Tag: Chicago Zine Fest

  • Zine, Lose, or Draw!: A Chicago Zine Fest Game Show Hosted by Neil Brideau, at Quimby's 3/8

    czfinkbottle

    “Zine, Lose, or Draw!” is CZF’s own take on beloved gameshow “Win, Lose, or Draw!” Teams will compete in this Pictionary-style game with a self-publishing theme. Be a part of the action by joining a team or cheer from the audience. Fun for everyone!

     

    “Zine, Lose, or Draw!” will be hosted by Quimby’s very own Neil Brideau, co-organizr of Chicago Alternative Comics Expo (CAKE) and creator of Oh Boy! Comics.

     

    “Zine, Lose, or Draw!” is a part of Chicago Zine Fest 2013 taking place March 8-9 at various Chicago locations. CZF is an independent event creating an outlet for small press and independent publishers to showcase their work.

     

    For more info: chicagozinefest.org

  • Chicago Zine Fest Open Meeting: Sat, Nov 17th at the Chicago Public Library, Logan Square Branch


    While planning for Chicago Zine Fest 2013 is already in full swing, CZF would love to get input from you! They’re holding an open meeting to gather opinions & ideas for the upcoming fest. (If you don’t live in Chicago but want to send suggestions, email them at chicagozinefest@gmail.org)
    Saturday, November 17 at 2pm
    Chicago Public Library: Logan Square Branch
    3030 W. Fullerton Ave.
    Click here for the Facebook event for this meeting.
    Please note: this meeting is NOT at Quimby’s.

    And also! Check out the official 2013 artwork for CZF at chicagozinefest.org by the talented Laura Berger.

  • Punk Rock Karaoke Fundraiser for Chicago Zine Fest

    And hey! Chicago Zine Fest is march 8th-9th, 2013. Click here for more info.

  • Not at Quimby's: Hallow-Zine Chicago Zine Fest Fundraiser

    Come get spooky at Hallow-Zine, a fundraiser to benefit the 2013 Chicago Zine Fest! This all-ages event will feature zine readings from local ghouls, some monstrous tunes, and tarot readings for a little extra cash. $5 suggested donation, October 25th, 8pm, at 2110 S Halsted (enter through the alley).

    Featured readers include:
    Brenton Harper-Murray (Dead of the Union: A Historical Zombie Novel)
    Jim Joyce (Let It Sink)
    Edie Fake (Gaylord Phoenix)
    Dave Roche (About My Disappearance, On Subbing)
    Gas Mask Horse (Start Your Own Haunted House)
    Rosy Phinick (Bacterial Turned Viral),
    scary songs performed by Dalice Malice (Curioddity)

    Want more info? Check out the Facebook event page for more details.

    Want more info about Chicago Zine Fest? See chicagozinefest.org

  • Guest Blogger: Chicago Zine Fest Co-Organizer Johnny Misfit, on CZF 2012

    Top 5 Memories of Chicago Zine Fest 2012
    by Johnny Misfit

    As an organizer for Chicago Zine Fest, my vantage point is quite different from the view I was once used to, sitting behind a table as an exhibitor. My fellow organizers and I were concerned with making the festival the best we could for everyone, and this meant busying ourselves from September to March, and during Zine Fest weekend, running around and putting out fires (not real ones thank goodness). But now that the fest is over, I wanted to take a minute and recall some of the great things I remember and share them with you. Feel free to share yours with me too.

    5) 2012 Artwork by Lilli Carre
    From the moment Lilli sent us the artwork, I was in awe (immediately making it my laptop’s desktop background). We all realized its splendor, and used the imagery for everything from our website to the large banners we had printed up to use at the fest. One of the great things we have continued to do is incorporate amazing artwork from talented local artists and zinesters. If you haven’t gotten a silk screen poster yet, there are still some left. Thanks Lilli.

