SF Zine Fest

Journalism Innovations III- 4/30-5/2

noreply@blogger.com (François Vigneault) — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 18:51:00 +0000

Our good pals over at Indy Arts are hosting their third annual public conference on independent media and alternative journalism this weekend... Lots and lots of great panels and much more are on offer, if you are interested in these issues you should definitely go check it out!

Journalism Innovations III • 4/30 - 5/2 • University of San Francisco, Fromm Hall

Amicvs Monstrvm - Nathan Stapley & Scott C. - 5/1

noreply@blogger.com (François Vigneault) — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 18:36:00 +0000

Two fantastic artists, Nathan Stapley and Scott C., have a double show coming up at Gallery 1988 SF! "Amicvs Monstrvm" features lots of, well, monster action! Sure to be a great show, the opening is this Saturday, May 1st.

Amicvs Monstrum • Saturday, 5/1 7-10pm • Gallery 1988 • 1173 Sutter St, San Francisco

Special Guest: V. Vale

noreply@blogger.com (François Vigneault) — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 21:29:00 +0000

V. Vale with Wm. S. Burroughs

We are super excited to announce our latest Special Guest, the San Francisco legend V. Vale! Publisher of RE/Search and the creator of the ne plus ultra of punk zines, Search & Destroy, Vale has served as a connection between the Beat Generation (Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Allen Ginsberg donated the initial funding for Search & Destroy!), punk rock, Burning Man, body art, and many other facets of alternative culture for the past 30 years. A familiar presence at every Zine Fest, this year Vale will be participating in some panels that will explore his own contributions to small-press culture as well as looking at zine culture of the past. We're very excited to be hosting Vale this year!

Microcosm in Oakland & SF - 4/11 & 4/12

noreply@blogger.com (François Vigneault) — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 18:07:00 +0000

Our pals over at Microcosm Publishing are on tour, and they arrive in in Oakland TONIGHT and in San Francisco this Monday, 4/12! They've got lots of varied attractions to draw you out to ISSUES and Needles & Pens respectively, including "Joe Biel with short films ("If It Ain't Cheap, It Ain't Punk"!), publishing Q&A and the Microcosm book and zine store, Mia Partlow and Michael Hoerger of "Edible Secrets" with a touring museum and presentation on the secret history of food and espionage!, chef Joshua Ploeg with a cooking show and vegan snacks for all!" Should be an awesome night out for DIY types all stripes, from foodies to punks! It's like a mini Zine Fest!

Sunday, 4/11 @ 7pm • ISSUES • 20 Glen Ave. at Piedmont, Oakland • Donation

Monday, 4/12 @ 7pm • Needles and Pens • 3253 16th St., San Francisco • Donation

Special Guest: Jesse Reklaw

noreply@blogger.com (François Vigneault) — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 06:50:00 +0000

It is with the greatest excitement and pleasure that the SF Zine Fest announces our first Special Guest for 2010: Jesse Reklaw! Jesse is a fantastic writer, illustrator, and painter, and has created work in a wide variety of formats, including self-published works (10,000 Thing to Do), a weekly strip (Slow Wave), zines (Applicant), and much more. A long time resident of the Bay Area, Jesse was a founding member of the mini-comics distro Global Hobo, helping dozens of local small-press cartoonists get their work out to shops and readers around the country. He continues to support small press and DIY publishing in his home of Portland, Oregon, where he teaches cartooning classes at the IPRC. We are so happy to have Jesse back in San Francisco for this year's Zine Fest!

Watch for more Special Guest announcements real soon!

Artists to check out at Wondercon!

noreply@blogger.com (François Vigneault) — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 21:20:00 +0000

Photo by Scott Beale / Laughing Squid.

While you might think of this weekend's Wondercon as a place to find musty, Silver Age comics, catch some new Iron Man 2 footage, and gawk at folks in homemade superhero costumes, quite a few really excellent DIY/indy cartoonists exhibit in Artist's Alley (plenty of them Zine Fest alumni), making it well worth a quick stop this weekend for the small-press enthusiast. After a quick glance at the full list of exhibitors, a few jumped out at me: Dent Comics, Lark Pien, Double Fine Productions, 16th and Mission Comix, Josh Ellingson, and Kid Beowulf. And of course, there's tons of other great stuff there too... like the chance to finally get that autograph from the Bionic Woman!

