Satire Fest
Program
Wednesday, October 8th:
7:00-10:00 p.m.
Welcoming Reception (Aquarium of the Bay, Pier 39)
For AAEC members, registered guests and New Member VIP Pass-holders, kick off Satire Fest with an evening reception at the Aquarium of the Bay! We'll have beer, wine, appetizers and music. (Oh, and also live otters and various sea creatures in the Touch Pool that you are not allowed to eat.) Bus leaves from the King George Hotel at 6:30 p.m. sharp!
(Note: All daytime events are at the Marines' Memorial Theater, 609 Sutter Street at Mason)
Thursday, October 9th:
9:00-9:45 a.m.
Off the Walls: Cartoon Satire and Social Commentary in Museum Exhibitions
Learn more about displaying politically charged cartoons in museum settings, and get a sneak peek at several exhibitions that explore satire and social commentary in cartoons. Presentation and Q & A with Jenny Robb (Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum), Andrew Farago (Cartoon Art Museum), and Corry Kanzenberg (Charles M. Schulz Museum & Research Center).
10:00-10:45
New Frontiers in Interactive Cartooning
We'll hear from Knight Fellow, Gus D'Angelo, who is working on an exciting project that makes easy interactivity and animation accessible to political cartoonists. We'll also hear from Dan Archer, currently a fellow at the Reynolds Journalism Institute and ongoing pusher-of-interactive-boundaries.
11:00-11:45
Medium Well: The Future of Syndication in the Age of Medium
Syndication, start-up or solo, what's in your future? Hear from cartoonists Matt Bors and Zach Weinersmith, who have taken unique paths in distributing their work. Bors works with Medium, Twitter-founder Evan William's new venture, where he edits their super-popular cartoon section, The Nib. Zach Weinersmith is hugely successful handling his own cartoon empire. We'll also hear from one of the top traditional syndicates about what they're doing to survive and prosper in the ever-changing world of distribution.
12:00-12:45
Portfolio Review
It's time to help unleash the potential of the upcoming generation of artists! The professional cartoonists of the AAEC will give advice and encouragement to the students of Academy of Art University in this relaxed and welcoming portfolio review session. (Other students and members of the general public are also welcome to have their work reviewed.)
1:00-1:45
Salvation Through Patreon
Okay, if not salvation, at least funding for your cartooning habit. If you haven't heard of Patreon and some of their amazing success stories, you should. Join Tyler Palmer of Patreon with cartoonists Zach Weinersmith, Keith Knight and Susie Cagle as they talk about everything from jaw-dropping funding levels to respectable income boosts.
2:00-2:30
Draw Off: Round One! Left vs. Right
With audience participation and a whirlwind emcee, we pit editorial cartoonists Rob Rogers and Ted Rall, representing the Left, against Scott Stantis and Chip Bok, representing the Right. The pen is mightier than the sword, but what if both sides have pens? Who can draw "income inequality" faster? (Audience members may even go home with a drawing!)
2:30-3:30
AAEC Business Meeting
AAEC member discussion, closed to the public, but see you all at the Cartoon Art Museum at 5:00!
5:00-7:00
Opening Reception: Slinging Satire (Cartoon Art Museum, 655 Mission Street)
An exhibition of artwork by members of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists, this reception and cartoon show takes place at the beautiful Cartoon Art Museum gallery. Beer, wine and food will be available.
7:30-9:00
Cartoon Death Match! (Cartoon Art Museum, 655 Mission Street)
San Francisco is Literary Death Match's hometown, so prepare yourself for a must-see extravaganza that will feature a cartoon battle to the death! (Or at least a silly misinterpretation of such.) Featuring Don Asmussen of the San Francisco Chronicle, Will Durst, satirist extraordinaire and Vishavjit Singh of Sikhtoons.com! More contestants and celebrity judges to be announced soon!
Friday, October 10th:
9:00-9:45
Our Friends to the North
We'll hear from an amazing crew of Canadian cartoonists: Terry Mosher (Aislin), Guy Badeaux and Dan Murphy. Their work is unlike anything you'll see in the United States. From beautifully-rendered caricatures to piercing video satire, this session is not to be missed.
10:00-10:45
New Distribution Survival: Cartoonist Survival Skills in the Social Media Landscape
Learn more about ways to get your work out there and make a living. From Google and YouTube to apps and self-publishing, we'll hear from Jeff Lakusta, a comic book author who works for Google and is an expert in all things social. Reza Farazmand makes a living drawing his webcomic, "Poorly Drawn Lines" and knows social media inside and out. Hear from people who know how to leverage social media to get their work the widespread exposure that turns into paying work.
11:00-11:45
Graphic Journalism, Cartoon Reporting, Comics Journalism et al.
This bourgeoning field of cartooning is on the rise and is changing the way people perceive news events and satire. Hear from cartoonists Jack Ohman, Andy Warner, Susie Cagle, Dan Carino, Dan Archer, Stephanie McMillan and Patrick Chappatte.
12:00-12:45
Will Durst & Stephan Pastis!
