If you’re looking for something techie and creative this weekend, Pete Prodoehl is your guy. Prodoehl, one of several organizers, brings the region’s design class together for the third annual BarCampMilwaukee3 un-conference.
"We’re after people who are passionate about whatever they do and the creativity that goes with it. We have print designers, web designers, programmers, photographers and painters attending. Really all creative artists who want to share what they know," says Prodoehl.
BarCampMilwaukee3 is a technology-based forum; running sessions all day Saturday and Sunday covering topics from specific programming applications to the role of the Internet today.
BarCamps run nationwide; each city specifyies the format and content of the event to suit the needs and wants of the local tech class.
"There are several conferences in cities like Chicago, San Francisco and New York. BarCamp is a spoof on FooCamp, an event hosted by O’Reilly Media that is truly expensive," Prodoehl says.
BarCampMilwaukee3 is free, thanks to several Milwaukee sponsors who find value in cultivating Milwaukee’s technological creativity.
"What’s unique about this event are the things that happen in the hallway or after a talk; everyone has some area of expertise and so we’ll get together and share what we know," Prodoehl continues.
Structured to essentially have a fluid structure, BarCamp’s allow attendees to determine session subjects and continue conversations and networking throughout the night. For the third year in a row, Bucketworks will host the event.
"They’re kind of a big fan of what it’s all about. Everyone there has been great and their really excited about this event and being able to have it in their new building," Prodoehl says.
Bucketworks, branding itself as "the world's first health club for the brain," houses several large spaces for company, community or artistic conferencing and a "Fab Lab" open to members.
"Bucketworks fits perfectly with BarCampMilwaukee3. We have a 22,000-sq. ft. facility with everything from meeting space to theater space to a fabrication lab where you can get out power tools and make something happen," Kevin Ciesielski of Bucketworks explains. "We’re really excited to be a part of it."
BarCampMilwaukee3 runs from Saturday, Oct. 4 at 10 a.m. to Sunday, Oct 5 at 4 p.m. A social event will be held Friday night with details on the BarCampMilwaukee3 Web site. All other activities will be held at Bucketworks, 1340 N. 6th St.
OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Maureen Post grew up in Wauwatosa. A lover of international and urban culture, Maureen received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
After living on the east side of Madison for several years, Maureen returned to Milwaukee in 2006.
After a brief stint of travel, Maureen joined OnMilwaukee.com as the city’s oldest intern and has been hooked ever since. Combining her three key infatuations, Milwaukee’s great music, incredible food and inspiring art (and yes, in that order), Maureen’s job just about fits her perfectly.
Residing in Bay View, Maureen vehemently believes the city can become fresh and new with a simple move across town.
