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Canzine West 2016: giant zine fest hits Vancouver on Nov 5

DIY zinesters, art books, pop up readings from new writers, performances and panel discussions 1-7pm at SFU Woodwards 149 West Hastings, Canzine West 2016

Image courtesy Canzine West 2016 and Broken Pencil Magazine.

Canzine West: the hub for Independent culture

Canzine West is one of Vancouver’s top sources from underground arts. Every year, hundreds of DIY creators come together to sell and display their work to hundreds of zine fair visitors. This year, Canzine West will take place on November 5th at Simon Frasier University’s Goldcorp Center for the Arts. Doors open at 1pm, and visitors will have the chance to browse everything from handcrafted art books, to weirdo comics, and socially minded punk zines.

It’s also a chance to meet artists, meet enthusiasts, find out what small press publishers have room for submissions, and what illustrator are looking to collaborate. Performances and panel discussions will also take place throughout the event. Since its inception, thousands of performers, zinesters, artist, and writers have been a part of the fair.

Zine Philosophy Panel: Advancing your cause through zines and self-publishing.

Every year a political panel discussion takes place at Canzine west. This year, the focus is community activism, and how creating zines can amplify the activist mission.

A community of experts will share their knowledge on everything from activist journalism, to new media, zine creation, and community development.

It will feature panellists Stefania Seccia (Megaphone Magazine), Dana Putman (Vancouver Public Library), Hannah McGregor (Simon Fraser University), Jenn McDermid (Gender Sexuality Health Initiative), and Jessica Todd (Women’s Art Collective). This takes place at 2PM. The panel will serve as fodder for anyone with a passionate cause or interest in starting a publication.

Blanket Fort Fantasy Land

Adèle Barclay, Kevin Spenst, Carleigh Baker, and Jill Mandrake will all be reading selections of their new books from within a blanket fort. Starting at 4PM, a house constructed of bedsheets, quilts, pillows and cushions will be the reading place of short stories, poetry, and non-fiction.

The reading is meant to encourage pop-ins during the long day of zine shopping, so feel free sit down on the pillows, relax, and listen to new and award-winner small press writers. The reading will last an hour and you can stay as long as you’d like.

Broken Pencil Magazine

Canzine is hosted by Broken Pencil, the magazine of zine culture and independent arts. Like the zine fair itself, the magazine is also an alleyway into the indie art world. Featured articles range on topics from DIY creations, to drone music, and POC zinesters.

There are also pages of zine and small press book reviews, small press excerpts, comics, fiction, and artist profiles. Online, Broken Pencil posts calls for submissions, lists of artists grants, or and more tips for the indie artist. It’s a great resource. Free issues will be given to anyone attending the event.

The Canzine Festival of Zines and Underground Culture was first held in Toronto in 1995, and has currently spread to both Vancouver and Winnipeg. To make sure you get all up to date information about Canzine visit canzine.ca

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