There’s something to be said for events that happen infrequently: The Academy Awards are only given out once a year, the Olympics take place every two/four years (depending on whether you’re into both summer and winter sports), and royal weddings – well, those are kind of like Halley’s Comet.
PechaKucha happens quarterly, but the anticipation of who will speak, who will provide the greatest surprise, and who will garner the most applause is half the fun.
Last PechaKucha’s marriage proposal (spoiler alert: she said “yes”) was one for the books, so who knows what’s in store for the 25th installment of the rapid-fire speaker series that has become a staple on many San Antonians’ social calendar.
What we do know is that PechaKucha Night San Antonio Vol. 25 will take place Tuesday, Feb. 28, at the Pearl Stable. The doors open for happy hour at 6:30 p.m. and will feature the musical stylings of Nicolette Good. Presentations will begin at 7:30 p.m.
This marks PechaKucha’s first return to the Pearl since its early days at the Full Goods Building, long before the event enjoyed the popularity it boasts today.
For tickets, click here. You can also make the $5 minimum suggested donation at the door.
We also know that News 4 San Antonio anchor Randy Beamer will reprise his role as emcee of the event. Joining him will be Pearl Chief Marketing Officer Elizabeth Fauerso, who kicked off PK 24’s lineup with one hell of a presentation on how to market effectively without being “a lying, soul-crushing a–hole.”
PechaKucha is an arts and culture series during which presenters have 20 seconds per 20 slides to talk about their lives, their passions, a cause, or whatever they think the audience needs to hear. PechaKucha San Antonio premiered in 2011 and partners with Las Casas Foundation, a local nonprofit dedicated to the development of the performing arts.
Here are PechaKucha 25’s eight speakers. Biographies were provided by PechaKucha organizers.
Zabdi Salazar – First Generation Latina
Zabdi Salazar is a sophomore student at Trinity University majoring in political science and business administration. She is the eldest daughter of an entrepreneurial Hispanic family of eight from Austin. At Trinity, she is the director of business operations at The Contemporary, treasurer of the Trinity University debate team, and a McNair Scholar. After graduation, Salazar aspires to continue her education through a graduate program in public policy or pursue a professional degree in law.
Elise Urrutia – Writer
Elise Urrutia is a longtime San Antonian and enjoys writing about history, art, and music. She and her father, Dr. A.A. “Bud” Urrutia, have explored family history together for a number of years. She is the great-granddaughter of Doctor Aureliano Urrutia, and is currently working on two books: one about Miraflores (Wings Press) and the other about La Familia Urrutia en San Antonio.
John Tedesco – Journalist
John Tedesco is an investigative reporter with the San Antonio Express-News. But he’s actually an okay guy. John knew he found his calling when he worked for the student newspaper at the University of the Incarnate Word. His first story was about high cafeteria prices. He drove around to other colleges and found out they used the same cafeteria company, but their prices were cheaper. He wrote a front-page story about what he learned, and he’s been hooked on journalism ever since. In an age of “alternative facts,” fake news, and truthiness, he hopes to get you hooked on journalism, too.
Geronimo Lopez – Chef
Geronimo Lopez, a Venezuelan with more than 26 years of experience as a chef in Europe, the Western Hemisphere, and even Hawaii, was classically trained in France and later worked in several Michelin-ranked restaurants. In 2012, Lopez came to San Antonio as Executive Chef/Instructor of NAO at the CIA. In July of 2016, Lopez debuted his first personal professional project, BOTIKA, a Chifa-Nikkei lounge located at the Pearl.
Daniela Riojas – Artist
Daniela Riojas is an interdisciplinary artist based in San Antonio. She specializes in performance, photography, video, installation, and music. Her work deals in issues concerning reconnection to indigeny, ancient ritual, de-colonization, rediscovery of the matriarch, and investigation of the self. Riojas is the owner of local photography and media business, ZaaZaa Productions, and works out of her studio in the Lone Star Art District. She is the lead singer and composer for progressive fusion band Femina X.
Christian Reed-Ogba and Uche Ogba – Publicists
Christian Reed-Ogba and Uche Ogba are the founders of BethanyEast PR LLC, a full-service public relations firm. Together they’ve built campaigns for University Health System, the Edwards Aquifer Authority, Brooks City Base, the City of San Antonio, and SAGE (San Antonio for Growth on the Eastside), assisting in interacting with diverse communities. The duo also founded #GoodPeopleSA in 2013. Reed-Ogba, born and raised in Detroit, is a graduate of the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Ogba is an alumnus of Trinity University and a native of Lagos, Nigeria. The couple met on Twitter in 2011 and were married in January 2012. They’ve recently celebrated their fifth wedding and business anniversary.
Doc Watkins – Musician
Doc Watkins is a San Antonio pianist, singer, bandleader, and composer who has recorded six albums. He is the founder of South Texas Jazz, a consortium of musicians and bands, many of them led by Watkins himself. In August 2016, Watkins opened Jazz, TX, a live music venue at the Historic Pearl with all the class of an upscale jazz club and the grit of a traditional Texas dancehall. As San Antonio’s live music industry experiences a revival, Watkins is one of the driving forces behind the resurgence.
William Richardson – Physical Therapist
William Richardson is a physical therapist who is passionate about the science of human movement, the fun of volunteering, and the unification of the two to enhance quality of life. He earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a doctorate in physical therapy from Texas Woman’s University. He serves as a board member and program director for the nonprofit Work Out Help Out.
The official PechaKucha after-party will take place at Blue Box at the Pearl.
Free parking is available in the Pearl’s parking garage as well as in various lots throughout the complex. Those arriving on two wheels may chain their bicycles to bike racks located throughout the Pearl.
The event’s 2016 sponsors include: Centro Properties, Insite Architects, Giles-Parscale, The Southwest School of Art, 3050 Eisenhauer, Gary Sweeney VCR Repair, Lake|Flato Architects, Zurich International Properties, Paramour, and William Grant and Sons.
PechaKucha 25 in-kind sponsors include: Pearl Brewery, the Rivard Report, The Current, Arc Document Solutions, Sprocket Productions, Page’s Printing, Larder, Boiler House, Bakery Lorraine, The Good Kind, Blue Box, Botika, and Josh Huskin Photography.