    4) Silver Tongue Student Reading
    As one of our sponsors for the past two years, Columbia College Chicago’s Silver Tongue Reading Series has been overwhelmingly accommodating to helping make our vision for zine fest events a reality. The Silver Tongue panel gives our invited guests another way to interact with their fans, and allows the audience to be active participants, engaging in the conversation. This year’s panel was no exception.  As part of Silver Tongue’s contribution, they curate a cast of student readers that perform before the panel. The 2012 Silver Tongue Student Board really stepped it up this year. Their selection of five female readers brought the goods. The emotions ranged from quirky, silly, emotional, to a bit racy. Booking a lineup of great readers is a difficult. High fives to all involved (Thanks Ian and Fran, Mairead and Jill).

    3) Art Noose at the 2012 Exhibitor’s Reading
    First off, mad props to Art Noose for traveling from Pittsburgh, PA, while pregnant. That’s dedication. But what do you expect from a zinester who has released 94 issues (and counting) of the letterpress zine Ker-bloom! Art Noose’s story (which will appear in issues 94 and 95 of Ker-bloom!) was a touching yet outrageous personal narrative about her decision and ensuing adventure to conceive her baby. Her tone was genuine and the story’s movement made everyone root for a happy ending. Her reading at zine fest was one that someday she will share to her child with pride. Thanks Art Noose!

    2) Ayun Holiday’s performance at the Karaoke After Party
    This was the event of the weekend that moved me the most. I never met Ayun, who is such a genuinely positive soul. At the fest, I was crammed into an elevator with her and half a dozen others. Instead of bemoaning the situation, she laughed it off, striking up a conversation with us all. If you scan through any of the zine fest photos you will come across Ayun immediately. She’s the woman with the headband that reads ZINES. Now jump to the karaoke after party. By this point in the weekend, most everyone (including us organizers) was so burned out. This wasn’t the case for Ayun. Before she took the stage to deliver her rendition of “These Boots are Made for Walking,” Ayun made a joke about bagels, fitting from the woman who penned the Zinesters Guide to New York. Everyone around the stage about lost it. It was one of those you-had-to-be-there moments. She kept smiling and laughing during the whole performance. Her enjoyment was genuine. It was apparent Ayun was happy to be part of this event, this weekend. Her emotion made me glad to be part of it all of this too. I was filled with excitement for being part of this community. People still care. Seeing everyone enjoy this weekend made all the extra effort planning this festival worth it. Thank you, Ayun.

    1) Billy da Bunny as Zine Olympics Referee
    For this, I have no clue where to begin. Billy was one of the reasons I got into zines; the main reason I found out there was a Chicago zine community. He lives in Albuquerque, NM, and has established the Zine Olympics event at the ABQ Zine Fest. Chicago Zine Fest organizers worked directly with Billy to develop the competitions and rules for this version of the Zine Olympic Games. I hadn’t seen Billy since probably the 2010 zine fest but from the instant I walked into Quimby’s for the Olympics he was easy to spot with his set of fuzzy bunny ears bobbing through the crowd. He wore a black and white referee shirt accessorized with a swinging silver medallion. Once the Olympics events began, Billy was non-stop energy. As the official, he was stern, unbending, and entertaining. In the precision folding competition, most notably the tri-fold section, Billy’s judging rung with authority built from his years of being a zinester. Then there were the explanations he gave to support his judgments such as, “Would you send this through the mail?” or “Does this look correct to you?” He was unrelenting. The energy he put forth made the contestants compete hard and kept audience captivated. This event was entertaining for zinesters and spectators alike. Billy was a complete part from the design to the execution of this event. This was my personal favorite event of the weekend. Thank you, Billy.

    Photo by Oscar Arriola / fotoflow

    0) Organizing with my fellow organizers
    This may seem a bit self serving, but I wanted to take a small opportunity to thank my fellow zine fest organizers for helping put together such an overwhelming weekend. For all the countless days and hours we put into this, for all the memories that this fest generated and for all the smiles that came about, I wanted to thank you for making this year possible. Thank you, Leslie, Jen, Oscar, Heather and Neil.

    (CZF organizers LtoR: Jen Twigg, John Wawrzaszek, Leslie Perrine, Neil Brideau, Heather Colby, photo by glitter guts)

    John works at Columbia College as Recycling Manager and is a Fiction Writing student. He self-publishes the Muse, the News, and the Noose, curates the reading series Two Cookie Minimum and is a contributing writer to Gapers Block.

