Ooooh, Bill Plympton in Baltimore tomorrow night

For news about Plympton's July 17th appearance, see Brett D. Rogers, Baltimore Animation Examiner, Just announced - Bill Plympton to host Artscape opening night animated shorts at The Charles Theatre, July 15, 2009. Rogers has a list of all the animated shorts as well.

As an aside, these citizen-journalist pieces in the Examiner website are spreading fast. I get various alerts for comic art and a good quarter of them are probably Examiner pieces now.

Boston Globe picks up Riffs' SpongeBob interview

I'm betting Michael Cavna isn't getting paid any extra for the Globe's use of his Riff's interview with SpongeBob's creator Steve Hillenburg.

Some news from Richard Thompson pre-San Diego

Richard's got a bit of disturbing news on his blog today.

We, in the royal editorial sense, wish him the best of course. In the personal sense, we intend to see that he gets some exercise.

Hello Kitty and Ben Classen in Express

Ben "Dirt Farm" Classen, who is using bendependent.com as his signature and is the only cartoonist left in the City Paper, has a nice Escher-inspired full page piece in today's Express for the Capital Fringe Festival.

Also in the paper is an article about a local exhibit -

Art History Gets Cute: Say Hello Kitty to a thought-provoking show of cheeky art.

Written by Express contributor Danielle O'Steen

Posted By Express July 16, 2009
http://www.expressnightout.com/content/2009/07/art_history_gets_cute_leslie_holt_and_he.php

Lamented ex-Baltimore City Paper cartoonist Tim Kreider at NY Times

God, I miss his stuff.

Isn’t It Outrageous?
By Tim Kreider
New York Times' Happy Days Blog July 14, 2009

DC Comic Books Examiner: Pride & Prejudice by Marvel a sincere effort

Pride & Prejudice by Marvel a sincere effort Wednesday, July 15, 2009 Read more » DC Comic Books Examiner, Mark Ruffin Mark Ruffin, a reader of comics for over twenty years, is a freelance writer who tirelessly generates awareness for the Non-Fraternity Conversation and Write-up on Comic Books. Contact Mark here.

DC Comic Books Examiner: Sherlock Holmes re-invented in comic book series

Sherlock Holmes re-invented in comic book series Tuesday, July 14, 2009   "Trial of Sherlock Holmes" / First Issue   The famed investigator's literary elements re-emerge through Dynamite Comics' one-of-a-kind limited series. Boxing and bartitsu grant the London investigator the ... Read more » DC Comic Books Examiner, Mark Ruffin Mark Ruffin, a reader of comics for over twenty years, is a freelance writer who tirelessly generates awareness for the Non-Fraternity Conversation and Write-up on Comic Books. Contact Mark here.

EXHIBITION OPENING: Moving Perspectives: Shahzia Sikander/ Sun Xun, Saturday, July 18, Sackler Gallery

This sounds like animation to me, albeit a fine art sort. I'd be interested in a report if anyone sees it before I do.

Moving Perspectives: Shahzia Sikander/ Sun Xun Video Art at the Sackler Gallery July 18 - November 8 Trained in Pakistan and in the United States, Shahzia Sikander (b. 1969, Lahore, Pakistan) deftly reinterprets miniature painting by isolating and abstracting formal compositional elements often found in this densely layered and intricate art form. The dynamism of her paintings is set in motion in her video works, where the repetition of abstract forms becomes a buzzing hive, calligraphy whirls in and out of view, and imaginary curves morph into vivid landscapes. Similarly, Sun Xun (b. 1980, Fuxin, China) creates hundreds of paintings and drawings by using old newspapers or entire blank walls. Filming his hand-drawn images, he transforms clocks, magicians, words, and insects into animated symbols that flicker across the screen in dark allegories on the nature of historical consciousness and the passage of time. Visit www.asia.si.edu for information on all our events, exhibitions, and public programs. Image Credit: Shock of time, 2006. video stills by Sun Xun.

1050 Independence Ave. SW 202.633.1000 Metro: Smithsonian www.asia.si.edu publicaffairsAsia@si.edu films | performances | talks | ImaginAsia | membership | shops

Weldon on Thor movie

I can't say I agree... the poor God's 3000 years old at least. I think he's pretty laid back for that.

