How is technology reshaping — hopefully, improving — civic life?
A panel of local experts will explore that question at next Wednesday's Civic Cocktail. It's a question that may resonate as much in Seattle as any other city, and we've got a great panel to provide both the national and local views. Microsoft's directors of Technology & Civic Engagement/Innovation in Boston, Cathy Wissink, and Chicago, Adam Hecktman, will join the City of Seattle’s startup liaison, Rebecca Lovell, to discuss the growing field of civic tech.
Then, Civic Cocktail host Joni Balter will have a one-on-one conversation with Seattle International Film Festival Artistic Director Carl Spence. The timing couldn't be better: The festival starts May 14.
Balter will be joined in the questioning of all the guests by the audience and journalists, including Crosscut's Drew Atkins and Florangela Davila, Geekwire's Monica Guzman, The Stranger's Charles Mudede, Puget Sound Business Journal's Emily Parkhurst and KIRO radio's Tom Tangney.
The doors open at 5:30 p.m. on May 6 at the Tom Douglas' Palace Ballroom, and program starts at 6 p.m. Tickets for the event, co-sponsored by Crosscut with Seattle Channel and Seattle City Club, are $20 for Crosscut or CityClub members, $25 for the general public and $25 at the door. You can register here. We hope to see you there, but if for some reason you can’t make it, you can catch the program later on the Seattle Channel.
Whether you attend or watch later on TV, here's some background reading to turn you into a smartypants on civic technology and SIFF.
Civic Technology:
"Can coders fix the Seattle area's transportation problems?" Crosscut, March 25.
"Can the Central District become Seattle's newest innovation district?" Crosscut, Sept. 23.
"Meet the company making math addictive," Crosscut, Feb. 16.
"Why Google Fiber will never come to Seattle," Crosscut, March 4, 2014.
SIFF:
"SIFF 2015," the main page for this year's festival.
"SIFF to renovate and reopen the Egyptian Theatre," SLOG, May 12, 2014.
"To SIFF and beyond! Kickstarter's changing the local film game," Crosscut, May 31, 2013.
"Seattle International Film Festival Artistic Director Carl Spence," Script, May 2006.
SIFF Wikipedia page (yes, it has its own).
