Posts tagged with "virtual event"

Champion of Service: Celebration of Muhammad Ali

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Although Muhammad Ali is universally revered as The Greatest of All Time (or G.O.A.T.) for his exploits in the boxing ring, he also became a champion for humanity through his commitment to service outside the ring.

The full life and legacy of this global icon will be celebrated in a national virtual event at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, on the PBS Books Facebook page.

Through a partnership led by PBS Books, USA TODAY and the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, the evening’s program will highlight his dedication to courage, generosity, kindness, and compassion in recognition of his 80th birthday on January 17. Additional partners include the Louisville Courier-Journal, Metro Louisville United Way, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) and Kentucky Educational Television (KET).

His widow, and vice-chair and co-founder of the Ali Center, Lonnie Ali, will introduce the one-hour event. Guest speakers will include PBS filmmaker Ken Burns; Hana Ali, Muhammad Ali’s daughter; John Ramsey, a personal friend; David Chaudoir, a longtime employee; and Dr. Richard Lapchick, who is a human rights activist, author, scholar and the 2021 Muhammad Ali Humanitarian of the Year Award recipient. Each participant will draw upon their personal experiences with Muhammad and share their own unique perspectives on his life and legacy as a humanitarian.

Along with learning more about the unique contributions Muhammad Ali made in sports and society, this national virtual program will also encourage others to participate in The Greatest Giveback through service projects across the country, which are organized each year on January 17, Ali’s birthday. Due to recent COVID spikes, the on-site event at the Ali Center has been postponed until June. In 2022, Muhammad’s birthday coincides with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, offering another opportunity to give back to those in our communities who are suffering racial or social injustices.

The virtual program will include a short video about the Ali Center and Ken Burns sharing some inspirational comments and a segment from his PBS documentary, “Muhammad Ali.” In addition, inspirational authors and celebrities will explain what Ali’s legacy means to them and reveal their personal Red Bike Moment©–a defining moment in their lives, much like the one that changed the future of then 12-year-old Cassius Clay when his red Schwinn bike was stolen, an incident that led him to a Louisville boxing gym and which became a catalyst for his athletic career and life’s purpose.

About the Muhammad Ali Center

The Muhammad Ali Center, a 501(c)3 corporation, was cofounded by Muhammad Ali and his wife Lonnie in their hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. The international cultural center promotes the Six Core Principles of Muhammad Ali (Confidence, Conviction, Dedication, Giving, Respect, and Spirituality) in ways that inspire personal and global greatness and provides programming and events around the focus areas of education, racial and gender equity, and global citizenship. The Ali Center is formally associated with the United Nations Department of Global Communications, and in 2020, became one of the newest stops on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail. The Center’s headquarters also contains an award-winning museum experience. For more information, please click HERE.

About PBS Books

PBS Books is a multi-platform initiative celebrating the love of reading. Through social and digital engagement and live coverage of important literary events across the country, PBS Books celebrates books and writers and works to foster a passion for reading among public media viewers and listeners. In 2019, PBS Books launched a free Library Engagement Program, which currently has more than 1,800 library partners that share its content and programming.

Philadelphia × New Jersey Pride Events – Summer 2021

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By: Ally Brewster

Philadelphia is a place with a vibrant, bright LGBTQ+ community. The Covid-19 pandemic put a pause on many events last year, but that’s not the case this year. With places opening back up, with covid guidelines, Pride events are back!

See below for a list of some (but by no means all) of the pride events in and around Philadelphia, as well as across the river in New Jersey, during the 2021 Summer:

BFSC Family Pride Picnic & Pool Party – Wednesday, June 23

Time: 5-8PM
Location: Barclay Farm Swim Club, 315 Whitemarsh Way, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
Price: Tickets Will Be Sold At The Door: $20 Each Adult, $10 Each Child
Description: Enjoy games, contests, door prizes, Mr. Softee and a dance floor! Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. Bring your own picnic.

Pride Fashion Show! – Athleta & Ten Thousand Villages Virtual Event!– Thursday, June 24

Facebook Live
Time: 3PM
Description: “Athleta x Ten Thousand Villages are partnering in support of Valley Youth House emergency shelters! LGBTQ+ and Ally volunteers will be modeling Athleta’s Pride month clothing collection along with fair trade accessories to raise awareness for our June donation drive for Valley Youth House’s LGBTQ+ services. All donated items will go into backpacks for LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness.
Needed items: Socks, bras, menstrual supplies, soap, underwear, pyjamas, blankets, stuffed animals, board games, keychains, journals, art supplies & coloring books, gift cards Drop off at Ten Thousand Villages or Athleta (Bryn Mawr and Glen Mills).”

Franklin Institute Family Pride – Saturday, June 26

Time: 12:00-4:00 PM
Location: The Franklin Institute 222 North 20th Street Philadelphia, PA 19103
Price: Included with museum admission. Free for Franklin Institute Members.
Description: Join the museum for an afternoon that blur the lines of science and performance! The Franklin Institute will partner with local drag queens for whimsical shows and dissections. It will be an afternoon of expressive coloring, roving demos, the science of bubbles and rainbows, photo-ops, colorful lights, and themed music for a community celebration!

Philly Pride! Make it Glow! – Saturday, June 26

Time: 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm (Arrive 15 minutes early)
Location: 209 Leedom Street in Jenkintown Borough, PA 19046
Price: $38-$47 per person
Description: A night of painting with pride with your instructor Jay! A small class size. Reservations are required prior to arrival. The studio is BYOB, so you can bring your own food and drinks (wine, beer, soft drinks, no hard alcohol. Alcohol for ages 21+).

