Rye

The past month has been heartbreaking, terrifying and difficult. The federal occupation of our state is incomprehensible and the execution of Renee and Alex is infuriating. Like many of you, I'm navigating a cocktail of grief, anger and depression, among others. To our volunteers and members: prioritize your safety, physical and mental health. If you have the capacity, check in on one another. A small outreach matters. Together as a community, we can continue to grow and feel more connected than ever. Seeing tens of thousands of people come together echoes our mission of uniting a community and reinforces our 2026 VGM CON theme of Stitched Together. Gamer’s Rhapsody and its programs are built by volunteers to welcome people from across the state, the country and the world. We refuse to let this occupation diminish our mission, or our presence. We have no intention of slowing down; our programs will continue as planned. Providing a space for expression, familiarity and belonging through music and games is more important than ever. We will continue to support our community and our partners through love, inclusion and events, as we always have and always will. Finally, ICE, GTFO of my state. Thomas Spargo Gamer’s Rhapsody Chair

A message from the Gamer's Rhapsody board chair.

Minnesota is the best of us.

And yes, it was -10° before the wind chill. And yes, that's a ~3" icicle on my beard.

But Minnesota doesn't care about the cold. Thousands said, at least it wasn't -40°.

Dogs protesting fascism

Today I protested:
-The abduction of neighbors, children and the elderly
-The killing, harms and trauma of the community
-Violations of 1st and 4th amendments
-And the occupation, atrocities, lies and injustice perpetrated by the federal government

This is worse than you hear on the news.
ICE OUT

Definitely meant to say, playing!

It's been fun, #MFF2025.
Thanks for coming to my performance and thanks to @amayasings.bsky.social @anacctfursean.bsky.social and @galetazzin.bsky.social for passing with me.

We're getting ready! See you soon!
#mff2025

Join us tomorrow for music from Far Cry 5, Xenoblade Chronicles, Zelda, Princess Mononoke and more!

10:30a Mainstage #MFF2025
@anacctfursean.bsky.social @amayasings.bsky.social @galetazzin.bsky.social

Concert Poster for a show at MFF! The design ressembles an old Sega Genesis advertisement. Poster text: Otter Chaos! (Super Villains Take Over Rosemont... and it's Otter Chaos!) Video Game Music Concert. Midwest Furfest 2025 Friday, December 5th Main Stage 5pm - 6:30pm Poster by wolfears.net

We're entering our villain arc at #MFF2025!

🎶 LIVE Video Game Concert!
💎 Friday, Dec. 5th, 5pm - 6:30pm, Main Stage
💎 Video game music arrangements from games like Sonic, Pokémon, Undertale, and more!
💎 Over 20 musicians! It's going to be a huge show!

🎨 Poster design by @wolfears.net

I'm performing at #MFF2025!
Listen to #vgm, #anime and more!
Plus I'll be playing with @amayasings.bsky.social, @galetazzin.bsky.social and @anacctfursean.bsky.social.

#classicalguitar #furrymusic #furrymusicians

My marathon is this Sunday! I hope you can join me in supporting treatment costs for dogs with cancer.

Marathons are hard. Seeing your dog go through cancer without any financial ability is harder. Donate to Live Like Roo to help those in need.

bit.ly/llrthomas

#ChicagoMarathon #Running #dogs

This is the largest cucumber I've ever seen. I think I held it for 10 seconds at the store before realizing how silly I looked. 😂

Today, is the Live Like Roo #BenefitConcert where I'm playing music for 3.5 hours — my goal #Chicagomarathon time.

If you like animals, #music and cheering on runners, be sure to watch the stream and share with others!

bit.ly/m/thetoader

#vgm #classicalguitar #music #dog

Musical Marathon: Live Like Roo Benefit Concert YouTube video by TheToader

I'm hosting a charity concert this Sunday! I'm #running Chicago Marathon in ~2 weeks while supporting the Live Like Roo Foundation. Tune in for live #classicalguitar music and special guests.

Stream: www.youtube.com/live/U5fd1OK...

Donate: donorbox.org/2025-live-li...
#vgm #freeconcert #concert

I had a great (and exhausting) Pride this year!
It was a jam-packed weekend with the Dabbler, parties, running and placing 36th in the Rainbow Run, and managing a booth in the park. Thanks to everyone for hanging out or saying hi!
#TCPride

Thank you! 😊

Thank you and thanks for capturing this! Playing in the hallway was definitely a highlight for me and I'm glad others got to enjoy it!

@ryeredpanda.bsky.social so glad i was given a sticker w your handle, cause this impromptu hallway concert on the last night of fwa so perfectly hit the end-of-con vibe and i had to thank you for sharing your talent ;w; fully cried at your rendition of kass's theme (video contd ⬇️)

I had a blast at #FWA2025 last week!
Sure, it was busy, but I got to hang out with friends and see some cool stuff.

#FursuitFriday!

Darn. I would have loved to do that!

Wait, was there a group run at some point?

It's day 2 of #fwa2025!
(I need longer arms for better selfies lol)

Otter Chaos #FWATakeover

Here are two unofficial VGM CON Telegram chats:

SFW - t.me/+Z4JkITV1n6t...

NSFW (18+) - t.me/+tvgNcUX3a7R...

It's starting next week! Can't believe it's here already!

3 partial fursuiters giving each other a big hug! Key the cyan otter, Cornel the purple otter, and Clicky the blue coyote

3 partial fursuiters giving each other a big hug in a hotel room. Rye the red panda, Key the cyan otter, and Clicky the blue coyote.

Fluffy friends at F2! #FursuitFriday

@corneltheott.bsky.social @clicky.coyote.fm @ryeredpanda.bsky.social

Thank you! It was the first time I performed live with a looping pedal.

Rhubarb, a pink Nidorino with a purple mane and aqua green accents

Rye, a red panda with sky blue forepaws and tail tip

Zlithe, an otter twisting through water

Sockrates, a sock-puppet raccoon with button eyes

art I did at the convention! for @rhubarb.gay, @ryeredpanda.bsky.social, @zlithezlithe.bsky.social, and Xim

They let a dog on the train

18 musicians on the main stage at Fur Squared! From left to right, there’s steel pans, 2 violins, a horn section in back, (electric) drumkit, theremin, bass, 2 guitars, and keyboard. Rhubarb is up front wearing his pink nidorino fursuit, and Key is sitting behind the keyboard wearing his cyan otter fursuit.

What a show! Thank you Fur Squared!

📷: @machfennec.bsky.social

Thanks to everyone who showed up to my performance today! I had a lot of fun and I'd love to perform at #FurSquared again!