Event
Programming

FRIDAY 5/26

 

5 pm – 8 pm

PREVIEW NIGHT

Gain exclusive early-access to C4 2023 by attending Preview Night! For three hours, the show floor will be open for attendees to get first pick at the vendors, meet their favorite creators, sign up for artist’s commission lists, and much more! Preview night is open to everyone!!! If you’ve never been to C4, here’s your chance to try it out before the crowds roll in on Saturday! ***Not All Guests Will Be In Attendance. Please See Specific Guest Listings For Appearance Schedules.

 

9 pm – 12 am

C4 AFTER-HOURS STEVE DILLON DRINK & DRAW – SPONSORED BY SOURCE POINT PRESS

*Governor’s Hall Prefunction (Outside of Main Con Floor)

Cherry Capital Comic Con kicks off the first after-hours event of the show with an evening full of drinks, merriment, and art courtesy of our friends at Source Point Press! Grab a drink with artists and featured guests from the show at this limited-access event. Sketch out your favorite characters, or check out the work of others! Join us as we pay tribute to our friend and past C4 Guest Steve Dillon. All art created at this event will be up for charity auction at Saturday Night’s After Party! Drink & Draw ticket holders only. Must be 21 years of age or older.

 

SATURDAY 5/27

 

10 am – 6 pm

CONVENTION FLOOR OPEN

 

10 am – 6 pm

ALL-DAY GAMING ROOM – SPONSORED BY TABLETOP UNDERGROUND

*Tabletop Underground Gaming Room (Ticketing pre-function area)

Traverse City’s own Tabletop Underground sponsors this all-day room for the gamer in mind. Check out demos of a wide variety of games all weekend long! Stop on by and play card and tabletop based games during convention hours and beyond! Bring a group or drop in and make new friends- there’s something for everyone to play! See Gaming Room Schedule for full details (posted at the entrance to the Tabletop Underground Gaming Room)

 

10 am – 6 pm

Z93-HITS FROM 90’s TO NOW INTERACTIVE FUN

*Z93 Booth – 1202

C4 Presenting Sponsor Z93-HITS FROM 90’s TO NOW brings even MORE fun and games to the show ALL WEEKEND LONG! Check in with the crew from Z93 for details, check out some fun activities- including pinball courtesy of Bodamer Brothers- and thank them for sponsoring Cherry Capital Comic Con!

 

10am

MAGIC: THE GATHERING TOURNAMENT CHECK-IN

*Peninsula Room (TICKETING & PRE-FUNCTION AREA)

If you’re planning on slinging some cardboard in Tabletop Underground’s Magic: The Gathering tournament, be sure to check in at the tournament area to confirm your details and prepare for a day of planeswalking, casting spells, and smiting your opponents! Day-of onsite registration at 10am, Pre-registered competitors check-in at 10:30am.

 

10:30 am / 12:30 pm / 2:30 pm / 4:30 pm

COSTUME STORYTIME

*(Ticketing pre-function & stage area)

Join us for Costume Storytime! In collaboration with Traverse Area District Library, C4 will be showcasing stories about heroes, in costume! Many of these stories will feature an emphasis on creators attending the con, including Corinne Roberts, Jim McClain, and Brad Gischia as well as additional Michigan-based authors and illustrators. Immediately following Costume Storytimes, kids will have an opportunity to color, craft, and create with more fun activities!

 

11 am

MAGIC: THE GATHERING SEALED TOURNAMENT – SPONSORED & HOSTED BY TABLETOP UNDERGROUND

*Peninsula Room (TICKETING & PRE-FUNCTION AREA)

Our friends at Tabletop Underground are hosting a single-elimination Magic: The Gathering tourney at C4! This SEALED format event features fantastic prizes for top finishers, and plenty of fun throughout the day. How far will you go? Are your deck building skills up to the challenge? Find out in this limited capacity throwdown right here at Cherry Capital Comic Con!

 

11:00 am – 12:00 pm

COSPLAY 101

*Outback Steakhouse Panel Room

Thinking about cosplay but not sure where to begin? Have some questions on how to build that cool armor or how to do some basic attachments? Learn cosplay basics, meet C4 Cosplay Guest Bebe Alkaid Cosplay and engage members of fandom cosplay groups on tips and tricks on tackling the difficult things in cosplay! Topics include costume construction, basic makeup tips, and even some wig styling!

 

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

THE GREAT CARTOONIST SKETCH-OFF

*Outback Steakhouse Panel Room

Join comic creators (and Artist Alley’s finest) Jeff Manley, Jay Jacot, Dave Brown, & Dakota Lee as their considerable art skills are put to the test in this live, off-the-cuff sketch event! Watch these masters of the craft create art in real time as we throw a few… curveballs… their way. Watch the creative process unfold and experience how each artist uniquely interprets concepts as they come alive on the page! 

