TCAF 2009

(Bryan Lee O'Malley)

If you dig small press, graphic novels and/or comics, you should definitely check out the Toronto Comic Arts Festival next weekend (May 9th & 10th)! Even if you don't think it's your bag, you should drop by because you might see something there that changes your mind.

And it's FREE!!

(Yoshihiro Tatsumi)

This year, I have volunteered myself for the event. So, if you do show, you'll be able (at the very least) to heckle me while I run about in my bright red TCAF shirt -- ushering co-dorks to and fro.

For those of you with ankle-biters -- there's gonna be a whole kids section w/Owl Magazine on site & a presentations/activities room on the Sunday.

(Gabrielle Bell)

TCAF is @:

Toronto Reference Library
(click here)
Sat - 10am-5pm
Sun - 11am-5pm

I'm not even going to bother listing some of the guests (there are craploads). Just go here: TCAF '09

TCAF '09 is going to be the biggest TCAF to date. So please, please, please try not to miss out!

Learning to Love You More... November

Honestly -- Boxcar & I do have other resources -- other than wacky kid Miranda July's various and sundry projects, websites, books, etc. etc.! I just couldn't resist here...

It's November. For those of us who live anywhere that is not a perpetually sunny, shiny and toasty clime, November just sucks. It's dreary and cold and damp.

What better way to get you through those reclusive months ahead than to participate in Learning to Love You More 'Assignments'?!

Now I know that there are some of you who will eyeroll at this concept. "Oh, how arty" you might snicker. But do yourself a favour. If you don't feel inclined to participate. If you choose to poo-poo the whole thing outright -- at least check out the site and peruse the assignment submissions posted there.

That is your assignment.

If you don't crack a smile at least once... well... What's WRONG with you?!!

(The photo above was taken from Assignment #30: Take a Picture of Strangers Holding Hands. Some of my other favourite assignments include: Draw the News, Draw a Picture of Your Friend's Friend, Draw a Scene From A Movie That Made You Cry, Repair Something).

Toronto's own cutest-ever writer & artist Emily Holton has even contributed to LTLYM -- with her 'For Immediate Release: Emily Holton Eats Too Much Pineapple And Lies Awake, Imagining Heartbreak' response to Assignment #60: Write A Press Release About An Everyday Event. And as I plug Emily here, I realize that I have completely missed the Toronto launch event of her latest work: Dear Canada Council/Our Starland -- which took place tonight at the Gladstone Hotel Ballroom! I'm guessing that almost midnight is pretty much too late to catch a literary event (collar pull).