TEDxSeattle - Biome: Dancing to Save the Trees with Nalini Nadkarni

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You all know about my recent work with Dr. Nalini Nadkarni during the creation of her latest book, Between Earth and Sky: Our Intimate Connections to Trees. We've shared an interview with Nalini Nadkarni here at Arboreality, and we've talked a little about her work with Capacitor; now it is my pleasure to share the following press release:

For Immediate Release / Contact: Jodi Lomask
jodi [at] capacitor [dot] org
photos: http://www.capacitor.org/press/biome/

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In the spirit of ideas worth spreading,
the TED conference has joined forces with Capacitor Performance Group for

TEDxSeattle – Biome
"striking theatre…" – The New Yorker

"a creative force." -- The Village Voice, Critic's Choice

"uncanny precision." -- Nature Magazine

From the rainforest of Costa Rica to the Northwest floods of 2009, Capacitor is set to debut 'biome' in Seattle. After the May 30 show, Capacitor will host a special presentation of TEDxSeattle- bringing together today's leading thinkers on conservation to present ideas worth spreading. Exciting talks with be given by Dr. Nalini Nadkarni, lead scientific advisor for the 'biome' project and Jodi Lomask, Capacitor’s Artistic Director along with Seward Park Audubon Center, The Nature Conservancy, the Pacific Science Center, and others.

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The Leo K Theater (Seattle Repertory Center)155 Mercer St, Seattle, WA 98109

*Biome:
An exploration of yearning and desire in the natural world


Fri, May 29, 2009, 8:00pm
Sat, May 30, 2009, 8:00pm

Special presentation of TEDxSeattle after 'biome', May 30, 2009 at 9:30pm, Free

In the world of ‘biome’ everything is interconnected in a cycle of growth providing a portal into our own motivations and impulses. ‘biome’ explores human connections to the natural world while inspiring wonderment about the delicate ecosystems that lie within the heart of our increasingly fragile world. The show was conceived with world renowned ecologists on top 200ft tall Douglas fir trees in Washington State and Giant Strangler Figs deep in the Costa Rica Monteverde Cloud Forest. Special post show event with local and national conservation groups.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75toO6TcOV4&feature=related

Presented by the Audubon Society and Toyota Green and sponsored by
The National Science Foundation and the National Geographic Society

ticket prices: $25 presale; $15 students and seniors
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/57559/

* Performance contains some nudity


TEDxSeattle
Lobby reception with wine and light refreshments
Sat, May 30, 2009, 9:30pm- FREE

TEDx is a program of local, self organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and personal connections. The goal of TEDxSeattle is to increase conservation awareness and participation in a fun, interactive setting. Guest speakers will include 2009 TED presenters: the Queen of Canopy research, Dr. Nalini Nadkarni and ‘biome’ Artistic Director, Jodi Lomask. The Seward Park Audubon Center, the Nature Conservancy, the Pacific Science Center, and other environmental groups will provide additional talks, education and outreach activities.


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About Capacitor

Capacitor is a performance arts group renowned for collaborating with the scientific community to create mind-expanding, heart-gripping live shows. Jodi Lomask is the Artistic Director and a fearless explorer of science through movement. Jodi was featured in this year's TED conference along side Bill Gates, Elizabeth Gilbert (Author, “Eat, Pray, Love”), Tim Berners-Lee (Inventor, World Wide Web) and others.

Biome premiered in El Salvador in 2007 with sponsorship from the American Embassy, Campos Art Group, Delta Airlines, and Hilton Hotels. The show has tour nationally and internationally. http://www.capacitor.org/

About Dr. Nalini Nadkarni

Dr. Nalini Nadkarni is a Professor of Ecology at Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA and the President of the International Canopy Network (ICAN)- devoted to facilitating the continuing interaction of people concerned with forest canopies and forest ecosystems around the world. Nalini was featured in the 2001 Emmy Award winning documentary, National Geographic’s tropical forest canopies, "Heroes of the High Frontier" and the author of “Between Earth and Sky: Our Intimate Connections to Trees”. A video of “Unveiling the beautiful, fragile world of rainforest treetop ecosystems” is available. http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/476

About TEDx, x=independently organize event

TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x=independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. The TED conference is an annual event where the world’s leading thinkers and doers are invited to share an idea worth spreading. “TED” stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design — three broad subject areas that are, collectively, shaping our future. The diverse audience — CEOs, scientists, creatives, philanthropists — is almost as extraordinary as the speakers, who have included Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Jane Goodall, Frank Gehry, Paul Simon, Sir Richard Branson, Philippe Starck and Bono. www.TED.com

About TogetherGreen

TogetherGreen will invest in both promising environmental projects and outstanding leaders that can shape a brighter tomorrow. Along with Innovation Grants to be awarded each year, TogetherGreen funds and promotes conservation leadership training and volunteer programs designed to equip and engage diverse groups and individuals to take action today to shape a healthier tomorrow. Information on other grantees, along with opportunities to get involved in conservation efforts, showcase successful initiatives, and honor those who are making a difference, can be found at www.TogetherGreen.org

Back in the Land of Evergreens (and Alders)

Greetings from the Emerald City! I am settling in to the Pacific Northwest after enjoying a most excellent roadtrip from Philadelphia to Seattle. I will resume blogging in June with a post frequency of 1 – 2 times per week on each blog: AppleJade, Arboreality, and Brainripples.

At Arboreality we will be exploring the woods of Western Washington and other localities within reasonable driving distance.

At AppleJade we will be discussing healthy, happy lifestyle through attitude, gardening, cooking, and simple, green living.

At Brainripples we will be sharing methods of creative exploration, successful approaches to working independently, and unique perspectives from featured artists.

You will also find me blogging at the Pennwriters Area 6 HQ, a new blog created as a resource for writers living in and around southeastern Pennsylvania. I will be blogging with other Pennwriters about local news, events, information, and of course – writers!

If you are a writer in the Puget Sound Area (Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Kitsap Peninsula, Bellingham) and would like to join my newly forming Pennwriters Seattle Critique Groups, please contact me for more information.

Finally, I look forward to sharing thoughts and of course images of local forests from the Cascades and the Olympics. I will also be enjoying the opportunity to garden in two different locations, which means plenty of veggies, herbs, and flowers to share with you.

PS - Today's image is of the trunks of Red Alder trees nestled in the Kitsap forests.