Thursday, June 19, 2014

Barsotti obit in Wash Post

Charles Barsotti, New Yorker cartoonist known for his simplicity, dies at 80 [in print as Charles Barsotti, 80; Cartoonist of subtle humor].

By Matt Schudel

Washington Post June 19 2014

http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/comics/charles-barsotti-new-yorker-cartoonist-known-for-his-simplicity-dies-at-80/2014/06/18/7f1f7046-f6fb-11e3-a3a5-42be35962a52_story.html

 

Postcards on Fantom's move

Fantom Comics is letting its Dupont Circle neighbors know that it'll be opening its new store (which it says will be three times bigger than its current Union Station location) on July 23. Here's a postcard picked up at a Dupont Circle eatery.


June 21-22: Tom Arvis at WizardCon Philadelphia

Tom Arvis writes in, "After this show (where I'm an invited guest, thank you very much) I'll be doing the Baltimore ComicCon in Sept."

July 11-12: Disney Fantasia Live in Concert at Wolf Trap

Friday, July 11 & Saturday, July 12
at 8:30 pm at the Filene Center
Ticket Price: $22-$55
Disney Fantasia Live in Concert
National Symphony Orchestra
Emil de Cou, conductor

    Experience Disney magic on the big screen when the NSO casts an enchanting musical spell on sorcerer Mickey and other cherished animated characters from Fantasia (1940) and Fantasia 2000

    REPERTOIRE

    • BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67
      Light battles dark in an abstract masterpiece from Fantasia 2000
    • BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68 ("Pastoral")
      Pastoral Art Deco interpretation of mythological Greece
    • TCHAIKOVSKY: Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a 
      Light hearted dance by flora, fauna, fairies, and an unforgettable mushroom
    • DEBUSSY "Clair de Lune" from Suite bergamasque  (orch. Stokowski)
      Stunning depiction of two herons flying in the moonlight    
    • STRAVINSKY: Firebird Suite (1919)
      A frightening Firebird seeks to destroy the forest home of a Spring Sprite and her companion elk

    Intermission

    • GERSHWIN: Rhapsody in Blue
      Jazz-inspired urban love paean to Gershwin
    • DUKAS:  The Sorcerer's Apprentice
      Mickey Mouse's iconic animated masterpiece
    • ELGAR: Pomp and Circumstance
      Donald Duck stars as the patriarch in a retelling of Noah's Ark
    • RESPIGHI Pines of Rome
      Mythical animation with flying humpback whales
    • RIMSKY-KORSAKOV/FINA: "Flight of the Bumblebee" from The Tale of Tsar Saltan
      A colorful bee's fast and furious orchestral adventure

    • PONCHIELLI: "Dance of the Hours" from La Gioconda
      Light-hearted classical dance with ostriches, hippos, elephants, and alligators
    • SAINT-SAËNS: Finale from Le carnival des animaux
      A single heroic flamingo, armed with a yo-yo, humorously battles conformity

    FEATURED PERFORMERS

    • National Symphony Orchestra
    • Emil de Cou is the music director of the Pacific Northwest Ballet. This is his 10th season as the official conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra at Wolf Trap. "He's one of the few conductors trying to open new doors into classical music, either with video…or other new technologies aimed at younger audiences."—The Washington Post

    June 20: Pixar in Concert at Wolf Trap


    Friday, June 20 at 8:30 pm at the Filene Center
    Ticket Price: $30-$58
    Pixar in Concert
    National Symphony Orchestra
    Emil de Cou, conductor

    TICKETS
       

    All your favorite animated Pixar films on the big screen including Finding NemoUpToy Story, and Monsters, Inc., paired with memorable scores played by the National Symphony Orchestra

    REPERTOIRE

    • Enjoy music from more than a dozen Pixar films, includingRatatouille, A Bug's Life, Finding Nemo, WALL-E, Up, The Incredibles, Brave, Monsters, Inc., Monsters University, and theCars and Toy Story series.
    • The music was written by renowned composers Randy Newman, Thomas Newman, Michael Giacchino, and Patrick Doyle. Collectively, this music has won 3 Academy Awards and 10 Grammys.

    FEATURED PERFORMERS

    • National Symphony Orchestra
    • Emil de Cou is the music director of the Pacific Northwest Ballet. This is his 10th season as the official conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra at Wolf Trap. "He's one of the few conductors trying to open new doors into classical music, either with video…or other new technologies aimed at younger audiences."—The Washington Post

    Wednesday, June 18, 2014

    Comic Riffs on the death of Charles Barsotti

    RIP, CHARLES BARSOTTI: New Yorker artist was 'master cartoonist, a true original, and a nice guy, to boot.'

