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This weekend’s premiere comics event is Autoptic, the Minneapolis stop on the ongoing indie comics festival tour. Guests include Josh Bayer, Gabrielle Bell, Charles Burns, Ines Estrada, Edie Fake, Sammy Harkham, Aidan Koch, Laura Park Jillian Tamaki, and the exhibitor list is impressive, so it’s A-list all the way.

The show has a few previews in the local press, including an NPR story that emphasizes the improvisational, artistic roots of the festival; and a piece in the Observer that covers more of that spirit:

Autoptic follows a similar model to fairs like the MoCCA Arts Festival and Brooklyn Zine Fest in New York, by focusing on independent artists. But Autoptic also maintains a wide range of crafts, artists and publishers, from printmakers to musicians and zine publishers to designers—more than 120 exhibitors in all.

The fair was founded in 2012 by a small group of Twin Cities-based cartoonists and small press comic publishers. It’s small and only lasts two days, August 8 and 9, but the DIY spirit of the event is attracting some of the industry’s biggest names. 

I haven’t been able to attend Autoptic myself alas, but it seems to have flourished since launching in 2013 (I believe) with a more experimental, broad based arts-focused approach. I hope everyone has a great time.

A couple of notes;

Nobrow has their line up of debuts here.

And here’s D&Q’s.

And here’s the schedule of events from tonight on.

Friday August 7th

MCAD and Light Grey Art Lab
7 pm – 10 pm
FREE
Art crawl starting with the PFC results show and gallery talk at MCAD and ending with Nothing Will Ever Be The Same Show opening reception and Autoptic Kick Off Party at Light Grey Art Lab
Event Facebook Page

Friday August 7th

Bryant Lake Bowl Theater
9 pm – Midnight
FREE
New Readings & Release Party
Event Facebook Page

Saturday August 8th

Aria Mpls
10am – 6 pm
FREE
Autoptic Festival

Saturday August 8th

7:30 pm – 10 pm
FREE
Boneshaker Bookstore
Quixer: A Quicky Queer Mingle Mixer
Event Facebook Page

Saturday August 8th

Cedar Cultural Center
8 pm
$12 in advance/$15 at the door
RANA MAY (Maria Bamford recently asked her to open), DAVID BAZAN (ex- Pedro The Lion, Headphones), LOW (playing a a rare all-acoustic set) andTHE HAND (who are playing last because they are very loud and spastic).
Tickets are $12 in advance, and $15 the day of the show.
The Cedar is an awesome volunteer-run venue (and it’s sort of an institution here in Minneapolis); it’s a great place to see a show, and it’s even ALL AGES.
Purchase Tickets Here

Sunday August 9th

Aria Mpls
10 am
FREE
Sunday Morning with David Bazan and Zak Sally

Saturday August 8th

Aria Mpls
11 am – 6 pm
FREE
Autoptic Festival

Sunday August 9th

Grumpy’s Downtown
7 pm
FREE
Autoptic After Party w/Shadow in The Cracks
Event Facebook Page