2019 Speaker/Performer Bios
Drag can be a leadership role model for everyone – kids, too
When New York City drag queen Marti Gould Cummings posted to Twitter a 20-second video clip of her performance of Baby Shark that delighted a young child, the Internet erupted with fans and fury and a community activist was born. Cummings explains how her world view changed and how “leading with kindness” is her platform for activism. martigcummings.com #BabyShark #drag #leadwithkindness #joy #martigouldcummings #TEDxPtown #TEDxProvincetown #CapeCod #Provincetown #lgbqt #dragqueen
Ridiculous on Purpose: Sharing Permissions to Promote Mental Wellness
In this high-energy and creative talk, Angelina Blasich, a tutu-wearing, licensed mental health professional and co-founder of community engagement group Purposefully Ridiculous, explains the improved clinical and health outcomes from affording ourselves the freedom to “don our permissions” and be ridiculous on purpose. Ridiculate your life! www.purposefullyridiculous.com #mentalhealth #sharetheshine #tutu #ridiculousonpurpose #ridiculation #communitywellness #angelinablasich #ridiculateyourllife #donyourpermissions #TEDxPtown #TEDxProvincetown #CapeCod #Provincetown
Lines in the sand: The new rules of engagement for consent and boundaries in the post-#MeToo era
In this potent talk about the new rules for consent, poet, actor, and confessed “hugger” Tamora Israel explores the new rules of engagement in the post-#MeToo era and how to navigate personal boundaries with respect. What counts as a breach of consent? You might be surprised. #canihugyou #imlistening #consent #hugging #personalspace #breachofconsent #donttouchmyhair #TEDxPtown #TEDxProvincetown #CapeCod #Provincetown
‘Save the Invertebrates, Save the World’: Keystone species and conserving our delicate food webs
Imagine saving an entire marine ecosystem by protecting an inconspicuous and “un-cute” animal you’ve never even heard of, says Center for Coastal Studies marine biologist Agnes Mittermayr in a funny and illuminating conservation talk. We are all connected, algae to humans to worms, by being part of one big food web and we can save whole ecosystems by protecting critical keystone species — some of which have no other value. coastalstudies.org #foodweb #marinebiology #centerforcoastalstudies #amphipods #agnesmittermayr #keystonespecies #savetheinvertibrates #TEDxPtown #TEDxProvincetown #CapeCod #Provincetown #ecosystem #invertebrates #conservation
Escape the “Cage of Normalcy” to experience freedom and truth, before they are gone
In this hilarious and astute take down of the dehumanizing “social contracts” of our contemporary society, prolific playwright and provocateur Ryan Landry explains why we’re all so pissed off, offended and consumed with the need “to be right” and “to win.” Step out of the cage, into the garden, and slough off the trap of “being normal.” golddustorphans.org #ryanlandry #cageofnormalcy #takingoffense #givingoffense #golddustorphans #socialcontracts #TEDxPtown #TEDxProvincetown #CapeCod #Provincetown #deathoftruth #convenienceistheenemy
Teaching students difficult histories creates engaged citizens and better thinkers
Susannah Remillard, a middle-school teacher and Fulbright scholar, says “students deserve more than an easy mythology” when learning complicated and difficult histories. Remillard outlines her comparative research into the sanitized colonial myths and foundational stories of the US and New Zealand and the benefits of engaging students in fuller and more accurate accounts of what happened, from all sides. Benefits include shaping better thinkers and more empathetic citizens while returning voice to marginalized communities erased from traditional colonial lessons. #difficulthistories #education #Fulbright #susannahremillard #CapeCod #TEDxPtown #Wampanoag #PeopleoftheFirstLight #colonization #easymythologies #newzealand #Māori #CapeCodLighthouseCharterSchool #Provincetown #curricula #Thanksgiving #appropriation #UShistory #Pilgrims
More housing diversity can end the housing crisis and renew the American Dream
Alisa Magnotta, CEO of Housing Assistance Corporation on Cape Cod, examines the current housing crisis in the US and the renewal of a 21st Century American Dream through increased housing diversity — to give us natural affordability and economic mobility by rethinking the consequences of single family zoning. Magnotta takes a fresh look at the existing housing stock and created innovative programs that repurpose underutilized properties to create more year-round housing – such as Rent 365 and support for accessory dwelling units (ADUs). haconcapecod.org #housing #crisis #AmericanDream #econonicmobility #zoning #singlefamilyhousing #density #affordability #TEDxPtown #TEDxProvincetown #CapeCod #Provincetown #zoningforchoice #housingamericatoday #accessorydwellingunit #singlefamilyzoning
Mark Borrelli, coastal geologist, talking about a unique Provincetown climate change strategy to address rising sea levels and more frequent storms — a strategy that is rolling out in other coastal communities.