Pride Storytime – Saturday, June 26

Time: 10:30 AM
Location: 175 W Valley Forge Rd, King of Prussia, PA 19406-1851, United States | King Of Prussia
Description: Join Parker Edge at the UMT Park by the Gazebo @ 10:30AM for a pride-themed Storytime & activities!

Queering Wood Craft Virtual Event!- Saturday, June 26

Live on Zoom, hosted by The Center for Art in Wood
Time: 7:00-8:30 PM EDT
Price: Free! (With a suggested donation of $5 per person enables them to provide programs and exhibitions throughout the year).
Description: “Independent scholar and curator John-Duane Kingsley will lead this roundtable discussion with leading queer woodworkers and artists in wood, sharing the ways their lived experience impacts their craft, process, and aesthetic. Join us for an enlightening and fun evening. The Center for Art in Wood interprets, nurtures, and champions creative engagement and expansion of art, craft, and design in wood to enhance the public’s understanding and appreciation of it.”

Upper Darby Pride presents Drag Queen Story Hour and Potluck – Saturday, June 26

Time: 12PM
Location: Sellers Park, PA
Description: “Join your friends at Upper Darby Pride for an early afternoon of friends at Upper Darby’s history Sellers Park and Playground. Bring snacks and food to share with your group. Enjoy storytime with one of UD’s own drag queen readers, a great family friendly event for Pride Month 2021!”

LGBTQ+ Themed Children’s Story Time @ Perkasie Borough Farmer’s Market – Saturday, June 26

Time: 09:00 AM TO 12:00 PM
Location: Perkasie Farmer’s Market, 1 S 7th St, Perkasie, PA 18944
Price: On the grassy area close to the Shelly’s Design Center sign at the corner of 7th & Market.
Decription: There will be blankets to sit on, a table display of Children’s picture books with LGBTQ+ inclusive themes and a pride themed picture book list that can be used to add to your personal library.

Upper Darby Pride Festival – Sunday, June 27

Time: 1:00-7:00PM
Location: Upper Darby High School, 601 N Lansdowne Ave, Drexel Hill, PA, 19026
Description: Attendees are required to wear face masks! Activities fun for all ages! There will be specific kid-friendly activities, vendors, music, opportunities to help fund our mural arts program, and much more.

Pride Power Flow – Sunday, June 27

Time: 12:00 PM TO 01:00 PM
Location: Eagleview Town Center, 565 Wellington Square, Exton, PA 19341, Exton, United States
Price: Approximate price $20
Description: Hosted by Blue Buddha healing arts. Join Krystal in a day of power and strength building yoga while supporting the LGBTQ+ community. Rainbow clothing encouraged! A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit the Trevor Project!

Our City, Your Orchestra: William Way LGBT Community Center – Monday, June 28

Time: 7:00PM
Location: One South Broad Street | 14th Floor Philadelphia PA | 19107
Description: “The first season of Our City, Your Orchestra culminates with a visit to the William Way LGBT Community Center in celebration of Pride Month in June. The William Way Community Center encourages, supports, and advocates for the well-being and acceptance of the LGBTQIA+ community of Philadelphia through service, recreational, educational, and cultural programming. Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin will be joined by GRAMMY-winning composer and Philadelphia resident Jennifer Higdon and members of the Orchestra.”

History Talk: Before Stonewall, Before Gay Pride, there Was Philadelphia Virtual Event!–Wednesday, June 30

Zoom event (registration required)
Time: June 30, 2021 7:00 pm– 8:30 pm
Description: “William Way LGBT Community Center curator Bob Skiba will present on the history of the Philadelphia LGBTQ movement while placing it in a national context of LGBTQ history. This hour long illustrated presentation begins by examining what it was like to be queer in 1950s and 1960s America, an America where anyone who was at all different was demonized, medicated or arrested. It continues with Philadelphia’s response to this relentless oppression – the annual Reminder demonstrations that occurred every 4th of July from 1965 to 1969 in front of Independence Hall, the first organized, regularly recurring protests for gay rights in the country. Finally, it tells how the Stonewall riots changed that paradigm for good, morphing those Annual Reminders into and Gay Pride marches and giving birth to the modern LGBTQ movement.”

In Honor of: GAY PRIDE on The Farm – Saturday, July 17

Time: 10 am – 5 pm
Location: The Farm. 130 Mill Road, Evesham, NJ 08053
Price: Free entry. Drag Queen performances by ticket only ($15-$30).
Description: Activities include Craft Show/Vendors/Food. Drag Queens performing in the evening (by ticket only). Your Hostess will be Ariel Versace. With her will be Chasity St. Claire, Kali Coutour, Zephyra Rivers, Stefani Steel & Vickie Versace.

Bucks-Mont Pride Festival – Sunday, July 18

Time: 1-6PM
Location: Abington Art Center – 515 Meetinghouse Rd, Jenkintown, PA 19046
Description: “SAGA is proud to partner with several local organizationsto bring the first annual PRIDE Festival to Montgomery County, PA. Enjoy live music, food, community resources, family-friendly activities, and more at this free, outdoor event!”

Philadelphia Pride – September (date TBD)

After recent backlash of transphobia and racism, the group that has planned Philadelphia Pride in the past has dissolved (see more information from the Philadelphia Inquirer). Due to this, according to Abdul-Aliy Muhammad per the Philadelphia Inquirer, black and brown LGBTQ+ organizers of the local community are beginning to work on a more inclusive, accepting event in its place this September.

New Jersey Gay Pride Day – Sept 12

Time: 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Location: Cooper River Park. GPS users: Use address 7001 N. Park Drive, Cherry Hill, NJ (this is the business address of Standard Merchandising which is directly across the street of our location)
Price: Free!
Description: Bring your blankets, chairs and tables! Headliner: TBD Other Entertainers: Reigning 2017 Ms. South Jersey Gay Pride Ginger Alle, 2019 Mr. South Jersey Gay Pride Manny Tucker Lovett, 2019 Ms. South Jersey Gay Pride Karen Vonsay, Rasta Boi Punany, Jon Kem, DJ Deluxx, and more!

