6:59pm | Tickets went on sale Friday for TEDxSoCal, an independently organized TED event, which is set to be held at the Center Theatre here in Long Beach in July.
The one-day conference, which is being dubbed as an “interactive experience,” will feature short talks and performances by “inspiring and innovative” people with “big ideas,” according to information provided by the TEDxSoCal Planning Committee.
“Thriving” is the inaugural event’s theme and is symbolic of TEDxSoCal’s aim to examine the way in which communities, organizations and individuals flourish and prosper in terms of well-being, cultural creativity, sustainability and lifelong learning, according to organizers.
The event was introduced to the community Tuesday during the May 10 city coucnil meeting, when Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske played a short video introducing the event and highlighting the scheduled speakers. The video can be seen at TEDxSoCal.org.
The TEDxSoCal Planning Committee said that the confirmed speakers and performers thus far include:
Dr. Sylvia Earle – American oceanographer, explorer and 2009 TED Prize Winner
Chip Conley – Executive chairman and chief creative officer of Joie de Vivre, author
Dr. Judy B. Rosener – Author, researcher and professor emerita at UC Irvine Paul Merage School of Business
Paul Dateh – Singer and violinist, known as the “hip-hop violinist”
Josh Tickell – Environmentalist and director of the 2008 Sundance Audience Award winning documentary FUEL
Lalo Alcaraz – Satirist, writer and creator of the nationally syndicated comic strip “La Cucaracha”
Tim Carpenter – Founder and executive director of EngAGE
Elizabeth Amini – Social entrepreneur, founder and CEO of Anti-Aging Games LLC
Charles Gandy – Cycling, pedestrian and livable communities expert
TAIKOPROJECT – Award winning American Taiko group
Rebecca Harrell Tickell – Author, producer and activist for women and the environment
Rosie Romo – Chef and director of Culinary Operations at SMG
Nick Pugh – Artist, designer and educator – known for his work in digital fine art
Darren Saravis – Engineer, designer, musician and founder and president of Nectar Design, creator of Solarflora
TEDxSoCal was created in part due to how virtually inaccessible TED’s annual event, which has been held in Long Beach for the last three years, is to the average person due to the astronomical price of tickets.
TEDxSoCal offers a TED-like experience for a small fraction of the cost; tickets are $40 for general admission and $20 for students.
The daylong conference is set for Saturday, July 16, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. followed by an evening reception. To purchase tickets, visit TEDxSoCal.org