Found and Read

Thu, 11/15/2012 - 2:29pm by manz

Brothers Davy and Peter Rothbart visit their hometown of Ann Arbor tomorrow night at The Last Word as part of FOUND Magazine’s epic 10th Anniversary tour, which brings them to 37 states this fall. (The Ann Arbor stop benefits 826Michigan.) The tour also celebrates the release of Davy’s new book My Heart is an Idiot. MHIAI is a collection of personal essays, many regarding his search for love in all the wrong places. See here for info on the tour, and here for FOUND books at AADL.

NaNoWriMo Write-In this Saturday !

Wed, 11/14/2012 - 11:20am by K.C.

Saturday, November 17 | 2:00-3:30 PM | Traverwood Branch

The clock is ticking. Head to the Library for some space to work on your novel for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). Hurry - the novel has to be finished by November 30! AADL provides the space - YOU provide the creativity! Then whether you finish or not come to the TGIO (Thank God It's Over) Celebration with author Lara Zielin on Sat., Dec. 1.

National Novel Writing Month is a non-profit event that encourages teens and adults to tackle the challenge of writing a novel during November. The goal is to write a 50,000 word, (approximately 175 page) novel by 11:59:59, November 30.

Valuing enthusiasm and perseverance over painstaking craft, NaNoWriMo is a novel-writing program for everyone who has thought fleetingly about writing a novel but has been scared away by the time and effort involved. For more information about NaNoWriMo, visit nanowrimo.org.

Comic Artists Forum kicks off with James Anderson

Sat, 09/08/2012 - 10:14am by K.C.

Sunday, September 9 | 1:00-3:00 p.m. | Downtown Library | Multipurpose Room

Join us for a little world building even if it’s out of this world! Cartoonist James Anderson will show you how he has created a world full of alien flora and fauna for his web comic strip Ellie on Planet X!

Join the Forum to get fresh ideas for your next comics or graphic novel creation and/or feedback from fellow cartoonists. Drawing supplies will be provided, so drop in to draw, learn, and network with other cartoonists.

Robb Johnston Visits the Library!

Mon, 08/13/2012 - 12:32pm by evelyn

Come listen to local artist and author Robb Johnston talk about the process behind his wonderful book The Woodcutter and the Most Beautiful Tree. Robb will demonstrate how he draws and answer questions. He will also be available for a book signing after the event.

The Woodcutter and the Most Beautiful Tree gained a star review from Kirkus Reviews, who also named it one of the best books of 2011. Don’t miss this chance to see Robb work!

This event will be on Monday, August 13th at 1pm in the Multi-Purpose Room of the Downtown Library.

This event is for grades K to 5.

Coney Detroit

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 3:05pm by manz

It’s summer and things are hot and busy. Time to grab a dog, a Coke, and head to the beach. Perhaps a coney dog has your number, and if so, you aren’t alone. Apparently no one in the world is as crazy about coney dogs as metro Detroit is. Have you ever thought about the sheer amount Coney Island restaurants? Ever thought about the technique of what constitutes a great coney dog, or perhaps a coney pizza, coney omelette, or coney wrap?

The book Coney Detroit talks about the lore, the history, and the business of all things coney. It focuses on some establishments in Flint, Jackson, Port Huron, Kalamazoo, and Traverse City. It’s a fun little book, chock full of photos, for those interested in all things local.

The book is a collaboration of twenty, and was written by Katherine Yung (Detroit Free Press reporter) and Joe Grimm. It was photographed by EXPOSURE.Detroit and printed in Detroit. Interestingly, all proceeds from the book go to the Gleaners Community Food Bank.

Comic Artists Forum – Jannie Ho and Adobe Illustrator

Sun, 06/03/2012 - 9:22pm by K.C.

Sunday June 3 | 1:00-3:00 PM | Downtown 4th Floor Meeting Room

Chicken girl is back! Cartoonist and children's book illustrator Jannie Ho will offer a demonstration on the use of Adobe Illustrator for creating comics and discuss the pros and cons of creating and submitting work with Illustrator. Illustrator is a popular tool in the publishing world and one to become acquainted with if you have never used it.

Join the Forum to get fresh ideas for your next comics or graphic novel creation. Drawing supplies will be provided, so drop in to draw, learn, and network with other cartoonists.

Australian / American Cartoonist Exchange in AA

Tue, 05/01/2012 - 7:29am by K.C.

Monday, May 7 -- 5-8 PM -- Roos Roast -- 1155 Rosewood St Suite B Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Local cartoonists and writers, here’s your chance for a little international comics exchange at the first ever KRCC Cross-Cultural Exchange hosted by Kids Read Comics Celebrations! A group of Australian cartoonists will be passing through the SE Michigan area, and they agreed to make a stop in Ann Arbor to meet up with area cartoonists for some drawing and conversation. We’ll be joined by:

· Pat Grant
· Ben Hutchings
· David Blumenstein
· Sarah Howell
· Gregory Mackay
· Michael Hawkins
· John Retallick

Roos Roast has generously offered us their studio space for the meetup. It’s the best coffee in town, and a terrific meeting space, so a good time is sure to be had!

Bring your favorite drawing supplies and let’s make some comics international style!

Comic Artists Forum with Cartoonist Gale Williams

Thu, 04/26/2012 - 2:04pm by K.C.

Sunday, May 6 | 1:00-3:00 PM | Downtown | 4th Floor Meeting Room

Gale Williams, cartoonist and creator of the weekly webcomic "Patbird and Galesaur", will demonstrate how to flat comics in Adobe Photoshop, and share tips and tricks to speed up your coloring process.

Join the Forum to get fresh ideas for your next comics or graphic novel creation. Drawing supplies will be provided, so drop in to draw, learn, share, and network with other cartoonists.

This event is for adults and teens (grade 6 and up).

April Fools Comic Artists Forum with Jono Balliett

Sun, 04/01/2012 - 7:35am by K.C.

Sunday, April 1| 1:00-3:30 PM | Downtown 4th Floor Meeting Room

Turn a single sheet of paper into an eight-page, multi-panel, mini-comic book that doesn’t need any staples or binding. No April Fools! With cartoonist Jono Balliett’s help you can make one yourself.

Join the Forum to get fresh ideas for your next comics or graphic novel creation. Drawing supplies will be provided, so drop in to draw, learn, share, and network with other cartoonists

Happy Birthday, Michigan!

Thu, 01/26/2012 - 9:21am by manz

Today Michigan celebrates its 175th birthday! On January 26, 1837 Michigan became the 26th state in the union. How will you be celebrating?

To feel the local love, check out AADL's local creators lists, which include a list of movies made in Michigan, and books set in Michigan, among others. Or perhaps read up on Michigan history or plan a trip in this fine Mitten State.

Whether you’re a native or a transplant, it’s a great wintery day to be in the Great Lakes State.