Wondercon • Moscone Center South Hall, 747 Howard Street • April 2nd, 3rd, & 4th

Boredom=Death @ Goteblüd

noreply@blogger.com (François Vigneault) — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 06:52:00 +0000

Image: Rick Seger and Nic Lawson-Padia

Our good friend Matt from Goteblüd is putting on a big show celebrating and exploring the legacy of the Popstitutes, a multi-platform gay artistic collective that created a totally unique and inspiring community mixing proto-rave, club-kid asthetics with a DIY punk sensibility. Combining music, cabaret, drag kings and queens, spoken word, and much more, the Popstitutes and their home base, Klubstitute, redefined the SF nightlife of the late 80s and early 90s, presenting a deeply interactive and avant-garde alternative to anything that was to be found in either the straight or gay scenes of the era.

Goteblüd will be presenting a mixed-media installation of paper ephemera - "flyers, letters, zines, lyrics and handbills - along with banners, photographs and mylar party ornaments, paying homage to the playful fluorescent chaos that the Popstitutes are known for." Highly recommended for anyone who wants to get a peek at a fascinating period of SF's DIY/gay/Music culture!

The show opens tonight and continues weekends from 12-5pm through 5/29/10.

Goteblüd • 766 Valencia, San Francisco, CA • 3/20 - 5/29

SFZF Exhibitor Applications Now Open!

noreply@blogger.com (François Vigneault) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 06:18:00 +0000

Photo by Potato Potato

We are now accepting exhibitor applications for the 2010 SF Zine Fest! If you make zines, comics, prints, posters, crafts, or other DIY artwork, we want you at the Fest! The SFZF is one of the biggest and best DIY small-press events in the country, a FREE annual event with over 100 exhibitors and 2600+ attendees interacting over the Labor Day weekend of Sept. 4 + 5.

Exhibitors come from across the West Coast and beyond to sell, trade, or otherwise share their work with the public, and our great table rates ensure that everyone can have a spot at our show, from first-time zinesters to major indy publishers.

We are proud to say we are keeping our table rates exactly the same prices as they were last year! The "early bird" rate, good until July 1st, is just $45 for a half table and $90 for a full table. What's more, we have a limited amount of 1/3 table artist spaces for just $30! These bargain rates, combined with the SFZF's dedication to creating a terrific environment for both exhibitors and the public, makes the SFZF one of the BEST shows for small-press exhibitors in the country. But don't take our word for it; here's some quotes from previous exhibitors:

"... the vibe was great and everyone seemed enthusiastic and interested."

"Once again, you guys put on a great show!"

"We had a great time, we'll be back next year!"

And check out this great article in the Daily Cross Hatch on the great exhibitor experience from last year's Fest: The Cross Hatch Rehash: SF Zine Fest

Exhibitor applications are available online at the SF Zine Fest site!

Women In Publishing

noreply@blogger.com (François Vigneault) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:18:00 +0000

There's a great panel coming up this Wednesday at Intersection for the Arts that should be quite interesting to zine lovers. Several publishers and editors including Lex McQuilkin, co-founder ArtXX Magazine; Lisa Jervis, co-founder and former editor, Bitch Magazine; and Daisy Hernandez, editor Colorlines Magazine will be discussing the history and current state of feminist publishing as well as the current landscape for women in publishing. Good stuff!

