Press Release: Anime-SPARK! is excited to announce that Minneapolis pop-punk band Atlas On Strike will be headlining a concert at Anime-SPARK! on Saturday night, joined by anime cover band Cascade Nightmare. Anime-SPARK! is an anime convention returning for the second year to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The event brings together hundreds of anime fans in celebration of Japanese animation and popular culture, with a ticket price of just $35 per person at the door. Anime-SPARK! 2012 will be held February 16 - 19, 2012 at the Clarion Hotel and Convention Center.

Atlas On Strike is a four piece Pop-Punk band hailing from Minneapolis, MN. A new band on the scene, Atlas On Strike has already released and EP and full-length album as well as feverishly played a multitude of shows. Their upcoming album "This Is Life" is set to be released Spring 2012. The members of Atlas On Strike are Matt (Bass), Josh (Guitar/Box/Keys), Paeton (Drums/Brutal), and Jack (Guitar/Vox).

Cascade Nightmare is a local anime theme cover band from the Cedar Rapids area. They have been a band for almost two years, and anime fans for... ever. Started as a side project their anime covers quickly took over their time and priorities. They currently have two members, Sebastian Foreman (Lead Guitar, Backup Vocals) Mike Stuefen (Lead Vocals, Bass) and their drum machine RC-30 (Drums, Keyboard).

The Atlas On Strike and Cascade Nightmare concert will not be the only dance/music event at the convention. Friday includes an hour-long Formal Dance lesson, hosted by professional instructor Jessie D. Eckles, followed by a two-hour Formal Ball Friday evening. There will be a rave dance both Friday night and Saturday night, featuring DJ Oso as well as Lucid Beats, in addition to Anime-SPARK!'s house DJs.

Other guests of the convention include Chris Rager, Quinton Flynn, Greg Wicker, and Aegis Swordsmanship Academy. More information about guests for the convention can be found at http://animespark.org/guests

Early registration for the event has ended, but fans can register at the door for just $35. More information about Anime-SPARK!, including the full events list, can be found at http://animespark.org/