Pecha Kucha Night — while it may be a mouthful to pronounce — is very much a visual stimulus, a party for your eyes, so to speak.

The idea started five years ago with two architects, Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham, who wanted to create an event for designers to network and show their work. Since 2003, the concept has spread to over 100 cities around the world - Tokyo, Bangkok, Tijuana, Melbourne, Madrid, Barcelona and as of last year, Sacramento joined the list.

Pecha Kucha means 'the sound of conversation' in Japanese. And the presentations are meant to spark conversations about creative endeavors.

What does it take to be a presenter? The rules are very simple: each presenter gets 20 slides, each slide is shown for 20 seconds - meaning the time on stage is limited to 6 minutes and 40 seconds. The rules ensure that everyone has an equal amount of time on stage and the show keeps moving without any lulls. 

Although it started as a place for architects to present, anyone can participate - fishermen, photographers or anyone who has a creative idea they want to share with the world.

The next Pecha Kucha Night will be Thursday, November 6th at Level Up Lounge. The doors open at 7 pm, and don't be late — Todd Taylor Wines is offering winestasting from 7 to 8 pm. The slides start rolling at 8:20, and continue until 10 pm. 

Next month's presenters will include artist Evan Jones whose work will be on display at Level Up Lounge, R&B and hip hop singer Aaron Young, filmmaker Richard Burnsed, architects Gordon L'Estrange, Claire Obenson and John Roberts. (John will be presenting on nature preserves.) The last presenter of the night will be Suleka Sun-Lindley, owner of Level Up Lounge, who will be making a special PK Night drink which event-goers can try after the presentations are over.

Level Up Lounge is located on 2431 J Street in Sacramento.

For more information check out the website www.pecha-kucha.org

Have you heard of this concept before? What do you think of it? Would you be interested in attending? Have you been to a Pecha Kucha Night in another city? Would you want to be a presenter? Is there anything else you would like to know about it?

Photo is from previous Pecha Kucha Night - it is the Grabhorn Buliding in San Francisco, renovated by Gordon L'Estrange.