 

2:30 pm – 3:30 pm

SPOTLIGHT: MARTY KLEBBA

*Outback Steakhouse Panel Room

Join Shane Bower of the Geekly Gab & Nerdical Nonsense Show as he sits down with actor (and C4 2023 Guest!) Marty Klebba for an in-depth discussion on his career in film and television! From his work on Scrubs and Corky Romano, to several appearances throughout the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Marty has had a prominent and exciting career- which should lead to some fantastic stories to be shared! If that wasn’t enough, Marty’s involvement on Disney’s new live-action remake of the classic Snow White & the Seven Dwarves was recently announced- what behind-the-scenes info will Shane be able to dig up? This is not one to be missed!

 

4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

DC COMICS: CREATORS & ICONS

*Outback Steakhouse Panel Room

Join C4 Guests Kenny Porter (Writer: Flash, Superboy) and Freddie Williams II (Artist: Robin, Flash, Batman/TMNT) as they discuss their work on some of DC Comics’ most iconic characters! Go behind the scenes of DC’s Editorial process, as well as the individual creative processes of a writer and artist tasked with putting their own unique stamp on some of the biggest names in the DC Universe! Superhero fans, rejoice- this conversation is happening exclusively at Cherry Capital Comic Con!

 

5:30 pm – 5:45 pm

THE GARY REED INDEPENDENT CREATOR 

OF THE YEAR AWARD PRESENTATION

*Taco Bell/KFC Costume Contest Stage

The moment has finally arrived! After months of nominations, the selection committee has narrowed down FOUR finalists for the seventh annual Gary Reed Independent Creator of the Year Award. Join us as we announce who the recipient of the 2023 award will be, and who was voted as most honoring the spirit of Gary Reed in independent comics. Will it be Dr. Christy Blanch, Dirk Manning, James Pruett, or Doug Wood? Find out here!

 

6 pm

ADULT COSTUME CONTEST SPONSORED BY TACO BELL & KFC

*Taco Bell/KFC Costume Contest Stage

Think you have an amazing costume? Show us what you’ve got at this year’s Costume Contest, sponsored by Taco Bell and KFC! Celebrity judges will be present to judge your costume and your “costume portrayal” (how convincing you are in your fabulous costume). This one’s for the kids at heart. Sign up for free at the C4 Merch Booth by 5:45 pm. The Taco Bell/KFC Costume Contest Stage is located in the convention ticketing & pre-function area.

 

8 pm – 12 am

OFFICIAL C4 AFTER-HOURS ART AUCTION & CHERRY CAPITAL COMIC PROM - SPONSORED BY LIVE WIRES ENTERTAINMENT & TRAVERSE CITY’S TOP COMICS

*Peninsula Room (TICKETING & PRE-FUNCTION AREA)

The after-hours festivities commence with the C4 Silent Art Auction from 8pm-10pm- featuring all of the art created at Friday Night’s Steve Dillon Drink & Draw! A portion of the proceeds from the Art Auction will go to support our 2023 charities- THE HERO INITIATIVE (in honor of Steve Dillon) and WALKING WITH GIANTS  (in honor of our friend Matthew Litchfield). 

During the Art Auction, grab a drink from the cash bar and gear up for the new CHERRY CAPITAL COMIC PROM, warming up at the 9pm hour and going steady through the end of the evening! The party animals at Live Wires Entertainment will be supplying a steady stream of good tunes to dance the night away. Dress in prom attire, your favorite costume, or come as you are- will YOU run for Prom Court? Limited spots will be available, and all voting is based on cash collected for our charity partners- the only time in which buying a win is considered acceptable! Cool art, a good cause, and a night of raucous antics await as we party comic con style! Open to all convention ticketholders 21 years of age or older.

 

SUNDAY 5/28

 

10 am – 11 am

THE MATTHEW LITCHFIELD KIDS COSTUME CONTEST- SPONSORED BY TACO BELL & KFC

*Taco Bell/KFC Costume Contest Stage

Think you have an amazing costume? Show us what you’ve got at this year’s Costume Contest, sponsored by Taco Bell and KFC! Celebrity judges will be present to judge your costume and your “costume portrayal” (how convincing you are in your fabulous costume). Every child is encouraged to join, and it’s free! Get your kids signed up at the C4 Merch Booth by 9:45am. The Taco Bell/KFC Costume Contest Stage is located in the convention ticketing & pre-function area.

