Radar Redux.com is expanding the traditional concept of journalism, to cover a wide array of Baltimore Arts and Culture.
This past Thursday (February 5, 2009) the second Ignite Baltimore event used a unique format to help realize this greater goal. Sixteen speakers, including Councilman Bill Henry, and musician Caleb Stine (of Caleb Stine and the Brakemen) along with a variety of entrepreneurs and assorted creative minds, were each granted five minutes and 20 slides (which automatically switch every 15 seconds) to convey their message.
The emphasis on community was obvious long before the presentations began. The active networking (and abundance of cocktails) created a friendly atmosphere, and a considerable amount of excitement; the quick pace of the speeches further facilitated a unifying light-heartedness through the diverse subject matter. The willingness of event goers to embrace other members of their greater creative community is symptomatic of an attitude that Ignite organizer Mike Subelsky attributes to Baltimore as a whole. He observed, “Baltimore has a great do-it-yourself culture that is supportive of these kinds of endeavors. No one will tell you can’t or shouldn’t do something here. It’s laid-back but still energetic.” This energy, with its willingness to facilitate change and foster a cohesive community, is one of the answers to the question “Why Baltimore?”
ignite baltimore- todd marks from Wolves Eat on Vimeo.
In a recent interview with RADARREDUX.com , Mike Subelsky shared more of his goals for Ignite Baltimore, and offered some thoughts about the persistent question: “Why Baltimore”
RADARREDUX: As an organizer for Ignite, you’re obviously invested in the development of Baltimore – is it a love for a hometown you grew up in, or did something draw you here?
Mike Subelsky: I grew up in Montgomery County, but Baltimore is my adopted hometown. I came here when I was in the Navy and was stationed at Fort Meade.
RADARREDUX: Baltimore is near to several cities equal to or greater in size, with more recognized art and culture scenes. Why Baltimore instead of New York, or even Philadelphia?
MS: Baltimore has a great do-it-yourself culture that is more supportive of these kinds of endeavors. No one will tell you can’t or shouldn’t do something here. It’s harder to make a name for yourself in a place like New York. Baltimore is more laid-back but still energetic. Also, I have family ties here and lots of good friends. It’s a very livable, inexpensive place to be and I really value the lifestyle we have here.
RADARREDUX: What is the goal of the Ignite Baltimore events, and have you seen that realized?
MS: To connect people from different creative communities in Baltimore: technology, the arts, politics, business, environmental, etc. We’ve definitely seen it realized through anecdotes that people have reported back to us — you can look through our twitter responses as people say “I finally got to meet so-and-so at Ignite last night”. As a secondary goal, we’d like to specifically help foster the technology startup community in Baltimore, because that’s one particular area that has not had a lot of cohesion.
Ignite Baltimore 2
Organized by Ignite Baltimore
http://ignitebaltimore.com/
Presented at:
The Wind Up Space
12 W North Ave
Baltimore, MD 21201
http://www.thewindupspace.com
Ignite Baltimore 3 is slated to run June 25, 2009.
Note: RADARREDUX.com webcasts all Ignite Baltimore events live on this site.
Watch for details.
by Mara Pellittieri
Tags: Baltimore, Ignite Baltimore, Station North, tech, Windup Space
Filed Under: Community
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