What's On at the Library

The Toronto Comic Arts Festival (TCAF) takes place this Saturday, May 11 and Sunday, May 12 at the Toronto Reference Library. Comics fans are invited to this free event and to join over 400 cartoonists from 18 countries to celebrate the best of comics, graphic novels and manga.

This year's TCAF lineup includes Taiyo Matsumoto, Hope Larson, Bryan Lee O'Malley, Jeff Lemire, Art Spiegelman, Raina Telgemeier, Maurice Vellekoop and many others.

Guests can meet their favourite artists, buy books and have them signed, attend panel discussions and workshops, view original art on display and more. There are also programs for kids and families.

The festival draws several thousand visitors over the two-day weekend. For first time – and even returning – attendees, TCAF can be a somewhat overwhelming experience. So we asked some of the festival's staff to share their advice on how to plan for and to navigate your way around TCAF.

Start Your TCAF
Before TCAF

TCAF Assistant Director Miles Baker suggests checking out the plethora of events and parties happening outside of the main festival weekend. "TCAF has events every night from May 8 to 12, including screenings, talks, gallery openings and lots of parties. The parties
are probably my favourite, because it's a great chance to meet artists I admire
without having an exhibition table between us."

Come Early, Come Often. 

Volunteer Coordinator Andrew Woodrow-Butcher says scheduling is key. "TCAF attracts thousands of people to Toronto Reference
Library, which can be both amazing and overwhelming. I think the people who get
there first thing in the morning get a bit more of a relaxed browsing experience,
before things get really busy around 1 or 2pm. It's also a lot to see in one
go. Break up your browsing by heading outside for lunch or a coffee, or to one
of the off-site programs."

If you have a list of specific artists you want to see, you can plan ahead by looking at the TCAF schedule and floor plan to see where they will be exhibiting or signing.

Check Out the Panel
Discussions

Festival Director Chris Butcher encourages everyone to check out the free and eclectic lineup of programs. "If you're at TCAF, make sure not to miss our panels
and interviews, located in Learning Center 1 at the Reference Library, and
at our off-site venues. Our discussion on political and non-fiction graphic
novels is going to be great for both die-hard comic fans and folks new to the
medium!"

To help you plan ahead, here's the full schedule of programs:

• Saturday programs
• Sunday programs

Bring Your Kids And The Whole Family!

TCAF falls once again on Mother's Day weekend, so celebrate both your inner geek and mom by visiting TCAF. For paren'ts and caregivers with young kids, check out the Kids Area in the Novella Room, located in the Bram & Bluma Appel Salon on the 2nd floor.

"There’s something for everyone in the TCAF Kids
area," says Kids Programming Coordinator, Scott Robins. "Pick up free comics, meet kids’ graphic novel artists and writers, get
tips on becoming a comics creator, colour and create, and of course, have fun!
Enough to keep the little ones engaged all day long!"

Plan ahead by looking at the Kids Programming Schedule.

Dress for
Success 

"If you're gonna do TCAF right, then you're gonna want to
be comfortable," advises TCAF Support Manager, Andrew Townsend. "Sensible shoes. Bags with good back support. Loose clothes that
breathe, allowing you to move quickly and easily through crowds. You'll thank
yourself, and, more importantly, other attendees will thank you."

Make Shopping Easy

If you're coming to TCAF to buy comics and other merchandises, TCAF President Peter Birkemoe has a few words of advice. "You
are likely going to want to have more cash and carrying capacity than you
expect. Fill your wallet with small bills and your pockets with all the
loonies and twonies you can manage. If you are a print or poster
collector, think about bringing a tube. Keep in mind as you go around the show
to think about the gift-giving potential. You will find great unique gifts
here many of which you might not find again."