To find more LGBTQ+ events in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas, visit Philly Gay Pride, Philly Gay Calendar and Visit Philadelphia!

2021 Hot Wheels Legends Tour

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2021 Hot Wheels Legends Tour Ramps Up with May 20 Virtual Event

Hosted by urban car culture icon, DUB magazine, and presented by Mobil 1, the next North American leg of Legends Tour will be live May 20
Streaming will kick off at 5:00 PM PDT on both the Hot Wheels and DUB magazine Facebook pages
Both Canadian and U.S. contestants will once again see which build has the most garage spirit

The 2021 Hot Wheels Legends Tour burns on with the next North American virtual event Thursday, May 20. Returning for another tour, DUB magazine—world renowned for its coverage of urban car customs and celebrity vehicle features— is back to co-host the show.

Open to fans across the United States and Canada, Hot Wheels is ready for the next epic round of custom car submissions. Once again, this event winner will go on to compete for a chance to see their build become immortalized as the next 2021 Hot Wheels Garage of Legends inductee and have their custom vehicle 1:64 die-cast model sold in Walmart stores around the world.

Presented by Mobil 1 and sponsored by Walmart, Dynacraft and Milestone S.r.l, this next stop in the world’s largest traveling car show will be available on the Hot Wheels and DUB Facebook pages starting at 5:00 p.m. PDT. Host Jarod DeAnda will be joined by an array of automotive enthusiast judges, including his co-host, professional racer and stunt driver Collete Davis, Hot Wheels designers Ralph Benitez and Kevin Geralez, as well as DUB magazine co-founder and SEMA’s ‘2020 Person of the Year’ Myles Kovacs. Each will be looking for the entry that best embodies authenticity, creativity and garage spirit.

To watch this premiere automotive livestream event, visit the Hot Wheels Legends Tour Facebook Page or the DUB Magazine Facebook Page.

Dates for future stops will be announced soon, and fans may register or learn more about the Hot Wheels Legends. Live events will be returning to U.S.-based Walmart stores this summer.

A winner has emerged for the 2^nd North American stop of the 2021 Hot Wheels Legends Tour!

Paul Kalenian of Santa Fe, New Mexico and his 2020 Lulu will go on to compete with other regional winners from around the world later this year for a chance to have his custom car become the next Garage of Legends inductee and made into a 1:64 Hot Wheels die-cast toy.

About The 2020 Lulu

The Lulu is a one-of-a-kind, fully street legal, race-inspired ride. Garage built–from sketch to street–in just seven months, this heli arc, all aluminum monocoque/bulkhead design features a rear, structurally mounted turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 325 hp and 24 PSI. The brain child of 70-year-old Paul Kalenian, it loosely replicates Mickey Thompson’s 1963 Harvey Aluminum race car. To date, Lulu has already clocked 5,000 miles.

Other outstanding competitors from tonight’s stop included:

1965 Ford Econoline
1962 Ford Falcon
1966 Novetta
1964 Chevy Nova Wagon
2007 Jaguar XK
1998 Honda CR-V / Fiberfab GT40 Avenger Kit Car
1949/2008 Ford/BMW
2020 Chevy C8 3LT Z/51
1996 F250

Hot Wheels Legends Tour 2021 winner: The Lulu image via Taylor Vande Beek (Extension PR) for use by 360 Magazine

AIDS Walk Virtual Event

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**Six Cities Will Join AIDS Walks Across America For “AIDS Walk: Live at Home”, A Blockbuster Television and Streaming Event, May 16**

We are excited to share that AIDS Walk: Live at Home will be returning on May 16 for it’s annual blockbuster event. As the world’s largest and most visible HIV/AIDS fundraising event raising over $155 million in its 35 years – the 2021 virtual event will continue to fundraise for vital services for people most vulnerable to HIV and COVID-19. This year marks the largest event yet with six cities including New York, Milwaukee, San Francisco, Austin, New Orleans and Seattle all participating.

GMHC of New York, NY, and Vivent Health of Milwaukee, WI, announced that they will be collaborating with Austin, New Orleans, San Francisco, and Seattle in addition to New York and Milwaukee for this year’s star studded event. The televised and streaming of AIDS Walk: Live at Home, will be bigger than last year’s virtual event, with the culmination of the fundraising efforts of six AIDS Walk events which encompass all corners of the nation. Funds raised will principally benefit GMHC, Vivent Health, CrescentCare, AIDS Walk San Francisco Foundation, Lifelong, as well as supporting dozens of other AIDS organizations.

“As we mark the fortieth year of AIDS in America, we are inspired by the coming together of AIDS Walks from all across the United States. The local community partners and I are so very excited to continue to work alongside these outstanding participating organizations. Together, we will continue to fight as one for an end to the AIDS epidemic,” said Craig R. Miller, the founder of the original AIDS Walks in the US, on behalf of the groups benefiting from this year’s event.

AIDS Walk: Live at Home will also feature performances and appearances by a select list of talent, who themselves have a history of association with HIV/AIDS charities, including: Tony, Emmy and Grammy Award winning trailblazer, Billy Porter; Tony and Grammy Award winning actress Heather Headley; Oscar, Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award winning legend, Rita Moreno; actor, singer, writer, producer, director and activist Tony Goldwyn; singer and actress Liz Callaway; actor and singer Alex Newell; Golden Globe and Oscar nominated, choreographer and community activist Rosie Perez; actor, designer and host Carson Kressley; actor, author and activist George Takei; and the stars from the Emmy award winning “RuPaul’s Drag Race”.

