Posted in: Comics | Tagged: Comics, connecticut, new york

Things To Do In New York And Connecticut: ComicCONN, Pete's Mini Zinefest And More

Published Fri, 23 Aug 2013 14:00:48 -0500

Last updated Fri, 23 Aug 2013 15:40:22 -0500

Hannah Means-Shannon, senior New York Correspondent for Bleeding Cool, writes;

If you aren't prepared to make a road trip or hop a flight to Fan Expo in Toronto this weekend, there are actually still quite a few events that might strike your fancy in and around New York this weekend, and you can actually take your pick of how intense or low-key you'd like your weekend comics fandom to be.

Firstly, there's Connecticut ComicConn, running on Saturday the 24^th from 10-8 at the Mariott Hotel in Trumbull, Connecticut. The con is celebrating its 4^th year in operation and tickets for the day are 20 dollars which isn't too hard on the bank account if you're in a con-going mood. Guests include Mark Bagley, Ron Garney, Cliff Galbraith, AMC's "Comic Book Men" including Rob Bruce, Mike Zapcic, and Ming Chen, Danny Fingeroth, Jim Salicrup, J.M. DeMatteis, Ron Marz and more. The show also has a strong sci-fi representation for those so inclined. Events include a costume contest and an exhibit of Dick Giordano's artwork as a retrospective.

Secondly, there's Pete's Mini Zine Fest happening for the 5^th time, from 2-7 on Saturday the 24^th at Pete's Candy Store at 109 Lorimer Street in Brooklyn, hosted by Andria Alefhi and Marguerite Dabaie. It actually kicks off with a reading on Friday night the 23^rd from 6:30 to 7:30, the first time they are holding such an event, featuring Margo Dabaie, Dre Grigoropol, Morgan Pielli, Jess Ruliffson, Andria Alefhi and Dawn Wing. Currently 27 exhibitors are listed, and it's really going to bring out the locals making Brooklyn a comics-making Mecca. Remarkably, the reading and the fest are totally free and open to the public, so why not turn up?

And lastly, there are things going on at the local level at some comic shops like Escape Pod Comics in Huntington, Long Island. On Sunday, they'll be hosting their third Cosplay Sunday event, this time featuring Brian Coslordington presenting on how to make a custom fitted dress-form out of household supplies at 6 pm. Anyone who turns up in costume during the day on the 25^th will receive two free comics as well.

So, choose your own adventure, and look into whether your local comic shops are having similar events. There seems to always be something to do for comics fans these days, if you put your ear to the ground a little in your region.

Hannah Means-Shannon is senior New York Correspondent at Bleeding Cool, writes and blogs about comics for TRIP CITY and Sequart.org, and is currently working on books about Neil Gaiman and Alan Moore for Sequart. She is @hannahmenzies on Twitter and hannahmenziesblog on WordPress. Find her bio here.

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