 

11 am

KIDS PARADE W/ THE 501ST AND REBEL LEGIONS

*Taco Bell/KFC Costume Contest Stage

All kids attending C4 are invited to meet up with the costumers from the 501st and Rebel Legions and take part in a rousing parade fit for an Emperor. Join the Legions as they march throughout the convention floor and into the main lobby of the Grand Traverse Resort- officially opening the convention floor for the day.   

 

11 am – 5 pm

CONVENTION FLOOR OPEN

 

11 am – 5 pm

ALL-DAY GAMING ROOM – SPONSORED BY TABLETOP UNDERGROUND

*Tabletop Underground Gaming Room (Ticketing pre-function area)

Traverse City’s own Tabletop Underground sponsors this all-day room for the gamer in mind. Check out demos of a wide variety of games all weekend long! Stop on by and play card and tabletop based games during convention hours and beyond! Bring a group or drop in and make new friends- there’s something for everyone to play! See Gaming Room Schedule for full details (posted at the entrance to the Tabletop Underground Gaming Room)

 

11 am – 5 pm

Z93-HITS FROM 90’s TO NOW INTERACTIVE FUN

*Z93 Booth – 1202

C4 Presenting Sponsor Z93-HITS FROM 90’s TO NOW brings even MORE fun and games to the show ALL WEEKEND LONG! Check in with the crew from Z93 for details, check out some fun activities- including pinball courtesy of Bodamer Brothers- and thank them for sponsoring Cherry Capital Comic Con!

 

11:30 am / 1:30 pm / 3:30 pm 

COSTUME STORYTIME

*(Ticketing pre-function & stage area)

Join us for Costume Storytime! In collaboration with Traverse Area District Library, C4 will be showcasing stories about heroes, in costume! Many of these stories will feature an emphasis on creators attending the con, including Corinne Roberts, Jim McClain, and Brad Gischia as well as additional Michigan-based authors and illustrators. Immediately following Costume Storytimes, kids will have an opportunity to color, craft, and create with more fun activities!

 

11:30 am – 4:30 pm

LEGO FREE-BUILD WITH ALPINE BRICK EXCHANGE

*(Ticketing pre-function & stage area)

The amazing team at Alpine Brick Exchange will be hosting a Lego free build area where kids of all ages will be able to build to their heart's content with a nearly endless supply of bricks to choose from! If you love what you build, you can also take your creation HOME for just $10 per pound of Lego (minimum purchase of $10). After you are done, be sure to check out Alpine Brick Exchange's booth on the show floor for more sets, minifigs, and so much more Lego! Who knows, you may even bump into a Lego Master at booth #1110!

 

12 pm – 2 pm

STUDENT ARTIST ALLEY: MIDDLE SCHOOL GROUP

*(Ticketing pre-function & stage area)

The Cherry Capital Comic Con Student Artist Alley is intended to encourage younger creators to showcase their artworks, and instill confidence to express themselves artistically throughout their lives. We believe that encouraging more creators will always be beneficial to the comics community as a whole and we hope to help these young creators on their lifelong journey of producing art in all forms! Check out the fantastic work of the next generation of creators- one day, you might be able to say you knew about them before they hit it big!

 

12 pm – 1 pm

THE GREAT CARTOONIST SKETCH-OFF

*Outback Steakhouse Panel Room

Join comic creators (and Artist Alley’s finest) Jay Fosgitt, K Lynn Smith, Seth Damoose, & Jim Anderson as their considerable art skills are put to the test in this live, off-the-cuff sketch event! Watch these masters of the craft create art in real time as we throw a few… curveballs… their way. Watch the creative process unfold and experience how each artist uniquely interprets concepts as they come alive on the page! 

 

1 pm – 3 pm

STUDENT ARTIST ALLEY: HIGH SCHOOL GROUP

*Governor’s Hall Prefunction (Outside of Main Con Floor)

The Cherry Capital Comic Con Student Artist Alley is intended to encourage younger creators to showcase their artworks, and instill confidence to express themselves artistically throughout their lives. We believe that encouraging more creators will always be beneficial to the comics community as a whole and we hope to help these young creators on their lifelong journey of producing art in all forms! Check out the fantastic work of the next generation of creators- one day, you might be able to say you knew about them before they hit it big!

 

2 pm – 3 pm

INTRO TO DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HOW TO BUILD A CHARACTER

*Outback Steakhouse Panel Room

Have you always wanted to try out D&D but can’t cast Knowledge to learn everything you need to know? Fear not, adventurer- we’re here to help! Join Game Room Advisor Steven Koontz, Jodie Brandt from QuestWise, & Tabletop Underground as they equip you with the skills needed to understand the first step of any great Dungeons and Dragons campaign- building a character that is fun to play! In addition to learning the technical requirements of character building and learning how to navigate the character sheet, you’ll also learn the “art” of creating a character that is reflective of the type of gameplay that resonates with you!