The second PechaKucha New West event is taking place this month - and if the first event is any indication, tickets will go fast.
Volume 2 of PechaKucha New West will feature an evening of presentations, conversations and shared inspiration. Like its predecessor, the April 26 PechaKucha event is taking place at River Market.
"We sold out Volume 1 well in advance of the evening," said organizer Neal Michael. "Even more important than ticket sales though, it was a success in terms of the vibe and conversations that come out of it. We think it demonstrates that New West is hungry for events that combine culture and entertainment. With Volume 2 we want to preserve that great combination, while reaching an even broader audience."
A press release states PechaKucha is a lecture series founded by Tokyo architects in 2003 to allow young designers to meet, show their work and exchange ideas. It includes a presentation format that gives presenters opportunities to show 20 slides for 20 seconds each.
According to the release, the fast-paced format is still overseen by PechaKucha Global and regularly sells out in more than 600 cities worldwide - with New Westminster being number 577.
"We were aiming to celebrate the local community and culture, and I think we did that," said co-organizer Melinda Michael, about the first event. "The evening brought out people from diverse age groups and it was equal parts men and women. We got positive feedback from both presenters and from attendees."
Volume 2's presenters will include earth-friendly bee locator Joe Wasp, environmental coordinator Patrick Johnstone, photographer Mario Bartel, Re-Up BBQ's Lindsay Frugson, West End resident Mary Wilson, urban farmer Julia Smith, and others. The evening aims to see a continued celebration of New Westminster's history and community spirit, alongside its burgeoning arts, business and culinary scene.
Tickets for PechaKucha New West are $7.50 (including a service charge) and go on sale April 8 at 9 a.m. through www. pechakuchanw.eventbrite. com.
Repair history
A piece of B.C.'s advertising history is in need of repair.
It was back on Feb. 17, 1955 that Royal City resident Tony Antonias created the infamous $1.49 Day jingle for Woodward's department store while working at CKNW.
"After 55 years, the $1.49 Day typewriter has been churning out stuff, it is going in for repairs today," he told The Record April 2. "Polson's (Office Products) used to be the typewriter people. I thought, you never know."
He gave the company a call, and they still offer typewriter repair services.
"One of the letters has dropped off," he said.
"They call it the slug - the slug is the part of the typewriter that holds the type.
The R has dropped off."
Prior to his retirement from CKNW in 1995, Antonias had started working on a computer.
"I used a computer at 'NW in the later years, for about three or four years," said the radio station's former creative director. "They phased out the typewriter.
It was fun, it was simple."
Having moved on to computers by the time Antonias retired, the radio station gave him a typewriter upon his retirement.
"This is the typewriter it was written on," he said of the Woodward's jingle.
"When I retired from 'NW, they gave it to me to take home."
When Antonias retired, CKNW also gave him a computer - but it doesn't get a lot of use. In fact, it's still in the box.
Antonias will be anxiously awaiting the return and repair of his treasured Olympia typewriter.
Though he retired 18 years ago, he continues to work on advertising and promotions for many groups, including the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and local arts initiatives.
"Everything I write, all the Vancouver Symphony, all the delegations I do to council are on that typewriter," he noted.
