ROCKLAND — PechaKucha Night, an evening of visual storytelling, will take place Friday, Jan. 23, at the Strand Theatre, in Rockland. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the program begins at 7 p.m. A reception will immediately follow the event at CMCA on Winter Street. 

Voices at the evening gathering will offer insight into various community-oriented and educational programs and delve into several artistic vocations, according to a news release. The audience will hear from organic farmers, a dance center founder, a youth development leader, and a longtime local birder. 

The PechaKucha format is a unique presentation style where eight individuals share their work, ideas, and creative process with a 20-second-per-image, 20-image slideshow. Each of the evening’s presenters will provide a six minute and 40 second glimpse into their craft. As PechaKucha International frames it, these gatherings are a place to “Share your passion, tell your story, find your people.” 

Participants for PechaKucha Midcoast’s January 2026 edition are: Kathy Weinberg, artist and restorer; Jesse Ellis, Girl Scouts Troop leader; Elizabeth Greenberg, photographer; Ryan Dennett, MOFGA program director, Growing Organic Together; Kea Tesseyman, founder of KEA Dance Center and The Kea Method; Peter Alsop, founder of Tenderwild Farm; Andrea Hungerford, fiber/fabric artist and founder of By Hand Serial; and Brian Willson,longtime birder. 

The evening’s emcee will be Sue Michlovitz. Graphic designer for this edition is Lily Craig.  

“PechaKucha Night” was conceived in 2003 in Tokyo as a place for young designers to meet, network and show their work in public. It is now an international phenomenon, with events held in more than 1,200 cities around the world. For more information, visit pechakucha.org. 

For information about presenting or volunteering at one of the local events, email pechakuchamidcoast@gmail.com. PechaKucha Night Midcoast Maine also offers sponsorships for local organizations and businesses; contact the PechaKucha team at the same email address for more information.

Tickets are $6.50/General Admission. Advance tickets are available through the Strand Theatre website at www.RocklandStrand.com; any remaining available tickets will be sold at the door the night of the event. Advance purchase is recommended; the event routinely sells out, according to organizers. Beer and wine are available at concessions.

The event sponsor is Andrea L. Curtis of Edward Jones in Rockland. PechaKucha Night Midcoast Maine’s organizing partners include 2A Architects; Center for Maine Contemporary Art; Farnsworth Art Museum; Magpie Creative; Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors; and the Strand Theatre. 

For more information, visit the Strand Theatre website or call (207) 594-0070. 

The Strand Theatre is located at 345 Main St., Rockland.