Book release party and art exhibition featuring over 100 pieces of original artwork from the acclaimed comic series, 'Town & County' written and drawn by cartoonist Alex Nall, published by Hardscrabble Cafe since 2022. Visit Bug’s Tavern, tour open art studios & refreshments available.

Saturday, March 1, 2025
6:00PM to 10:00PM
Exhibition runs through March

Inside Town Art Collective
1954 S. Troy St. 
3rd Floor 
@insidetown

Inside Town is located up 3 flights of stairs and is not accessible. Please contact us at cafehardscrabble@gmail.com in advance for elevator access.

$20-$30
Buy tickets here

Hosted by micco caporale / @juggaloreporter
Flyer by Max Morris

In 1979, a young student filmmaker named Penelope Spheeris grabbed a 16 mm camera and threw herself into the pit of Los Angeles's nascent punk scene. The resulting film became the first installment of her Decline of Western Civilization trilogy, seminal works about then controversial subcultures, the people who participate in them, and what those subcultures reveal about the broader cultural landscape. Since then they've become cult classics to punk and metal enthusiasts, and they represent a similar curiosity and affection at the heart of the Reader.

For over 50 years, the Reader has been exploring and documenting Chicago's creative communities—and the socioeconomic and political issues that shape them. Those stories are created using high journalism standards and made available at no cost to individual readers both in print and online, and they are archived for future generations. Right now the paper needs a little extra help to continue. 

The Reader invites Chicago's free and freakiest to join us at Thalia Hall for a day party and double-feature screening of Decline of Western Civilization: Parts 1 & 2. Between screenings, we're watching music videos by local artists and hosting a pop-up market for weirdos of all stripes. Wear your most Decline fit because Glitter Guts is snapping pics, and our two favorite looks will win tickets to a show of their choice courtesy of Thalia Hall. We're also giving away some cool books by local authors, such as Jessica Hopper. 

Come party to help us keep the "free" in free press!

Our friends at LateNiteMarket are taking over the Tack Room & patio for a special pop-up market featuring vintage clothes, plants and other unique offerings from local artists. Grab a cocktail or taco and peruse to your heart’s content!

Saturday June 15 • 12PM-6PM

Grace Church Chicago • 3325 W. Wrightwood Ave • Chicago, IL 60647

Free & open to the public!

Zine Not Dead is pleased to announce the inaugural Zine Not Dead Fest: A Comics and Small Press Fair.

Zine Not Dead Fest is a one-day event bringing together comics and small press artists and publishers from around the world to Chicago. A day of vending (featuring 60-80 artists & publishers), talks, and workshops concludes with the biggest Zine Not Dead reading of all time in the evening.

Zine Not Dead Fest will be held at Grace Church of Logan Square (3325 W Wrightwood Ave) on June 15th, from noon to 6pm. The Fest will be free and open to the public! The evening's Zine Not Dead will be ticketed, with more information to follow :)

Learn more here: Zine Not Dead Fest

Flyer by Margo Maison

Partners and Sons presents the Philadelphia Comics Expo aka PCX featuring a curated selection of national comics artists and creators, on Saturday 14 October from 9AM to 3PM at Headhouse Shambles.

Flyer by Caroline Cash