In Toronto? Like comics, art, or design? There’s a lot of cool stuff going down… Most of it presented by my erstwhile employer, The Beguiling, but other folks hold events too. Here’s what’s happening, and you can click on any of the images for the full-size version:
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NOVEMBER 25: TONIGHT
Maurice Vellekoop’s PIN-UPS Book Launch
Featuring Maurice Vellekoop!
Tuesday, November 25th, 2008 @ 6:30PM
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
http://facebook.com/event.php?eid=30596127854
FREE, 18+
The Beguiling is teaming up with the fierce folks at Green Candy Press to present Maurice Vellekoop’s PIN-UPS! It’s a cross between his most recent collection, “A Nut At The Opera,†and his most infamous collection, “ABC: A Homoerotic Primer,†featuring tributes to hundreds of years of gay imagery from film to fashion to fantasy, all rendered in Maurice’s lush trademark style.
The event will feature a gallery show, presentation from the book, and some fantastic music courtesy of DJ Johnny Wacker… Maurice himself will be on hand to sign copies of the work, and in addition to book sales we’ll have a selection of original art, prints, and more, on hand.
If you’ve ever thought about coming out to one of our events, this one guarantees to be the most fabulous.
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DECEMBER 3
Dave Lapp’s DROP-IN Book Launch
Featuring Dave Lapp in conversation with Chester Brown
Wednesday, December 3rd 2008 @ 7PM
The Central, 603 Markham Street (Next to The Beguiling)
http://facebook.com/event.php?eid=36387779614
FREE
The Beguiling is proud to present the official launch for cartoonist Dave Lapp’s new graphic novel, DROP-IN. A surprising, insightful look at some of Toronto’s most economically disadvantaged communities, DROP-IN chronicles Lapp’s experiences as a teacher at a drop-in art centre, and the children he meets there.
The book launch event will see Dave Lapp perform a multimedia reading from DROP-IN, and following that Lapp will be interviewed on stage by long time friend and colleague Chester Brown (Louis Riel) about his career in comics, and the specific challenges of creating DROP-IN. A signing will follow.
DROP-IN is currently available for sale at The Beguiling, and will be available for sale at the event.
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LAUNCH! TeaTime 2 and Brick Literary Journal 82
high literature, visual oddities, and gratuitous drinking
at Mitzi’s Sister (1554 Queen Street West)
on Wednesday the 3rd December (doors at 7.30)
http://steflenk.com
There will be readings and excellent company and drinks and books for sale too. As always, friends, strangers, and those appreciative of oddities are all welcome.
Join our friend Steflenk for the launch of the second issue of her new comic series TeaTime, alongside the official launch for Brick Literary Journal #82. Yes, we know this conflicts with Dave Lapp’s launch. We’re really sorry to all involved: December is a very busy month. Hope you can make it out to one—or both!
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DECEMBER 4
Clayton Hamner’s Christmas Party & Book Launch!
Featuring C-Ton’s Super A-Maze-Ing Year Of Crazy Comics, from Owlkids.
Thursday December 4, 6pm-9:30pm
@ Reactor Art & Design, 51 Camden St., Main Floor
http://cton.ca
Join Toronto Illustrator Clayton Hamner for the launch of his new all-ages book and Christmas Party, “C-Ton’s Super A-Maze-Ing Year Of Crazy Comics”. Clayton will be joined by his friends at Reactor, Owlkids, and many more to meet and greet, launch the book, and celebrate the season.
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DECEMBER 7
Comics to Watch Out For
Featuring Mariko Tamaki, Douglas Davey, Jen Stewart and Amy Chop
Sunday December 7th, 2008 2pm-4pm
Ebar, 41 Quebec St., Guelph Ontario
$5-$10 suggested donation
The Dragon comic book store in Guelph and ‘Out On The Shelf’ Queer Library and Resource Centre are proud to present “Comics to Watch Out Forâ€. This day-long fundraiser for Out On The Shelf will feature:
Author Mariko Tamaki, reading from her graphic novels SKIM and EMIKO SUPERSTAR.
