REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR TCZF 2016!!!

If you would like to participate in the 2016 Twin Cities Zine Fest, registration is now open here!

TWIN CITIES ZINE FEST 2016

THANK YOU CHICAGO

Chicago Zine Fest 2016 was a nice time. Usually I have been placed with friends, so were are in a little Mpls clump. This year was my 5th year tabling at CZF along with Jessica Oleson*. BUT this year we forgot to request to be next to each other. I could see the top of her head sometimes from where I was sitting. It was fun to be forced to talk with strangers (I could not sit there all day without talking to people I am sitting next to).

Here was my set up.

I switched out the 'featured' zine in the stand throughout the day. I really liked having the Lady Bits zine featured because it seemed to invite fun conversations; Some gals flipping through it had not heard of reusable pads and we talked about that, they didn't buy anything but the conversation was great. Some moms and their tween daughters stopped buy and looked at it and then said they would buy it if it wouldn't embarrass their daughter any further. I should have pushed them to buy it and just leave it somewhere accessible in their house. Their daughters seemed kind of mortified/frozen when standing there while their mom and I talked candidly about vaginas,  periods, etc. I pointed out the website on the back of the zine and that you could also view it all online. They took a picture of the address. I hope that this helps lead to some good conversations and girls feeling good and knowledgable about their bodies.

Thank you to everyone who came out, thank you to everyone who bought and/or traded zines. Thank you to everyone tabling there for being awesome, making things and sharing a part of your world with everyone else.

ALSO, the Twin Cities Zine Fest is planned! (more info in a soon future post).

Here I am (far right) with the awesome ladies organizing the magic that will happen on September 24th.

We are on the balcony over looking the tables at CZF in the Plumbers Union Hall. Our zine fest will not be this big (and overwhelming). But it will be just as cool and just as fun. Registration starts in June. Follow tczinefest for  updates! 

Also, between my table and Jessica's, I think we distributed about 120 Yummy Earth suckers. They are awesome, everyone who turned one down should be sorry. Even if you don't like candy I bet you know someone who does. Taking a free candy and re-gifting it later can really make someones day. I stock up on these lollipops when they are on super sale. They have a long shelf life and everything they have made EXCEPT the peppermint fruit lollipops at winter holiday time are good (do not buy those unless you really like weird cough syrup tasting funny flavor combos).

*Jessica has moved to Chicago in the last year, but Mpls still is in her veins. She was a wonderful hostess and I had a perfect trip. It was shorter than I would have liked, but it was full of fun and some great quality time with Arthur the cat. (yes, he is alwaaaaaays this cute).

In all the previous years of attending CZF with Jessie I had just gotten a ride in her car. Now that she was already there I had to figure out a different way to get there. I decided on taking the train. I had never taken an Amtrak train before. I loved taking the train and want to take a train trip at least once a year every year from here on out (ideally three train trips a year, I really loved taking the train). 

CHICAGO ZINE FEST 2016

Hello Chicago! I will be in Chicago for a brief trip, revolving around CHICAGO ZINE FEST 2016!!! I will have a table with my usual fares, plus my new perzine Killer Apes Eat People More Kindly (KAEPMK), and new zines from Rachel Rolseth (Lady Bits) and Josh Mead (Oblivion Operetta).

I hope to see you there!

Saturday, April 30th 2016
11am - 6pm
Plumbers Union Hall (1340 W Washington Blvd, Chicago)

NO MILWAUKEE FOR ME

I have gotten an awful cold. I am sick. I cannot travel like this. Super bummed.

I hope everyone has a great time.

MILWAUKEE ZINE FEST

Hey Guys! Milwaukee Zine Fest is THIS SATURDAY!!! 

I will be sharing a table spot with the wonderful Erin Dorbin. Erin and I met over 13 years ago at MCTC. We lost touch over the years and now have reconnected because as big as the world is, it can be small too. 

I have never spent much time in Milwaukee. A few times when I was small and Greyhound layovers going to and from Chicago as a young adult. I am excited to make some good memories that I can remember (all I have are vague snapshot memories from childhood visits, and the bus stops later in life were boring/no fun). 

Looking forward to seeing a new city and seeing and buying some awesome zines. 

8TH ANNUAL CAFFETTO ARTS + CRAFT FAIR

THIS SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY!!! 

If you are free on sunday between 12 and 7 pm, and can get over to the Wedge area, please stop by the Caffetto Craft Fair! 

I will be there with zines, flax pillows, crayon and pen roll ups, happy heart pins, and with friends and their crafts! 

A good time is to be had. 

Here is the music schedule if that helps you decide when to go : )

MUSIC LINEUP

12:00 - 12:10
ABNA (gong and smoking herbs)

12:15 - 12:45
Vitaphones (acoustic duet)

1:00 - 1:20
OFF 10 (hip-hop/rap duet)

1:35 - 2:05
BOB RUE & the Thousandaires (rock)

2:20 - 2:50
Fuck Knights (rock)

3:05 -3:35
Black Audience (gospel/blues/folk/spirituals)

4:05 - 4:50
Anonymous Choir (women's choir/nona marie invie on keys)

5:05 - 5:50
Dumpy (jug band)

6:00 - 7:00 . . (max 9 PM)
Kenwood Slim & His Fairly Reliable Backup Band (blues/country/roadhouse)