Thursday, June 04, 2015

June 5: Dork Diaries author visit to Hooray for Books

Hooray For Books! Independent Bookstore
This Friday, 6/5, will be DORKILICIOUS!

Author Rachel Renee Russell is coming to our store THIS FRIDAY, June 5th, at 7 pm! She and her daughters, who co-write and illustrate the #1 New York Times bestselling Dork Diaries series, will present and sign Dork Diaries #9: Tales From a Not-So-Dorky Drama Queen. Don't miss a super-fun presentation that includes games, goodies, and dorktastic art! 7 pm.

In Dork Diaries #9, Nikki's diary is up to the month of April, and springtime is sure to bring more wacky adventures with her friends Chloe, Zoey, and Brandon! 

And remember to...

SAVE THE DATE
Our seventh birthday/grand expansion celebration will be on Saturday, June 20th! Details to come...

See you there, book lovers!
       
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Reply All Lite followup

I checked in with Amy Lago of the Washington Post Writers Group syndicate about Reply All Lite, after asking creator Donna Lewis about it the other day.

She says, "Lite has more of an online presence at this point.  The only place it's running in print is the Washington Post.  Panels are notoriously harder to sell (because papers tend to run fewer), so that's no surprise.  Our thought at the Writers Group was that Donna was creating them anyway, so why not try to syndicate them?  And judging by their popularity online, it was the right move.  I'm just not sure printed papers will catch on, though I'm thrilled the Post likes them."

Amy also says "I can't think of anyone else who's done two different versions of the same strip at the same time either," but D Heine has suggested Joe Martin's Mr. Boffo.

June 7: March vol. 2 at Politics & Prose

Sunday, June 7, 2015 at 12 p.m.

In the eagerly-awaited second volume of his civil rights trilogy, Congressman John Lewis again collaborates with writer Andrew Aydin and artist Nate Powell to put historic events into the immediate context of a graphic memoir. Recounting his personal and political coming-of-age in the segregated South, Lewis picks up the story after the heady days of the Nashville sit-ins, recounting the more dangerous challenges he faced with the Freedom Riders as the group's nonviolent actions were met with beatings and imprisonment.  Courage triumphed over brutality, and the book ends as the twenty-three-year-old Lewis is elected to lead the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and prepares for the 1963 March on Washington.


#upcomingevent

Wednesday, June 03, 2015

June 4 - July 3: July Essa Neima's (Touch me not) Wounds of Palmyra


Essa Neima invited you to his event   (Touch me not) Wounds of Palmyra. Thursday, June 4 at 6:00pm Bistro Bohem in Washington, District of Columbia   Join     Maybe     Decline   (TOUCH ME NOT) is showing at BISTRO BOHEM starting June 4, 2015, 6:00PM Steven George Artley and 7 others are also in the guest list.             Pending Invites (4) Block invites from Essa?    
   
 
   
   
Essa Neima, Iranian animator and artist, has a reprise of his painting show opening tomorrow in DC.
 
(Touch me not) Wounds of Palmyra.
Thursday, June 4 at 6:00pm - July 3
Bistro Bohem 600 Florida Ave NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20001



 
   
   
 
   
 

The Post on Disney's new high-tech toys

Disney's high-tech wearable "Playmation" toys could lead to the best game of dress-up ever [in print as With Playmation toys, Disney unveils a new kind of play for kids]


Washington Post  
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2015/06/02/disneys-high-tech-wearable-playmation-toys-could-lead-to-the-best-game-of-dress-up-ever/

ATMTC's World Premiere of Garfield: The Musical with Cattitude by Jim Davis, Michael J. Bobbitt, and John L. Cornelius, II

 

Their Big Nate adaption was excellent - Mike

 

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                       

May 21 2015

 

ADVENTURE THEATRE MTC ANNOUNCES THE WORLD PREMIERE OF GARFIELD: THE MUSICAL WITH CATTITUDE

BOOK BY JIM DAVIS, MICHAEL J. BOBBITT AND JOHN L. CORNELIUS, II


GLEN ECHO, MD –
Adventure Theatre MTC hates Mondays all summer long with its world premiere production of Garfield: The Musical with Cattitude based on the characters created by Jim Davis. The musical was written by Jim Davis and Michael J. Bobbitt with music by John L. Cornelius, II (Mirandy and Brother Wind, Three Little Birds). Directed by Nick Olcott (Three Little Birds) and announcing Evan Casey as everyone's favorite feline, this production runs June 19-August 23, 2015 and is recommended for lasagna-lovers of all ages.

