Lappegard Tribute THIS SATURDAY

ALLEY CAT: A TRIBUTE/BENEFIT IN MEMORY OF ERIC LAPPEGARD

What: Benefit to Honor Comic Artist & Bicycle Advocate Eric Lappegard

When: Saturday, September 8th, 2007. 2pm-10pm

Where:

Alley Cat Bike Race to begin at Behind Bars Bicycle Shop, 208 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis 2pm-5pm

Comic Art Show & Silent Auction at Altered Esthetics, 1224 Quincy St. NE, Minneapolis 5pm-10pm

A Raffle and Vegan Bake Sale will also take place at Altered Esthetics. Raffle items have been donated by local businesses and include something for everyone.

Minneapolis / St. Paul: Beloved local comic artist and bicycle advocate Eric Lappegard passed away on July 23rd from complications following an automobile accident. Eric was in the process of moving from Minneapolis to Portland, Oregon, when the accident occurred. Originally from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Eric had spent the last number of years in Minneapolis, where he worked as a bicycle messenger and coffee shop java-slinger, artist, community organizer and bicycle advocate.

Eric (a.k.a. Schmapples, a.k.a. Vegan Ninja) was an active member of the local comics collective The International Cartoonist Conspiracy, as well as a founding member of The Minneapolis Bicycle Federation, a group that advocates for a better cycling environment. Eric was a friendly face around town, a vegan who championed animal rights and environmental sustainability, and a friend to many people across the community. He will be greatly missed.

On Saturday, September 8th, friends of Eric are partnering with local businesses and arts organizations to pay tribute to a dear friend and important member of the art, music, and bicycling communities. All proceeds from the event will go to Eric's family to aid them with expenses incurred as a result of this tragic accident.

The Schmapples Tribute event will include a messenger-style alley cat bike race beginning at Behind Bars Bicycle Shop in Northeast Minneapolis.

Eric's artwork, as well as donated artwork from local artists & members of the Cartoonist Conspiracy (cartoonistconspiracy.com), will be on display at Altered Esthetics (alteredesthetics.com) all day Saturday, with a silent auction and reception to begin at 5:00pm. Two original publications, "ALLEY CAT: A TRIBUTE TO ERIC LAPPEGARD" and "SCHMAPPLES: THE COLLECTED ONLINE COMIC by: Eric Lappegard", have been created specifically for this event & will be on sale. Additional items for auction will be included, including gift certificates and highly-desirable items from local bicycle, comic and other businesses. Live music will be provided by the Roe Family Singers.

Raffle tickets can be purchased for $5. Prizes include artwork, comics, gift certificates and custom bicycle parts and products. A Vegan Bake Sale will also help to raise funds for the Lappegard family.

For a complete schedule of events visit:
http://myspace.com/ericlappegardtribute