  • Chicago Zine Fest Volunteers Needed!

    The Chicago Zine Fest is run entirely by volunteers, so your willingness to pitch in is sincerely appreciated. Here’s the announcement from the nice folks at CZF:

    CZF needs volunteers the weekend before the fest (March 4th) and for the actual tabling day of the fest (March 10th). Below you will find descriptions of the volunteer opportunities available and the times we need help. Please read through the information and if you are able to participate send us an e-mail to chicagozinefest(at)gmail(dot)com with your full name, phone number, the type of volunteering you’d like to do, & what day/shift you prefer (please list three choices for shifts that you are interested in — if your first choice has been filled, we will move to the next available shift on your list). We appreciate your excitement and willingness to help, and will work around your schedules.

    Volunteer opportunity available in preparation for the Chicago Zine Fest:

    Sign Making Party! It has become a Chicago Zine Fest tradition to host a Sign Making Party the weekend or two before the zine fest. By this we mean the creation of informational signs to be hung at the venues i.e. “Information Table”,“Restroom This Way”, etc. The Sign Making Party will be held on Sunday, March 4th from 3-5pm at the Read/Write Library (914 N. California). We’ll supply all of the materials needed — all you have to do is let us know you are coming!
    Volunteer opportunities for day two of the fest, Saturday March 10th at Columbia College, 1104 South Wabash:

    Set-up volunteers. This will involve helping set up chairs and tables, putting up posters and signs, etc. You’ll have first crack at the free coffee! This shift is from 9-11am.

    Information/Registration table volunteers. You will be responsible for maintaining one of the information tables at the zine fest exhibition. This includes handing out programs and answering any basic questions exhibitors and visitors have. Shifts are as follows:
    Shift One: 9:30am-12pm
    Shift Two: 12-2pm
    Shift Three: 2-4pm
    Shift Four: 4-6pm

    Exhibitor food room volunteers. We will be offering free snacks & lunch to the zine fest exhibitors and volunteers. You will be responsible for maintaining the food room; refilling supplies as needed, making sure nobody eats a days worth of food or stuffs a tote bag full of chips, and cleaning any messes or spills. There will also be a coffee service by employees from Wormhole coffee shop. You may be asked to assist them with refilling water, cleaning up or where needed. Shifts are as follows:
    Shift One: 11-1pm
    Shift Two: 1-3:30pm
    Shift Three: 3:30-6pm

    Workshop volunteers. Tasks include helping workshop presenters with any sort of set up or breakdown (i.e. moving chairs around), monitoring the time and signalling to the presenter when time is nearing wrap up, cleaning up any materials left after the room is cleared. These shifts will be in blocks based on the length of the workshop, which vary.  Workshops start at 12pm and run until 5:45pm. If you are interested in helping with a workshop, let us know! We’ll email you the workshop list (with times) once it is finalized.

    Art & Reading Room volunteers. This year’s zine fest will feature a room that features exhibitors’ artwork, as well as examples of the zines that are available for purchase at the fest. Tasks include handing out floor maps to folks interested in particular zines (so that they can purchase zines at the authors’ table), making sure no one steals the zines, making sure no one removes or tampers with the artwork, and answering general questions about the art or zines. The art show will begin to come down at 5:30. The last shift may require assistance with de-installing art pieces, returning zines or art work to exhibitors at the fest, and compiling all reading room zines into one box. Shifts are as follows:
    Shift One: 9:30-12pm
    Shift Two: 12-2pm
    Shift Three: 2-4pm
    Shift Four: 4-6pm

    Kids table volunteers. The kids table will feature all of the materials that kids need to make their own zine on-site! Tasks include greeting the kids, encouraging them to make a zine, showing them the clip art/markers/etc, and taking pictures of their finished works. Shifts are as follows:
    Shift One: 11-1pm
    Shift Two: 1-3:30pm
    Shift Three: 3:30-6pm

