Pecha Kusha Night #8 in Calgary

I am super excited and honoured that Calgary Arts Development (CADA) have asked my to present at the up coming PechKucha Calgary night. The theme is "Inspire" and I hope that I will......inspire. If you are free on Monday I say pop down to the Grand and find out how I can connect these pictures as well as 17 others.

Devised in Tokyo in 2003, PechaKucha Nights are now taking place in over 400 cities around the world. Drawing their name from the Japanese term for the sound of "chit chat," PechaKucha Nights are based on a simple presentation format: speakers present 20 slides each, for only 20 seconds per slide. It's a format that makes presentations concise and keeps things moving at a rapid pace.

Please join us for Calgary's contribution to the global PechaKucha Night fundraiser for Japan.

Monday, May 30
Doors at 6:30pm, event at 7:00pm
Theatre Junction GRAND, 608 1st Street SW

The theme of PechaKucha Night Calgary #8 is "Inspire." Speakers include:

- Dean Bareham, Co-Artistic Director, Green Fools
- Suzanne Boss, Project Manager, Calgary 2012
- Ken Cameron, Playwright/Persuasive Presentation Specialist
- Aviv Fried, Owner/Baker, Sidewalk Citizen Bakery
- Ken Greenberg, Architect/Urban Designer, former Director of Urban Design and Architecture for the City of Toronto
- Kristina Groves, Four-Time Olympic Medalist, Speed Skating
- Kevin Kent, President/Chief Knife Nerd, Knifewear Inc.
- Tony Luppino, Executive Director, Leighton Art Centre
- Dan Meades, Director, Vibrant Communities Calgary
- Lara Presber, Fashion Designer

Hosted by Tim Tamashiro.

Tickets available by donation at the door or in advance at http://PKN8.Eventbrite.com.

All proceeds will go to Architecture for Humanity's efforts to rebuild Japan.

Knifemakers Visit Knifewear!!!

Anryu san,  Master Blacksmith

Kato san, Master Blacksmith

We are super lucky again to have some great guests at Knifewear.

 Masterblacksmiths of Masakage Knives, Kato san and Anryu san, will be joining Shibata san, President of Maskage Knives for a Calgary visit. Shibata san will give a talk about knifemaking and knife sharpening, maybe we'll even get him to sharpen a few.....



15% off all Masakage Knives all weekend!

Kato san and Anryu san have made special letter openers for the first 10 Masakage customers on Saturday. Cool huh. I have one and they are stupid sharp!!

Masakge Knives will be launching a new like of sexy knives. Here's a sneak peek:

Knifewear

1316 9Ave SE, Inglewood

Calgary

Saturday May 21

11am - 4pm

Help Japan

We are all aware of the recent catastrophes in Japan. We, at Knifewear, have many, many friends in Japan and want to help the people we feel such affection for.  This is currently how we are actively raising money for the effort.

1. GET SHARP KNIVES AND HELP JAPAN.

We are donating 50% of all the money we make for knife sharpening FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR. Now is a great time to get those knives back to their awesome potential. This means we will donate to the RedCross Japan Tsunami Relief effort $5 for every $10 we charge for knife sharpening. So, on average every knife we sharpen raises $5 for the RedCross. We are hoping to send a rather large cheque every month.


2.  EAT AND DRINK TO HELP JAPAN:  APRIL 1, 2011

This will be great night! Paul Rogalski and Olivier Reynaud at Rouge Restaurant (one of the top spots in the world  www.theworlds50best.com/awards/51-100-winners) have graciously decided to turn their 10 year birthday party for the restaurant into a fundraiser for the Red Cross Japan Tsunami Relief Fund. Hayato Okamitsu (ex of Catch and currently instructing at SAIT) joins forces with Mike Dekker (Rouge) and Paul (Rouge) to create a 6 course awesome meal with great wine pairings. I know that one of the courses will be a "Duck off" battle between Paul and Hayato san on one plate.

I have been asked to host the night and talk of my love for Japan. Finally, I'm putting my motor mouth skills to work.

Friday, April 1, 2011
Tix are only $200 ($100 goes to the fund)
Call Rouge for tix. There are only a few left : 403 531 2767

3. DONATE TO HELP JAPAN

For the entire year we will have a donation box in the shop so people can donate directly to the cause. All money collected will be sent directly to the Red Cross.

Japan Disaster Update

We have all seen the devastation/disaster in Japan. We at Knifewear have many friends and contacts in Japan. The good news is that everyone we have direct dealings with have been in touch, but the problems are on-going.

To show our support Knifewear will be donating 1/2 of all money received from knife sharpening for the entire year.

Now is a good time to get sharp knievs and to make donations to a country that needs our help.

Japan Earthquake Relief

We have been hearing the news of the devastating earthquakes and tsunami from Japan. We, at Knifewear, and our customers, have been thinking of Japan and the difficulties many face. Our hearts and prayers go out to a nation in distress.


Bring your dull kitchen knives to Knifewear from now until Saturday, March 19 and have them sharpened in exchange for your donation. All donations will go to the Canadian Red Cross Japan Earthquake/Asia Pacific Tsunami relief.

After our first half day of collections we have already collected over $200. We will do our best to raise as much money as we can for the relief efforts.

Please bring kitchen knives carefully wrapped in a tea towel or other protection to the Knifewear shop at 1316 9 Ave S.E., Inglewood, Calgary.

All knives are sharpened by hand using a series of water stones. Every effort will be made to sharpen knives while you wait, however due to increased volume it may require a longer wait than usual.

Our hearts are with you, Japan.

White Hat Award

Congrats to Rob for being nominated for a Calgary White Hat Award.  It was one or more of his overjoyed customers that gave him the nod. This is the 49th year of the White Hat awards and Rob was nominated in the 'Best Customer Servic: Retail' category. More than just a pretty face and a mustache.

I for one am dying to see Rob in a cowboy hat. Well, the awards will be announced on May 18, 2011. Good luck matey!!

Knifewear is hiring.

We are looking for knife nuts with personality. You must enjoy talking with customers. Knowledge or interest in knives, a cooking background or Japanese language skills would be beneficial. The desire to learn is mandatory.


Our Calgary retail store has 1 position available:

• full-time (or part-time for the right person) retail sales person with some knife sharpening responsibilities.



All Knifewear employees receive an in depth knife sharpening apprenticeship in the Japanese knife sharpening style. We sharpen our knives by hand on waterstones, the most precise way and with the best results. Learn a dying art.

Knifewear staff enjoy a fun and professional working environment, a healthy discount on knives, and the love/admiration of chefs, foodies and knife nerds.

At Knifewear we sell the finest handmade Japanese kitchen knives available. Most of our knives cannot be found in Canada, many of our knives are not seen outside of Japan. We work with 25+ Japanese knife makers who we consider to be the top blacksmiths in the world.

Please check out our website. www.knifewear.com

Be cool, become a Japanese knife expert at Knifewear.

Wages: $10 per hour

Send resume and cover letter to kevin @knifewear.com