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TEDxCincy to highlight city’s diversity and ideas

In 1984, Richard Saul Wurman collected intellectuals from the fields of Technology, Entertainment and Design (TED) to discuss their life’s work and new ideas.  Now in 2010, the TED conference has grown to four sold-out yearly conferences, and is now coming to Cincinnati as an independently organized TED event.

The mantra of TED is “ideas worth spreading,” through riveting talks given by remarkable people that are accessible to the world.  Since 2007, the speakers at these conferences have been recorded and available free to listen and watch as podcasts on the Internet.  For the last several months, David Volker, Michael Bergman, Emily Venter and their colleagues at LPK met for “Breakfast and TED” – getting a start on the day by nourishing their creative spirit through learning about topics they were not necessarily familiar with.

“Being in design, branding, and marketing… it’s really great to get perspective in non-related fields,” Volker explained.

The three learned that TED was expanding its reach by allowing independent organizers to collaborate in different cities, and they knew they wanted to bring the experience to Cincinnati.  So they, along with colleague Mary Riffe from Procter & Gamble, reached out to their employers to obtain backing and support on this new endeavor.  “P&G and LPK were very excited about the opportunity. We had their complete support,” said Ms. Venter.

The first TEDxCincy event will take place on October 7, 2010, and will feature a day-long conference with 21-25 speakers covering four different themes which are yet to be released.  Organizers expect the speakers to consist of an incredibly diverse collection of people with passionate and engaging stories, all of whom are connected to Cincinnati and the region in some way.  The conference will also feature entertainment as well as a selected number of podcasts played from the original TED conference.

Compared to initiatives such as Ignite Cincinnati and Pecha Kucha, which have swept the region within the last year, there are distinct differences between the events, but that is not necessarily a bad thing according to those involved.

“This [TEDxCincy] is more structured – the speakers will have between three and eighteen minutes to speak, instead of a rigid six minute presentation,” Michael Bergman explained. “The speakers’ passions will come through – for example, if they’re a musician who’s been practicing for years and years. Their history, research and learning experience will be very apparent.”

With over 150 people nominated to speak at the event already, it has been a difficult task to narrow down the list.  Venter says that the final list of speakers will not be released until a later date, but feels that the group of individuals selected will be a unique group that you will not be able to go anywhere else and hear what they have to say.

“I think we all agree that we’re a little too humble in this city.  There’s some great, great things happening here, and we are too nice to brag about them once in a while,” concluded Volker.  “From global and national perspective, we hope it sheds very positive light on Cincinnati, and shows some of the amazing people that are here.  If people can go to this and learn and hear all the stuff that goes in and go back and bring it into their daily lives, I think it’s only going to make this city a better place, and frankly, more appealing to people who might want to move here or relocate their companies here.”

TEDxCincy will take place Thursday, October 7, 2010 at Procter & Gamble Hall in the Aronoff Center (map) in downtown Cincinnati.  Those interested in attending TEDxCincy are asked to register in advance online.  Those interested in volunteering, submitting a speaker idea, or sponsoring TEDxCincy can do so on the event’s website.  Stay connected by following @TEDxCincy on Twitter, or by becoming a fan on Facebook.  Specific event details are expected in the coming weeks, so stay tuned.

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Arts & Entertainment News

Free screening of Food, Inc. at Main Library – 7/20

The main branch of the Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County will be screening the award-winning and eye-opening documentary Food, Inc. on Tuesday, July 20th at 7pm. The film is second in the library’s Reel to Reel documentary series. Each of the three films to be screened includes a time for community discussion after the film.

Food, Inc. is a documentary, released in 2008, that takes a critical look at the corporate farming industry and investigates farming and food processing practices that are a direct result of increased food production due to the fast food industry. Those interested in learning more about where our food comes from and how to change their eating habits and lifestyle will benefit from watching this film.

