Youbetcha Kutcha

Pecha Kucha, Charleston, SC

Yes. I was one of the oldest people at Pecha Kucha. I am so old I happily pronounce and spell it differently each time. Pechu Kicha. Pecha Kecha. Machu Picchu. Youbetcha Kutchie.

This third event was held outside on the lawn in front of Gaillard Auditorium and we were entertained by skateboarders while we waited for dusk so the powerpoint slides would show up. In a recent clean up I got rid of all my lawn chairs so we had to camp on a blanket for the evening. I was clever enough to get a large iced coffee from Saffron's before the program started. The clever poster was designed by the Fuzzco gang, pictured below.

Here is the Pecha Kucha scoop:
Pecha Kucha, Japanese for the sound of conversation, is a mix of show-and-tell, open-mike night and happy hour that has become a forum for ideas on design, architecture and other forms of creativity. Devised in 2003 in Tokyo, Pecha Kucha Night has spread virally to over 135 cities around the world as an informal forum for creative people to meet, network and show their work in public.

For more about Pecha Kucha you can visit the global website.

Each presenter is allowed 20 images, each shown for just 20 seconds, giving 6 minutes 40 seconds of fame before the next presenter is up. This keeps presentations concise, the interest level up, and gives more people the chance to show.

Here are things you need to know about Pecha Kucha Night:

01 - Pecha Kucha Night is for creativity and not for profit.
02 - Pecha Kucha Night presentations are typically 20 images x 20 seconds each.
03 - Pecha Kucha Nights are about exposing the hidden creativity in a city.
04 - Pecha Kucha Nights are held in social spaces.
05 - Pecha Kucha Night is a true social network.
06 - Pecha Kucha Night is about thinking and drinking.
07 - Pecha Kucha Night is about the live event - not a LCD screen in your home.
08 - Pecha Kucha cities sign a simple hand shake agreement to join the network.
09 - Pecha Kucha Nights are held in over 135 cities.
10 - Over 4,000 people have already presented.
11 - Pecha Nights are organized by artists, designers, students, architects, etc.
12 - Everybody who runs a Pecha Kucha Night has a day job.

Drinking with Friends

Dining with Friends, Maritime Center, Charleston, SC

Last night was the 17th annual Dining With Friends benefit for Lowcountry AIDS Services. For years I have taken a crew of friends and co-workers to staff the Champagne Table. (I can pick my volunteers projects can't I?)

The idea is that people host parties in their homes and the attendees make a donation. Then everyone gathers for dessert, champagne and dancing at the Maritime Center from 9 - 11 pm. I didn't hear a final count but they expected about 4,000. My champagne pouring arm gets it's annual workout at this event and thank goodness we had some muscle to pop the corks.

We had a great gang rallied this year and had a blast! I drank a couple of glasses myself (quality control) and toddled on home licking my fingers after snagging some of the incredible desserts. Thanks to all my helpers for making it a fun night! I'm with Richard and Erin Larson in the photo.