TEDx Oronoco Bay Park Open Mic

An open mic night Wednesday night drew a crowd of speakers auditioning to give a TEDx talk for Alexandria's first community Tedx event coming this fall. The inaugural theme is (re)imagine. Members of the community will share their grand ideas and challenging perspectives and tell inspiring stories.

TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group.

On Wednesday night, more than 15 speakers gave three-minute previews of their talks at St. Elmo's Coffee Pub in Del Ray, talking about everything from loving yourself—  instead of worrying about dating — to discovering, after a DNA test that your biological father is a famous football player.

Maria Olsen had the audience in the palm of her hand as she talked about being raised a Catholic, taking a DNA test and finding out she was the product of a one-night stand. She tracked down her Jewish dad and discovered he had played for the Washington Redskins. "He's thrilled I'm in his life," she said, not revealing his name. [See
https://youtu.be/1zL9epmbpfQ ]

Philip Wilkerson talked about living his life by imagining what his funeral might be like. Thao Do told the crowd she conquered her fear of heights and is now a pilot.

City Councilman John Chapman talked about "bringing equity to our history," when it comes to telling the history of African Americans in Alexandria. "I think it's going to be our generation's call," he told the audience.

Audience members were encouraged to "vote" for a speaker by placing pennies in a jar with the speaker's name on it. Organizers will be deciding this summer who the speakers will be for the main event coming this fall.

If you are interested in pitching an idea, apply to be a speaker on the website: www.tedxoronocobaypark.com

These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

Read more about the program on the TEDx Oronoco Bay Park website.