With Duke's assistance, one of the nation's most famed forums for public discussion of contemporary issues is coming to Durham's Carolina Theatre this year.
Talks by Paul Volcker, Thomas Friedman, Anna Quinlan and others will be broadcast live via satellite from New York's 92nd Street Y, home to a popular series of panel discussions, debates and speakers.
Sponsorship from Duke's Office of Student Affairs, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences, the Office of Undergraduate Education, and the Office of Public Affairs and Government Relations supported the Carolina Theatre's participation in the 92 Y Live program.
The broadcasts underscore Duke's efforts to promote intellectual life in the wider Durham community and provide new opportunities for student learning. Attendees in Durham can submit questions that will be sent to New York and potentially read during the broadcast. At least 100 free tickets will be reserved for Duke students to attend each event.
"It's good for our students to know about the cultural legacy of the 92nd Street Y," said Steve Nowicki, dean and vice provost for undergraduate education. "Thanks to technology, this series offers students access to some of the world's compelling thinkers in the cool venue of Durham's historic Carolina Theater. I hope students will take advantage of this opportunity to get off campus, and while they're at it test out some of the downtown restaurants that are making Durham so popular with 'foodies.'"
Six programs have been established for the fall semester. Broadcasts start Thursday, Sept. 13 with former Federal Reserve System Chairman Volcker talking with Rupert Murdoch and Ed Koch about keeping an active life after turning 80. Other offerings will include columnist and author Quinlan talking with journalist Jodi Kantor about motherhood and journalism, and culinary historians celebrating everything about Julia Child in honor of the 100th anniversary year of her birth.
Bob Nocek, president and CEO of Carolina Theatre Inc., said the broadcasts are part of the venue's mission to engage the community. "Durham is an intellectually curious town, and a series like this is a perfect fit," Nocek said. "We could never afford to present a lineup of speakers of this caliber in person with this frequency, so we’re extremely pleased to be able to bring them to Durham in another way."
The broadcasts, carried live from New York, will be shown using the high-definition digital projectors purchased by the City of Durham as part of its nearly $2 million renovation of the Carolina Theatre last year.
Tickets, on sale now, are $12 for adults, $10 for Carolina Star Donors and $5 for students. A six-show subscription pass for the fall series is available for $48. Ticket information can be found here.
The program schedule:
- Thursday, Sept. 13: Ed Koch, Rupert Murdoch and Paul Volcker, "Relevant Octogenarians."
- Thursday, Oct. 2: Thomas Friedman, "How America fell Behind in the World it Invented and How We Can Come Back."
- Sunday, Oct. 28: Judith Jones, Laura Shapiro and Alexandra Leaf, "On Julia Child at 100: An Appreciation."
- Sunday, Nov. 4: Eric Kandel, Elie Wiesel and Dr. Gail Saltz, "Mind, Body and Soul."
- Monday, Nov. 26: Anna Quindlen and Jodi Kantor.
- Sunday, Dec. 9: Jon Meacham, "On Jefferson."