Join us for a night of original comics readings and animation from local artists. We’re kicking off spooky season, so come wearing your Halloween best!
Readings by: Oliver Nicole Annabelle Heckler Samuel Edme Graham Millar
Animation by: Amelia Johnson John Quinn Emily Zullo Shane Cagney Cam MacConnell Kelly Emmrich Cecily Russo Isa Fraga-Abaza Kitt Matthews Alfred Thomas Jack Henry-Lee
The Last Chance Dancers blur the line between artifice and authenticity with THE PICK OF DESTINY by TENACIOUS D, played live on vinyl.
The Last Chance Dancers are: Queensiñera, Esmé, Xaddy Addy, Maggie McMuffin, and Venatrix. Plus, One Night Only special guest BOBBY FISHNETS and the return of our original pressing, KITA ST CYR.
It’s also Kita’s birthday! Bring her savory snacks, shiny things, and good tequila.
This is a real burlesque show, with professional burlesque dancers. Anyone is welcome, but please note there will be sexually explicit performance, nudity, and language.
ACCESSIBILITY & SAFETY
This is an outdoor show with mixed seating and standing room. Entry from sidewalk through the museum is wheelchair accessible, but to get outdoors is four steps up and down. The backyard is largely uneven, but you are welcome to watch the show from the flat paved area.
Other accommodation needs or questions? Email [email protected] and we’ll work it out.
Carousel returns with comics readings and projections (and some live music) from cartoonists, graphic novelists, and other artists. Hosted by R. Sikoryak. The show will be followed by a book signing.
Featuring Jacob Halton Yinfan Huang Arielle Jovellanos and Julia Riew Jeffrey Lewis Jason Little and more!
Artist Bios:
Jacob Halton is a background designer and comic artist who loves making trippy stories and cyberpunk art. Find more of his work at jacobhalton.com. Instagram @jacobhalton
Born and raised in China, Yinfan Huang is a NY-based illustrator and cartoonist who creates joyful, whimsical work for children’s books, magazines, brands, and institutions around the world. She is the first Asian cartoonist published in The New Yorker in print without growing up in the West. She is the illustrator of the children’s book The Couch Potato and is working on her first graphic memoir, Yellow Singing Sail. yinfanhuang.com, Instagram @yinfanhuang and @infuncomic
Arielle Jovellanos is a Filipina-American freelance illustrator, comic artist, and writer. Recent works include Girl Taking Over: A Lois Lane Story (DC), Evil Thing: A Villains Graphic Novel (Disney-Hyperion), and Black Star (Abrams Megascope). She would like a cat. Instagram @joviellety
Julia Riew is a composer-lyricist and writer from Missouri. She is best known for Dive (AKA: “The Korean Disney Princess Musical”) which is currently being developed into a stage musical with Tony-Award winning director Diane Paulus and GLAAD-Award winning playwright Diana Son for the American Repertory Theater after amassing over 130k followers and 3 million likes worldwide. Instagram @juliariew
Jeffrey Lewis is best known for albums of folk and rock music, but he also makes comic books, including a self-published series called Fuff, and has worked on projects with organizations such as the History Channel and The New York Times. Instagram: @jeffreylewisband
Jason Little is the author of the forthcoming Polly & Molly, a graphic novel about love, family, the space-time continuum, and genitalia. His previous books include Borb, a hilarious daily strip collection about atragically alcoholic homeless man, and Jack’s Luck Runs Out, a story set in Las Vegas and told with playing card characters. Instagram @beecomix
R. Sikoryak is a cartoonist (Constitution Illustrated, Terms and Conditions, and The Unquotable Trump) and the host of Carousel. He illustrated the comic books that appear in the new novel by Tom Hanks, The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece.www.rsikoryak.com Instagram: @rsikoryak
The Last Chance Dancers continue their leftist stripper agenda with their very first soundtrack show: SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, played live on vinyl.
No breaks. No mercy. Just raw emotion and bare flesh. Anything could happen. Bring tributes to the record player and hope it spares us.
