Conventions

February 8, 2001

APE 2001 Kicks off CBLDF Convention Season!

APE 2001 kicks off this year’s convention season for the CBLDF, one that will carry us through the spring into the heady days of convention-crazy summer.  Needless to say, the promise of APE is like a breath of fresh spring air into the snow-blanketed wilds of Massachusetts, where the CBLDF makes it home.

This year the Alternative Press Expo will be held February 17-18 at the Herbst Pavilion of the Fort Mason Center in San Francisco, California.  APE is a two-day celebration of alternative, independent, and small press comics, those that push the boundaries of the medium both formally and topically.  The inventive and experimental nature of these comics is important to the CBLDF’s mission to promote free expression throughout the medium we love.  APE’s guests include Starbucks-persecuted Kieron Dwyer (LCD), Terry Moore (Strangers in Paradise), Judd Winick (Pedro & Me), Craig Thompson (Good-Bye Chunky Rice), and Michael Chabon (the Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay).  Michael Jantze, creator of the Norm, will be signing at the CBLDF booth from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 17.  Come by and check Michael’s stuff out at Booth D9.

This year’s APE features the first CBLDF Members’ Reception of the new millennium.  The reception will be held Saturday, February 17 at the Cartoon Art Museum, 814 Mission St., (www.cartoonart.org) from 8 to 10 p.m.  The members’ party is free to CBLDF and CAM members, as well as APE exhibitors.  For everyone else, it’s three bucks at the door.  The good people of the Museum are providing the food, drinks, and space for a party.  The Cartoon Art Museum is the West Coast’s only museum dedicated to the collection, preservation, study, and exhibition of original cartoon art.  The evening should provide a great opportunity for cartoonists, fans, and First Amendment advocates to mingle in the museum’s gallery.

After the reception, the crowd will migrate to the Last Gasp (www.lastgasp.com) Late Night Party, organized by Ron Turner, which will be held at the Double Play bar, on the corner of 16th and Bryant.  Admission is 10 bucks, which includes a free drink.  Entertainment will be provided by Chicken John, who wowed audiences at last year’s Burning Man festival.  In honor of Valentine’s Day, he now brings Pornie-oke to the stage.  You’ve got to see it to believe it, folks.   All benefits from the party go to the CBLDF, of course, so make sure you get over there after the reception.  Directions will be available at the CBLDF and Last Gasp booths.

Encountering new comics, sipping cocktails with inventive creators, partying into the late hours, and being in California sounds like any comics fan’s ideal weekend.  APE 2001 promises to start this year off right.  We’re sure you will agree.

The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund was founded in 1986 as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of First Amendment rights for members of the comics community. Donations and inquiries should be directed to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.

For additional information, call 413-268-7776 or e-mail the CBLDF staff.

271 Madison Avenue, Suite 1400
New York, NY 10016
800-99-CBLDF
info@cbldf.org

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