What happens when you put the creator of the hit comic strip Pearls Before Swine on the same stage with someone the New York Times calls, "Quite possibly the best political satirist working in the country today?" We don't know, but we'll find out!
1:00-1:45
Hollywood in the House
Simpsons director David Silverman will talk about . . . whatever he wants to talk about. If you've been with The Simpsons since the beginning, directed Monsters, Inc. and play a flaming tuba on the side, have at it! Silverman will be joined by Lalo Alcaraz, creator of La Cucaracha and longtime member of the AAEC, who now writes for Seth MacFarlane's new Fox show, Bordertown. We'll hear about the world of television animation and visual satire from these two amazing pros!
2:00-2:45
Draw Off: Round Two! Cuba vs. USA
With an introductory presentation by our visiting Cuban cartoonist friends, we'll segue into another quick-draw challenge for four cartoonists, this time with the potential to cause an international incident. We'll pit cartoonists living in opposite economic systems against each other as emcee and audience decide the victor. (Audience members may even go home with a drawing!)
6:00-8:00
A Boatload of Cartoonists (Pier 43 1/2, Red & White Fleet dock)
Whether you're a patron of the arts, a fan or a regular ol' cartoonist, now is your chance to take a sunset cruise with beer, wine and food on San Francisco Bay with some of the best satirists, artists, journalists and Pulitzer Prize-winners to ever bob in the Bay. Most of the names you'll see in this program will be on the boat, you should be, too! (Bus for AAEC members leaves from the King George Hotel at 6:00 p.m. sharp!)
Saturday, October 11th:
9:00-9:45
A World of Cartoons
We'll hear from an international contingent of cartoonists, ranging from David Rowe of Australian Financial Review to Rod Emmerson of The New Zealand Herald to Patrick Chappatte, who was born in Pakistan, raised in Singapore, lives in Switzerland and works for the International New York Times and will be visiting San Francisco, whew!
10:00-10:45
Journey to the Center of Your Brain: Live Idea-off!
Sure, they can draw, but can they think? Everyone asks a political cartoonist, "how do you get your ideas?" Now, you'll witness it first hand. With hypothetical news events (some taken from audience suggestions) in a disaster drill-style, cartoonists will compete in lightning rounds to create the best political cartoon. (Audience members may even go home with a drawing!)
11:00-11:45
Cartooning California
California cartooning comes in many different shapes and sizes. From the San Francisco Chronicle's (and now self-syndicated) Tom Meyer and the Sacramento Bee's Jack Ohman to Ted Rall and David Horsey of the Los Angeles Times to Wendy MacNaughton of "Meanwhile in San Francisco" fame, we'll hear from a range of cartoonists covering California, and doing it well!
12:00-12:45
The Art of Caricature
Master caricaturists Kevin Kallauhger (KAL), Zach Trenholm and Ed Wexler will dive deeper into this biting and essential form of satire. Yes, there will be drawing — maybe even of you!
1:00-1:45
Rock Art, get your Furry Freak on!
The Bay Area has a long and colorful history of comic album art and rock posters. We'll hear from famed cartoonist Paul Mavrides, co-creator of The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers, Dan Perkins (aka, Tom Tomorrow), who created the album art for Pearl Jam's "Backspacer" release, punk rock poster artist Paul Imagine and the prolific and talented John Seabury!
2:00-2:45
Artists are Rock Stars, Rock Stars are Artists
Brace yourselves for an experience like no other, where cartoons meet rock & roll. Cartoons make a difference. Rock makes a difference— especially on the same stage, with live drawing, performance art and maximum audience participation. Featuring the up and coming social activist boys rock band, WJM! Bring your sharpie, your sense of adventure and learn how to change the world with cartoons and music!
6:00-9:00
Final Bash: Cartoonapalooza! (Morgan Auditorium, 491 Post Street)
See the satire showmen and women of political cartooning and witness their work in action. The all-star cartoonist lineup includes Tom Meyer, longtime San Francisco Chronicle cartoonist, Dan Perkins (aka, Tom Tomorrow), creator of This Modern World, Keith Knight of K Chronicles fame, award-winning cartoonist, Jen Sorensen, syndicated cartoonist and prolific author, Ted Rall, Chicago Tribune political cartoonist and syndicated comic strip artist, Scott Stantis and Pulitzer Prize-winning political animator, Mark Fiore. Emceed by top comic, Johnny Steele! Arrive early to leave plenty of time for beer, wine and food.
This public event is a fundraiser and party for the AAEC and for Cartoonist Rights Network International, which will present the Courage in Cartooning Award to an international cartoonist who has shown tremendous courage in the face of imprisonment or death. The John Locher Memorial Award winner will also be presented. (Audience members may even go home with a drawing!)
Sunday, October 12th:
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Charles M. Schulz Museum Outing (Santa Rosa)
The general public and AAEC members are all welcome at the Museum for a panel discussion titled "Editorial Cartooning Today," featuring Steve Benson, Tom Tomorrow, Jen Sorensen and Kevin Kallaugher, moderated by Mark Fiore. (Note: Buses for AAEC members leave the hotel at 9:30 a.m. sharp and will return to the hotel by 3:30 p.m., lunch will be served at the Museum.)