Events Thu Jun 04 2015

Overindulge on CAKE all Weekend Long

By John Wawrzaszek

The fourth annual Chicago Alternative Comics Expo, affectionately known as CAKE, will take place this weekend Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7, at the Center on Halsted, 3656 N Halsted Ave. from 11am-6pm daily (free and open to the public). CAKE gives a forum for independent artists, cartoonists, comic book makers, zines writers and more. Throughout the weekend celebrate the graphic form with an overload of events, artists, programs, and parties. To get set, here are 8 things that make this festival one of the largest independent comics shows in the nation. Their organization is a testament to what hard work and the love of one's craft can do to support a community.

Exhibitors and Guests
Both Saturday and Sunday upwards of 100 tables will be full of comics artists, illustrators, and cartoonists coming from Chicago, across the country and internationally. There will be kid friendly comcis on tables marked by balloons. Comics that are goofy, humorous, twisted, eye catching, slick, realistic and weird will all be present in some form or another.

CAKE's 2015 Artwork
All the 2015 artwork has been designed by Chicago's own Ivan Burnetti. There's not a better way to have work from one of the most acclaimed cartoonists' while supporting an independent literary festival then to nab a CAKE silk screened poster or t-shirt.

Debuts
The festival is all about supporting the self-publishing community. CAKE asked exhibitors if they would have new work debuting at the fest. To promote this, there will be flyers at the main information table that list over four dozen debut titles and where you can find them at the fest. There's some incredible work coming out including locals Leslie Perrine, Ian McDuffie, Gina Wynbrandt, Kevin Budnik, and Josh Pettinger.

Workshops
Reading comics are possible because the hard work their creators pour into them. Workshops sponsored by local nonprofits like Spudnik Press and Chicago Publishers Resource Center will allow attendees a chance to make their own comics by attending hands-on workshops on drawing techniques and block printing. Plus there will be drawing contests, collaborative comics making and more. See the schedule here.

Daily Panels
Here the term panels refers to discussion sessions rather than the boxes in which we read comics. Special guests will host a variety of panels that give attendees a glimpse into their process, opinions and best practices. There is one panel topic that will discuss how personal an author gets when they create narratives based off their real life experiences. Another panel will showcase the Eyeworks Festival of Experimental Animation followed by a Q&A with animators. See the schedule here.

Signings
Various guest and exhibitors such as Chicago comics creator Keiler Roberts and Ivan Ivan Brunetti will be signing their work during the weekend. Check their organized signing schedule.

Minicomic Punch card
The event organizers really aim to engage their guests. Back for its second year, CAKE is handing out Minicomic Punch Cards. When someone purchases a mini comic from an exhibitor, they can mark down all the comics they purchase throughout the weekend. Upon verification of the card, CAKE will award the person prizes like a special edition silk screened poster or various 1 inch button designs from Busy Beaver Button Company.

Saturday After Party
To close out the midway point of the weekend, stop by the official after party, a Drink and Draw, with food, drinks and drawing coupled with live music. Rub elbows with the graphic storytellers, talk shop or meet new faces.

Then get up the next day and come back out to do it all again.