 

Garfield, a chubby and sarcastic tabby cat fantasizes about having the most amazing birthday in the history of birthdays. He deserves it for being the best cat ever! But, it seems that all his friends – Arlene, Odie, Jon and even his nemesis, Nermal, have forgotten. Feeling rejected, Garfield ventures out to find adventure, but quickly learns that "home is where the heart… and the food is."

 

"When Michael first approached me about a new show, I turned him down… twice," says Jim Davis, creator of Garfield. "I'm certainly glad that the third time is the charm. I always enjoy seeing how Garfield has become a part of people's lives, and with each new generation, a new kind of relationship with Garfield forms. We have welcomed working with ATMTC into the history of Garfield, and cannot wait to see this finished production in their intimate space."

 

"I've loved working with Jim Davis and Paws Inc. on this production," says Michael J. Bobbitt, Producing Artistic Director of ATMTC and co-writer of Garfield: The Musical with Cattitude. "Garfield has been around for over 37 years and it's amazing to be able to bring a character that grandparents, parents, and kids all love to Adventure Theatre MTC's stage."

 

Tickets to Garfield: The Musical with Cattitude are $19.50 each, with group and field trip rates available, and can be purchased through the box office by calling 301-634-2270 or online at www.adventuretheatre-mtc.org. Children under the age of one are free. 

 

All performances will take place at Adventure Theatre MTC, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD, 20812 in the historic Glen Echo Park.


"GARFIELD: THE MUSICAL WITH CATTITUDE" FACT SHEET
June 19 – August 23, 2015

Based on the characters created by Jim Davis

Book by Jim Davis and Michael J. Bobbitt

Music and Lyrics by John L. Cornelius, II

Directed by Nick Olcott

Starring Evan Casey

Recommended for All Ages

 

CAST (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

Garfield................................................................................................ Evan Casey

Jon........................................................................................................ Joshua Dick

Odie...................................................................................................... John Sygar

Arlene................................................................................................... Emily Zickler

Nermal................................................................................................. Isabella Brody and Eli Schullman

Garfield U/S......................................................................................... Joshua Dick

Jon U/S................................................................................................. Michael Windsor

Odie U/S………………………………………………………………Sean McComas

Arlene U/S…………………………………………………………….

 

PRODUCTION CREW

Director................................................................................................. Nick Olcott

Playwright/Choreographer............................................................... Michael J Bobbitt

Composer............................................................................................ John L. Cornelius, II

Music Director..................................................................................... William Yanesh

Asst. Director....................................................................................... Tyler Herman

Costume Designer............................................................................. Kendra Rai

Set Designer....................................................................................... Luciana Stecconi

Lighting Designer............................................................................... Dan Covey

Sound Designer................................................................................. Neil McFadden

Props Designer................................................................................... Dre Moore

Stage Manager................................................................................... Donna Stout

Asst. Stage Manager......................................................................... Brittany Truske

Scenic Charge.................................................................................... Karen Deans

 

IMPORTANT DATES

Production Run DatesJune 19 – August 23, 2015

Pajama Party– June 19, 2015

Press Opening – June 20, 2015 at 11:00 am

Sensory/Autism Friendly Performance- August 15, 2015 at 2pm

American Sign Language Performance – July 11, 2015 at 2pm

 

Sundays

June 21...................................................................................................................................................... 11am & 2pm

June 28...................................................................................................................................................... 11am, 2pm, & 4:30pm

