Gelkote

IdeaFestival announced their 2008 speakers earlier this week. For the uninitiated, IdeaFestival brings a diverse group of passionate and engaging speakers to Louisville, KY over three days in September. The caliber of presenters is on par with TED but the conference is much more accessible for the average Joe. While TED places their presentations online for free, they charge $1000s of dollars to attend in person. IdeaFestival has some presentations for free, most in the $15 to $20 range or all access for $300~$350 depending on when you register. I’m a little bummed that the number of free sessions has decreased from 2007 but it’s worth a few hundred bucks to be engaged and expand one’s horizons.

Planning for IF 2008, I’m reminded of a few cool discoveries from my 2007 IF travels. Carmichael’s Bookstore, Ear X-tacy, Toast on Market, Rainbow Blossom Natural Foods and
The Louisville Eccentric Observer (LEO). I also learned about the Keep Louisville Weird campaign encouraging folks to shop local stores. It’s a very cool concept that should be repeated everywhere. Especially true as I’m 3/4 the way through the book Deep Economy.

Learned today that 2600 Magazine is coming out with a Best of 2600 book covering the last 24 years of the magazine and hacker/phreaking scene. Should be fun to see how things have changed. Most of the folks I talk to aren’t familiar with Bulletin Board Systems (BBSs). For those needing a BBS history lesson, check out Jason Scott’s BBS Documentary or hit me up to borrow my copy.

Also learned today about a musician named Brigid Kaelin while snooping around the Ear X-tacy website. The tracks on her myspace vary from rock to bluegrass to what I call old school Patsy Cline country. Brigid’s versed on the piano, guitar, accordion and even a musical saw. But her voice, wow. One review on her Myspace compares her vocal magic to Eva Cassidy. I couldn’t agree more. For a sampling of Eva, check out Live at Blues Alley.