Things started off with a bang tonight at Spark Con. The 2nd annual event ramped up at 7:00 pm to a modest but engaged crowd. The opening of the event, the speaking events and the workshop portions are being held at the appropriate and funky new Vintage 21 space (in part of the old Jillians). Lead organizer, Aly Kahlifa, humbly presented the event as something that was, for the people by the people, and noted the diversity of creative genres participating in the overall event.
Dan Douglas presented a masterful keynote citing creative hubs like 22@ Barcelona and Tacheles Berlin. These cities had spawned unique creative communities out of abandoned and industrial buildings. These communities act as anchors for tourism and creative production. Douglas, after talking about these places, addressed Raleigh. He pointed out the shell of the old Convention Center Parking deck, a thick building with 30 foot ceilings and an atmospheric height of potential. Douglas turned his attention to Dorothea Dix and said that the 306 plan lacked vision for what would happen to the million plus square foot of facility that will be left there. Douglas pursued it further: what if these facilities could act as the creative balance to the research energy in Centennial Campus? Douglas closed with the question: What is your Creative Agenda?
Well, I am sold. That’s why, as you sit at your desk this morning, you should begin to cough and complain of fever. Then you should drive to Vintage 21 in the warehouse district and join me and many other people who want to make Raleigh a better place. Spark Con has started and its what we make it. The organizers have given the city a framework to energize itself and if we don’t electrify it then we are doing ourselves a great disservice.