    Roaming volunteer shifts. You will be available to attendees, exhibitors, other volunteers and organizers on either the first or eighth floor for miscellaneous tasks. Duties also include clean up of materials dropped on the ground (look for recycling bins throughout the building). You will be asked to direct patrons to where elevators, bathrooms, workshop/art rooms are. You might be asked to relieve an exhibitor from their table, thereby sitting at a exhibitors’ tables if they need to use the restroom, etc. Shifts are as follows:
    Shift One: 10am-12pm
    Shift Two: 12-2pm
    Shift Three: 2-4pm
    Shift Four: 4-6pm

    Tear down/clean up volunteers. We only have one hour to close up shop! Tasks include breaking down tables and chairs, removing any zine fest signs posted on the walls (including adhesive), and general clean up of waste materials (again, recycling is key!). This shift is from 6-7pm.

    (Please note that all venues are wheelchair accessible.)

  • 3rd Annual Chicago Zine Fest to Take Place March 9th and 10th

    And we’re a sponsor! Events in various places around the city, including here at Quimby’s!

    On March 9th and 10th, Chicago will celebrate self-publishing at the 3rd Annual Chicago Zine Fest. Events kick off Friday, 1pm at Columbia’s Conaway Center with a Silver Tongue Reading Series all-female reading followed by Gender, Race and Sexuality: A Discussion with Women in Self-Publishing with zinesters Cristy Road (Bad Habits), Mimi Thi Nygen (Evolution of a Race Riot) and Anne Elizabeth Moore (Cambodian Grrrl). Friday evening features a Youth Zine Reading, and an Exhibitor Zine Reading at 826CHI and a lively celebration of the 2012 Spring Zine Olympics hosted by Billy da Bunny here at Quimby’s Bookstore.

    The Zine Fest will continue Saturday from 11am – 6pm at the Conaway Center where 200 zinesters will exhibit their publications, host workshops and lead panel discussions all in the spirit of self-publishing. Also featured will be a DIY Film Festival, art show and reading room. All events are free, open to the public and wheelchair accessible. All Friday readings and the panel will have ASL interpretation.

    “We have an amazing list of invited guests and a broad range of topics covered in workshops,” says Leslie Perrine, an organizer focused on event programming.

    Festival registration opened and sold out on December 15th 2011.  “We’ve had overwhelming support and enthusiasm from the zine community all over the country, from Canada, and as far away as the UK this year!” says Jen Twigg, organizer heading up exhibitor coordination.

    The Chicago Zine Fest is an independent event creating an outlet for small press and independent publishers to showcase their work with the aim to make DIY zine-making accessible, highlight the talents of self-published artists, and give independent artists a chance to interact and swap skills. The Chicago Zine Fest is sponsored by Columbia College Chicago’s Silver Tongue Reading Series, Quimby’s Bookstore, Renegade Craft Fair, DIYCHI and 826CHI.

    Friday, March 9th
    1-3pm Columbia College Conaway Center 1104 S Wabash Ave. www.colum.edu
    6-9pm 826CHI, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-772-8108, www.826chi.org
    9:30-12am Quimby’s Bookstore 1854 W. North Ave. 773-342-0910, www.quimbys.com

    Saturday, March 10th 11am-6pm Columbia College 1104 S Wabash Ave. 1st & 8th floors.

    For more info visit chicagozinefest.org

  • Chicago Zine Fest Fundraiser 10/24

     

    ZINE READING FUNDRAISER!
    An evening of zine and comics readings
    at The Moving Castle
    Monday, October 24, 7:30pm
    3317 N Kedzie

    Readers include:
    Ben Spies (no more coffee zine)
    Corinne Mucha (Is it the future yet?)
    Dave Roche (On Subbing)
    Sarah Palin/aka C-Span (Jayonce fan fiction)
    Marian Runk (Inbox)
    Ben Bertin (MIOK)
    suggested donation $3 – $5

    Chicago Zine Fest will be March 9th-10th, 2012 at places around town, including Columbia’s Conaway Center. More info at chicagozinefest.org

  • New Stuff This Week

    Only a few weeks until Chicago Zine Fest! Neil shows off a first peek at CZF buttons and t-shirts.

