After  tech companies were matched up with prospective employees Wednesday night at the reverse jobs fair known as “Jobs Under the Big Top” on opening night, the Paradoxos festival takes on a more truly festive atmosphere today.

Paradoxos is the second annual Durham’s cultural event that seeks to create maximal connections within the community, and if the weather cooperates this latest one should be bigger as well as better with more space, more venues – and, hopefully, a larger crowd.


Tech Firms Recruit for 310 Open Jobs

  • WRALTechWire premium coverage: Looking for work? 11 tech firms pitched themselves to recruits for 310 open jobs at the Jobs Under the Big Top event to kick off Paradoxos.

“Paradoxos is much bigger this year than last year,” said Whitney Rowe, one of the primary organizers for the event. “We’re really freaking excited.”

While organizers have hesitated to describe the event as the Triangle’s equivalent to the wildly popular South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, it could be – someday.

Especially if the weather cooperates.

Last year, organizers were dismayed as the weather turned sour. According to Rowe, that put a damper on what would have otherwise been an excellent first year for the event. This year, said Rowe, “it’s going to be awesome. We’re going to take over downtown.”

In addition to Jobs Under the Big Top, Wednesday night marked the beginning of Paradoxos’ Durham Mural Installation. Downtown Durham Inc. is sponsoring the artists to complete a new mural across the peeling green brick wall adjacent to Paradoxos HQ.

“Our goal is to attract more than 2,000 people,” said Rowe, quoting a benchmark number that other organizers have referenced in planning meetings and previous interviews.

Today, organizers have planned the launch of a Rube Goldberg Build-a-Thon. One of Organic Transit’s ELF vehicles is set to power the entire machine, said Rob Cotter, founder and CEO.

Also in the works for tomorrow is the Big Tent Talent Show, presented by CED. There’s at least one act that plans to steal the show – a local band comprised entirely of Shoeboxed employees.

Coming up as well is the “Build-a-PARTY/FUTURE/COMMUNITY” event emceed by Casey Steinbacher, president and CEO of the Durham Chamber of Commerce. Seven community organizers and entrepreneurs will be on stage to answer the question “what are you building?”

Stay tuned. We’ll be there.