Welcome to the conclusion of my photo albums showcasing the goings on at the 2009 National Cartoonists Society’s Reuben Awards weekend that took place over Memorial Day weekend in Hollywood, California. The previous post ended with the actual Reuben banquet night. Today you will see more of what happened on Sunday, May 24 at the home of Cathy Guisewite, and then the karaoke party that followed back at the Hollywood & Highland complex.
A unique experience at this year’s Reubens that did not echo the usual routine from years past was a trip out to the lovely estate of Cathy Guisewite, the creator of the “Cathy” comic strip. Four touring buses picked up convention goers at the hotel in the afternoon and took them to her wonderful home nestled in a quiet, unassuming neighborhood that I’m sure had no idea that many of the country’s top names in cartooning were descending upon them. Cathy’s parents were there to greet everyone with a smile and a mini “Cathy” book as a gift. But I’ll let the photos do all the talking….
Cathy Guisewite, looking more and more like her creation every day, greeted the cartoonists at her home for a Mexican style dinner party.Cathy Guisewite’s parents actually were the official greeters, both of whom were sporting little mustaches in the spirit of the theme.While the entire expansive estate was open for all the guests, the tennis court was set up with tables for dinner and decorated for the event.The wall leading up to Cathy’s swimming pool had bodies of mariachi singers and dancing girls with some of the visiting cartoonists faces pasted on.Chris Houghton, winner of the Jay Kennedy Memorial Scholarship, with “The Family Circus” creator Bil Keane.Chad Frye with cartoonist Chari Pere.Editorial cartoonist Mike Luckovich chatting with Hunter and Stan Freberg.Another broad shot of Cathy’s tennis court.Cathy had a white Shroeder-like piano and a white pot for everyone to sign like a guest book. Here Cedric Hohnstadt is adding his doodle along with Hilary Price (“Rhymes With Orange”) at left, Patrick McDonnell (“Mutts”) at right, and Jerry Van Amermongen (“Ballard Street”) in the back.Reuben Award nominee Stephan Pastis (“Pearls Before Swine”) maintaining the festive mood.Here’s a shot of the little piano COVERED in drawings!And the piano from another angle.Jeff and Bil Keane working on adding a little something to the pot.Here’s one side of Cathy Guisewite’s guest pot.Another view of the pot.And a third view of the pot.Terrific cartoonist and Reuben first timer Cedric Hohnstadt with Disney guy Chad Frye.Our hostess for the afternoon, Cathy Guisewite with the great comedian Stan Freberg and his wife, Hunter.Every great party must come to an end. Here on the bus back to the hotel is John Reiner (“The Lockhorns”), Stan Goldberg (Archie Comics), and behind them is Pauline Goldberg and a surprised Sam Viviano (MAD Magazine). Just making it into the shot in the aisle is Greg Walker (“Hi & Lois”).
After the buses returned everyone to the Renaissance Hotel in Hollywood, things started up with a final party for the weekend with the 2008 Pulitzer Prize winning editorial cartoonist Michael Ramirez performing with his band, after which the karaoke kicked in!
Jeff Keane, John Kovaleski, a gentleman from Australia, Mark Parisi, Susie Cagle, Jenny Robb, Rick Kirkman, and Steve McGarry. And no, having more of them up there all at once does not mean they sang any better.Bongo Comics’ Bill Morrison with friend Chad Frye.Cartoonist Sean Parkes, Paul Gilligan (“Pooch Cafè”), and John Glynn of Universal Press Syndicate.Canadian cartoonist Leif Peng, his wife Wendy and Chad Frye cheesing it up.
Our fearless President Jeff Keane (“Family Circus”) who donned a wig and sang with all his might Randy Newman’s “I Love LA”.
Dan Piraro and David Silverman sit in shock. Shock because of Jeff Keane’s performace above? Or shock of Mark Tatulli’s below? You decide.Yes folks, this is Mark Tatulli, cartoonist of “Lìo” and “Heart of the City”, singing his heart out on “Part of Your World” from Disney’s The Little Mermaid. And to think that only yesterday he was in a tuxedo winning an award for his work.
And on that note, I have come to the conclusion of my photos of the 2009 Reuben Awards. Many thanks to those whose photography is represented in this Part 4 Reuben Report: Cedric Hohnstadt, Chari Pere, Sean Kelly, Bill Morrison, Wendy Peng and even a few of my own.
And thank you to our hostess Cathy Guisewite for a terrific afternoon in her home. She was very brave to have a bunch of unpredictable cartoonists invade her private space. Casa Cathy will probably never be the same, nor will her 5 bathrooms.
And thank you to Jeff and Melinda Keane who spearheaded a terrific Reuben Weekend. Only 11 more months until the next one!
For more information about the National Cartoonists Society, please visit www.Reuben.org!