Wednesday, 3/10 7:00 PM • $5-$15 Sliding Scale • Intersection for the Arts • 446 Valencia St. San Francisco, CA 94103

"Out of Place" Art Show @ SPACE Gallery - 3/12

noreply@blogger.com (François Vigneault) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:45:00 +0000

There's a great art show opening up at SPACE Gallery on Saturday 3/12. In addition to a group show featuring nine artists (including several Zine Fest alumni), "Out of Place" will have a collaborative art battle, live painting, art raffle, zines, comics, and prints from the artists, baked goods from Black Orchid Bakery, tunes by DJ Zaion, and swag bags for the first 25 guests! The art riot starts at 8pm (if you show up earlier you get in free, after 8pm its $3, not bad!) and runs deep into the night... a great chance to have a fun evening out and meet some great local talent. Artists include:

Alexander Shen
Alyss Estay
Eve Skylar
François Vigneault
Haruka Seki
Jonas Madden-Connor
Lavit Sea
Rick Kitagawa
Xiau-Fong Wee

Friday, 3/12 7pm onwards • SPACE Gallery, 1141 Polk Street, SF • $3 after 8pm

Monster Drawing Rally @ Southern Exposure - 3/5

noreply@blogger.com (François Vigneault) — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 21:49:00 +0000

Beloved (and recently re-opened) art behemoth Southern Exposure is putting on their 10th annual Monster Drawing Rally this Friday, 3/5! Over 130 artists will be drawing live at the show, with art being available for purchase (at the excellent rate of $60 each!) within minutes of a piece's completion... This is one of the most fun, most energetic art events of the year, and the proceeds benefit SOEX's year-round work in promoting Bay Area art and artists. Beer, curbside tacos for sale, and valet bike parking, too!

Friday, 3/5, 6-11pm • Verdi Club, 2424 Mariposa St. • Donation $10

Anarchist Book Fair - 3/13 + 3/14

noreply@blogger.com (François Vigneault) — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 20:57:00 +0000

The Anarchist Book Fair turns 15 this year! One of the best showcases of alternative and political thought in the country, the Book Fair features tons of amazing speakers and programs (from a tribute to the late Howard Zinn to a parenting panel from the folks at My Baby Rides The Shortbus and much more), an exhibit hall full of booksellers and publishers, and a one-night Anarchist Café the Friday before the Book Fair. Admission to everything is FREE! This is definitely a great show for everyone, from self-proclaimed radicals to those who are just interested in exploring political, creative, and cultural energy on display. Look for the SFZF crew there too!

Anarchist Book Fair • SF County Fair BLDG, 9th Ave + Lincoln Way, SF • 3/13 11-6 + 3/14 11-5

Giant Robot Fundraiser

noreply@blogger.com (François Vigneault) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:42:00 +0000

Giant Robot magazine is facing some rough times right now, and they have put out a call for fiscal support.

One of the greatest zine "success stories", Giant Robot magazine has grown over the course of 15 years from a DIY photo-copied zine to a major indy publication (along with some great stores and galleries). The owner, Eric Nakamura, has been very supportive of the artists he has featured over the years in the mag and the galleries, including tons of zinesters, mini-comic creators, and other DIY visionaries. They've also helped out the SF Zine Fest in the past with monetary and in-kind donations over the years.

Now that they are in need, we thought that we would put the word out there. If you have read and loved the mag in the past, please consider making a donation to help keep Giant Robot publishing. More info is available on their donation page.

Good luck GR!

Maximum Rock 'N' Roll Photo Issue Release Party + Show, 2/12

noreply@blogger.com (François Vigneault) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:00:00 +0000

The good folks at Maximum Rock 'N' Roll are coming out with a new issue, #321, and it looks like a winner! A special photo issue, it features the work of over 75 contributors, with tons of amazing photos and great interviews with photographers! But wait, there's more! Our friends at Needles & Pens are hosting a blow-out release party and photo show on Friday, 2/12! Lots and lots of photos! Sure to be amazing!!

Needles & Pens • Friday, 2/12/10, 6pm-9pm • 3253 16th Street, San Francisco

Announcing... SFZF 2010! September 4 + 5, SF County Fair BLDG

noreply@blogger.com (François Vigneault) — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 20:01:00 +0000

Photo by Doc Pop
It is with the greatest pride that we announce the dates of the 9th annual San Francisco Zine Fest! The SFZF wil take place Labor Day Weekend, September 4 + 5, 2010. We will be returning to the bucolic SF County Fair BLDG in Golden Gate Park for two days of creativity and fun, as we gather over 100 creators and thousands of attendees for a FREE event celebrating zines, small-press comics, and DIY art of all sorts!

