TEDx is coming to Phoenixville

TEDx is coming to Phoenixville.

Landmark Colonial Theatre will become epicenter of ideas 09.09.2010 – The Colonial Theatre, a cultural landmark in the revitalized steel town of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, is going to be the epicenter for a unique collection of people and an exciting exchange of ideas later this month. TEDxPhoenixville, scheduled for Saturday, September 25, 2010, will feature a variety of lively speakers, compelling performers and an interactive exchange with an engaged audience.

TEDx is an independently organized TED event that enables local communities and groups like the Association for the Colonial Theatre to organize, design and host their own independent, TED-like events. TED is a small nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design.

At the regional TEDx events, unique talks given by live speakers combine with TEDTalks videos to spark deep conversation and connections. TEDx events are fully planned and coordinated independently, on a community-by-community basis.

The theme of TEDxPhoenixville is Joy Ride and the organizing committee has invited individuals with diverse disciplines and backgrounds to speak during the engaging, day-long event. As a metaphor for life, the ride theme allows open interpretation to an interesting format of speakers and performers that include adventurers, inventors, virtuosos and entrepreneurs, A diverse collection of individuals whose common denominator is attacking their passion with joy.

Speakers and performers for the inaugural TEDxPhoenixville event include:

West Chester University Laptop Arts Ensemble
Defining a new genre of interactive computer music, the Laptop Arts Ensemble brings together talented students from a variety of academic programs.

Emma Resmini
An accomplished flutist at just 10 years old, Emma has been called a “bright young prodigy” by the New York Times and has been recognized by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for her “dazzling technique.”

Paul Deegan
An adventurer, explorer, award-winning author and Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, Paul is an ebullient speaker who has climbed many of the world’s most popular – and also some of its more esoteric – mountain regions.

Christopher McDougall
Author of the New York Times Bestseller, Born to Run, Chris shares his conviction that the secret to happiness is right at your feet with sharp wit and wild exuberance.

Simon Hauger
Simon is a physics teacher and director of the West Philly Hybrid X Team that builds and races alternative fuel vehicles. The team includes students from an after school program of the Academy of Automotive and Mechanical Engineering based in West Philadelphia High School.

Ben Gulak
Ben is a twenty-one year old MIT student and inventor of the Uno, a one-wheeled, electric motorcycle, that is a marvel of technology and design.

Jennifer Levonian
Artist Jennifer Levonian creates cut-paper animations that explore the ambivalence of everyday life. Her work transforms things previously unnoticed into something bizarre, uncanny and wonderful.

Hosts for the TEDxPhoenixville day, most of which will take place on the Colonial Theatre's main stage, are:

Kelly Stoetzel
Content Director for the TED conference in Palm Springs, California, co-host of the TEDActive and member of our TEDxPhoenixville committee.

Rives
Storyteller, poet, regular on HBO's Def Poetry Jam, co-host of Ironic, Iconic America on Bravo and the co-host of the TEDActive simulcast event in Palm Springs, California.

The committee includes Kirsten Van Vlandren, Assistant Director, The Colonial Theatre; Mary Foote, Executive Director, The Colonial Theatre; LuAnn Roth, Patron Services Director, The Colonial Theatre; Kelly Stoetzel, TED Content Director; Todd Palmer, advertising agency Creative Director; and community members and TED enthusiasts Jay Brown and Tyler Donald.

The day-long TEDxPhoenixville, including some surprises, fun breaks and a chef-prepared lunch, will kick-off at 9:30am and will feature three sessions. Attendees are also encouraged to experience Phoenixville during the breaks including a visit to the Phoenixville Farmer’s Market where TEDxPhoenixville has a special event planned.

Speaking of special events, TEDxPhoenixville has collaborated with a number of local merchants to offer special pre-TEDx events where attendees can get to know one another and interact with the region.

Organized by The Colonial Theatre volunteer Beth Lennon, events scheduled for the evening of Friday, September 24 include a private tour of the legendary WEST COLLECTION at SEI art collection, introductory yoga class at the Soul Center, a chef’s tasting menu at Majolica, glass work demonstration at Diving Cat Studio and a beer tasting and tour at Sly Fox Brewing. Participants in the different activities are encouraged to meet up at the Columbia Hotel’s second floor following.

Tickets for TEDxPhoenixville are just $20 plus $5 for the optional lunch and are available for purchase on the event website. While purchasing tickets, attendees can also select which Friday, September 24 event they would like to attend. For more information on sponsorship or attending please visit the TEDxPhoenixville website at http://www.tedxpxv.com.

Colonial Theatre to become epicenter of a unique collection of people and ideas on September 25, 2010. Get tix!

News Facts

TEDx Phoenixville is an independently organized TED event.
At the regional TEDx events, unique talks are given by live speakers and combined with TEDTalks videos.

The theme of TEDxPhoenixville is Joy Ride.

Pre-TEDxPhoenixville events on Friday evening, September 24 include a private tour of the legendary WEST COLLECTION at SEI art collection, introductory yoga class at the Soul Center, a chef’s tasting menu at Majolica, glass work demonstration at Diving Cat Studio and a beer tasting and tour at Sly Fox Brewing.

The committee includes Kirsten Van Vlandren, Assistant Director, The Colonial Theatre; Mary Foote, Executive Director, The Colonial Theatre; LuAnn Roth, Patron Services Director, The Colonial Theatre; Kelly Stoetzel, TED Content Director; Todd Palmer, advertising agency Creative Director; and community members and TED enthusiasts Jay Brown and Tyler Donald.