World Science Festival

This is a really cool event taking place next week in NYC. If you live here or are visiting, check it out!


World Science Festival, declared “unspeakably cool” by Time Out New York and “a new cultural institution” by the New York Times returns with provocative programs, Nobel prize-winning scientists, innovative thinkers, acclaimed authors and artists, and top policy makers.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to hear some of the world’s preeminent authorities on climate change, biodiversity, sustainability, water issues, ecology and other key fields.

Get your tickets now to explore timely, significant and fascinating questions:

• Why do some of the most ardent foes of nuclear power now believe it must be part of the mix to solve the world’s climate and energy problems? (A New Look at Nuclear Power, Saturday, June 13, 8:00 PM)

• Why is the Hudson River’s history considered an environmental success story? (The Hudson Since Henry: A Natural and Unnatural History, Thursday, June 11, 6:30 PM)

• What does growing a flower on the moon have to do with waste management here on Earth? (WALL-E's World: Designs for an Invisible Footprint, Thursday, June 11, 6:30 PM)

• Beyond what atmospheric level of CO2 will the earth fail to support life as we know it? (Carbon Conundrum: Testing Earth's Limits, Thursday, June 11, 8:00 PM)

• How does more water lead to less water? (Rising Waters in a Thirsty World, Friday, June 12, 8:00 PM)


Opening Night Gala Performance
Wednesday, June 10, 2009, 7:00 PM - 10:30 PM, Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center

Honoring Edward O. Wilson, explorer, poet and champion of the natural world on his 80th birthday

Join event co-chairs Alan Alda, Glenn Close, Harrison Ford, and a glittering cast including “Conductor of the Year” Marin Alsop, extraordinary violinist Joshua Bell, famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma, celebrated star of film, Broadway and TV, Christine Baranski, two-time Tony Award winner James Naughton, comic star of “South Pacific” Danny Burstein, award winning actress Anna Deavere Smith, The Inspirational Voices of The Abyssinian Baptist Church, and students of the National Dance Institute, for a gala performance on the opening night of the 2009 World Science Festival.

Celebrating the 80th birthday of E.O. Wilson, America’s preeminent naturalist and a founding father of the environmental movement, the evening’s festivities include the New York premiere of Frans Lanting’s “LIFE: A Journey Through Time”— a majestic multimedia performance, specially adapted for the World Science Festival, setting the lyrical imagery of National Geographic photographer Frans Lanting to an original score by the renowned composer Philip Glass, and performed by the Orchestra of St. Luke's under the baton of acclaimed conductor Marin Alsop.

The performance is directed and produced by Damian Woetzel, recently retired star of the New York City Ballet. This event is produced in collaboration with Lincoln Center for the performing Arts and held at the newly redesigned Alice Tully Hall.


For more information, visit www.worldsciencefestival.com