Pecha Kucha (pronounced: peh-CHAKH-cha), Japanese for “chit-chat,” is an innovative social event where guests are invited to speak to the audience on a variety of topics. The catch? Each speech must only consist of 20 presentation slides with only 20 seconds spent on each slide. That’s a total of 6 minutes and 40 seconds. The local St. Augustine chapter will celebrate its 10^th Anniversary on Wednesday, April 5^th.

“These short speeches are like snack-sized bites of information,” reveals Angie Ullmann, one of the event organizers. “They’re just a small glimpse that explains the ‘why’; Why an experience or idea matters, why it’s worth considering, why it’s significant. This shorter format changes the whole dynamic of the gathering. People are relaxing, it’s outside, and there’s food and drinks. Instead of a lecture or formal presentation, it’s more of an informal performance.”

The Volume 17 event on April 5^th will take place on the Front Porch at the St. Augustine Amphitheater, 1340C A1A South, St. Augustine. Doors will open at 6 pm with presentations beginning at 7 pm. There is a suggested donation of $10 per person. Local food trucks African Love Kitchen and Luvin’ Oven will be on-site. Beverages (adult and otherwise) will be available for purchase as well. April’s theme is “Permission” and features a variety of speakers, including Jennifer Dournaux, a lifetime dancer, teacher, and Pilates instructor at The Dance Company; and Nic Patterson, a pianist who discovered the transformative effect of music as a previously incarcerated individual.