ALA FOR PANEL AND PARTY – Neil Gaiman and others to discuss graphic novels and censorship!!
Norwalk, CT, July 2, 2009: Organizers of the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2) are joining with the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF) to organize a high profile panel and a “meet and greet” brewery party at this year’s annual American Librarian Association Conference (July 9 – 15) in Chicago, IL. C2E2 is the new pop culture convention which is being launched April 16 – 18, 2010 at Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center by the organizers of New York Comic Con (NYCC) and BookExpo America (BEA). Both BEA and C2E2 will have a presence at ALA in Booth #2030. The joint effort with CBLDF will focus on the growth and role of graphic novels in the marketplace and will underscore the significance of graphic novels in the world of books as well as the pop culture community.
“This is a perfect ‘coming together’ for all parties,” notes Lance Fensterman, who is Vice President and Show Manager for both C2E2 and BEA. “We are eager to support the CBLDF and we want to do everything we can to build awareness for graphic novels for future generations of readers. The ALA Conference in Chicago is the perfect opportunity to celebrate books, pop culture, and Chicago all at once! We admire the great work that the CBLDF does on behalf of free expression and we are grateful to them for making this possible.”
The two jointly sponsored events include:
Monday, July 13, 1:30pm – 3:30pm (McCormick Convention Center, W-184).
Ban those @#$*%! Comic Books, Graphic Novels, and Censorship
From their origins, cartoons, comic books, and graphic novels have been touchstones for controversy. In recent years, the status of graphic novels has been growing in the library world, bringing along high profile cases of censorship in libraries and schools across the country. A panel of creators will discuss the origins of comics censorship, how their works have been affected, and what it’s like to be in the center of a censorship controversy. Panelists include Neil Gaiman, Terry Moore, Craig Thompson, and Jill Thompson. Moderated by Charles Brownstein, Executive Director, CBLDF. This Panel is Co-sponsored by the Association of American Publishers and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. Craig Thompson’s travel is sponsored by C2E2.
Monday, July 13, 6:00pm – 8:00pm, Piece Brewery, 1927 W. North Avenue (just off the Damen Blue Line stop)
C2E2 and CBLDF Brewery Party
The C2E2 and the CBLDF are taking over the Piece Brewery (http://www.piecechicago.com/flash/index.html) from 6-8 PM on Monday, July 13. This meet and greet features talent and representatives from the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo and is open to all ALA attendees and all librarians who will be in Chicago during the conference. Complimentary Piece Pizza will be served and an open bar is available featuring location-brewed beer, including a dollar off brewer’s choice beer especially for the event. Nerd City and CBLDF will have a banner presence, and there will be a roped off area just for party participants!
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