SLCene Suggests: Association of American Editorial Cartoonists Convention

ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN EDITORIAL CARTOONISTS CONVENTION, VARIOUS LOCATIONS, Thursday, June 27-Saturday, June 29

It’s rare that Salt Lake City gets a new addition to its summer social schedule, and this weekend the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists offer a once-in-a-lifetime chance to mix, mingle and talk with some of the country’s best political commentators–artists who happen to work via drawings rather than columns. The group’s annual convention is bringing more than 80 cartoonists from all over the country to Salt Lake City this weekend, hosted by The Salt Lake Tribune‘s excellent homegrown cartoonist Pat Bagley, and the artist aren’t just holing up to talk shop among themselves. There are several events open to the public starting on Thursday, some free, some for a few bucks, and all worth the time if you can get there.

You’ll want to check the complete convention schedule to find an event that suits your own taste. Here are a few open to the public that sound particularly good to me:

1. The Cartoonist Death Match is Thursday at 6:30 at the Tavernacle, and features San Francisco comic Todd Zuniga hosting a competition of competing cartoonists who will be judged for their instant creations by a panel of local celebrities. Cover is $10.

2. Bagley will host a discussion called “Satire and the Sacred: From Mohammed to Mormon Underwear,” Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at the Salt Lake City Main Library Auditorium. First Amendment advocate and former New York Times Magazine editor Victor Navasky and BYU professor of Islamic Studies Daniel Peterson will face off in what is sure to be a lively, engaging discussion. Free.

3. Saturday night, you can join the artists at the convention at the Cartoons and Cocktails Gala at Little America at 6:30 p.m., You can bid on original cartoons by Pulitzer Prize-winning artists, check out some standup comedy and dance to tunes by the gypsy-jazz local killers Hot Club of Zion. The cost is $40 for individuals, and $75 per couple, and you’ll want to register in advance before it sells out, right here:  AAEC Cartoons & Cocktails Salt Lake Benefit and Auction 2013 – Eventbrite.