A secret-site art show

Though visitors to the city this week might never see it, Charleston will create its own, mysterious version of an artists' showcase already held in more than 140 cities worldwide.

Known internationally as Pecha Kucha Night, the concept began in 2003 and, in Japanese, means the sound of conversation. Each presenter at the event gets to show 20 images for 20 seconds each.

That's 6 minutes, 40 seconds per presenter, to be precise. Even today's Twittering BlackBerry crowd can sit through it.

And that's the point. Pecha Kucha was devised as a forum for designers to explain their work without drowning the audience in details. Short presentations keep the crowd's attention and let more artists share the spotlight.

Charleston's version will take place Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at — here's the mysterious part — a location to be e-mailed out today.

Among featured artists are Nico Romo, executive chef with Patrick Properties; Whitney Powers, owner of Studio A Architecture; and Jonathan Sanchez, writer and owner of Blue Bicycle Books.

It's too late to RSVP this year, but the Web site is already welcoming participants for next year. Check it out at pechakuchacharleston.wordpress.com.

Hit the road

A cruise to the Bahamas or weeklong trip to Disney World might not sound like the greatest idea right now, but AAA hopes to combat that economy-fearing logic with deep discounts on popular choices.

The organization is offering savings for non-members in addition to exclusive benefits for AAA members now through Nov. 22. The goal, according to AAA, is to boost fall and winter travel.

It's all at AAA.com/SavingsEvent. And on Nov. 12 visitors can participate in a virtual travel show explaining the products on sale.

That is, if they're not already at Pecha Kucha Night.

Reach Allyson Bird at 937-5594 or abird@postandcourier.com.