The Last Chance Dancers are: Queensiñera, Esmé, Xaddy Addy, Maggie McMuffin, and Venatrix. Plus One Night Only guests VERA SAFIRE and SUSIE DAHL
HEADS UP: BUTTS OUT This is a real burlesque show, with professional burlesque dancers. Anyone is welcome, but please note there will be sexually explicit performance, nudity, and language.
ACCESSIBILITY & SAFETY Mixed seating & standing room. Entry from sidewalk through museum is wheelchair accessible, but to get outdoors is 4 steps up and down. Backyard is uneven, but you are welcome to watch from the flat paved area. Other accommodation needs or questions? Email [email protected] and we’ll work it out.
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Carousel, the live comics performance series, returns with readings, projections, and live music from cartoonists, graphic novelists, visual artists, and musicians. Hosted by R. Sikoryak. This event will be followed by a book signing.
FEATURING: Leela Corman and Thalia Zedek Marcellus Hall Sabrina Jones Ellen Lindner Elizabeth Trembley Kriota Willberg
ARTIST AND HOST BIOS Leela Corman is a painter, cartoonist, and educator. Her latest short story collection You Are Not A Guest comes out this summer from Fieldmouse Press, and her next graphic novel, Victory Parade, will be published by Schocken Books in Spring 2024. She is honored to collaborate with Thalia, whose music has been in heavy rotation in her life since the 1990s. Instagram: @leelacorman
Thalia Zedek has been a performing/recording artist since the 1980’s with bands such as Live Skull, Come, E, Uzi, and Dangerous Birds, as well as releasing numerous solo records on the Thrill Jockey label. Her collaboration with Leela Corman began in the summer of 2022 with a commissioned work for the SPX Convention and she’s thrilled to continue performing with Leela in this new medium. Instagram: @thaliazedek
Marcellus Hall is a longtime New York illustrator and musician. He has songs, record albums, children’s books, magazine covers, and comics to his credit. Instagram: @marcellus_hall
Sabrina Jones has created graphic biographies of Isadora Duncan, Margaret Sanger, Jane Jacobs, FDR, and Jesus. Her latest comics are in My Body/Our Rights, the 53rd issue of World War 3 Illustrated. Instagram: @sabjonze
Ellen Lindner is a cartoonist, illustrator, editor, and occasional educator, living in Upper Manhattan. Her illustration clients have included McGraw-Hill, Dotdash Meredith, Workman, Bloomsbury, and the City of New York, and her comics have been seen on MoMA.org, Medium.com, The Washington Post, and in many anthologies and collections. Ellen is the author of two graphic novels and is working on Lost Diamonds, a comics study of gender rebellion in baseball. Her comics are now on view in “Lost Diamonds” at Principles GI Coffeehouse in Gowanus, Brooklyn, until August 4th. Instagram: @ellenlindna
Elizabeth Trembley, Ph.D, is the author of the graphic memoir Look Again (Street Noise, 2022), which was shortlisted for the Graphic Medicine International Collective Award and the award for Excellence in Graphic Literature for Adult Nonfiction. She is also a Lambda Literary Award-winning mystery novelist and a storytelling teacher of more than three decades. She lives on ten wooded acres near the shores of Lake Michigan with her Episcopal priest wife, two dogs, and two cats. One of her most prized possessions is an autographed photo of Adam West. Instagram: @elizabeth_trembley
Kriota Willberg is a retired massage therapist and active cartoonist. She’s best known for Draw Stronger: Self-Care for Cartoonists and Visual Artists (Uncivilized Books). Her comic Silver Wire was nominated for a 2019 Ignatz Award. Once the inaugural Artist In Residence at the New York Academy of Medicine Library, she’s now the AIR in Humanistic Medicine Program at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Instagram: @kriotawillberg
R. Sikoryak is a cartoonist (Constitution Illustrated, Terms and Conditions, and The Unquotable Trump) and the host of Carousel. He illustrated the comic books that appear in the new novel by Tom Hanks, The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece. Instagram: @rsikoryak
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The City Reliquary will host Antiques! Oddities! Ephemera! A City Reliquary (Back)Yard Sale on Sunday, August 6, from noon to 6 p.m. True to its name, the event will take place in the museum’s backyard. RSVP for the event.