July 5, 12, 19, 26...................................................................................................................................... 11am, 2pm, & 4:30pm

August 2, 9, 16, 23................................................................................................................................... 11am, 2pm, & 4:30pm

 

Mondays

June 29...................................................................................................................................................... 10:30am

July 6, 13, 20, 27...................................................................................................................................... 10:30am

August 3, 10, 17........................................................................................................................................ 10:30am

 

Fridays

June 19...................................................................................................................................................... 7pm

July 10........................................................................................................................................................ 7pm

August 7..................................................................................................................................................... 7pm

 

Saturdays

June 20...................................................................................................................................................... 11am & 2pm

June 27...................................................................................................................................................... 11am, 2pm, & 4:30pm

July 4, 11, 28, 25...................................................................................................................................... 11am, 2pm, & 4:30pm

August 1, 8, 15, 22................................................................................................................................... 11am, 2pm, & 4:30pm

 


Tuesday, June 02, 2015

Donna Lewis' Reply All vs Reply All Lite (updated 2x)

by Mike Rhode

This week, the Post switched from Donna Lewis' Reply All comic strip to her Reply All Lite comic panel.

I asked Donna if the panel was a modification of the strip, or all new, and she told me, "All new.  Never the same punchline as the strip. It began syndication March 20th, 2013 – after a year on the Internet."

"After I had been doing Reply All comic strip for a while, I began having lots of material I couldn't use at the time. Also, I needed a lot of practice learning to draw so I was drawing a lot of one off bits. At some point, I began posting the single panels for practice and to use material I liked and to build my Facebook audience. We realized in pretty short order that single panels get shared much more than strips, probably because there's no click or major investment of time required for a single panel. I was able to use the single panels to build my Facebook audience and, ultimately, the Lites were a whole lot of fun." 


I wonder if you're the only person to do the "same" strip as 2 different offerings. Some cartoonists like Wiley draw them so that the strip can be cut into a panel, but I've never heard of anyone doing it like you are.

"I just have a lot of material. I usually do 14 Lites a week. And, quite frankly, some punchlines are far funnier by themselves. Four panels are really much different (for me) than one panel. No set up puts all the pressure on the punchline. They're really fun to write."


I checked in with Amy Lago of the Washington Post Writers Group syndicate about Reply All Lite.

She says, "Lite has more of an online presence at this point.  The only place it’s running in print is the Washington Post.  Panels are notoriously harder to sell (because papers tend to run fewer), so that’s no surprise.  Our thought at the Writers Group was that Donna was creating them anyway, so why not try to syndicate them?  And judging by their popularity online, it was the right move.  I’m just not sure printed papers will catch on, though I’m thrilled the Post likes them."


Amy also says "I can’t think of anyone else who’s done two different versions of the same strip at the same time either," but D Heine has suggested Joe Martin's Mr. Boffo.

updated June 4, 2015

DCist on Awesome Con

Photos: In Its Third Year, Awesome Con Finds Its Groove

Words and Photos By DCist Contributor Keith Mathias

June 1 2015

http://dcist.com/2015/06/awesome_con_2015_cool_pics_click.php#photo-1

 

Tom King's Omega Men

'Omega Men' a bit of risky space business

Brian Truitt, USA TODAY  June 1, 2015

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2015/06/01/the-omega-men-exclusive-preview/28331149/

Monday, June 01, 2015

Studio Ghibli Festival


The Studio Ghibli Festival runs June 18-Aug. 27 at the Angelika Film Center at Mosiaic in Fairfax, Va. A slew of classic anime will be shown, including films by Isao Takahata, Goro Miyazaki and Hayao Miyazaki.

2013 SPX Panel - Funding Comics Projects

2013 SPX Panel - Funding Comics Projects

May 27, 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8jpYLteRE4

The rise of crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter has created new opportunities for funding comics projects while raising many questions about the issues surrounding network-based fundraising. Additionally, comics artists are increasingly seeking other sources of funding, from sponsorships to grants, to support their projects. Isaac Cates discusses these issues and more with T. Edward Bak, Box Brown, Marnie Galloway, and Spike C. Trotman.