With live segments planned, including “Viewing Parties” from New York’s iconic Central Park Boathouse and the National AIDS Memorial Grove in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, AIDS Walk: Live at Home will be broadcast on ABC7/KGO-TV in the Bay Area and streamed live on CBSN and AIDSWalk.net.

“AIDS Walk: Live at Home will reflect the strength and individual character of all six landmark events and the communities that embrace them year after year,” said Kelsey Louie, CEO of GMHC, Isaac Rodriguez of the AIDS Walk San Francisco Foundation, and Craig R. Miller, Founder of the AIDS Walks in New York and San Francisco among other cities.

“Vivent Health is pleased to join with the nation’s most visible HIV/AIDS fundraising events,” said Michael Gifford, President and CEO at Vivent Health. “Through partnership with AIDS Walk Wisconsin and AIDS Walk Austin – both part of the Vivent Health family – we will connect with other cities in our shared goal to end HIV/AIDS.”

“In Washington State and around the country, we continue to see Black, Latinx and Indigenous communities disproportionately impacted by new HIV cases,” said Claire Neal, Lifelong CEO. “We are excited to work hand-in-hand with like-minded organizations throughout the nation collaborating on AIDS Walk: Live at Home.”

“This is a brilliant opportunity for us to participate in a wide-scale effort that brings attention to the HIV crisis that still looms in this country,” said Noel Twilbeck, CEO of CrescentCare in New Orleans. “Together, our voices will be heard as one. HIV eradication is within our grasp.”

“As our nation’s only federally-designated memorial to AIDS and as stewards of the AIDS Quilt, we are honored to host this virtual Live at Home event in our beloved National AIDS Memorial Grove with the backdrop of Quilt displays to serve as inspiration and hope to all the walkers and their sponsors.” said John Cunningham, the Memorial’s Executive Director.

“The AIDS Walk events in each of the participating cities have their own unique characteristics. But the clients we serve all face very similar challenges. It makes sense for us to come together as one community and to unite some of the nation’s most powerful and effective AIDS fundraisers from all regions of the country.” said Louie.

“In doing this work, we have been brought together by one pandemic even as we continue to fight another. The public’s recent revelations about racism, bias and hate in America are in fact at the heart of what AIDS Walks have been working to expose, confront and change for decades.” said Miller. “We have long stood, walked and marched to oppose the racist, sexist, homophobic and transphobic disparities that persist in America and throughout our healthcare and criminal justice systems. Protecting people who have been singled out, harassed, scapegoated and underserved is what we do. It is our legacy and it remains our commitment.”

Virtual Ozy Fest

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OZY MEDIA ANNOUNCES VIRTUAL OZY FEST FOR MAY 15-16 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HBCUs, CLUBHOUSE

Headliners at the May festival include Chance the Rapper, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Condoleezza Rice, Mark Cuban, Malcolm Gladwell, Sevyn Streeter and Marc Rebillet

OZY Media announced that OZY Fest, its one-of-a-kind festival of great entertainment, interactive experiences and big conversations, will return on May 15-16 as a virtual event, after the 2020 festival was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Headliners include musicians Chance the Rapper, Sevyn Streeter, Big Freedia, Marc Rebillet and Kat Cunning; comedians Tig Notaro, Maz Jobrani and Aida Rodriguez; chefs Marcus Samuelsson, Tom Colicchio and Ming Tsai; thought leaders Dr. Anthony Fauci, Mark Cuban, Condoleezza Rice, Malcolm Gladwell, Jim Cramer, Revd. Al Sharpton, Deepak Chopra, Rep. Maxine Waters, Sunny Hostin, Alicia Garza, Marcus Scribner, Sophia Chang, DeRay Mckesson, Carmen Yulín Cruz, Adam Grant, Katty Kay, Matt James, Valerie Jarrett, Dr. Michael Lomax, Mariana van Zeller, Dr. Danielle Moss, Dr. Eddie Glaude Jr., Angela Benton and Carlos Watson; and sports figures Michael Vick, Stephen A Smith and CC Sabathia. The festival will be livestreamed to the Carlos Watson Show YouTube Channel, presented by OZY Media.

OZY Fest brings together the game-changers and change-makers who are ahead of their time and worthy of yours for a virtual celebration of bold change and big ideas. The festival has previously been held in New York City’s Central Park with guests including John Legend, Trevor Noah, Issa Rae, Padma Lakshmi and Joe Biden, and has been described as “TED meets Coachella” and “New York’s answer to SXSW” for its unmatched blend of thought leadership and entertainment.

The virtual festival will be streamed live, with two simultaneous virtual stages between 5pm and 9pm ET offering a combination of live music and comedy performance, thought leadership, and interactive programming. VIP tickets are available for purchase allowing access to exclusive interactive virtual offerings. OZY Fest’s partnership with new live social media platform Clubhouse will break new ground, employing the app’s private chat functionality to host VIP meet-and-greets in an intimate audio-only setting.

“We are so excited to be bringing OZY Fest back,” says OZY COO and co-founder Samir Rao. “Virtual events and festivals have been hit and miss over the trying past year, but OZY Fest is going to take things to the next level, with the most interactive virtual experience of all time. OZY Fest won’t disappoint if you’re as tired of Zoom as we are.”

The theme of OZY Fest 2021 is “Reset America,” with organizers saying that it hopes to host conversations to reimagine how democracy, racial justice, education and more should work in the 21st century. OZY Media is partnering with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) to provide free access to all current students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and to donate proceeds from VIP ticket sales to UNCF. UNCF CEO, Dr. Michael Lomax, is featured among OZY Fest headliners.

