Philly Zine Fest 2022
Nov. 6th, 2022 07:43 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rynlingBefore anything, it's important to note that Barack Hussein Obama was literally right next door:
https://whyy.org/articles/obama-biden-philadelphia-rally-fetterman-shapiro-pa-election-2022/
That's a link to NPR, btw. The article says attendees "waited in line for hours to get into the event," and yes, they most definitely did. That line was epic. The article also calls the rally "raucous," and yes, I would say so. Friends, there were marching bands. Multiple marching bands, and they were competing with each other. I feel like a few North Philly churches brought their entire congregations, and there were choirs singing in the streets. The whole thing was so beautiful that I balls-out cried in public.
And then, right across the street, was the Philly Zine Fest. You'd think there would at least be foot traffic coming in, but there was no signage outside, and the doors weren't held open. About third of the tables were empty, and almost no one came except the people who were tabling. The venue was styled after a medieval castle, which was very cool, but it meant that there was almost no light on the floor. I think I made maybe ten zine sales, which was just enough to break even on the $50 table fee. THANKS OBAMA.
Also, since I got to the venue two hours early to set up and was just sitting there feeling awkward, and since I basically didn't have anything to eat or drink, my ADHD was triggered in a way it hasn't been for years. About an hour before the end of the event, I was at a point where it was physically painful to stay sitting down, so I packed up, stashed everything in my car, and found some friends to join the giant block party on Broad Street. That was maybe a little unprofessional, but I regret nothing.
Here are some good things: I was able to meet some people I'd only known online, and they were lovely in person. I was also able to say hello to a few people I met at the Small Press Expo, do some zine trades, and just sit down and talk to them for a bit. And then I walked around and chatted and met some new people too! It was like networking if networking were professionally pointless and also fun.
And finally, Temple University's Mitten Hall is gorgeous, (for real), and it was good to have an excuse to spend a few hours there basking in the atmosphere.
https://whyy.org/articles/obama-biden-philadelphia-rally-fetterman-shapiro-pa-election-2022/
That's a link to NPR, btw. The article says attendees "waited in line for hours to get into the event," and yes, they most definitely did. That line was epic. The article also calls the rally "raucous," and yes, I would say so. Friends, there were marching bands. Multiple marching bands, and they were competing with each other. I feel like a few North Philly churches brought their entire congregations, and there were choirs singing in the streets. The whole thing was so beautiful that I balls-out cried in public.
And then, right across the street, was the Philly Zine Fest. You'd think there would at least be foot traffic coming in, but there was no signage outside, and the doors weren't held open. About third of the tables were empty, and almost no one came except the people who were tabling. The venue was styled after a medieval castle, which was very cool, but it meant that there was almost no light on the floor. I think I made maybe ten zine sales, which was just enough to break even on the $50 table fee. THANKS OBAMA.
Also, since I got to the venue two hours early to set up and was just sitting there feeling awkward, and since I basically didn't have anything to eat or drink, my ADHD was triggered in a way it hasn't been for years. About an hour before the end of the event, I was at a point where it was physically painful to stay sitting down, so I packed up, stashed everything in my car, and found some friends to join the giant block party on Broad Street. That was maybe a little unprofessional, but I regret nothing.
Here are some good things: I was able to meet some people I'd only known online, and they were lovely in person. I was also able to say hello to a few people I met at the Small Press Expo, do some zine trades, and just sit down and talk to them for a bit. And then I walked around and chatted and met some new people too! It was like networking if networking were professionally pointless and also fun.
And finally, Temple University's Mitten Hall is gorgeous, (for real), and it was good to have an excuse to spend a few hours there basking in the atmosphere.
no subject
Date: 2022-11-14 04:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-11-16 03:02 pm (UTC)Idk man. Everything about the event felt very last-minute, and I hope the organizers are doing okay. I should write them an email expressing my appreciation as soon as work settles down.
Anyway... Hooray for New Orleans!! 🍻
no subject
Date: 2022-11-23 08:56 pm (UTC)