It’s time again for a few Charleston creative types to master 400 seconds with 20 slides for one inspiring story each.
Yes, it’s the latest iteration — the 50th! — of Charleston’s PechaKucha, the periodic “chit chat” that connects creatives across the Lowcountry. It’s all set to roll out at 7 p.m. Oct. 1 at Charleston Music Hall.
Award-winning Charleston City Paper cartoonist Steve Stegelin is designing his fifth poster used in imagery and promotions for PK50.
“I tossed around a number of concepts before landing on my ‘birds on a wire’ idea,” Stegelin said. “I realized a variety of birds would actually best visualize the spirit of PK, given its diversity of creative voices coming together for shared inspiration, often singing the same song, so to speak, despite their differences.”
Since 2008, more than 400 Charleston artists, writers, musicians, chefs and other imaginative professionals have taken the PechaKucha stage to share the stories, experiences and ideas that fuel their work. The event brings Charleston’s broad creative community a chance to share what inspires them. On Oct. 1, the showcase returns to the Charleston Music Hall for the milestone of its 50th edition — and organizers are adding something new to celebrate.
PK50 will feature an additional creative tier to this year’s eight signature presentations.
To complement the invited presenters, performers will take the stage between presentations. Through music, dance, poetry, comedy and more, these performers generate more excitement to make the 50th edition a little different from the 49 over the last 18 years.
When organizer Terry Fox brought the concept to Charleston in 2008, there was no guarantee the idea would catch on.
“We didn’t really know what we were doing,” said Fox, co-founder and associate director of Charleston Arts Festival. “It’s like, when you’re cooking spaghetti and you toss it against the wall to see if it sticks.”
It stuck.
PechaKucha started in Tokyo, Japan. Translated, the name means, “chit chat,” Its ultimate goal is for creatives to talk less and show more.
“It is one thing to talk about art,” said Charles Carmody, director of the Charleston Music Hall, where almost 30 prior PKs have taken place. “It is another thing to actively create and engage with art.”
Vikki Matsis, a founder of Ohm Radio, will guide the evening as emcee.
“I want people to feel inspired when they leave PK50,” Matsis said. “So often in our society, we are focused on the negative and PK50 is a chance for people to focus on the good that is happening in Charleston.”
Presenters for the 50th celebration include:
- Ryan Becknell, trainer, fitness expert and member of the Dubplates;
- Lindsay Collins, founder of EffinB Radio and arts advocate;
- Kevan Hoertdoerfer, modern design architect, artist and educator;
- Jai Jones, leader of brand events and partnerships at Twelve South and creator of Jai Eats;
- Tonya Matthews, CEO and president of the International African American Museum or her designee.
- Rochelle Riley, director of the city of Charleston’s Office of Cultural Affairs;
- Andrea and Gustavo Serrano, creative collaborators across multiple community arenas including Kulture Klash; and
- Rachel Strickland, interdisciplinary performance artist, aerialist, storyteller and choreographer.
Those who will entertain between speakers include:
- Jenny Broe, dancer, performer and impresario behind Dance Lab;
- Joel Hamilton, singer-songwriter as known as Mechanical River;
- LaFaye, powerhouse vocal artist and performer;
- Asiah Mae, Charleston poet laureate;
- Nameless Numberhead, a comedy and creative improv duo;
- Concept Rxch, sonic and visual artist; and
- Josh Silverman, PK Charleston’s longtime DJ.
IF YOU WANT TO GO: Doors open 6:30 p.m. Oct. 1 with the show starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12. More: charlestonmusichall.com
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