While the global pandemic has driven many industries and companies to a halt, well-known nonprofit TED has continued its mission of spreading ideas through playlists, new talks and trending posts from years past.
Plus, its grassroots initiative, TEDx, which brings more than 3,000 events to communities across the country annually, still has plans to host its second annual TEDxOronocoBayPark event in Alexandria this October. Before then though, local residents who want to take the stage and share their insight on any topic of their choosing have the opportunity to audition—virtually, that is—to a live audience of the region.
The very first evening of auditions—titled Virtual Open Mic Night—will be held Thursday, May 7. Throughout the online event, registrants will have the chance to share a pitch of a maximum of three minutes, in tune to this year’s theme, Ripples, in front of the selection committee and any other interested viewers.
Last year, the inaugural TEDxOronocoBayPark event took place at the Mary L. Gates Learning Center, with the theme (Re)imagine guiding each speaker’s thoughts. Notable residents who took the stage included Nancy Lorentz, founder of PK Move; John T. Chapman of the Alexandria City Council; innovator Catharine Young; and many more, with speech topics ranging from ending homelessness to analyzing the breach of cybersecurity.
Until the application window closes on Monday, June 15, there will be more opportunities for interested participants and viewers to take part in Open Mic Nights, set to be announced here. Plus, if you think you have what it takes to share your perspective with the world at the upcoming October, community-based event, you may apply here.
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