Librarian Douglas Davey, presenting on The History of Queer Comics and Graphic Novels Comics Retailers Jen Stewart and Amy Chop, presenting on Women And Comic Books
Tickets are available at the door.
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DECEMBER 10
HERO INITIATIVE FUNDRAISER
Wednesday, December 10 2008, 3pm-7pm
Paradise Comics, 3278 Yonge Street, Toronto
http://facebook.com/event.php?eid=33959769554
FREE
Paradise Comics and The Hero Initiative are pleased to announce a special in-store signing of the brand new The Hulk 100 Project, featuring special comics guests including Dale Keown, Leonard Kirk, Agnes Garbowska, and Francis Manapaul.The Hulk 100 Project features more than 100 original cover illustrations for the recent HULK #1 courtesy of superhero artist greats, with all proceeds going to benefit The Hero Initiative.
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DECEMBER 11
KRAMERS ERGOT 7 TOURS TORONTO
Presented by The Beguiling Books & Art
Featuring Shary Boyle, Sammy Harkham, Kevin Huizenga, John Pham, Ron Rege Jr., Souther Salazar, and Seth!
Thursday December 11th, 2008, 7PM-10PM
918 Bathurst Street (Former Buddhist Temple)
1 Block North of Bathurst TTC
http://facebook.com/event.php?eid=30811628299
FREE
Kramers Ergot is the name of the groundbreaking comix anthology that has taken up the tradition of Art Spiegelman and Francoise Mouly’s RAW MAGAZINE in bringing the most innovative, challenging, and beautiful comics work to the masses… and volume 7 is the greatest yet! This massive new tome includes brand new comics from some of the world’s greatest living graphic novelists, and this December several of the contributors will be in Toronto to officially launch the new book!
Kramers Ergot Volume 7 is sure to top many critics’ Best Comics Of 2008 Lists, thanks to its all-star line-up of contributors including Seth, Chris Ware, Shary Boyle, Andrian Tomine, Dan Clowes, Ivan Brunetti, and Gabrielle Bell to name just a few. But equally as stunning is the book’s presentation: Kramers Ergot Volume 7 is a massive 16 inches by 21 inches in hardcover, with each contributor offering up an original double-page spread of brand new work for the book. Kramers Ergot Volume 7 will make its official debut at this launch event, and will not be available in stores before then. It is sure to be in short supply this holiday season.
“People are focusing on the enormous size of this book, and with good reason,†says Peter Birkemoe of The Beguiling. “But the sheer talent assembled into this volume, from established names and friends of The Beguiling like Seth and Shary Boyle, to relative newcomers including John Pham, that’s what will have people lining up for this one.â€
The Kramers Ergot Volume 7 Tour will feature appearances by series Editor and contributor Sammy Harkham, as well as Shary Boyle (Otherworld Uprising), Kevin Huizenga (Ganges, Curses), John Pham (Sublife), Ron Regé Jr. (Skibber Bee Bye), Souther Salazar (Destined for Dizziness), and Seth (Palookaville, Clyde Fans) and publisher Alvin Buenaventura. At 7:30PM the contributors will be interviewed on stage by The Beguiling’s Peter Birkemoe, and a signing will follow. Doors open at 7PM.
The event will be held at the beautiful new event space ‘918’ located at 918 Bathurst. A former Buddhist Temple, the space is a classic A-frame building located just a block north of Bathurst Subway station and 3 blocks from The Beguiling. Sponsored by Steam Whistle Brewing.
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So, you can see why I’ve been busy.
– Chris
The Beguiling and The Toronto Comic Arts Festival are once again proud to partner with Toronto Public Library for Keep Toronto Reading Month, a month-long celebration of reading and library services. For more on Keep Toronto Reading, please visit http://www.keeptorontoreading.ca.
Shaun Tan Signing in Toronto
ITEM: I will be in San Diego again this year, and I will even have a place to sleep! It is also not the most I have ever paid for a plane ticket, which is kind of shocking all on its own. Sadly I have never investigated how being put on panels actually works, so I don’t think I’m on any. But I totally should: You Better Believe I Got Opinions. So, you know, feel free to sneak me on to the panel of your choice. I know lots of things, and am generally entertaining.