    By Michael Cavna

    Washington Post Comic Riffs blog June 18 2014

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2014/06/18/rip-charles-barsotti-new-yorker-artist-was-master-cartoonist-a-true-original-and-a-nice-guy-to-boot/

    Rob Steibel's last Kirby column for TCJ.com

    "Trail May Lead to the Ends of Infinity"

    A close reading of a Thor issue.

    Two Md. retailers up for Eisner retailer award


    Beyond Comics in Frederick, Md., (Jonathan Cohen, owner) and Collector’s Corner in Baltimore (Randy Myers, owner) are nominees for the 2015 Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award. Both stores have been nominated in previous years, a testament to their quality.


    June 28: Matt Dembicki and Jason Rodriguez at American Library Association in Las Vegas

    Two out of three from DC on this panel. And remember, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.... even misfiling.

    Graphic Novel / Gaming Stage - Teaching with Comics -- Matt Dembicki, Jason Rodriguez, Joel Gill

    http://ala14.ala.org/node/15638

    When: 
    Saturday, June 28, 2014 - 10:00am to 11:00am
    Calendar Download to my calendar
    Exhibit Hall - Graphic Novel / Gaming Stage
    Description: 

    A panel discussion with three graphic illustrators and writers exploring the benefits of teaching with comics. The panelists have published books about history, culture and nature, all of which have been successful teaching and learning tools in the classroom and in libraries.

    Meeting Type: 
    Sponsors: 
    ALA
    American Library Association (ALA)
    Cost: 
    Included with conference registration
    Last Updated: 
    Tuesday, June 17, 2014 - 11:36am PDT
    Attendees: 
    113 people interested in attending (View all)

    June 28: Paul Pope at Third Eye Comics

    Paul Pope (Battling Boy, THB, Batman Year 100) will be signing a new revamped reprint of his book Escapo (Z2) at Third Eye Comics in Annapolis, Md., on June 28 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

    From the Z2 press release: “What’s the scoop on ESCAPO? Like a feverish mash-up of Fellini films, Heavy Metal magazine, and classic Jack Kirby comics, ESCAPO tells the tale of a circus escape artist extraordinaire, who can escape from any situation — even from DEATH himself!”

    June 21: Geek Chic Fashion Show at St. Stephen's

    Fantom Comics and PollySue's Vintage Shop are hosting a Geek Chic Fashion show Saturday night at St. Stephen & the Incarnation Episcopal Church in D.C. “Think nerdy street style, casual cosplay, steampunk couture, Hogwarts riot grrls, high-fashion superheroes, tiny princess super villains, Carol and Kamala Corps, and more!” according to the Facebook event page.

    Tickets are $5 and a percentage of the proceeds will go to Con or Bust, a non-profit that sends fans of color to SFF conventions, according to organizers.

    June 20: Zinefest benefit


    The D.C. Zinefest folks are hosting a benefit Friday for the Richmond (Va.) Zinefest (both shows feature a good dose of self-published comics, mostly by creators in the area; BTW, the D.C. Zinefest will be held Aug. 9 this year; the Richmond show on Oct. 5). The benefit event on June 20 will show the 1988 film "Psycho-Punk Splatter Comedy" at the Fridge art gallery in D.C., starting at 7 p.m. Admission if $5.

    Cavna on sports cartooning

    RIP, TONY GWYNN: How a tribute cartoon ended up with the greatest hitter I ever saw.
    BY MICHAEL CAVNA
    Washington Post Comic Riffs June 16 2014
    http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2014/06/16/rip-tony-gwynn-how-a-tribute-cartoon-ended-up-with-the-greatest-hitter-i-ever-saw/
     

    David Apatoff on Jack Kirby

    Gail Simone speaking at White House Conference

    Bleeding Cool has the story, or at least screenshots of Simone's tweets, at Gail Simone To Speak At The White House About LGBTQ And Disability Issues.

    Tuesday, June 17, 2014

    From the less distant past: 2006 Washington Post chat with Richard Thompson

    I'm continuing through Cul de Sac tearsheets from the Post Magazine, and ran across notice of a 2006 Washington Post chat with Richard Thompson that I had also forgotten. Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? 

    From the distant past: 2005 Washington Post chat with Richard Thompson

    I'm going through Cul de Sac tearsheets from the Post Magazine, and ran across notice of a 2005 Washington Post chat with Richard Thompson that I had forgotten. It's still online. Return with us to the thrilling days of yesteryear....

    Former DC-area writer Brad Meltzer's new comic out today

    Brad says, "My  new book, I AM ROSA PARKS, is out today.  Buy a copy and help build a library of REAL heroes for your kids, nieces, and nephews.  See exclusive art from it here: http://bradmeltzer.com/book/i-am-rosa-parks/"

     

    I've enjoyed these children's comics.