Ignite is a global network of events where members of the public share their ideas, inventions, passions and pastimes. At Ignite Bristol #1 there were talks on comic books, homeless archaeology, rowing the Atlantic and many more – all of which can be found on the Ignite Bristol website

Ignite was started in Seattle in 2006 by Brady Forrest of O’Reilly Radar and Bre Pettis of Make magazine. Since then hundreds of five minute talks have been given across the world. The idea is simple: presenters are required to stick to a rigid format of 20 slides, each of which changes automatically after 15 seconds, ensuring that presentations are exactly five minutes long. Topics range from tech and design to history and world events – the only rule is that talks cannot be about financially motivated self-promotion, and that they adhere to the Ignite motto – ‘Enlighten us, but make it quick’

To submit an idea for a presentation – simply fill in the form on the Ignite Bristol website. The list of speakers will be announced on 24th June 2010, and there have already been some fascinating submissions.

Tickets for Ignite Bristol, which are free, will be released to the public in two stages – Monday 21st June, and Monday 5th July 2010. Details of how to secure tickets can be found on the Ignite Bristol website.

Ignite Bristol took place on March 4th at the Polish Club in Clifton. It featured fourteen speakers who covered a wide variety of topics in a wide variety of presenting styles.

According to Peter Blackman, one of the organizers, “Bristol is such a creative, independent minded city that it was no surprise that the response to the first Ignite was so positive. We sold out the venue a month in advance, and were deluged with submissions for talks on subjects as diverse as futurology, swing dancing, comic book culture, and microloans in the developing world.”

“It’s amazing to have been offered the Tobacco Factory Theatre for Ignite Bristol #2, and we hope that we can do justice to such a great venue with a big crowd and some excellent talks.”