The document announces the 2010 National Geographic Live speaker series in Seattle, beginning with Michael Davie on January 20-21. As a child refugee of the Rhodesian civil war, Davie is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker who has documented conflicts and social issues in Africa, risking his life to share untold stories from the continent. In his talks, he will share footage and stories from his travels across Africa to provide a personal, insider perspective on the beauty, challenges and humanity of the region. The series will continue with talks from authors and explorers on topics like environmental issues, space exploration and collapsed societies.

1. <br /> <br /> <br />For Immediate Release Monday, January 11, 2010<br /> <br />ZIMBABWE-BORN FILMMAKER MICHAEL DAVIE<br />TAKES AUDIENCES ON A JOURNEY THROUGH THE UNEXPECTED IN AFRICA: THROUGH THE LENS<br /> <br />Davie Presents a Unique, Insider’s Perspective on Africa,<br />Recounting Stories of Courage and Humanity<br /> <br />January 20 and 21 Engagements Kick Off<br />2010 National Geographic Live Speaker Series<br /> <br /> <br />Seattle, WA – The 2010 National Geographic Live speaker series kicks off with Africa: Through the Lens, featuring Emmy Award–winning filmmaker and journalist Michael Davie. Davie will share captivating stories and inspiring footage from his travels throughout Africa, revealing a side of the continent that is rarely seen by the Western world, from an insider’s perspective. Davie will speak on Wednesday, January 20, at 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, January 21, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $18 for adults and $12 for students. Series tickets are still available.<br /> <br />A child refugee of the civil war in Rhodesia (modern-day Zimbabwe), Emmy Award–winner Michael Davie is one of today’s freshest voices in documentary filmmaking. He has risked his life to make films about the violent abuse of women in Pakistan, the plight of war refugees in the Balkans, and the child soldiers in Africa—a continent he loves, fears and wants the world to better understand. In Africa: Through the Lens, Davie will discuss his passion for his home continent and share footage he’s shot there –– from the front lines of war in Liberia, to the battle to save the Congo’s endangered mountain gorillas, to a progressive prisoner rehabilitation program in South Africa –– in an effort to demystify his beloved homeland. Using excerpts from his first documentary, From Capetown to Cairo, Davie will share stories from his journey hitchhiking through all of Africa with just a backpack and a camera giving a deeply personal account of his experiences while evoking the beauty, brutality and heartache of the continent. Through his tales of adventure, extraordinary personal encounters, and riveting film clips, Davie will raise the tough questions and give a voice to the Africa that is rarely seen.<br /> <br />Other speakers in the National Geographic Live series include geographer and famed Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Guns, Germs and Steel Jared Diamond on March 1 & 2. Diamond will present ideas from his latest book Collapse, an exploration of failed societies, and a look at sustainable practices we can adopt today to avoid the mistakes of the past. On March 22 & 23, former management consultant turned eco-adventurer Roz Savage will share how her oceanic rowing voyages have inspired grassroots environmental stewardship. National Geographic photographer Paul Nicklen takes audiences underwater and over the ice to witness the stunning wildlife of Antarctica and the Arctic on April 19 & 20. Rounding out the series on May 17 & 18, NASA engineer and passionate space explorer Kobie Boykins will present his work on the next-generation Mars rover, the robot that will be used to assess the planet’s potential ability to support life.<br /> <br />Tickets<br />Series tickets and a limited number of singe tickets are on sale now, on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Seattle Symphony Ticket Office at (206) 215-4747 or toll-free at (866) 833-4747, faxing the Symphony at (206) 215-4748, ordering online at www.benaroyahall.org, or visiting the Seattle Symphony Ticket Office in Benaroya Hall at Third Avenue & Union Street, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 1 to 6 p.m. For group sales information, call (206) 215-4784. Discounts are available for students and seniors and special membership rates are available. Membership rates apply for members of the National Geographic Society and Seattle Symphony subscribers.<br /> <br />Single Event Tickets<br />Single event ticket prices begin at $18 for adults and $12 for students. Members of the National Geographic Society and Seattle Symphony subscribers can purchase single event tickets starting at $15.