Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
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.
Support for LAist comes from
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.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The new ordinance applies to certain grocers operating in the city and has led to some self-checkout lanes to shutter. -
Children asked to waive right to see a judge in exchange for $2,500 -
There’s still a lot to be determined as the refinery, which supplies about one-fifth of Southern California's vehicle fuels, works to restore production and as data is collected. -
The FCC voted to end E-Rate discounts for library hotspot lending and school bus Wi-Fi. -
About half the Pacific Airshow’s 2025 lineup has been grounded because of the federal government shutdown. -
USC says it’s reviewing the letter also sent to eight other prestigious schools nationwide. California's governor vowed that any California universities that sign will lose state funding.
Best of LAist