‘Super Happy Block Party’ to Fuse Code, Art and Innovation

A 12-hour-long mini-festival of technology and art is landing on High Street later this month.

The event, the Super Happy Block Party Hackathon, will see the doors of three big-name tech startups on High Street open its doors to hackers: Eric Schmidt’s Innovation Endeavors, Talenthouse, and Institute for the Future.

These three “hackspaces” will complement a diverse lineup of activities, including painting, music and other artistic performances.

The festivities will take place March 31, 2012 from 1 p.m. – 1 a.m. on High Street in Downtown Palo Alto.

“We believe that innovation happens when people of diverse backgrounds connect,” according to the Super Happy Block Party website. “We have designed this place and this space for magic to happen and for innovation to become accessible to all. Hacker, artist and local community cross-pollination is rare, but we think it should happen every day. We are all Makers, Creators and Innovators!”

In a hilarious promotional video starring Palo Alto Mayor Yiaway Yeh, an ominous voice declares that on “March 31st, the city belongs to the nerds.”

High Street will be blocked off between University and Hamilton, and the event will also feature food trucks, parking spaces dedicated to local startups, and a “Hack the Future” tent where kids can learn to code.

“We believe this is a new and categorically different approach to innovation,” said Dror Berman, Founding Managing Director of Innovation Endeavors, in a statement Tuesday. “Super Happy Block Party Hackathon will be an innovation playground for all to enjoy. This is a well-thought out space and place designed to foster new forms of innovation and interaction.”

“Super Happy Block Party Hackathon is the prototype for the conversation around cities of the future,” said Mayor Yeh. “Palo Alto has long been associated with world-class innovation. Hackers and artists play a central role in this dynamic economy that is destined for even greater greatness. Some of the most influential and innovative companies were born and started up on these streets. Super Happy Block Party is the first of many innovative manifestations to come from Palo Alto.”

Other highlights of the event include a Day Star Yurt with a Silent Disco with a live DJ inside; a collection of LED strip lights spread out throughout the block for developers to hack; and a conglomeration of high-tech personalities and founders.

Want to go? RSVP here.