The Post changes 3 comic strips

Loose Parts by Dave Blazek started in today's Washington Post (June 1), bumping Donna Lewis' Reply All strip to her single panel Reply All Lite, which in turn pushed the panel Close to Home by John McPherson completely out of the paper.

NY Times editorial opposing Metro's Muhammad cartoon ad decision

Don't Censor My Commute

By BETSY McCAUGHEY

A version of this op-ed appears in print on June 1, 2015, on page A19 of the New York edition with the headline: Don't Censor My Commute.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/01/opinion/dont-censor-my-commute.html

Comic Riffs on the Montgomery Sentinel's plagiarism

June 20: Zine swap at Fantom Comics

Fantom Comics in Dupont Circle is collaborating with the DC Zine Fest orgnaizers to run a zine swap June 20 from 1-4 p.m. From the Facebook event page: "Zinesters and scenesters unite to swap your zines/indie comics for other zines/indie comics! There'll be lemonade, local artists/creators, and a whole smorgasbord of comix to swap, so stop on by and bring your friends!"

June 20: Enoch Pratt Free Library Comic Con

The Enoch Pratt Free Library-Southeast Anchor Branch in Baltimore will host a free, one-day comic con June 20 from 10:30 to 4 p.m. Scheduled to attend: New York Times-bestselling author John Sazaklis, artist and writer for Archie Comics Dan Parent, artist Jerry Gaylord (Fanboys Vs. Zombies), artist Penelope Gaylord (Adventure Time), Art Way Alliance, Third Eye Comics, Collector's Corner and Geppi's Entertainment. See more details.

Sunday, May 31, 2015

The Post on latest Mohammad cartoon controversy

In Phoenix, anti-Muslim protesters and defenders of Islam face off [online as Hundreds gather in Arizona for armed anti-Muslim protest ].


The Post likes Awesome Con

Montgomery Sentinel appears not to understand plagiarism

Cul De Sac: Trip to the Beach video online

Cul De Sac: Trip to the Beach

by John Weber

 Mar 23, 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZpxjNwHKPM

Donate to Team Cul De Sac: http://www2.michaeljfox.org/site/TR/TeamFox/TeamFox?team_id=11110&pg=team&fr_id=1720

This time on the Punchline, it's a tale of a throwback comic that was forced to retire far to soon...

Cartoonists Ran to Iran


Political cartoonists from all over the world respond to Iran’s anti-ISIS cartoon contest.
posted by Steve Artley

From the folks who brought you the “Down With America” cartoon contest and two contests ridiculing the Holocaust through cartoons, Iran has received over 800 renderings from around the world including American, Daryl Cagle.

PBS iran-hosts-anti-isis-cartoon-contest

CNN iran-cartoon-competition

Friday, May 29, 2015

Local newspaper plagiarizes editorial cartoons

Rockville Council Member Accuses Newspaper Of Stealing Political Cartoons

The Montgomery County Sentinel removed all political cartoons from its website after accusation

By Aaron Kraut

2015.05.29

http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Bethesda-Beat/2015/Rockville-Council-Member-Accuses-Newspaper-Of-Stealing-Political-Cartoons/

New Zodiac Starforce interview online

The Mary Sue Interview: Dark Horse's Magical Girl Comic Zodiac Starforce Is Your New Favorite Thing

Kevin Panetta and Paulina Ganucheau prepare you to fall in love.

zodiacstarforce1_bpc_cover

The Post on Metro's refusal of Muhammad ads

Metro says no to issue-oriented ads [in print as Muhammad cartoon leads Metro to ban new issue ads].

 
By Paul Duggan
Washington Post May 29 2015, p. B2, 8

June 10-11: French animated films

The Hermione Brings to Shore French Animated Films

When
June 10 & 11, 2015 | 7:00 p.m.
Where
Embassy of France
4101 Reservoir Road, NW
Washington, DC 20007
4
L'Hermione

The Poitou-Charentes Region is the home of Lafayette's Hermione. It is on board the Hermione that the Marquis de Lafayette came in 1780 to help the American insurgents gain independence. During 17 years, the ship was built in Rochefort, Poitou-Charentes Region thanks to local enterprises with an expertise in heritage ship building. 

