Upcoming Zine Fairs in Washington or Oregan

[James N. Dawson]

Hey everybody, I'm finally thinking of going to a zine fair---it'd be my first. I recently moved to Malden, Washington, which is about 40 miles south of Spokane.

Are there any upcoming zine fairs in Seattle or Portland? What might be the next few be? Are there any closer? I don't suppose there'd be one in Spokane.

Let me know. I don't have home internet, but I get to a library now and then. Snail mail is fine too. I'm not in a hurry.

Thanks.

[Ruthie]

the Portland Zine symposium is sometime this summer.... oh dear, I don't remember the dates! but it is sometime in July. Look under "events"! I have never been, but I might this year!! it seems to be a pretty nifty event. :D

[Art Bureau]

http://olympiacomicsfestival.org/

http://www.pdxzines.com/

http://www.stumptowncomics.com/

[Alex Wrekk]

Square foot zine fest table space is open to IPRC members only but every one is welcome to come by and browse and trade zines. That is on June 13.

The Portland zine Symposium is July 24, 25, 26

Sarah said:

There's the Square Foot Zine Fest (or something like that) in PDX in June, I think. It's on the events page.
The ZAPP Zine Library does readings and other events sometimes in Seattle.

[Mandy (Teeny Tiny Press)]

As far as I know, there isn't a zine fair/fest in Seattle at all, but is anybody interested in this? I know ZAPP does events like readings and workshops sometimes, but I don't think they have ever done anything where people can table, etc.

[Alex Wrekk]

They had the zine librarian (un) conference there a few months ago but I'm not sure if they really have the space for something like that. At the unconference some of us started talking about creating a cascade zine coalition to better connect zine folks in the northwest. We created this group on We Make Zines http://wemakezines.ning.com/group/cascadiazinecoalition but haven't really done anything about it. I have actually been out of the country for the past month so I'm just trying to get settled back in and sort of what work needs to be done on a lot of projects this will be one i have my eyes on.

Mandy said:

As far as I know, there isn't a zine fair/fest in Seattle at all, but is anybody interested in this? I know ZAPP does events like readings and workshops sometimes, but I don't think they have ever done anything where people can table, etc.

[James N. Dawson]

Thanks everybody for all the info.

I have a couple concerns.

I'm terrible at big city driving, especially when I'm trying to find an address in it. I was wondering how I might get around this. Maybe meeting somebody who's also going on the outskirts of town and getting a ride with them?

Also, what about lodging for 3 days? Are there any super cheap campgrounds---$10 a night or under---near the symposium? (I remember, believe it or not, getting a campground, I think in Oregan, for $5 a night, but I heard it went up soon after). I wouldn't even mind sleeping in somebody's backyard if they let me.

I'm slow at planning things and making decisions---a lot like my zines themselves---so I'm wondering if there might be something in Oregan, Idaho, or Washington in August. Then I'd have more time to think it over carefully and be prepared.

If anybody has any ideas or suggestions, I'd welcome them.

[Alex Wrekk]

Why not take the trail down? Portland has a really great public transit system. how about staying at a hostel? We are actually having one of our evening events at the Hawthorne Hostel http://www.hostelworld.com/availability.php/HI--Portland--Hawthorne...

James N. Dawson said:

Thanks everybody for all the info.

I have a couple concerns.

I'm terrible at big city driving, especially when I'm trying to find an address in it. I was wondering how I might get around this. Maybe meeting somebody who's also going on the outskirts of town and getting a ride with them?

Also, what about lodging for 3 days? Are there any super cheap campgrounds---$10 a night or under---near the symposium? (I remember, believe it or not, getting a campground, I think in Oregan, for $5 a night, but I heard it went up soon after). I wouldn't even mind sleeping in somebody's backyard if they let me.

I'm slow at planning things and making decisions---a lot like my zines themselves---so I'm wondering if there might be something in Oregan, Idaho, or Washington in August. Then I'd have more time to think it over carefully and be prepared.

If anybody has any ideas or suggestions, I'd welcome them.

[Shawn Granton]

Hey James--

First off, not to jump on ya or anything, but it's OregOn. Two "o"s, no "a". The first time I let ya slide, the second time is like nails on chalkboard! As long as you don't pronounce it Or-ee-GONE we'll let you in! ;-)

Okay, snarkiness aside:
1) I second Alex's opinion on taking amtrak from Spokane to Portland. Looks like about $45 one-way for that time of year.
http://amtrak.com/

2) For paying to stay somewhere in Portland, the two hostels are going to be the cheapest option. The HI-Northwest Hostel is the closest to the Zine Symposium http://nwportlandhostel.com/ $22-25 a night for a dorm bed, plus tax.
425 NW 18th Av
503-241-2783

The HI-Hawthorne Hostel is in the SE. It's a bit further away, but easy to get to by bus. And it's also where the Saturday Night Movie for the Symposium is going to be. And it also happens to be my day job. $23 a night for a dorm bed, plus tax. http://portlandhostel.org/
3031 SE Hawthorne Blvd
503-236-3380

NOTE FOR ANYONE CONSIDERING THESE OPTIONS: Both hostels are hella busy during the summer, ESPECIALLY on weekends. Reservations at least a month out are recommended, because if you just show up there probably won't be room. Oh yeah, if you are not a member of Hostelling International, you pay an additional $3 fee.

3) There are no legal campgrounds in Portland. Camping is illegal by city ordinance (as a convenient way to criminalize homelessness.) The closest campgrounds are going to be 20-30 miles outside of the city, in ANY direction, so it won't be convenient for getting to/from the Symposium. And I don't know of any campsite that's less than $15 a night for car camping. (There are some primitive campsites for free in the Mt. Hood National Forest, but they're over 40 miles from town. And hiker-biker sites on the Oregon Coast run for $4, but you have to be riding your bike and the closest one is 80 miles from town.)

4) And you should check the forum at the Zine Symposium website:
http://pdxzines.com/forums/
Here you can find info on free housing and rideshares. Heck, you can probably post your willingness to camp in someone's backyard, and shouldn't have a problem!

[Dan 10things]

Mandy said:

As far as I know, there isn't a zine fair/fest in Seattle at all, but is anybody interested in this? I know ZAPP does events like readings and workshops sometimes, but I don't think they have ever done anything where people can table, etc.

Back in the '90s Seattle hosted tons of zine conferences/events.. at COCA, a couple different galleries, the Crocodile Cafe, the Seattle Center. It's been mostly small stuff the last few years. The Unconference at ZAPP in March was the exception... oh and the zine exhibit at Bumbershoot 4 or 5 years ago. The last big event in Seattle I remember before that was a zine reading and tabling at ZAPP probably 6 or 7 years ago and zines tagging along to a few alt media conferences. ZAPP is the perfect place to hold something though if people want to get organized and do one.

[James N. Dawson]

Thanks everybody for the input.

Actually, driving up Cheney today to get on the public computer, I've discovered I may be have some serious clutch problems. Right now, as much as I want to and plan to get myself to a zine gathering, I probably need to concentrate on "moving in", there being a lot of little details I have to take care of. (This clutch problem has me a bit worried, but I'll get through it).

Anyway, I'll keep your suggestions in mind, keep my eye on upcoming NW zine gatherings, and maybe gradually put together a plan of action. *Maybe* I can make it August, but even then I'm not sure.

SHAWN: You could beat me with a 2 x 4 and pull all my fingernails out, but there are certain words I've NEVER been able to get right, and OregOn, may be one of them. But since you're such a dedicated zinester I'll make a special effort from now on. I HAVE always pronounced it right though, having grown up in the Washington myself ;).