Culture Hack Day is

a weekend for the arts, software and hardware hackers to get together and create exciting things.

It's been produced by The Royal Opera House, and as part of Wieden + Kennedy Inspire, W+K London are providing the event space, and some of our account people, creatives (and creative technologists) and planners have come along, too.

Here's a crowd gathering for the 'lightning talks' session in the afternoon. There's a good bunch of people talking.

If you're reading this on Saturday 15th or Sunday 16th January 2011, it's happening right now. Keep an eye on on @culturehackday and #chd11 for updates and highlights, and the official photos.

Big thanks to Donna and Pete and Gav for helping sort out the building and IT for everyone – they've been working through the day to make sure everyone has a good day.

Following a successful first event in November 2010, ALL EARS is back  on 19 January 2011 with an inspiring new year theme, ‘New Beginnings’.  January is a time that brings about contemplation.  We start to re-evaluate how we are living our lives and what we can do to make them more fulfilling, richer in experience, more gratifying.  ALL EARS January brings stories from people who have made brave changes to their lives.

Speakers for 19th January 2011 include:

Noel ‘Razor’ Smith has spent 33 of his 49 years incarcerated for armed robbery, with 58 criminal convictions to his name.  His story of how he has changed his life, taught himself to read whilst in prison and discovered his extraordinary talent for writing is captivating.

Last year, former Deloitte Consultant, John Williams, was declared a ‘guru’ by The Times as his first book Screw Work Let's Play (How to do what you love and get paid for it) hit the self-help bestseller list. At All Ears, John will lift the veil on the strange world of the self-improvement industry, explain why all gurus are messed up (and why it's essential that they are) and how you too can become a guru (or at least discover your life's purpose).

Nicci Mack doesn't identify as the gender assigned to her at birth.  A few years ago Nicci burst out of the cupboard, dropped a dress size and is now providing a unique perspective on living in the gender hinterland.  Her story is of malicious intent but is also one of love and support.

ALL EARS will be held at The Hub Kings Cross, 34b York Way N1 9AB.  The bar will be OPEN.