The Upcoming Thor Movie: Tho What? He's Still A Jerk.

by Glen Weldon

National Public Radio's Monkey See blog July 15 2009

http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2009/07/the_upcoming_thor_movie_tho_wh_1.html?sc=nl&cc=msb-20090715

Cavna on SpongeBob in the Post

Absorbent And Yellow And Beloved At 10 Is He

By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, July 14, 2009

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/13/AR2009071303240.html

Although the article that the Post's Arts & Living website links to is Reuters, not their own.

SpongeBob creator interviewed at Comic Riffs

The Interview: 'SpongeBob' Creator Stephen Hillenburg
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog July 14, 2009
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/comic-riffs/2009/07/_tom_kenny_who_voices.html#more

Comic Riffs blog turns 1 today

I'm lousy at tracking dates, but Michael Cavna says his excellent Washington Post Comic Riffs blog is 1 year old today - http://voices.washingtonpost.com/comic-riffs/2009/07/_it_only_fully_dawned.html

Congratulations, Michael!

July 13: X-Men in Crystal City

Crystal Screen - Superheroes

Join the Crystal City BID for 21 weeks of Superheros! On Monday nights from May 4, 2009-September 21, 2009, Crystal City will be protected by Batman, Spiderman, Superman, and many others. Each night will also have special giveaways, sponsors, and other activities.

Date(s):
May 4, 2009 - September 21, 2009

Location:
18th and Bell Street - Courtyard Across from Crystal City Metro Station & Marriott Hotel

Event Fee:
Free

Hours:
Movies begin at sundown

Description:
Join the Crystal City BID for 21 weeks of Superheros! On Monday nights from May 4, 2009-September 21, 2009, Crystal City will be protected by Batman, Spiderman, Superman, and many others. Each night will also have special giveaways, sponsors, and other activities. Check back here for more information.

CRYSTAL KID BONUS: Since it gets dark later in the summer and movies often start past bedtime, the BID has partnered with Crystal City Sports Pub to rebroadcast each movie at 3:30 PM on the 3rd Floor of CCSP on the Wednesday following the outdoor showing, starting May 6. Bring your kids and a blanket and enjoy the fabulous surround network of TVs.

Festival Rules: Patrons can bring their own picnics as long as they abide by city and festival rules. Low-backed chairs and blankets are allowed, but grills, umbrellas, and pets are prohibited.


Schedule

July 13, 2009 - X-Men
July 15, 2009 - X-Men - at CCSP
July 20, 2009 - X2
July 22, 2009 - X2 - at CCSP
July 27, 2009 - X-Men: The Last Stand
July 29, 2009 - X-Men: The Last Stand - at CCSP
August 3, 2009 - Fantastic Four
August 5, 2009 - Fantastic Four - at CCSP
August 10, 2009 - Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
August 12, 2009 - Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer - at CCSP
August 17, 2009 - Batman
August 19, 2009 - Batman - at CCSP
August 24, 2009 - Batman Returns
August 26, 2009 - Batman Returns - at CCSP
August 31, 2009 - Batman Forever
September 2, 2009 - Batman Forever - at CCSP
September 7, 2009 - Batman & Robin
September 9, 2009 - Batman & Robin - at CCSP
September 14, 2009 - Batman Begins
September 16, 2009 - Batman Begins - at CCSP
September 21, 2009 - Batman: The Dark Knight
September 23, 2009 - Batman: The Dark Knight - at CCSP

Iranian cartoonists article in Wash Post

I think I slipped up yesterday and forgot to mention this -

Behind Iranian Lines, Cartoonists Come Under Fire
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, July 12, 2009
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/09/AR2009070903216.html

And don't forget the longer interview with Nik Kowsar is here - http://voices.washingtonpost.com/comic-riffs/2009/07/the_interview_exiled_iranian_c.html#more

Bennett's best is back

Bennett's Best for the week of June 28, By Greg Bennett, July 5, 2009 Washington Times' Zadzooks blog - Justice League and Captain America.

Geppi's Museum's Barks Exhibit

Scoop has more information on Geppi's Museum's Carl Barks exhibit which opens on July 17th in Baltimore. This is one not to miss.

Peter Bagge strips from DC's Reason magazine collected

Peter Bagge's strips from DC's Reason magazine have been collected, I like these strips a lot - they're mostly cartoon journalism. Bagge spoke at Reason about 2 years ago and I went to their Dupont Circle location and enjoyed the talk.

