Auckland Zinefest releases schedule of events

Self-Publishing Festival Offers a DIY & Action Packed July

July is international zine month, and Auckland is celebrating with a month long calendar of events – under the umbrella of the Auckland Zinefest. The festival celebrates a DIY approach to publishing, where enthusiasts produce and share ideas, musings, writing and artwork using readily available tools.

Those keen to try their hand at making their own zine can get involved with the 24 Hour Zine Making Challenge. Perfect for beginners and old hands alike, the challenge is hosted by Tangleball (27 Edinburgh Street, Newton), and will start on Saturday 9 July. Registrations are essential.

The main Auckland Zinefest event will take place at Karangahape Road’s St Kevins Arcade and Wine Cellar, on Saturday 16 July from 12–5pm. The day will feature stalls, workshops, and talks focusing on the art of DIY publishing.

Speakers on July 16 will include Sam Orchard of Rooster Rails Comics, talking about ‘Trans and Queer Web Comics’. Ali Nissenbaum of Rebel Press will be facilitating a discussion on  ‘Zines as a Tool for Resistance’.

In the workshop space, David Merritt from Landrover Farm Press will be hosting ‘Inside Out’ – a demonstration of hardback book covers reuse, using scavenged cardboard and flour sacks as resources, and other DIY methods.

The market side of the main event will feature over 25 individual stallholders, with people coming from Palmerston North, Wellington, and Melbourne. The zines produced at the 24-hour Zine Making Challenge at Tangleball will also be on show.

The day will end on a celebratory note with an after party at the Wine Cellar, 7pm till late. Bands Luckless and Edward Gains and the Human Remains will perform; followed by the sing-a-long-fun of Karaoke Dick.

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