The Spectral Event

**ABOUT** THE SPECTRAL EVENT IS SUMMIT BRINGING TOGETHER ARTISTS, TECHNOLOGISTS, AND OTHER FATIDICAL MINDS AUGUST 5-6 IN NEW ROCHELLE, NY. IT WILL BE A WEEKEND OF TALKS, WORKSHOPS, PERFORMANCES, AND PARTIES WITH PRACTITIONERS AND THEORISTS WORKING IN CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY, INTERACTIVE MEDIA, VR/AR, DESIGN, URBAN PLANNING, DATA SCIENCE, AND MORE. THE GOAL IS TO BRING A DIVERSE CAST OF PARTICIPANTS TOGETHER TO SHARE IDEAS AND SPARK DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY AND NEW MEDIA CAN PLAY IN THE PROCESS OF BUILDING FUTURE COMMUNITIES. HOSTED BY IDEA NEW ROCHELLE [http://ideanewrochelle.org] AND THE NEW ROCHELLE DOWNTOWN BID [http://www.newrochelledowntown.com/], THE SPECTRAL EVENT IS A CELEBRATION OF THE BURGEONING DEVELOPMENTS THAT ARE UNDERWAY TO TRANSFORM DOWNTOWN NEW ROCHELLE INTO AN ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY DISTRICT. TALKS, PANELS, AND PERFORMANCES BY THE SPECTRAL EVENT FELLOWS INCLUDING: MATT ROMEIN, SHEETAL PRAJAPATI, JASON SIGAL, CAROLINE SINDERS, KAT SULLIVAN, SAM TARAKAJIAN, MARCO ANTONIO CASTRO, NITZAN BARTOV, DAVID LOBSER, TODD BRYANT, STEPHANIE RIGGS, ALLISON BURTCH, ALLISON PARRISH, SAM LAVIGNE, ADRIAN SAS, LISBETH KAUFMAN, LAJUNE MACMILLAN, ARWA MAHDAWI, PAMELA LIOU, CASSIE TARAKAJIAN, MICHELE CORTESE, GABE BARCIA-COLOMBO, JAVIER MOLINA AND MANY MORE…  SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: COMMUNITY PRESERVATION CORPORATION [http://communityp.com/], MONROE COLLEGE [https://www.monroecollege.edu/], THE BID NEW ROCHELLE [http://www.newrochelledowntown.com/] AND NEW ROCHELLE DOWNTOWN BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (BID) [http://www.newrochelledowntown.com/] **FAQ** [http://www.newrochelledowntown.com/] **When will the event be held?** The Spectral Event will be August 5-6 (the first weekend of August). **Where will it be?** All events and activities will be held at various locations throughout downtown New Rochelle, within walking distance from the Metro-North station.  **What can I expect?** We have a roster of fellows who are preparing an array of talks, discussions, workshops, and performances. We are also planning a program of parties, walking tours, movie-nights, water-fights, and more! **Will there be trampolines?** Weirdly specific question but yes, there will be trampolines! **How do I register** Please click here to complete your registration. **How much does it cost?** Tickets are $85/day or $150 for both days. This includes free meals as well as access to all events and parties.  **Why "Spectral"?** The first definition of the word "spectral" in Webster's Dictionary is: "of, relating to, or suggesting, a specter (ghost)." The second is "of, relating to, or made by a spectrum." Our "Spectral" refers to both of these senses.  We talk about specters as being spooky characters from the past, but we see no reason that ghostly visions shouldn't come to us from the future as well. When we try to bring about something that has never existed before, there is a period during which this new entity is still virtual, existing only as ghostly outlines in the imagination. We want our summit to bring forth new ideas into the world, and so we use the word spectral in this sense. The Spectral Event is intended to bring us together to imagine how technology and art can shape new communities. Making a new community is a collective effort to focus the energies a diverse group of people as a prism does to the spectrum of visible light. We hope that you will also hold this in your mind when you hear "spectral."