chicagozinefest's blog

That's right.  The first ever Chicago Zine Fest is LESS THAN A WEEK AWAY!!!  We're all very excited with how everything is coming along.  It's going to be so great!

If you are an out-of-towner needing a place to stay, please try to communicate through the forum here or through the discussions page on our facebook fanpage.

In other news, we are proud to announce this year's workshop schedule and times.  Workshops will be held all day on Saturday at Columbia College's Conaway Center, right alongside all of our exhibitors.  The schedule and descriptions are as follows:

Planning a Non-Musical Tour - 10:15

Led by Eric Ayotte of the Gadabout Film Festival.

Zines and Libraries - 11:15

Led by Greg Means of Tugboat Press.

Q&A with John Porcellino, Getting Started - 12:15

Led by John Porcellino.

John Porcellino will talk about the early years of the zine world and how he got started making King-Cat Comics.

What Myth-Making Means: A Workshop on Self-Mythologizing - 1:15

Led by Jim Joyce.

This workshop will be a very brief intro to what mythology is traditionally understood to be, where it comes from, followed by discussion of why/how histories are remembered, and what we can take from our lives, to investigate for mythologizing.

Self-Publishing vs. Working with a Publisher - 2:15

Led by Jeffrey Brown.

Jeffrey Brown will discuss the differences/advantages/etc. between self-publishing and working with publishers.

A Guide to Getting Real - 3:15

Led by Monica Anderson.

A discussion about the idea of writing without reservation or a fear of consequences, leading to a conversation about attendees experiences with writing about their personal lives and the pros and cons that come with.

Mailing Materials to Prisoners - 4:15

Led by Midwest Books to Prisoners.

Come learn how to send materials to our comrades behind bars! We'll have up-to-date information about political prisoners and prisoners of war and will help you write letters, fill out postcards and send your works to those held captive in America's prisons.

Be sure to check those out! 

Angee at Spudnik Press helped us out big time with some screen-printed posters for the Zine Fest.  You should start seeing these going up all over the city in the next couple of days.  Above is a picture of Angee in the Spudnik space when we picked up posters from her.  Angee is the founder and director of Spudnik Press, and she was very enthusiastic and motivated in getting this project done for us.  We're very excited to have Spudnik involved with us, and if you've seen the poster you know how awesome they look!

Spudnik's mission, according to their website, is "to provide facilities and services available to artists who need a place to create or exhibit their original artwork, especially those who cannot obtain access to traditional printmaking facilities and exhibition spaces because of financial or other limitations.  To provide education in printmaking practices though uniting professional artists with a diverse community of emerging artists, established artists, youth, and adults."

Spudnik has open studio sessions three times a week, as well as classes and other printmaking-related events.  You can find info about that and about what they do on their website, over at http://spudnikpress.com.  In short, they're an amazing organization and a great resource for Chicago to have, and we're very excited to have them involved with us!  Next time you need something screenprinted, or if you're interested in learning about the process and getting involved, Spudnik should be the place you go.

In other news, the Zine Fest After-Show is all confirmed!  If you were wondering what's going on after a day of exhibiting, here it is:

Saturday, March 13th

Ball Hall

1621 N Kedzie #3

7:30 PM

FREE!!!

Readings by:

Aaron Cynic

Richard Wehrenberg

Rosy Phinick

Music by:

Eric Ayotte

Letters to the Moon

World's Smallest Puzzle

So come on by, say goodbye to your out-of-town (or in-town) friends, listen to some good words and songs by good people, and hang out!  Spread the word.