We've got big plans this year, including more panels and hands-on DIY workshops, a zine reading room, more vintage zines, satellite events, and other stuff too wild to even mention yet! And of course you'll get the chance to meet and support the efforts of creators from across the West Coast and beyond, with zinesters, printmakers, illustrators, poets, cartoonists, and book artists galore. Join us for an amazing and fun time this Labor Day weekend!

Watch our website for more information as we get closer to the show, and sign up for our mailing list to receive monthly updates on what's certain to be the biggest and bestest Fest ever!

Ryan de la Hoz Zine Release Party- Gallery Heist Friday 2/5

noreply@blogger.com (François Vigneault) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:18:00 +0000

The very excellent artist Ryan de la Hoz will be bringing out his new zine, Residual Energy, at Gallery Heist this Friday. We here at the SFZF would encourage more zinesters to have release parties for their zines, esp. if that includes free Hamm's beer. Like this one does. Also, framed works and a site-specific installation.

Friday, February 5 at 07:00 PM • Gallery Heist • 679 Geary Street San Francisco

Josh Ellingson Art Show @ Mission: Comics & Art - Sat. 2/6

noreply@blogger.com (François Vigneault) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:07:00 +0000

There's gonna be a great show of Josh Ellingson's illustrations opening this weekend at Mission: Comics & Art, our favorite new comic shop! Josh is the director of The Local 303 and has his tentacles woven throughout the San Francisco art scene via his many reviews and articles for the web juggernaut Laughing Squid. A great show from a local artist!

Saturday, February 6 at 7:00pm • Mission: Comics & Art • 3520 20th St. Suite B, San Francisco

Cometbus Art Show - Friday, 2/5

noreply@blogger.com (François Vigneault) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 06:35:00 +0000

Aaron Cometbus, probably the single most prolific, influential, and widely-read zinester to emerge form the modern zine movement, is finally getting the gallery treatment! The folks at 1-2-3-4 Go! Records will be hosting a retrospective of his past work in Cometbus and beyond, along with some possible new surprises as well. Sure to be awesome!

1-2-3-4 Go! Records • Friday, 2/5, 7:00 -10:00pm • 423 40th Street, Oakland

Indy Euphoria in Sacramento - 1/9 + 1/10

noreply@blogger.com (François Vigneault) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 04:33:00 +0000

This weekend will feature the inaugural Indy Euphoria show in Sacramento, an interesting mash-up of the indy comix and vinyl toy worlds... they've got some great special guests from these different facets of the indy/DIY art scene, including Jim Woodring, Jeffery Brown, Tom Neely, Attaboy, and many more, along with lots of creators who will be familiar to Zine Fest goers: PS Comics, Damien Jay, Sparkplug Comics, Jesse Reklaw, Family Style, Susie Cagle, Jason Martin, and more! Workshops, too... including a live/undead zombie drawing session with Mike Hampton & Dan Brereton! What!?!

Indy Euphoria • The Scottish Rite Center, 6151 H Street, Sacramento • Saturday, 1/9 + Sunday, 1/10 • $6/one day $10/both days

"You Are her" Panel Discussion - Sat. 12/12

noreply@blogger.com (François Vigneault) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 22:03:00 +0000

Above: Skinned Teen in 1994

The "You Are Her" zine showcase at Goteblüd will be getting an extra dose of awesomeness this weekend with a panel discussion this coming Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 7pm.

Featured speakers:

- Iraya Robles ("Marks in Time", Sta-Prest)
- Bianca Ortiz ("Mestiza", "Mamasita")
- Layla Gibbons ("Drop Babies", "Chimps", Skinned Teen, editor of "Maximum RocknRoll")

Each speaker will talk about their experiences making zines, music and art,
followed by a question and answer session.

This event is FREE and open to the general public. The store will be open
late that day from noon to close of event.

