The Seacoast’s own version of the TED talks series returns for a third year on May 8. TEDxPiscataquaRiver is a community-organized series of short talks by local, regional, and national experts meant to “spark new, meaningful, and continuing conversations,” according to event organizer Crystal Paradis.
This year’s speakers include Meredith Bennett, a co-executive producer for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert”; Sara Curry, owner of Bikram Yoga in Portsmouth; Reagan Ruedig, an architectural historian and member of the Portsmouth Historic District Commission, and Martha Stone, executive director of Cross Roads House, among others. The theme for this year’s event is “What’s Your Im[PACT]?” — according to Paradis, attendees and viewers will be asked “to make a pact, or commitment, to take positive action in their communities.”
“Building upon the incredible impact that the event made the first two years, our goal is to inspire community action in a more tangible way this time around,” Paradis said.
The event will take place at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth. Tickets are free, but are only available through a public lottery. The lottery will open on Feb. 25 and is available online at tedxpiscataquariver.com. Those without tickets can see the talks at a live watch party or by streaming the event online. — Larry Clow