Portland Comics Month 2009!

Hi, everyone--

Holy Moses!

For the second year in a row, the mayor has declared April "Portland Comics Month," and we've cataloged nearly FORTY comics-related events happening this month in the Rose City. Check out the current tally below, and many thanks to the Multnomah County Libraries, participating organizations, bookstores, publishers, and galleries, and our fellow comics- and beer-loving pals at MacTarnahan's.

New this year are "Comics & Music" nights, a fancy and fabulous benefit dinner for the CBLDF and the Stumptown Comics Foundation (with esteemed comics creators and Mayor Sam Adams), and more ... just look at tonight's First Thursday list. David Mack and Paul Hornschemeier FTW.

Come on out and celebrate with us!

xo,
--Portland

Portland Comics Month – April 2009
Events are free and “all ages” unless otherwise noted.

Through April 26th @ Talisman Gallery (1476 NE Alberta) – "Hand Hewn" exhibition of Philip Barasch's original comics art. Open Fri, Sat, Sun, from 12-6pm.

Wednesday April 1st 5-7pm @ Bridge City Comics (3725 N Mississippi Ave) – 4th Anniversary celebration, featuring cookies and cake!
6-9pm @ MacTarnahan's Taproom (2730 NW 31st Ave) – The very first joint “Drink and Draw" event with the Stumptown Comics Fest and MacTarnahan's! Featuring artists Brian Churilla, Mike Lawrence, Virginia Paine, Natalie Phillips, and Monica Toth creating illustrations to be auctioned for charity, plus tasty craft brews and quality collaborative vibes. Join us, and feel free to join in!

Thursday April 2nd 5:30-8:30pm @ Charles A. Hartman Fine Art (134 NW 8th Ave) – “Paul Hornschemeier: Cloistered in Crowds" First Thursday reception and book signing with the Eisner, Harvey, and Ignatz Award-nominated creator of Mother, Come Home. Sponsored by Fantagraphics Books

6-9pm @ Portland Center for the Performing Arts (1111 SW Broadway) – "Comics To The People! An Exhibition of Comic Book and Cartoon Art," First Thursday reception with various Fest artists in attendance. A collaboration between PCPA, Stumptown Comics Foundation, and the Sequential Art Gallery.

6-10pm @ Compound Gallery (107 NW 5th Ave) – Japanese illustrator Ippei Gyoubu's first solo exhibition in the US.

6-10pm @ Floating World Comics (20 NW 5th Ave #101) – “David Mack: The Alchemy” First Thursday reception, slideshow discussion, and Q&A with famed Eagle, Eisner, Harvey, and Kirby Award-nominated creator of Kabuki.

6-10pm @ Pony Club Gallery (625 NW Everett #105) – Group show featuring work by Renée French (The Ticking), Lance Simmons (Wurd Reader), Jason Overby (Jessica), Tim Root (Nerd Burglar), and Mike Bertino (Pinwheel)

6-10pm @ Sequential Art Gallery (328 NW Broadway #113) – "Lady Parts" joint show by locals Dylan Meconis (Family Man) & Erika Moen (DAR). First Thursday reception with the artists. Recommended 18+

6-10pm @ Vorpal Space (328 NW Broadway #117) – "2" by Natalie Phillips. First Thursday reception with artist in attendance.

Friday April 3rd 4pm start @ Floating World Comics – Live art show with Emonic as part of the Hot Zombie Chicks Love BrAiNs Tour. The horror/comedy team of Anthony Leano, Paul Allen, and Mike Hampton will be on hand with the premiere issue of BrAiNs, and artist Skinner (Grass Hut) will join in at 7pm for a Drink & Draw that's open to the public. 21+ after 7pm through April 9th @ Cinema 21 (616 NW 21st Ave) – Tokyo! with segment by Michel Gondry adapting comic Cecil and Jordan in New York by Gabrielle Bell. Not MPAA rated

Saturday April 4th midnight – Stumptown Trophy Award nominations close! See www.stumptowncomics.com/awards for more info

Sunday April 5th 6:30am – Stumptown Comics Fest promoted on "Outlook Portland," channel KRCW-32
12:30-1:45pm @ the Central Library (801 SW 10th Ave, in the U.S. Bank Room) – "The Joy of Censorship." MAD magazine Senior Editor Joe Raiola discusses satire, the First Amendment, and the history of this legendary humor title. Free tickets available 30 minutes prior to start

2-4pm @ the Independent Publishing Resource Center (917 SW Oak St #218) – “Comics for Parents and Kids" workshop with John Isaacson $5-10 sliding fee; registration info at www.iprc.org

Tuesday April 7th 6:30-7:45pm @ the Midland Library (805 SE 122nd Ave) – "The Joy of Censorship." MAD magazine Senior Editor Joe Raiola. Free tickets available 30 minutes prior to start

Saturday April 11th 6pm-late – "Alter Egos: Power Struggle" 2nd Annual costumed pub crawl with Alter Egos Society & Drunken Rampage! Oh, yes. Starts @ secret locations TBA; go to www.alteregossociety.com for details. 21+

Saturday April 11th though Sunday April 12th 10am-10am @ Cosmic Monkey Comics (5335 NE Sandy Blvd) – “Drawpocalypse 2” 24-Hour Comic Challenge featuring David Chelsea (David Chelsea in Love). Benefit event for underground Zap Comix artist S. Clay Wilson. Sign up now and bring materials to participate

