This one's a BIG deal!  The TEDxCincinnatiChange event is happening in Cincinnati on April 7th.  And YOU can attend, or even nominate yourself as a speaker or performer!

What is TED, you say?  If you are unfamiliar, I suggest you take a pause from this post and check out a few of the amazing, insightful, and inspiring videos (of talks AND performances) posted on here: www.TED.com

Here's what TED is all about (from the website)...

"TED is a nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design. Since then its scope has become ever broader. Along with two annual conferences -- the TED Conference in Long Beach and Palm Springs each spring, and the TEDGlobal conference in Edinburgh UK each summer -- TED includes the award-winning TEDTalks video site, the Open Translation Project and TED Conversations, the inspiring TED Fellows and TEDx programs, and the annual TED Prize.

The two annual TED conferences, in Long Beach/Palm Springs and Edinburgh, Scotland, bring together the world's most fascinating thinkers and doers, who are challenged to give the talk of their lives (in 18 minutes or less).

Our mission: Spreading ideas.

We believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world. So we're building here a clearinghouse that offers free knowledge and inspiration from the world's most inspired thinkers, and also a community of curious souls to engage with ideas and each other."

The TEDx programs are popping up in many cities all around the world, and Cincinnati has its very own TEDxCincinnati and TEDxCincy, which are run by different individuals but serve the same purpose.  "The TEDx program gives communities, organizations and individuals the opportunity to stimulate dialogue through TED-like experiences at the local level. TEDx events are planned and coordinated independently."  (TED.com)

So, back to TEDxCincinnatiChange.  You may have noticed the special word "change" in the title.  The main TEDxChange event is happening on April 5th in Berlin, and there are 170 cities (including Cincinnati) that are hosting events in collaboration.  These events will focus on important global health and development issues, as well as effecting positive change in general, on both global and local levels.  The TEDxChange event will be streaming live from Berlin, and videos will appear on the TED.com website.  For more details: http://www.ted.com/pages/tedxchange_overview

The Cincinnati venue is one of the most exciting things to share!  TEDxCincinnatiChange will be held at St. Michael the Archangel Church, which is a large Roman Catholic church in Lower Price Hill, close to the Ohio River.  According to Wikipedia, "The cornerstone of this church was laid in 1847 and the church dedicated a year later. The church closed April 5, 1998."  This place was chosen in keeping with the theme of change, as it is currently being renovated and transformed to be used for community events and artist spaces (and has already been in use for various neighborhood outreach).  The inside of the church is raw, spacious, and gorgeous, with very tall stained glass windows.

During the TEDxCincinnatiChange event on April 7th, the all-day experience will include "the internationally streamed videos from Berlin, over a dozen local speakers and performers, a real chance to meet the presenters and discuss ideas, plus breakfast and lunch. You also get FREE access to the Community Roundtable Dinner immediately following the TEDxCincinnatiChange event."  For more details (including volunteer and sponsorship opportunities): http://tedxcincinnati.com/tedxchange

TEDxCincinnati is always accepting nominations for speakers and performers for any one of its upcoming events (including TEDxCincinnatiWomen and TEDxYouth@Cincinnati).  However, the deadline to be a speaker or performer for the TEDxCincinnatiChange event is March 7th.

So if you or someone you know has a big idea, impressive talent, or is working on changing things on a local and/or global level, please make sure to fill out the nomination form (as soon as possible) at this link:  http://tedxcincinnati.com/nominate-a-speaker

If you would like to attend, make sure you register for your admission pass!  It is on a sliding scale basis, so you pay what you can afford (between $20-100): http://tedxcincinnati.com/tedxchange/register

Are you on Facebook and would like to keep updated?  Then please click the "Like" button on the TEDxCincinnati Facebook page and it will show up in your news feed.

Change is coming!  “If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. ... We need not wait to see what others do.”  -- Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

Please feel free to post a comment with links to your favorite TED talks!  Be inspired, Cincinnati!

Written by Rebecca Nebert