Just over a week ago Elizabeth and I returned from Hatchfest Asheville 2010 where I was invited to speak on a panel entitled Building Creative Community.
I have to say, it’s a pretty cool experience to have doors open for you like this when you’re simply doing what you love to do. A big shout of thanks to both Nash and Bruce Roberts for introducing me to Sean O’Connell and this awesome event.
This decentralized conference, nestled in venues throughout downtown Asheville, was time well spent. We were able to take in the culture of the city — eating great food, watching films, catching live shows — while experiencing thought provoking panels and meeting some truly inspiring creative and business talents.
But I could go on and on. Instead of me babbling, check out a bit of what Elizabeth captured over the weekend.
‘Til next year’s Hatchfest!
Our weeked kicked off with a killer tour of the Moog Music factory, courtesy of one Jason Daniello
Purists might hate it, but the Moog guitar is capable of some truly innovative sonic goodness.
Onto the Live at Moog Music studio, where Jason demonstrated all their goodies, from the Little Phatty to the out of this world Theremin.
Later on Friday afternoon, we made our way downtown to catch a presentation titled, If a designer can imagine it… we can actually build it by Rajeev Kulkarni. Coming from the world of software design, I assumed I knew what this would be about. Wrong. Rajeev is the VP of Global Engineering at 3D Systems, the company that invented 3D printing. His presentation completely altered my understanding of modern manufacturing processes, no matter the industry. Pretty amazing stuff.
After lunch we caught a panel discussion called, The End of General Interest: In the Digital Age, Does Niche Media Win?. The panelists consisted of Fritz Kramer (Producer, Frontline), Rachael Maddux (Editor, Paste), and Starre Vartan (Blogger, Eco Chick). Moderator: Jess McCuan (Editor, Verve)
Saturday evening, we caught Frank Bell opening for Matt Morris just hours after they spent the afternoon together writing and recording a song on the The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus.
After the music, we popped up the block to catch the amazing documentary, It Might Get Loud, sponsored by the good folks over at Moog Music. If you’re a music fan, the instruments and personalities will blow you away. I mean, Jimmy Page, The Edge and Jack White in one room? Each strapped with their sonic weapon of choice? Sick.
Later than night, we stopped in for the gig at the innovator’s lounge. The sponsored (free) beer was pretty bad, but the party was fun and we got to chat with a bunch of fellow Groundbreakers and Mentors.
Sunday afternoon, it was my turn to get on stage and share just what it is that we do in these here parts. Notice how I can’t stop speaking with my hands. Oy. The panel conversation focused primarily on the events we each put on and how we approach building community around them. From left to right are Molly Kummerle (Moderator and performer from Ruby Slippers), Matt Morris, Jason Wilkins (Owner Next Big Nashville), Catherine Enny (Guerilla Management & Power to the Peaceful Festival) and Jenny Greer (Music Video Asheville)
Finally, a post panel Q&A at a nearby gallery where I had the pleasure of speaking with Erin Scholze from Dreamspider Publicity, Sarah Southerland (she’s trying to pull together artists out in rural Franklin, NC) and Ken Klehm who owns The Rocket Club in West Asheville, who didn’t have a card on him, so his name was stricken from my memory banks the moment we stopped talking.
