November 19, 2013 – Seattle, WA. The Seattle music scene in 1989 was on the precipice of altering the course of global pop culture. Ironically, the punk music of the Pacific Northwest was having difficulty gaining traction beyond a small but enthusiastic regional following. While critically acclaimed, the embryonic movement was in imminent danger of a premature demise. In an effort to draw international attention to their fledgling label, Sub Pop sent their three marquee acts to Europe. The rest, as they say, is history. Experiencing Nirvana: Grunge in Europe, 1989 is Bruce Pavitt’s account of this pivotal period of…
Run down on Marathon at Fantagraphics Bookstore
Visitors to Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery on Saturday are in for a treat. Among the many highlights of Marathon: A Short Run Art Show are neo-deco delights from Peter and Maria Hoey of Coin-Op press. Equal parts Man Ray, Marcel Duchamp, Winsor McCay, and Chris Ware, these comix, flipbooks and fine art prints are wondrous beyond words. You have got to come see this show. Arrive early as hometown hero Peter Bagge signs copies of the fantastic new edition of Everybody is Stupid Except For Me as well as other recent publications from 6:00 to 7:00 PM. Then stay late for a set at 8:00 by Tummy…
Short Run Marathon at Fantagraphics Bookstore this Saturday
Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery offers a colorful preview of the Northwest’s leading independent comix and zine convention. “Marathon: A Short Run Art Show” features original art, prints, and publications by some of the country’s most innovative artists. The show opens this Saturday, November 9 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. Local artists Eroyn Franklin, Kelly Froh, and Fantagraphics Bookstore staffer Janice Headley will present an expanded version of the annual “Short Run Small Press Fest” on Saturday, November 30 at Washington Hall in Seattle. “Marathon: A Short Run Art Show” provides a preview of festival exhibitors selected by Fantagraphics Bookstore curator…
Short Run ‘Marathon’ Opens November 9 at Fantagraphics Bookstore
October 31, 2013 – Seattle, WA. The Pacific Northwest has become the center of a growing movement of handcrafted small press publishing. “Short Run Small Press Fest” is one of the country’s leading gatherings of self-publishing communities. Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery curator Larry Reid has selected two dozen artists to represent this movement in “Marathon: A Short Run Art Show.” This show of original drawings, prints and publications opens on Saturday, November 9 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. The exhibition continues through December 11, 2013. The Marathon title implies the epic effort often required to create a career in comix….
Short Run ‘Marathon’ Opens November 9 at Fantagraphics Bookstore
The Pacific Northwest has become the center of a growing movement of handcrafted small press publishing. “Short Run Small Press Fest” is one of the country’s leading gatherings of self-publishing communities. Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery curator Larry Reid has selected two dozen artists to represent this movement in “Marathon: A Short Run Art Show.” This show of original drawings, prints and publications opens on Saturday, November 9 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. The exhibition continues through December 11, 2013. The Marathon title implies the epic effort often required to create a career in comix. To illustrate this concept, Reid has…
A Walk on the Wild Side ends
From rock and roll rebel to revered iconoclast, Lou Reed left an indelible mark on international pop culture. His experimental work was influential beyond the standard measure of commercial success. Musician Brian Eno observed, "Only a few thousand people bought the first Velvet Underground, album, but every one of them formed a band. I should know. I was one of those people." Reed pursued an adventurous aesthetic throughout his storied career. At the turn of this century, Reed's reimagining of Edgar Allen Poe's verse debuted as a theatrical production, POEtry, under the direction of Robert Wilson. A double album…
Jim Woodring’s Strange Brew at Fantagraphics Bookstore this Saturday!
Join us at Fantagraphics Bookstore this Saturday, October 26 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM for a festive event featuring Jim Woodring's latest batch of ODDLAND beer from Elysian Brewing. We'll taste free samples while Jim demonstrates drawing skills with his oddly giant pen. He'll also be available to sign copies of his fabulous new graphic novel Fran. Begin your Halloween frolicking at this colorful early evening gala. Odd attire encouraged. Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery is located at 1201 S. Vale Street in Seattle's lively Georgetown arts community. Open daily 11:30 to 8:00 PM. Sundays until 5:00 PM. Phone 206.658.0110.
Sweet Halloween Treats!
With Halloween looming, allow me to suggest thirteen frightening favorites from Fantagraphics Books. Spooky fun for everyone, in no particular order. Daniel Clowes' modern masterpiece Ghost World eerily conveys the otherworldly cool of 1990s counterculture. Peculia, by Clowes colleague Richard Sala, collects the misadventures of the precocious protagonist of his Evil Eye comic book serial. Northwest native Charles Burns' essential Big Baby anthology of contemporary horror comix includes classics like "Blood Club," "Teen Plague," and "Curse of the Molemen." Mysterious Traveler collects proto-psychedelic horror from Steve Ditko's Charlton era. Similarly, Weird Horrors displays the late, great Joe Kubert's pre-Code…
Celebrating Seven in Seattle
Seven years ago this weekend, Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery quietly opened for business in Seattle. (Following a 6-week shakedown, we hosted our grand opening gala in December 2006.) Featuring challenging contemporary comix, graphics, illustration, experimental music and other marginalized media, the space was quickly woven into the cultural fabric of the region. We have since attracted a remarkable array of artists and patrons from across the country and around the world. Thank you all so much! Please come visit the store and see the astonishing new exhibition by Jim Woodring. (Yes. He really drew them with the giant pen.) Peruse…
Really Big Show with Jim Woodring at Fantagraphics Bookstore this Saturday!
Join us this Saturday, October 12 at Fantagraphics Bookstore for a big Jim Woodring event. The launch party for Jim's stunning new graphic novel Fran features an exhibition of oversized drawings done with his giant quill pen. The 7-foot instrument will also be on display. Musical entertainment will be provided by K recording artist Stephen Steinbrink. Visitors to this event will be among the first in the country to get copies of Fran, the anxiously anticipated follow-up to Jim’s visionary wordless tales Weathercraft and Congress of the Animals. The reception takes place Saturday from 6:00 to 9:00 PM and coincides with the festive Georgetown Art Attack, featuring compelling visual…
