DC Zinefest Basics
Accessibility & Safety Information
Where can I find zines besides the DC Zinefest?
DC Zinefest: What, Where, When, and How?
What is DC Zinefest?
The DC Zinefest is an independent event designed to provide a space for zine-makers, self-published artists, and writers to share their work with each other and the Washington, D.C., community.
When is DC Zinefest?
Sunday, October 9th from 11 am to 5 pm
Is There a Rain Plan?
DC Zinefest “touches paper” and we want to keep your precious zines safe. If rain delays or cancels the fest, we will let everyone know via social media. Please monitor our Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for updates.
Where is DC Zinefest 2022?
DC Zinefest will be held at Brookland Arts Walk, which is at 716 Monroe St NE NE in Washington, D.C.
How do I get to DC Zinefest 2022?
There are a number of public transportation options as well as street parking to arrive at the Brookland Arts Walk.
Metro: Brookland Arts Walk is steps away from the Brookland Metro station. There are two metro exits at Brookland-CUA; we recommend the “John McCormack Rd CUA” metro exit which will place you right at the Arts Walk.
- Metro accessibility information: The Brookland-CUA metro includes an elevator. Please note that Metro elevator and escalator outages are common—check WMATA’s Brookland station website for the most up-to-date information. From the Brookland-CUA metro stop, it is a 2–3 minute, paved walk to the Brookland Arts Walk.
Buses: The H2, H4 and H8 buses run along Monroe St, NE with a 1–2 minute walk to the venue.
Driving/Parking: Street parking is available. There are also 25 metered parking spaces at the Metro Station. Paid parking in a garage is also available for $2-18 dollars.
Where’s the bathroom, water, food, or coffee?
DC Zinefest will have a “tabler area” with 2 restrooms reserved. We will also keep water in that area, though we will ask you to bring your own bottle. A Starbucks is located a few steps away. Brookland Pint is located in the Arts Walk and offers “pub grub” like burgers and quesadillas. Busboys and Poets, located nearby, also offers vegetarian and vegan food.
When should I get there?
Zinefest will be open to the public beginning at 11:00 am and will close at 5:00 pm. Please check in at 10:00 to find your table assignment and set up.
Are dogs welcome at the festival?
Yes, we welcome your furry friends. Please keep dogs leashed at all times.
Accessibility & Safety Information
Is DC Zinefest accessible?
Yes! We strive to make our event as transparent and accessible as we can. We’ve uploaded some pictures of the venue here. Please reach out to us via email at dczinefest@gmail.com for any additional information or accommodations not listed below.
- Mobility/transportation:
- Metro: The Brookland-CUA metro includes an elevator. Please note that Metro elevator and escalator outages are common—check WMATA’s Brookland station website for the most up-to-date information. From the Brookland-CUA metro stop, it is a 2–3 minute, paved walk to the Brookland Arts Walk.
- There are two metro exits at Brookland-CUA; we recommend the “John McCormack Rd CUA” metro exit which will place you right at the Arts Walk.
- Buses: The H2, H4 and H8 buses run along Monroe St, NE with a 1–2 minute walk to the venue. The Brookland Arts Walk venue is lined with brick (pictures here). There are no stairs or steps in the venue itself aside from the step from Monroe street to sidewalk.
- Driving: limited street parking is available. There are also 25 metered parking spaces at the Metro Station. Paid parking in a garage is also available for $2-18 dollars.
- Seating: Each table will include 2 chairs. Additionally, there are permanent benches scattered around the Arts Walk.
- Metro: The Brookland-CUA metro includes an elevator. Please note that Metro elevator and escalator outages are common—check WMATA’s Brookland station website for the most up-to-date information. From the Brookland-CUA metro stop, it is a 2–3 minute, paved walk to the Brookland Arts Walk.
- Music: We love a good jam, but won’t be playing any music during the festival. We kindly ask all tablers to keep their tunes at home. Please note that the arts studios surrounding the corridor may be playing music in their shops.
- SA/ESA: Service animals and emotional support animals are, of course, always welcome. Please note that we are a dog friendly event: you may encounter untrained dogs from attendees. We ask all attendees to keep their dogs leashed at all times.
- Shade: Tents will not be provided to tablers, however most tables get some amount of shade throughout the day. There are awnings in front of most of the art studios.
- Water: We’ll have water available for tablers, though we will ask you to bring your own bottle.
- Restrooms: We have a tabler-only restroom area that is wheelchair accessible. For attendees, we kindly ask that you visit one of the surrounding businesses to use a restroom as we have limited access to the Arts Walk facilities.
What is your COVID-19 safety protocol?
In the interest of having a more COVID-safe event, we’re holding the Fest outdoors again with tables appropriately spaced apart from one another. We strongly encourage everyone, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a mask. We will give out masks during the event for anyone to use. Additionally, if an unmasked person approaches a table, tablers can request attendees to mask up before interacting with their table. As always, reach out to us via email at dczinefest@gmail.com with any questions or accommodations.
Someone is harassing me or someone else at the fest. What should I do?
Harassment, intimidation, and other threatening behavior will not be tolerated at DC Zinefest. If you or someone else are being harassed, reach out to your tabler liaison, staff or volunteer to discuss the incident and determine next steps to stop the harassment. DC Zinefest organizers and volunteers will wear identification so you can easily find us during the festival.
FAQ Information for Tablers
Can I bring an extra person who I did not mention in my application?
Our tables include 2 chairs. To reduce crowding (and to make it easier for customers to access the artists’ studios nearby), do not bring additional chairs or standing displays.
I need to leave my table to use the bathroom. What do I do?
There will be “tabler liaisons” assigned to you and other nearby zinesters. Your liaison can help you with things big and small — whether you need someone to cover your table for a bit, or if you need to get small bills. Your liaisons will introduce themselves on the day of the fest, and will be available throughout the day.
I’d like to walk around and explore Zinefest. What do I do?
Tabler liaisons can cover your table for a short period of time (10–15 minutes) if you need to use the restroom, grab some caffeine, run to an ATM, etc. However, if you would like to visit other tables during the festival n’ soak up all the zine goodness, we highly recommend bringing a friend with you to cover your table for periods longer than 15 minutes. Or, ask your neighbor tabler(s) if they could watch your table while you explore!
Could I move my table the day of the festival?
DC Zinefest has “assigned seating” to accommodate specific requests by our tablers. When you arrive, check in at the sign-in table and an organizer or volunteer will lead you to your seat.
What if I see an unoccupied table on the day of the fest?
Please remain in your designated table area. Because of our earlier start this year, not all tablers may arrive at the same time. When in doubt, ask a tabler liason for advice!
Where can I find zines besides DC Zinefest?
Local to DC:
National Museum of Women in the Arts
Fantom Comics
Big Planet Comics
Joint Custody
Smash!
D.C. Punk and Indie Fanzine collection (DCPIFC)
Localish:
Velocity Comics (Richmond, VA)
Small Friend Records & Books (Richmond, VA)
Atomic Books (Baltimore, MD)
Online:
Many zinesters have zines for sale on personal websites or you can contact them through social media.
You can also try searching for zines on platforms like: Etsy
Other Zine Fests:
Broken Pencil is a magazine on zine culture and independent arts. They have an extensive list of zine fests. https://brokenpencil.com/zine-festivals-and-small-press-fairs/
You didn’t answer my question — who do I talk to?!
Feel free to contact us in advance of Zinefest with any questions or concerns at dczinefest@gmail.com. For those tabling, on the day of the fest, there will be a “tabler liaison” assigned to you and other nearby zinesters.
DC Zinefest 