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Gizmo Guy: Full day of events kicks off Philly Tech Week

Your obedient Gizmo Guy falls asleep during deep discussions of business-to-business software, search engine optimization, and other "important" but arcane tech affairs.

Your obedient Gizmo Guy falls asleep during deep discussions of business-to-business software, search engine optimization, and other "important" but arcane tech affairs.

His eyes perked up with pleasure, though, to see how Philly Tech Week is kicking off its fifth annual fete on Friday with a full day (into evening) geared to the marriage of Tech and Culture. That is, to discussions of devices and support systems used to make, entertain, and enlighten.

Essentially, the fun-and-games side of tech that works both sides of the brain. Who can't get their heads into that?

Alas, TechniCulture, the Friday morning program hosted by the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, is sold out. But the offerings at phillytechweek.com are chock full of possibilities. There's a bunch of short 'n' sweet (TED-style) talkers who will speak to the ways "techsperts" and cultural institutions are working together to benefit presenters and audiences.

A perfect example is the Philadelphia Orchestra's LiveNote program - which text-messages music analysis and fun historical anecdotes to concertgoers' smart phones while the music plays.

If you're participating in TechniCulture, bring (and don't turn off) a smartphone or tablet for this and other interactive demonstrations.

Honestly, just a couple participants in the Philly Startup Crawl (4 to 8 p.m. Friday) fall at all into the day's tech/culture mash-up theme. But just the idea of popping in and out of eight creative beehives colocated in a compact, Center City corridor for a fast look-see and free beer sounds invigorating.

And don't mourn the sellout of the Philadelphia Museum of Art's Tech Tour (5:30 to 7 p.m.)

The Art Museum interactive tech team - Ariel Schwartz, Ashley Scrivener, and Peter Alt - will define its mission, successes, and failures, and lead a walking tour of technologies installed and prototypes being developed.

Yes, there's more to museum tech than automated tour-guide players. Take, please, their new "mobile way finder" to lead you to the art, or touchscreen companions that zoom in and explain the fine details of an oft-overlooked Jan van Eyck miniature or the ornate Chinese temple sitting in the Asian Wing.

While organizers are hoping for a head count through advance registration, we doubt you'll be turned away, even without a ticket, from the outdoor Philly Tech Week Kickoff event at Dilworth Park (west side of City Hall) on Friday from 5 to 9 p.m.

This free, festive fair is all about technology for entertaining ends.

Start with the App Arcade, dominated by more than 20 local game-makers - from family-focused funsters Backward pieS to educational game provider SmartyPal.

In the Maker Corner, discover how to turn your dream product into reality - using gear and collaborating with other creators in local spaces such as the Hactory, Hive76, and Next Fab.

Also on tap - live performances from hip-hop rappers and turntablists Pixel8ter, DJ Cutman, and Kuf Knotz; podcasters from 8bitX Radio Network; and suds and foodstuffs to buy in the Rosa Blanca Café beer garden.

215-854-5960 @JTakiff