Come on down to the new Dinnerware Artspace at 119 E. Toole on June 3 at 7 p.m. to enjoy Ignite Tucson, an evening of 15 presenters, each doing a 5-minute presentation on an innovative topic. Topics are wide ranging.

Dinnerware Director, David Aguirre, is doing all sorts of innovative programming in this new huge space. Ignite is an event that they’ve done before and it was very well received. I’m glad he’s resurrected it. The Ignite Tucson website describes it this way:

Audiences that attend Ignite Tucson events have curiosity about the world around them, with a soul for exploring. The audience deeply appreciates presenters willing to get on a stage to squeeze an interesting topic into a 5 minute capsule. Beer, wine, and popcorn are also a big part of the 2 hour evening.

A $10 sliding scale donation will gain you entrance and you will be helping to support Dinnerware doing its creative thing.

Ignite began in Seattle in 2006 and they encourage other communities to use their model. They even have an extensive How To page on their website. Thanks to David for bringing it to Tucson.

Who says there’s nothing to do in Tucson in the summer?  Coming up on July 30 you’ll have to decide between two fabulous events, Ignite Tucson and Odyssey Storytelling.

Ignite Tucson, the event that David Aguirre of Dinnerware Artspace started a year ago will be at the Screening Room, 127 E. Congress, and down the street at the Club Congress, 311 E. Congress, you can catch Odyssey Storytelling (disclaimer, I’m the producer).  Both events start at 7 p.m. with doors opening at 6:30.  Don’t forget, parking is free on the street after 5 p.m.

IGNITE Tucson

Around 15 people will grace the stage in front of a projected Powerpoint presentation of 20 images, each on the screen for 15 seconds.  The speaker has five minutes to talk about a topic they are passionate about.

You’ll see Karen Falkenstrom, Kathleen Williamson, Joanna Frueh, Janet K. Miller, Jodi Netzer, Shipherd Reed, Danielle from Tucson Life Cache, and more.  There is a $5 donation at the door for everyone, including the presenters.

This is the 4th IGNITE, and, according to David, “all of them have been really, really fun, informative, a great way to get your message out, and a good way to network. IGNITE Tucson shows us creative and innovative projects and talent happening in Tucson.”

Odyssey Storytelling

Six invited storytellers have ten minutes to tell their personal stories on the theme ILLEGAL.  The stories are not read or memorized, they are told from the life experiences and creativity of the teller.

This month’s storytellers are writer, Tom Clark; author, Juliana Piccillo; fundraiser, Edna Meza Aguirre; private investigator, Lorna Soroko; retired warden, Duane Vild; and No More Death’s activist, Jim Marx.  Tickets are $7 at the door or can be purchased online at the Odyssey website.

Odyssey Storytelling has been entertaining and edifying audiences for over 5 years.  Because the storytellers are uncensored and from diverse communities the stories may be fun, amazing, messy, enlightening, disturbing, and entertaining . . . and more.