“It’s a privilege to be partnering with UNCF to make an impact with OZY Fest this year,” says Carlos Watson, OZY CEO and co-founder, and host of The Carlos Watson Show. “I have said before that the 2020s will be the new 1960s, and OZY will play its role in facilitating some of the most important conversations about where we turn next as a society.”

OZY Fest is brought to you by Chevrolet and American Family Insurance. It is produced by OZY Media in partnership with YouTube, Twitter, Clubhouse and iHeartRadio.

For a full list of headliners and information about how to register for tickets or purchase VIP passes, head to OZY Fest.

Cityzenith Futuristic Sky Mapping

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Digital Twin pioneer Cityzenith predicts futuristic 3D sky mapping will launch low carbon city flight revolution

Science fiction fans can tick off one more prediction turned to reality as NASA aims to optimize local travel and commuting by air above cities.

A key enabler is Digital Twin technology, a ‘real-world SimCity’ software able to aggregate vast quantities of data on buildings, roads, infrastructure, vehicles, and even the space above into an interactive 3D virtual model of a city.

It is the potential to manage integrated drone and ‘new age’ air taxi routes in the air space that attracted a nationwide NASA search, leading Digital Twin pioneer Cityzenith to be 1 of just 10 tech companies presenting to senior NASA officials at the prestigious ‘Ignite the Night: Aeronautics’* NASA iTech virtual event on April 13, 2021.

NASA iTech identifies and searches for cutting-edge technologies being developed outside of NASA that solve problems on Earth, but also having the potential to address challenges facing exploration of the Moon and Mars.

The high-profile panel of judges includes:

Harry Partridge, Center Chief Technologist, NASA Ames Research Center

Kurt R. Sacksteder, Center Chief Technologist, NASA Glenn Research Center

David Voracek, Center Chief Technologist, NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center

Julie Williams-Byrd, Deputy Chief Technologist, NASA Langley Research Center NASA’s vision for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aims to help develop air transportation to safely move people and cargo between places previously not served or underserved by aviation – local, regional, intra-regional, and urban – using revolutionary new aircraft only now becoming possible.

Michael Jansen, CEO of Chicago-based Cityzenith, said: “This will be the second presentation to NASA by my company and its SmartWorldOS software platform within weeks, and we are very honored and excited to be the only Digital Twin company at this prestigious gathering.

“It highlights yet another application for Digital Twin technology and growing interest in flight above our cities, a dream dating back to the ground-breaking 1927 movie ‘Metropolis’ and many sci-fi classics since then, but now set to happen as we move to delivery by flying drones and then human travel by zero-carbon air vehicles using electric propulsion.

“It will open a whole new dimension to city life; no longer will high-rise living and working mean people must literally come down to earth to go elsewhere.

“But there is a real pressure to act, too: The World Economic Forum has reported that ground level delivery vehicles in the world’s 100 largest cities will increase 36% by 2030, carbon emissions from all urban delivery traffic will rise 32% and congestion will be up by 21%, adding 11 minutes to an average daily commute.

“NASA introduced the air taxi concept in 2001 and the race is now on to create the first viable electric machines in a market tipped to grow 26.2% annually to $6.63 billion by 2030**.

“This new air mobility can also significantly reduce greenhouse gases in cities, a goal of our Clean Cities – Clean Future mission to drive down urban carbon emissions. Cities produce more than 70% of global carbon emissions (source: UN) and that’s why we pledged to donate SmartWorldOS to key cities around the world, one at a time, to help the most polluted become carbon neutral.

“We are also expanding to meet demand for our Digital Twin capability as the post-COVID-19 ‘Build Back better’ initiative grows; we have just passed a $2.5 million milestone en route to a $10 million Regulation A+ crowdfunding investment raise.”

Provided by:

World Digital Foundation

Allied Market Research

The Don’t Block Your Blessings Festival

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Out of loss and adversity emerges an uplifting global project and festival, led by Erez Safar (who produces under the name h2the), in honor of his late mother, “Frida Levona bat Shalom”.

“I lost my mom to cancer two months ago,” Safar shared, “and the pain was so intense, I knew I had to do something with it. My mom had an incredible light inside her and navigated the world with hope and positivity. I realized the best way to honor her memory would be to turn that pain and darkness I was feeling into a light that I could share with others. So I put together this project called ‘Don’t Block Your Blessings’ (DBYB), and I hope it can become a space for people to share wisdom for leading better, happier lives.”

Safar comes off as warm, playful, and relaxed as he speaks with me over video chat, from his LA apartment. He tells me he looks at the DBYB platform as a form of “Cheat Codes To Happiness,” where people can trade stories as they navigate the ups and downs of life, and share how they have been able to bring more blessings into their lives via perspective, faith and gratitude. In addition to live-stream festivals (the next of which will take place this month), the project also lives on the site here, as well as an active discussion and healing space on the new and wildly popular mobile app, Clubhouse.

Don’t Block Your Blessings (DBYB) first launched two months ago, with a one of a kind live-stream festival by the same name, featuring musicians, artists, and some of the most innovative minds in self-growth and healing. The DBYB Festival is hosted on an exclusive virtual platform, which boasts three interactive rooms and allows festival-goers to easily move from room to room, as then explore various talks, musical performances, and the creation of visual art, live in real-time.

This is not the first time Safar has wowed with his creative approach to online events. His first live-stream festival, Lo-Freq Fest, was featured in Billboard and shared around the globe. The debut DBYB festival featured over 40+ world-wide presenters with 25,774 viewers.

The next festival will be free to attend virtually and is set to take place on Valentine’s (Sunday, February 14th), between 6-9 pm PST.

