,Mega Man X3, and a very dear game to my heart calledPower Blazer. In fact, I think I’ll have her signmy boxed copy!

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Kirby Grammy Award nomination

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The Steam logo wearing a Christmas hat with discounted games in the background.