Local artists and collectors will be selling an eclectic variety of one-of-a-kind vintage ephemera, unusual collectibles, and unique art and crafts. For those who know the City Reliquary Collectors Night event, a show-and-tell where collectors display their strange collections, this is a rare opportunity: a show-and-sell!
Wares for sale include:
Midcentury records, clothing, and housewares from Kyle Supley
1964 New York World’s Fair memorabilia, vintage ticket stubs to NYC sites, collectible spoons and spoon jewelry, and more from Yardsale Cafe (who will also offer refreshments)
Uranium glass and antique bottles from Emily Kawasaki
Bizarre products from world markets from George Rush
Vintage film and cartoon-related ephemera from Tommy Stathes (Cartoons on Film)
Vintage movie stills and promotional ephemera, and quirky vegetable commercial ceramics, from artist Steve Gerberich
Vintage Barbie collections, paper ephemera, and one-of-a-kind assemblage art from artist Marlene Weisman
Unusual old dolls from Andrea McManus
Assorted oddities, taxidermy, vintage toys, antique photos and postcards, and other oddities and kitsch from Bryan Sansivero, ruins photographer and author of American Decay.
Handmade jewelry and headbands from Shannon Richardson
And MUCH more!
Free entry with museum admission, but please RSVP! We suggest that buyers bring CASH as many vendors can’t accept credit cards.
Tunes from Kyle Supley, resident DJ at Julius’ bar, who will also sell a wide selection of midcentury lamps, clocks, records, and clothing.
Cool drinks and tasty pastries from Yardsale Cafe, “one of Brooklyn’s best new bakeries” according to Brooklyn Magazine. Yardsale will also be selling items from their antique store: 1964 New York World’s Fair memorabilia, vintage ticket stubs to NYC sites, collectible spoons and spoon jewelry, and more.
Calling all Vendors! (application now closed)
The City Reliquary invites applications from vendors to show and sell their vintage ephemera, unusual collectibles, and other unique items. Vendors interested in participating can submit an application through Friday,July 14. Space is limited!
After a covid-imposed hiatus, The City Reliquary Museum’s Miss Subways returns! The beloved event, known for highlighting NYC’s underground and outsider talent, will take place on Friday, April 28, 7:00-11:00 p.m., at New York’s historic nexus of the weird and whimsical, Coney Island USA’s Sideshows by the Seashore Theater (1208 Surf Ave., Brooklyn).
As in previous years, this is sure to be a very. wild. time.
Evolving the Miss Subways Tradition for Today’s NYC
In 1948, Thelma Porter became the first African-American Miss Subways.
The City Reliquary’s Miss Subways celebrates the historic “Miss Subways” beauty contest held in New York City from 1941 to 1976 (and resurrected once in 2004) while challenging traditional ideas of beauty. Updated for the 21st century, the event expands on the progressive history of Miss Subways as the first racially integrated beauty competition and is open to contestants of all gender identities, body types, and ages 18+ to compete for the Transit Tiara and the prized title of Miss Subways 2023.
Meet the 2023 Contestants
Lena Horné (she/they, representing the Metropolitan G/L) I am a dynamic drag entertainer and can be found serenading crowds all over Brooklyn and lower Manhattan with diva anthems of the past and present. I’ve performed at the past two Bushwigs, as well as guest starred in a Billy Porter music video (“Children”). I’m in my Star-to-Be era, and my heart would grow 3x larger to be able to represent not only the subways, but the beautiful genderqueer individuals all over New York who ride it.
After moving to the Big Apple in 2008 to chase my dreams of an acting career (what else?), I soon realized I could make a living combining my natural desire to perform (Leo Sun/Leo Rising) AND my fascination with NYC history by being a tour guide! I am the next Miss Subways because I represent unbridled and evangelical enthusiasm for New York City from the ground up, and especially, below.
MX. MAD SCIENTRESS (she/they, representing the R) I’m a comedian and multidisciplinary theater artist, incorporating my interests in gender, science, visual arts, and evolution into my work. Most importantly, I’m a lifelong New Yorker. Much like the rats Eric Adams thinks he has a chance against, I’m never leaving. And I pride myself on wearing the biggest costume on the subway every Halloween. I will be a historic winner of the Miss Subways competition, because i will be the first ever DOCTOR SUBWAYS!