The festival will feature contemporary artists, musicians, and teachers in the fields of self-growth and healing. Presenters include:

Alicia Dunams

The founder of Bestseller in a Weekend, Dunams has helped more than 1500 leaders write books. She is also a leadership trainer, executive coach and certified peacemaker. She will be presenting in the healing room “The Slippery Slope vs. The Conscious Climb – Managing Our Unconscious Bias.”

Dr. Aparajita (AJ)

A social psychologist, a diversity and inclusion consultant, a certified life and executive coach, an author, a speaker, an immigrant, and a two-time traumatic brain injury survivor. She will be presenting in the healing room “Making Your Invisible Visible for Happiness.”

The Boom Bap Kids

Purveyors of funk and hip hop, founders Woes Martin, Silent John, and Mike Steel will be bringing their fabric puppetry and beats to the festival.

Shantala

Founders Benjy and Heather Wertheimer have been leading kirtan (sacred chanting) worldwide since 2001. They are known for their special gift of bringing audiences into a vast and loving experience through their unique blend of exquisite voices accompanied by instruments of India and the west. In 2020 alone, their music has garnered over 14 million streams.

Bomani X

The face of Clubhouse and the host of its #CottonClub, Bomani X is an artist in every sense of the word, a guitarist, singer songwriter, and a celebrity digital strategist who has worked with Jill Scott, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, Wyclef, and more.

B Hill

A lifelong passionate artist and designer. Native to Harlem-New York City, Hill now exhibits and paints live, showcasing her nine-year figurative subject matter: “A Woman’s perspective.” In conjunction with her exhibitions, she directs an international art education foundation, “Art Education with B. Hill”, which brings art curriculum to underserved schools and communities. She will be joining the festival’s Live Art room.

See below for the full list of presenters at the multi-room DBYB festival:

Featured Musicians:

Ada Pasternak, Adam Cola, Caitlin Jemma, Deborah Stokol, DJ Beatific, Drew Angus, Eko Zu, Eli Lev, Gattison, Gentleman Brawlers, Gerle, h2the, Kevin Daniel, Kindred Melodies, Kirsten Collins, Klezmer Juice, Latch Key Kid, Louii King, Lucinda Belle, Luke Kohen, Mikey Pauker, My Silent Bravery, Nina Grae, Psychic Twin, R E L, Ray Bean, RYNO, Shantala, Talia Dalton, Willow Stephens

Featured Healers:

Alexis Ware, Alicia Dunams, Casilda Zackhariyas, Danielle Grozavu, David Sacks, Dr. Aparajita Jeedigunta, Emi Ollin, Hard Charlie, Jen The Rainmaker, Kimberly Ariella, Krystal Aranyani, Lisa Stuart, Melissa Drake, Mendi Baron, Rhyanna Watson, Robyn Stern, Sara Mandel, Sarah BL, Sovereign University, The Breathe Center, Yoni Temple School

Featured Painters:

Abreesha*, B Hill, Domogee, Meira Batya, Sey x Yes, Shlome

In a time where so many of us have been confined to our homes and have lost our outlets for social connection and engagement, the DBYB festival promises to lift us up and create a community where we can come together, feel inspired and discover our own cheat codes to happiness.

San Francisco Ballet Virtual Benefit

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San Francisco Ballet (SF Ballet) announces details for its first-ever virtual benefit, Leap Into the New Year, to be held online via Socio on Thursday, January 14, 2021 to mark the opening of SF Ballet’s historic 88th Digital Season.

With a performance curated by Artistic Director and Principal Choreographer Helgi Tomasson, the event includes delivered items, such as a meal, caviar, and gifts provided by McCalls Catering & Events; and wine provided by Rodney Strong Vineyards. The evening’s programming includes the SF Ballet performance debut of two of the Company’s new Principal Dancers, Nikisha Fogo and Julian MacKay, in the Act III pas de deux from Don Quixote, and an excerpt from a new work by Helgi Tomasson created on members of SF Ballet’s corps de ballet—click here to see a video about this work.

Leap Into the New Year also includes a newly produced prelude to Mrs. Robinson by Cathy Marston, featuring Principal Dancers Sarah Van Patten and Joseph Walsh, and excerpts from the Digital Season’s additional world premieres, Wooden Dimes by Danielle Rowe and a new work by Myles Thatcher. Complete programming and casting are included at the bottom of this release.

Proceeds from Leap Into the New Year will benefit a wide range of SF Ballet artistic initiatives, including new works, accessible digital content, scholarships and financial aid programs for San Francisco Ballet School students, and community education programs for youth, families, and seniors. The event begins at 6 pm with access to private virtual tables; a wine education session with the event’s wine sponsor, Rodney Strong Vineyards; and behind-the-scenes content from rehearsals, followed by a 7 pm performance.

Ticket holders at the Artistic Director, Principal, Producer, and Soloist levels will enjoy VIP programming, including the pas de deux from William Forsythe’s In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated, rehearsed by Forsythe on Soloist Sasha Mukhamedov and Principal Dancer Aaron Robison, and the White Swan Pas De Deux from Helgi Tomasson’s Swan Lake performed by Fogo and MacKay.

Under the direction of Music Director Martin West, San Francisco Ballet Orchestra recorded music for the event using approved safety protocols at Skywalker Studios, 25th Street Recording, and the SF Conservatory of Music, which was produced, engineered and mastered by Leslie Ann Jones.

The evening is hosted by SF Ballet Soloist Madison Keesler, who will be styled by Neiman Marcus. All table guests will enjoy a private, virtual meet-and-greet with a Company dancer during the event and will have access to a virtual social wall where they can share photography and messages with other benefit-goers. Artistic Director and Principal level table guests will also have the option to request an on-site, socially-distanced photo-op with Drew Altizer Photography.

