$5 general (seating limited)

Type comes alive this summer as Buffalo plays host to TypeCon2008: Punkt. The Society of Typographic Aficionados (SOTA) brings an international letterfest of talks, workshops, tours, exhibitions, and special events (including this type-themed "Pecha Kucha Night" in Hallwalls' Cinema) for type lovers near and far. Recent TypeCons (2002—2007) were held in Toronto, Minneapolis, San Francisco, NYC, Boston, and Seattle. TypeCon2008 in Buffalo (July 15—20) will be based at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Scheduled speakers there and at other venues include Charles Bigelow, Matthew Carter, James Craig, Dard Hunter III, Akira Kobayashi, Jan Middendorp, David Pankow, Elizabeth Resnick, Stefan Sagmeister, Paul Shaw, Erik Spiekermann, Ilene Strizver, Jakob TrollbŠck, House Industries, Dutch design sensations NLXL, and Buffalo's own P22. Registration for this exciting, intimate 6-day conference starts at just $125. For the complete schedule and to register, visit www.typecon.com. TypeCon2008: Punkt is presented by SOTA, a national organization, in partnership locally with WNY Book Arts Collaborative, Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School, Roycroft Campus Corporation/Roycroft Inn, Albright-Knox Art Gallery, & SUNY at Buffalo.

As you already know if you've attended past Pecha Kucha Nights in Buffalo (or anywhere else in the world)—including the last one at Hallwalls in May '07 showcasing graphic designers—the keys to Pecha Kucha are fast pace and visual punch. Each presenter is allowed exactly 20 images, each shown for exactly 20 seconds, adding up to 6 minutes and 40 seconds of fame before the next presenter is up. This keeps presentations concise, interest up, and eyeballs popping.