Angelina Bowie Waggytail (she/her, representing the F) Our first-ever canine contestant in Miss Subways history!
Angelina is an opinionated Chihuahua mutt rescued from the deserts of Los Angeles. Her mom, Holly, is the founder of Waggytail Rescue and once saved an aging pit bull from drowning in Prospect Park Lake by administering “mouth-to-snout” resuscitation!
Rob Coover (he/him, representing the Franklin Ave Shuttle) I live in Brooklyn. I write medical journal articles, turn compost, and rescue injured birds. I have wept on the Q and slept on the A. I lost twice already. Surely victory is within my grasp.
Chantelle (she/her, representing the B) I’ve been living in New York City for 6 years, but when you adjust for Covid it feels closer to 10. I’m a cat mom and a cat modeler, an avid and prolific reader, a fitness enthusiast, unapologetic morning person, and a clean freak. I truly and genuinely enjoy taking the subway, even if it doesn’t love me back. In my opinion, it’s the great equalizer and the one thing that really defines a “true New Yorker.”
I was born in a subway-less town where tumbleweeds blew, publictransportation was scarce, and all we could do was twirl sticks and hoops as we suffered from excessive wait times. Finally, I followed my dreams to the Big Apple, home to America’s greatest transportation system. Now, after ten years and four home subway lines later, I’ve spent a lucky 7 years on the 7 line. I’m ready to represent my unique home with a song medley and hula hoop performance.
Much like the train I represent, I operate at 101% capacity. I’m hardworking and reliable, I never deviate from my track line. I might not always go into Manhattan or run express, but you know exactly where you’ll end up.
Annie Stone (she/her, representing the N/W) Annie Stone once performed a 45-min set at Rockwood Music Hall with a broken insulin pump. She is fascinated by the endless offerings of this gigantic city, which often results in her overextending herself. During the day, she makes ridiculous things for the Nutter Butter Instagram. Annie represents the best and worst parts of the city. Totally broke? Absolutely. Laughing about it all the way to the Atlantic Terminal Target? You bet. Electric and exhausted, Annie is always on the move, from one show, project, or fever dream to the next.
Miz E with a Z! (she/her, representing the 7) Miz E with a Z! co-hosts KNG-TV’s “The Kong Show on TV!” on YouTube and Roku TV and also appears as her own evil twin sister, KNG-TV station manager Madison Lynne. A former child star, she once appeared in a Girl Scout cookie commercial with the Brady Bunch’s Ann B. Davis. A former belly dance instructor and roller derby queen, she now devotes her time to co-hosting the biggest little vaudeville style/comedy variety show on KNG-TV.
Ketriana Yvonne (she/her, representing the A)
Ketriana Yvonne is a native of Brooklyn and producer & host of the award winning “The Ketriana Yvonne Show” airing on BRIC Brooklyn Free Speech TV network. Author of “Sequin Soul Poetry from the Spirit.” Volunteer for the MTA’s volunteer Maskforce during the pandemic. Her award-winning tribute poem for Truly Brooklyn in 2019, “Dear Brooklyn,” is now part of the Intergenerational Community Arts Council Brooklyn Tribute Song “Spread Love the Brooklyn Way.”
I am like the subway, moving with speed, making connections, and making life flow in a forward progression. I am poetry in motion, greeting each stop I arrive at with a memory of a personal story that happened on the train, meeting now-lifelong friends and reconnecting with old ones.
An outrageous competition led by Miss Coney Island
Our event emcee, current reigning Miss Coney Island and local burlesque performer Maggie McMuffin, welcomes us to her kingdom and will preside over the evening’s antics.
Local Celebrity Judges
Local celebrity judges will determine who takes home the Transit Tiara. This year’s panel features some of the best of the city’s artists, performers, historians and daily documentarians:
Performance artist and Miss Subways 2017, Lisa Levy
Tickets on sale now. All proceeds benefit The City Reliquary and Coney Island USA. Space is limited!!!
Are you Miss Subways 2023? – (Submissions closed as of 4/18)
We’re looking for contestants! Miss Subways is gender/size/age-inclusive (18 and up, please). Send us your info to get a chance to take the stage at Coney Island and gain eternal glory! Winner takes the coveted title of Miss Subways 2023 and the Transit Tiara, an original work of art by celebrity judge Reverend Jen Miller!
