PechaKucha, the unique event where presenters share stories for only six minutes and 40 seconds, is back with its 26th edition. This time around, the rapid-fire presentations will take place at Rosedale Park on the Westside, on Tuesday, May 30.
Doors will open for happy hour at 6:30 p.m. and will feature musical guest Booty Feet. Presentations will begin at 7:30 p.m.
The event, which was started by a group of Tokyo architects who sought an enticing way for professionals to share intellectually stimulating topics and ideas, happens quarterly in San Antonio and made its debut in February 2011. Each participant presents 20 PowerPoint slides at 20 seconds each.
WOAI-TV News 4 San Antonio Anchor Randy Beamer and Rob Wicall, former Coyote mascot with the Spurs, will be the night’s emcees, and lead the audience through the night of presentations put on by eight speakers.
For tickets, click here. You can also make the $5 minimum suggested donation at the door.
Food will be available for purchase from participating food trucks The Box Street Social, Bombay Salsa Co., KalyeSatx, Ay Papi’s, and Lugosi’s Goremet.
Below are brief biographies of this edition’s PechaKucha’s presenters. Speaker biographies were provided by PechaKucha organizers.
Cade Bradshaw – Artist
Cade Bradshaw is a visual artist. Trained in biology, his artwork explores the complex relationships of time in natural systems. A veteran of the summer camp industry, Cade co-owns Bridge Projects, a business which strives to empower the creativity of others. Bridge offers a series of fun kite and contemporary sculpture making workshops for kids and adults. An avid backpacker, Cade disappears into the wilderness as often as he can.
Carrie Brown – Curator
In her role as Public Art Curator at the San Antonio River Authority, Carrie is charged with building a dynamic program for temporary and permanent public art projects, performances, and events for the San Pedro Creek Culture Park. Carrie has worked in the public art field for more than 14 years and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in photography from Arizona State University. A Chicago native, she also enjoys baseball and adventures with her dog, Lemmy.
Magaly Chocano – Web Developer
Magaly Chocano, a native of Madrid, Spain, founded Sweb Development in 2008 as a web, mobile app development and social media marketing firm. Today Sweb Development is an award-winning digital agency that services digital marketing and software development needs worldwide. Magaly has been recognized as one of the 10 fun and fearless Latinas by Cosmo Magazine, awarded the SXSWi Social Revolución Innovator award, recognized as the Small Business of The Year by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and is in the Women’s Hall of Fame for Technology.
Meredith Doby – Exhibit Creator
Meredith Doby is the Exhibits Director for The DoSeum. She helps create and maintain all of the interactive elements that kids (and adults) play with at the children’s museum. She previously worked as an independent exhibition designer in Brooklyn, New York, creating exhibits on everything from bugs to guitars and golf celebrities. She has now embraced San Antonio to the fullest and can be seen playing her accordion and biking down Broadway to work.
Charles A. González – Former Congressman
One of eight children born to Henry and Bertha González, González received a Bachelor of Arts in Government from the University of Texas at Austin and a Juris Doctorate from St. Mary’s University School of Law. He has practiced law, and was elected to County and District Court judgeships and to the U. S. House of Representatives. He considers his most important votes cast in Congress to be the vote against invading Iraq and the vote for Obamacare.
Cord Maldonado – Spurs Jesus
Super fan and local icon, Spurs Jesus has been a fixture at Spurs games since 2010. His popularity has grown to more than 40,000 social media followers in more than 60 countries. His mission is to spread Spurs love around the world, cheering our team on to the next championship while doing everything in his power to give back and make a positive difference in our community.
John Mata – Creative
John Mata is an activator, therapist, designer, fool, collaborator, local, and lover of San Antonio.
When John’s not leading the San Antonio Current‘s graphics department, he’s playing guitar or percussion, singing in a new musical collaborative, creating posters, and programming local events. Most of his free time is spent outside, whether it’s running along the river, meditating in a park, or giving back by picking up trash in his Southtown neighborhood. The eclectic San Antonio environment has also been John’s main source of inspiration.
Patty Ortiz – Artist
Patty Ortiz is an artist and curator who has exhibited artwork in galleries and museums in the United States and abroad. Her grants and commissions include a permanent public art piece mounted at the Denver International Airport in 1992. From 2000 to 2014, Ortiz was variously programs director, curator, and executive director: Museum of Contemporary Art/Denver; Museo de las Americas in Denver and the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center in San Antonio. In 2014, she retired from arts management to focus solely on her art practice.
Free parking for PechaKucha Vol. 26 will be available throughout Rosedale Park. Look at the map below for details.
The event’s 2017 annual sponsors include: Ellen Lighting, Centro Properties, Southwest School of Art, Sweeney VCR Repair, Lake|Flato Architects, Zurich, International Properties, and m(odm)- Mark Odom Studio.
PechaKucha is still looking for three more annual sponsors. Those interested can email pechakuchasat@gmail.com.
PechaKucha 26 in-kind sponsors include: Giles-Pascale, San Antonio Current, Sprocket, media hub, ARC Document Solutions, the Rivard Report, Josh Huskin: Photo, San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department, Slab Cinema, and Direct Motion Technologies.
