With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Photos From The First Ever CatCon, AKA Comic-Con For Cat People
By Jessie Schiewe
Over the weekend, thousands of feline fans flocked to The Reefin downtown LA for the first ever CatCon. Dozens of vendors sold cat-themed goods, from gourmet meals (who knew Rachel Ray made cat food?) to cat teacups to zany cat furniture shaped like grandfather clocks and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. There were whiskered paintings of Andy Warhol and Frida Kahlo, as well as paintings of human torsos with cat heads. Attendees could get free cat-themed manicures and there was even a station for “caticature” drawings.
The crowd was predominantly female, with a lot of 20- to 30-year-olds and what appeared to be some straggling boyfriends. Internet and Instagram celebrities like Lil Bub and Pudge were there, as well as human celebrities like Jack McBrayer of 30 Rock and a slew of cat-themed writers and artists. There were cats up for adoption and 78 cats were adopted by the end of the weekend.
The point of the event was to “break down the stereotype of the weird cat person,” said Susan Michals, the cable television producer who organized the soiree. But in reality, it embraced it. Attendees let their feline flag fly high and proud at the event, with plenty of people wearing cat ear headbands and detachable tails and practically everyone wearing some sort of cat-print clothing item. There were women in cat patterned knee-high socks and men in baseball caps with ears. Shirts emblazoned with “Show Me Your Kitties” and “I got 99 problems, but my cat ain’t one” were spotted and one woman was dressed entirely as Cat Woman.
Sponsor
Attendee Christine Watson, who was wearing pearl-adorned cat ears and a cat-patterned bowtie, told LAist that she was curious to see what CatCon had to offer and who would show up. “We’re not all crazy cat ladies, you know.”
Eds. note: In a previous version of this post, we misquoted Christine Watson and inaccurately described her outfit. LAist regrets the error.
At LAist, we focus on what matters to our community: clear, fair, and transparent reporting that helps you make decisions with confidence and keeps powerful institutions accountable.
Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