The Hermione is now crossing the Atlantic Ocean to arrive in the United States and celebrate its ancestor. The ship will stop in 11 East Coast ports in the United States, with its first stop set from June 5 to 7 in Yorktown. 

Ideally situated on the West Coast of France, the Poitou-Charentes Region presents numerous cultural and touristic assets, including its historical heritage, a varied gastronomy, and a digital industry especialized in animation movies and video games. 

The Poitou-Charentes Region, in partnership with the Cultural Services of the French Embassy, is pleased to offer a cultural program to join the celebration of the Hermione in Washington, DC. 

Discover the series The Hermione Brings to Shore French Animated Films featuring two César award-winning French animated films. Each film will be introduced by a video that illustrates the cultural and touristic highlights of the Poitou-Charentes Region

June 10 | 7:00 p.m.
Ernest & Célestine 


Directed by Benjamin Renner, Vincent Patar and Stéphane Aubier (2012)

France - Belgium - Luxembourg / 76 min / Animation
 

SynopsisIn the conventional world of bears, it is not a common thing to become friends with a mouse. Nonetheless, the big bear Ernest - who is also a clown and musician - takes in Célestine, an orphan who has fled the underground world of rodents. The friendship that forms between these two solitary creatures, however, will prove disruptive to the established order.

This film won the 2013 César award for best animationIn French with English subtitles.

Online ticket reservations are mandatory to attend this free admission screeening

June 11 | 7:00 p.m.
Minuscule, la vallée des fourmis perdues
(Minuscule, Valley of Lost Ants)
 


Directed by Thomas Szabo and Hélène Giraud (2014)
France - Belgium / 89 min / Animation
 

SynopsisIn an otherwise peaceful forest, a picnic sparks off a merciless war between two rival ant gangs that are going after the same loot: a box of sugar. In this state of tumult, a young ladybug becomes friends with a black ant and finds a way to help her save her people from the rather cruel red ants.

This film won the 2015 César award for best animationIn French with English subtitles.

Online ticket reservations are mandatory to attend this free admission screeening.

July 15: Phil Nel on Dr. Seuss at the Smithsonian

Evening Program with Light Reception
Wednesday, July 15, 2015 - 6:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.

S. Dillon Ripley Center
1100 Jefferson Dr SW
Metro: Smithsonian (Mall exit)


$35 member, $45 non-member

It's truer than true that a book that is new means it's time to applaud Dr. Seuss!

The late-July publication of the recently rediscovered What Pet Should I Get? provides the perfect opportunity to look at the life and work of writer and illustrator Theodor Geisel, who as the beloved Dr. Seuss taught generations of children to read—as well as to think.

Seuss scholar Philip Nel examines how and why his books became an essential part of growing up. He delves into the energetic cartoon surrealism of his illustrations and the swingy rhyme that keeps young readers hooked on his verse. Galvanized by the propaganda work Geisel did during World War II, some of his books have a politically activist slant, and Nel looks at how Dr. Seuss took on issues including racism (The Sneetches), environmentalism (The Lorax), and nuclear proliferation (The Butter Battle Book).

Get insights into the man behind the art as Nel covers Geisel's German-American childhood in Massachusetts, his war years and postwar life in California, and his two marriages. Nel connects Geisel's longtime career in advertising (his "Quick Henry, the Flit!" ad campaign for a bug spray gave rise to a national catchphrase) to the rigor with which he controlled the merchandising of his characters. Learn, too, of Geisel's lasting legacy as an author and artist—from his characters serving as political shorthand in editorial cartoons to his influence on hip-hop lyrics. 

Nel is a scholar of children's literature and university distinguished professor of English at Kansas State University. He is the author of Dr. Seuss: American Icon and The Annotated Cat: Under the Hats of Seuss and His Cats.