The book, which I bought this week, is: Everybody Is Stupid Except for Me and Other Astute Observations, Peter Bagge, Fantagraphics, softcover, 120 pages, 9781606991589 (ISBN13), 2009, $16.99.

For a good interview, see Tom Spurgeon, "CR Sunday Interview: Peter Bagge," Comics Reporter (July 12 2009)

Sept 10: "New Yorker" Cartoonist will Address Seniors at N. Va. Aging Fair

LIVING LONG AND LAUGHING MUCH

NEW YORKER CARTOONIST WILL KEYNOTE
AT NOVA POSITIVE AGING FAIR SEPTEMBER 10
 


(Fairfax, VA – July x, 2009) –The New Yorker magazine cartoonist Mort Gerberg has lived long and laughed much.  Gerberg will share his knack for finding humor in aging as the keynote speaker at the "Third Annual Positive Aging Fair:  Tools for Creative Aging" on Sept. 10 at the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia (JCCNV), 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Gerberg edited the book Last Laughs: Cartoons About Aging, Retirement…and the Great Beyond, in 2007, and will sign copies of it at the fair. The All-Jewish Cartoon Collection is another of the nearly 40 other books Gerberg has written, illustrated or edited.  

The aging fair provides information and resources that promote active aging through healthy lifestyles that help seniors live longer, more independently and more positively.
Participants in the fair may choose among six interactive small-group workshops on healthy aging topics:
·        Writing Your Memoirs led by George Mason University associate professor of English Don Gallehr.  Preserve memories and experiences in writing for yourself and your children.
·        Wills, Trusts and Creative Estate Planning  (Or Must I Leave Everything to My Children?) led by Helen Cohn Needham and Susan Pollack of the law firm Needham, Mitnick & Pollack.  Learn about financial options for the future.
·        Sexuality After 50 led by Ruth Kershner, a social worker in JSSA's Aging Services Department. Gain insights into the impact of physical changes on sexuality, dating for people over 60, and coping with widowhood.
·        Gardening with Healing Plants led by environmental educator Karen Buchsbaum. Learn about plants with healing properties, then bring home a fledging plant you start in a pot yourself.
·        Take Charge of Your Health in Retirement led by Virginia Inglese, registered dietician and social worker.  Discover strategies to keep you healthy and energized.
·        Healthy Brains led by social worker Nancy Dezan, presenting puzzles and other mental challenges to keep your mind strong.

The day's events will also include a raffle and information booths on subjects such as senior housing options, the arts, county services and health and fitness.
 
The Positive Aging Fair welcomes Northern Virginians over 50 from all faiths and backgrounds.  The fair is sponsored by the Jewish Social Service Agency (JSSA), JCCNV, JConnect, and the Jewish Council for the Aging (JCA).  Major business sponsors from the community include NurtureCare, Inc., and Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic States.
 
General admission to the fair is $8, or $10 if a kosher lunch is requested in advance.  Registration may be done by phone at 703-323-0880 or online at www.jccnv.org <http://www.jccnv.org/> .

 
About JSSA



____________________________________________________________________________

JSSA has been helping people across the Washington metropolitan area meet emotional, social, and physical challenges for more than 115 years. A nonsectarian provider, we serve people of all religious backgrounds, races and ethnicities, helping the youngest child to the most fragile senior, from individuals to entire families. Our wide range of counseling, educational, employment, in-home support, hospice and nursing care and social services assist over 22,000 people per year.
 

Rockville (Fallsgrove), 301.838.4200 • Rockville (Montrose Road), 301.881.3700 •  Fairfax, 703.204.9100  •  www.jssa.org
Jewish Social Service Agency

DCist on Super-Mayor

Glen Weldon wrote in recommending DCist's column, "Voting for Super Mayor Ends Tonight," By Kriston Capps on July 10, 2009 so there's the link.

Otakon

I forgot this was coming up, but Marc Nathan (promoter of the Baltimore Comic-Con) mentioned to me yesterday that Otakon, one of the major anime/manga conventions, is coming up on July 17th through the 19th at the Baltimore Convention Center. I have never attended, but am told it is something to behold! Comic-oriented guests include some of the UDON crew (I know Jo Chen, Jeffrey "Chamba" Cruz, and Jamie Noguchi will be at that booth, though that's just from Googling) and Yamila Abraham, publisher at Yaoi Press.