Applicants are invited to propose an original performance that captures their relationship with the NYC subway, in all its complexity. “Performance” may be interpreted broadly. Past performances have included an ode to the G train, an experimental soundscape inspired by the Q, songs about subway proselytizers, and an appearance by the Wicked Witch of the Upper East Side and an immigrant from Oz. Apply now!
The City Reliquary’s new exhibit, Wonder Women: NYC’s Heroes of Heterodoxy spans topics of feminism, equality, and community—all subjects that we at the museum hold dear and are determined to highlight and uplift.
In the spirit of Wonder Women everywhere, we have teamed up with some amazing community members to educate, inspire, and entertain you!
Get tickets to all events here, at our Withfriends events page. Museum Members may reserve free tickets through the same page.
Friday, June 24th Opening Reception
– Open house, museum tours, informative talks, and some surprise performances –
Saturday, June 25th Cartoon Carnival
– Vintage33mm film cartoon showing with the theme: Wonderful Women –
Thursday, June 30th Carousel
– A comics reading and performances focusing on Women in Comics –
Thursday, July 14th Bare Book Club
– Women who love to read naked will be reading excerpts from articles, books, slash fiction, and more celebrating the world of comics –
Thursday, July 28th Superhero Burlesque
– A sexy show where all kinds of superheroes take it all off in the name of comics –
Hello City Reliquary website visitor! For the latest listing of our upcoming events, please visit our Withfriends page here! You can purchase tickets or reserve Member tickets to all upcoming events through that site.
The City Reliquary is proud to present a very special event celebrating America’s favorite eyepatched rascal Bazooka Joe! A distinguished panel of candy and comics experts will discuss the history of the iconic character and his lasting impact on marketing and design.
Our guests include:
Ira Friedman has spent his career on the merchandising side of pop culture. Since his early days at Starlog and Fangoria magazines, to a stint at Lucasfilm during the original release of The Empire Strikes Back and Raiders of the Lost Ark, Ira landed at Topps in 1988 as the director of new product development. Since that time, Ira has been a fixture at the famed bubble gum and trading card company involved in hundreds of different projects, publishing, and confectionery products – ‘homegrown’ and licensed.
Charles Kochman is the Editorial Director of Abrams ComicArts and editor of the #1 bestselling series Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney. For thirty-five years, Kochman has edited several hundred books for all age groups, including award-winning picture books, middle-grade novels, retrospectives, monographs, graphic novels, and art book collections published by Abrams, DC Comics, MAD magazine, Bantam Books, and Putnam. He is a recipient of the Inkpot Award, presented by Comic-Con International for achievement in comics.
Jason Liebig is regarded as one of the nation’s foremost experts on candy and snack food brand history and is considered an arbiter of candy as pop culture and nostalgia. As such, he has written hundreds of articles on the subject matter and has served as a brand consultant as well as period television consultant for shows such as Stranger Things, Young Sheldon, Mad Men, and more. His unique perspective and expert knowledge have led him to become an occasional television host and frequent guest, sharing his love of the candy and snack worlds he loves. Blog: http://www.collectingcandy.com/wordpress/
R. Sikoryak is a cartoonist and author of the graphic novels Constitution Illustrated, The Unquotable Trump, Masterpiece Comics, and Terms and Conditions (Drawn & Quarterly). His comics and illustrations have appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times Book Review, The Nation, The Onion, and more.Sikoryak presents his live comics performance series, Carousel, around the U.S. and Canada.
Special guest appearance by M. Sweeney Lawless, writer of ill repute. Twitter: @Specky4Eyes
Bazooka Joe and his Gang appeared in mini-comics on Bazooka bubble gum wrappers starting in 1954. The comic concept was the brainchild of Woody Gelman and Ben Solomon, heads of product development at Topps, and the original comic artist was Wesley Morse. Topps, the king of trading card companies, has been based in NYC since 1947.
Admission to the Museum and The Call of Candy exhibit included – come early to check out vintage Topps and Bazooka Joe ephemera as well as that of other NYC candy manufacturers from the 1800s to today!