Enjoy a light reception after the program featuring Seuss-inspired green eggs and ham.


Thursday, May 28, 2015

Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "Bride Of Frankenfood"


"Bride Of Frankenfood"
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=1730

Those of you who've been following the Hillary Clinton campaign recently -- you poor sufferers -- are probably aware of Hillary's close ties to Monsanto and her continued support for GMO crops. In fact, her support for GMOs recently earned her the nickname "Bride Of Frankenfood" from Iowa environmentalists.

"Hillary's agribusiness ties give rise to nickname in Iowa: 'Bride of Frankenfood'"
Washington Times, 05.17.15
http://tinyurl.com/okep5cq
________________
Mike Flugennock, flugennock at sinkers dot org
Political Cartoons: dubya dubya dubya dot sinkers dot org

Colonial Comics coverage

American History in the comic books   (Photo courtesy: Jason Rodriguez)  

By Joshua Pilkington
05/28/2015
http://www.lavozcolorado.com/detail.php?id=8100



Metro's new policy is no political ads

Pamela Geller Isn't Thrilled After Metro Board Bans Issue-Oriented Ads

AWESOMECON on Kojo Nnamdi

May 28 2015 

AWESOMECON

Guest Host: Rebecca Sheir

http://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2015-05-28/awesomecon

A woman attending AwesomeCon in cosplay.

A woman attending AwesomeCon in cosplay. Justin Schneider

Nerds, assemble! D.C.'s third annual AwesomeCon is a gathering of the mid-Atlantic region's biggest sci-fi and comics fans whose numbers seem to be growing by the minute. We get inside the D.C. region's nerd culture to explore the psyche of fandom from a local perspective.

Guests

  • Ben Penrod President and co-founder of Awesome Conventions
  • Mark Pellegrino AwesomeCon guest and actor ("Lost," "Supernatural," "Dexter," "The Returned.")
  • Esther Kim Store manager, Fantom Comics

Awesome Con starts Friday

AWESOME CON STARTS TOMORROW!


Awesome Con starts tomorrow, May 29th! Are you ready? We've got tons of fabulous programming, exhibitors and artists and guests and we're sure it's going to be an awesome time! 

If it's your first time attending Awesome Con or even if it's not, check out our guide to help you navigate the convention as it should help answer any questions you may have.

GET YOUR TICKETS!


Get your tickets online before the convention and save yourself some time in line. We've got a new entry system in place that makes checking in those who have pre-purchased tickets super fast! 

Got your tickets? Get them here!

Comics writer Tom King quoted in NY Times

Sorry, Batman: Dick Grayson Outgrows the Robin Costume

By GEORGE GENE GUSTINES

A version of this article appears in print on May 28, 2015, on page D10 of the New York edition with the headline: Dick Grayson Outgrows the Robin Costume.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/28/fashion/sorry-batman-dick-grayson-outgrows-the-robin-costume.html

The Post's Dr. Gridlock on possible Muhammad ads on buses

Express on Awesome Con

Awesome Con delights fans of gaming, comics, science fiction, fantasy and other pastimes

By Kristen Page-Kirby
Express May 28 2015
http://www.washingtonpost.com/express/wp/2015/05/28/awesome-con-delights-fans-of-gaming-comics-science-fiction-fantasy-and-other-pastimes/

I doubt if anyone cares, but I'm not going this year. There's far too few cartoonists for the price in my opinion, and that's who I go to shows for - Mike

Express on Fight Club 2

Chuck Palahniuk is bringing Tyler Durden back in a comic book, a short story and perhaps a musical scored by Trent Reznor


By Sadie Dingfelder
May 28 2015
http://www.washingtonpost.com/express/wp/2015/05/28/chuck-palahniuk-is-bringing-tyler-durden-back-in-a-comic-book-a-short-story-and-perhaps-a-musical-scored-by-trent-reznor/

Comic Riffs on possibility of Muhammad ads