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Comic Con-Cert Blending Geek Rock And Comic Books Canceled

 Comic Con-Cert was to be held at Everybody's Coffee, 935 W. Wilson Ave., on June 25.
Comic Con-Cert was to be held at Everybody's Coffee, 935 W. Wilson Ave., on June 25.
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UPTOWN — After organizing and participating in comic book conventions for a decade, William Alrafi decided to tweak the game.

His idea was a subtle, but obvious change — fusing a music festival with a comic convention. But he'll have to wait another year to see the culmination after canceling Comic Con-Cert, which was supposed to take place June 25 at Everybody's Coffee at 935. W. Wilson Ave.

The festival would feature live music throughout the day, gaming, vendors, live artists and an installment from artist Julius "DC" Bautista, will take over, according to its website.

"There's so many conventions — thousands. But most aren't based on music. Most are comic conventions with a musical guest. This is a music festival with a comic book convention tacked on to it," Alrafi said.

The festival would celebrate all facets of "geekdom" starting with its musical performers, which included Chicago-based acts Geth Prime, Landspeeder, Time Crash and Seattle-based Kirby Krackle.

"Our headliners are all from the geek rock or nerd rock genre. It's rock music based on nerdy things," said Alrafi before canceling the concert Friday.

Geth Prime is metal band inspired by the Mass Effect video games. Landspeeder is a Star Wars-inspired punk rock band. Time Crash draws its influences from Dr. Who, he said.

Headliner Kirby Krackle, which is named after beloved comic artist Jack Kirby, is a geek rock band with songs based on TV shows, comics, movies and "geekdom as a whole," he said.

The festival was also to feature a showing of Jacketman, an original webseries about an aspiring superhero and aspiring adult navigating a much different Chicago. The show is produced in Chicago with a local cast and crew, according to its website.

Organizers hope to host Comic Con-Cert next year, Alrafi said.

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