Goteblüd • Saturday, 12/12 7;00pm • 766 Valencia, San Francisco, CA 94110

Bazaar Bizarre - 12/12 + 12/13

noreply@blogger.com (François Vigneault) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 04:13:00 +0000

One of the biggest and best-est indie craft fairs out there just got bigger and better-er! The Bazaar Bizarre San Francisco is taking over the SF County Fair BLDG (humble abode of our own fine event!) for two days of crafting craziness... Over 120 carefully juried artists and creators will pack the building with tons of fantastic hand-made prints, jewelry, apparel, soaps, toys, and much more! This year they're also boasting a free Magnolia Photo Booth, the world famous Swap-O-Rama-Rama, and awesome workshops with crafty authors such as Jenny Hart of Sublime Stitching. This show is always a ton of fun, and 50% of the admission (a mere $2 for adults) goes to charity. It's a win-win!

• Saturday, 12/12th + Sunday, 12/13 12 – 6 PM • San Francisco County Fair BLDG • 9th Ave. at Lincoln Way, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

Handmade Ho-Down this Thursday!

noreply@blogger.com (François Vigneault) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 06:55:00 +0000

Get a jump start on your hand-crafted holiday shopping this year at the first ever Handmade Ho Down this Thursday, December 3! This is a nice chance to meet over 55 vendors from around the Bay and support local artists... all while drinking! Admission is free, and the first 150 people in the door will get a free swag bag! Also, this is a great opportunity to help out a fantastic arts charity, Drawbridge... just bring your unwanted art supplies to the show and donate them at the door!

NOTE: The Handmade Ho Down folks are looking a few good volunteers, too! Send them an email at info@handmadehodown.com

• Thursday, 12/3, 6:00pm • Ten15 • 1015 Folsom St,
San Francisco

Cartoon Holiday Boutique - CAM 11/29

noreply@blogger.com (François Vigneault) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:57:00 +0000

This Sunday, Nov. 29, members of the San Francisco Cartoonist Conspiracy will be setting up at the Cartoon Art Museum to create original one-of-a-kind cards, artwork, and comics & zines for your gift-giving pleasure! This is a great chance to meet some very talented cartoonists, find unique gifts, and support both local artists and the Museum.

Cartoon Art Museum • Sunday, 11/27 • 11:30am - 5:00pm

You Are Her - 90s Riot Grrl Zines @ Goteblüd, 11/20

noreply@blogger.com (François Vigneault) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:31:00 +0000

Our pals over at Goteblüd are putting on "You Are Her", an expansive show celebrating Riot Grrl and the underground female zines of the 1990s for the next month! They will have over 700 (!) groundbreaking zines and other publications from the era available for your reading pleasure, along with a cassette listening station. They even have a photocopier on site!

The show opens Friday, 11/20 from 7-9pm, and continues every weekend from 12 - 5 until mid-January. If you haven't made it over to Goteblüd yet, it's definitely worth it, they have a tremendous collection of vintage small-press publications, from hard-core and punk zines to mini-comics and old-school sci-fi fanzines! Amazing stuff!

Opening Friday, November 20th 2009, from 7-9pm • 766 Valencia between 18th/19th, San Francisco

Zine Mart Opening - Friday the 13th - BAM/PFA

noreply@blogger.com (François Vigneault) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:03:00 +0000

All of us here at the Zine Fest are truly excited about the upcoming Zine Mart at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAM/PFA)! Brought to you by the folks at the Rock Paper Scissors collective, this two-week long event features zines and other small-multiple artworks for sale, the RPS Zine Library's collection, and specially commissioned ‘zines and multiples from Bozidar Brazda, Kamao Patton, Marc Arthur, Vanessa Albury, Tammy Rae Carland, Taravat Talepasand, Joseph Akel, Isaac Valdez, and many more!

The opening reception on Friday, November 13th (7:00pm) includes a Q + A with artists Ari Marcopoulos and Paul Schiek.

The Zine Mart runs from November 13 - 22, during normal museum hours. Definitely check it out and support the fantastic creative community of the East Bay!