Townie: TEDx Oneonta, Oneonta Literary Festival, and Helios Rock n Roll Revue
Oct. 16-22, 2024: Foothills PAC, CANO, SUNY Oneonta, Hartwick College, Roots Public Social Club, Black Oak Tavern
“Thank you in advance for coming to my TED talk” is something I didn’t anticipate being able to say
The focus of my week has been getting over a cold and rehearsing the TED talk that I’m giving on Friday as part of TEDx Oneonta, an independent offshoot of the famous TED conference.
I first learned about TED talks by watching sociologist Brene Brown’s TEDx Houston talk about vulnerability. I’ve since regularly cherry-picked interesting TED talks to show to my students at SUNY Oneonta over the last few years.
I told my students today that I was giving a TED talk and would be rehearsing Friday morning so we wouldn’t have class. They applauded, and whether they were being supportive kings and queens or just enthusiastic to have a day off from Interviewing, I felt like I won.
I’m nervous and excited to present alongside this year's line-up, which includes the following hella impressive speakers:
Dr. Marisa T. Cohen, a therapist from New York City, will be talking about how a friend date a day keeps … her away.
Troy C. Smith, a top sales executive at GEICO, is coming into town from Florida to give a talk about hope-driven leadership.
Amelia Ransom, a powerhouse diversity-equity- and -inclusion professional based in Seattle, has prepared a talk titled: “DEI and the Problem of the White Doll Dipped.”
Aaliyah Singh Ghotra, a ninth-grader from Washington State will talk about overcoming bullying.
Then there’s me talking about why the arts matter to the bottom line of your community. I’ve been telling everyone who makes eye contact with me that the arts directly connect to economic development, tourism, and creating liveable communities. Oh, and let me give you some stats and stories! (I yell to the stranger in front of me in line at the coffee shop as they gingerly walk away, deciding they don’t really need that iced chai…).
Hopefully, I’ll see your smiling face in the audience this Friday at 6 p.m. at Foothills Performing Arts Center in the big theater. Or hopefully, you’re a nice stranger who wants to hear how the arts and culture sector contributed $1.1 trillion to the U.S. economy in 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
My TEDx coach Lisa Samols has been a godsend, offering diplomatic edits to my first drafts and being an enthusiastic audience member. The entire TEDx Oneonta team, led by Dan Butterman, has done a wonderful job bringing this annual event to the community and operating it at such a professional level. I’ve gone the last few years and have been inspired each time I do–plus the ticket fee includes a free T-shirt and dessert reception!
In addition to TEDx, the Oneonta Literary Festival is happening this weekend, with workshops, readings, poetry slams, and a local author expo from Thursday through Monday. Read on for more information about these, as well as Helios Care’s Rock n Rock Revue.
I hope to see you out and about!
Cassandra
Townie is sponsored by Oneonta Downtown Renaissance
Cassandra Miller is the editor of Townie, a publication of Culture Rally Communications.
TEDx Oneonta
Friday, Oct. 18, 6 p.m. | Foothills PAC, Oneonta
It’s pretty awesome that Oneonta hosts a TEDx event, a community extension of the famous TED talk series. Since its inception, TEDx Oneonta has featured 30 speakers from around the world, along with a handful of local speakers, sharing their ideas in short presentations of under 18 minutes. This year’s event includes:
Dr. Marisa T. Cohen, a New York City-based relationship scientist, marriage and family therapist, and psychology professor. Her talk is titled: “A Friend Date a Day Keeps Loneliness at Bay? The Complexity and Power of the Human Bond.”
Amelia Ransom, VP at Smartsheet in Seattle, and leader in DEI and CSR initiatives. Her talk is titled: “DEI and the Problem of the White Doll Dipped.”
(Me!) Cassandra Miller. I’m an arts cheerleader and the editor of Townie. I’m excited and nervous to be giving a TED talk. My talk is titled “Why the Arts Matter to the Bottom Line of a Community.”
Troy C. Smith, a professional speaker from Lakeland, Florida, and former #1 Sales Manager nationwide for GEICO. His talk is titled: “Hope-Driven Leadership: Transforming People and Teams.”
Aaliyah Singh Ghotra, a 14-year-old student in ninth grade. She’s impressively insightful and will deliver a talk titled “Powerful Lessons from a Bullied Teen.”
Tickets are $25 and include a T-shirt and dessert reception.
Oneonta Literary Festival
Oct. 17-21 | Various Locations, Oneonta
The Oneonta Literary Festival is hosted by Hartwick College, SUNY Oneonta, and community partners. It features workshops and readings with renowned national and local authors, with all events free and open to the public. While there will be events throughout the coming months, most activities take place this weekend at the colleges and venues in downtown Oneonta. Find the entire weekend schedule here. Below are a few of my top picks for events this weekend.
“Historical Fictions, Heist Flicks, and Other Climate Genres for a Burning World” presented by Anna Kornbluh
Thursday, Oct. 17, 7 p.m. | Anderson Center for the Arts, Hartwick College
The event will feature Kornbluh’s presentation followed by a poetry reading by Rachel Blau DuPlessis. The event will also feature a conversation with the authors, a reception, and a book signing.
Poetry Slam with Kristen Tomanocy and Matt Coonan
Saturday, Oct.19, 9 p.m. | B Side Ballroom, Oneonta
This special edition of the Big O’ Poetry Slam features performances by SUNY Oneonta alumni poets Matt Coonan (Class of 2016) and Kristen Tomanocy (Class of 2011), along with a slam poetry competition judged by guest Willy Palomo.
Author Expo and Local Author Book Fair
Sunday, Oct. 20, 2 p.m. | CANO, Oneonta
Meet local authors like Libby Cudmore and Alice Lichtenstein and pick up a book or two at this casual gathering of literati.
Helios Rock n Roll Revue
Saturday, Oct. 19, 7 p.m. | Foothills PAC, Oneonta
This is Helios Care’s second annual fall concert fundraiser. Last year they did a “Grand Oneonta Opry” review. This year features pop and rock music from the ’50s to ’80s led by Driftwoods frontman John Thompson, who has put together a new band called the Elusive Gems. Participating musicians include some of the area’s best: Evan Jagels, Rob Roman, Wyatt Ambrose, Bobby Angilletta, Kristina Johnson, and Paul Carter. Also performing are Eric Haight from Off the Record, local theater star Tom Pondolfino, Mary Frances Perricone, Shari Gage, the Mopar Cams, and Roundhouse Rockers. Doug Decker will emcee the event. All the performers are donating their talents for the evening to help this be a true fundraiser. Tickets are $20-$25.
Additional Events
Wednesday, Oct. 16, 6 p.m.: Local Ladies Networking at Roots Public Social Club
Thursday, Oct. 17, 7 p.m.: Oneonta Area NAACP presents a film screening of American Fiction at Foothills PAC
Friday, Oct. 18, 10 p.m.: Drag at Black Oak Tavern
Saturday, Oct. 19, 11 a.m.: Cemetery Scavenger Hunt in Walton
Saturday, Oct. 19, noon: Tour of Oneonta Churches with GOHS
Saturday, Oct. 19, 7 p.m.: Rocky Horror Picture Show Shadow Cast at Wieting Theater in Worcester
Sunday, Oct. 20, 4 p.m.: SUNY Oneonta Hip Hop Collective at Foothills PAC
Monday, Oct. 21, 6 p.m.: StageTime Trivia at Muddy River in Oneonta
Tuesday, Oct. 22, 6 p.m.: Art in the Dark at the Fenimore Museum in Cooperstown
Send your event to Townie
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Townie is a publication of Culture Rally Communications and is supported by paid subscribers and sponsors.