<br /> <br />Series Tickets<br /> <br />Balcony<br />$75 member, $86 non-member, $47 full-time students and seniors (must show valid ID)<br /> <br />Main Floor (rear orchestra seats)<br />$96 member, $112 non-member, $52 full-time students and seniors (must show valid ID)<br /> <br />Patron Level (preferred front orchestra seats)<br />$134 member, $150 non-member<br /> <br />*Explorers Circle Package (preferred orchestra seats and event package)<br />$380 member, $395 non-member<br /> <br /> <br />*Explorers Circle ticket purchases include prime seating for each of the five National Geographic Live presentations; a private cocktail reception with geographer and author Jared Diamond prior to the March 2 presentation; a signed copy of Diamond’s book Collapse; and acknowledgement as an Explorers Circle level donor on-screen prior to all evening programs. A portion of each package is tax-deductible, as it includes a donation of $150 to support National Geographic Live (receipt provided). There are a limited number of Explorers Circle tickets and they are only offered with a purchase of the series 2 tickets.<br /> <br /> <br />About National Geographic Live and the National Geographic Society<br /> <br />National Geographic Live is a branded series of events including live concerts, films and dynamic presentations by today's leading explorers, scientists, filmmakers and photographers covering a wide range of topics including exploration and adventure; wildlife and habitat; natural phenomena; and relevant issues such as climate change and energy conservation. Proceeds from speaker series ticket sales help fund future National Geographic initiatives in field research, exploration and education.<br /> <br />The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. National Geographic reflects the world through its magazines, television programs, films, music and radio, books, DVDs, maps, exhibitions, live events, school publishing programs, interactive media and merchandise. National Geographic magazine, the Society’s official journal, published in English and 32 local-language editions, is read by more than 35 million people each month. The National Geographic Channel reaches 310 million households in 34 languages in 165 countries. National Geographic Digital Media receives more than 13 million visitors a month. National Geographic has funded more than 9,200 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program promoting geography literacy. For more information, visit nationalgeographic.com.<br /> <br />About BH Music Center and Benaroya Hall<br /> <br />BH Music Center is the non-profit organization that operates and manages Benaroya Hall. Benaroya Hall, home of Seattle Symphony, is Seattle’s first facility designed exclusively for concert music performances. Located on an entire city block in downtown Seattle between Second and Third avenues and Union and University streets, the Hall serves as a focal point of the city’s urban core. This state-of-the-art concert hall opened ten years ago on September 12, 1998, and has since successfully operated as one of the nation’s premier venues for live symphonic music, as well as a catalyst for downtown economic development, community building, education and culture. The Hall serves as a focal point of the city’s urban core. Benaroya Hall has two spaces for musical performances: the 2,500-seat S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium and the 540-seat Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall. A 430-space parking garage, accessible from Second Avenue, is housed within Benaroya Hall. Benaroya Hall received a 2001 American Institute of Architects (AIA) National Honor Award for outstanding architecture.<br /> <br />About Seattle Symphony<br />Seattle Symphony celebrates the Silver Anniversary of Music Director Gerard Schwarz this season with special events and programming. The Orchestra, now presenting its 107th season, has been under the artistic leadership of Schwarz since 1985. In 1998, the Orchestra began performing in the acoustically superb Benaroya Hall in downtown Seattle. The Symphony is internationally recognized for its adventurous programming of contemporary works, its devotion to the classics, and its extensive recording history. Seattle Symphony has made more than 125 recordings, garnered 12 Grammy nominations and received two Emmy Awards. The Orchestra is also known for its extensive education programming, which annually serves 100,000 people of all ages. From September through July, audiences number 315,000 people both at Benaroya Hall and in the community. For more information on Seattle Symphony, visit www.seattlesymphony.org. <br /> <br />* All programs and participants subject to change. Full-length biographies and photos of speakers are available to the media on request.<br /> <br />Media Contacts: Rel#0910-69<br /> January 11, 2010<br />Rosalie Contreras, Director of Communications, (206) 215-4782<br />rosalie.contreras@seattlesymphony.org<br /> <br />Elizabeth Ferlic, Public Relations Manager, (206) 215-4714<br />elizabeth.ferlic@seattlesymphony.org<br />