WATCH PARTY FOR THE DOCUMENTARY “NEON”: Feel the glow
Friday, September 9, 2022

Screening of the stunning documentary “NEON” followed by a Q&A with director, Lawrence Johnston, live from Australia. “NEON” is packed with animated neon, interviews, and amazing historic footage. If you are new to Neon Speaks, this film is a great way to find out what the buzz is all about for creating and preserving neon. Interviews feature: Tod Swormstedt, Tom Rinaldi, Debra Jane Seltzer, Dydia DeLyser, Paul Greenstein, Michael Flechtner, Eric Lynxwiler, and others. Watch the trailer!

BEHIND THE SCENES: LUMI Museum, Kansas City
Saturday, September 10, 2022
Much of Kansas City’s history is written in neon. The LUMI Neon Museum project was founded to save vintage Kansas City neon in early 2017 with the rescue of the 1946 Crick Camera sign. Kansas City photographer Nick Vedros had an insight: “We need to save the Kansas City neon.” Nick shares his vision to bring the LUMI Neon Museum to reality in the near future.

THE ART OF NEON: Sarah Blood
Saturday, September 10, 2022
Artist and educator Sarah Blood teaches at Alfred University, NY. She has been a practicing artist since 1999, exhibiting her work internationally. Her artistic vision concentrates on light and the absence of light: neon light gives color, warmth, and life, but no perception of form, texture, and depth without the shadows.

NEON PRESERVATION FORUM
Saturday, September 10, 2022
This forum is a panel of people on the frontlines to rescue vintage neon. Hosted by Al Barna and Randall Ann Homan of SF neon, panelists include:

• Kiah McCarly, SF Shines and Katie Conry, Tenderloin Museum, San Francisco
• Paulo Barata Corrêa & Rita Múrias, Projecto Letreiro Galeria, Lisbon, Portugal
  
• Dydia DeLyser & Paul Greenstein, Neon, A Light History, Los Angeles
• Angus McIntyre and John Atkin, Vancouver
• Neon Makers Guild: Danielle James, Nick McKnight, Eve Hoyt

VIRTUAL TOUR: Oakland/East Bay Neon+ Matchbook Typography
Saturday, September 10, 2022
Tune in for a vibrant exploration of typography used on the matchbooks and neon signs from the neighborhoods of Oakland and the East Bay. Just like matchbooks, historic neon signs are a fascinating synecdoche of the small businesses they represent, and a window to the past explored through material culture. This illustrated presentation is hosted by Stephen Coles of Letterform Archive and collaborators Al Barna and Randall Ann Homan of SF Neon. Back by popular demand, this typography tour is an unusual point of view on the city history and the unique letterforms of matchbooks and neon signs.

VIRTUAL TOUR: Mid-Mod and Neon Tour of Brisbane with Michael Blazek
Saturday, September 10, 2022
Follow a route of midcentury modern architecture and neon with Neon Australia’s Michael Blazek in his adopted home of Brisbane, Australia. The Brisbane Neon Tour highlights many of Brisbane’s iconic neon signs with historic insights. The tour begins at the Mid-Century modern Eisenmenger House designed by Barry Walduck. Present owners Chris and Susan Osborne have restored the house to vintage glory and are avid collectors of neon signs.

NEON WORKS SHOP TOUR AND DEMO: Oakland, CA indoor/outdoor
Sunday, September 11, 2022
SOLD OUT
Jim Rizzo of Neon Works in Oakland has been rescuing and restoring Bay Area neon signs for decades and he only opens his shop for tours once in a blue moon. Jim is a master sign-maker and he’s letting us into his 17,000-square-foot workshop to explore the art and craft of neon signs. You’ll learn about the anatomy of neon signs, how they are made, and how they’ve changed over time. This is your chance to photograph Jim’s fabrication shop and vintage neon collection. Adam Taylor will demonstrate tube-bending talents and artistry to show how neon, glass, skill, and fire combine to make a neon sign glow.

NEON WALKING TOUR: Alameda, CA with Devi L. Dahl, outdoor
7:15 pm on Sunday, September 11 and 25, 2022
Register for $30 timed tickets. Purchase tickets soon, register soon.
Back by popular demand for the Neon Speaks festival weekend! Take a twilight walking tour and see the beautiful neon signs in the historic city of Alameda, CA. From the grandeur of the Alameda Theater neon blade sign to the nearly invisible Pop Inn, downtown Alameda boasts a fine collection of vintage neon. Meet on the sidewalk in front of the John S. Towata Flower Shop, a stunning mid-century storefront with rare green Vitrolite tiles and a raceway neon sign. This hour-long is led by Alameda local historian, Devi L. Dahl on a route that winds through a quiet bungalow neighborhood and the commercial corridors of Alameda, architecture insights and historical backstories included.

NEON CURIOSITY LOUNGE at the Museum of Neon Art/MONA, Glendale, CA
Saturday, September 17, 2022
SOLD OUT! Our concept is to fill the museum with neon all-stars in a casual lounge atmosphere with demos and exhibits that encourage curiosity and conversation. MONA’s vintage neon signs will also be on display. Exhibitors include:

• Dydia DeLyser & Paul Greenstein, Neon, a Light History, Los Angeles, CA
• Will Durham, Nevada Neon Project, Reno NV
• Michael Flechtner, Flektro, Los Angeles, CA
• Robert Haus, Anchorage, AK
• Chris Raley, Route 9 Signs, Fresno CA
• Roxy Rose Score, Los Angeles, CA
• Stuart Ziff, Los Angeles, CA

FESTIVAL FINALE: An Insider’s Look at the Neon Muzeum, Warsaw Poland
Sunday, September 18, 2022

This end-of the-festival event is a presentation by David Hill that features a fascinating story about a particular chapter in neon history: the beautiful cold-war era neon signs that illuminated Warsaw. Many of these neon signs were saved by museum directors David Hill and Ilona Karwinska. David and Ilona will be hand for a live Q&A session with hosts Al Barna and Randall Ann Homan to wrap up this international festival for 2022. Register to watch Zoom or recording.