The screening of Food, Inc. will take place Tuesday, July 20 at 7pm in the Heunefeld Tower Room of the Main Library (map).  The event is free and open to the public.  Free on-street automobile parking, bicycle parking, and Metro bus service (plan your trip) is available.

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Arts & Entertainment Business News

Downtown Cincinnati’s newest club celebrates grand opening – 7/17

Cincinnati’s newest nightclub is celebrating a grand opening tonight, Saturday July 17 at the corner of 6th and Main streets.  Passage Lounge serves as the eastern anchor to downtown Cincinnati’s growing Backstage Entertainment District.

General Manager Robert Bond states that, “Our number one commitment is to be a service-based venue and we have trained our staff to provide our downtown Cincinnati community patrons with a full, pleasurable and exciting experience.”

At first observation, Passage is definitely a place to see and be seen. The majority of the space is an open plan, with a circular bar serving 360 degrees of drinks anchoring the center of the space. There is a DJ booth and elevated dance stage that can be seen from the street. True to its name, Passage’s decor is mysterious and exotic, with VIP areas accessible only through a secret passage way. Even the restrooms have a trompe l’oeil feel that fools the eye.

Go check out Passage Lounge (map) if you are looking for a new place to enjoy yourself and dance the night away in a classy, fun atmosphere.  The doors will open at 7pm tonight with the party going until 2:30am at which point several late night food options are located nearby for snacking and socializing.

Passage is open Wednesday through Friday from 4pm to 2:30am and Saturdays from 7pm to 2:30am.  They will feature weekday happy hours with drink specials, live entertainment, and a tapas menu which will begin on Wednesday, July 21.  Passage has table reservations available. Those interested in reserving tables or the VIP room should contact Ramsey Houston, at (513) 720-9946 or vip@passagelounge.com.

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Arts & Entertainment News

Drink specials, live music at Neon’s Unplugged – 7/16

Cincinnati Habitat for Humanity Young Professionals (CHYP) is hosting a happy hour at the popular Neon’s Unplugged from 6pm to 9pm this evening. $10 at the door will get you seven beer tickets and/or three mixed drink tickets. The proceeds from the happy hour event will go towards building an affordable home for a Cincinnati family in need.

Stoopid Rooster will be providing live music from 8pm on, and feel free to bring your dog along as Neon’s Unplugged (map) is a pet friendly establishment. Neon’s has recently installed air conditioning inside so do not let the heat keep you away, and as always, you will be able to enjoy bocce ball and Neon’s famous jukebox all night long for free.

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Arts & Entertainment Business News

Independent t-shirt festival to dress Fountain Square – 7/16

Independent fashion designers from around Cincinnati will gather on Fountain Square on Friday, July 16 for the third annual Cincinnati T-Shirt Festival. The event will showcase Cincinnati-themed t-shirts from 14 different vendors, including five new vendors to this year’s festival.

The 2010 Cincinnati T-Shirt Festival will run from 11am to 11pm, and is free and open to the public thanks to Cincy Apparel. Vendors at this year’s event include title sponsor Cincy Apparel, Deadstar Apparel, Southpaw Prints, Rockit, Allscreen Image Marketing, Park+Vine, Alternative Motive, Wire & Twine, Donkey Ts, Anonymous Skate Shop, Unheardof Boutique, Able Projects, Ski Cincinnati, and Proforma Albrecht Co.

Coinciding with the t-shirt festival from 7pm to 10pm is PNC MidPoint’s Indie Summer concert series that will feature The Western; Flux Capacitors; Pop Empire; and You, You’re Awesome in that performance order. Those looking for an extra special experience during the music performances should take advantage of Via Vite’s rooftop terrace which boasts sweeping views of Fountain Square in addition to their food and drink selection.

Free bicycle parking is available inside the Fountain Square Parking Garage and on the square itself. Metro bus service (plan your trip) is readily accessible from all routes that run to the Government Square Transit Center.