Public speaking event Ignite D-FW asks you to inspire Dallas quickly (or risk getting ignored)

Enlighten the world with something valuable, but do it quickly. We might get bored.

Ignite D-FW just celebrated its one year anniversary last night with its fifth event at the Texas Theatre in Dallas. Simply, Ignite gives regular people the chance to go onstage, and pitch their ideas to an audience — for five minutes.

The idea can be anything. It can be a rant about a social issue, a comedic act of magic or an explanation about how biking is fantastic in eight million ways.

While the presenters speak, they also have a slideshow rolling behind them that moves on every 15 seconds to force them to keep moving with their explanation, hence the "keep it quick" portion of the program.

Speakers apply online with their name and idea, and the organizers of Ignite then choose 14 of them to present. The event happens quarterly, so if you miss one Ignite, or don't get chosen, you can always apply again in three months. Just make sure that your passion matters.

Ignite's website gives a few tips that include going beyond entertaining, teaching while keeping it short and being passionate but qualified on your subject. If you don't care about the topic, no one else will either.

If you're not looking to have five minutes of fame but you need inspiration, then you can just watch. Tickets are pretty cheap, usually around $10-15, but all you get is a seat. If you want food or a drink you'll have to pay extra once you're inside.

Ignite D-FW is different every time you go. They always want new speakers, new voices and new views, so the only constant is the presentations have to inspire quickly, or they'll die without applause.

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