MoCCA Arts Fest 2023: Comics on the Frontline of Change

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Parent Category: Expos and Conventions

Category: Previews

Published on Tuesday, 28 March 2023 15:40

Written by Brad Balfour

The MoCCA Arts Fest (named after the defunct Museum of Comics and Cartoon Art) is Manhattan’s number one convention for independent comic authors, zine scribes, and Risograph fanatics. Running April 1 and 2 at the Metropolitan Pavilion (125 West 18th Street, NY NY), MoCCA Fest brings together the independent voice of comics, from fledgling art school students to long time veterans of comics. This year’s festival will be featuring guests tackling the issues of the day, including the rising tide of right wing censorship, the looming threat of AI, and the representation of queer youth.

Featured guest Maia Kobabe, author of the award-winning and frequently-banned Gender Queer, will answer questions posed by writer Michele Kirichanskaya (Ace Notes) in a special spotlight session. Kobabe will also participate in a very special panel about comics and censorship moderated by PEN America’s Jonathan Friedman, and also including Mike Curato, author of Flamer, and Cathy G. Johnson, author of The Breakaways, who have all been affected by the wave of censorship currently sweeping parts of the United States.

In other spotlight sessions, Barbara Brandon-Croft (Where I’m Coming From) will discuss her life and career as the first Black woman to write and draw a nationally syndicated daily comic strip. Colleen Doran (A Distant Soil) will appear in conversation with Neil Gaiman (Sandman) to discuss her career and their history of collaboration. This event is scheduled in conjunction with the exhibition “Colleen Doran Illustrates Neil Gaiman,” running from March 22nd to July 29th at the Society of Illustrators and curated by scholar Kim Munson, who will also moderate the conversation. Noah Van Sciver will discuss his prolific career in conversation with Gil Roth (Virtual Memories). 

Other guests include Kim Deitch, Drew Friedman, Miriam Katin, Toma Vagner, and Noah Van Sciver. MoCCA Fest also includes panel discussions on independent manga, animation, publishing, and artist spotlights.

To learn more, go to: https://www.moccafest.org/

MoCCA Arts Fest
April 1 - 2, 2023

Metropolitan Pavilion
125 West 18th Street
New York, NY 10011

Spring is Here and So is The Big Apple Comic Con

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Parent Category: Expos and Conventions

Category: Previews

Published on Thursday, 23 March 2023 13:28

Written by Brad Balfour

Big Apple Comic Con"Back to Spring”
Saturday & Sunday March 25 - 26, 2023
10am-7pm (early admission 9am)

General Admission $35 Saturday; $30 Sunday;
VIP Admission $90

Two day General Admission $50;

Kids under 14 $15; Kids under 10 are Free.

Meet and Greet with Roy Thomas $220 (Includes Sunday VIP admission)

The New Yorker Hotel
481 8th Ave
New York, NY 10001

To learn more, go to: https://bigapplecc.com/

There are comic cons and then there are comic cons. While the New York Comic Con is a huge affair with thousands of attendees and media stars, bigger isn’t necessarily better. And that’s the case here. Thankfully, there has been The Big Apple Comic Con, now in its 26th year. This is the local con that’s about what matters — Comic Books — and all its related creative content. From 10am-7pm (early admission 9am), BACC  is rolling out its 3rd Annual “Back To Spring” event, this Saturday and Sunday March 25th and 26th.

An essential NYC comic book and pop culture collectible event, it’s a national hub for comic book collectors and traders with many of the biggest dealers in the country in attendance and some of the greatest collectibles are exhibited, bought, sold, traded.

In addition, The BACC Back to Spring event will include over 100 artists, guests, exhibitors, and cosplayers, with a special focus on up and coming artists from the NYC area. Guests include:

•Legendary Marvel Comics creator, writer, and editor Roy Thomas who wrote more than 1200 titles, edited over 1000 Marvel books, and is responsible for thousands of subjects produced while Editor-in-Chief at Marvel from 1972 to 1974. Roy is the real deal, a giant of the Silver Age and the man who opened the Bronze Age of comic books. Roy is bringing two exclusive, very limited edition, Variant Covers.

•The King of Indie Animation, twice Oscar nominated Bill Plympton. In 1991, Plympton won the Prix Spécial du Jury at the Cannes Film Festival for Push Comes to Shove which was featured on MTV's animated series Liquid Television. Bill’s cartoons have appeared in the NYTimes, Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, and his video animation credits include over a dozen Simpsons episodes.

