When K and I got back to Sydney after four years living overseas in April 2012, we weren't aware of Vivid Festival beyond a few facebook updates noticed and then forgotten over the previous two years. I accepted a speaking invitation even, without really realising what I was getting involved with. And then May rolled around and the city lit up. Literally.

Vivid wasn't just a bunch of talks, it was a showcase of the most amazing digital projection technology I'd ever seen, complimented by Burning Man-style installations around the Harbour foreshore. It was extraordinary. And that was just the "Light" part of it; there's also a brilliant Music program and, yes, a bunch of talks which comprise the Ideas stream. Each would be an awesome festival in its own right; together than seem to energise the whole city.

Despite my rockstar fantasies it's the Ideas section I find myself involved with again. This year I'm thrilled to be part of four events, two of them organised by my friends at Vibewire, one put on by StartSomeGood ourselves and the last a panel on the funding of creative projects organised by the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance.

Here's my personal program if you want to come along to any of them:

#fastBREAK: Save the World: A special edition of Vibewire's monthly #fastBREAK sessions made up of rapid-fire ideas from interesting people. Instead of the usual 7.30am Friday start this is at the very civilised time of 10.30am on Sunday May 25 at the Powerhouse Museum. It also features an incredible line up of speakers, from activists to politicians to hip hop legends to and entrepreneurs. It'll be my please to introduce them all as MC (yo yo!). Get your tickets now!
Funding Creative Work Now: a panel on the new ways creative work is being funded, featuring a bunch of awesome creative entrepreneurs and me! 1.30pm Thursday May 29 at the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Be Awesome at Crowdfunding Masterclass: I'll be teaching a 3-hour crowdfunding masterclass sharing everything we've learned while helping people raise millions of dollars through crowdfunding. Find out everything you need to know to be awesome at crowdfunding and how you can use it to launch or grow your initiative. For creative or social entrepreneurs, community organisers or non-profit fundraisers. 1-4pm Thursday June 5. Some tickets still available, book now!
Pitch the Future: A pitch event for ideas which could change the future, hosted by Vibewire in partnership with StartSomeGood. I'll be hosting. This should be really fun and is free so come along! Sunday June 8.

And I'll be in there with the family tonight when they turn the lights on at 6pm.

If you're in Sydney have a great Vivid Festival! If there's particular events you recommend please share them in the comments below.

Photo of the Sydney Opera House lit up during Vivid Festival by Jason Meaden shared on flickr with a creative commons license.