A state-of-the-art downtown venue, new dates and fresh celebrity guests mark the third Wizard World Toronto Comic Con, which today announced its standout lineup scheduled to attend the event, April 14-15 at Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC). Popular screen stars Paul Wesley, Jeri Ryan, Scott Bakula and Amy Acker will be joined by WWE® Superstar Edge® and dozens of standout celebs and talented comic book artists and writers at the convention, which promises to be even bigger and better in 2012.

Bakula (“Star Trek: Enterprise,” “Quantum Leap”) and Acker (“Angel,” THE CABIN IN THE WOODS) will appear both days, while Wesley (“The Vampire Diaries,” “24”), Ryan (“Star Trek: Voyager,” “Boston Public”) and Edge® are scheduled to attend on Saturday only.

“Toronto and the entire region have embraced Wizard World Toronto Comic Con over the past two years, and we’re excited to bring a first-class event to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre,” said John Macaluso, Wizard World Board of Directors. “From well-known, relevant stars like Paul Wesley and Jeri Ryan and classic and cult actors and actresses to an outstanding collection of big-time artists and a unique array of exhibitors and vendors, there’s something for everyone.”

The event, produced by Wizard World, Inc. (WIZD.PK), will bring together thousands of fans of all ages and dozens of celebrities and industry professionals to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more.

Source: PR Urgent

In other news, the same article has revealed the scheduled airdate for Amy’s other upcoming guest spot on Once Upon a Time: March 4, which I believe to be the 1×15 episode titled ‘Red-Handed’ — I shall keep you guys up-to-date on that!

She’s a serial killer with a secret. Sci-fi fave Amy Acker (Angel, Dollhouse) guest stars on the Feb. 10 episode of NBC’s fairy-tale cop drama Grimm as a spiderwoman who seduces and slays a string of Portland men by sucking out their organs and leaving their bodies mummified. Don’t be looking for some feminist statement here. “This is not one of those revenge-against-men-type stories,” Acker says. “She’s a black widow who is facing a very difficult inner struggle. She’s doing what she must to survive.” To attract her victims, the character goes undercover in various hot disguises, then when it’s time to do the nasty, suddenly sports fangs, extra arms and lots of body hair.

You can also find Acker on the March 4 episode of that other fairy tale series, ABC’s Once Upon a Time — as a love interest for Grumpy the dwarf!

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- Production Stills

I’m thankful for the visitors & fans for visiting in the first place — and it looks like there have been extra visitors lately; thanks! — and of course, another year’s worth of updates covering Amy’s projects.

I love working on this site.

I’ll be sure to keep you guys updated!

In other news, you can take a sneak peek at one of Amy’s characters in Storybrook, thanks to a behind-the-scenes photographer. The images are available to view over at Flickr — such an interesting look for Amy! Personally, I’m really looking forward to this guest spot.

Grumpy is getting a love interest. What saintly maiden could Once Upon a Time get to put up with this surly dwarf? According to The Hollywood Reporter, her part will be played by Amy Acker.

Acker, well-known to audiences from her roles on Angel and Dollhouse, will play the characters of Astrid (in Storybrooke) and Nova (in fairy-tale land). Exactly what her relationship will be with Leroy and Grumpy (Lee Arenberg), we will only find out when the episode airs late in the winter of 2012.

This isn’t Amy Acker’s only foray into fairy-tale TV in 2012. The actress will also have a guest-starring role on Grimm in early February. On that show, she will play a Black Widow character. What exactly does a Black Widow do on a show like Grimm? Executive producer David Greenwalt noted, “She has an issue with men that has to be worked out. And it’s kind of a life and death issue.”

Updates may be a little slow while we enjoy the holidays, but I look forward to following Amy’s career into 2012- we already have guest appearances on Once Upon a Time & Grimm to look forward to, as early as January! And let’s not forget the long awaited release of The Cabin in the Woods in April & the surprise movie with Joss Whedon, Much Ado About Nothing.

Of course, we’re bound to have even more to look forward to, perhaps the R1/R2 DVD release of Sironia and Dear Santa…? Here’s hoping, anyhow!

Enjoy the holidays!

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- The Broad Stages ‘Peter And The Wolf’ Saturday Morning Mash-Up With MUSE/IQUE

As part of her Saturday Morning Mash-Up series, passionately innovative conductor Rachael Worby, Artistic Director of MUSE/IQUE, offers a kid-friendly version of Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf in which classical music becomes cool. Add in special guest narrators – Golden Globe winning actress Wendie Malick (Just Shoot Me, Hot In Cleveland) and Dan Lauria (The Wonder Years, ED, JAG) – and they will leave you and your family gasping (and texting) for joy. Before you know it, the line between orchestra and audience disappears. Performances take place at 10:00 AM and 11:30 AM on November 5, 2011.

Worby, who spends more than half the performance off the stage directly engaging the kids and families, brings her lifelong passions for people and music to the experience of the Saturday Morning Mash-Ups. As Artistic Director of MUSE/IQUE, Worby is renowned for mixing high culture with casual whimsy. She has engaged writer Matt Nix to create the text for a group of actors, including Malick and Lauria, who will each be paired with an instrument. Additional cast members are David Fickas, Kiele Sanchez, Amy Acker, Jay Karnas and Bradley Whitford as…the wolf!

Source: PR Newswire

In other news, I came across a still of Amy in Dear Santa as part of an interview by the Calgary Herald with Amy’s co-star, Patrick Creery, who played the homeless shelter’s chef. Thus, I’ve added the still to the gallery; preview to your right & link below.

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- Production Stills

And finally, Dear Santa has been airing pretty regularly on TV lately, including Lifetime on Christmas Day, so be sure to check your local listings if you’d like to catch a viewing.

Thus, the poster has been added to the gallery; preview to your right & link below and you can view the HD trailer on YouTube — it does contain a lot of spoilers, but it looks awesome. Happy viewing!

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- Artwork & Posters

Once Upon a Time has dipped into the Whedonverse yet again to fill a guest-starring role.

Amy Acker, who had roles on both Joss Whedon’s Angel and Dollhouse, will visit ABC’s fantastical freshman drama as a romantic interest for both Grumpy (of the Seven Dwarves) and his surly Storybrooke counterpart, Leroy, in a late winter episode that delves into the grouch’s backstory.

Lee Arenberg (Grumpy/Leroy) cheered the casting via Twitter, saying that on Friday he was “living the dream” working opposite both Acker and Ginnifer Goodwin (aka Snow White/Mary Margaret) — though it was not clear in which of the show’s two worlds their scenes were taking place.

Well, TVLine can exclusively report that Acker will play characters in both Storybrooke and the fairy tale world that was.

Acker’s TV resume also includes ABC’s Happy Town and No Ordinary Family, and last month’s Lifetime movie Dear Santa. Ironically, she will also guest-star this winter on NBC’s Grimm, which like Once (though in a decidedly different way) revolves around fairy tale characters.

Once Upon a Time, having aired its seventh episode/fall finale this month, resumes its freshman run Jan. 8.