    ZINES & ZINE-RELATED BOOKS!
    No Better Than Apples #7 $3.00
    When the Crash Meets Something Solid #5 – Things to Embarass Mother by Gabrielle Congrave $3.00
    Lower East Side Librarian Winter Solstice Shout Out 2010 by Jenna Freedman $2.00
    Ninja Punks vol 1 $2.00 – Compiles the first 3 issues.
    Jail HIV Stalking Threats and Vanna – $10.00
    Dear God, I Hate Myself – Special Edition Box Set by J. Morrison and Jamie Stewart $40.00 – Fancy pantsy. In conjunction with Xiu Xiu’s “Dear God, I Hate Myself” album, Brooklyn artist J. Morrison and Xiu Xiu lead singer, Jamie Stewart collaborated on a limited edition box set. Morrison created twelve new drawings to correspond with the twelve songs on the album, and in turn Stewart wrote twelve new unpublished haikus to accompany them. They come unpackaged in a glossy black jewelry box with handwritten gold ink covers.
    Your 100 Percent You’re 100 Percent B by Sveta $1.00
    So Me and You Are Reading This Zine And Youre All Like Whoa This Is Great…#5 Mar 11 by Justin Michael Valmassoi $3.00
    Fuck Would I Say What For #1 Mar 11 by Justin Michael Valmassoi $4.00
    Good Fine Okay #1 by Marissa F $2.00

    COMICS & MINI COMIX!
    160 Page Package by Steve Ditko (Sparkplug) $12.00
    Oh No Not Again – Odds and Ends Ditko by Steve Ditko (Sparkplug) $4.00
    Dig Yourself Out by Tony Rabit $1.00
    Ugle People #1 by Zack Empire – Zackery Jackson $3.00
    Underpanting by Matt Wiegle (Sparkplug) $1.00
    Nine Gallons #1 by Susie Cagle (Sparkplug) $5.00
    Nurse Nurse #3 by Katie Skelly (Sparkplug) $3.00
    Social Discipline #1 by Ian Sundahl (Sparkplug) $4.00

    ART & DESIGN BOOKS!
    Power Up Female Pop Art (DuMont) $45.00
    Chen Ke: Hard Boiled Wonderland at the End of the World by Ke Chen (Timezone 8) $30.00
    Compendium of Secrets by Trevor Paglen (Kerber) $37.50
    Cult Ure Ideas Can Be Dangerous by Rian Hughes (Fiell) $45.00
    Custom Lettering of the 40s and 50s by Rian Hughes (Fiell) $45.00
    Everything Is Going To Be OK (Chronicle) $12.95 – This pocket-sized volume is filled with artwork bearing mottos of encouragement and affirmation. Featuring work from a diverse roster of indie artists, designers, and crafters—including beloved figures such as Mike Perry, Marian Bantjes, Marc Johns, Enormous Champion, and Yee-Haw Industries, as well as a host of emerging new talents.
    Graffiti Art Coloring Book by Aye Jay (Chronicle) $9.95
    Graphic USA: An Alternative Guide to 25 U.S. Cities ed. by Edited Ziggy Hanaor (Cicada) $30.00
    Krampus: The Devil of Christmas ed. by Monte Beauchamp (Last Gasp) $18.95

    GRAPHIC NOVELS & TRADE PAPERBACKS!
    Mome vol 21 Win 11 (Fantagraphics) $14.99 – Sara Edward-Corbett cover & story, plus Weissman, Ponchione, Simmons, Bak, Van Gieson, Mahler, Shaw, Kaczynski, Wolfgang, Adams, Carré, and newcomer Nick Thorburn.
    Freeway by Mark Kalesniko (Skyhorse) $28.99
    Krazy and Ignatz 1919-1921 by George Herriman (Fantagraphics) $24.99
    Popeye vol 5 Whas a Jeep HC by EC Segar (Fantagraphics) $29.99
    Popeye: The Great Comic Book by Bud Sagendorf (IDW/Yoe) $29.99
    Jack of Fables vol 7 New Adventures of Jack and Jack by Bill Willingham etc. (Vertigo) $14.99

    DIY
    Ultimate Guide to Homesteading: An Encyclopedia of Independent Living (Skyhorse) $14.95
    WorldChanging: A Users Guide For the 21st Century (Revised and Updated) by var. (Abrams) $24.95

    FICTION!
    The Art of Asking Your Boss For a Raise by Georges Perec (Verso) $16.95
    The Ask by Sam Lipsyte (Picador) $15.00 – Now in soft cover.

