General

Boston Zine Fair 2005

Saturday, 19 March 2005
All day

Speak For Yourself: Boston Zine Fair 2005

March 19-20, 2005

Speak For Yourself is a weekend-long event with the aim of bringing together zinesters, artists, and other producers of independent media. The conference includes two full days of tabling and trading, a spoken word show, and potluck meals. There are also numerous hands-on workshops and discussion panels which give us the opportunity to learn new skills to use in our own creative enterprises, as well as to explore the importance of independent media in a corporate-owned world. Speak For Yourself is free and open to the public. In previous years the Boston Zine Fair has drawn hundreds of both local and national publishers, and has been a great way to build community and just enjoy each other's company. Hope to see you there!

The dates for this year's Zine Fair are March 19th & 20th, with a spoken word show taking place the evening of the 18th. All events will be taking place at the Massachusetts College of Art. Check back in the next few weeks for more info regarding the location, as well as new workshops, etc.

Finalized Workshop Schedule:

SATURDAY MARCH 19

Noon- Making a Political Zine (What's Up? Magazine)
Any new 'zine publisher can learn the tricks of the trade. What's a bit more difficult is making sure your activist publication is positive, diverse, and engaging to people outside of your immediate comfort zone. This workshop is about how to make sure your publication is read, understood, enjoyed, and respected. We will address some common initial problems with activist publications, and discuss how to put out high quality journalism that is powerful but not abrasive, emotional but not irrational, professional but not boring, inspiring but not soft-pedaling. We will also discuss the role of content and smart distribution in creating a diverse space that appeals to all progressive-minded people.

1pm- Bookbinding (Leslie Miller)
Don't be spineless! Bookbinding for beginners. Learn Japanese bookbinding techniques that are perfect for small run publications or special editions.

2pm- Screenprinting (Heather Q)
Learn to screen print using the drawing fluid/screen filler method. An easy, fairly on-toxic method of screen printing and can be done pretty inexpensively. A step up from stencilling! Photo-emulsion screen printing will be discussed (with pamphlet!) but not demonstrated. Also, some tips will be shared on cheap materials. Come with a shirt, blank patch or something fabric to print on!

3:30pm- DIY Event Organization (Ben Sisto)
In this general event-production overview, we will discuss topics such as age-restrictions, venue rental + care, city laws, sponsorship, promotion, security, and other aspects of DIY event planning. Special attention will be paid to working within the law to create longer-lasting spaces for underground art and music. This workshop will cover basics, and is recommended for those with little to no experience with event planning. Handouts will be provided. Ben Sisto runs the Honeypump Production Company and is Promotional Director for Great Scott in Allston MA.

4:30pm- Storming the Ivory Tower (Janaka Stucky)
A start-up guide to independent publishing.


SUNDAY MARCH 20

12noon- Blockprinting (Ciara)

1pm- Zine Etiquette and Tips for Beginners (Rosie Streetpixie)

2pm- Breaking Down Bars (Fanorama)
With the encroachment of technology and web zines, prisoner-created zines are one of the last bastions of true d.i.y. creativity in an increasingly bland, sterile and p.c. world. In addition, zines act as one of the only means of alternative information and non-corporate media able to crack through the concrete walls. Creating a zine while in a cage is not only an act of personal liberation, it is often one of defiance and self-transformation. People in prison need a publisher on the outside in order for their words, art and truths to see the light of day. Unfortunately, there are more prisoners that want to create zines than publishers willing to publish prisoner-created publications. Many zinesters have also been brainwashed, like most of society, to think of all prisoners as con artists, "dangerous"opportunists, rapists and serial murderers. In this workshop we'll explore the highs and lows of publishing prisoner-created zines, while exploring moreeffective ways for free-world zinesters to get their printed matter behind bars. The workshop will be facilitated by REB who publishes one of the longest running queer zines, Fanorama, and runs the Fanorama Society Prisoner Zine Distro.

3pm- Zines Can Look Good, Too! (V52 Press)
We know our zine content is good, but how often do we devote the right amount of attention to detail that a well-polished project needs? When V52 began, we made a commitment to make zines and books that would hold their own on any bookshelf, not just the bottom of the magazine rack at Newbury Comics. This workshop will discuss editorial standards, deadlines, how to edit collaboratively, book design, layout, and cover design. Most importantly (and most easily) we will talk about digital printing options that are both low-cost and so much better looking than staples at Kinkos. Not that there is anything wrong with staples at Kinkos.

4pm- DIY puppet making (Heather Q)
Materials supplied, but please bring your zine! Sock and paper bag puppet making with performances (readings from zines) by participants at the end of the workshop. We will address alternative sourcing for craft and art supplies as they apply to different cities. Get to know recycling and cheap shops in Portland, Chicago, Philly, Boston and Providence.

5pm- DIY Instrument making (Heather Q)
Materials supplied. DIY instrument making. Have a freakin' good time for once. geez! Make instruments with fellow zinesters. start a band and then fire everyone 15 minutes later and start a new super group. Alternative sourcing will be addressed during this workshop as well.

Location:
MassArt

URL: http://bostonzinefair.org