One of DC’s amazing hidden strengths is its limitless capacity for technological innovation. So many amazing firms that craft the technology we see and use every day, both online and off, have homes here in the District, and it’s high time that we celebrated that. Frank Gruber’s Shinyheart Ventures, and Peter Corbett’s iStrategyLabs have teamed up for ten days of creative technology events here in Washington DC, and the kickoff is tonight.

With both scheduled big events, and ad-hoc create-your-own events, Digital Capital Week is going to serve both those of you craving order, and those of you who love a little bit of chaos in your festival. Most of the events are free to attend, with pre-registration required, and run the gamut from unconference (CityCampDC) to speakers (Media 2.0 Day, Gov & Org 2.0 Day) to the collaborative business creation event called the Digital Garage. Got a great idea you’ve been dying to turn into something bigger? That’s just how WeLoveDC got started back in March of 2008, and we’re here to say: it’s amazing to see your labor of love turn into a labor of love and beer money, or more.

With most events costing nothing, and the ridiculously good party scene coming in fairly cheap, this is going to be a great way to celebrate the tech life in DC without spending too much time talking with that yammering marketing schmuck that won’t stop cold-calling you. Tonight’s awesome opener at Longview Gallery, both indoors and in the neighboring alley, will run you just $20 and includes your first drink (courtesy of Palantir), as well as as much as you can drink (up to the first eight kegs and 900 PBRs, at least).

So much in DC is deliver, deliver, deliver, it’s nice to see the tech community take a pause and celebrate and discuss what’s been done in an atmosphere that’s devoid of the common pressures. Me, I’m kinda excited to see what they do with the Digital Scavenger Hunt next weekend, and the closing party, powered by attendee choice for the bands, and hosted at the 9:30 club, this should be a great week for DC’s tech scene, and for anyone who loves a good bit of tech.

Tom Bridge

I live and work in the District of Columbia. I write at We Love DC, a blog I helped start, I work at Technolutionary, a company I helped start, and I’m happy doing both. I enjoy watching baseball, cooking, and gardening. I grow a mean pepper, keep a clean scorebook, and wash the dishes when I’m done. Read Why I Love DC.