    MAGAZINES!
    Bitch #50 $5.95
    True Crime Feb 11 $8.99
    Murder Most Foul #79 $9.99
    Meatpaper #14 $7.95
    Fader #72 Feb Mar 11 $5.99
    Z Magazine Mar 11 $4.95
    Tattoo Society #26 $7.99

    LITERARY JOURNALS, CHAP BOOKS & POETRY!
    Believer #79 Mar Apr 11 2011 Film Issue $10.00
    Mojo #209 Apr 11 $9.99
    Deadline Annualis #1 $17.00
    Ninth Letter vol 7 #2 $14.95

    MUCKRACKING, MEMOIRS, MAYHEM, MISCREANTS & MISCELLENOUSNESSESESNESS!
    Art That Kills: A Panoramic Portrait of Aesthetic Terrorism 1984-2001 ed. by George Petros (Creation) $26.95 – Art That Kills examines the point where art meets crime. The book documents a diabolical era, 1984-2001. It chronicles the evolution of a new aesthetic movement, a terrifying fringe of Underground Art where enlightenment and depravity combined. Murder, rape, torture, pedophilia, cannibalism, drugs, sedition, racism and blasphemy mixed with literature, history, politics, news, movies, TV, punk rock, philosophy and science. The book profiles a pantheon of dissidents and deviants, presents excerpts from their work, re-lives their crimes, and attempts to analyze an elusive era. The scene described herein is essentially the “second generation” of American Underground Art (the “first generation” ran from ’66 through the 70s). All varieties of taboos and criminal advocacy found confluence, beyond “confrontation” or “shock.” Pure sadism drove it. Sexual psychosis flavored it. Frustration with politics, big business and mass entertainment fueled it. GG Allin, Jim Goad, Lydia Lunch, Adam Parfrey, Genesis P-Orridge, Anton Lavey and all manner of usual suspects.
    The Cynic’s Guide to a Rich and Full Life by Mario DiGiorgio (Last Gasp) $11.95
    Blood Work: A Tale of Medicine and Murder In the Scientific Revolution by Holly Tucker (Norton) $25.95
    Tracking the Chupacabra: The Vampire Beast In Fact Fiction and Folklore by Benjamin Radford (U of NM Press) $24.95
    Stretch – Coming of Age in Post War Germany by Gunter Nitsch $10.00
    Aerotropolis: The Way Well Live Next by John D. Kasarda and Greg Lindsay (FSG) $30.00

    MUSIC BOOKS!
    Hot Stuff: Disco and the Remaking of American Culture by Alice Echols (Norton) $17.95 – No in soft cover.
    Hüsker Dü – The Story of the Noise Pop Pioneers Who Launched Modern Rock by Andrew Earles (Voyageur) $24.00 – Biographical portraits of band members, stuff about their early days, nonstop touring, and defiant embrace of the DIY ethic, all in thoughtful criticism of their work.

    SEX & SEXY & SEX CULTURE!
    Seth by Christopher Schulz $10.00 – Does Seth Rogan know he posed for this sexy zine, featuring his naked form delictely drawn in various sexy poses?
    RFD #145 Spr 11 $9.95
    Housewives At Play – Do As You’re Told by Rebecca (Eros) $9.99
    Bunnyhead Porn A Flip Fuck Book by J. Morrison $25.00

  • Chicago Zine Fest 2011 at Various Places Around Town March 25th and 26th!

    Quimby’s is proud to co-sponsor Chicago Zine Fest 2011, Friday, March 25th and Saturday, March 26th, at various locations around town. As part of the opening night’s festivities at 9pm on March 25th, Quimby’s offers some karaoke for giggles!