Tickets to the event start at $3,000 for a pair of guests or $1,600 for a virtual table of four for ENCORE! members. Guests who wish to receive a meal, wine, and gifts delivered to their home day-of must RSVP by December 31, 2020. Reservations may be made online or by contacting Emma Lundberg, SF Ballet’s Special Events Manager, at elundberg@sfballet.org or 415.865.6629.

LEAP INTO THE NEW YEAR’S PERFORMANCE PROGRAM

Premier Presenting Producer

Osterweis Capital Management

Presenting Producers

Frederick and Shelby Gans

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Linnea and George Roberts

Denise Littlefield Sobel

Excerpt from new work by Helgi Tomasson

Composer: Jean Phillippe Rameau

Artistic Director Sponsor: Dr. Sunnie Evers

Featuring: JULIA ROWE, LEILI RACKOW, BIANCA TEIXERIA, NATASHA SHEEHAN

DIEGO CRUZ, LUCAS ERNI, LUCA FERRÒ, LLEYTON HO

Dedicated To… by Yuri Possokhov

Composer: Victor Osadchev

Artistic Director Sponsor: Jennifer and Steven Walske

Featuring: YUAN YUAN TAN

Excerpt from Wooden Dimes, Danielle Rowe’s world premiere

Composer: James M. Stephenson

Artistic Director Sponsor: Alison and Michael Mauzé

Featuring: LUKE INGHAM, DORES ANDRÉ, MAX CAUTHORN

Pas de Deux from Coppélia by Arthur Saint-Léon

Composer: Léo Delibes

Artistic Director Sponsors: Richard C. Barker; Yurie and Carl Pascarella

Featuring: MISA KURANAGA, ANGELO GRECO

Excerpt from Myles Thatcher’s world premiere

Composer: Steve Reich

Artistic Director Sponsor: Christine Russell and Mark Schlesinger

CASTING TO BE ANNOUNCED

Short film of Mrs. Robinson world premiere by Cathy Marston

Composer: Terry Davies

Artistic Director Sponsor: Fang and Gary Bridge

Featuring: SARAH VAN PATTEN, JOSEPH WALSH, LUKE INGHAM

Act III Pas de Deux from Don Quixote by Alexander Gorsky and Marius Petipa

Staging and Additional Choreography by Helgi Tomasson and Yuri Possokhov

Composer: Ludwig Minkus

Artistic Director Sponsor: Diane B. Wilsey

Featuring: NIKISHA FOGO, JULIAN MACKAY

Pas de Deux from In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated by William Forsythe (VIP ONLY)

Composer: Thom Willems

Artistic Director Sponsor: James C. Hormel and Michael P. N. Hormel

Featuring: SASHA MUKHAMEDOV, AARON ROBISON

White Swan Pas De Deux from Swan Lake by Helgi Tomasson (VIP ONLY)

Composer: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Featuring: NIKISHA FOGO, JULIAN MACKAY

ABOUT HELGI TOMASSON

Helgi Tomasson, one of the most venerated classical dancers of his generation, embarks on his 36th season with San Francisco Ballet in 2021. Born in Iceland, he danced with Harkness Ballet, The Joffrey Ballet, and New York City Ballet, where he distinguished himself as a dancer of technical purity, musicality, and intelligence. Tomasson assumed leadership of SF Ballet in 1985. Under his direction, SF Ballet has become a company widely recognized as one of the finest in the world.

Tomasson has balanced devotion to the classics with an emphasis on new works, cultivating frequent collaborations and commissions with choreographers such as William Forsythe, Christopher Wheeldon, Alexei Ratmansky, Trey McIntyre, Cathy Marston, and Mark Morris, among many others. He has choreographed more than 50 works for the Company, including full-length productions of Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, Romeo & Juliet (taped for Lincoln Center at the Movies’ Great American Dance), Giselle, and Nutcracker (taped for PBS’s Great Performances).

He conceptualized the 1995 UNited We Dance festival, in which SF Ballet hosted 12 international companies; the 2008 New Works Festival, which included 10 world premieres by 10 acclaimed choreographers; and 2018 Unbound: A Festival of New Works. Tomasson has also connected SF Ballet to the world, through co-commissions with companies including American Ballet Theatre, The Royal Ballet, and Dutch National Ballet; and major tours to Paris, London, New York City, China, and his native Iceland. In 2020, Tomasson received the San Francisco Arts Medallion, created by the Museum of Performance + Design to recognize those individuals whose leadership, action, and generosity have benefited the cultural life of the San Francisco Bay Area.

ABOUT THE SAN FRANCISCO BALLET

San Francisco Ballet, long recognized for pushing boundaries in dance, has enjoyed a long and rich tradition of artistic “firsts” since its founding in 1933, including performing the first American productions of Swan Lake and Nutcracker, as well as the first 20th-century American Coppélia.

SF Ballet is one of the three largest ballet companies in the United States and currently presents more than 100 performances annually, both locally and internationally. The mission of SF Ballet is to share its joy of dance with the widest possible audience—in its community and worldwide—and to provide the highest caliber of dance training in its School. Under the direction of Helgi Tomasson, the Company has achieved an international reputation as one of the preeminent ballet companies in the world.

Sandra’s Wine Life × Thomas Preti Events to Savor

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Sandra Guibord, CEO and Founder of Sandra’s Wine Life, today announced the formal launch of her already successful partnership with Thomas Preti Events to Savor.

The wine educator and top New York caterer have pivoted their businesses, traditionally in-person wine education courses and large-scale in-person events respectively, to provide services virtually, shipping their wine and culinary creations to virtual event participants located throughout the United States for meetings, holiday parties, as well as Sandra Wine Life’s Wine Seminars.

Both companies have experienced tremendous success with this new model, working independently and together. Since the onset of the pandemic when physical events were put on hold, Sandra’s Wine Life has held four virtual events per week at minimum and experienced a growth rate of 100%.