Sunday April 12th 5-8pm @ the Independent Publishing Resource Center – Ongoing second-Sunday event “Comics and Coffee,” make one and drink the other

All day – The beginning of National Library Week! Check out www.multcolib.org for events at a library near you

Tuesday April 14th 6:30pm @ the Hollywood Library (4040 NE Tillamook St) – Graphic Novel Book Group discussion of Pride of Baghdad by Brian K. Vaughan

Wednesday April 15th 6:30pm @ the Belmont Library (1038 SE 39th Ave) – Graphic Novel Book Group discussion of Blue Pills: A Positive Love Story by Frederick Peeters. 18+

Thursday April 16th 4:30-5:30pm @ the Central Library (in the U.S. Bank Room) – “Wild World of Webcomics” with local cartoonist and animator Carolyn Main

7-9pm @ the Compound Gallery – Artist Camille d’Errico (Tanpopo) unveils a gallery show and an exclusive clothing line. Sponsored by Dark Horse Comics, the Stumptown Comics Foundation, and MacTarnahan's

Friday April 17th 11am-7pm @ Cosmic Monkey Comics - Portland superhero Zetaman appearance to raise funds for the March of Dimes' "March for Babies Walk-A-Thon." (Walk-A-Thon on Saturday, April 25th @ the Rose Quarter Commons.)

4:30-5:30pm @ the Central Library (in the U.S. Bank Room) – “Zinesters Talking” minicomics artists Hellen Jo and Ignatz Award-nominated Dunja Jankovic discuss their work.

Benefit Dinner @ Portland Center for the Performing Arts (1111 SW Broadway) – Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and Stumptown Comics Foundation benefit dinner with Jeff Smith (Bone, RASL), Craig Thompson (Habibi), Matt Wagner (Grendel), Gail Simone (Wonder Woman), Farel Dalrymple (pop gun war), Derek Kirk Kim (The Eternal Smile), Pollyanne Birge (Portland's Arts and Culture Coordinator), and others TBA. 5:30pm – Cocktails and appetizers, with appearance by and reading of Comics Month proclamation from Mayor Sam Adams. 6:30pm - Dinner. Ticketed event, strictly limited seating. Details at www.stumptowncomics.com; $100/plate, 21+

7-11pm @ Guapo Comics and Books (6350 SE Foster Road) – Stumptown Fest kickoff event! Good times, readings, and presentation of the 2009 Maisie Kukoc Award for Comics Inspiration.

Saturday April 18th 10am-6pm @ the Lloyd Center Doubletree (1000 NE Multnomah) – The 6th Annual Stumptown Comics Fest, day one! $6/day or $10/wknd admission. Info at www.stumptowncomics.com

7pm @ Cosmic Monkey Comics – The Stumptown Comics Fest’s annual Trophy Awards Ceremony (8pm), Comic Art Battle (9pm), and jam-packed social shindig. Join us! MC'd by KUFO-FM's Fatboy. 21+

Sunday April 19th 10am-6pm @ the Lloyd Center Doubletree – The 6th Annual Stumptown Comics Fest, day two! $6 admission
7pm @ Backspace (115 NW 5th Ave) – “Dead Dog” Stumptown after-party to close out the Fest weekend
7pm @ Pony Club Gallery – After-party location #2. 21+
7:30 to 9:30pm @ Cosmic Monkey Comics - Dr. Sketchy! Burlesque life models pose for budding artists. All-ages appropriate, low-stress atmosphere, and door prizes. Some art supplies available, but it's best to come prepared. $5 admission

Monday April 20th 9pm @ Zilla Sake House (1806 NE Alberta St) – Comics & Music Night #1 with But We Don't and special guests. 21+, no cover

Tuesday April 21st 9pm @ the Someday Lounge (125 NW 5th Ave) – Comics & Music Night #2 with Dame Darcy (Meatcake) solo, Myrrh Larsen feat. John C. Worsley (Painkillers), Star St. Germain, special guests. 21+, no cover

Saturday April 25th 5-8pm @ Sequential Art Gallery - Joint book-release party for Dylan Meconis's Bite Me! and Erika Moen's DAR: A Super Girly Top-Secret Comic Diary, Vol. One.

Sunday April 26th 7-9pm @ Cosmic Monkey Comics – Ongoing “last Sunday” Drink & Draw event. All ages!

Monday April 27th 7:30pm @ Powells City of Books (1005 W Burnside) – Derek Kirk Kim (Same Difference and Other Stories), Jesse Reklaw (Slow Wave), and Sarah Oleksyk (Ivy). Featuring Kim’s new work with Gene Yang, The Eternal Smile. Sponsored by First Second Books

Tuesday April 28th 7pm @ Diesel Fuel Prints (726 SE 10th Ave) - Rock poster and comics superstar Tara McPherson (Lonely Heart) signing event. Sponsored by Dark Horse Comics.

Saturday, May 2nd - The annual Free Comic Book Day @ your local comics shop! More info at www.freecomicbookday.com

More events, info, and running updates at www.stumptowncomics.com/comicsmonth
Email info@stumptowncomics.com with additions and updates