•Alitha Martinez 2018 Eisner Award, and GLAAD Media Award winner (World of Wakanda). Innovative, versatile (Iron Man, Moon Girl, Black Panther, Nubia, Archie), a complete master of the craft and culture, Alitha’s unique style and humane vision emerge whatever subject she creates, her skills just keep growing.

•Best selling author (books, comics, graphic novels), playwright, screenwriter, actor, teacher Clay McLeod Chapman is at the forefront of horror writing (Ghost Eaters, Whisper Down the Lane). The NYTs noted how “Chapman uses the macabre to explore the humanity of his characters and reveal an almost spiritual side to the horrific.” Clay’s comic book credits include Marvel Spiderman , and cutting edge comic book horror

•Russ Braun the artist behind Jimmy’s Bastards, and Marvel’s hit Where Monsters’ Dwell, whose long and storied career began at DC comics with Batman and Justice League

•Jamal Igle, Inkpot Award winner, artist, editor, art director, creator of the hit comic Molly Danger. His work for DC, Marvel, and Image, from Starship Troopers, Green Lantern, to Supergirl, Iron Fist/Wolverine to Venture, and Nightwing have distinguished him as a master stylist and a major voice of the new generation.

•James Sherman a unique comic book artist whose pencils and inks balance color and realism over a 50 year career from DC to Marvel (Superboy, Justice League, Startrek, Punisher, X-Men, Spiderman ...)

•Ulises Farinas artist and illustrator of Star Wars, co-creator of Amazing Forest, Cloudia & Rex, Motro, and Gamma (Dark Horse), Lockjaw (Marvel). His most recent work is Dungeons & Dragons

And there is more, including an exclusive Sunday Meet and Greet with Roy Thomas (20 guests only). Origins of Play will again offer a comprehensive, playable history of video games. Pick your favorite from SpaceInvaders to Super Smash Bros and play all day (or park the kids and enjoy our panel events).

Our partner, and the best comicbook sales platform, HipComic is onboard with free books, and a special
membership offer. As is CGC dealer and CGC Signature Series Facilitator, Captured Collectibles.
Of course, BACC’s rightfully famous Cosplay contest, with prizes.

Big Apple Comic Con “Back To Spring is Saturday & Sunday March 25-26 2023 10am-7pm (early admission 9am) Tickets: General Admission $35 Saturday; $30 Sunday; VIP Admission $90; Two day General Admission $50; Kids under 14 $15; Kids under 10 are Free. Meet and Greet with Roy Thomas $220 (Includes Sunday VIP admission)

To learn more, go to: www.bigapplecc.com

APAP|NYC+ 2023: The Performing Arts Conference Returns to In Person

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Parent Category: Expos and Conventions

Category: Previews

Published on Monday, 09 January 2023 15:45

Written by Brad Balfour

The Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP) has announced the return of APAP|NYC+ 2023, at the New York Hilton Midtown, January 13  to 17, 2023.The first in-person installment of the conference since 2020, APAP|NYC+ is the annual gathering of the performing arts presenting, booking and touring industry and the members conference of the Association of Performing Arts Professionals. The event will be opened by two-time Tony Award winner Brian Stokes Mitchell, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Charlotte St. Martin of The Broadway League.

With the theme of "Community. Commerce. Learning. Discovery.", APAP|NYC+ allows for networking and discovery within the entertainment industry with extensive panels, networking events, and mixers.

APAP|NYC+ 2023 will spotlight programs dedicated to APAP's advocacy initiatives, including:

• APAP Arts Compensation Project: advancing compensation transparency in the arts industry

• BEEP: Building Ethical and Equitable Partnerships in contracting + artists' fees

• ArtsForward: promoting the recovery of the performing arts industry

• 10/20/30 Pledge: building racial equity, diversity, and inclusion in the field

Other events include ArtsForward in Practice: Learnings and Stories from Partnering During the Pandemic,  Equity in Contracting – New Resources and Next Steps, and A Brutally Honest Conversation about Nonprofit, For-Profit, Government, Philanthropy, and the Arts. 

Based in Washington, D.C., APAP is the national service, advocacy and membership organization dedicated to developing and supporting a robust, performing arts presenting, booking and touring field and the professionals who work within it.

To learn more, go to: https://apap365.org/conference/

APAP|NYC+
January 13 - 17, 2023

New York Hilton Midtown
1335 6th Ave.
New York, NY 10019