“Our new normal has empowered me to shift my business, previously in-person wine education seminars for top financial institutions, legal firms and non-profits, into a virtual format,” said Sandra Guibord.

“Through this experience, Sandra’s Wine Life has gained new clients and enthusiasts. I have not lost one client during the pandemic – in fact, I have grown my business 100%,” Guibord continued. “This additional partnership with New York’s top caterer, Thomas Preti, is a testament to the opportunities that can be created through collaboration during this unique moment in history.”

“Sandra and I have worked together, supporting the same clientele, yet separately, for nearly 10 years with tremendous success. I’m thrilled to now add our company’s catering expertise – traditionally shared in New York City’s most prestigious event venues – virtually through our new ‘Preti, Set, Go!’ offering,” added Thomas Preti, Founder of Thomas Preti Events to Savor.

“Although events are now primarily virtual, we continue to be able to provide cuisine that is just as beautifully presented and flavorful as for live, in-person events,” continued Preti. “The additional success that we’ve experienced teaming up with Sandra’s Wine Life has been incredible, with dozens of new events added, as well as the ability to now provide a full-service food and wine offering for virtual events.”

Sandra’s Wine Life Virtual Wine Seminars offer an array of custom and pre-packaged wine courses for beginners to wine connoisseurs. Thomas Preti Events’ ‘Preti, Set, Go!’ culinary offering is available to pair with Sandra Guibord’s wine selections for any of the virtual wine seminars.

Seminar topics include a primer about wine and pairing called ‘All About Wine Tasting & Discussion,’ frequently hosted alongside a top wine industry expert. More topics include, ‘Wine & Cinema Tasting,’ including the preview of the film, ‘Wine Calling’ which captures the story of France’s natural winemaking movement, as well as ‘Wine & Opera’ which presents relevant wines and conversation alongside a ‘live’ virtual performance by International opera singers, Charles Castronovo and Ekaterina Siurina, from Berlin, Germany.

With two decades of wine expertise and knowledge, Sandra Guibord offers wine tips and thought leadership for selecting and drinking wine that fits into everyone’s lifestyle. Sandra’s Wine Life celebrates selecting and enjoying wines for entertaining, gift giving, romance, parties and life’s many other occasions that call for a fabulous glass of wine.

About Sandra Guibord, Sandra’s Wine Life

Sandra Guibord, CEO and Founder of Sandra’s Wine Life has over two decades of experience the media and entertainment business. A former Wilhelmina model and actress, including soap operas, network television series, films and corporate spokesperson roles, Sandra is now a preeminent guide within the wine and spirits community. She assists top corporations, legal firms, and nonprofits with entertaining their top clientele and senior executives.

Utilizing her hands-on learnings gained through vineyard internships and travel to wine regions worldwide, Sandra Guibord has made the often vexing world of wine enjoyable through her fun, festive and informative approach that has been well received by wine enthusiasts from novices to connoisseurs. She offers from practical wine advice for casual events (virtual and in-person), business dinners, romantic dates, and building custom wine collections. Sandra will be unveiling her first book, titled ‘Wine Identity’ in early 2021.

Learn more about Sandra’s Wine Life and Sandra Guibord’s event offerings at www.sandraswinelife.com.

About Thomas Preti Events To Savor

Since 1987, Thomas Preti Events to Savor has seamlessly orchestrated thousands of events at New York’s most prestigious venues. Our team has earned a reputation for delivering an unmatched culinary experience and first-class service by tailoring the needs of each event to enhance its unique image and style.

You’re not just choosing a menu. You’re choosing an experience. People who know caterers choose Thomas Preti for the events that matter. When we promise grilled grouper, that’s precisely what we serve. Grilled perfectly. Served impeccably. We’ve been delighting our clients and their guests for over 30 years. We’ve seen fads come and go. We don’t follow fads. We focus on what really matters. Real food, prepared in surprising and delicious ways. Preti is famous for delivering what we promise, flawlessly.

In 2020, we launched Preti, Set, Go!, a modern evolution of the classic Thomas Preti experience, individually packaged & delivered to you!

GirlTrek Virtual Celebration

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GirlTrek, the largest health movement and nonprofit for Black women in the United States, is officially now a sisterhood of 1 MILLION Black women – and counting!

To celebrate mobilizing 1 million Black women to use radical self-care and walking as the first practical step to leading healthier, more fulfilled lives, GirlTrek is hosting the biggest party for Black women 2020 has seen on Sunday, November 29th at 7 p.m. EST on GirlTrek’s Facebook LIVE.

It will be a moment of gratitude and reflection centered in a celebration of our stories — the brilliant displays of uprising, change-making, freedom-claiming Black women. Women that have one by one, neighborhood by neighborhood, powered and propelled this movement to a literal unleashing of 1 million Black women! Together, we have been walking and building this movement for a decade. There’s no way in the world that we’d let this landmark moment pass without rejoicing.

The one-and-only D-Nice is set to spin. Performances include India Arie, Baby Rose, poet Aja Monet, and Tawiah.

GirlTrek is the most effective public health solution in the country. GirlTrek was co-founded by two friends, T. Morgan Dixon and Vanessa Garrison. Over the years, the organization, which originally began as an email walking challenge among friends, expanded to a nationwide movement inspiring radical healing and health transformation among Black women.

Based on membership data collection, in 2019, 26% of GirlTrek members reported taking less medication after committing to a daily walking practice; 61% of women lost weight since the previous year; 40% of women continued to see improvement in symptoms from a previous health condition and 98% of those who have been diagnosed with depression said walking has improved their symptoms.

Join a sisterhood of 1 million — and growing — by taking the pledge at GirlTrek.org. GirlTrek is free to join. Check out GirlTrek on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.